[ IP ] The Long Road

This was it. They had walked hundreds of miles through wasted cities and barren lands for this moment. There was still a way to go yet, but seeing the pristine city in the distance renewed her vigor. A strong breeze came to her back as though ushering her onward, a breeze that Tonya marveled in with arms outstretched. Her denim jacket flapping in the wind as she released a triumphant cry. Wade stopped in his tracks, turning to the woman who stood basking in the refreshing view, shaking his head with a smile. 
 
 “ C'mon will ya? We're burning daylight! ” he yelled back, glad that she was n't complaining for once. 
 
 “ I'll be right there! ” she shouted, her hand creating a visor above her brow. “ God, it's so pretty. ” 
 
 On either side of the road stood fields of gold, tinted with rose, phlox, and fuchsia. Strong evergreens bridged the gaps between. As the plains dipped into rolling hills, the ground was awash in shades of green. Green dominated the landscape near the city save a deep, blue lake on its Western front. Tonya could hear the waters lapping at her sore feet as she sat on the sandy bank. It had been so long since they had seen anyone or anything that was alive. Everything behind them was bent or broken. 
 
 “ Hurry up! ” Wade insisted as he slipped further out of sight. He was n't going to stop. They had n't traveled all that way for nothing. She knew that he would leave her behind. 
 
 “ Hey! Wait up! ” she called, sliding down the broken section of highway onto the long road. Tonya knew that once they were settled in, there would be more than enough time for sightseeing. They came to refer to the area as The Field of Dreams. 
 
 -341
