“The Uber That Wasn’t There” ✨
I was leaving a friend’s house at around 2AM. I was drained, barely keeping my eyes open, so I called an Uber to get home. The driver pulled up fast—black car, clean, quiet.
He didn’t say a word the whole ride. No music, no small talk. Just… silence.
I thought, “Cool. One of those don’t-talk-unless-you-need-to drivers.” I appreciated it. I just wanted to get home.
When we pulled up to my building, I reached for the handle. That’s when he finally spoke. Calm voice. Not panicked, not dramatic. Just… matter-of-fact.
He said,
“Don’t go inside yet. Wait 30 seconds.”
I paused. My hand was literally on the door.
He didn’t look at me. Just stared straight ahead.
I don’t know what made me listen, but I did. I stayed in the car.
About 15 seconds later, a black SUV came flying around the corner. Slowed down just enough to roll the window down—and then I heard it.
Gunshots.
Right at my building. Right where I would’ve been walking.
I ducked instinctively. When I looked back up, the SUV was gone. I turned to the driver to say something, anything—
But the seat was empty.
I swear on everything, he wasn’t there.
The car was still running.
I jumped out and ran inside, heart racing, hands shaking.
The next morning, I called Uber support to report it. I wasn’t trying to get anyone in trouble—I just wanted to thank him.
They told me…
There was no ride assigned to my account that night.
No record.
No driver.
Nothing.
I checked my phone again. I did call the Uber. I did get a notification.
But now the trip was gone.
#shortstory #lemon8challenge #fyp #lemon8bookclub #explorepage✨
It’s funny how a single, bizarre experience can completely change your perspective on something you do almost every day. My friend's story about their vanishing Uber driver sent shivers down my spine, especially since I rely on ride-sharing services so much, often late at night. There's a particular atmosphere to taking an Uber when the rest of the city is winding down – the "night city lights" blurring past, the quiet hum of the engine in a "dark car," and that mix of relief and slight vulnerability you feel. I’ve definitely had my share of memorable late-night rides, though thankfully none as supernatural as that one! Usually, it's just a quiet journey home, maybe a quick chat with a friendly driver. But sometimes, things don't go as planned, and it makes you feel that same "startled or anxious" feeling described in the story. I remember one time, I was trying to get home after a concert, and my Uber driver just... stopped. The app showed them as "arrived" but they weren't moving from a block away. For a good "10 minutes," the car icon just sat there. I was confused and a bit frustrated, standing on a street corner, watching other cars go by. What do you do in that situation? My first thought was to message the driver through the app, asking if everything was okay or if they were having trouble finding me. No response. Then I tried calling, but it went straight to voicemail. It can be really unsettling when your ride-share doesn't move or seems stuck. Is the driver having an issue? Are they lost? Or worse, is something else going on? After waiting those agonizing 10 minutes and getting no communication, I ended up canceling the ride and requesting a new one. It was inconvenient, and I was out the cancellation fee, but at that point, my priority was just getting home safely. It makes you realize how much we depend on these apps working smoothly, and how vulnerable you can feel when they don't. That experience, and hearing my friend’s wild story, has made me extra cautious. Now, when I'm taking a late-night Uber, especially in an unfamiliar "urban night" setting, I always double-check the car model and license plate before getting in. I also make sure to share my trip status with a friend or family member, just so someone knows my route and estimated arrival time. And if a driver seems to be "stalled" or not heading in the right direction for more than a few minutes without communication, I don't hesitate to reach out or, if necessary, cancel and find an alternative. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if it means a slight delay or inconvenience. You never know what kind of encounter you might have out there!