Runaway (choose your own adventure

Chapter seven - to tree or not to tree

Bounty hunters often carried weapons such as whips, guns, blades, and even different traps. Some bounty hunters liked to use personal weapons, they could be anything from a special flintlock to even a crossbow. But slaves could often defend themselves as well whether it was through handcrafted weapons or their own cleverness. However, a large number of slaves managed to escape. A close estimate of 10,000 slaves managed to escape freely.

Trying for the train was too risky, it looked like I might have to outsmart them. But suddenly, I thought of my family. I may be able to see them again if I went back willingly. This entire thing was so fatiguing, I was just... tired. It might be so much easier to just leave this idea behind. I didn't know if I could go on. this was my chance to give up willingly and be able to get back to the farm and see my family. After years of doing labor, the jobs weren't that hard anymore, so long as you behaved, and I never go whipped. I could stop it now and live a hard but content life, or I could keep running and be free with the impending shadow of danger always at my feet. I could die if I kept going and to me, that option didn't sound that great. I looked up and the train passed me, the riders started towards me. I looked to my right, past the tracks and saw the treeline probably over a thousand feet away. I might be able to make it, but if I didn't they would probably either kill me or capture me. I felt a bit conflicted knowing that I much rather prefer the first, not knowing if it was wrong to rather not live but breathe instead of being released from this hell. I glance right again then looked to the riders, who looked to be around over three-thousand feet from me, just barely visable in the blur of my sweat. I started to think hard, and all of time stopped, waiting for me to make my move or to not move at all.

A. do it, it isn't worth it to be captured and enslaved after all this work. (turn to chapter 8)

B. stay, the pain won't be worth it and you can go back to being content and living with your family. (turn to chapter 9)