Chapter 2: No Money, No Problem
366 Words
Ethan didn’t stop running until the cabin was far behind him.
The cold wind sliced through the mountain path, but he kept moving.
“Great,” he muttered. “Chased by a psycho and sent on a mission. Fantastic timing.”
He jumped down from a rock, scanning his surroundings.
The nearest town was at the base of the mountain.
From there, he could catch a ride to California.
Simple.
—In theory.
A few minutes later, he slowed down and reached into his pocket.
Then froze.
“… You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Empty.
No wallet. No cash. No cards.
“Seriously?”
He looked up at the sky.
“You planned this, didn’t you, old man?”
No answer.
Just wind.
Ethan exhaled.
“Fine.”
He could survive without money. That wasn’t the problem.
He grew up out here. Hunting, tracking, finding food—basic skills.
The real issue was—
Getting into the city without looking like a disaster.
Night fell.
A well-lit house stood near the edge of town.
Ethan watched from the shadows.
“Borrow a little cash,” he murmured. “I’ll pay it back.”
He stepped forward—
Sirens.
A police car pulled up, lights flashing.
Two officers stepped out, hands near their weapons.
Ethan paused.
“… Not tonight.”
He disappeared into the darkness.
Second house.
—Police.
Third house.
—Still police.
Ethan let out a quiet laugh.
“Okay… that’s not a coincidence.”
He shook his head.
“You’re really going all out, huh?”
Five days later—
Ethan stood on a ridge, staring at the distant glow of city lights.
Los Angeles.
He looked terrible.
Dirty clothes. Messy hair. Stubble across his jaw.
Like a drifter.
But his eyes were sharp as ever.
“Finally.”
Five days in the wild.
Most people wouldn’t have made it.
Ethan just looked annoyed.
“Tomorrow, I will go into the city,” he said. “Shower. Food. Maybe a real bed.”
He stretched.
“If I’m lucky… something interesting too.”
Then—
A faint sound.
“Help…!”
Ethan’s eyes snapped open.
A woman’s voice.
And not far.
- Writer
