the cycle continues, pull over

Pick up a spectral hitchhiker, learn they died 40 years ago this very night. Pull over for a second spectral hitchhiker: a driver who picked up the first spectral hitchhiker this very night, 30 years ago and died of fright. The two sit awkwardly in the back seat, not acknowledging each other at all… at least, not ’til another spectral hitchhiker appears in the mist and as I slow down to help, they hiss “20 years!” and high-five each other.