Gloom

Chapter 78

I took a deep breath, turned on my heel and continued my own aimless journey.

I took advantage of the fact that I was still in the center and turned west to cross one of the many green areas that existed here. I walked on the lawn, observing the people who were enjoying a moment in the open air; Running, spending time with family, with your partner, with friends... Or, just like me, taking a moment to think. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, so the sky was bathed in the mesmerizing mix of blues, violets, and oranges of twilight.

I walked the length of the land until I came upon a naturally occurring ravine, very close to the wide bank of the Willamette River. An enormous tree with a thick trunk and leaves that had the same orange tone as the atmosphere that adorned the landscape. The big picture made me feel slightly calmer, something I sorely needed. My feet were already aching after a full day's work and a long walk, so I leaned my back against the tree and slid to th