That night, I contacted my parkour friends, asking if anyone had found a good place to do some hardcore parkouring. I needed something away from these trucks to really get my blood pumping. A dangerous, run down place to parkour in would be perfect, but I wanted someplace new. I had places close by that I could parkour in, but I knew the dangers and how to get around them. The thrill of an unknown course was the best high in the world.
Luckily, my friend Nick, who lived about an hour away, came through, as he always did.
-Dude, I found a place a couple days ago. I haven't had a chance to go back and scope it out fully, but if you wanted to come along, we could do it together. -
I smiled as I read the text. Nick was the best at finding these places. He always knew when a place was good. Sometimes what looked good on the outside was crap once you got into it. After being disappointed a couple of times, we would always scope out the place before telling everyone about it. Nick never found a bad one though. Each time we would go to a promising place that turned out to be bunk, Nick was saying "this place is going to suck" the moment he saw it.
-Count me in! - I texted back. -Can we do it this weekend? -
-Sound good! Meet at my place Friday night. You can stay over and we can get an early start. -
I will admit that the drive to Nick's place was nerve-racking. Every time I pass by one of those delivery trucks, my stomach would clench and I would anticipate it swerving into my car. That didn't happen, though it seemed to me that would have been the best time to get me.
The rest of the night was uneventful as I hung out with Nick. I thought about telling him everything about what had been happening, but he would just think I was nuts. I often wondered these last six months if I was going insane. I guess only time will tell. I'm here to enjoy myself and forget about this whole mess. Maybe I'll tell him after we're done.
In the morning, Nick took me to the place he had found. It was an abandoned building complex a couple of miles away from town. The place was huge. It had places for shops and restaurants on the first couple of floors. Large areas with tables and chairs, concrete benches and fountains in an open courtyard with trees, scrubs, and statues. The next two floors were business offices and above those were luxury condos. The developer had built it here expecting the city to grow in this direction. Unfortunately, the gamble didn't pay off. The city grew in a different direction and the developer couldn't lease out the buildings. I imagine he went out of business. Broken windows, beat up rooms, places where animals had made nests, and the things bored people get up to had made the place a shamble. Perfect for parkour.
My excitement grew as we pulled into the weed filled parking lot. I jumped out of the car, looking up at the tall buildings. Nick got up and stopped beside me. I looked at him, "You weren't joking when you said this place was perfect."
"I know, right?" Nick said, a huge smile on his face. "I've only seen it from the road, but it's exceeding my hopes. Let's get in there and do this."
I quickly grabbed my Hydration pack from the car (gotten stay hydrated) and we ran into the building. I felt so free, running on raised concrete, jumping from tables and countertops, rushing up the railings of the escalators and jumping across the gap to the next floor. We took a while to reach the roof. We wanted to explore every room and that led to some backtracking and open area running, but this was our first time here, so that was to be expected.
When we got to the roof, I bolted out of the door and sprinted as hard as I could toward the edge of the building, a twelve-foot gap separating the next structure from the one I was on. I pushed myself off the elevated edge and soared across the empty space, landing on the other roof top. I made a clean landing and brought myself to a stop. I clenched my fists and raised my arms as I let out a triumphant scream. I look back at Nick who was still on the other roof, laughing as he caught his breath "I wish you wouldn't do that. It freaks me out every time."
"I'm sorry, but I have to," I said, reveling as my adrenaline filled blood pumped madly through my system. "Nothing makes me feel more alive."
"I know, dude, I know," Nick walked over to the edge of the building that overlooked the parking lot. "I just hat..." Nick's smile was replaced by a look of confusion as he stared at the parking lot. "Why are all those trucks here?"
A pit dropped into my stomach at his words. "Trucks? What trucks?"
Nick pointed to the parking lot. "There's like thirty of those flat-faced delivery trucks out there. Why would they be here?"
I rushed to the edge and looked out, my eyes going wide. I could feel the stares of every truck on me. Then they started moving around the building, stopping at the access points. "Nick, get out of here."
Nick stared at me. "What? Do you know why these trucks are here?"
I nodded. "Trust me; get to your car."
"You're scaring me, dude," Nick said. "What is going on?"
"Just go...please."
"If these guys are trying to do something to you, we should call the cops."
I shook my head. "The cops won't be able to do anything." I saw the disbelief on his face. "Go down and if you see someone in those trucks, call the cops. If not, just get to your car."
"What am I supposed to do when I get to my car?"
"Call me," I told him. "We'll figure it out from there."
Nick shook his head. "This is too weird, man. All these trucks here are too weird and what you are asking of me is too weird."
"Please..."
Nick took a deep breath. "Fine, but when I see the people in those trucks, I'm calling the cops and then we'll get out of here."
"Fine," I said.
Nick nodded and ran back to the door that led into the building. I took a steadying breath and pulled out my phone. I knew these trucks were here for me. That's why I sent Nick down alone. I don't think they'll bother him. I was unsure if I would make it out myself. I walked to the door that would lead to my fate.