The morning was damp from last night’s rain, but the forest never smelled as fresh.  Cody had opened his window to let the subtle, pine aroma fill his bedroom.  He took a deep breath, as it would probably be awhile before he would return.  He packed a few outfits and some basic toiletries in a large, duffel bag.  Unfortunately, last night’s sleep didn’t help the boxer much, as he was constantly tossing and turning with dreams of Jessica, the images of her beaten to near death on the photos he received last night.  He was unsure about what he was about to pursue, but he needed to do something -- he couldn’t wait on something like this.

“I can’t believe I’m going back to it all,” Cody thought to himself. “Back to fighting on the streets.  Back to playing detective.  Back to Metro City -- a hero once remembered, but now forgotten.  How would things have been if all this shit didn’t happen?”

He looked around his living room, searching for anything he might need.  He spotted his hunting knife, sitting on the mantelpiece above his fireplace.  It wouldn’t have been useful to take it with him.  “The airport would have just confiscate it,” he thought to himself.  “I’d be better off securing one once I got to Metro City.”

The ex-convict walked outside his cabin, locking the front door.  He took a long look at his cabin, as he probably wouldn’t be returning anytime soon.  With his duffel bag hoisted, he set off for Pickle Crow, to catch a bus to the airport in Thunder Bay. 

Cody had wondered what happened to Jessica when he was arrested for supposedly kidnapping her. The truth is, Cody had been in Tehuantepec, Mexico, fighting alongside an old friend whose land was being invaded by local rivals.  However, Haggar seemed skeptical about the whole thing, especially since his mystery friend didn’t own a phone to verify Cody’s whereabouts.

The six-foot fighter wanted to search for Jessica badly, but without any clues, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.  With last night’s ordeal and the letter he received, Metro City was his best shot at anything if he wanted to find his love.  The only lead that he had was “MG” -- the Mad Gears, or supposedly what he thought.  He fully knew that he might, . . . he would be locked up again if he shows his face to Haggar.  Yet, that’s the only place he can go to now. 

The ex-hero had a grudge on Haggar.  He blamed him for the way his life was now.  “How could you just throw me in jail, Haggar?” he though violently.  “I helped you save your own damn city and rescue your own daughter . . . my girlfriend.  You threw your future son-in-law in the slammer.  How I wanted to . . .”

Cody’s train of thought whooshed away as a speeding car flew by him.  He noticed that he was walking into the town limits of Pickle Crow.  “It’s now use thinking about that now,” he thought.  “Just stick to what’s at hand.”

Pickle Crow was a nice place to live, away from all the hustle and bustle of Metro City -- a nice place to hideout.  The town isn’t very big, which Cody liked as he made his way across the town park.  The water fountain in the middle of the park featured some Greek goddess with water coming out of her urn.  Cody never stopped to take a look at what the plaque read beneath it.  People were going about their daily business.   It’s all you pretty much did in this small town -- routine.  The bus stop was located in the center of town, in front of Ramona’s Arts and Crafts Store. 

The boxer leaned back against the building and rested his duffel bag on the ground next to him.  It was somewhat quiet out, but then again, it was always somewhat quiet.  He looked toward his left to see an elderly lady sitting outside the store.  She was wearing a magenta summer dress and had wavy, peppered hair, sitting behind a small table with a turquoise tablecloth over it.  With a snap of her finger, she was shuffling some rather unique looking cards, with intricate designs on them.  Cody didn’t pay much attention to what she was doing, until she called out to him suddenly.

“Young man,” she softly said.  Cody turned quickly, being the only one at the bus stop.  “I sense something is troubling you.  Are you alright?” as she shuffled her cards once again.

“I’m fine madam, thank you,” he replied politely, although he kept his eyes fixed to the mysterious cards she was shuffling.

“Hmm . . . let’s see,” she said with a pondering look.  She flipped over four cards.  “Interesting,” she said matter-of-factly.  “Tell me, what is bothering you.  I sense someone is missing in your life.” She looked up to Cody, with a look of “I told you so.”  Cody’s eyes widened.

“Yes!  My girlfriend was kidnapped, almost a year and a half ago!” he exclaimed, running over to the table.   

“And you are heading on this bus to find her, correct?  Well, the Ace of Cups tells me that you are beginning on a long journey.  One that will take you around the world.  The Star reconfirms this.  You will have an optimistic return, but not without pain and hardship.  The Queen of Wands, however, worries me.  It’s telling me you do not believe in yourself and that you put yourself down far too often.  Doing this will cause you think unclearly, which heightens the card of the Devil.  You must be aware of your dark side, as it will be tested many times on your journeys.  You must be focused on what you are trying to accomplish.”

“But . . .” he started, but to Cody’s surprise, the bus stopped swiftly behind him, its breaks squeaking to a stop.  He quickly darted to pick up his duffel bag and went over to the tarot reader.  “Can you tell me where Jessica is?  Please,” he begged.

“I’m sorry lad, but that would be tempting with the Fates.  This journey will open you up in ways you’ve never imagined.  I wish you much luck young lad.”  Hesitantly, Cody climbed on the bus, as she flipped over another card -- the Nine of Cups.  “Young man!” she started, but it was too late.  Cody was on the bus, leaving the fortune teller alone on the corner.