Imagine a serene hiking trail in the Australian outback, an avid 23-year-old hiker, and a peculiar encounter with a lone middle-aged woman. Strap in for a harrowing tale of a hiking adventure gone eerily awry as our protagonist tells her tale that left her shaken to the core.
A Mysterious Stranger Appears

Just as the original poster (OP) was wrapping up her hike, she bumped into a strange woman, decidedly out of place, and in odd haste with an unsettling request.
The woman was middle aged, not dressed for hiking, had no gear, and was in the middle of nowhere.
The Unsettling Proposal

Without an introduction or pleasantries, the mysterious woman gestured towards OP’s solitary car, eerily parked in the empty lot, and asked if it belonged to her.
A Matter of Fact Demand

Stating her desperation to avoid the storm that was on the way, the woman straightforwardly claimed she needed a ride home.
Her tone indicated she had made up her mind. It didn’t sound like she was asking – she was telling OP that she would be getting a ride.
Barging Towards an Unwelcoming Shelter

Without waiting for OP’s reply, the woman began to approach the car!
The saving grace for OP was that her car was locked.
A Desperate Plea and An Unmoving Wall

OP’s attempts to ask questions and understand the situation were met with indignant anger and the same persistent, desperate pleas for help from the stranger.
She started ranting the same stuff as before “I NEED to get home” “A STORM is coming” “I CANNOT be caught in it” “Why don’t you get it?!”
An Unyielding Standoff

The encounter escalated as the stranger blocked OP’s access to the vehicle, leaving her bewildered and fearful.
OP was very confused at this point, and a little scared, as this woman was now a barrier between her and her vehicle.
She told her something like ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t feel comfortable with having a stranger in my car’.
Stare Down Showdown

After a chilling few moments of silence, the stranger assessed her chances with a final intimidating stare before finally abandoning her attempt.
And just like that, the anger dropped from her face and she went silent.
It was really uncomfortable!
A Chilling Departure

OP asked if she could call someone, or if there was another way to help.
The woman started walking towards OP…but then right past her.
OP was still asking her questions, then just saying things like “hello” and “excuse me,” but she got no response.
The woman walked to the other end of the rest stop and maintained eye contact with OP as she sat down on a log, then just stared at nothing.
A Fearful Escape

Overwhelmed and shaken, OP got into her car and left, putting distance between herself and the unsettling encounter.
The Aftermath of an Unnerving Encounter

This chilling story of a simple hike turning into a startling encounter underlines the potential dangers and unexpected circumstances one can face even in familiar environments.
OP’s harrowing experience is a stark reminder of the vulnerability one can feel in the face of such an unexpected predicament.
A Call to the Rescuers

Although she escaped the immediate situation, OP didn’t ignore the stranded woman’s plight.
Once within cell range, she immediately reported the incident to fire and rescue.
While she was rightfully concerned for her safety, she also acknowledged the stranger’s desperate situation, proving that a daunting experience doesn’t have to strip us of our humanity.
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The post She Was Unfortunate Enough to Meet an Entitled Hitchhiker, and Boy Was It Creepy as Hell first appeared on Career Step Up
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Akhenaton Images. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Reddit