Five Total Strangers

by Natalie D. Richards

They don’t know each other.

?? obviously??

Josh opens the glove compartment, reaching for the map. His laugh is hollow. “You’ve got to be shitting me. It’s gone.”

y'all aren't gonna have the clothes on ur back in 20 minutes

Maybe hitting us like he hit Corey?

he can't hit u w a car ur also in,,,

Josh lost a book, I lost my phone, Harper lost her wallet, and Kayla lost something she won’t name. Probably drugs.

enough about that damn book omg

scrawled across the front of the envelope in neat,

that's the opposite of what scrawl means...

I frown, pulling open the flap. There is a thick stack of smaller envelopes and a single sheet of thick, buttery soft paper on top.

now is nawt the time omg

I rip it open and unfold the letter, scanning it quickly. They were at the show. Oh, God, this person watched me. Talked to me. I frantically search my memory, finding nothing.

oh so you wanna die in the mountains??? u have to do this rn