Assignment book- Survival of the Fittest

Round I- The map

I stared at the piece of paper on the desk. It was browned by the years it had spent in the ground, wrinkled and ripped in some places, but still readable. The glass bottle in which it had been shoved was broken, and I had found it when my hand, unfortunately, rubbed against the sharp end. It took me twenty minutes to stop the bleeding, disinfect the wound and bandage myself. When that was done, I had to clean the floor when I had left bloody marks in the form of droplets. Finally, I went back to the garden, one hand bandaged like a mummy, and shoveled around the broken glass to find a rolled piece of brown paper.

Now here I was, looking down at a detailed map of the city, with a very prominent X on one side. I scoffed at the ridiculous idea it brought to me and walked to the kitchen to throw away the discovery. As I opened the lid of the garbage can, a sensation I hadn't felt for a long time washed over me. My heartbeat quickened and grew stronger until I could feel the pumping in my temples. Defeated, unable to decide what to do, I laid my forehead on the counter and listened to the regular beat in my head. Without realizing it, I thought about the pros and cons, listing everything quickly, unconsciously. It was like my mind was making a decision by itself. Finally, I looked up. My gaze followed the rays of sunlight entering the room from the window. I looked at the sky, bright but grey. The idea to leave everything here, to go without knowing the destination, was a situation I had hoped never to live again. But the curiosity, the thrill, got the best of me. My mind started spinning images of the past, where the road was my best friend, and I was eager to go back. I slammed my hand on the counter, to encourage myself to move. Confidently, I made my way to the basement, where I knew a pack back was hidden. I had forgotten it for months, leaving it to pick up dust and ants under the house. Now, I stared down at the cardboard box, labeled "files", between other boxes of the same kind. I slid it towards me, and a cloud of dust raised from the motions, on both sides of the box. With a swift movement, I opened the top and dropped it without thoughts on the floor. The bag was exactly as I remembered: black, to blend in, with three spacious pockets where I could fit the essentials, and a keychain shaped like a little knife on the front zipper. I opened the pockets one by one, eager to see the objects that will follow me in this new adventure. In the smallest were a box of painkillers, bandages, and a tiny bottle of rum. As I remembered the moment I packed all of this, I realized how different I became. My priorities then were focused on survival, and the accomplishment of my missions; now, I liked to believe I wanted more than just surviving. I opened the second compartment, where I found a set of clothes, black pants and shirt, like I was wearing, and a pouch of money. I set it aside, before going through the last pocket. In it was a handgun with a small backup of ammunitions, and a gold-encrusted knife in its protective sleeve. My eyes darted quickly to one object to the other, before zipping the bag and heading back to the living room.

I dropped the backpack on the couch and the pouch of money on the table. I took the map, folded it carefully, the rigid paper rustling at any touch, and slipped it in a side pocket of my bag. As I finished packing my things, the thought of the detective's arrival buried me in doubt. I feared his reaction to my disappearance, but dared not explain it to him, in the event he were to find me. Reluctantly, I closed the door to this life, and prayed for my lover to forgive me when I opened it again.

After a little bit over an hour of walk, I started to feel my adrenaline wear off, and the soreness in my legs grow. I had not left the city yet, but I was already feeling too far from home. The people walking, leaving their lives, seemed to exist in another dimension. Their appearance was odd, the voices strangely muted.  I passed them, but felt like if I were to reach out, their body would disappear. I entered a small store, in search of directions, and to escape the crowded streets. As I stepped inside, the tumult of live faded slightly, and I could focus on my next step. The man over the counter glared at me subtly, the more I stayed in the small shop. Finally, with a water bottle in a hand, I walked to the counter and dropped it in front of the man.

"This and the cheapest cigarettes you got."

He up and downed me with disgust, before throwing a dark packet of cigarettes besides the water. The items were scanned and the price shot up on the display. I reached in my pocket to scramble the amount, gave it all to the clerk, before turning around and leaving, under the dark gaze of the owner. My hand brushed the dark curls away from my face, before I started to walk towards the mountains, where a thick forest enveloped the flanks. After only a few moments, the distance was revealed to me, and I decided to find a car. Just like a miracle, a small, dark car, parked on the other side of the street, was brought to my attention. Quickly, making sure no one saw me, I challenged my luck and opened the door. To my surprise, it did, and I hopped in without wasting time. In a few minutes, the car was hot-wired and ready to ride to the forest. I pressed on the gas and left the city. Soon, the brick-red buildings left places to the greenest grass, and tiny trees. As I approached the tree line of the forest, the sun dived below the horizon line, leaving a palette of green, red, and oranges painted on each trees. The engine stopped, and I stepped out of the vehicle. My eyes adjusted quickly to the lack of sunlight, and I discerned the mountain peek in the middle of the trees. In my back, the city outline waved me goodbye, as I adjusted the straps of the back pack and turned to enter the forest.