Dead Man’s Road. A road people in Marvelle don’t often travel. Two strangers are stranded and must survive on the road less traveled. Why are these people on this road?
My Prompt Response
Friday, September 4th, 2026 – 2:00 PM
Dead Man’s Road
Marvelle, New Jersey
Webber Pollack had left work early. He was going to have an extended weekend. He couldn’t wait. He hated his job and the people. If the money weren’t good, he’d have left years ago. He turned onto Park Ave, but road work blocked it. He turned down Fork Road, known as Dead Man’s Road. He shivered and swallowed hard.
He could turn around but decided to push through. What’s the worst that could happen? He continued down Dead Man’s Road. About a quarter of a mile in, he stopped. There was a body in the road. He coasted to a stop, parked, and hopped out, never stopping to close the door. He ran to the body and halted. He knelt slowly. Webber wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He turned the person over.
What the hell? It was a dummy dressed up like a man. On the forehead, it read, “I know.”
Webber stood looking around. There was nobody in sight. He looked toward the woods, but there were too many trees to see anything. He headed back to his car, shaking his head. Webber got into the car and took a deep breath. He put his foot on the brake and pushed the start button. Nothing. He noticed on the dashboard screen, “Key fob not detected.
He checked his pockets; nothing. Webber searched between, under the seats, and on the floor. He then reached for the glove compartment and opened it to find empty midazolam vials. He slammed the compartment closed. He hit the steering wheel.
***
Shannon Bleak pulled onto Dead Man’s Road. Thump. Thump. Thump.
“Damn.” She pulled over behind a green car. She shut off her engine. She got out and closed the door. She checked her front driver’s tire, but it was still full. She headed toward the rear, and it was flat.
“This is not how I pictured this day going.”
Before she headed toward the trunk, a man called out to her. Shannon turned around and frowned.
“Car trouble?” he asked.
“Yes, a flat.”
Webber headed toward her.
“Stop right there.” She held out her hand.
“I can help you change it.” He narrowed his eyes at her. It was funny that she was suspicious of him.
“I am very capable of changing my own tire. Unless you want me to change yours.”
“I don’t have a flat. Someone out here stole my key fob.”
Shannon laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. There’s a dummy in the middle of the road. I thought it was a person. I came back to my car and my key fob was gone, and they shut off my engine.”
“You do know how ridiculous that sounds, right?”
“Look, I’ll show you.” He turned around, but the dummy was gone. “I swear it was just right here. Somebody is out here.”
“Were you drinking?”
“No, I tried to call, but I have no signal. Which doesn’t make any sense. There are towers near here. I should have full signal.”
“Don’t you think you’re being paranoid?”
“No. They don’t call this Dead Man’s Road for nothing.”
“What are you talking about?” She shook her head.
“The story. Are you not from Marvelle?”
“I am, but please do enlighten me.”
“Anyone stranded on this road has done something wrong.”
“Newsflash, nobody’s perfect. Everyone has done something wrong.”
“Whatever.” He walked away from her.
“Where are you going?”
“Walk to get someone’s help.”
“It would be shorter to walk through the woods. But suit yourself if that’s what you want to do.”
He closed his eyes and sighed. He followed her into the woods. Webber and Shannon were a few minutes in when a man and a woman stepped out from behind the trees. They both looked at each other with confusion. They then pointed their guns at Webber and Shannon.
“Whoa. I don’t want any trouble. If you want money, I’ll give it to you,” Webber said.
The man chuckled, and the woman shook her head.
“Maybe you two should confess your sins,” the woman said.
“You mean he should confess his sins.” Shannon pointed at Webber.
“What are you talking about? You’re the one who vandalized my car and killed my cat.” He had that cat for 15 years. His cat was his best friend and got him through some pretty tough times. Now he was dead, and he wanted someone to pay.
The man looked at her, his jaw clenched tight.
“I would never hurt an animal.”
“So, you admit that you vandalized my car, then? What did I ever do to you?”
“You crashed into my car and left the scene. I suffered three broken ribs.”
“I’ve never been in a car accident,” Webber insisted.
“But you did drug all of your colleagues, did you not?” the man said.
He closed his eyes and sighed. “The people hate me, and I didn’t know which one of them vandalized my car and killed my cat. Besides, those people deserved it anyway. They are so disrespectful, and they only care about themselves.”
The man stepped forward and punched Webber in the stomach. “That’s for drugging my cousin.”
The woman punched Shannon in the face and then in the stomach. “That is for destroying someone’s property without getting the correct facts. You’re both idiots.” The woman took the backpack off her back and set it down on the ground. She put her gun in her back pocket. She unzipped her bag and took out a thick pile of rope. The man did the same.
They both tied Webber and Shannon to a tree. Shannon put up more of a fight.
“The two of you are going to enjoy prison,” the man said.
Webber and Shannon looked at each other. Their eyes widened.
The man and the woman left them there tied to the tree.
“Only idiots hire people without facts.”
Join the Conversation
What did you think of this week’s prompt? What were you expecting? Were you satisfied? If not, tell me why. Write your response on why Webber and Shannon are out there, or tell me what sin you’d be forced to confront. Did you catch all the clues? Have fun!
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