How Things Are

4

Slowing down I pretend to stumble. The two from behind rush me. Jumping up from the ground and drawing my blade the first one's head comes clean off. It's my signature move. These two should know this. They're amateur swordsmen or my identity is still secret. (Guess the face jalk strap works) The second one remained surprised long enough for me to stab him in the gut. He'll die slowly.

Slowly turning forward, the frontman is far ahead. Was he a part of this? He was strong, I can feel it. Did I give myself away? It doesn't matter. These two are dead and now this is a resting spot. Just gotta ditch the bodies.

I search both corpses and take what's useful. Just some extra food a bit of cash and a charm. Their tattoos are unrecognizable as well. However, they didn't match the man ahead. Hmm. Perhaps they were hired? Young men like to prove themselves by testing their strength. This road is also known to be used as one of the final trials to receive armada.
They went after someone small and tired thinking they'd pass. Poor boys. However, the one that disappeared ahead is who I'm worried about.

I drag the corpses off where they can't be seen and wash my katana of blood. The Death Road already has blood and drag marks on it and this is only day one. "Rest in peace young ones," I whisper  "Forgive me but I have to make it to my freedom."

Walking deep into the grass, like I saw the others do, I check for wild animals that may have made their homes here. No signs of holes dug, pits or nests. I make my own little safe spot for the night. Take out a timer. Little hidden treasure I found while digging through the trash for food. It's solar charged. Set it for four hours and feel myself fall asleep.

_

The sound of cars zooming wakes me up. The timer wasn't charged properly so it didn't go off. Luckily being small has it's advantages in tall grass. Nobody saw me, however I'm far behind the ones I traveled with. New group means more problems. I don't know what to expect.

They see me pop out of the grass this late and can already tell they think 'either reckless or easy pickings.'
I fix my hair in the samari bun before anyone can see and pull the hat I stole on my head. It's plain. No brand and no sign so it was worth taking. Probably best to dye it later incase I run into a friend of his but now there's no time.

It's so hot. Others have taken off there jackets and thew it over there shoulders. Some even ditched extra cargo. The type of weather where every layer of clothes makes it worse. Today we should be passing a small lake however those who are wise won't go near it. The poisonous snakes and frogs that live there will kill you. If not that the hallucinations we'll receive by the leaches. However many risk it anyway. Ether out of thirst or lack of knowledge of the death road.

It's just day two. I can do it. I'll have to walk further to catch up to the group and keep the time. The cars going by give us some breeze. They're only for the wealthy and hire-ups in a crew. So many walk or have went back to old-school and built carts. Mostly due to pollution, however now that the air is better now leaders and wealthy are allowed.

I remember the first time I saw a car. Simon wanted to celebrate my birthday but it wasn't allowed. Like always, Dad said I need to know my place. Simon snuck me out from where all the other girls were and showed me one of Dads cars.
Simon let me get in the front seat and we pretend to drive away. We both got caught by someone smoking and I got beaten again. Simon was scolded for not stopping me from escaping. As if a little girl could drive a car.

Simon always felt guilty when he never got into trouble. However that's how things work. My father did let me do one thing. He let me watch his crew train. He thought I was looking at their bodies so he thought it was good for me but Simon saw the truth. I was learning. Father was too stupid to see it.
Simon would have been a great leader but he left to save me. He died to save me. So I'll live. There's no master for me.

I repeat those words in my mind as we all walk down the road. It's never-ending. Rumors say day three people start falling and just give up. The neutral zone. The Inn Keeper Laws. These are the only thing on my mind as I walk.

Our group sees the small river and heads start to turn. It's pretty big. The temptation will last for a while. "Just stair straight ahead!" Huh? That wasn't me talking to myself! Guess we got ourselves someone trying to motivate the group... or himself.

Cars drive by with smirks on their faces. They know it too. This feeling of thirst. No one ever brings water. It's too heavy and drags you behind. Not once has someone survived while bringing water. These thoughts are in everyones head. It's like the lake itself is telling us to. Like the poison is in the air.

This is the only moment where if we slow pace no one judges. However I can't. I have to catch up. I cant look weak to anyone! Survive!

The first person started going towards the lake. No one is stopping. I guess this is where we see if all the rumors were true.
Everyone's pace slows. As he touch the water I hear it and go back to walking. My senses are higher than this group. He was bitten by something in the water. Didn't look back but I couldn't feel the group coming yet. It's as if whatever bit him is devouring him and it's too hard to look away.

Thirst is just something to overcome! I don't need it. I can make it. Everyone is slowly catching up. "Did you see how big that thing was?" This guy keeps on talking. Save your energy dude. I roll my eyes.

To be honest. If my brother was still here he would probably baby me on this death road the whole time. Once the river came he may have even been foolish enough to test it just for me.
No he was smarter than that. He heard about the road as well just thought I was too weak to travel it.

Back then I didn't know how to use sword. I taught myself by watching others. The whole journey he probably would have made me rest. He would've had to kill many if I was discovered. He hated thieving so purchased everything to travel would've taken so much money.

I mentioned this road once and he pushed it aside. I'm sure he did his research and decided I couldn't handle it back then.

The price to enter and forge an ID alone took me almost two years. The cost of information along the way heald me back but gave me time to train. I would've never known about the lake.

Just keep looking forward. Day three supposed to be the worst. We already lost three people to the lake.