Wherever It May Lead

By Sonny Go

The sanctuary that is a home. Safety and sanctity is what it gives to a person.
I never really thought about it much. But now, I wonder why I haven't. I was standing back there, basking in the aftermath of a battle. This war has been waged for almost all my life, and I'm now a soldier who fights in it. Whichever side I am on, it never really matters. I'm a mercenary. I fight for those who fit my bill. Whoever I cut down would not have a face in my mind and would only be a statistic. It has been a torturous conflict indeed.
I walked across the battlefield in a tired pace. Bodies were all around, and I was the only one moving. I was the only survivor. However it happened, I would never really know. All I remembered was the time that I killed who seemed to be the last enemy soldier in sight. After he went down, the sun had already set. While I was walking back to wherever I came from, it was already dark. I could barely see the bodies, but the stench of death was unmistakable. I went along while staring up at the starry night sky that was illuminated by the brightest full moon that I have ever seen. Seemed like the heavens were playing with me somehow.
I wandered around, trying to find a place where I could go to. Nowhere was hospitable. The woods housed the most vicious of creatures. I had to get out, but as I did enter, there was no way out. It was as if it engulfed me into its clutches. The moonlight was filtered by the canopy of trees that blocked my view of the sky above. I had to go through for going in reverse would result in nothing. I had to go straight and I must never stop. Anything that sees me halt will, most likely, attack for whatever reason it may have. The only thing that gave me solace was the song that resonated across the forest. That song played by the crickets that are hidden beneath the darkness.
The forest seemed to never end, but it did. As I got out of the area, I encountered a road. Wherever it led to, I never really knew. There were no signs to tell me where I was or where I needed to go. I had to pick which direction to walk. Left or right, front or back, up or down, either in whatever way I saw it. I contemplated on my options, took a step towards my choice and never looked back. Whatever was ahead in the direction I was headed didn't worry me. I may be tired after a long battle, but I'm still ready.
After a long walk, I came across a tunnel. It was dark and whatever sound was made inside resonated in a such a unique way that it can only sound like that in a tunnel. The atmosphere was eerie. It give off the feeling that someone might just pounce on you all of a sudden. But I had no choice. I had made up my mind miles back. There was no turning back. I entered and walked through to wherever it may lead. It took me to quite a distance, but as I went in deeper, it went brighter. What once seemed like a dark wall turned into a scenario beyond the enclosed space. As I went nearer, it became clearer. As I went out of the tunnel, it was vindication. After that, I forged on farther up front.
As I went on, I caught sight of a bridge over a huge river. What was on the other side astounded me. It was full of lights and life was flowing at the other side. It drew me in. I crossed the bridge that seperated me and this seemingly wonderful paradise. Colors mixed in the midst of darkness, creating patterns of light that I had never seen before. It was wonderful and I was struck in awe. The river reflected the moonlight, showing its glorious beauty that could have never been seen in daylight. As I got to the other side, it seemed that my path was still going on, but it felt as if I was closer to wherever I wanted to go. I went on with high spirits.
The things that I have seen on my way to my mysterious destination was nothing short of lovely. I wanted to see more of each spectacle, but I had to go on. I took a look around, then I ventured forth. I couldn't stop. Whatever the place I was going to felt even more grand than what I was witnessing en route. As I got nearer, I was seeing more of it. It was something that I have hoped for. It was the answer to all my problems. It took the weight of my chest and let me breathe free for the first time.
It was a place I could be safe in. It was a place where I could stay in and be myself without anyone bothering me about. It was called a house. As I entered it, my soul was embraced in warmth and I called it my home. I let myself free and slipped into the arms of security. A place where nothing could go wrong.

A place where I am free at last. At long last...

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