"Where am I?" Luck slowly opened his eyes, his mind still hazy from sleep. Turning around from his seat, he was startled to find himself surrounded by trees.
It wasn't just the trees that really made him uneasy—it was the sunlight filtering through the canopy, casting long shadows on the ground.
His heart began to pound in his chest. 'The sun's already up?'
He recalled being in a taxi, the dim glow of streetlights outside and the hum of the engine lulling him to sleep. So how did he end up here?
Rubbing his eyes, he checked if he was dreaming, but nothing changed.
The taxi was still parked along a narrow dirt road, and the driver was nowhere in sight. Panic set in as he wondered if he had somehow been kidnapped.
Frantically, he reached for the door, which clicked open. He jumped out, only to stumble to the ground, momentarily forgetting about how heavy he was.
THUD!
"What is this place?" he exclaimed, looking around. There was no one nearby—just a long dirt road flanked by trees.
'I need to call for help!' His heart raced as he remembered his phone.
Checking his pocket, he pulled it out, only to find no signal. Now he was in a pinch, unsure of his location and without way of communication.
'Calm down,' he reminded himself, taking a deep breath. 'Think this through. Don't panic, or your BP will rise. '
"The taxi!" he blurted out, a spark of determination igniting inside him. If he could get behind the wheel, maybe he could drive his way out of this strange situation.
Hurrying to the driver's side, he pulled the door open and checked the ignition.
The key was still there, and he turned it.
Nothing. The engine remained silent.
Assuming the power might be cut off, he quickly popped open the hood and checked the engine.
Luck still remembered the days when his father used to ask for his help with car repairs.
He knew enough to figure out what might be wrong. The first thing he focused on was the car battery.
After all, it was the battery that powered the engine's electrical system. If it was disconnected or dead, the car wouldn't start.
It was connected, but to be sure, he decided to double-check it. He removed one of the clamps, then ground it against the metal to see if it would spark. A small flash confirmed that the battery had power.
'Well, the battery's not the issue,'
Next, he inspected the starter and wiring, wiping his hands on his pants. The fuses seemed intact, and he glanced under the car for any visible damage—no leaks, no obvious issues.
'Come on, what's wrong with this piece of junk?' he muttered, giving the car a light thump with his fist.
Taking a deep breath, he circled the car again, before checking the gas gauge.
The needle rested at full, which meant he had enough fuel to get the engine running.
Frustrated, he smacked the steering wheel. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Confusion washed over him. If the tank was full, then why hadn't the car started?
He turned the key in the ignition again, hoping for even the slightest sound, but still nothing.
Now he regretted being too trusting just because the taxi driver was a woman.
'Have I really become this gullible just because I've been so isolated for such a long time?'
It was the only explanation he could muster.
Ever since that time in the cemetery, his decisions seemed clouded, leaving him questioning his judgment.
Whether it was his IQ deteriorating or something else entirely, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being too impulsive.
"Did your car break?" a voice echoed, startling him.
Luck turned to see an old woman approaching with a basket. Her gray hair framed a face that held traditional Japanese beauty despite the passage of time.
"Grandma, do you know where this is?" he quickly asked, desperate for answers. He was more concerned about escaping than understanding how he'd ended up here.
When people found themselves in situations like this, survival instinct often took over, pushing aside questions first.
"This is quite far from the city, away from the main roads. Not many people come this way." she replied.
"Is there any way to get back to the city?" he asked.
"You can head that way," the old woman suggested, pointing down the road. "There's a motel a short walk away. Maybe they can help you fix your car."