Chapter Three: Freedom
The rain had begun to let up as I reached the field. I calmly wrung my hair out, sighing contentedly. I felt clean and new. The world was already a better place.
Stepping past the small forest, I stared wondrously around. I'd never been to the field at night. It was almost magical. Completely surreal.
I could see the lump that was my bag and small collection of items within. The sky had already been dark by afternoon, and I knew to wrap everything in a waterproof tarp. If worse came to worst, I could even use it to sleep in or under.
My entire world was wrapped up in that bundle, but excitement bubbled in me. I removed the tarp and folded it out to dry. I unzipped the pack, and dug around a bit for the flashlight I had also packed for this night. The moon wasn't there to light my way.
Success presented me with the cylindrical tube. Click – it lighted the ground by my feet. Laying it there for a moment, I rolled up the tarp and placed it inside my bag. I hoisted it to my shoulders and grabbed the flashlight.
I made my way back to civilization. Concrete pathways. Lights against my eyes. It was beautiful in the wet dark. Damp and glorious. I found my way to a motel that seemed clean and cheap enough, even though I had a lot of money saved up from what I took from my father. He'd owed me more than what I was able to get.
Thoughts of him made me realize something beautiful. The fact that I was free to do as I pleased. It comfortably buzzed within my mind, and I was giddy with it. Beautiful freedom.
Beautiful.