As dawn began to creep over the horizon, the countryside stretched out before him, the rolling hills and open fields bathed in the soft, dim light of early morning. He was rarely out of the city, but rather than feeling lost or unsettled by the openness, he felt like this was the start of something new, an adventure he had been missing for far too long.

Damn, he could finally breathe. He cracked the window, letting the crisp, cool air rush into the car, banishing the stale atmosphere of the air-conditioning. Each breath was like a refreshing sip of spring water, filling his lungs with something pure and invigorating. The temptation to stop the car and lounge on the hood, to soak in the early morning air and the sense of freedom, was strong. But he resisted, choosing instead to keep moving forward, letting the wind through the windows energize him for whatever lay ahead.

As he drove on, he spotted traffic lights in the distance. He had finally come upon a town. Jack peered out through the glass at the sparse, orderly layout of buildings on either side of the road. He was grateful he had followed his instincts, making that right turn off the straight highway about two hours after leaving the last vestiges of the city behind. It seemed like he was finally learning to listen to whatever part of him had guided him here. Maybe, just maybe, there was still some good left inside him, some sliver of hope that hadn’t been completely darkened by the years of writing under the influence and giving in to his baser desires. Likely not, but for now, he could hold on to that glimmer of hope, that faint possibility that he wasn’t completely lost.

As Jack drove into the small town, he couldn't help but slow down and take in his surroundings. The streets were lined with quaint shops and bustling cafes, filled with people leisurely strolling along the sidewalks. The open car windows let drift in the soft chirping of birds and distant chatter of locals. It was a far cry from the chaotic noise of the city he was used to. Everything seemed so peaceful and idyllic, as if he had entered a different reality.

Jack wanted to be part of that strangeness more than anything. He had driven for hours just to get here. Maybe it was this place that had pulled him from his desk, made him pack his things, and set him in motion. It had called to him, and he had answered. But then, the doubt crept in—quick and sudden, catching him off guard. What if he had gone completely mad? What if he couldn’t handle this place after all?

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Then I’ll just move on," Jack muttered to himself, his fingers flexing on the steering wheel as he tried to calm the rising anxiety. "I’ll get back in the car and keep driving until..." Until what? He didn’t have an answer for that, and the uncertainty left him quiet. Even the negative thoughts seemed to back off, as if pitying him.

He kept driving, his eyes adjusting to the sight of people moving at such a leisurely pace. Someone like Demi would lose her mind here, he thought. She’d be infuriated by the “lackadaisical attitudes.”

Ah, but maybe those were just people who had come to understand that life was what they made it and had decided to choose "easy." Jack had wished that he could partake in some of that.

His car suddenly began to jerk, bringing him out of his wishful thoughts.

What the...

Jack looked at the dashboard and finally noticed the flashing light of an almost empty tank. It must have been on for a long time, but his mind was just too preoccupied to notice.

Jack started to panic. It was a new town; he knew no one and nothing.

Shit!

His panic had given him room to think for a second though, and he had grabbed it. The first point of call was a sort of wooden bungalow with a glowing inscription in an equally glowing square to his right. A handful of heavy vehicles were parked in the rough open space in front of the building.

Jack needed to get some direction and help here. He drove in quickly and found space to park behind a truck just as his car had coughed its last and died. He praised it for its good timing. It was when he had gotten out that he heard the music coming from behind the closed door. This one's tempo was cool, easy to flow with, and something told Jack the volume would not be deafening when he went inside.

‘Drago’s’ blinked in italics from the glowing sign box above the entrance.

Jack locked the car and walked up to the front door, wondering if he should knock first. It seemed it was a bar, but he couldn't be sure. Bars in the city weren't like this. What if this was someone's house?

No... not with all that music seeping out and the sign above the door.

The door swung open, and Jack’s breath caught as his eyes landed on her.