New Beginning
Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath and start fresh.
– Leonardo DiCaprio
The year is 69xx, you probably thought there would be flying cars and amazing technology. The world is beautiful and everyone is at peace, we achieved every goal known to mankind and it’s all yang and no yin. No problems like world hunger or cancer, no wars, no slumps or thugs right next door. Well, congratulations you are the lucky winner because you’re mostly right.
There are no wars because there are no countries to fight with. They all collided together and nations joined into mega-cities. Leaders shared their powers and humans evolved into what we could only dream of. Actual hoverboards, eco-friendly lifestyle, and almost no problem in your life. And the best way to do make the most of this life is by traveling every inch of this wonderful place.
“Dimi the merchant, the lone wanderer, has traveled every inch of this land. Every city will know my name and it starts today!”
“And what exactly are you going to sell Dimi? And for Yoba’s sake, stop standing on the tables,” said Elliot. He’s the guy that runs the tavern where people from other cities stay if they’re stopping by. He adopted me from the adoption center when I was 5. He didn’t make me but he shaped me into what I am today.
“I have many things to sell, I have the junk from fishing in the sewers and collecting free trash from yard sales.”
“Who’s gonna buy worthless junk, and why the hell is you in the sewers?!”
What would he know about worthless junk? If it exists then it’s valuable to me. Last few nights I took hours fixing those watches and other weird devices that I had never seen. I spent every dime on a new hoverbike and a travel store setup. I don’t care if I go broke and die out there, I want to at least make it to the next city and try.
I guess the news of my departure got out because all of the neighborhood kids came running inside towards me. I always told them stories of what’s outside those big cities, even though I had never been outside myself. The only person that been outside was Dean the drunk. To get to the other cities most people use the teleport pads at the edge of town; the only other way is to pass the checkpoint and go on the dirt road. Dean said that outside the city is beautiful but it’s extremely dangerous. There are mutated animals, mountains and cliffs, and not a single city or small town in miles.
“Don’t go Dimi, you’ll get hurt out there!”
“You’re gonna lose a leg like Dean and come back mean like him!”
“Take us with you, we can be traveling merchants too!”
I hugged them as they cried for me to stay. I was going to miss them but I knew that I wasn’t happy sitting in the same old city. I needed to see new places and be free, even if it meant leaving the people I love.
“Ha, you think Dimi the traveling merchant can’t survive on her own? I’ll travel every inch of land and come back better than before! I’ll come back with presents for all the children!”
I shouted until I felt like my voice was gone; the children were cheering me on. I was scared to the point I might pass out, but I rather it be me than them.
Elliot treated everyone to some cheese nodes for lunch and some astro pie as a special treat. He didn’t even argue with Dean this time, usually, they’ll be at each other’s throats about some adult stuff. Once I was finished eating, I packed my bag with travel snacks and put the junk in the cargo carrier of my bike. Elliot even left some leftover food and a travel camp for me.
I told everyone goodbye as I hopped on my bike and rode to the checkpoint. I spent 17 years in this town and now I could finally get a new start. Everyone in town waved as I rode past them. At the checkpoint, the lady was surprised when she saw me. Ever since I was 10, I came here and told her that I would go out of the city and she never believed me until now.
“You’re finally going to make your dream happen. You were so tiny when Elliot told me about you.” She said wiping the tears from her eyes. She was a nanny for me until she got the checkpoint job. If Elliot were to die then she would be the first person to take care of me.
“I’ll be back so don’t worry, in less than a year I’ll ride back with a fancy new necklace and hat for you,” I said with a smile as I rode past her, going as fast as possible. The wind in my face felt great and the smell of fields and fresh air was better than what Dean described. Today I was Dimi the traveling merchant.
