Die Now or Live Forever

Chapter Four: The Runaway (Aaron)

   What was I thinking? Aaron thought. He had thought and thought, but when he acted... He had surprised himself. Why, why would he do this? He didn't know. But the police were after him now. Why was it so bad? He didn't want to live for all eternity, or die in an instant. Just live a life, but not a forever one. Like it was many years ago. Back then people died, but after they lived a life.

   Aaron hid behind a restroom house. He heard the officers coming, and he ran towards the forest he used to play in with Chloe when he was little.

   "Over there!" An officer yelled. Aaron ran faster. He was panting and tired, and couldn't run well in a suit. Anything but a suit, he thought, wiping the sweat off his forehead. Anything but a suit.

   He didn't hear the officers, so he stopped to catch his breath. He took off his suit and pants and was left in just his undershirt and boxers. Not great, but at least it's warm out, he thought to himself.

   He kept moving for a while longer and stumbled across a creek. He splashed water on his face and stood. What am I doing? He asked himself again. But it was useless. For some reason, he didn't trust the Ceremony of Fate. He thought something was off about it. Something not right. But he couldn't quite figure out what.

   It was getting dark. He looked around, but couldn't find anywhere to stay for the night. He looked up at the trees. Nothing. He would have to sleep on the edge of the creek. He spread out his suit across the mud so he would touch it as little as possible. He didn't like mud. He found it slightly gross, because of its texture.

   It was a long night. He kept on hearing things, and when he did sleep, he had dreams about the police finding him and shooting him in the head. He was paranoid.

   His morning came very early. The sun was barely over the horizon when he was awakened by something crashing through the trees. He slunk down as low as possible and braced for the worst.

   No point in running, he thought. If it's them, they'll be able to catch me.