The road surface. Carlos del Puente Stories

 Each step becomes an act of balance, as if the road itself tries to play with the walker's mind. Sometimes, the asphalt becomes a white canvas, where the traces of those who have passed before become ephemeral works of art, each telling a story of struggle and desire. Other times, cobblestones seem to whisper escape promises, reflecting sunlight in flashes that hypnotize and catch, as a siren song that invites you to get lost in the mist of illusion.

The road surface always changes, a tapestry of strange textures that unfolds before the traveler's feet, such as a canvas in constant transformation. The asphalt, sometimes soft and silky, feels like a velvet under the feet, inviting contemplation and rest. However, at other times, it hardens, becoming a hostile terrain that defies the will to move forward. Each step becomes an act of faith, an attempt to navigate a landscape that seems to have its own life, where reality is distorted and fragmented.

The cobblestones, which shine as liquid mercury, reflect not only sunlight, but also the illusions and lost dreams. Each flash is a reminder of the promises that were ever made, of the roads that were chosen and those that left behind. In this surreal world, the cobblestones seem to murmur secrets, whispers of those who have previously walked on their dure, their stories intertwined in the plot of the road. The traveler feels like a spectator in a Shadow play theater, where each step resonates with echoes of past lives painted in the silk paintings of the centuries of the Past Chinese dynasties, every sound an echo of struggle and hope.

The gravel, crispy and treacherous, becomes a symbol of the fragility of the mind. Each grain is a reminder of the decisions made, of the moments of weakness that led to addiction. As the traveler progresses, the sound of the gravel under his feet transforms into a warning cry, a reminder that each choice has consequences even if they ignore them. The road, in its essence, becomes a mirror of the psyche, reflecting the internal struggle between the desire to escape and the social need of the group to face reality.

In this changing landscape, the traveler feels trapped in a maze of emotions, where addiction is manifested as a shadow that clings to his being. The search for satisfaction becomes an endless cycle, where every attempt to escape reality only takes them to them deeper in the abyss of despair. The road becomes a symbol of this fight, a path that forks in multiple directions, each promising relief but leading to dead ends.

As progress, the traveler realizes that the surface of the road is not only a physical road, but a trip through his own psyche. Each texture, each color, each sound is intertwined in a chaotic dance that challenges logic. The road becomes a maze of emotions, where confusion and clarity coexist in a delicate balance. In this surreal world, the traveler faces his own demons, the shadows that lurk in the dark corners of his mind.

In a moment of revelation, the traveler stops and observes the road that extends before him. It understands that, although the path is uncertain and full of obstacles, the search for truth and freedom is always worth it. The surface of the road, with its strange textures and changing colors, becomes a symbol of human resilience, of the ability to get up and move on despite adversities. In this surreal trip, the traveler discovers that every step, however small, is an act of courage, an affirmation of its existence in a world that often seems to crumble.

Thus, the road becomes a sacred space, a place where the traveler can confront their fears and embrace their authenticity. Each texture, each sound, each color becomes a lesson, a reminder that life is a trip full of ups and downs, lights and shadows. And although the addiction can try to drag him into the dark, the traveler chooses to move forward, hoping that, at the end of the road, he will find the peace and clarity that he longs for.

As the traveler progresses, the road becomes a scenario where the scenes of his life are displayed, each more surreal than the previous one. Suddenly, the asphalt breaks and becomes a black ink river that flows to an uncertain horizon. On their banks, ethereal figures emerge, shadows of people who have left traces in their lives: lost friends, forgotten loves, and those who, like them, fought against their own demons. His faces are vague, such as faded memories, but his eyes shine with an intensity that reveals the depth of their stories.

The traveler is attracted to these figures, as if each of them had something to teach him. He stops before a woman who holds a broken mirror, her fragmented reflection showing multiple versions of herself. She smiles sadly and tells her that each fragment is a part of her history, a lesson that has learned along the way. The traveler understands that, like the mirror, his life is composed of multiple facets, some bright and other dark, but all equally valid.

Continuing his way, he meets a man who walks barefoot on the gravel, his dolted feet but his serene expression. This man, a former friend who had fallen into the addiction trap, tells him about the freedom he found when accepting his pain. He tells him that, when he stopped fleeing his suffering, he could finally face him and, in that act of courage, he discovered a force he never knew. The traveler listens carefully, feeling that each word resonates inside, as an echo of his own struggle.

As it progresses, the road becomes more surreal. The trees to the sides seem to whisper secrets, their leaves shining with impossible colors, as if nature itself was alive and aware of their trip. The branches are intertwined in strange shapes, creating arches that seem to invite him to enter an alternative world, a place where logic dissolves and the queen imagination. However, the traveler stops, feeling that he is not yet ready to cross that threshold. He knows that he must first face his own fears before venturing into the unknown.

In a moment of introspection, he sits on the edge of the road, observing the surrounding landscape. The surface of the road, with its changing textures, becomes a symbol of its own transformation. He understands that every step he has taken, every choice he has made, has taken him to this point of his life. Addiction, although painful, has been a cruel but effective teacher, teaching lessons about vulnerability, resilience and the importance of human connection. While reflecting, the sky begins to change color, moving from a deep blue to a burning orange, as if the world was about to fade into a dream. At that moment, the traveler feels a wave of clarity. He realizes that the road is not only a path to recovery, but a trip to self -understanding. Each texture, each sound, every figure that has found in its path is parts of a puzzle that, when joining, reveal the complete image of their being.

With renewed determination, he gets up and continues his way. The road, with its strange textures and vibrant colors, becomes an ally on its trip. Every step it takes is an act of affirmation, a commitment to face their fears and embrace their authenticity. Addiction, although still present, no longer has the same power over it. Instead of being a prisoner of his past, he feels like an explorer in a world full of possibilities.

As he advances, the traveler realizes that true freedom is not in the absence of pain, but in the ability to fully live despite him. The road, with its turns and turns, becomes a symbol of life itself: unpredictable, chaotic and, often, beautiful in its imperfection. And so, with each step, the traveler enters his own story, ready to face what comes, hoping that, at the end of the road, he will find not only peace, but also the acceptance of himself.

By Carlos del Puente relatos