Fugitive

On The Run

"We feel you don't belong here," he said from behind me.

I laughed, "Really now?"

"Take your things and go," she chimed in.

"Stay out of this novice," I told her.

"At least I'm smart enough to stay here," she bit back.

"No," I said. "You're just ignorant enough for them to want you."

Her jaw fell. She remained speechless. But I knew what she was thinking.

He came closer to me. I had to show no fear.

"Get out," he spoke quietly. When I didn't move, he grabbed my shoulder and pressed the needle to my neck.

When I awoke I was in prisoner's clothes- a grey shirt, grey pants, and a pair of black sandals. It took me a few minutes to determine my location. I was in a forest. Not just any bundle of trees. I was several miles from the training camp. I climbed a tree to see what direction I should head.

The view at the top was pretty basic. I could just barely see the low lite exterior lights of the training camp. Just like I thought: the training camp was five or six miles east. I climbed down and began making my way through the trees.

After about an hour or so, I arrived at the edge of the forest by the back entrance of the camp. I carefully watched the guards. I could see the main power box on the center tower I quickly remembered the training my brother taught me about survival before he left for the camp. I went back into the forest and gathered some sticks, vines, and stones. I found a small place hidden behind a cluster of bushes and trees and sat down. I took the curved branch I found and attached the vine. I made sure it was tight before moving on to the next step. I grabbed the sharp stones I found and attached them to the other sticks with pieces of vine. I did one final check before grabbing the sticks and heading back in the direction of the camp. I found the tallest tree I could find and slowly crept up it, making sure to stay hidden. I scanned the tower again.

There was one spot on the power box that if hit hard enough in the right place would destroy the camp's main and backup power supply. It was put in place so if the camp were under heavy fire they could destroy the main frame. It would take years to recover all the data, but because it was so sensitive, it had to be protected even if that meant destroying it. Not many knew this, not even the instructors. I discovered this snooping through the old file room, which is against the rules. Only the head instructor has the codes and is permitted to enter. I, of course, hacked the main frame without them even knowing and got the codes. I wanted to destroy the camp. And that is what I was about to do. I pulled back the vine attached to the curved branch and slid one of the other sticks against the grove I cut into the branch and slid one of the other sticks at the small blue on the back of the box. I pulled back on the vine and sent the stick through the air. It met the circle with a spark and the whole camp went black.

I quickly slid back down the tree and ran in the opposite direction. Then I abruptly turned and ran in the direction of the camp. They probably think whoever struck the compound would head in that direction. But not me. I was going to outsmart them. I stayed about thirty feet from the tree line as I ran.

I safely made it passed the compound and slowed my pace slightly. I saw some light in the distance and slowed to a walk. I was exhausted. I'd been running for a few hours. It felt good to slow down for more than a few seconds.

As I got close I noticed the right I saw was a lantern hung outside of a small cabin. I walked a little closer. I made it about ten feet from the front porch when I heard the cocking of a shotgun behind me as a voice spoke quietly but firm, "Stop right there."