Deficient Vision: Prologue

Ethan quickly walked down the long deserted road. His backpack had begun to feel heavy on his shoulders, but he pursued on; he had to get away. The fear he had felt was replaced by anticipation and weariness. His stride soon slowed and came to a slow and tired walk. Only two cars had passed during the nine-hour hike, both going the opposite way he was headed; away from Hinesburg.

His feet pounded against the dirt that covered the entire desert he lived in. Ethan had gotten lucky; today hadn't been that hot, so he was able to preserve his water. The sun was slowly lowering itself behind the hills that surrounded the Catherinaken desert. He looked around, hoping to see a nearby house or village, but all that met his eyes was empty land, cacti and creosote bush popping up. He sighed and turned around. He could barely make out small dots on the edge of the horizon, his old home.

Slowly he began moving forward again, fearing dark's fall. A small sound made his ear twitched and he quickly spun around. Adrenaline shot through him as he recognized the car speeding towards him. It was definitely his dad's. He turned and run along the road, the car nearing him quickly. He dodged off and onto the undisturbed sand. He ran as quickly as his worn legs would carry him out into the desert. He knew he was risking getting lost, which could lead to his death, but he couldn't go back, he could never go back.

The car hesitated at the side of the road and turned of. For some reason Ethan slowed and turned to look at the car thirty feet away. He could see his dad come out and yell something, probably Ethan's name. His father started running towards him, probably thinking Ethan had given up. Ethan knew what he was about to do was drastic, and could get him arrested but he couldn't just let his dad get him, or run until he dies. He started running again, this time with the road and not away from it. His father fallowed, just as he knew he would.

Ethan slowly turned around and began making an oval, his dad still fallowing, unaware of his sons plan. Ethan was soon gaining ground closer and closer, almost there. He ran up to the red sports car, jerked the door open and reached for the key. He turned it and the car roared to life. He glanced out the window to see his dad frozen in surprise. But he didn't stay that way; he soon took off towards the car, faster then ever.

Ethan quickly tore the clutch into reverse and stepped on the gas while turning the wheel. His dad was getting closer now, only ten feet away. He jammed it into drive and raced off, barely missing his dad and leaving him in the dust.

He had done it! He had gotten away! Finally, he was free from the horror! He raised his hands in the air in joy, forgetting about driving. He quickly placed his hands firmly back on the wheel, laughing to himself. Ethan was only fourteen, but his mother had been teaching him how to drive since he was four. His dad had taught him how to drive motorcycle, so he had money saved up for one. The only problem was he would need to get it out of the bank first, and get his license...

He stared out blankly at the empty road as he drove. He knew it would still be a while till the next town, and the police would probably start looking for him soon. A wave of guilt swept through him almost making him double over. He had left his dad stranded in the middle of the desert just as the sun began to lower.

A car rushed past him. 'Maybe they'll be able to pick my dad up...' he though solemnly. Soon the sun had fully disappeared and he flipped on the lights. His eyes began to grow heavy as he glanced at the clock it read ten-forty five. He slowly maneuvered the car off the road, careful not to run over the scarce cacti. He drove another fifteen minutes and stopped the car. He turned to his backpack sitting in the passenger seat and pulled out his water. He drank deeply and crawled in the back.

Soon sleep over took him and dream infiltrated his mind. He awoke what seemed minutes later by a scratching sound at the window. His heart began to race. He curled up tighter, fear over taking him. He felt himself begin to shake with fear and horror. What was it at the window? Just an animal, or something else? It couldn't be it, he had escaped! It wasn't supposed to fallow him! He slowly looked up at the dark tinted window. Standing over, looking in the window stood a tall man with hair falling over his face. But his face was twisted, skin seemed to be pulled over, the stitch marks clearly visible at his forehead.