Jordan wheezed as he crested the ridge. He had to stop. By the time he caught his breath and still heard no voices or hounds, he dared to hope... He had just seized a moment, he had to make plans on the fly. Joining the homeless community seemed like his best bet, and an upgraded lifestyle compared to where he'd been.

He jogged and walked for hours in the dark, finally rounding a bend to see a valley aglow. Before long he was on the tracks, walking between rails at the outskirts of the city. Passing a small grove of trees and shrubs he caught the scent of a cigarette. He saw a faint path and stepping to the edge, he said "I sure could use a cigarette." He paused. "And a friend."

Finally a voice replied, "Come on up. Cain't never have too many friends." Jordan stepped into the shrubs to find a comfortable, efficient camp. An old man was holding a pack of smokes out, one pulled up. As Jordan reached out, the old man asked "Whatcha' lookin' for?"

Jordan blurted "Some way to live free."

The old man smiled. "Well, you found it!"