Identity Crisis

Chapter 5: Darker Nights

I get to my room, change out of my uniform and into more comfortable clothing for parkour and go out again.

            “I’ll be back in a bit, mom” I say as I leave.

            I run the back of the house and climb all the way up to the roof. Once there, I take the same path I took last time to get to the train tracks.

            “I still have time,” I say as I run by the giant clock at the train station.

By the time I get to the bridge, it’s already dark, which makes looking for the emblem under it an even harder task. I feel my way around the wall, until I finally find the loose brick. I pull it out, search for the handle and then unlock the fake-wall. I open the small vault and take out the bag.

            I make my way back to the train tracks, this time taking a different shortcut to go directly to the train station.

            I run along the river for a while until I get to a wooded area. I follow a trail to a well, and rest for a while. Once I feel rested, I continue making my way to the station. I pass through an abandoned water mill, which makes me remember a particular day in my past; back when my parents didn’t fight as much. I snap out of my reverie and find myself walking in a strange part of the wooded area.

            “Great!” I exclaim. “This is just great! Did I get lost?”

            I pull out one of the phones from Dex’s bag and turn it on.

            “I’m surprised it has battery,” I say as I activate the flashlight app on the phone.

            I point the light on the trees all around me. I look around on the ground for any sign that might indicate a path, but the fallen leaves make it hard to see clearly. I finally see the small trail I was looking for. I run towards it while checking my watch.

            “Yikes! It’s already 7:17.”

            I run along the trail until I get to the train tracks. I vault over the fence blocking my path. As I try to cross the tracks, I hear a loud horn and turn to see a bright light. The westbound train of 7:45 was passing through.

            “Oh, shoot!” I say as I jump backwards to avoid the train.

            “Damn, that was close. I could’ve died there.”

            Dex better keep his promise.

After looking around the station, I finally find Dex sitting on a bench close to a garbage can.

            “Davidson!” he calls out.

            “So you were here,” I say.

            “Shut up. You know you’re late. It’s already 7:50. I’d be on my way home right now.”

            Is this guy lecturing me about being on time?

            “Now,” he continues, “hand over the bag and all will be forgiven.”

            “Not so fast, boy,” I say as I shake mi index finger in front of him. “How do I know you’ll keep your promise?”

            “You don’t. You’re just going to have to believe me.”

            “Why would I do that?”