Jared? Jared!” Kile walk on to the road that seemed to stretch forever IN both directions. “Which way do I go?” He looks again in both directions. “The look the same either way. Well the say follow there heart so I guess I’ll go left. But they say the left brain is logical and right is creative. ” He sighs, taking a seat on the bench that appear in the place of the path he came from. (Good going Kile. You lost Jared and now you are stuck in the middle of nowhere.)

Time passed under the afternoon sun. Maybe three hours had passed, when a truck suddenly appears on the road. The driver was heading right, coming to a stop and he came near the best.

“Hey stranger you need a right?” We flash a warm bright smile.

Kile eyes widens. He blinks then blinks again.

“Are you alright son? You look like you might have a bit of a heat stroke”

“Carter is that you? Why are you talking like that and can you really see me?”

“Kid, I think you better come in and have a rest. The baby has good AC. Where are you headed? I’ll take you there.”

“I am not heading anywhere in particular. I think I just lost my way.” He got into the passenger seat of the truck. (Despite his look He is definitely not Carter. The side seems really laid back. Carter is super intense.) “I guess I will just follow along to where you are heading.”

He nods his head starting the engine. “Fine by me, I like company. It’s gets real wearing on long stretch roads like these. Why don’t you sit back and take a rest. We will be there before you know it. The air from the AC was cool and relaxing. He stares straight ahead as his eyes lower and thoughts drifts far away.” The light in the sky ahead grew dark and stormy, soon swirls of light can be seen. He was in a dark tunnel.

“Kile!” He hear Starta’s voice screams.

“Kike?” Calls Daina’s curious voice.

“Kile! Kile. Kile?” They all came one after another. His heart starts to pound. He was feeling dizzy and confused when he wakes. Carter wakes him up.

“Carter, Where are we? He asks sleepily. I just had the weirdest dream.”

“I think you are still confuse kid that’s the second time you called me Carter. Oh the name is Steve, by the way. We arrived. Home sweet home.”

(Kile how many times do you have to go through all this to realize you are not dreaming. You are stuck in a nightmare with no escape.) He walked behind Steve ponder what he should do next, only to walk right into him. “Oh. Sorry Steve, my mind wonder a little. You have a nice ranch here. ”

“Thanks I work hard to keep it up for the owner.” He picks up a bucket to pour water for the horses.

“Who is the own?”

“Have no idea. I never laid eyes on him. I am just doing my part in keeping this place pretty for whenever he shows up.”

“It looks nice. I’ve always wanted to live in a place like this. ” He brushes a hand against the side of the horse. “Is there any way to contact him? Maybe he will be willing to sell.”

Steve made a hearty laugh. “Do you even have that kind of money?”

Kile starts to reply but falls quiet. (I forgot, I don’t have anything here. This is all my imagination.)

Steve studies the young man's face. “Don’t worry kid. I’m sure you will have money for a place like this in the future. You are still young, a lot of life ahead. You don’t need to worry about anything.” He give a reassuring pat on the back.

This is just what he needed. (You guys may be night and day, but I can always count on Carter to talk too when I feel stress like this.) “Thanks Steven. I really, really needed to hear that.” He wipes a stray tear away. “Do you think I could ride one. I miss riding them.”

He flashes a smile. “No problem, I’ll get one ready for you now.”

Soon Kile was on the horse running free across the meadow. (I have ridden one since I was maybe fourteen years old. That was another time and another life. I miss some things from those days but happy to escape the rest.)

(One day, one day. I will break free.)