The mission

Matthew Jones

We are lost.

Not in the literal sense of the thing, because I know exactly where we are and how to get back, but, I mean the championship. Anastasia and I drove around most, if not all, of the neighborhood looking for the place Johnny described and we found nothing. I even thought about the possibility that he had made a mistake, but when we asked some people, they pointed us to the same place I went to first, aka the one Johnny insisted was the one.

However, no credentials.

I even doubted if they were real, but then I remembered the championship of last year, and yes, there were credentials. In fact, it was the way they used to organize and recognize people, and without them, nobody could go on stage.

We couldn't go on stage…

We are a few days away from the championship and I have no idea how we will get these credentials. I want to believe that because Johnny had an accident, they will give us a second chance to get them. But it’s a competition, and even in this we are liable to be eliminated, aren't we? I better not even think about it now, or I will freak out.

It was past ten o'clock at night and after walking so much, I got hungry, so I came with Anastasia to the fried chicken shop – the same one that Johnny and Steph complained about not being able to eat. I came not only because of the recommendation of these two, because they are very suspicious, but because it was the only place open so late at night.

At first, I believed that Anastasia would not eat, that maybe she was the disgusting type, but I was surprised when I saw her flapping her jaws. The only thing I won't say is that she ate more than I did, because, as I said, I was starving. There wasn't a single morsel left on our plates to tell the tale.

“In fact, they were right. This is delicious!” I commented, after finishing my soda. “They should open a franchise like this in Sturgis.”

Silence.

I looked up at Anastasia, wondering why she didn't say anything. She was staring at her plate with unusual attention, making me wonder what was going on in her mind at that moment. I even thought she was still angry about the thousand and one jokes I had made about that night, but her face was frowning slightly – not to the point of anger, I would say concern. So I stretched out my arm and swung my right hand in front of his face. Anastasia blinked a few times and stared at me, confused. I crossed my hands on the table and smiled widely.

“You ate and got sad, huh?” I scoffed. She took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders.

“What will happen if we don't get our credentials?” She asked, with concern on her face.

So that's what was bothering her?

“Well…” I frowned, pretending to think about it. “There's a good chance that we won't be able to participate in the championship. But, don't worry about it. We'll manage.”

“How can you be so calm knowing that all the effort will be wasted without these credentials?” She narrowed his eyes.

Anastasia seemed surprised by my attitude, and I confess that even I am. If it had been a while ago, I would have been a nervous wreck, but I don't know what happened. I guess I just put it in my head that today you can be here, living, dreaming and making plans, but tomorrow…

“Because I know things.” I winked and stood up from where I was standing. “Let's go.” I said, taking my wallet from the back pocket of my dark jeans. “We have almost two hours of road ahead of us and it's already late.”

After leaving some bills on the table to pay for what was consumed, Anastasia and I walked to the cafeteria exit. As soon as I set foot outside, a warm breeze came up to meet my face, putting me on alert.

Once, watching Discovery Nature, I learned about what types of wind say about the weather. If I am not mistaken, this warm wind indicates rain. A lot of rain. But in case I’m right, I’m not worried, because I don't think we are going to get it. A few sprinkles at most. And another thing is that it’s fleeting. It comes and then it disappears.

I got on the motorcycle, stuck the key in the ignition and turned it to the right, waiting for the engine to start. I had to do this a couple of times, and the third time, when it threatened to start, it quickly shut off, making the exhaust pipe make a farting sound. I huffed, impatient. There is no way that this piece of shit is going to let me down now.

I stared at the dashboard and was startled when I saw that the gauge indicated that the tank was empty. What is this crazy thing? I unscrewed the fuel cap and, despite the strong smell of gasoline, the tank was really empty.

No, it’s impossible! I remember well that I filled up yesterday! Or was it on... yes. It was Monday… Damn! I can't believe I was stupid enough not to check before hitting the road. I pulled my hair back and got off the bike, holding it by the handlebars. I have no option. I will have to push it to the gas station.

“Here's the thing: we're out of gas.” I said, pushing the stand of the motorcycle with my foot, so that it was free. “We'll have to walk to the gas station.”

“That's fine.” Anastasia shrugged.

“Let's hurry before it gets too late.” I warned and started to push the bike.

“Hm… Matthew?” I heard Anastasia calling me, so I stopped walking.

“What?” I stared at her with arched eyebrows.

“Where are you going?” She asked, making me laugh out loud.

“To the gas station?” I said the obvious.

“But it's that way.” She pointed in the opposite direction I was going.

“Of course it isn't.” I snorted. “I remember we passed it on that way in earlier.”

“No.” She denied it. “That's when you called Johnny.” She pointed at me. “This station you are talking about is the deactivated one.”

“Anastasia, for God's sake.” I rolled my eyes. “Will you listen to me and stop being stubborn just this once?” I stared at her impatiently.

“I'm not being stubborn.” She crossed her arms defensively. “I'm just telling you what I saw.”

“How could you see anything if you spent most of the time with your eyes closed?” I laughed in derision.

“That was when we were still in Sturgis!” She narrowed his eyes, making me smile broadly in disbelief. “You know what? Okay.” She nodded. “Let's go, then.” She said and stomped off. I rolled my eyes and kept pushing the motorcycle.

Sometimes Anastasia can be more stubborn than a donkey!