Chapter 3 - Moving Forward

I feel empty, as if I am accepting all these events too easily.

What should I do?

These questions weighs on my mind.

A vacant stare onto the path, as I tottered down the pathway beside the asphalt road.

The sun set in the west, while the night enveloped the sky from behind.

My vision was consumed by the pitch black, but I continued to move forward.

The frigid air brought shiver down my spine, while my hair stood on their ends.

Every step I took, the gravel beneath grinds against.

Where am I going?

My foot sank into the ground, like compressing soil.

The ground was uneven, like crossing a field of wooden snakes.

Branches slashing endlessly against my skin.

Chirping could be hear all around me.

It seems like I have ventured into the woods.

I proceed forward on my aimless path, it was clear that I went off roads.

Holding my hands out to feel for obstacles, and moving slowly.

My eyes blinked rapidly for any sight, but was only staring into a void.

Within the overcast, a bright silver moon pierces through the grey clouds with its translucent moonlight, which dimly illuminated the ground.

My field of vision extended to an arm's length, with the shady trees and monochromatic background in sight.

The decaying leaves stacked on the ground, gathering puddles of water, and reflecting the ivory moon.

I held my Family Heirloom forward.

Its colour blends into the woods, as the moonlight reflect off its blade.

Wait a minute, this blade is dull in colour, so it should not reflect any light.

I tilted the reflective surface towards me, and two letters formed: CT

CT, what does it mean?

CT, CT, I repeated the letters again and again.

My mind went blank, what does it mean?

A thunderous roar rung my ears, and the stricken tree scorched in red splits into two and fell over.

The leaves rustled, as the branches cracked.

Its heavy mass cushioned onto the soft soil, and embedded solidly in place.

Like thunder, my thoughts jolted, and a word lingers in my head: City.

Is 'City' what the letters are suppose to represent, or am I making an erroneous assumption?

Father only briefly shared his experience in the city.

About the buildings scraping the sky, and trains traveling underground.

The surreal view of the city lighted up in the night, and life blooming throughout the entire day.

There was more being shown, but the moonlight was weakened by the caliginous sky, and blocked by the canopy trees.

The path soon was covered by shadows, and little could be seen.

Trickles could be heard, and a wave of cold air blew pass me, with a volley of droplets raining upon me.

My clothes became soaked and heavy, while the ground turns to mud.

I kept dragging myself forward, as it's the only path I knew.

Despite how little I could see, my vision is becoming blurred, while my breath became noticeably loud.

Thirst caught up to me, followed by fatigue.

Through bushes and branches, a light appeared.

A dazzling light that lit up the path.

I staggered onwards, tired and worn.

Soon, I stepped out of the twilight forest.

Espying the rising sun.

There was no shelter, only undisturbed nature, as expected of the countryside.

I felt weak and drained of life, like a wilting flower.

My body was shaking and screaming in pain.

A turbulent flow could be heard echoing through the landscape.

Upon approaching closer to the source of the sound, a rapid river could be seen.

Although I was debilitated, I have managed to hang my belongings onto a tree branch, and submerged myself into the river.

The fresh river quenched my thirst and dissolved my fatigue, while the streaks of muck stuck onto me was washed away.

I felt reborn anew, and more refreshed than ever.

I took my belongings down from the trees, and wore a new set of clothing, since the previous one was dirty, wet, tattered and torn.

The river water unfortunately was unable to satisfy my hunger, as my stomach growled and shrunk.

I search for fruits to appease my hunger, and followed the river stream in hopes of finding civilization.

The river increases in width as it travels downstream, and soon I stumbled upon a dam.

Above the dam is a road that connects the city to other regions of the country together.

It is possible to reach the city by following this road!

But... Even if I arrive at the city, I could not enter it, since my Entry Permit to the City and Identification papers are burnt.

It is the reason why I had given up in the first place, second to the lost of my home.

A loud disturbance can be heard, becoming louder and louder.

A large vehicle could be seen in the distance, and it is approaching closer.

It has a large figure, with white exterior, and a long container at its rear.

Its engine reverberates with the clashing of water, blending into a spiral of deafening noises.

It trekked across the dam and stopped on the side of the road.

Two figures exited the large truck, and one of them pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

Trails of smoke was emitted from the cigarettes, and a puff of it followed shortly after.

They are conversing rather loudly, as to speak over the raucous river, although I can't hear them from here.

A genius plan brewed in my head.

I can enter the City by using this truck, but how should I approach it?

Should I try other means of entering the City?

Is this the best method?

Part of me is hesitant, while another part of me is daring for a go.

It fills me with apprehension, and excitement.

The worst that can happen is being mistaken as a thief and beaten to death.

Within seconds I have made my choice: Do it

My whole body relaxed, and moved forward together in synchronization.

Silently, I have paced my steps with precision and moderate speed, until I have placed my hands on the truck container.

There was a lock for the container, which requires a key.

The container was too high for me to climb on top of, and I couldn't open the container.

I tried jumping for the top, but failed miserably, and slammed against the container, which produced a loud metallic clang.

"Did you hear that?!"

"Yeah, What was that?!"

Those people were visually alerted, and started to approach me.

This was when I knew: There was no turning back

Sweats formed on my head, and a maddening itch on my back.

Part of my body was rooted to the ground with dread, while another was pumping with adrenaline.

I can't move away, can't go above or inside.

I desperately searched for an escape route, my eyes darting back and forth, scanning the truck.

The wheels of the truck is large, so it is elevated high enough for a person, and the bottom is concealed by a thin metal sheet.

It seems the only way is below.

My bag of belongings placed on my chest.

Crawled underneath the truck and grabbed onto the metal bars below.

Slotting my feet firmly in place, and gripping onto the bars with my hands.

"Check the left, I'll check the right!"

"Got it!"

The two people scanned the perimeter of the truck, one at each side, with firearms drawn and ready to shoot.

They stepped with caution, and approach the rear of the truck.

"Who's there! Show yourself!"

"We are holding guns! Do not make us shoot you!"

...

"There's nothing!"

"We've wasted enough time, let's move!"

The truck engine roared back to life, and give a sudden jerk, before accelerating forward.

This truck should be on its way to the City, as it is a delivery truck.

The truck is moving at high velocity, such that the ground is like a sanding belt, and scraping any parts of myself against it would be unpleasant and horrifyingly painful.

On a side note, I have managed to avoid the confrontation.

Phew, that was intense.

There was so many things that could go wrong.

Thou, having the person's thoughts merged with mine feels very weird.

However, that blade might be related to the city, but does CT really mean City?