Your legs ached and burned from how long you’ve been walking. A plain old backpack was on your back and stuffed full with the regular necessities. Civilian life wasn’t working out for you, it was all overwhelming and overstimulating. You never seemed to fit in, so what’s better than packing up your things and disappearing off the edge of the earth?

Nothing. Nothing is better than that. The peace and quiet you’ll have, the nagging gone. The reminder to catch up on bills all tossed out the window. You can start a new life, a new identity and hope for the best.

—

All was quiet as you continued to walk, the trees rustling and beaches groaning from the insanely dead and tall trees. It was eerie. But this will be the new norm, and you ought to get used to it. You continue to venture through, regularly taking breaks and sitting so your legs could rest. Your chest burned as you dug your nails into the wet soil. The peace was short lived as you heard what sounded like something being dragged through the mud and hitting roots.

You froze. Your whole body froze, even as your brain yelled at you to move. You couldn’t. Even as a bulky figure in a nasty tan jacket approached, dragging a rusty crowbar behind him. When he spotted you, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes narrowed under the feminine mask and his grip tightened on the crowbar before his shoulders slumped.

“Are you lost?” He questioned, voice raspy. He has a twinge of southern accent to it as he steps closer, dragging his leg behind him slightly. You instinctively scrambled to your feet and he scoffed.

“Ain’t gonna hurt you, just need to sit.”