For a class project I had to rewrite the ending of the book Matched by Ally Condie. I thought it would be fun to post it on here. :) All characters are property of Mrs. Condie, not me. Enjoy!
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Chapter 32
I run. And run. And run. All I think about is the ground beneath my feet, the fresh air in my lungs. I haven’t run outside in a long time; it’s against Society’s rules. But I don’t care, not anymore. Not after they took Ky. I don’t want care about Society’s view of words on paper, of poems that were chosen to be forgotten, of love that was not matched. But I do care, and that’s what makes it hard to stay. That’s why I’m leaving.
I see doors opening, I hear people yelling. I think I can hear Xander, but I’m not sure. I left him a note, along with my family. I love them. I hope they forgive me.
I am past my neighborhood now. I see the school, I see Ky’s house, I see the Society’s building. Officials poke their heads out of windows and walked around the corner. My legs burn, and the back of my mind thinks, wouldn’t it be easier? I could stop now, apologize, and go back home. No. I shut that part of my mind up, and I keep going.
Officials gather and form a wall of hard-faced people with guns. I almost falter, but I regain my run, thinking fast. They’re going to catch me. No they won’t. I’m going to die without ever seeing Ky again. No I won’t! Screaming. Sirens. Running. I head for the wall of people. I sprint closer, closer, closer…until I heard a hundred guns lock and load. Then, I panic and swerve to the side to disappear into the tall trees.
As I scramble up a tall tree, I hear a branch snap, and I breathe in sharply. Silence. I look below me. I don’t feel safe. I won’t feel safe until I’m away from the Society. Several men in Official uniforms appear. My heart starts beating so hard, I’m afraid they hear it.
The men split up, only one Official staying. I begin to relax when I realize they have no idea where I might be. Then my heart stops when I heard the dog.
It barks and looks strait at me. I flinch and attempt to crawl away but my head hits a branch. The dog continued to bark and run around the tree, but the Official doesn’t understand it. I look around for something to use, anything! But I don’t find a single thing. I check my pocket for something. I still have my golden compact with my three pills: green, blue, and red. Calmness, survival, and forgetfulness. My breath catches in my throat as I raise the compact, aim, and throw it as hard as I can at the dog’s head. It bounces off its head and rolls away.
I jump down from the tree and land hard on my ankles, but I ignore the pain and run. I can hear the Official yelling for backup, but soon the voices are distant.
My mind is still processing what I just did. I start hysterically laughing, and then I realize what I’m doing so I begin crying as I slow to a walk. I reach into my pocket and take out the three pills. I fling the red pill as far away from me as possible, but keep the other two. They will come in handy if I succeed in my plan.
I push my compact back into my pocket and race to the edge of the forest. I stumble out to find myself far away from the tall buildings and big city I used to call home. After one last, long look, I turn to face the barren plains of scattered farms and houses. A life outside Society.
My cheeks are stained with tears, but there’s a hint of smile on my face as I turn away from the life I once had.
I am coming to find you, Ky.
