Doors swung open and shut like the ones you'd see in one of those old western saloons. Surprisingly the hinges had nothing to scream about compared to the ones in the house. I think these bones are quite similar to those hinges, at least that's what it feels like.
Nothing a little bit of stretching can't fix though, and surely some fresh air will help-
Ughh what the hell is that smell? Even the toilet from last night had a better fragrance than THAT. To my left was a large gateway built of grey stone arching up with a sign barely hanging from rusty chains. It read ''Entering Stage 4'', below it a scene that I'd only seen on TV. Dozens of men and women laying on the street covered in soot and dirt.
It sent shivers down my spine thinking that we are so close to living in that. I roughly remember the rent in this place and the wage that Lunese makes, leaving little money for spending per month.
I really do have to get a job huh? My feet finally felt loose enough after a light stretch to run.
Like the wind, I dug my heel into the ground, and my feet sank into the loose gravel before shooting forward like an arrow. I did my best to take in as much information about my surroundings as possible to properly understand this world. Shops, homes, bars, restaurants, etc. Anything at all.
Though everything that had been surrounding me has been residential buildings with the occasional passerby. People must still be sleeping around this time, not that I would blame them, I think the clock read 6:23 so sleeping is normal.
Just a bit up ahead I could make out a similar arch that was next to our home. This time the fences stretching far behind the buildings were made of metal compared to the wooden stakes planted into the ground by the other gate. The sign was engraved straight into the stone and defined with some golden paint reading 'Leaving Stage 3''. So this means my home is located in Stage 3, but what does the stage mean? Are there different levels of housing or something? I'm sure I'll find that out with time.
I managed to get to the gate in a little under ten minutes of running, but my stamina banks were severely depleted. Phew, it'll take a while to get the hang of running long distances again. Air rushed into my lungs as my chest expanded outwards, the carbon dioxide that had built up was soon to force a heavy exhale.
My body burned in an agony I haven't felt in so long, but my heart raged harder as the passion for exercise lit a flame.
A small restaurant was situated to my right and a cafe to my left, and as I continued staring onward there were no housing complexes to be seen. Only merchants setting up their shops for the day, scrambling around with sacks, crates and small boxes. So this is where the people were.
'Hey! Casper!'
A person in the distance seemed to be calling my name while steadily approaching me. It is not that I don't recognise him, it's that I recognise him and remember him better than my own sister. It's getting on my nerves a little, I hope you can read my mind right now Casper! You will get an earful when I meet you again.
Huff Huff 'Hey, why didn't say anything back while I was running here.'
His chest rose and collapsed in quick repetitions. I can tell by his plump size that he is not used to running despite having all these memories about escaping the local police. These two troublemakers will be the death of me, that I can guarantee.
'I met your sister on the way, she mentioned that we will be meeting up to do some shopping for dinner. I know you will miss me but I can't accompany you for the meal, my parents want me home early today.'
'Don't worry, Lunese and I will get on fine without you.'
He giggled to himself before standing upright again, he instantly jumped to inspect me. His fingers ran across my clothes and face as if he were looking for something.
'Did you run here by any chance?'
'And what if I did?'
'Well, it's unusual for you to run. Even I run more than you and everyone knows that fact.'
Was Casper really that unathletic? Well, he was blessed with a high metabolism to off-put that I guess.
'You are quiet today Casper, did something happen since yesterday?'
Shit, Casper was a lot more talkative now that I remember. I have to come up with an excuse, quick!
'Ah sorry, I actually vomited last night so my throat needs a little time to fully heal.'
'I'm sorry to hear that, let's quickly head towards the marketplace. I'll make a surprise for you after.'
I couldn't help but spring out a smile, my palm found its place on his bowl-like hair. Rustling it felt familiar to what Casper used to do, I really dislike this feeling of deja-vu.
He shook my hand off and gripped me by the forearm before tugging me along with him in a light jog towards a winding road. Every turn exposed us to a different set of windows housing various different figures, not all were smiles though.
The light ahead blinded me as my free hand moved to protect my eyes from the ever-rising sun. As my eyes became adjusted with the light, a whole new scene erupted before me. Hundreds of stands were littered across the main pavilion where life seemed to thrive.
Now, this is a street market. More my style, just like in the countryside of my old world. I'll make sure to inspect the price of every stall for anything that can be used to create a nice meal for tonight. Wait no, we don't have a lot of money, I shouldn't be selfish with spending it.
'What are you waiting for, let's get going!'
'Hell yeah, Renny!'