Outside, Freedom

**

"You need help, kid?" a small, red-faced man came up to me. He wore a red flannel, and large boots that came up to his knees. A cigarette hung from his mouth and a strong stench reached out to me as he talked. I stood there, unsure of what to reply. "You sure do look like a city chick to me." he said, taking a breath of his cigarette.

"Uh- yes sir," I'd murmur, barely loud enough for him to hear me.

"Well, you need help?" He'd ask again. I'd shake my head and looked down at my feet. After what seemed like an eternity, I looked back up to where he was standing, only to find a waft of cigarette left of him. The voyage was long, and the large buildings slowly turned into long yellow fields that stretched out to the end of the earth. The long rails were smooth, and the rhythmic banging of the wheels was almost calming. I occasionally glimpsed out the window, only to see fields, and fields. Some were filled with tall green plants that reached to the sky, while others were filled with nothing but dirt. I sat, crossed leg, one hand supporting my head, while the other one rested on my thigh. I don't remember much after that.