An Escapist's Desires

First Encounter

Tuesday. Another day, another lie. Who could think I would get out of this endless cycle? Same shit everyday. Nothing ever changed. I got up, I ate, I did school, I played games, watched YouTube, then went to bed. Repeat till it becomes clockwork. Today was supposed to be no different.

I woke up before anyone else and went for my morning jog. It was something that kept the endless worries at bay. The sky was painted a dull gray with tinges of white barely peaking through. Forecast was said to be a muggy and foggy day with an even worse night. Sometimes I went through worse. Once went in the rain during a thunderstorm. That was enjoyable.

Upon looping around the first block, I could feel something watching me. It wasn't abnormal to get this feeling. The Rogers had two massive Belgian Malinois that'd watch me with disgust whenever I was out. This feeling was different though. You know the feeling when something objectively bad is looking at you with curiosity? That's the best way to describe it.

There hadn't been a cougar attack in decades. A bear attack in even longer. Lunderville was considered one of the safest towns in the state. Maybe I'd be first to change that clean slate. I came to a stop near the school bus stop area and looked around. Some bushes rose on the other side of the two lane road to my right. Maybe it was in there. To my left was the road that led up to the highway that passed through town. No bushes there, just some shops getting ready to open for the day.

Oddly enough, the feeling faded when I stopped. Like whatever it was lost interest as suddenly as it had gained it. Back to jogging I went. Hopefully whatever it was wouldn't go after someone else.

I stopped again at the convenience store placed on the corner of Minister and Hockens. My old friend's grandfather built the place in '46 when he came back from overseas. Early morning people like myself loved this place because it served hot food early. One-Eye Earl was already in and making the biscuits to be served in the morning rush. The door bell jingle caught his attention. He always had this crooked smile he'd show whenever I came by. I found it weird but monotony gets to you after a bit and everything becomes normal.

"Morning Earl." I gave a wave as I maneuvered to the back coolers, dragging a few energy drinks from it before heading for a honey bun or two. Two honey buns and an energy drink was all I needed to stay lucid for 4 days. Figuring that out was a weird series of events. When I came to the counter, Earl seemed happier than usual.

"What's got you so happy? The Cowboys aren't playing like Cowboys." Earl rolled his good eye while I set my items on the counter. An easy way to get stuck in the store for over an hour was ask Earl about his cowboys.

"Trust me kid, they'll pick up steam soon enough."

"Oh yeah? Even with Dak out and CeeDee down for the count for now?"

"Yes. Even without 'em they still can beat the Eagles."

"I hope so." "I hope they crash and burn."

"But no, that's now why I'm happy."

"Then why are you?" Earl gained this sparkle in his eye. I knew it all too well.

"Here comes the spiel..."

"A friend of mine is coming to visit this week. An old Army buddy from the good ole days." Somehow, it always slips my mind that Earl was in the Army before. He also gave off more "I've been here my entire life" old man vibes. Most people didn't know it was a lucky shot that took out his eye. Not many took the time to listen either way.

"Oh really? Is he as crazy as Carl?"

"Nope. He was our sniper. Deadshot that one was. He saved my life more than a few times back then."