A few miles into the forest I stopped letting myself collapse against the forest floor. The trees stood above me touching the sky. I smiled slowly, I hade made it, finally made it. I sat up letting myself catch my breath. In front of me a small white butterfly like the one I saw from my window was flying in circles. There was no more wondering how it felt to be that way because I was that way, free and able to start an actual life. I jumped up getting ready to explore. Where could I start first maybe check by the local town or catch a train I really didn’t know. I continued walking away from the prison letting that weight lift off of me with every step. I realized I was still wearing my uniform as I slipped off the ugly potato sack jumpsuit. I’d have to wear my under garments until I found something more reasonable. I stuffed my clothes in the base of a tree making sure no one could retrace my path.
I had been walking for so long I had no idea if I was still in the same country. I sat down stretching my legs out. I was hungry and tired from the long day of walking. The weird part was I was actually enjoying walking around. I laid my head back hoping I could catch a few hours of sleep. I lay there for hours my thoughts keeping me up. I had this fear that someone would just walk by and bring me back it was that easy I knew it could happen. After trying to level my breathing for a while I slowly fell asleep.
The next morning I set off as soon as the sun came up. I wasn’t wasting anytime and not risking getting caught. A few miles later small signs started appearing with numbers or names pointing in a direction. This meant there had to be a town somewhere near here. I could here muffled voices not to far away. I slowed down my stride as I stuck close to the trees. Two men were standing in a clearing talking with a lot of hand gestures. I watched them talk from a far not being able to catch what they were saying. I walked a little closer making sure I didn’t step on any branches or leaves. They looked like two normal townspeople with old pants and t-shirts on. I was about to walk over and introduce myself when I caught what they were talking about.
“I hear there offering a 200,000 fine for the boy” said one of the guys with a smile on his face.
“We just have to hunt him down?” The other one said reaching for what looked like a small gun out of his pocket.
“No, you don’t shoot him idiot he’s wanted. We just have to find him and catch him”
“I heard he’s running around these woods were not going to find him anytime soon and he’s going to die out there anyway”
“Hale have you ever had that kind of money? No and you never will so hurry your slow ass up we don’t have a lot of time” he said as he started walking towards my direction. I quickly ducked around the tree holding my breath. They walked by me slowing looking around the woods. I couldn’t go anywhere when there were people out there looking for me. I sat back against the tree trying to think of a new plan. I couldn’t just live in the woods and I had to leave the country at least. I sat there for a little longer feeling my newfound freedom slipping from my fingertips. If I even stepped into town I’d stick out with my boxers and tank top on. I stood up trying to think I started walking in the opposite direction of the hunters hoping I could find a solution there. An idea popped into my heads, clothes lines, I’ll just go to someone’s back yard and slip a pair of pants and a shirt off the line. I smiled at my great idea as I continued walking. The tops of houses and buildings started appearing the closer I got to town. I had to keep my eyes more open as the sounds of cars and voices got louder. A big white wood house stood in front of me with long marble columns. I slid through the tress in the back looking around the yard. I couldn’t see a clothesline anywhere probably because these people could afford one of those new automatic clothes washers I had heard other people talking about. I continued walking looking into the back yards. Most of the yards looked the same with bright green lawns and tidy gardens. A small brown cottage came up with a soft red tiled roof. I looked into the yard to look around. Their grass wasn’t as green as there neighbors and they actually had a clothesline. I saw a grey pair of pants that looked like they could easily fit me. I glanced across the yard again before dashing towards the clothesline. Before I could take the second clothespin off I heard a door slam.
“What’re you doing with my sleeping pants” an older woman shrilled hobbling across the lawn. “You give those back now”. I turned around and ran as fast as I could between the trees her shrilling scream became quieter and quieter as I got further into the woods. I stopped to put the pants on. They were soft and would probably rip but it was good for now. I didn’t really know what to do now but at least I could blend in a little better. The only thing that made sense would be to keep walking on the outskirts of town because by any town there’s a city. I had never been to a city before never experienced the lights the sounds, and the cars. I felt like there had to be others that looked like me since people would go from their villages to the cities to start a better life. Maybe I’d find a beautiful girl who is fascinated with the idea of an escaper. We would buy one of those big houses with the to green grass and small gardens. We would get married and have little children to carry on our names. The idea of the perfect life gave me a warm feeling like when I was back at home with my mothers cooking and my brothers and sisters all crowding around a table talking excitedly. The feeling when my father would come home from work and lift me up in his arms. I always thought one day I could do that to my children and for a while I forgot about that life. I wanted that life and I knew I would get it as long as I’m free.
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