On the Road to Ashley's Place

On the road to Ashley's place-
I lost my companion.

He had been traveling with me
since we determined
our destination.

Things seemed well,
though his health was failing.
He had been injured
previous to the trip.
At the time, I panicked;
convinced the wound was lethal.

But,
such was not reality.

Since then, he was recovering
nicely, even rapid.
After all,
we had somewhere to go now.

See, the catch to traveling
is that there are
factors.
Other factors the travelers themselves
cannot control.

He and I were no different.

Indeed,
we encountered things.
Encounters are the way of
the Devil's Road

But we endured
Rather, I endured.

I continued on the journey unaware
of my comrade's condition.

It was miles later,
while the mid-day sun warmed the path,
that I became aware of
my companion's struggle.

He wasn't going to make it there
in the condition he left.
No, things would be different.

The sun is setting.