I stumbled around trying to find my way through the mass layers of thick fog covering the last few miles of my favorite track to walk along in my small hometown. I could barely see my hand in front of my face, as I held it away from my body the fog seemed to swirl around my hand until the thick mist consumed it. This would be the last time I would get to venture in the early morning fog when everything around me was still and quite. I wasn't far off my usual viewing place in the tree on the top of the hill. I pulled my jacket closer to my body trying to stop the cool air from nipping at my skin.
I sighed slowly and shook my head realizing that this would be the last time I get to enjoy the stillness of the earth around me. In about six hours I'll be in an unfamiliar city, in a new apartment, a new job and no friends or no one to talk to. Was I really ready to leave this all behind? I came around the bend and spotted my tree, I smiled as I saw my best friend Jackson sitting on one of the low hanging branches rubbing his hands together. I touched the damp bark on the tree as I dragged my hand along the trunk. I grabbed the thick branches above me and climbed up next to Jackson.
"Hey you" I say looking ahead of me over the town, "hey" he replied quietly. I sighed and turned to face him a little better, I smiled lightly as he looked down. "Do you really have to go?" he asked still not making eye contact with me. I nodded slightly "yeah J I have to, I need this job, I need a fresh start, I can't stay here anymore" I explain softly. He finally turned to look at me and our eyes made contact "it's because of him, isn't it?" he said so blankly.
"By him, do you mean my crazy brother who tried to kill me?" I raise my voice in annoyance "then yeah him". Jackson nodded slightly and grabbed my hand and looked back into the distance. We sat in silence just admiring the view as the fog lifted and pale light brushed over the hills. I wanted to explain that it was the only way I could be myself again by leaving this place and not dealing with the memories, but I didn't know how.
A few hours had passed and I noticed dark clouds rolling in, "hey Jackson, we should go" I say tapping him, he nodded and jumped out of the tree and then helped me down. I wondered back in silence until we reached the town where we would go our separate ways.
"I really will miss you Jackson, you understand that I need to leave right?" I ask breaking the silence. He nodded and stopped and pulled me in for a hug "I'll miss you too, which is why goodbyes are so hard" he muttered into my ear. I rolled my eyes and smiled "I'm moving four hours away you can come and visit me, this isn't goodbye" I say trying to cheer him up. He shrugged and nodded "okay ill come see you this weekend, I know the building but what number? He asked smirking, "apartment 27" I replied.
