Trail, Chapter 3: The Whistle Before Dawn

Chapter 3: The pre-dawn whistle

At 03: 41 a.m.

The temperature is 23 degrees Celsius.

The wind from the mountain blew down slowly.

Moisture is perched on the skin like a thin invisible cloth.

The release yard is located in front of a small elementary school in the middle of the valley.

The light blue two-story school building looks dull under the spotlight light.

Some walls have island moss marks.

The front football field was so dew wet that it reflected sparkling lights.

Field floor on both sides of the gate.

Without a net. Because without a budget.

No grass cover left.

It's deep down. It's about to be a buffalo.

Stay here.

It was used heavily by children.

Because it's the only sport they

Have fun exercising.

Dozens of event tents lined up.

White canvas alternating green, rocking with wind force

The officer's voice periodically announces through loud speakers.

Laughter

The sound of shoes hitting the ground.

The sound of a bag zipper.

The sound of plastic water bottles being squeezed.

Mixed into a strange atmosphere

Like a barracks.

Like a festival.

And like a battlefield at the same time.

The smell of coffee is all common.

One person ran to the bathroom.

The servant hunter stands next to the rental pickup truck.

Black Short Sleeve Running Top

Dark Grey Shorts

Olive green running backpack

BIB running number 127 is stuck in the middle of the chest.

The new pair of shoes are still too clean.

Until it doesn't seem to match the owner

He bent around looking at the runners.

One person is applying satirical cream.

Another person is stretching.

Some people sip coffee.

Some people are taking pictures on social media.

Everyone looks excited.

One person secretly farted but damn

The sound emanated.

Friends in the group chase them to shit.

Except for the servant

He seems to be walking around the area.

This kind of atmosphere. He hasn't touched it before.

It was fun.

"First time?"

One sound rang.

The servant turned

The little man was about sixty.

Wearing a red helmet.

With a thin white mustache

Smiling for

"Yes."

"Look out."

"How to watch"

The old man laughed.

"You're still clean."

The servant looked at himself.

Don't understand.

The old man pointed around.

"Those who run often have old mud stains."

"The backpack will have scrapes."

"The shirt will be pale."

"But you're like just leaving the store."

The servant chuckled.

That was the first time he felt himself alienated from the crowd.

3: 58 p.m.

The contestants began to gather in front of the release line.

The lights of hundreds of headlights shone in different directions.

Like a herd of fireflies gathering.

The air is full of many smells.

Black Coffee Scent

Balsam smell

Pain-reducing spray smell

Moist soil smell

And the smell of sweat of someone who's been awake since 2am.

A woman secretly whispers to a friend.

"Hey, I forgot to apply turtle rollers."

"In time, you'll be released."

The servant hunter walked into the group of runners.

Eyes looking for targets

Suspect number 1.

Krishna Wat Chai

He saw immediately.

The man is nearly 185 centimeters tall.

Wide shoulder.

Big upper arm

Standing by the food tent.

Navy Tank Top

Black Muscle Strap Pants

A small running backpack attached to the back.

The face is calm.

There's not even a thrill gesture.

Like a person walking to buy things in front of the alley

Not the one who's going to run 32 kilometers up the hill.

The servant observed the hand.

With side marks

Thick knuckles

Short nails

Hands like real workers

Not the hand of the person sitting at the desk.

"Why are you staring at me?"

The falsetto sounded.

The huntsman flinched a little.

Krishna turned to look straight.

Sharp eyes

Still

No smile.

No friendliness.

But there was no aggression.

Like reading the mind of the person in front

The servant answered immediately.

"See if you're really big."

Krishna raised eyebrows.

And then laugh.

A short laugh.

"So what's the result?"

"Real big."

"Thank you."

The conversation ended simply.

But in the head of the servant

Getting more questions.

The one who hid what?

Often do not like people to stare

But this man showed no signs.

4: 00 a.m.

The whistle sounded.

Cool!

A whip. A horn.

Plus the sound of drones flying on their heads.

To record the top corner.

Hundreds of runners began to move.

Like a river, man is flowing into darkness.

Hundreds of headlights slowly moved up the ridge.

It's a long white line of light.

Winding along the forest.

The servant ran after the front group.

Not so fast.

Not so slowly.

HR rushed to 140

The eyes are on the back of Krishna.

All the time.

The first five kilometers passed.

Steep way

The floor changed from solid soil to wet rock.

Alternating with floating stones

On the bedrock, the side is full of moss and ferns.

The panting of the runners began to sound.

The huntsman added gel and salt pellets.

Followed by water.

Many people walk.

Many people take a break.

Some people are broken.

But Krishna still keeps the same rhythm.

Pace

Pace

Pace

Like a machine.

No acceleration.

No installment.

The servant began to understand.

Why this person has won many fields

Kilometer 11

The sky is not yet bright.

The forest around is completely dark.

Only the beam left from the headband light.

While climbing a rocky hill

The huntsman noticed something.

Krishna, stop.

Just two seconds.

And then look at the solid forest on the left.

Not looking at the runway

But look deep into the darkness.

Like checking something position

Then run on.

As if nothing happened.

The servant dimmed his eyes.

The heart is beating a little harder.

Because for the past eleven kilometers,

This is the first time

That the suspect did anything other than run.

And what he looks at.

In the same direction as the forest where the secret documents were stolen...

A cold wind swept over the treetops.

The sound of the leaves is satirical...

Feisty...

Feisty...

It's like the woods are whispering something.

But no one has heard clearly enough.

End of chapter 3. 🌑🏃‍♂️🌲