Creepy Encounter—Pickup at an Abandoned Lot

As a rideshare driver, you encounter all sorts of situations. From late-night party pickups to early morning commutes, the variety keeps things interesting. But sometimes, the unpredictability takes a turn into the bizarre. One of the weirdest experiences I had was a pickup request that led me to an abandoned Toys”R”Us parking lot.

It all started innocently enough with a message from the rider stating they were waiting in the front of the vacant Toys”R”Us. Since the chain closed all its stores by 2018, I was surprised but not suspicious. After all, this lot is located in a high-traffic area with other businesses around, and it’s not uncommon for people to wait for rides or buses in this parking lot. It’s also located around several chain hotels right off interstate i-95.

Plus, the rider was communitive from the start—which is a great sign that they are a responsible person and respectful of my time. They provided clear instructions on their location and acknowledged that the Toys “R” Us was no longer open. Quelling my concerns that this was going to be a strange or unusual pickup.

When I arrived, I scanned the area for the passenger. I sent a message to let them know I was there, but I couldn’t see anyone waving or looking for a ride. I made a few laps around the empty lot, hoping to spot them. Just when I was about to give up, I noticed something that made my heart race: a figure crouched down behind a pile of luggage and laundry baskets. “What the fuck,” was my initial, candid response.

At first glance, it seemed like abandoned junk, but upon closer inspection, I realized there was indeed a person hiding behind it. They peeked out cautiously, resembling Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street popping up from his trash can. It was a surreal and unsettling sight. The more I looked, the creepier it became. This person was likely homeless, and their attempt to blend in was a little too successful for comfort.

I quickly made a decision: there was no way I was going to let this person into my vehicle. The thought of their loose, potentially stinky clothes occupying my backseat was enough to send my vehicle into reverse. And with a swift U-turn, I left the eerie scene behind. Safety first, right?

I decided to drive and then wait at the hotel next door, a much more reassuring environment with people milling about. While I waited for the cancellation fee timer to run out, I messaged the rider again, asking if they were still there, but received no response.

This whole experience was just bizarre. An empty, abandoned business, a person hiding behind laundry baskets—it felt like something out of a horror movie. I felt justified in my choice to leave; no ride or money was worth getting involved in a weird situation like this.

However, about 20 minutes later I had another pickup nearby, so had I drove by the same parking lot. And to my surprise, the person was gone! Had another rideshare driver picked them up? I couldn’t help but wonder how that ride worked out. And I still think about it to this day.

You never know what you’ll encounter driving rideshare. Some days are filled with laughter, while others can be downright creepy. This experience served as a reminder to always prioritize safety and trust your instincts when something feels off.