Running from home was probably the greatest thing I ever did, I think to myself as I do my chin ups in this empty freight car. Legs straight out, parallel to the ground, I pull my chin above my shovel-handle-walking stick, both ends of which are resting on the lip of the car walls in this corner. I've learned to balance myself and keep doing chin ups despite the movement of the train.
As I pull my chin above the rough wood for the 31st time, I begin to recall everything I've done in the past year on my own. I don't regret leaving, not one bit. I've learned more on the streets than I ever could have in school. I already knew how to find food and shelter, as well as stay hidden, in the forest, but I've learned from people I've traveled with, how to do the same thing in big cities as well as small towns. I've learned how to fight, I've learned how to be quiet in any situation, I've learned how to stay alert in noisy train yards. I even stayed with an ex-criminal profiler, who insisted I stayed with her for a while when I told her I was traveling on my own. She wanted me to be prepared to deal with people, so she took a month and taught me how to read people, study their body language to see more or less what their intentions are, and I caught on pretty well. I can usually tell when someone is lying to me, but there are people who have the same skills, who can lie really well.
I've stayed with artists, musicians, farmers, punks, hippies, and even more. I learned how to play different instruments so I could play on the streets and make money. I learned how to draw better, and I sell people portraits! Fellow travelers help me find odd jobs and places to stay. I know how to balance my budget and decide if its better to go to some festival or go stay on a farm for a month and make more money. I know how to communicate with people, I've learned how to survive with basic items, and I've learned to determine what items are worth trading for others.
Every day is an adventure in this life on the run, and I love it! I'm happier, more social, more outgoing, more confident, I'm in better shape, and maybe even cleverer than I would be back home, where i'd be doing the same thing everyday.
My train slows, and I know its about to come to a stop. I hop down with my walking stick and slide my shirt back on. I shove my journal and the letters I finished writing into my pack and slide it on my shoulders. I move to the open door of the freight carefully. I slowly stick my head out and look down both sides. I can see the station in the distance, and the train is slowing. I wait, and wait. and wait. The train is now slow enough that I could run along side it if I want to, and the station is approaching fast. I swing my pack in front of me and jump. I hit the ground on my feet but let myself fall onto my pack. before my car enters the station.
I stand up and start to move towards the street below the station when someone pulls my pack off and grabs me in a headlock from behind. before he can kick in my knees I instinctually, bring my elbow up fast! then pull it back down to my attackers stomach so that he bends over a little so its easier for me to flip him. when he hits the ground I spin around to face him and pull out my knife so fast it all seems like one movement. But when I turn around I see, not a threat, but a familiar face. "Dog tags!?" I yell. One of the first friends I ever made on my journey sits on the gravel wiping blood from his nose and laughing. "It's good to see you again fox!"
I laugh and sheathe my knife before helping him up and hugging him. On the tracks you get a new name, something that fits you, and also something you can go by without having people who look for you recognize your name. When Tags and I were traveling with a group, I was given the name Fox Walker, because my totem animal is the red fox, and because I'm extremely light on my feet. Tags got his name, dog tags, because of his time in the military, and the dog tags he always wears.
Tags was in the special forces for a while before he started traveling.
YOU ARE READING
Travels.
FantasyStory about a guy who ran away from home, and train hops to get around, enjoys every minute of it, and in the past year, learned enough to survive outside of the "real world" on his own.
