Old Pine Lake

Chapter 1

-----------------Time: 3: 36---------------

My destination is a few yards in front of me. I have not stopped running, even after Derek tripped over a rock and hurt his ankle.

No one is behind me, so I do not know why I am still running.

My lungs wheeze and my thighs burn, but it feels so good. So good to get away from all of this.

Two more yards... one more... yes!

I let myself tumble to the ground as soon as I pass the tree-line. I lay there, on my back, staring at a clear blue sky, through the branches, and let my chest rise and fall.

My breaths become less rapid after a few deep ones, but I can't help but breathe faster.

I made it. I actually made it.

I have wanted to do this for so long, and I never thought I could. That is why I prepared. Slowly but surely, I prepared under the radar of my so called friends and family.

Taking track, so I could run fast and far. Signing up for outdoors club, so I could learn to live out here. Preparedness classes, survival techniques, Hunters Ed, extra shifts at work, all this seemed normal, but led to something much bigger.

I have supplies for at least a year, before I need to refresh them. Food will be a little harder, but it should be fine.

My hunting teacher told me that if we ever end up in the forest, we can hunt any animal, as long as we do it for survival. If this isn't survival, I do not know what is.

I work up enough strength to sit up on my elbows, to look at my surroundings.

To my right is the opening I passed through, surrounding me on my left and front is nothing but trees. Behind me is the tree disguising my supplies. My back-left however, holds something much more promising. A creek.

From all the classes I have taken, creeks are the best thing for survival. It is a water source for you, and for animals. So a creek means food and water.

It is unsanitary to drink straight from it though, that's why I brought a bottle of iodine, water cleanser.

My backpack includes almost everything I own. Well, only the important things.

Anything that needed a plug-in or was not needed, was thrown away. I did not want them to have any part of me.

I know it is stupid, but I feel if I leave anything of mine with them, I am still partly there, however small it is.

That is why I remodeled my entire room, and threw away all of my bed sheets. It might seem I am overreacting, but I hardly think so.

The only thing I left with them was a picture. My high school graduation picture. Taken this very same day. Left on my newly pink sheets, my parents always wanted a girly-girl.

I turned eighteen last week, therefore everything I am doing is not technically illegal. Running away that is.

They won't send a search party either. They would never risk their name for that.

My strength is mostly gone, all adrenaline used in the run is used. I stand up anyways and grab my hidden backpack.

I take one last look at the opening, and turn on my heel towards the creek, following it deeper into the woods.

---------------Time: 3:52----------------

I walk for 14 minutes, by my watch but for me, it feels like a matter of seconds.