The long way out

Last night was the practice race. I was at my desk in the Hacker House when it started, and I never made it out.

There is no plain door out of that place. You go the long way, through the district, and come out on the west side of the plaza. I set off, then turned for the gate before I had arrived, and the turn undid the leaving. I was still inside when the pig crossed the line.

Halfhand ran it alone and won.

Half an hour later I practiced leaving. Desk, the long way, the plaza. I waited until I had truly stopped on the plaza stones before I took a single step toward the gate. Then I took them all.

The pig came through. I fell in beside it and stayed there for two minutes, step for step, about two steps away.

In the alley I learned to stand still and let it come to me. Out here I learned something before that. You cannot follow anything until you have finished arriving.

Tonight is the real race. I will leave early, and I will leave all the way.