Man gives hitchhiker a lift home-and is shocked by the news the next day

 Carter felt a mixture of fear and determination as he planned his next move. Every decision felt like a calculated risk, but his desire to find Avery grew stronger with each passing day. In his head, the details were sorted out, each plan a ray of hope amidst terrifying uncertainty.Despite the imminent danger, his purpose was clear. Finding Avery became his sole focus, the first real goal to give him direction in the past few days. He held on to it tightly, determined to see it through to the end.