The future wasn't there.

Near the border

I had been on the move for what felt like an eternity, my last stop being a village near the border, where I spent three weeks trying to scrape together enough money to head north. The memories of those days were a blur of dusty streets, cheap wine, and endless nights spent sleeping under the stars. But I had managed to save just enough to catch a ride on a truck heading towards the Greek border.
It was a chilly night when I swung onto the truck, the canvas cover flapping in the wind as I climbed up. I found a cozy spot among some burlaps and, exhausted from weeks of living on the edge, I fell asleep almost instantly. The rhythmic motion of the truck and the sound of the engine humming in the distance lulled me into a deep slumber.
I woke up abruptly, the truck had pulled off to the side of the road. The engine sputtered and died, and I was jolted awake by the sudden silence. As I sat up, I realized that it was already noon. The sun beat down on the canvas, warming the air inside to an unbearable heat. I stretched my arms and yawned, feeling a bit disoriented.
That's when I saw them—two burly men with sunburned faces, peering up at me with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. One of them spotted my foot sticking out from under the canvas and let out a loud shout. Before I could even react, they reached up and pulled me down, tossing me off the truck like a sack full of trash.
I landed hard on the gravel road, the wind knocked out of me. As I struggled to catch my breath, I tried to lighten the mood with a few jokes. I stood up, dusting myself off, and attempted some comical poses, hoping to get a laugh out of them. But all I got was an impassive glaze. They didn't seem amused
However, one of them did offer me a cigarette, which I gratefully accepted. We stood there for a moment, smoking in silence, the only sound being the distant hum of another engine on the horizon.
"Well, thanks for the ride," I said, trying to sound cheerful despite the rough landing.
The men nodded curtly and climbed back into the truck. As they drove away, I watched them disappear into the distance, feeling a bit forlorn but also relieved to be on my own again.
I took a long drag on the cigarette, feeling the nicotine coursing through my veins. The sun was high overhead, and my stomach was growling with hunger. I looked around, taking in my surroundings. The road stretched out in both directions, lined with fields of golden wheat that swayed gently in the breeze.
I decided to hike down the road, hoping to find a small town or a diner where I could get something to eat. As I walked, the silence was comforting, a welcome change from the constant din of the city. The air was fresh and clean, filled with the scent of earth and growing crops.
After about an hour of walking, I spotted a small diner in the distance. It was a quaint little place, with a neon sign that read "Border Restaurant Station" in Albanian and a parking lot filled with old trucks and cars. My heart lifted at the prospect of a hot meal and a cold drink.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside, greeted by the warm aroma of cooking food and the sound of sizzling meat on the grill. The diner was bustling with activity, filled with locals chatting over coffee and plates of food.
I took a seat at the counter and ordered a burger and a cup of coffee. As I waited for my food to arrive, I struck up a conversation with the waitress, a friendly woman named Dona. She asked me where I was headed, and I told her I was just passing through, looking for work.
She nodded sympathetically. "You might find some work at the farm just outside town. They're always hiring during harvest season. Or, better, you can try going to the other side of the border, the Greeks hire for working in the fields too". I thanked her for the tip and finished my meal, feeling rejuvenated and hopeful. As I left the diner, I felt a sense of purpose that I hadn't felt in weeks. Maybe this was the start of something new, a chance to leave my past behind and start fresh.
I walked out of town, following the directions Dona had given me. The farm was a large operation, with fields stretching as far as the eye could see. I approached the farmhouse, a big old house with a porch that seemed to sag under the weight of years.
An old man answered the door, his face lined with age and hard work. I introduced myself and asked about work. He looked me up and down before nodding.
"We could use some extra hands. You can start tomorrow."
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe this was where my journey would finally come to an end, at least for a while. As I walked back to town to find a place to stay, I felt a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a long time. The truck ride might have been rough, but it had led me to this place, and for that, I was grateful. As I settled into my new life on the farm, I often thought back to that truck ride and the men who had thrown me off. It was a strange kind of serendipity, but it had brought me to where I needed to be. And as I worked in the fields, watching the sun rise and set over the endless expanse of wheat, I knew that sometimes, it's the unexpected twists in life that lead us to our true destinations.

This is an excerpt of the first chapter of a novel I'll publish soon. Thank you for your time and I hope to see you again around. And, please let me know if you like it.

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