The Mistake I'm Thankful For

The Escape

As soon as I got into my apartment, I threw away whatever baggage I was carrying and grabbed what was the only important thing I could think of. Then I rushed out the door. Honestly fuck everything I left behind. Whether it'd be my family, friends, my career, and whatever else I was happy for. All I want right now is to be safe and possibly get a head start.

I chose to use the stairs 'cause at this point waiting for the elevator to come up is wasting my time. Down 6 floors, into the lobby, and out I go. No, no buses, trains or cabs. Public transportations aren't ideal. Ah, yes! That car with its door wide open. Someone must've been so careless they've left it that way. I got in and bingo! The keys were still in. I turned it on and sweet Lord, its gas is full.

BROOM! Bye, bye clowns.

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The borders were suspiciously empty with no guards or people. Must be my lucky day. The roads ahead were also empty. Was it so bad that the mayor decided to shut down everything?

Welp, don't care. I should be thinking about where to go. I know if I follow this road and wherever it leads, they'd know where I'll be. What if I just turn around and pass the city to the north where nobody has gone to? No, that's too risky. But fuck it! There's always something worth it beyond fear.

I turned the steering wheel and made it to the last U-turn before the highway. Can't believe I went this far and decided to waste my head start. The city seems dead from here. Oh, how I used to adore it so much.

Past the borders again and into the city. Hopefully, the CCTV wasn't on to record my vehicle. Into the city streets to the same way where people seem to be going in the same direction towards the city hall. I need to find a less crowded road. As I look all over the scene, there it was right behind the ice cream parlor and between Aunt Rouge's "successful" book stores. The police and safety departments were so crazy, going everywhere like I did something so bad. All I can do now is to not get caught and go as fa-

"Excuse me!"

Oh shit.

I scattered the car to find something to hide my face and found a pair of sunglasses. "Ma'am," said a 6 foot something man. "Uh, yes?"

"We're heading that way, to the city hall."

"Yes, I was just heading home to pick up my husband. Didn't they say every family member has to come?"

"Oh right, definitely." And he headed off. That was lucky I guessed it right.

Now, back on track. Just a few minutes from where I was, following the narrow road, and A-ha! I found the way to the north side of the city's border. But oh no. It went downhill real quick. You got it right, police and men with black suits and some other important people were there.

So much for taking risks.

I decided to let this sweet car go. I hoped off and strategized a plan to sneak through. The border was obviously built with enormous walls and it's impossible to climb up. I wish there was a hole where I could go through but no, I have to think of something.

After minutes of sitting on the same spot thinking of a plan, I still haven't come up with anything yet. Suddenly a distant cheer of crowd slowly faded in and they were headed towards those men. Putting their fists up to the air and yelling their lungs out. "We want justice!"

The world's too messed up to have any of that right now- or ever. Fortunately, the crowd was a good-enough distraction for me to blend in. I stood up and acted as if I was one of them. And nobody seems to notice, good. I slowly got low and glued myself to the wall. I slid myself under the barricades and into the glass doors. I didn't dare look back and ran as fast as I could out of the wall and into the other side.