An Ashikabi's Fate

Facing Your Demons

          

                       Chapter one

During the cab drive to my childhood home I scratched my arm feeling this overwhelming feeling. I wish it'd go away. "So why are you heading to the Sticks?" The cabby looked at me in the back seat clearly trying to make me feel engaged, he also wanted a tip most likely.

My hand moves from my forearm down to the top of my knee. I'm glad the cast was only on for a few more weeks. It'll be nice to get that damn itch. No matter how hard I try I could never get rid of it. Oh just the thought makes a shiver travel up my spine.

As my mind slowly comes back to the fact I still haven't answered the cabbie's question "Got put on leave from my job, so I'm heading home" I answer it as best as I could. Being completely honest I don't really know why my manager made such a point to send me away.

I didn't cheat, I fought fair and square. "Ah, I see, I'd recommend the train next time. It's closer and cheaper" He said looking out the window at the cloudy sky, the sun was covered away long ago. The heat it offers is barely noticeable today.

A storm is coming and I forgot my damn umbrella again. "Nasty storm is coming eh?" The cabby almost reading my mind spoke out what was on my mind "Yeah looks like" As I stared out over the small river that ran beside the road I saw a vague light shining brightly however the moment my wandering eye came back to get another look at the light it's gone. Through a road sign that was exactly where I thought I saw the light read Teito.

Teito was a pretty nice city that offered a lot of jobs. It helped that it was one if not the biggest city in Tokyo. It's funny now that I think about it, the trailer park is located not a short bus ride and a bit of a train ride to it. I think in my whole twenty three years of life I've only been there on my own, never with family.

Once I finished paying the cabby, I looked at the road that ;eads into the forestry trail that was my own custom shortcut to my old home. It avoids the front gate which was good for if I wanted to ditch school. It also had the added bonus as being my get away from a lot of the bullies that chased me.

After a moment of reflection I lightly shake off my jitters hopping on one foot letting it all out. "Don't be a coward" My little pep talk was enough to get me moving with a new found confidence. I use my crutches to navigate the now overgrown with vines, roots trail.

Using my crutch to occasionally knock vines and rocks out of my way not wanting to trip and fall. Last thing I want is to have to go through another two months of this touture. I kept on till I was at a familiar pathway that led home.

Walking down the small stone pathway that leads to my least favorite place...My breathing was quickening, I heard a throbbing in my head everytime my heart pumped the memories rushing back. The cast on my leg not helping me walk to the stairs led to the wooden deck used to attach to the small trailer barely big enough for one person. My crutches were pressing into my armpits. "I'd rather just walk without these annoying things" it may have sent a throbbing pain straight up my leg to my spine which turned into a stabbing and twisting pain, Somehow it'd feel better then these stupid things.

I laughed out loud as I hopped up the first step of three. Going back to the times I'd come running home from school being chased by what some would call bullies, Though i wasn't the original target. I always had a short temper and in any given circumstance stuff could set me off. I guess the bullies did or said something that set me off and I punched one of them right in the jaw. It was a wild swing that connected fueled by pure instinct. I did what I saw in the movies.