Chapter 1: My Way Or The Highway
I was walking along a dirt road, Great Height Rd, and the name fitted perfectly where I was. I was walking along a cliff road. I had a hard guitar case and a laptop bag, these were my only two luggage. Now you're probably wandering who I am, I herd news people call me the 'Wandering Saint', some kids in other towns called me 'Traveler', but one stood out to me.
Drake.
I remember the scene that I gotten the name.
I was playing my guitar for a kindergarten class, the teacher didn't mind playing for us, I even got a few request and a few extra dollars that day from passing by civilians. About 10 dollars, new record in my case. Anyway, the kids were laughing, running around me, as one said 'Drake! Play 'run run run'!' I blinked, and smiled, 'run run run' was a new nursery rhyme song, and so I did, they taught me the words, and I gave it the chords. I smiled as the kids laughed, I made a few friends that day, which was good. The kids left and I sighed. I walked away, satisfied about my musical talent.
I smiled at the memory, the year was 2012, and it was February. I wore my army coat, a small scarf, gloves, and some cargo pants, with a pair of sweat pants underneath to keep my legs warm. I was a traveler, and I'm also a thief. When I was barely walking, I stole stuff all the time, trying to survive. You see, ever sense I started walking, I ran. I ran away from home to home, begging to be sheltered during the night in small towns, which wasn't hard to do. I smiled as I stole wads of cash from innocent and leave right in the morning. Only to be called out by various of fake names. I smiled, and took out a worn out New York Yankee's cap. I stopped, and went to the side, incase of any cars. I leaned against the fence post, looking at the cap. The memory flashed before my eyes.
It was another day in the city of Austin Texas, when it wasn't anymore. I was walking as I saw a blonde girl, with princess curls and with grey eyes. She had a New York Yankee's baseball cap in her left pocket. Running. Running beside her was a jet black haired man, over 6 feet tall no doubt. I watched them ran pass, as I turned. I realize. The blonde had a dagger, the tall man had a sword. I looked around, and no one was phased by that, then I saw it, a huge black lab bounding towards them. My eyes bulged. It was a hell-hound. I remember, I stayed at a library, and since there was nothing to do, I read about Greek and Roman Mythology. The black hellhound ran after them, I soon followed, only to loose them, I looked all over, but one stepped, I looked down, and there was the NY Yankee's cap. I picked it up, and swore to return it, if I ever saw them, which I had a good feeling about.
I looked out over a huge lake. Lake Superior I figured. One of the Great Lakes of America. I sighed and took a big breathe of fresh lake air. This lead to a small town of Plain Vile. Don't ask me how, but I knew where roads led, and if there was any small towns along the way. I put the Yankee cap in my laptop bag, which held my extra clothing and held my toiletries. I kept walking, being the traveler I was, my feet didn't hurt at all. I walked into the town and took a good look at the population. Only 654.
Plenty of people to frame.
I kept walking and walked into an open café, and by open, I literally mean open. The kitchen and the cash register were the only two items indoor. I took a glance at the menu. Hotdog and a Pepsi. Only a buck twenty-five. I smiled and walked up, and took my order. She nodded and went into the kitchen. When she was gone, I looked around, and opened the register, and took most of the money, I left some to be sure, they had at LEAST 1000 dollars in that old thing. I stood straight, leaning agaist a pole, waiting. The lady behind the counter came back.
"Hotdog and a large Pepsi to go!" She called and I instantly went over and took my lunch. I thanked her and walked off.
'Poor gal.' I let my mind wander. 'Robbed of about 200 dollars and free lunch' I chuckled at myself for how devious I was. I walked around town, I checked the park clock, it was about 6:05 pm. Most people now would be home having dinner, but it seems I was lucky.
Town Barbecue. I grinned, and went through the crowd, laughing and avoiding people. I soon found the technician for the stage. Apparently, they were having a talent show for travelers, and who ever won got a free room.
Again; I struck gold.
"Yo, you're not allowed here. Unless you're here about the Talent show." The bulk techy said. I nodded. "What's your name, kid?" His voice had a mix of western and French. Odd combination, but I can see it happening.
"Name's Frank Thomas." I said, for mindlessly wandering, it helped to have a few fake names. Just incase you committed a huge crime that would want you on my top wanted list. I used all sorts of Alba's. I smiled my friendly smile, which was real of course. Hey! Just because I'm a thief DOESN'T mean I can be friendly, no?
"Alright, whats your talent? Guitar strumming' and singing?" He asked.
"Only guitar strumming, but I'll play a song that everyone here knows." The technician nodded and jotted my name down.
"Go back-stage, others are getting ready, I assume you want some time to practice." He told me, I thanked him and walked back-stage, and I mentally laughed. There was from teenagers to adults. Elder to Young. It was funny in my eyes, but I couldn't wait to see their talents. I leaned against the wall, my stuff still on but I didn't care. I smiled, and listened to the party going on in front of the stage. Soon, it was about to began. I took out my guitar and set my stuff in a pile of leaves, away from the party. I marked it with mostly yellow leaves, easy to spot. I went back and strummed and tuned my guitar. Oh, should mention. I grew up with one person, when I was able to talk and walk, we split up. It was for the best in both our cases. I never forgot his face or name. I sighed and closed my eyes, soon, it was my turn. I went on-stage and took a stool. I sat and took the microphone.
"How's everyone doing tonight in this lovely town of Plain Vile?" The crowd erupted with 'goods', 'awesome', and cheers "Okay, no need to blow my ears off." This earned a few extra laughed.
"Anyway, since this is a party. What party would it be, without the song, 'Red Dixie Cup'?" I talked to the crowd. The crowd went WILD at the name. I laughed and put the mic down, and started strumming the song. Soon, everyone was singing Red Dixie Cup. The crowd raised their cups, which, were of course, red. They sang as I played, soon, when it was over,
'Thank to any god or gods or goddesses up there…' To tell you the truth, I hated the song personally. The crowd erupted with cheers, laughter, and whistling as I exited the stage. I sighed in annoyance to see everyone back stage laughing and clapping when I came in.
"Alright folks, settle down, settle down." I herd a western voice. For a northen city, they do have a lot of western people. Vacation perhaps?
"I believe we already knew this year's winner. Frank Thomas!" The mayor said, dragging out the 'a' in Frank and the 'o' and 'a' in Thomas. I walked out onto the stage and waved, I retrieved my items a while back. The mayor congratulated me on a good job, handed me a pair of keys and a cash roll. I smiled, apparently I was THAT good. I went to the motel that the room was for and found the number. I unlocked the room, and went in. I set my stuff under the nightstand, and I put the guitar by the door. I moved a chair under the door-handle and locked the doors, closed the shades and yawned. I could never be too careful. I took off all my cloths except my boxers, crashed on the bed, getting covered as I crawled under them.
The dreams came.
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Thanks for reading! I'll introduce more characters in the next few chapters, and who could the blonde girl and tall man be? What's important about that cap? Read and Review!