RUN

Colours of friendship

    We ran far and long. Through the thick tangle of trees, on the flat, exposed roads or on the decaying rail tracks. We didn't talk. Just ran. Ran until my feet were numb. Ran until my throat was dry. Ran until I collapsed of exhaustion, hunger and fear. Adam heard me stumble and turned around to find me on the ground. He helped me up and we found a spot in the forest to rest. It would be dawn soon. The sky was starting to show the first hints of the sunrise. We decided to eat and see what we had. In Adam's pack there was;

One empty water canteen
One pack of dried meat
One thick blanket
One pocket watch
One large First-Aid kit
Two loafs of bread
One pack of strange pills
Finally, Two dynamite sticks.

    Between us we had a fair amount of food and overall supplies. I just assumed the dynamite was what had blown up the church.

"These letters are your initials" I said showing him the engraving in the leather.

"So that's we couldn't trade packs."He said.

"I don't understand the meaning though." I said.

"There were rumours that the guests pay extra for their bets to have good packs. That's probably why" he sighed.

   Before I could answer I heard a faint twig snap. Adam quickly began shoving his things in his pack. I looked around the forest. I couldn't see anyone through the thicket of trees.

"Let's go" I said helping Adam pack his stuff away.

        We couldn't trust anyone anymore. Not after last night. We made our way out of the trees and onto the road. We jogged along the road trying to conserve our energy. For awhile after, I could hear twigs snapping and sometimes a few whispers as we jogged. It only made us run faster. Not long after, the sun broke from the horizon and the soft sound of water trickling grew louder up ahead.

When we reached the river, we quickly hurried to the shore. The water was clean and clear as glass. If we were on the right path it should La Meurthe. It was one of the north-eastern rivers of France. Up river would be the city of Nancy. I dug out my water canteen and filled it to the brim after taking a long, refreshing drink. Adam did the same. The morning dew was beginning to clear as we began walking up the river.

"Adam, what's your favourite colour?" I asked.

He stared at me.

"Why?" He asked, puzzled.

"Well we don't really know each other and we'll be spending the next nine days together." I said.

"I know your trying to be nice, but it's better if we're not friends so we don't have to make any hard decisions in the coming days." He said.

I was stunned by his cold expression. He seemed terribly bothered. But I wasn't the best judge of character either.

"Hard decisions? You mean like—"

"You know what I mean. It's just how the trials work. There's only ever a few winners and they've always ran alone so no one can slow them down." He said

"Well maybe we will die. Actually we probably will die. But I'm going to die knowing I didn't give up and didn't become a selfish monster just like they want us to be" I stated, storming off.