3,749 words (15–20 minutes)
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller
First published in Worlds of Tomorrow in August, 1963

⸻

A Hitch in Space is a chilling psychological study wrapped in a spacefaring adventure. The story follows Joe Hansen, a pragmatic and capable astronaut, as he partners with Jeff Bogart on a long-haul mission in the remote Shaulan system. However, the voyage takes a bizarre turn when Jeff develops an imaginary companion—another version of Joe himself. At first harmless, Jeff’s delusion begins to spiral into something more dangerous, leading to a tense struggle for survival in the vacuum of space. Blending humor with creeping horror, Leiber masterfully examines themes of isolation, identity, and the fragile nature of the human psyche.