I'll be there

A glance

Flash back

~

"Don't sound disappointed pretty guy, I'll be there whenever you need me..."

"Promise?"

"Promise..."

The birds' tweet, the sound of the wind gushing, and smell of the fresh morning air, combined with the painful rays of the sun woke me up. Yep, good morning. I found myself lying flat on the ground. Good thing it was kind of grassy, or I would have been covered in dust. I slowly picked myself up, back on my feet. I remembered the girl I talked to last night; I looked around to see if she was still there, but to my disappointment, she wasn't. The swing she sat on last night was empty. Nevertheless, I searched for her. Maybe she's just around.

"Hey... Woman? you there?.." I looked around, and then checked the house from behind. I even went as far as going inside the abandoned house just to search for her. But much to my dismay, she wasn't around. Then, I remembered the last words she told me last night. "Promise..." I murmured to myself. I stood idle for like 2 minutes, then I found myself stupidly smiling for no reason. "What the heck..." I told myself. Then, I set myself to journey. Where to? Of course, to face reality. 

Then again, I knew my life outside wasn't going to be easy. But I have to admit, getting out of the woods wasn't also that easy. First, I don't know where the path leads, Second, There are no paths, and third, I don't know if I'll ever get out of here alive. I could be stuck for days here with no food and water. 

As I wandered around, I heard a sound of someone chopping some wood. I followed the sound and found a man around his forties. He was tall with a muscular build, he has black hair, and a beard on his face. Judging from the clothes he wore; old, teared shirt, old jeans, and slippers, and a tobacco cigar on his mouth; he must be living around this area. He was busy chopping some wood, so I decided to approach him in a calm manner. Hey, I can't stay in the woods forever.

"Um, Good morning sir." I started with a greeting.  He turned his face on me and stared at me intensely. He took his cigar from his mouth and exhaled some smoke; the smoke smelled awful, as I was not used to people smoking around me.

"What do you want, kid?" He asked in an irritated tone while exhaling more smoke from his mouth.

"uhh, I just wanted to ask if-" before I could finish my sentence, he interrupted me.

"If you wanna ask for directions, you have to pay..." He said.

"Would... that be necessary sir?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course, you can't make money every now and then in time like these; you have to grab every opportunity you can to make some money. Even asking for directions." 

I placed my hands on my pocket to see If I have some money left. After I was just involved in a semi accident which made me pay the police for ransom. Doubtful, but still, great. I have buck in my pocket. "I only have a buck sir. Would that be enough?" I said while handing the money over. He took the money in a flash and stared at it for like 5 seconds, then he shifted his gaze on me. He placed the money on his pocket, and pointed in a direction behind him. 

"If you want to go back to the city, just go straight to the north then you'll find a dirth path that leads there." He said while pointing north. "If you want to the lake, go west, and east if you want to go to the mountains." He continued. "And south, if you don't want to return..." he said while turning back his gaze on me. "I.. Is that all?" I asked. "Well, If you want me to escort you, that's additional 4 bucks." And since I have no money, I had no choice but to go my way. Damn, this man's got the guts. "Oh, thank you sir..." Then, he went back to his work and I went my way.

Straight north, great, If I reach the city, I have to walk to Mrs. Bert's house again since the old man's got my only money left. I can't complain; after all, this was all my fault for running away.

While walking, I started to remember the girl from last night. Our talks, and all the sobbing and stuff. I closed my eyes for a moment, and it all came back. Her embrace.

-

"Promise..." 

Upon hearing that word, I suddenly burst into tears without realizing it.

"What's wrong pretty guy?" She asked. "Did I upset you?"

"No... I'm sorry.." I said while wiping my eyes.

She stood up from the swing, and came closer to me. Suddenly, I can feel her arms around me in a tight embrace. She did not say anything; but sad as I was, I embraced her back, and it was then that I was able to cry so much. That moment was the time I needed someone's embrace. Someone who makes me feel needed. Someone, who'd be there for me.

"I was always alone. Ever since I was born, I was always alone. No mother, no father, brother, sister. No one was there for me. Not even the ones I called my family... no one..." I said while resting my face on her shoulder. "ssshhhhh..." was all she said, while tapping my back. After moments of sobbing, everything went black, then I couldn't remember what happened next. It was then that I realized, I wasn't able to take just a little bit of a glance at her. Maybe that wasn't the time, maybe not now, but maybe the next time we meet.