Finding Eden Read Free Page A

symbolize beauty and wonder; now it only reminded me of what it was reflecting and what the sky would bring in the morning. It really was a pity. I used to lay on the roof of my former home in the evening with friends and stargaze until we lost all track of time.
    The desert was flat for miles and completely desolate. The plant life had long burned away, taking the wildlife with it. Sand and rocks seemed to stretch on forever, until it all just disappeared into the darkness. I silently prayed for a breeze that would never come.
    Within seconds, I could feel myself beginning to sweat—the beads already forming on my forehead and the back of my neck. The blonde strands that escaped my braid stuck to my naked skin. I felt parched as I breathed in the dead air and immediately ignored it, pushing it to the deep recesses of my mind. No matter what, I had to conserve the water. It was my one and only mantra.
    To reach my destination, all I had to do was head to the main road and follow it until it exited towards the gas station. It wouldn’t take long, but I knew I had to take my time; I would dehydrate quickly if I used excessive energy. The road was to the right of the bunker, so I headed in that direction, the light emanating from the flashlight leading the way. Within minutes, I was slick with sweat. My top was stuck to my body like glue and I had to constantly keep the sweat from dripping into my eyes. Like an idiot, I had forgotten my bandana.
    When I reached the main road, I looked both ways. It was a good habit to have, though an old habit, but now it was just redundant; I laughed at myself. The sound was almost hysterical, like I was tiptoeing on the edge of sanity. I was beginning to scare myself.
    I stopped in the center of the road. The asphalt felt soft beneath my feet as if it had just been laid down and hadn’t solidified yet. The smell was heady and it declared war on my nostrils. My nose wrinkled in response. I turned left and walked down the middle of the road. It felt strange, kind of like I was breaking the law. Wandering down the middle of a main highway was not the definition of intelligence or safety, but it no longer mattered. I almost felt like a rebel doing it. It felt exhilarating, or maybe I was just getting high off of asphalt fumes.
    Time seemed to drag on and paranoia began to set in. I felt it develop in the pit of my barren stomach. I had no idea how much time had gone by since I had left. What if it had been a couple hours? Would I make it back in time? My mind filled with worries. There would be absolutely nowhere to hide from the sun once it arrived. The only place for miles upon miles was the bunker. My current depression melted into fear. I had been so bent on the idea of finally meeting my end and not having to fight for survival, but now with the threat of my imminent frying, it didn’t sound so desirable anymore. In fact, it was downright petrifying. I picked up my pace. All of my senses seemed heightened. I couldn’t see the exit yet, and even though I knew I was getting closer, I still felt as if it was getting away from me—like the road was stretching on for thousands of miles and no matter how far I walked, I would never reach it.
    Crack!
    I whipped around at the noise. The damp hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Someone or something was following me; I knew it. I turned back around and continued on my way. My hand hovered above the handle of my knife. I would play coy. My enemy would never suspect it. I shrugged, like I had imagined the whole thing, playing my part perfectly. My façade would be foolproof; it would be perfect.
    A soft breeze hit the back of my neck, and it felt so foreign. I could hear heavy breathing, almost panting. My enemy was behind me. Quickly, I grabbed my knife, swung around, and jabbed at…the air. No one was there. I was alone—completely and utterly alone. I half expected a tumbleweed to blow across the road in a comical fashion.
    That’s when