Page "The Hitcher (1986 film)" Paragraph 2

Relieved, Jim continues on his journey but sees Ryder with a family on vacation.

He tries to warn them but loses control of his car and spins off the road.

He continues driving and after a while comes across the family's car, with blood oozing out the doors.

He carries onwards and pulls into an abandoned gas station to use a phone.

While there, Ryder corners him in the garage, but simply throws back the keys he took from Jim's car and leaves.

Jim chases after him, rushing outside into a rising sandstorm, but Ryder has already hitched a ride with a man in a truck and leaves.

Jim continues driving and eventually sees another gas station.

While filling up his car, Ryder attempts to run him over, crashing into the pumps, causing gas to flood onto the concrete.

As Jim attempts to flee Ryder drops a match, igniting the spilled gas.

The ensuing explosion destroys the gas station.

Jim's car bursts from the flames and speeds away.

Jim eventually stops at a roadside diner, where he meets a pretty young waitress named Nash ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ) and calls the police.

She then serves him a cheeseburger and French fries ; he starts to relax.

Upon discovering a severed finger among the fries, Jim realizes Ryder is present and attempts to flee.

Two police officers arrive and, quickly finding Ryder's bloody switchblade in Jim's pocket, arrest him.