A New World

What does a man seek in an unexplored frontier? Is it the shimmer of the elusive American Dream, the Gold Rush, the intoxicating scent of fresh oil bubbling from the earth, or perhaps just a tranquil sanctuary to draw his final breath?

I find myself perched on the edge of an open truck, the coarse fabric of the seat scratching against my skin, the wind carrying hints of sage and dust as it tousles my hair. I'm in the company of nine diverse souls, each carrying their own invisible baggage along with the physical ones. Beside me sits Franz, a hulking man whose muscles ripple with every bump on the dirt road. He and I share the dual roles of porters and chefs for this expedition.