Alone

1

    As I walk through the forest, I notice there is no one there. I trudge around, carefully picking my way around plants and animals, and still, the area is empty. It seems as if the whole world has gone quiet. Suspiciously, I head back the way I came from, praying for my life. At last, I reach the doors of a run down motel and quickly pick the locks. I step inside and look around, happy to know I am safe.

As I wander around the dilapidated lobby, stopping to look at myself in the rusted mirror. My hair has gotten longer since I last looked, and the dirt covering my face is inevitable. I stop to think about cutting off all of my hair again, but I remember that mu scissors are long lost. This frustrates me. I walk around thinking about all the nice things I used to have but are gone because of the Chanters.

“Hey you!” I shout. “Come and get me! I’m right here! You already took everything else, so why not finish the job?” I cannot help to notice a chill in the air. This worries me because I cannot help but to remember the last time someone was abducted. I quickly regret revealing my position because of my fear of the unknown. A chill in the air, a flash of the lights, these are all the signs they are coming. I race out the door and sprint as far away from the building as my legs can take me. They are coming, and they know I am here because I am one of the last. My friends, my family, they were all taken, and I have not seen them since.

    Not paying attention to my surroundings, I quickly stumble over a fallen branch. Luckily, I regain my balance before I can run into a tree. None of this was supposed to happen. We were supposed to get to the bunker before they could find us, and because of my clumsiness, they paid the expense. But then was then and this is now. I have to survive.

Looking around, I see a trail to my left. I can find my way to safety. As I am walking along the dirt path, I see a park with a restroom building that should provide me shelter for at least one night. The inside is grungy and not the best smelling, but beggars cannot be choosers. Leaning against the wall, I rest my eyes and try to get some sleep. It did not come. I’ve been restless for the past week. But I know if I am tired enough, I will pass out eventually.