Don't Sleep in Your Car at Night

I’ve always loved long car rides. Even as a child, I was thrilled at the notion of relaxing in my seat while the outside world whizzed by me. This enjoyment didn’t decrease through my adolescence. In fact, it only grew. By the time I had received my driver’s license, I was embarking on small road trips every few months. They were simple explorations, a nearby campground or a friend’s house, but it gave me a feel for it.
I had always simply slept in my car on the trips, since I didn’t find it necessary to spend my money on some crummy, overpriced motel. Besides, at that time, I barely could afford rent. I had become decently skilled at it. Spotting places to sleep, creating makeshift tables and beds, properly insulating my car in the winter months, all became second nature to me.
I had never felt unsettled, sleeping in my hand-me-down 2003 Chevrolet Impala, while the night sky turned to dawn. Instead, I found it serene, waking up to whatever picturesque landscape surrounded me. But, my opinions have greatly changed from then. I doubt I’ll be sleeping in a car anytime soon without the protection of a firearm.
It all started when I decided to pay my parents a long-awaited visit. We were very close in my childhood, but we had grown apart when I moved three states away for college. I called them and I arranged to see them the following weekend. I received time off my work and began planning my route.
I would be traveling from my apartment in Washington to their lovely three-story house in California. I planned to sleep in my car around the halfway mark, and then arrive at their home that afternoon. I packed my things and set off on the road early the next morning.
I spent most of that car ride jamming out to my rock collection and investing myself in audiobooks and podcasts. As the sun faded behind the surrounding mountains, I began to search for a secluded area for me to park. After several minutes of looking, I found it: an old, abandoned rest stop surrounded by tall trees and the thick, mossy Oregon foliage. I pulled into the parking lot and stopped my car. I put my back seats down and created a makeshift bed out of my sleeping bag, a few blankets, and several pillows. I quickly fell off into slumber.
I awoke at dawn and returned my back seat to its normal state. I got an early start as planned. Besides a little traffic, the rest of that car ride went off without a hitch. That afternoon I arrived at my parent’s house, where they were excitedly waiting for me. We spent the weekend catching up, drinking on their deck, and swimming in their luxurious pool. It was quite nice to get to see them again after such a long time away. The whole experience was memorable and wonderful. However, I wouldn’t be writing this if that’s all that happened.
The morning came which I would leave and we said our goodbyes. Navigating out of their city was a bit of a chore, but soon, it was just me and the open road. Night seemed to creep up on me much quicker. Before I could realize, I was surrounded by darkness. The tall, looming trees and thick bushes appeared much more sinister than before. They took on the appearance of thin, crooked arms, reaching out to grab me.
I tried to spot a place to park, but this road seemed to go on endlessly. I became a bit unnerved, all alone in the darkness. Sometimes, I swear I saw dark figures in the bushes and hiding behind trees. I chalked this up to my exhaustion and tried to put it out of my mind. I still stayed weary and would glance behind my seat every few minutes.
Finally, I spotted an upcoming pull off, which I gladly took. At this point, I hardly cared where it went, I just wanted to leave that seemingly endless road. It led me to a desolate back road that seemed to have not been inhabited in years. I slowed my car down and parked on the roadside. I repeated my usual routine of creating the bed. I laid down to rest and closed my eyes. Exhaustion overcame me and I quickly drifted into sleep.
*knock* *knock* The loud banging swiftly awakened me. I cautiously raised my head up.
“Hello, is anyone in there?†an almost inhuman voice asked. I said nothing, too enveloped in fear to respond. “I’m just looking for directions to the nearest town,†he continued. I was about to say something but then I thought to myself, why would someone be out this late on some deserted back-road in Oregon?
“I was hiking with my friends and……well, they’re gone now,†he spoke with an ominous chuckle. “Can you just open the door so we speak face to face?â€
Something deep inside me told me to not answer. In fear, I pulled my covers over my head. He then began to pound on the door, shrieking incoherently. This continued for several minutes before stopping abruptly. I breathed a sigh of relief. This victory was short lived, for then the scratching started. Thick, ear-piercing scratching filled my ears. This continued for God knows how long, because I somehow fell back into sleep, through the horrific sounds.
I awoke several hours later in a sweaty mess of fright. Light rain poured down outside my window. I wasted no time getting back on the road, for I had no intention of sticking around that dreadful place. I got my bearings together and felt relaxed after I had driven hours away. That was, until I pulled in a gas station.
I stepped onto the pavement and breathed in the fresh air. It was very comforting to have the other normal people around me. I was close to accepting the fact that I had likely imagined the events of the previous night. I peered down at my outside car door and froze. There, carved into the metal surface, were several thick, deep gashes. I promptly hurried out of the store and into my car and rode back to my apartment, without stopping.
This has been haunting me ever since I arrived back home. Paranoia has taken over me. All my blinds are closed and I have at least one weapon on me at all times. I’ve researched possible scientific explanations, but this has yielded little result.
I’m scared to leave my apartment complex, although I desperately need human interaction. I want to inform the police, but I already know my story would not be believed. Whatever lurks in the back-roads of Oregon is still a mystery.
I don’t know what came to me that night. Neither do I know why it did. All I know for sure is that you should NEVER sleep in your car at night.


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