Run, run, RUN! Faster, faster, FASTER!

I remember those words, pounding through my head as I sprinted away our home, our beautiful home in the woods. I wanted to stop, to go back to see her, her golden hair flowing in the summer breeze, her hazel eyes staring at me through the back window, while I worked in the garden, how she blushed when I turned to meet her gaze. But I couldn’t, I just had to run, run, run. I knew that if I turned back now I’d be killed in a millisecond and even if I had survived them, I would only put her in danger. A tear rolls down my cheek, warm and salty. Sadness overflows me but I can’t let it get to me.

I’m an athlete and I have trained my whole life, because of that I have a advantage, but they’re quick on their feet as well and they’re armed. All I have to do is slow down just a bit and they’ll shoot me down. I start to quicken my steps as I hear the crunch of leaves getting closer. Waves of emotion twirl around my body, anger, sadness, anxiety, stress all of these emotions trying to drag me down. Now I think as I make my way through uncharted terrains I wonder what I will do when they stop chasing me, make a new home, find a job. I know I couldn’t do that not without her, no I will come back. But what if they’re still on my track, no, no, no I can’t. I’m torn between wanting her to be with me but not wanting to get her in danger, maybe I should just let them get me. It was my fault gambling and all, my beautiful, sweet wife can find someone else, it’s more safer anyway. I cannot bear the thought of her with someone else but is there another choice? If I don’t give up on living will she think I’m dead and still move on with… another man? And if I do give up the same thing will happen, I know I couldn’t go with another woman but she could. A even worse thought hits me, what if she thinks I-I hooked up with another woman! No, I wouldn’t, thought of death is now freedom for me, slowly spreading its vines keeping my emotions at bay, she will know I died and those other thoughts would be extinguished. And with that thought in mind I abruptly stop letting the mad men shoot, I ready myself for the pain of the bullet. They hesitate for a moment probably confused, then,”Bang…”

I am now…’dead’ I guess but I still stand in the middle of life and death, I’m waiting for my wife, I’m waiting for her to move on. It’s been two years and finally when I look at her I see a smile, even though a tear slides down her face, I know she’s happy. A handsome, broad-shouldered man holds her in his arms and a cheerful, happy, little girl tunnels into her arms. And now I know that I can go in peace without worrying about her.