“Terry and I had a true scare in Blitzen the Cyberbeast, last night, that was so severe I was still rattled when I climbed out of bed this morning.  In an effort to find peace, I put my pen to it and share this true story with ya’all, now.  Keep the Faith.” ~ R.T.

My hands are still shaking.

Early last night, my wife and I left a business meeting, finding ourselves on a dark, unmarked rural road. The night was absolute—pitch black, the kind of darkness that swallows everything. As I prepared to turn left onto the road, I engaged Blitzen’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) and watched as a vehicle approached from the left, its high beams blinding me.

I squinted, struggling against the glare, trusting Blitzen to navigate. The Cyber Sleigh pulled out smoothly, turning toward the oncoming car—but instead of accelerating, it hesitated, easing onto the brakes.

I didn’t understand why.

The other vehicle roared past, its bright beams fading. As Blitzen inched forward, it subtly shifted left. That’s when I saw him.

A pedestrian.

Dressed entirely in black, walking directly in our lane. Right where we should have been.

“Smooth move,” my wife commented. “I was about to warn you, but you saw him just fine.”

I felt my breath catch.

“I didn’t see him,” I said.

In the soft glow of the cabin lights, we stared at each other. She hadn’t realized we were in FSD.

I swallowed hard. “I would have run him over.”

Silence filled the truck. The road hummed beneath us, undisturbed, as Blitzen carried on, unfazed by the moment it had just averted.

Without a word, my wife reached out, her fingers gliding over the dashboard in quiet gratitude.

FSD saved a life last night.