Lost in the Night

The stranger's words were like a lifeline, and Harmony didn't hesitate. She opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as the door closed behind her. "Where do you need to go?" the stranger asked, his eyes scanning her face in the rearview mirror. Harmony hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She didn't know where she was, or where she wanted to go. All she knew was that she needed to get away from the mansion, and the woman who lurked within its walls. "Just... take me away from there," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. The stranger nodded, and put the car in gear. As they pulled away from the curb, Harmony glanced back at the dark shape of the mansion, half-expecting to see the woman standing in the doorway, watching her leave. But the street was empty, and the mansion's windows were dark and silent. As they drove, the stranger introduced himself as Max. He was a quiet, easy-going guy with a kind face and a gentle smile. Harmony found herself feeling at ease with him, and she began to open up about her situation. "I was at this party," she said, trying to downplay the events that had led her to flee. "And I just... needed to get out of there." Max raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Instead, he nodded and kept driving, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. As the minutes ticked by, Harmony began to feel a sense of unease. She didn't know Max, after all, and she had just gotten into a car with a complete stranger. What if he was trying to take advantage of her? But as she glanced over at him, she saw only kindness and concern in his eyes. He seemed genuinely interested in helping her, and she began to feel a sense of trust. As they approached a major intersection, Max turned to her and said, "Do you want to go to a hotel, or try to find a friend to pick you up?" Harmony hesitated, unsure of what to do. She didn't have any friends nearby, and she certainly didn't want to go back to the mansion. "Actually," she said, a sudden idea striking her. "Can you take me to a bus station? I think I can make it to my sister's place from there." Max nodded, and turned the car towards the bus station. As they pulled up to the terminal, Harmony felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was one step closer to safety, and one step closer to escaping the darkness that had pursued her. As she opened the door to get out, Max turned to her and said, "Hey, you know I was home, but... actually, you never saw me, bye!" Harmony's eyes widened in surprise, and she laughed. "What? Why did you just say that?" Max grinned, and winked at her. "Just a little joke. Take care of yourself, okay?" And with that, he pulled away, leaving Harmony standing alone in the bright lights of the bus station. She watched as his car disappeared into the night, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the stranger who had helped her escape.