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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book... “a Finch in the Window” Down in the Dirt, v150 (the October 2017 Issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

Order this writing in the issue book the Light in the Sky the Down in the Dirt Sept.-Dec. 2017 collection book		get the 418 page May-August 2017 Down in the Dirt issue anthology 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

The Long Road

Shahyeim Oliveira

    Cyril kicked the side of his car roughly as he let out an aggravated yell that echoed through the desert around him. The sun beamed down on him only fueling his aggravation, he brought his arm up and used the sleeve of his worn leather jacket to wipe away some of the sweat that had accumulated on his forehead.
    Cyril stood by his now useless car for a good five minutes just looking between it and the long desert road that stretched out before him. He finally gave in and with a defeated sigh he made his way to the back seat of his car, after opening the door and retrieving his satchel from the back he slammed the door closed. Taking one last look at his car he threw his bag on and start his long journey down the sun parched road.
    The desert around him offered little in the means of shade but he did take solace in the occasional cloud that would pass by the sun for a few fleeting seconds. What the desert lacked in shade however it more than made up for in safety. Far from all the chaos that was the city and the infected that now ran amok, the desert was possibly one of the safest places to be at the moment. Cyril was never partial to crowded spaces, now with the virus outbreak his disdain was justified. The media had taken to referring to the infected as crazies, a name Cyril thought fit perfectly in accordance with their behavior. One minute they would be behaving like normal, the next thing you know they’re at someone’s throat. The government had been doing their best to keep the virus contained but in the end it proved to be more than they could handle. It’s in the eyes, they say you can notice if you look hard enough, of course if you’re that close to someone when they turn it’s probably the last thing you’ll see.

    The sun was beginning to lower in the sky providing a slight decrease in the overbearing desert heat. As he continued walking along the side of the road he scanned for any signs that might indicate whether he was any closer to reaching his destination. He reached into his pocket and withdrew his packet of cigarettes taking one out he placed it between his lips, after placing the small box back into his pocket he fished out his lighter. The small flame of the lighter ignited his cigarette and he took a deep inhale filling his lungs with smoke, as he exhaled he felt a small vibration from the ground below his feet. He turned to face the road behind him, a large eighteen-wheeler was barreling down the road towards him. Cyril felt his shoulders tense as he watched the lights of the truck grow closer, his hand moved instinctively to the large knife he kept in his right pocket as he thought. He raised his left arm cautiously and waved at the quickly approaching truck his other hand still close to his knife. The truck began to slow its approach when it was about ten yards away from him only coming to a complete stop once it was directly in front of him, the window of the truck slowly rolled down to reveal the driver. The man driving the trucked appeared to be overweight and unwashed, his scraggly beard contained remnants of many snacks passed and he was clearly much older than Cyril.
    “Eh hello,” cyril said as he looked up at the man in the truck, he used his arm to block the sun’s glare from his eyes. The man in the truck lowered his sunglasses before speaking.
    “You must be one crazy bastard to be walking around the desert, you aren’t one of them crazies I’ve been hearing about on the radio, are you?” the man replied.
    Cyril shook his head. “I’m infection free luckily so I guess my day isn’t shot yet, but my car gave out on me few miles back and that’s why I’m walking,” Cyril said as he lowered his arm to his side.
    The truck driver let out a low chuckle that mad Cyril feel even more uneasy. “So that was your car on the side of the road, I’m guessing you don’t get any service out here huh?” he said before spitting out the window away from Cyril.
    Cyril shook his head his black hair blowing in the slight breeze “nope not a single bar, my phones practically a paper weight” he responded keeping his cool.
    The truck driver let out another chuckle before replying “Hop in kid.” Cyril nodded before making his way around the front of the truck to the passenger side door. He pulled it open and climbed into the truck, the truck’s cabin was filthy covered in old snack wrappers and fast food cartons. Cyril placed his bag on the floor between his legs and did his best to ignore the smell as he put his seat belt on. The trucker started back down the empty road the sun now almost completely hidden by the horizon.
    The trucker was the first to break the silence that had filled the cabin “the names Cletus by the way and this here is ole’ Bess”Cletus patted the dashboard with his free hand.
    Cyril nodded and tried to muster a friendly demeanor “I’m Cyril, thanks for the ride Cletus... eh and ole’ Bess too.” he said.
    “Where you headed exactly Cyril?” Cletus said as he picked his nose uncaring of Cyril’s presence.
    Cyril looked out his window at the quickly passing desert. “Las Vegas” he replied
    Cletus laughed again this time a bit heartier “Looks like it’s your lucky day cause me and Bess are headed that way too, but it makes me wonder what business you got there what with all the craziness going on?” he asked
    Cyril definitely didn’t feel like swapping stories with this guy he’d met only minutes before so he decided to keep his answers simple “It’s a girl.” He responded
    Cletus nodded his eyes glued to the road “Shit isn’t it always, well hope you find her before the crazies do.” he said. Cyril found himself drifting off to sleep more exhausted from his day then he had thought. A slight bump in the road roused Cyril from his sleep, could hear a rustling sound coming from beside him. Cyril looked over to see Cletus using his free hand to rummage through his backpack “Hey what the hell are you doing!” he exclaimed before reaching for his bag, Cletus laughed as Cyril snatched the bag from his hand.
    “Calm down now boy wouldn’t want to do anything you were going to regret later,” Cletus said as he reached for something on the side of his door.
    Cyril clenched his bag close “Stop the truck now!” he exclaimed gripping for the door handle.
    Cletus suddenly raised his free arm to reveal a small handgun, he took aim at Cyril resting his arm across his lap while using his free hand to drive “Now I seen what was in your bag and I know you got some money on you, so why don’t you just go and hand it over huh?” he said
    Cyril kept his eyes fixed on the gun the expression on his face was calm and collected, using his bag as cover he withdrew his pocket knife and opened it “You really shouldn’t have done that Cletus,” he said a moment after the words left his mouth the car hit a bump causing Cletus to lose aim. Cyril quickly stabbed him in the leg with the knife while reaching for the steering wheel and jerking it to the left. The large truck swerved and careened of the side of the road landing on its side and kicking up a large dust cloud, the gun fired a couple times from inside the cabin but was quickly followed by silence. The door to the truck flew open as Cyril pulled himself up and out, he reached back in pulling his satchel out before dropping to the ground below. He placed his hand against the underside of the truck “sorry ole’ Bess.” he said before turning and limping slightly towards the road leaving a bloody handprint on the truck. As he reached the road his satchel dragging behind him in the sand he looked up to see a small green road sign that read Las Vegas five miles away. Cyril let out a small chuckle in relief before slinging his bag over his shoulder and making his way down the darkened road towards the shining jewel of a city waiting for him in the distance.

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