El Camino – A Stanley Novel | Episode 1 🚗✨

1:29 PM

A cargo ship stopped at an unknown place.
A container was opened.
Stanley was inside.
The area was silent and dry.
Within minutes, the ship left.

Two men pulled him out and left him on the ground.

Stanley did not move.

2:07 PM

Stanley slowly opened his eyes.
He stood up with difficulty.

His head felt heavy.

He could not remember how he reached there.

Suddenly, he saw Ramya standing in front of him.

Ramya:
“Move forward. Whatever happened in your past, leave it. Do not stay there.”

She was not real.
She existed only in his imagination.
But her words stayed inside him.

Stanley looked at her silently.

She had come only to advise him.

As he began to walk, she slowly faded from his sight.

After walking for a long time, he saw a board:

City of New York – Alaska.
He felt hungry and weak.
He went to a few houses and asked for food.

No one helped him.

Doors closed.

4:27 PM

An elder man stepped out of his house and walked toward his car.

He noticed Stanley standing near the road and Call him.

Stanley:
“Sir, can you please give me some food?”

The elder man looked at him calmly.

Elder Man:
“Come inside.”

Stanley entered the house.
The elder man served him food.

Stanley began eating quickly.

After a few minutes, the elder man asked,

Elder Man:
“Who are you? Where are you from?”

Stanley:
“I do not remember everything clearly. I came here inside a shipping container  in illegal entry.”

Elder Man:
“Eat first.”

Stanley paused and looked at him.

Stanley:

 “If I were in your place, I would think you as criminal. Why did you trust me? Are you planning to inform the police?”

The elder man nodded.

Elder Man:

“No. I can see pain in your eyes. I do not know your past, but you came here because you want to move forward.”

Stanley felt emotional.

After finishing his meal, he slowly shared his past.

His mistakes.
His pain.
His guilt.
The elder man listened without judgment.
Then Stanley stood beside him and looked at the evening sky.

The elder man gave a small smile.

Elder Man:
“Do not stay in the same place for too long. It will only hurt you more. Step outside. See the world again.”

After a moment, he said softly,

Stanley:

“Thank you. I will leave now.”

Elder Man:
“Where will you stay?”

“You Can stay with me in this house?”

Stanley:
“No, I do not want to disturb you.”

Elder Man:
“I also live alone here past 7 years.”

There was quiet sadness in his voice.

After a few seconds, Stanley nodded.

Stanley:
“Alright. I will stay. A small room is enough for me.”

Elder Man:
“Take the first room.”

Stanley walked toward the room.
Before entering, he turned back.

Stanley:
“Bro… may I know your name?”

Stanley remained silent.

The elder man smiled gently.

Elder Man:

“Jesse.”

Stanley:
“Thank you… Brother.”

He was now try to Move on.

Stanley gave a small smile.

He entered the room and closed the door.

For the first time in a long period,

Stanley was not thinking about Fear and His Past Mistakes.

To Be Continue...

Episode 2 Soon 🎬
Created & Written By
Salomon Raj