The bell tolled out telling me to begin. I took off in a sprint, trying to put as much distance between me and the starting point. Ten minutes, the clock began to countdown. Soon the hunters would be allowed to start out after me. This was my punishment; when people break the law they must face justice. I knew this fact but still I ran away at full speed. My mind repetitively telling me there was no way for me to escape alive, but my heart continued to beat. It beat for my sister; She still needs me in her life; she's only six she can't be left alone. I have to find a place to hide, a good one.

Five Minutes, that’s all the time I have. Could I hide in a tree? No, they have guns, bullets can go right through leaves. I don't think there are any other places I could hide. Do not panic, I must not panic if I do I'm a goner. Or am I already a goner? I’ll just keep running for now, I could feel the ground under my feet. The dirt was hard, but the grass seemed soft. The sky was grey peeking through the pine trees. I have to think of something because eventually I'm going to hit a wall. I need a plan! Why did they make this a punishment? How could The Rulers be so cruel, I didn't do anything wrong!

Again the bell tolled telling me I had no more time, the hunters were released and coming after me. All I did was steal I didn't hurt anyone. This is just a game to them, my life is only a play thing. In the distance I could hear the hoots and hollers of the hunters. My lungs began to tighten, with how much I was running and my nerves building up, it became harder to breath. Finally, I made the decision to pull myself into a tree, the needles picked at my bare arms as I tried to pick the strong branches from the weak. I held my body as close to the trunk as I could to try and stay out of sight, the bark had enough notches in it for me to fit my fingers in. It was hard and tough, but it was safe.

For a few minutes I sat in silence, in my couple minutes of peace I remember the story my grandmother always told me if I was scared at night. It was about the time when people were kind to one another, back when people had mercy. Back when our government cared about the treatment of their people. Bang! Gunshots, they're coming, they're getting closer. The government never let people shoot other people just for the fun of it. It was about how the sky seemed bluer, and how the Great War was never even a thought in people’s minds. Bang! Would my sister ever hear this story of happiness now that I may not be returning home? Where would she go without me? Bang! As the guns grew even closer my hands began to shake. If I left the tree now I could put more space between me and the hunters, but they may see or hear me on my way. So I guess I’ll stay here. Bang! Will it hurt when I die, will it be quick or drawn out? Where will I go, what will they do with my body when I'm gone. Bang! I think they saw me, but I can't run it's too late. I must face them, I can't show fear, if I do they will think they've won. Bang!