I kept running, and I refused to stop. I kept running until I couldn't hear shouts and murmurs anymore. I kept running and running. Soon, my legs went numb, and I dropped down to the ground, my head spinning, my lungs about to burst. Ah, no, no, can't stop... Can't stop here... My fingers curled around the blades of moist grass to drag myself further, but I didn't have enough stamina to move. I ended up lying on the lush, grassy field, staring at the clear sky up above. The stars shone as my eyes scanned everywhere it could. No towers, no tall walls... Just how far did I run?

I closed my eyes and tried to hear the 'click clack' of slippers on rotting wood, or hushed voices discussing an illegal trade. None. There was only crickets, and the calm song of the wind. My mind found solace, knowing that the chances of me being found was little to none. I sighed happily as I placed my bag over me for cover.

Before I knew it, I had fallen into a deep slumber out in the wilderness. When I awoke, my back ached, but not as much as my legs. I could barely stand. I rubbed my eyes and picked up my bag. No dreams. None for a long time now. I looked up. The sky was still dark, but not as much as before. It was likely to be midnight.

I began to stretch, hoping that my legs would be fine after a few hours, at best. I unlocked my bag, and checked it's contents. There was no reason to wear a suit in the wild, no. Too dangerous, doesn't make sense. I looked around for somewhere to clean up and change. River? No no, lake's better. It took an hour or so, but soon I found one.

I took a deep breath, and jumped into the lake, goggles on. I had brought things like a windbreaker, a machete, swimwear and cans of soup. Carrying a heavy load was no problem, considering the work I had in the past. Water could be found anywhere, easily cleaned. Just need a bottle, flint. I swum up to the lake and breathed. Not completely clean. No need to be. I dried myself and dressed for exploring. Boots, windbreaker, and thin but durable leggings. I hid the suit around some bushes. No need for them.

I picked up my bag and grabbed my local map, looking at it carefully. I was near my home, Burvis. I left from the slums exit, so I had run to the South-east of the city. There's a mining town nearby. I could stay there and maybe pick up more clues to find my goal. I suppose that'll be my next destination once my legs are back to normal. Until then, it would be best for me to simply rest around this area.

Even though the lake was still, the atmosphere peaceful, my mind still raced. What if there were other people here? Animals? My body became filled with adrenaline just thinking about all the possibilities. I knew it was unreasonable. The people in the slums had no reason to come here, and definitely not anyone from the city. Wild animals would avoid areas near the city as well, no?

No matter how much  I tried to calm myself down, doubts still filled my mind. You thought you were right back then; you thought Felix wouldn't be hurt. But he nearly died, didn't he? Because you believed it was fine. It wasn't. It never will be. I froze. No, that's not true. Who would have known? No one would have, no. No. It was clear as day. You failed him, because you were so full of yourself. You thought you'd always be right, didn't you? You idiot. Idiot.

Idiot.

I ended up searching deep into the woods to look for a place to settle down in. Can't take too many risks, no. Need to get to the city and help Felix, need to stay alive to find the group, need to take as little risks to stay alive. 

This is for Felix. Felix. You left him there, didn't you? 

I needed to. He can't walk far without needing rest. He might die out here. I needed to leave him there.

He might die while you're gone. Because you weren't there to protect him. The mafia is still mad that you left because of a dumb myth.

It's not a myth. I found it. I found it in a map filled with the findings of our late father.

Ah yes, a map of your late, mad, fool of a father. How could you not possibly trust such a 'credible' source?

Shut up! Imagine, an entirely unknown continent, unbeknownst to the public. It's lush and green, with clear water, teeming with wildlife! If we manage to get there, then... no more running. No more mafia, no more shady deals, no more gunshots, nothing! It'd just be us, living the life we were meant to without any risk or worry. Just...

Happy?

I can't fathom the idea of it; but I don't need to understand it. It's what Felix wants. And it's what I want for him.

Be honest. You don't really believe you can achieve this, do you? You just wanted to run. You just wanted to leave.

No, I would never leave Felix behind, I'll bring him there for sure, I'd--!

Distracted by my thoughts, I ended up banging head first into a tree. I rubbed my forehead, removing the small pieces of bark, frowning. Pay attention. I looked down, and realized that there was a tripwire connected to another tree, which would set off a bell. Gazing behind the tree, I spotted a tent. My eyes widened.

See? Don't know anything about the outside world, and because you did as you should have... See? An enemy.

I could smell the aroma of mushroom soup, along with a bit of smoke. The tent was very spacious. Whoever this was, they knew how to set up a lavish camp site. But there were no midnight guards. They had to either be simply a camper... Or some incredibly. But why would a rich folk want to?

Why does it matter? Just take what you need. Just do what you have to do. For Felix.

I take out my machete, and carefully advance to the tent.