Slide Unto Darkness: The Shadow Dancer

The Final Push

Now, Damion had no choice but to take that bus. A quick inventory check revealed no bus fare or car keys. The church was locked with his clothes inside. If he knew about his errors, he'd take the bathroom break, or burn the tuxedo in a fire.

"If God couldn't help me, who's there to help me now?" Damion lamented over his worries. His legs trembled with trepidation, but one stop meant a walking target. Before he ran again, a pool of people dispersed from the neighboring bus stop. Now was his chance to fit in... Or so he thought. Any viable plan of escape would do.

By the rickety, abysmal signs printed "Go this way!" and the nearby McDonald's, his race to freedom could have died today. As of God smile don him, a klutzy woman dropped a ten dollar bill. Damion stepped on the folded bill like a thief protecting a diamond. He knew he'd become a horrible target, but if he had to go, he'd bolt down from car to car.

Damion surreptitiously snagged the green ticket, easing his way to the bus stop. After two minutes, the Greyhound arrived to the bus stop. Damion knew the money he stole could make (or break) his chance of victory. "Damion! Ne skrbi vaš Bog?! Spravi svojo rit tukaj! ZDAJ! (Damion! Don't you care about your God?! Get your ass over here! NOW!)" The howls of his mother made him flinch. Now that he lacked a home (or faith, for that matter) Damion felt trapped in his own world.

He offered the dormant bill to the bus driver, which he slipped in the metallic fare box. The driver's halitosis wafted over Damion, forcing him to act fast. Ten dollars in bus fare earned him a ride away from the commotion. Whether this was good or bad depends on the destination. Without question, the boy sat in the back of the bus. He couldn't fathom how hard it was to satisfy his parents, let alone his own. Granted, Urske and Cornelius were religious "Jesus Freaks".

Damion gave up on attending college a year ago, and he'd have to leave the house someday. Damion buried his head in his hands. He didn't want to be seen by anyone, let alone his own parents. Sweat beads rained from his head. He didn't care that he soaked the seat. A solemn sigh escaped his lips.

One tumultuous relationship on the bend. As per mother's request, Damion left his phone in his closet. He couldn't fathom how close he got to freedom. He almost felt like praying, but according to him... God was dead, and so was hope.

While Damion made no effort to learn about his religion, he couldn't help but hear a Bible verse.

' Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' - Matthew 22:37-39 NIV

He couldn't bear leaving alone; at least not yet. Damion gazed at the puffy, gray clouds. Pittsburgh looked like a nice city. It felt like a shame to leave, especially when his friends awaited his presence.

Within five to eight minutes, a few people walked off and hopped in. Damion couldn't remember calling his girlfriend. He wished he could do that, specifically for his sake.

All these feelings of abandonment: was that real, or was he imagining a worst case scenario? His mind failed to register his own faults. Besides, he left out of high school without any redeeming quality. No Honors, no recognitions, no... Nothing!

It took him a while to get himself comfortable. Cradling into a ball made it easier. Eventually, he fell into a seemingly endless slumber.

After thirty minutes of sleep, the bus skidded to a turbulent stop. The world stopped moving. Was this the end of the line.

He looked around his vicinity, only to regret studying the window. Mulberry Avenue was his street. Damn, his parents would see everything. His heart banged his ribcage. In the end, what choice did he have? Facing the music was the last thing he had in mind.