The Drifter

Chapter 14: The Dog

I woke up pretty late and decided I needed to catch up on whatever it was I would do today. I figured I needed to go somewhere, but I wasn't sure where. Eventually, I decided I'd just wing it again and started down the street, hoping a good idea would pop up on the way. But as I walked down the street, I realized something. Everything I needed was in the other town, with Crystal and Carol and Bob and Mia. I had it pretty good there, and with the snow clearing up soon, I'd probably have it even better.

I'm not sure for how long, but I realized it would help me a lot stay there for a little while longer. After all, I still owed Crystal a Christmas gift. I don't know why, but for some reason something in my head really wanted to go back. I tried to fight it, because I wanted to have bigger plans, but like I had thought earlier, I needed to focus more on surviving now. Everything I'd already wanted to do is done. I saw San Francisco and I had traveled across the entire state of California. It was just then that everything hit me. It was just then that I realized just how much I had accomplished. It was just then that I realized that more than anything, for whatever reason, I wanted to go back.

It was decided. Once the snow would clear up, I was going to go back. I had no idea if it was for good, or if it was temporary, or what. All I knew was I needed to get back, one way or another. The only problem was, where would I stay until then? Once the snow clears, everything will be all wet and everything. I wondered if I could fix up DJ's place to last me a few days, but that place was pretty roughed up and covered in snow. I remembered a farm nearby I had spotted with a large field and a barn. I wasn't sure if that would help me any, but there was only one way to find out. I exited the cabin and marched toward the bottom of the tarp, emerging from underneath it and into the sunlight. I hoped there were no cameras, because this was probably illegal.

Anyway, back at the pile of rubble I stepped over the dirt, dust and rock that used to be the western wall of whoever's house this was. My boot crunched over the soft bricks and hard rocks as I passed large pieces of wood smaller and bigger than myself. I peered into the distance and hoped I had enough money and supplies to make it back to the town. It's funny. Before I ran away, I had always wanted to enlist in the United States Army when I grew older. My uncle told me I wouldn't last a day on my own. Here I am now, proving him dead wrong.

Suddenly, the freezing wind kicked up and blew dust through my hair. I raised my arm to shield my eyes as I made my way to the edge of the pile of rubble. I did a quick search through my bag to see if anything could help the freezing cold other than my lighter, but no luck. I found my flashlight though, which was still dead.

I heard something fall and turned around to see something sticking out from the rubble. A small piece of brick had landed beside some thick pink insulation. It was like foam or cotton candy, and would be perfect for tinder, so as I celebrated my new find I stuffed a fat wad into my bag, happy to have found something new and useful. I pulled out my journal and checked the date, then slid out my pen.

February 3rd,

Man... I don't know how I have lasted this long mostly on my own. Winter will be ending soon, or at least all this dang snow will be gone. I spent the night in some construction equipment. Pretty warm for the most part. I am going to try and find some shelter to stay at until the snow clears up, then I want to return to Carol and Crystal's town and stay there for a while. I am not entirely sure why, to be honest.

I closed my journal and placed it and my pen back in my bag. I walked away from the murder scene of the house and started down the street in search of somewhere to start my journey towards the farm between here and the town I planned on going to. I turned to the road, knowing it would take longer now without my bike, but this was my only option. So, I began to walk down the street once again.