Walk towards...

"So, two sausages were in a pan, alright?"

"Ok…"

"The sausage that entered the pan second said, (*Deep voice) 'It's getting hot in here, aye?'"

"Alright, then?"

"So the first sausage shouted, (*Falsetto) 'Ahhh! A talking sausage!!'"

"For just a second there, I had hope for you, Ivan, for just a second."

"Tsk"

It had been 2 days since we left Kifestein. We would spend the entire day in the car and set camp at night. We couldn't agree on taking turns to keep watch, so I just set up cans as a simple alarm system. I had bought food with me, but Nea insisted on hunting, so we did that.

We would simply talk all the time, so I got to know a lot about her personality. Weirdly enough, not a single conversation of our past came up, and she didn't even push me for more details about what she thought we were fighting against.

The girl was oddly considerate. After two days, I could see that she's very instinctive. The type that concludes first and then builds up their reasoning. Some might call her the natural genius type.

"Guess the paved roads have ended..." Nea said.

"One that lasted for 2 entire days was already a blessing. I guess we are just half a day away now."

"Your driving has gotten better, but will you be able to handle the gravel roads?"

"I'll last longer than the car at least," I said and curved the car towards the gravel-laden path that led towards the station town, where we would catch a train and go to the capital of Zakall, Xeonodan.

The car jerked a few times and moved at a much slower pace; the bumps were large and the weak suspension only made the tires stiffer. Even though the paved road wasn't good, it was any day an excellent experience compared to the gravel roads.

"How long?" I asked, turning my head towards Nea.

"Hmm, 3 hours, 300 Zaga," she replied.

"Then... 5 hours, 300."

"I win if it's 4, kay?" said the sly girl.

"If it's 4, we both shut up and walk"

**

You guessed it. It was 4! This woman jinxed us! After 4 hours of difficult driving, the engine gave in. To be very honest, the uneven road has made my butt thankful for this outcome. "No chance of fixing this..."

"We have one barrel of gasoline, just leave it?" Nea asked.

"Nah, spill it over the car, let's blast it."

"We are in a forest. Dense shithead." Nea approached me with our luggage in just one hand and flicked my forehead.

I took my bag from her hand and slung it over my shoulder. With my elbow, I nudged her to walk. We had to cover quite a distance on foot this time. I had shifted all the money from the barrel to my bag, thank god.

On the narrow path amidst the myriad of fluttering green trees and the harmonic chirping of birds, we walked towards the station town...

"This is the correct path, right?"

"Of course!... I guess... probably..."

**

The walk was long, we finally reached the town at midnight! I struck guts pose inwardly, seeing that the path was correct.

We walked up to the front of the gates and after the guards eyed us vigilantly.

"Are you two travelers?" said the grumpy guard.

"Yes, we would like to enter the town," I replied.

"Tsk. What's in the town? Catching a train?"

"Yes, we'll be buying our tickets inside," Nea said.

"Just the two of you?" the guard's partner asked.

"Yes, just the two of us," we both said in sync.

"Alright, come here in the morning and we'll let you in."

Goddamn night shift! With no other choice, we had to walk into the forest once again.

"Man~ Why ask us all that if you weren't planning to let us in any way?"

"Few decent people show up at midnight to enter a town, you know?" Nea said. She, too, seemed tired from the long walk.

"Look at my 10 on 10 face Nea, will anyone in the world call me suspicious?" Nea looked at me with disgust and then faked retching. This person is a philistine! Banish her! Finally stopping, Nea smirked at me and spoke, "Let's set up camp for the night."

What's with that tone?! Do you think you are doing me a favor by glossing over the topic?! "Farther. Few indecent people do sneak out of the town at midnight." I too ignored the topic. We went into the woods. After about 15 more minutes of walking, we came across a wide enough clearing and set camp.

I pulled out some firewood and placed a grill on it. Nea removed some meat and a few other ingredients she kept in her bag, and we started cooking them.

We set the tent up and sat across from each other on some large stones we found. The darkness of the night seeped deep into the ground, whereas the sky was lit up with clusters of beautiful stars. The chirping of crickets only amplified the charm that the food's fragrance gave out. A faint chilly breeze made the lustrous flame flicker.

In front of me, a dainty smile adorned Nea's face. She slowly reached out to the fire and picked up a skewer. Her actions made me instinctively reach out to the gorgeous food laid out in front of me.

I picked up a skewer myself. The sizzling brown meet grazed with sauce looked just too inviting. I parted my lips and slowly, very slowly, bit into the meat.

The delicate texture of the food assaulted my tongue as it rolled on it. My tastebuds immediately sprang up and the mystifying goodness of the food gave rise to goosebumps all over my body.

Yes, the conditions were perfect; they were ideal, almost like a dream. I slowly reached for my bag and pulled something out. "Psst, Nea. Look at this."

Nea, who was obviously feeling the same as me, looked at the object I was holding out and stared at it with her mouth agape. Surprise and excitement soon took the form of joy and she barely let out a single sentence.

"... You had... booze?"

Yes, the conditions were perfect; they were ideal, almost like a dream... I absolutely had to drink right now.