She sighed, dropping her arm to her side. She couldn’t understand why the car didn’t stop. Didn’t they see her? She knew hitchhiking was risky, but right now it seemed like her only option for getting home. Emily resigned herself to keep trying, shivering slightly against the cold night air. There had to be some kind soul who would take pity and give her a lift. She just hoped they would come along soon.
After a while of not seeing anyone on the streets, Emily felt a growing sense of unease. She tried to stay calm, but her pace picked up. How was it possible that she had been walking for almost 20 minutes and had only seen one car? What was even stranger was the absence of people on the sidewalks, just like her. Where had everyone gone? Why was she the only one on the streets?