This is the third installment of “The Hitchhiker’s Gratitude”; a story inspired by, and originally submitted as a response to, [this prompt](https://www.reddit.com/r/DirtyWritingPrompts/comments/f4ft7z/wp_turns_out_the_hitchhiker_you_picked_up_is_more/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app) by u/RedFredHunter.
*Note: This particular installment does not feature an actual sex scene. Due to its length, I saw fit to post this segment as Part Three, and the following sex scene as Part Four.*
***
“Still aiming for Bakersfield?”
“Mmmmnnnh… What?”
“*Kitty*, wake up.”
“I’m… awake…”
“You sure?”
“No.”
“I asked if you were still wanting to go to Bakersfield.”
Kitty groaned as she forced herself to sit up in bed, drowsiness still weighing down her eyelids like lead. She paused to regain strength, exhausted by the small effort, then raised her hands to her face.
“What time is it?” She mumbled into her palms.
“A little after five.”
“In the morning?”
“Sure as hell ain’t five in the afternoon.”
“Why are you up so early?”
“I’ve gotta get going. Got a load to drop off, and it’s still a long drive to Bakersfield.”
“Fuck…” Kitty sighed, running her hands up and to either side of her face, smoothing back her unruly hair as she finally managed to blink her eyes open.