I didn’t know Derek before our road trip. He was just another traveler splitting the cost of gas with Jenny and me. One night, I overheard his conversation with Jenny and realized they knew each other before the trip and had planned our meeting. But why?

As a young journalist, I was excited yet nervous about my latest assignment: investigating a mysterious house where a young girl had died. My budget was tight, so I put up an ad for a travel companion. Derek responded, and despite my unease, I accepted.

During our trip, I found Derek to be reserved and vague about his past. At a gas station, I met Jenny, who seemed lost, and decided to give her a ride. This decision led to unexpected revelations.

At the house, I discovered a photo of Derek with his wife, who died under mysterious circumstances. Over dinner, Derek revealed that his wife’s death was an accident, but her sister, Clara, accused him of murder. He said, “I can’t bear another round of lies.”

I promised to write the true story to help clear Derek’s name. We continued our journey, no longer just strangers but allies with a common goal.