Wanted

Day 2 1/2

Just a few more miles...

The adrenaline pumped through my body as I ran like a madman. My leg muscles ached, practically begging me to cease all movements. My breath ran ragged and my lungs burned, but I had to keep going. I have to. There's no way I could go back.

Just a few more miles...

I could hear the sirens blaring off in the distance. It wouldn't be too long until they released the wild hounds, tracked me down, and took me back to the very place I could no longer tolerate. I couldn't go back if I wanted to; not after committing a crime this detestable.

Just a few more miles...

Those five words echoed in my mind like a mantra. The idea of stopping begun to sound a whole lot better than continuing to run. My entire body aches but if I'm lucky, I may be able to stop and rest long enough to regain my strength so I can continue on through the forest to The Wall.

After an internal battle, I finally came to the conclusion that resting would be the best option. I slowed my pace down to a steady walk. A cool chill ran down my spine as darkness begun to take over the sky. They always said the forest was scary at night. Stories of mass murders and ferocious animal attacks floated around the city for as long as anyone could remember. The stories were mainly told to keep us in line; to scare us so bad that no one dares to ever leave The System.

Our government, collectively known as The System, was wicked. Their tyrannical ways make it hard for anybody to live under their "rule"; they're always watching. Always. Our city is under twenty four hour surveillance. Cameras have been installed in every inch of the city, even in homes. You can't even blink without them knowing.

In addition to being monitored like lab rats, once a month, everyone in the city is issued mood suppressant pills. We are to gather in the city center at our assigned times to take them. Once in the city center, you are assigned a room and a proctor to monitor you to make sure you take the pill. There's no way around it... until well, now.

It's all a part of an experiment established by our founding fathers after a horrible period of rebellion our city went through known as The Great Tribulation. Back then, a handful of citizens would stand up to The System and call them out on their wrongdoings. Let's just say none of them lived to tell the tale. In my opinion, that was the best era of our history. No one should be a mindless zombie under the control of such stupidity.

Towards the center of the city dwelled the key out of The System. It was heavily guarded and equipped with cameras watching it from every angle. Groups of radicals often planned schemes to infiltrate the city's center but never actually got past the 'planning' part. Amateurs.

I soon came across a tall tree. I looked up and sighed. Why did the closest branch have to be so far away. Well, the tree isn't gonna climb itself. My eyes shifted back downwards and that's when I saw it.

A wanted hologram shone on the ragged bark tree. In big bold letters read the word WANTED with my name and classification number just below it. How had I not seen it before and why is it so deep in the forest? My blood ran cold at the thought of being watched. I quickly looked around to see if there were any cameras around but then I remembered; If there were any cameras, they would be hidden from plain sight.

I cursed to myself.

Off in the distance, faint barking could be heard. That could only mean one thing: the wild hounds have been released.

In a split second, my hands gripped the rough bark of the tree as I began to get a good footing. I pulled myself upwards using every ounce of strength I possessed. The tree didn't make it easy either. Pieces of bark would crumble once I got a good grip causing me to slip, doing nothing for my over exhausted body.

I soon reached the branch I had my eye on. It was sturdy and high enough to conceal me from those looking up from below; the canopy of leaves providing extra protection.

As I sat there catching my breath, I looked down at my torn uniform. Various rips and tears decorated the grey fabric. The only thing that remained intact was my badge. 724148 it read. I laughed to myself at how insignificant that number is now; how insignificant the uniform is now.

The barking sounded like it was getting closer and before I knew it, little bright lights could be seen as well. I quickly identified the little lights to be flashlights. Flashlights, meaning both soldiers and wild hounds are searching for me.

This is by no means a funny situation but I couldn't help myself from laughing at the irony of it all. They really sent soldiers and wild hounds after me as if I wouldn't be able to outsmart them...again.

I looked down below, and saw the wild hounds and soldiers looking up into the trees around me with their flashlights. I watched as the hounds sniffed around, trying to pick up my scent. One of the hounds eventually sniffed around until he got to the tree I was occupying and began to bark manically, alerting the soldiers.

"Let's check this one." I heard one of the soldiers say.

I held my breath as one of the soldiers approached the tree. I stood up shakily on the branch and pressed my back flat against the trunk of the tree, hoping the leaves continue their job of concealing me from those mindless soldiers.

The soldiers flashed their lights up into my tree, tilting their heads at different angles in an attempt to see around the leaves and branches. I silently prayed that the missing pieces of bark wouldn't give me away but—

"Sir, it looks as if a lot of bark from this tree has crumbled. Maybe she climbed—"

Just then, a piercing scream filled the forest and the hounds began to bark and run towards the source of the scream.

"Everybody move out!"

All the soldiers began running in the direction the hounds led them except one.

"I know you're up there." I heard a taunting voice whisper.

I looked down and saw the soldier staring directly at me. My heart sunk to my feet. We stared at each for about five seconds before he motioned with his hands, zipping his mouth and throwing away the key before running to catch up with the rest of the soldiers.

Was this a trick? Is this a test?

I waited until no more lights could be seen and no more barking could be heard to come down. With shaky hands, I reached down in my pocket searching for the little trinket. I pulled it out and smiled to myself. All this trouble over a little heart-shaped locket, but I knew better than that. This was the key to my future...the key to a better life beyond The System.