Phantom Rider

On a dark desert highway, no cool wind in my hair thanks to my helmet, I could see him in my mirrors, a nightmare in black leather and helmet. I had no idea who he was or why he would be so persistently trailing me along a desolate road in the middle of nowhere but he had been with me for as long as I could remember. If I went faster, he would as well, his black bike glowing eerily. Who was this guy?

I came upon a roadside diner. The neon lettering in front flashed a bright “OPEN”, casting shadows on the forsaken parking lot. I smoothed the creases from my white leathers as I dismounted my matching ride after pulling into a spot near the door. Good chance to stretch my legs as I cautiously peered over my shoulder for any sign of my pursuer, hoping against hope that it had been just by chance that he had been behind me. I breathed a sigh of relief; no sign of him.

After entering the diner, I made my way to one of the booths. My body shook as the stress of the ride finally hit me. For some unknown reason that black rider bothered me. There was something unearthly about him that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. As much as I told myself everything was fine, that no one had actually been following me, the more my mind dwelled on that phantom and wouldn’t let go.

I ordered black coffee when the waitress came over. Pretty woman, probably in her late twenties with a dazzling smile. Any other time I would have tried to pick her up but tonight was not the right time or place for that. I glanced at the clock on the wall, one of the old fashioned analogue wall clocks with the sweeping second hand. 11:45PM… fifteen minutes until midnight. A cold shiver ran up my spine.

I finished my coffee and reached for my wallet to pay the waitress.

“Don’t worry. It’s on the house.” She told me.

“Thanks.” I said, giving her my most disarming smile.

I got up to leave then stopped as I glanced at the clock: 11:45PM. Hadn’t it been that time when I last looked? Had I misread the clock before? I had to have been in here for at least half an hour and yet…

This was one very strange night.

Cloaked once more in shadows as I mounted my bike, my mind raced faster than the speed of light trying to make sense of all that had been happening. I had no sooner put my helmet on and kicked the bike to life when a cyclopean light shone in my mirror: the phantom rider, waiting for me to resume my journey. My blood ran cold and I couldn’t get out of that parking lot fast enough.

I continued on my trip through hell, the biker matching my pace all the way. Without much light from the sliver of a moon all I could see was the bit of road the motorcycle’s light illuminated. I was exhausted, probably more from the nerves than the ride. I wanted, no needed, a temporary respite from my journey. A nice hot shower and a good night’s sleep would do wonders to alleviate my tortured mind. I pushed myself onward, all the while wondering where the sun could possibly be. All around me was an infinite field of blackness with no sign of a coming dawn. It had to be near. I had been riding for so long but exactly how long I had no way of knowing. I saw a sign up ahead in flashing neon. The diner looked familiar but then all these roadside places pretty much look alike. Soon I was pulling into the empty parking lot, waiting for my unknown riding partner to pass by. He never came. How could that be? He had been right behind me, not more than half a mile back.

As I walked into the place and sat in a booth I noticed the time on the clock: 11:45PM. Was that the same waitress from before? That couldn’t be. Must just be someone who looks a lot like her. The endless night and stress were getting to me. I went into the men’s room to splash some cold water on my face. As I brought my eyes back to the mirror terror filled my soul. My dreaded companion stood behind me! I spun around, only to find the room completely empty. I went back to the booth, my mind totally confused, my body visibly trembling.  I hadn’t eaten much in a while but I wasn’t hungry so I just ordered coffee. I hurriedly drank my java and went to pay.

“Don’t worry. It’s on the house.” I was seriously getting spooked now.

I got back on the road again, not caring that the motorcycle light was once again in my mirror. There had to be a town, some sort of civilization up ahead and come hell or high water I was going to get there. I had to find sanctuary from this purgatory I was in.

After what felt like an eternity I could see lights not far ahead and relief washed over me. At last I would be somewhere safe… until I saw the source of the light. I had to be in perdition. I was somehow back at the same deserted diner I had left hours ago, neon brightly flashing “OPEN”. My mind couldn’t handle the shock, retreating into a sea of soft comforting blackness as the bike went down on the road. Gently caressed by the dark void, flashes of memory intruded on the peace I felt.

My neighbor’s son owned a dark blue bike. I would watch him, dressed in his matching tight leathers as he drove in and out on his most prized possession, quite envious of his youth and his bike, until one night he had come over and asked if I would like to take it out for a ride. I know I should have said no on the spot since I had no motorcycle license or practical riding experience but I was just so excited at the thought of riding such a beast that I didn’t think before I said yes. He gave me his helmet but I was hardly dressed to take it on the road. That wasn’t going to stop me however. I mounted the seat, feeling a thrill at having such power between my legs. He gave me a quick tutorial of the controls and how to shift then I pulled out of the yard to go around the block. I’ll never know what possessed me. Instead of just going around the block I took it out for a ride on a highway I knew about, one unused due to the new freeway, passing by a long ago abandoned diner along the way. I had always had a love of all things fast so foolishly I opened up the gas, bonding with my new friend and enjoying the sensations assaulting my body when…

Another flash. I was lying on the road, surrounded by sirens and flashing lights. Shadowy figures loomed over me, telling me to stay still, that everything was going to be okay until my eyes had closed. From somewhere a voice spoke: “TOD 11:45PM”. I must have passed out, awakening to find I had no memory of how I came to be dressed in tight white leathers, riding a white bike on a dark deserted highway.

My eyes fluttered open. Black night still engulfed the world with nary a star in the sky as I lay on the road. As I looked around I could see no sign of the bike. I was stranded on the highway with no way to even get back to that accursed diner. I stood, wondering what I should do now. “TOD 11:45PM” still haunted my thoughts. Had I really died and didn’t realize it? I started to walk on autopilot, my mind numb from the revelations. Was I doomed to spend eternity wandering along this road in perpetual darkness? I walked for what must have been hours until I had to stop, not from exhaustion but from some compulsion deep within to just stand still.

Out of nowhere suddenly someone was beside me. The phantom rider of my nightmare realized, waiting on that black metal steed, no longer just a reflection in a mirror. I was paralyzed with terror.

Was my persistent tracker Death come to finally claim my soul for some past transgression I had no memory of? As I stood there transfixed at the specter he raised a black gloved hand, beckoning me to come closer, and as if pulled by some invisible string I found myself drawing nearer, unable to resist, fascinated yet stricken with panic at what might possibly be in store for me.

I could feel his hot breath on my neck and see the intricate pattern etched in his leathers as I got closer until quite involuntarily I found myself climbing on the back of the bike, positioned on the seat behind the driver. If the sun had been out I would have half expected that this would be the ending where we would ride off into the sunset into whatever inevitable conclusion awaited. Instead something much more unexpected occurred.

As we sat there waiting for God only knows what to happen, I began to slide forward until I made contact with the phantom. A brief pause and then I began to melt into his body. I was being absorbed through the body-hugging black leather gear he wore. Time seemed to halt as sensations of youthful strength and vitality flowed throughout my veins such as I hadn’t felt in years. The void returned as the last remaining vestige of myself merged with the rider.

Sunlight and warmth flooded through the window next to the booth in which I sat. I looked around to see a bustling diner and a clock behind the counter that read 11:45… AM.  I was famished as if I hadn’t eaten in years. I leisurely ate my way through the ham, eggs, toast, and other delectable treats that made up the veritable feast for my waiting stomach, topped off by the most magnificent cup of coffee, all brought by the prettiest waitress I had ever seen. My meal finished, I picked up my jacket, and headed to the men’s room. As I flipped on the light I saw my reflection in the mirror straight ahead. Not bad looking if I do say so myself. I wondered if the waitress would like a well-toned young man with jet black hair who was simply dashing dressed in his black leather motorcycle gear. For a moment I had the strangest sense I had somehow experienced this before.

I relieved myself and left to go mount my black beauty waiting patiently in the parking lot, giving a wink to the waitress as I started to pay.

She stopped me as I reached for my money. “Don’t worry. It’s on the house.”

“Thanks, but that has got to be quite the bill. At least let me pay half of it. My name’s Scott by the way.”

“No, really. I want to.” She handed me a slip of paper and smiled. I knew if I wanted she would willingly be mine for the asking. Ah well. Maybe next time. I smiled back at her and handed her some cash as a tip. I zipped up my jacket and waved to her as I exited.

Back out in the light of day I donned my helmet, put on my dark shades, and brought the engine to life. A shot of gas and I was flying down the highway at breakneck speed.

I had a long ride ahead of me before I would finally reach home.