HIROSHI: Truth And Illusions

Ch 3: First Encounters

 ***I dedicate this chapter to my little buddy Tsepak, who is just an amazing kid! You and your father are in our thoughts prayers. We are all rooting for you two. You can do it, hang in there!***

Hiroshi's feet splattered small puddles as he raced through the dark forest with Mayu strapped to his back. From time to time, he looked over his shoulder, checking if they were following him, but all he saw was the burning estate fading into the background.

His wet, torn clothes exposed stinging scrapes and bruises lying beneath them. The moist air brushing against the open wounds served as a constant reminder of the difficult escape. Despite the pain, he ran hard, knowing this was not just another training mission, but his first and most important one.

If I can just get her to the drop point soon, my part will be done...

Once again, Hiroshi found himself on the run for his life. Memories of a similar forest eleven years ago flashed in and out of his mind. It was just the day after his sixth birthday. His feet had been on the move. The air had rushed in and out of his small lungs. Occasionally he had looked back, wondering if they were still coming.

When he had heard their shouts and footsteps getting louder, he knew they were not only coming, but the pack of wild boys were gaining ground. Shivers raked across the surface of his skin. Terror squeezed his heart, causing his legs to weaken and wobble.

Hiroshi shook his head to flush the old memory out of his mind. I can't think about that now, stay focused. Just count your steps...count your steps.

For the next two hours straight, Hiroshi ran steadily counting his steps, trying to put as much distance between himself and the estate. Fortunately, his training had prepared him for long distance running, having a lung capacity far superior than average. Even his eyes were enhanced for night vision.

After the rain stopped, Hiroshi slowed his pace down and walked. He stayed alert, watching for anyone who might be trailing him. Further down the path, he stopped under a large tree that still had some dry spots under it. It seemed like a decent place to address his injuries and rest for a few minutes. So he laid Mayu down and removed his mask to wipe his face. As he stood there looking around, he noticed the forest was awake that night, just bristling with life under the stars.

Easing himself down to sit, his face winced in pain, feeling the constellation of cuts and bruises on his body. He tried to work out the stiffness in his neck and shoulders rotating his neck a bit before resting his back on the tree. Hiroshi faced the direction of the estate. This way, he could keep an eye anyone that may be following him.

It didn't take too long before his mind started filling up again with stressful thoughts. Once more, he remembered being on the run at six. He remembered how he had panted hard and his lungs felt on fire, as he got deeper into the forest. It was just a matter of time before the pack of rowdy boys would catch up to him. So he jumped into some thick brush growing near the side of the path, just above a steep hillside.

Then he heard many footsteps approaching. The closer they got, the stronger he could feel his heart jump. He waited quietly, tightly clutching the small black bag his father had given him. Anxiety tightened his chest.

This was it, he thought hearing their footsteps right above him.  He shut his eyes and held his breath. Not knowing if he had yet been spotted or not, he stayed still like a piece of wood.

"We're going to get you!" one of them shouted. To his surprise, the pack kept running right past him up the trail. Immediately, Hiroshi let out a long breath and swallowed. Then he opened his eyes and started breathing again. But a short while later, he heard them come to a halt.