The world, or whatever it is now.

Untitled Part 1

My name is Sam, and I'm running away from home.

Woah, woah, calm down. It's not a really big deal. I do this a lot, although, I admit, I usually do tell my mom first. Let me explain, okay?

I'm fifteen years old, but I turn sixteen July,and my dad says that I'm mature and responsible enough to make my own decisions. Besides, I live in a tiny town in central Nebraska. There's nowhere to run away to, really- and I'm just going camping, to clear my head.

You see, this week hasn't really been the greatest. In fact, this whole month has kind of gone down the drain for me. I need to get away from all aspects of technology and other human beings for a few days, and then I'll probably be okay again. That's how I always do it. Between tests and jerks at school, trying my absolute hardest in my martial arts class but still feeling like I'm not getting anywhere, and the simple fact that I feel like my life is slowly slipping into a sinkhole at the edge of the galaxy, I haven't gotten much time to relax. I deserve that, right? Everyone does, I think- even Karen Lent, and she practically thrives off of my exhaustion of life.

Anyway, I've got my backpack all prepared- survival kit, snacks, sleeping and bathroom essentials, the whole works. I'm stopping by the new bookstore first, though- I'm exited to see what it's got in stock. Maybe it'll have a manga I haven't looked into yet, though that's a rather hopeful thought- all the local library has is twenty volumes of Bleach, and- nothing against Bleach, but it gets kind of boring when youve read those twenty volumes twenty-six times already.

The Bell on the door dings softly as I push it open, announcing my presence to the bored looking guy at the counter. He's the only one in the store, and its understandable, seeing as the clock on the far wall reads 7:49 p.m. It's a pleasant, neat place, but my eyes are drawn immediately to the far left corner, where a hanging sign reads 'comics and manga'.

Let's see... Haikyuu!!... Cute, but I'm not really feeling it right now... Ooh, Durarara!!... Tempting. Huh, what's up with all of these exclamation points, am I right? Wait, here's something- "Naruto". I've heard of it, some sort of ninja adventure, I think. Not usually my style, but maybe my style isn't what I need right now. I pick the first volume off of the shelf, and walk over to the counter.

The guy looks up at me as I place the book down. He looks like he's maybe five or six years older than me, wearing a wrnkled shirt depicting some screamo band, and in the process of growing a beard. Instead of a name tag, he has a drawing of a stick figure fighting a dragon pinned to his shirt. He smiles. "Naruto, huh? You don't really look like the type that reads manga like this."

"Really?" I ask, keeping my ever-present sceptical and sarcastic tone. I'm not entirely sure what he's trying to say by that. What's a person that reads Naruto supposed to look like? I guess Naruto is more of a "guy" manga, from what I've heard, but what does that matter? "What type of manga reader do I look like, then?"

"I think you'd be in the manga, actually." He replies, still grinning. "You look like you'd be a badass spy or something."

In spite of myself, I let out a soft laugh. "That is, hands down, the best compliment anyone's ever given me."

I end up having a half-hour conversation with this guy, and I can't help but crack up every time he opens his mouth again. Man, this is just what I needed after a crappy day at school. When i finally get around to paying for the book and leave, I exchange a wave with the guy behind the counter. "Stop in sometime! Me an' some other guys play D&D on Saturdays, you should join us- only cool people allowed, I promise!" He calls after me.

"Maybe I will." I reply, stepping out. "Maybe I will."

As soon as I leave, I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding in. Social interactions NEVER go that well for me- usually, I'm a stuttering wreck. I guess people CAN be nice.

The sun is setting when I reach the small clearing in the unusually woodsy area not far from town. It's an open camping area, but almost no one is ever here, so my tent is pretty much permanently set up. "Good to be 'home'." I mumble to myself. I love my quiet space.

"Jeez..." I mutter, laying on the ground after setting my backpack on the ground beside me, covering my eyes as I feel the beginnings of tears coming. "I'm tired of all this... What am I doing wrong? Why can't Karen just openly hate me- I'd be able to deal with that easily- none of this online bullying crap- I was fine this morning- can't I just get a grip already?- s-stop crying already, Sammy- go get a fire going- go through your routine- c'mon- listen to music or s-something- stop being such a baby-"

I put earbuds in, and my self-berating is slowly replaced by Billy Joel. Upbeat piano and guitar manage to chase away my usually nonstop negativity towards myself for the time being, and, as the stars start to come out, my breathing returns to normal, and not a grace of tears is left.

"Guess I should get some sleep now." I say to myself, pulling the earbuds out, and gently tossing the mp3 into the tent. It's a nice night, I could just stay out here, I muse. I pull out volume one of Naruto, and adjust myself so I'm using my backpack as a pillow. Oh wait- it's too dark too read now. My genius at work, everybody. Someday I'll discover a new planet. Planet stupid, knowing me.

Well, there's really nothing for it- I guess I'll just sleep now- I can check out Naruto when I wake up. For now, I'm happy that I've survived today.

The light hurts my closed eyes. When did it get so hot? I'm not lying in the clearing, this feels like a road instead. I can't hear the birds that are always in the camping area. Where the hell am I? I hear people... Something about 'who is that' and 'is it a guy or a girl' Do they mean me? Where AM I?

"Hey, bastard! Get up! Stop sleeping! Get out of our way, or you won't live to regret it!" A rough voice yells.

Oh no.