The Fifth Mile

The Fifth Mile. I’m not talking about driving here, I'm talking about walking. Honestly, you should be running, but it only prolongs the inevitable. Sorry, I should explain, shouldn’t I? Yes, there need to be more people who can spread the warning.

The Fifth Mile is a street that extends for exactly five miles, no more no less. It starts pretty normally, you wouldn’t even think anything is wrong with the area. Just a straight shot through a neighborhood for most. Some think it’s odd that there’s one connecting street at the beginning of it, but it was on purpose. That’s the street's way of letting you know that there's only one way back. Going on the actual miles themselves, the first and second are just your average suburban neighborhood. Trees, brown roofs, and a tacky eggshell paint job on the houses that line the street. It’s generally nice, there are usually neighborhood kids playing and the overall “vibe” of the area is very pleasant. However, it only lasts for exactly those two areas.

The Third Mile is where things start to go from suburbia to… less suburbia? What I’m trying to say is the Third Mile is the official transition into the further miles. It’s also very peaceful here, there are no natural sounds whatsoever. No birds chirping, no children playing, no wind, no nothing. It’s odd, but there’s no real sense of danger here. Mostly just unsettling, there is the occasional walker here or someone just trying to get away from it all. At the end of the mile is

The Fourth Mile, it’s not as simple as saying, “it’s just houses” or “it’s kinda stinky.” No, this stretch is personal, it gets to know you in the other three miles. It knows what you’re comfortable with, and what you fear. I don’t know how or why, but once you’re there it’s impossible to pull yourself out once you cross the mile marker. For me, it showed me cats. I know I know, cats? Cats are scary! They lay around all day, waiting, watching, ready to pounce and cut your throat. It’s terrifying, they are terrifying.

Sorry, I just really don’t like cats. Anyway, The Fourth Mile is an area that just toys with you. Shrouded in fog, there’s no rhyme or reason to it; even if you enter the mile with a group, it won’t matter. It always knows what makes you tick, observing and watching you in the previous miles. However, this mile does have an exit. I’ve never found it, but maybe there will/have been some lucky ones out there. If you don’t make it out, you will have to face your fear directly and most people give up there. One thing that is consistent between encounters is the sight of the people who have fallen to the Fourth Mile. It’s like the mile allows them to remain motionless and sullen as a reminder for all to just give up.

If you do manage to face your fears and trek to the edge of the Forth Mile, you will be met with a gate. It’s completely open, so one would think that it’s just that simple. Dead wrong, the gate is a symbol. There’s no going back once you cross through, you’re too far already. It’s such a bad thing though, the actual mile itself is pleasant. There is nothing here that can hurt you or anyone. It is so satisfying here, why would anyone turn back? I never did; I'll stand by my decision. It's not like anyone can question me anyway. I don’t even know if this writing will reach anyone, if it does and you need somewhere where no one can bother you then The Fifth Mile is for you- wait no that’s not right. Ugh, this place messes with your head! Everyone, please listen well, The Fifth Mile is the place for everyone. This can and will eventually be your new home so why wait?