I drove. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I drove away from the city into the night, passing small town after small town as I went. I filled up twice with gas, always glancing back to the horizon where I came. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, the road grew empty and bare. Further, I went, using the last of my gas cans. No longer were their signs of human nature; no telephone poles, nor lights to shine the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trees, rocks, and boulders surrounded me. The road turned to cracks, to gravel, and finally to dirt. As I pushed the peddle harder, the dust glowed red as it grew behind me. Miles and miles I went until the cars warning light flashed on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Low fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unwaviered I pushed the car on. Eventually, the engine seized and died. I drifted into a clearing. The meadow overgrown, I opened the door. I looked to the skies and thought this is a good enough place to start walking. Grabbing my pack, I left the keys in the ignition and the door wide open. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truly alone, I hiked through the meadow and disappeared into the wood line. As I went, the door chime faded in the distance. I dared not to look back; pausing only for a few moments to sip from my water bottle and to listen to the darkness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the sun came up, I found a spot to rest until darkness crept back into the forest. This cycle continued for days until I reached the peak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My body and mind moved only on will power alone. My hands were bloodied and cut from climbing. Sweat dripped from my brow, and my back grew sore. I was tired, but something glimmered down in the valley below. It was there. It is what I have been searching for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few more miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few more miles to go, until I reached the door in the middle of nowhere. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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