Writing Prompt: May 12 - "A lone, aged man wanders across the wild land searching for something. What does he seek?"

A tent. A trough of fresh, clean drinking water. A laundromat. A cup of coffee. Oh god, a mattress, can you imagine?

It's been two weeks now, and whatever the brochures tell you you'll find when you come on these "escape and discover" retreats, if you stray from the path, I swear the answer to life itself will be Charmin and a shower.

They made it seem so nice, so plush, so safe. I bought the ticket the first chance I got. I figured a trip away from so much hustle and bustle was exactly what I needed to feel better and recenter myself. Work has been so stressful lately.

Work... I might not even have a job when I get back. Not that I was that far from quitting (retiring) in the first place, but sequential no call no shows was not exactly what I had in mind as far as the method of departing goes.

In two weeks, I have had 4 meals. I'm so weak I'm surprised I'm still able to move. But, if I stay still, I can't very well find my way to that hot coffee, can I?

Just put one foot in front of the other before I lose the light as the sun starts going down. These last few days I've found that sleeping at night and at the height of day helps, not only with the hunger pains, but with the sunburn.

Oh, add some aloe to that list. And lotion.

At least the brochure was right about their weight-loss program too. I must be 20 pounds lighter than when I arrived. Near starvation with this kind of physical exertion will do that to a man.

I guess they were right about the other stuff too. I was searching so hard to get away from my 'normal' life, that I came here, and now I've never searched so hard to get back to 'normal'. I would kill for 'normal' right about now.

Really did put things in perspective. In the worst methods possible.

(I don't know how to close this out and wrap it up so I'm just going to cut it here. Suggestions on how to round it out would be great!)