Neighborhood

Our neighborhood of residence was surrounded by only wilderness. Stores were far and joy ever farther. I had settled quite comfortably into this life. I stayed home, I wrote, I thought, I bathed, I ate. I was comfortable.

The summer seemed to last an eternity; I hadn’t left my property since the school year ended. I didn’t dread school, nor was I desperate to ever go back. I found little value in it. The work was dull, and I only worked to the extent necessary for good-well received grades. I hardly learned anything of interest, and what I learned in topics of personal confusion left the bounds of “learnt” after successfully representing my ability of taught skills on tests and assessments. Schooling in topics of personal interest never left me with much either. My abilities were honed by media in catagories of such topics. Thinking back on it, life had been dull.

But now.

Now.

Now.

Now!

There was a half-naked boy in my room!

My attempts at sheltered thought perished in the face of reality. He needed underwear! Though... no stores were close... and his own home (while close) remained an off bound area. I knew, I knew what I had to do!

Raising myself from the bathroom floor, I opened the door and left the room. I descended the stairs, slipped on shoes and exited my home. Rain still poured. The sky still dark. I couldn’t dress properly for the weather at hand since he remained in my room (in such a state). A sweater, sweatpants, light sneakers and socks were all that adorned my body.

I stepped towards the steps.

I stepped down the steps.

Rain hit me, harshly and with no refrain. Walking across the stepway and off my property... that... that marked the start of my journey! A journey out of the confinements of this neighborhood! A journey into a populace area! I was prepared for the road ahead... and the time it takes on foot to traverse out of nowhere...

I began traveling along sidewalks of varying quality, some areas defined, while others hardly considered paved considering the grass which overtook. I lifted my hand to my eyes as I looked up. My home was decently close to the entry and exit point of the neighborhood. The houses that surrounded were large and well cared for. I looked behind; the houses that led into the farther parts of the neighborhood descended further for eternity. I had once walked past my own house, away from the entry and further into the depths. I found no end. I walked... and walked... for however long. The houses further along were of lesser quality, but the area they took up was large. Had the area been bought up? Had it? I couldn’t remember. Further down houses were going to be torn down, and replaced by luxury condos, or apartments. I couldn’t remember. How far down did he live? Perhaps a tree wasn’t necessary.

Looking up, I realized. I had exited the neighborhood.