The Reincarnation Crisis

Chapter.1 Hitchhike to my death

I have been hitch hiking for a few years now, exactly how many years is a question that even myself could not answer.

After a particularly bad day at the office.  I finally decided to fire my boss and quit. Best decision I have ever made.

My parents passed away years ago and there was no relationship to tend to. I deleted any social media accounts, sold my possessions, including my phone — so I can live off the grid. I started my hitch hiking journey. First goal — hitch hike across my home country of Canada.

I was going across Canada from the west coast to the east, hitchhiked whenever a kind soul picked me up, and walked whenever I didn't get the chance to. I was in Ontario one late summer, walking along a small road near highway 401.

My last driver was a trucker who was crossing From Windsor to Detroit. We said good-bye and I decided to walk for a while since the view was pleasant—fields after fields of golden crops and occasionally some farm animals. My plan was to walk until late afternoon then stay in a nearby farm or set up camp somewhere quiet. Late summer Ontario was comfortable, since Canada doesn't really have a proper Autumn, we only got a few weeks of nice weather before you have to get out your Canada goose ,or worry that your car won't start.

I was walking along a dirt road, farms on both sides, when it started to rain. Not a light drizzle too, but a full on thunder storm. Well, it happens often at this time of the year, so I didn't think much, and started looking around to find a place to wait out the rain. I turned around and spotted a car coming down the small hill I just crossed and heading towards my direction. It was going down fast, clearly speeding.

"Oh great, a stunt driver." I murmured to myself. I have a rule to myself, never hitch hike a car that looks dangerous, but with rain getting heavier and no suitable place to hide nearby. I raised my hand, thumb pointing up, and put on my best smile.

The car slowed then stopped next to me. An Audi Rs6 with modified body kit and underglow. "Great, a rich stunt driver, the most dangerous kind.". I feared for the worst, people like this will probably take one look at me and speed off, leaving me drenched in rain and mud. Then the trunk opened. I hurry to put my hiking bag in, race to the passenger door, knock my boots together to get rid off some mud,  and hop in.

"Wow dude you are soaked" A young manly voice called out from the driver seat.

I turn to meet the speaker. A man in his 20s. He lounged in the driver's seat, lazily puffing on a joint. Dressed in a golden designer hoodie with a gold watch peeking from his sleeve, he oozed filthy wealth and immaturity.

"Great, stunt driving and DUI." I thought.

Yet the man had helped me, either he has a heart of gold, or his wealth made him indifferent to the cost. Regardless I'm grateful.

"Thank you sir, you just saved me a lot of trouble." I said, raising my voice to speak over the loud music he was playing.

"No problem dude.... why you walking in the middle of nowhere, you a refugee or something?" He said, his speech slurred.

"Just a hitchhiker, I hope to make it to Toronto by tomorrow." I shouted

"Oh that's where I'm going, I can get you there by today " He shouted and stepped on the gas. The Rs6's 4.0L V8 engine roared, all four wheels slipped in mud before it found some grip again. Too late now.

Soon we picked up speed and flew down the dirt road in dangerously. To ease my nervousness I asked, shouted over the loud music:" Hey what's this song you are listening to, you had it on repeat."

He turned his head to look at me, not slowing down for a bit.

"Oh, you like it? It's called Kerosensei, or Koroseno, I forgot. Anyway fam this is fire, it gets my blood pumping" He shouted back at me, both hands tight on the wheel.

"No I don't like it, it's too loud" I said half-heartedly, more concerned about safety than anything else, " Please watch the road."

"Huh?"

"Nerve mind.." I murmured.

By then we were almost at the end of the dirt roads, highway was just up ahead. I considered disembarking right there since the rain had almost stopped.

Suddenly, we flew over a small hill, the young driver shouted excitedly. Then my expression turned into horror as a cow blocked the way, just a few meters away.

"Holy cow!!!" I yelled

"Hahaha dude, that's fun.." he yanked the wheel hard as instinct took over, trying to avoid collision. However the car slipped on the muddy road, it's four wheel drive did nothing to change the car from its trajectory — a path straight into the trees on the side of the road.

I shielded my head with both of my arms, all the happy moments of my life flashed before my eyes like a movie, frame by frame. The world slowed down as I remembered seeing my side of the  car bent under the force of impact. Then all I felt was darkness.