I feel like I've just woken up though I wasn't asleep. I feel something warm on my chest; it's blood. I find a small round hole near my right shoulder. It doesn't hurt, but it feels as if it once did. I can't remember what happened. I can't even remember how I wound up in this desolate place. All I remember is that terrible things are coming. Then I spot him. Looking akin to Clint Eastwood and wielding the same weapon, he walks towards me. I can't yet move, my body won't allow it. So I play dead, mask my breathing and keeping my eyes straight ahead. No facial expression whatsoever. He approaches me and begins talking; I can't understand him. But he knows I'm still here. The only thing I make out is "…you don't have the will, son."
A challenge? He knows I couldn't escape him. I don't even have a weapon to fight back. I wait for the shot to end it. It never comes. He walks away and gets in his truck, built for this hot, desert terrain. I see him driving away, but I know he'll be back. I have to get away. I have to run. My motor functions return but terror still overruns my mind. I head north. I remember there's a highway there. I reach it, running crossways to my path. I could hitchhike out of here, go somewhere far away. Maybe he wouldn't find me. But what if he comes for her. I couldn't bear the thought. I follow the highway until a rugged path appears on the right. It's treacherous but I take it and run as far as I can. Then I hear an engine, something else I remember. It's him. The truck lies around a small cliff to my right but he isn't there. Hopefully he hasn't seen me. Then I hear a click from behind. "You had the chance."
My heart jumps into my throat. I turn to see the .45 pointed at my head. "You could have taken that road far away from here. Anyone else would have. But you stayed. Why?"
"What would you have done if I had?" I reply. "Who would you have gone after next?"
"I'm only here for you."
"How can I know that's true?" I fire back. "How do I know you wouldn't go after the ones I love? I can't just leave and hope for the best."
"You knew what was here, coming for you. And you still stayed. You could have taken the easy path. Anyone else would have."
"'I took the one not traveled by, and that has made all the difference.'" I reply, quoting the poem that has had such an impact on my life.
"It seems that way."
Again, I wait for the shot to end it. This time, it comes.


This is based on a dream I had a while back. I didn't really expect to write this one down, but a few people pushed me to do so and voila. Out of my "usual" category, but then again, I guess I don't really have a usual so it works out. As always, comments, critiques are welcome!