Down the street, I spotted a dirt road leading back into an open field dotted by fat sheep. Sheep. Fat fluffballs that would rather stare at their enemy stupidly and die than fight back. Still, they did make for some nice warm company at night.
Keeping the same pace, I strolled over to where the sheep were being kept. They waddled up to me, staring with their big black eyes. I swung one leg over the broken and rotting fence and landed on the dirt scattered with tiny tuffs of grass.
The sheep followed me, probably suspecting I would feed them. Hey, don't look to me for food, buddies. I barely have enough for myself.
The field wasn't very big, probably about the size of a typical basketball court, times two. Yet, the sheep seemed happy enough with it. No reason for me to complain.
I sighed deeply and walked to the edge of the fencing. By that time, the sheep had given up me. They were probably saying what a rotten person I was for not feeding them. Hey, sorry guys…gals…whatever.
The fencing on this side of the field was in much better condition than that on the other side of the field. Therefore, seeing how it would probably be able to support me, I swung leg over it and sat on one of the large beams that held up the fence. I leaned back against the cold metal barn that connected with the fence and gazed out.
Far beyond, I could see another city. Perhaps Tinga was there. I didn't know. She had her own life. I had mine. Just like the rest of my friends. They had their lives, complete with friends, family perhaps, homes, and who knew what else. I had me. That was pretty much it.
My mind wandered-not something I liked to do. But, I couldn't help it this time. Usually I could control my frivolous daydreams. Yet, seeing how it was close to nighttime and I was tired, I let myself lapse into space.
The pool contest. If I stuck around just long enough, I might be able to get some more money and move farther away from Lydecker. Perhaps Lydecker would just leave me alone.
Unfortunately, he couldn't and both he and I knew it. He had raised me from a little blob of cells to a kid. Stupidity had forced me to stay with him. Had I been smarter, I would've escaped much earlier. But, still, for the others, it wouldn't have been time and they couldn't have gone by themselves without me to lead them. They probably wouldn't have made it past the guards anyhow.
The thought of finally escaping Lydecker lulled me into a light sleep. When I awoke later that night, I wasn't sure whether to be thankful or angry for the sleep.
Dreams can hurt.