It was 11:54pm when the automatic doors slid open onto the outside world.

     In the cocoon of fluorescent lights and elevator music I'd almost forgotten about the storm raging outside. I pulled my coat up over my head to shelter from the rain and jogged back to my cab. The door shut behind me and muffled the downpour.

    I tore open the packet of M&Ms I'd just bought and tipped half the pack into my mouth. That's about all the time I'd have for food, it was a Friday night, everyone wants a taxi on a Friday night. I set off, my wipers working at full speed.

    That was when I saw her.

    She was standing alone at the bus stop in the dark. One of the streetlights directly above her was failing and flickering. I could see her looking at it, nervous. She was scared. I couldn't really blame her, you get some serious weirdos in these parts.

    She had flowing, dark brown hair. It was plastered to the side of her neck from the rain and her mascara had run in streaks down her face, but she still looked beautiful. Her arms were crossed tightly in front of her chest in a feeble attempt to keep warm.

    I pulled my cab up against the pavement and wound down my window.

    "Hey you know the buses don't run this late?" I warned her.

    "You're shitting me" she said.

    I laughed, "No ma'am! Where are you heading, I can take you?"

    She told me she didn't have enough money for a cab, she'd got separated from her friends at a bar and had to scrape together change for the bus. I told her I couldn't in good conscience let her stand in the dark alone at this time of night, so I offered her the ride for no charge.

She looked at me hesitantly and I offered up my nicest smile in response, her eyes flicked from my face to the street to the 'taxi' sign on the roof, contemplating.

    As if on cue a drum roll of thunder rumbled across the sky, I guess it was all the convincing she needed that this was better than being outside.

    She climbed into the back, soaking wet. Her clothes squeaked against the leather interior as she shifted along the seat. She thanked me again.

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    "It's no trouble, I wouldn't want my daughter standing out in this" I said.

    We got talking on the ride, told me she's a nursing student, lives alone after her boyfriend broke up with her. She was new to the city, hadn't made many friends yet. In return I told her about my failed marriage, figured she wouldn't feel so bad if she wasn't the only loner in the car. I told her she reminded me of my daughter and she laughed with me as I reeled off stupid stories of my attempts at parenting.

    After a while the conversation fell short, as it always does. I turned the radio on and looked at her in my rear view mirror. I don't know how long I watched her, but God she was mesmerising. At one point she glanced up and caught me looking, I quickly cleared my throat and looked back at the road, but I definitely saw her smile.

    We got to her apartment complex sooner than I'd expected and said our goodbyes. She slid across the seating again and disappeared into the fog and rain. I sat for a bit and thought about going after her, but no, that was a stupid idea. 

    Just as I was about to leave her face reappeared at the passenger side window so suddenly it made me jump. She laughed and gave a small little wave before climbing in, shutting the door behind her.

    For a few moments we sat in awkward silence, neither of us knowing what to say.

    "Look I don't usually do this." she broke the tension. "Actually, I can't believe I'm about to do this, but what you did tonight was really nice." she blushed. 

    She leant in and took my hand from the steering wheel, holding it gently in hers. Her hands were soft and warm to the touch. I noticed for the first time that night how bright and blue her eyes were, almost grey. 

    She produced a little, blue, ballpoint pen from her jacket and started to scribble her number across the back of my hand. There was barely any ink left so she had to press down pretty hard to make it work. She muttered a few little awkward apologies while we laughed. 

"Give me a call sometime?" she grinned.

    Works every time.

    Tell them about your daughter and your pathetic little divorce using your big sad eyes the whole time. I don't have a daughter. I've never been married. I took the pen from her hand and smiled.

    Then I drove it into her neck.

    They always look so surprised. There was more blood than I would've liked. I sighed with annoyance - I'd have to wash my seats again. That's what I get for improvising.

    Her eyes rolled back in her head and she passed out, it doesn't usually take long. I fumbled for the lever under her seat and collapsed her chair back, I didn't need anyone seeing her. I wiped the blood from the window and started the car again.

    She started making those ridiculous gasping sounds they always make.

    It was 12:16 when they stopped.