My last journey by coach is also the longest one. Ten hours of being packed inside a crowded vehicle with barely enough time to breathe. If Jober was popular then this next destination is ten times more so. Perr Hill is a popular resort and every family with means strives to come here at least once a year. It has all sorts of attractions, and I learn all about it from the chatter I hear all around me: the fun shows, the ancient bath-houses reputed to have been visited by ancient Lord Supremes and the energy-filled pools.
The excitement is palpable, and I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to come here with Moe. If I make it back, I must take her here. She would greatly enjoy the historical attractions. And if I’m successful in my mission, I will also have enough money to splurge on any holiday she may want. I smile to myself. That’s something to look forward to—and one more reason to survive this ordeal.
I fall asleep for a few hours. When I wake up, we’re close to our destination. Stiff from sitting in the same position for hours but a little more refreshed, I plan my next steps.
My supplies are running low, and since I’m looking at an eighteen-hour trek, I need to replenish them. But how am I going to carry themandwalk?
An idea suddenly comes to mind. What if I use the Utopiya token to briefly store the items in the proto-realm? Since the contract with the mysterious gentleman will not end until I finish my excursion, I might be able to use the proto-realm as storage.
To try that, I touch my token and I attempt to deposit a bottle of water inside the proto-realm. It doesn’t reject it. But the true test comes when I exit and return.
I hold my breath as I open the proto-realm.
It works!
The bottle is right where I left it!
This will make everything so much easier. With no need to limit my space, I go to the nearest convenience store and stock up on water, food and some spare clothes. I also buy medicine and bandages, light torches and matches. For added comfort, I get a portable tent, a sleeping bag and extra blankets.
And so my long trek begins.
The weather in this region is cooler. I pull my coat tighter against my body. If it gets colder I will have to layer another sweater under my coat.
I walk for an hour. Then two. By the third, I already feel myself growing tired. The temptation to use a vial of Zantrax to increase my speed is ever growing. But I’m already on my last couple of vials and considering the danger I’m walking into, I need to keep them for later.
“Damn it,” I mutter to myself.
Stopping to catch my breath, I once more glimpse movement from the corner of my eye.
I turn suddenly.
There’s no one there.
Odd.
Remembering the male I caught following me and Moe the day before, I tense.
I’ve been sloppy.
With how crowded the carriages were and with how many people passed by me since I started this journey, I stupidly did not think to be vigilant. Anyone could have followed me and I was none the wiser.
Because you were too busy daydreaming about your future dates with Moe.
Fair enough. I did spend the entire time thinking about Moe.
“So damn stupid!” I ball my hands into fists.
No matter how much I’ll blame myself for being reckless, it won’t change the fact that I am potentially being followed. So far, though, not only have they not revealed themselves but they have alsonotattacked me. Just like the male from before. That makes me wonder what their purpose is. Surveillance? But why?
Is it someone sent by the gentleman from Utopiya or is it someone sent by my mother?
The only way to find out is to draw them out and force them to answer my questions. With nightfall only a few hours away, I can’t afford to fall asleep with a potential enemy lurking around.
But first… Let’s ensure they are indeed following me.
Taking out my map, I carefully analyze it for alternate paths. If they still follow me when I go off the beaten path, I will be sure they are not some random hiker.
In about an hour I should reach the top of Perr Hill. If I were to go up the marked road, the descent would be rather swift and easy. But if I take a different path, I will have to take a detour through a perilous forest. That will delay me by at least a few hours.
