"Get Up! We don’t have much time!” I said.
It was a cool night with a full moon right above us. I helped Ariel up, grabbed our few belongings and were off like a bolt of lightning.
“We must reach the lake by dawn, or we will be caught!”
Her voice shaking, said, “Mathew, how could we do that? That is miles away!”
The light turned on from behind us. Out came running the mad master with a gun.
“Run!” I yelled.
He began shooting, but the running made the gun shake, making him aim wrong. That probably saved our life.
He was an older person, probably in his 50’s, so he couldn’t run as fast as we could. He rang the bell on his front porch and his neighbors came running out with a gun too. Some were old, some were young and could easily outrun us. I stopped running, but Ariel continued. I dug deep in my pocket and pulled out a match. I lit it and dropped it in the leaves. Within seconds the leaves from the trees were ablaze. Now if only I could reach that lake.
It stopped the people from chasing us, but that wasn’t good enough. If we want to see another sun, we must run until our legs are like jelly. I passed a well where I used to fetch water I grabbed Ariel and I some water and rushed on. Mom always promised me freedom, and that was carried to her grave. I have to prove myself that before I can. That is what I am doing right now.
Ariel began slowing down. “Can we rest by this tree? I’m so tired.”
“Would you rather rest under a tree for now and later in chains or in a barn on soft straw?” I said.
We ran on, grunting now and then in pain. But it was worth it. The lake was just a couple miles by now.
“If we get caught, what will happen to us?” Ariel asked.
“I don’t even want to think about it.”
“Mathew! I see the lake!”
“Good! Don’t stop running, if we do, then our freedom is lost forever.”
The lake was full of fish. Now that we have reached the lake, we must follow it north to the train station. We had no ticket, and there was no way blacks could get on. We had to do a dangerous mission. Just as it is taking off and going as fast as we can run, jump on the side, climb to the top and hope for the best.
The Sun was well above the horizon and it was already getting hot. We found a little puddle of rain water and took a few sips. It was approaching noon and that was when the train was leaving. We were surrounded by trees and sounds. We even saw a bear walking around. It was noon and the train left.
“What should we do?” Ariel asked.
“The train is heading west, we’ll turn left and hopefully come across the tracks and jump on.”
“But the train will be going fast!”
“It's either we jump on or we die of punishment.”
We reached the tracks, but stayed in the little forest to hide ourselves. We waited, and waited.
“Do you think the train already came?” Said Ariel.
“I hope not”
We waited about 15 minutes and then heard the train whistle. We got back to our hiding spot. The train was coming. The beginning of it passed, and then the end was close to coming. We ran to hit, the loud noise of medal moving and shaking.A handle was coming by.
“1, 2, 3! Jump now!” I screamed.
We both jumped, but Ariel missed. There she stand on the ground trying another area where a bar or handle was out. Miss. Another miss. The end was coming. I could see it. Only one more bar left to grab. She jumped, and grabbed hold. I jumped to the top of the train and ran to her to help her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her aboard. We were on the train, safe at last from the cities harm. At least for now.
