The sun was beating down on my back, these corn fields seem to go on forever. I squatted on the ground and mopped my brow.
I'd been on the run for the past couple of days, hiding out in barns and out buildings from deserted farms. It had been an unfortunate accident, during a confidence scam. One of the local hoodlums had got killed, and they'd hung the thing on me.
The cops knew what I could do; get inside other people and hide but they'd figured out a way to protect themselves. All they needed was a sigil tattooed on the inside of their right wrist, and I wouldn't be able to touch them. People were even able to download, and put it on themselves as a temporary one. I tried to jump someone and found that I'd just bounce off them, scared I'd just ran.
It must have been about four in the afternoon where the field came to an end. In front of me was a dirt track--perfectly straight that disappeared into the distance in each direction.
I had no idea where I was, or which direction I should take. Looking at the sun, I could see it beginning to set so decided to go west.
Walking along the dusty track, I'd occasionally look up and down the track in hope to see something. I knew I'd be risking any contact, but to be honest I was really looking for a shower and somewhere to sleep.
I must have walked about five miles, when I saw a dust cloud heading towards me. I stopped and squinted against the sun; a glint caught my eye. As it approached I could see it was a large pickup. I waved my hand as it got closer, and then it pulled up next to me and stopped.
The window buzzed as it slid down, and the cool air from inside felt like a kiss of an angel. "You OK son?" The driver asked. I said nothing as I basked in the fresh breeze emanating from the cab. The driver; a big guy leaned over and opened the door. "You'd better get in before you pass out boy," he chuckled.
The cool air, beckoned me in, and I practically fell into the passenger seat. I pulled the door closed locking out the heat of the day as the window buzzed up again. The guy handed me a bottle of water, which I accepted and gulped down. "Hey, slow down boy there's plenty."
"Thank you Sir," I gasped.
"You're lucky I came across you, this dirt track is hardly ever used. I've just finished my two week survey, and heading back to the city."
"The city?" I repeated, that's the last place I want to visit full of people protected. "Are there any towns you can drop me off on the way?"
"Not really, it's just corn fields and dirt. The office wants me back urgently, couldn't quite figure out why, so I need to get going. Make your mind up kid."