Riding the bullet

"Riding the Bullet" is a novella written by Stephen King, first published in 2000. The story follows a college student named Alan Parker who decides to hitchhike to visit his mother in the hospital, after receiving a phone call informing him of her critical condition. Along the way, he encounters various dangers and supernatural occurrences.

As Alan stands by the side of the road, trying to hitch a ride, he reflects on his life and relationship with his mother. He recalls a time when he was a child and his mother would read him stories, including one about a boy who hitchhiked and was picked up by a ghostly figure. This memory foreshadows the strange events that will soon unfold.

After several failed attempts to get a ride, a car finally stops for Alan. The driver is a middle-aged man named George Staub, who seems friendly at first but soon reveals a sinister side. He tells Alan that he knows about his mother's condition and offers to take him to the hospital in exchange for a favor. George wants Alan to sign a piece of paper, granting him permission to take possession of Alan's soul when he dies. Alan is taken aback by this request but feels that he has no choice but to agree, given his urgent need to get to the hospital.

As they continue driving, George becomes increasingly threatening and sadistic. He tells Alan about his own experiences with death and the afterlife, claiming that he has made a deal with the devil to prolong his own life. He also shows Alan a gun, hinting that he may use it to harm him. Alan realizes that he has made a terrible mistake by getting into this car and desperately tries to think of a way to escape.

Just when things seem to be at their worst, the car suddenly stops and George disappears. Alan finds himself standing in the middle of a deserted road, with no sign of George or the car. He continues on foot, eventually encountering a group of hitchhikers who are heading in the same direction as him. They offer to give him a ride and he gratefully accepts, relieved to be away from George.

As they travel together, Alan realizes that the hitchhikers are actually ghosts. They tell him about their own experiences with death and the afterlife, revealing that they are stuck in limbo and unable to move on to the next world. Alan begins to feel a sense of compassion for these lost souls and tries to help them in any way he can.

The group eventually arrives at the hospital, where Alan is able to see his mother and say goodbye before she passes away. He then makes the decision to stay with the ghosts, hoping to help them find a way out of limbo and move on to the afterlife.

"Riding the Bullet" is a haunting and suspenseful tale that explores themes of life, death, and the afterlife. It is a classic Stephen King story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. The novella is also a poignant reflection on the nature of human relationships and the importance of compassion and empathy.

As they drive along, Alan begins to experience hallucinations and flashbacks of his past. He also begins to suspect that George may be something more than just a ghost. The tension builds as the two characters travel further and further down a dark, deserted road.

Throughout the story, King creates a sense of dread and unease that is characteristic of his writing. The supernatural elements are seamlessly woven into the narrative, and the plot twists keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Overall, "Riding the Bullet" is a gripping and suspenseful story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. It showcases King's skill at crafting a tale that is both terrifying and deeply engaging, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.