“So, Alex, what do you plan on doing now?” Simon asked as the two friends walked out of the gymnasium where their graduation had only just ended. “Oh, I don’t know. I suppose I’ll find some place to live, first. I’ve applied for a few jobs but none have responded yet. No one seems to want to hire some guy that only just graduated from high school. And I can’t live with my dad forever.”
“Oh yeah, you’ve got that CD you’ve been piling money into since 5th grade. You should be able to afford a nice apartment for a while even without a job. I wish I had been that smart. I only have the tips I got from work last night, and that isn’t enough for even a motel room for a night. Say, why don’t you come work at Phil ‘Em Up with me? It’s a job and I know they’re hiring. It isn’t great money but it’s something. Plus, you’d get to work with your best friend!”
“Nah, food service isn’t for me. Especially pizza delivery. I want a real job. Something where I do work I enjoy. I don’t want to settle for just any job simply for a paycheck. I’d rather go live out in the middle of the Century Forest than work a shitty job for lousy pay.”
“Well if you change your mind, just let me know. I’ll put a good word in for you with the boss.”
“Will do. Thanks Simon.” And with that, the two boys continued their walk home in silence, reminiscing over the last year, and planning out their futures. It wasn’t long before they reached the corner of 19th and Waldon, where the two parted ways, finishing their walks alone.
Alex reached his home only five minutes after he and Simon split up. He immediately went downstairs to the basement, hopped on the computer, and checked his email. What he found there was exactly the thing he had been waiting for: a response from Harrison Heals, an alternative medicine shop he applied at. Alex jumped on the email in excitement, and began to read:
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Thank you for applying at Harrison Heals. We have reviewed your
resume and application and we would love to have you join our team.
Unfortunately, we have no openings at this time, and thus, regret to
inform you that we are not currently hiring. We will keep you in mind
in the event that a position opens up, and we hope you have a wonderful
day. As a thank you for your interest and as an apology, we would like
to offer you this coupon for 20% off any purchase at our store. Thank
you. Happy Healing
- Harrison Hart
Owner
Alex leaned back in his chair, disappointed. All of the other jobs he had applied for had simply turned him down, and now the one job he hadn’t gotten a response from basically tells him “better luck next time.” What was he going to do? He could go work with Simon at Phil ‘Em Up, but he refused to work in the food industry. He wanted to be different. Everyone either went to college after high school, or started working at some food place. He didn’t want to be like everyone else.
He thought back to his conversation with Simon on their walk home. He thought of how he said he’d rather live in Century Forest, named so because it was rumored to take a man a century to walk from one end to the other. While this was only a hyperbole, it was true that the forest was huge. The largest in the world in fact. When people went missing, it was assumed they ran into the forest and were lost, or that they were murdered and their body was dumped there. So many parts were unexplored in the forest. He could disappear. He could run and make his own life his own way. He wouldn’t have to worry about money, or a job, or anything. All he would need is a way to eat, and water to drink and he could figure the rest out. Alex was determined to be different. So, he packed a bag with his favorite belongings, a gallon of water, and some trail mix, and he set out for Century Forest. Not a word said, not a note left. This was the day Alex Rose disappeared…