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Typically I awake from the guard's vulgar screams towards us, but today the freezing cold was too much for anyone to get any sleep. The shackles on my wrists felt like they were made of ice as did the ground I slept on. My torn, battered robe was barely suitable for a warm summer night, not the harsh winter conditions that were setting in. But that was not the only reason I could not sleep, my freedom was in reach and I planned on gaining it. Every day we were sent to the mines but they were not meant for everyone. You must keep a strong willed mind or risk going insane. I have seen many men break down and go mad there. These men are taken away to a place known as "The Depths" where they never come back. I, myself, fantasize about escaping. The thoughts of someday having my freedom is what get me from day to day. On some days I think what it would be like to live as merchant, purchasing and trading rare items and going on treasure hunts. On most days though, my mind wonders more towards the thoughts of my own family, living on a farm; picking fresh crops for a dinner with my wife and children. These are the thoughts that drive me each day to stay alive. Today was no other day; the guard's would be barging into our sleeping quarters at any minute, screaming for all of us to get up. This would be my last day working at the mines. No more than a week ago I found a small pick and have become quite comfortable with unlocking my shackles. The past few days I have planned my escape and tonight I planned on taking my freedom. I had it in my mind that I was either going to be a free man or a dead man come tomorrow. After the day at the mine, I waited for everyone to go to sleep. The guards made rounds every twenty minutes. I unlocked my shackles and waited for the guards to come back around. I watched them as they passed by our quarters. Once they were around the building I snuck outside and made my way to the outside of the small village, remaining in the shadows. When I reached the outskirts of the village I entered the forest and took off running as fast as I could. I knew it would be some time before anyone noticed I was gone, if they did at all. I ran north for what seemed like minutes but I knew it was much longer. My adrenaline seemed endless and my blood was pumping faster than it ever had. I came to a very tall stone wall and continued to follow it north until it ended at a small pond. I knew if I could get on the other side of this wall, it would almost guarantee my freedom. I swam through the pond to the other side of the wall. The water was freezing and I knew my wet robe would become a factor for my survival before long. Once on the other side of the wall I continued running for hours, taking breaks only when needed. I was finally a comfortable distance from the village and decided I could spare some time to try and spark a fire. After warming myself up for about fifteen minutes I continued my journey. The sun was starting to rise and I was starting to crash. Not sleeping the night before mixed in with the massive adrenaline rush had taken its toll. I decided another mile or so would suffice before finding a good hiding spot to sleep. I walked for another half mile when I heard a strange voice. "You sssssseem lost? I looked all around but no one was in sight. "I am over here sssssstranger." I quickly turned around. A few feet in front of me, there was a small green snake curled up gazing upon me. He asked where I was from and I told him what had happened to me. His eyes never lost contact with mine while I shared my story. He spoke again. "I can guarantee a safe journey to a nation where you will live amongst the people as an equal, but it will cost you; we can work all that out at a later time..." | |