Road

A long winding road strectches from east to west. Rumor has it that this road leads to a land of milk and honey. Where everywhere you look you see happiness. People laughing, smiling and dancing all day long. Where you can pursue your own happiness and you will have the opportunity to do it. A city where every people's hearts and minds are open. Where everyone is equal, where everyone can be who they want them to be.

No more pretentions.. no more masks..no more sadness.

People started walking this road..hoping that they can find a better place..

A young man is seen walking on that mythical road. With a smile on his face and head help up high. Eyes beaming with hope and fixed to the end of this long road. Without warning a sandstorm appeared and blew the young man off course. He fell unconscious..darkness ensues..

He woke up the next morning and saw an old man perched not far from him. He took the time to collect his thoughts and remembered that fateful day that he was blown off course. As he sat up, he noticed that the old man is still sitting on an old tree husk quietly surveying every move he takes.

Man: Why are spying on me?

The old man said nothing...

Man: Hey! Are you listening?

A gust of wind and rustling of leaves served as the answer.

"Clearly this man is sick in the head.", the man thought.

Old Man: Eat.

"Oh..so he is not deaf after all."

Man: Eat what? All I can see is grass!

Old Man: Here.

He tosses a half load of bread... A dirty dusty loaf of bread obviously the bread has been travelling with the man for a ver long time.

Man: Thanks. Hey! Were you blown off course too?

The old man just looked at his guest. With a questioning look he squinted his eyes like a spear piercing his thought.

Man: Don't do that man! Are you a weirdo or something?

Old Man: No. Im not. Im just trying to see the true question hidden in your eyes.

He studied the Old Man closely. The weary face, dark tanned skin, full of wrinkles and scars. His hands have mud on it. Dirt and grime cover all his clothes, his posture about to give way but still held up straight. And the eyes...

The eyes.. the young man looked in his eyes and saw that he was not so different from him after all. The clear green eyes with hues of blue...His eyes are alert, eager like a kid just right out of a classroom. Yet cold and calculating like a hawk aloft the clouds. His shoulders are developed yet not over bearing. His hands are overworked but still retains the youthful glow...

'He is not old after all.'

Seeing that the young man is not confused anymore, the man smiled and started to approach him. He offered a flask full of water and started to talk. The man revealed about a lot of things about the road. He said that its full of dangers. Every turn may lead straight to a cliff. Every hill on the side of the road can be an ambush point. The young man listened in earnest on how to avoid the perils. He was captivated by the man's wisdom at such a young age. The discussion lasted for a day.. until the fires of their camp went out.

A new day has come, and the two rushed to the road to begin their journey anew. They travelled the road overcoming obstacles one after the other. The Man was pleased to see his new found friend reach new heights. Mile after mile was conquered with relative ease until a statue on the middle of the road was reached. The young man looked at his friend and said "What's this? Have you encountered this statue on one of your travels?", the Mysterious Man nodded with apparent blankness as if all the hope was sucked dry by the status looming ahead.

The man said to his young friend, "The statue ahead guards the city. That means we are getting close.". The young man was filled with such joy that he screamed and jumped like a two year old kid. The mysterious man remains silent.

..they walked on approaching the statue...until blackness engulfed them....

then a flash of light..

The young man woke up beside a bed in a luxurious room. Everything was white. The overall mood is happy, and tranquil. As if all the world's laughter and hope was compressed into a tiny room occupied by the man. He sat up and looked at his surroundings. A famiiar warmth fills the room...the smell of flowers, bees, honey and birds fills the air. A beam of sunlight penetrates the pure white curtains. "A feeling of spring" he says, while smiling. The covers are made with silk, the pillow nice and fluffy, and food rests a top a table covered white mantle...

Then he noticed that something is missing. His friend, "Where is he?" he exclaimed.

.......

A shriveled figure lay on the road. The mysterious man sat up slowly from the dirt and grime. He inspects his surroundings and said, "Luck has abandoned me again." with a calm smile he unbuttons his shirt and survey the 'lastest damage' from the previous encursion. He sees a big gash of wound instead of his chest. "Hmm.. the same as always.." he inspects the wound, blood oozing from the cavity, a stench fills the air..sweet sickly smell of blood..

He stood up.. careless of the blood, flowing like a river from the oozing cavity to the road below...

...in such a weak smile... he said "Maybe next time its different..Maybe next time I could finally go to the city.".... he walked to the side of the road..weak..so weak.. before he felt the familiar embrace of darkness he finally thought "Maybe this time I can rest..just for a while. Then tommorrow..perhaps I...."