There was a boy. Somewhere in the Midwest. An empty desert, an empty road. He is a Walker. His job is to walk straight, non-stop to the inevitable end. He doesn't know when, where or how he'll meet this end, but he knows that he just need to keep walking.
He has walked a million miles, but he still has to walk another million miles. Most of the time, he walked. But there were some times, where Buses picked him up for a ride. The Bus Rides were wonderful. It taught him about things he never knew. The beauty of the bus is magnificent. The vast and long ride is just amazing. How can a simple thing makes you feel this way? "No wonder everyone is chasing to get on a bus." However, everything ends. When the Bus Rides ended, the Bus would drop him somewhere in the empty desert, an empty road. Back to square one. He would think the mistake he did or the action that he didn't do that caused the Bus to drop him here. The pain, guilt and regret were time and energy consuming. The time it took for him to start walking again would be the same time that would take him to walk to this same point. Back to square one. A waste of time and energy. He is a Walker. He didn't have time for any of this. So, he decided to never take the Bus again. So, he started walking.
He's back to walking. Hundred of beautiful Buses passed him, but he wouldn't take it. Maybe a few times, he thought of taking a Car. Small and quick. But he never did, because no transportation can triumph the beauty of the Bus.
One day, an old, ugly Bus stopped in front of him. He heard stories of this Bus from the Wind. She's trouble, careless and has bad intentions in everything she did. An unacceptable to the society. The Walker's first impression of her was that she has a bad past. But he couldn't get rid of the feeling that her bad past could open up to a bright future. The Bus has potential and she's not like the other Buses that he has seen. She's kind, honest and has beauty inside. She wanted to be in the society but she didn't know how to.
A Sandstorm was coming up ahead. It's nothing big, but it's harsh. The Walker knew that this Bus would not survive. The Walker decided to help her. What kind of person wouldn't help someone in need?
The Walker helped her. He shaped her up, fixed her and supported her. He defended her from the Wind, but at the same time, made her feel welcome to them. While fixing her, the Walker learned more about her: her dreams, her thinking, and her life. There were times when the Walker wanted to take the Bus Ride from her. Maybe they could ride to the inevitable together. Just maybe. That's all you could wish for in this empty desert. Someone to accompany you to the inevitable end, just riding into the sunset, happily. But she was still not stable. But she was getting there. It made him happy.
The process wasn't all smooth. No process is never that smooth. There were time when they were both annoyed at each other. The Sandstorm was near, time was ending, the Walker didn't think she would make it in time. However, the Bus disagreed. The Walker kept on pressuring her, but as he pressured her, a gap was created between them. The Walker couldn't stand the sight of the Bus breaking down when the Sandstorm hit them. Just like birds teaching their young to fly, one day, the young flies off without looking back. That's what happened to the Walker and the Bus. The gap got bigger and the Bus got better. Society is accepting her and she's ready for the Sandstorm.
One day, the Bus drove off and stop at the next attractive walker she saw. The Walker could still see the Bus up ahead, with another walker. She's thinking of giving the walker a lift. And it pains him. "Am I really not that worth it?" The Walker thought. However, the Bus seemed happy and that's what the Walker ever wished for her.
Back to square one. Although there was no Bus Ride, he did feel the pain. But this time, the Walker did not feel guilt or regret. He helped her, and he tried his best. Although the Bus droved off, he still wouldn't believe the story of the Wind about her because he knew her. She is beautiful, no matter what they say. So, he started walking again. He didn't feel guilt or regret. But he did feel the pain. The pain got bigger as the Walker got closer to the point to the Bus and the other walker is at. He knows the other walker would eventually take the Bus Ride. How can he not? So, now the Walker is still walking, but slowly. He couldn't imagine the pain he would receive when he gets to that point. When they asked him, he'll put on an act, a mask to show the world that he is peachy. But, look at him closely, it's killing him inside, as if someone is scratching his bare heart.
On the other hand, the Sandstorm is getting nearer and the Walker is feeling vulnerable, he just might not survive. But the boy knows that whatever happens, he'll need to keep on walking because he is not a boy, anymore. He is a Walker. That's his virtue.
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