Devastating,painful........beautiful,stunning.Twodivergentthings.

Twoopposite
experiences.Usuallyanormalpersonwouldonlyexperiencethesethingsatdifferenttimes,
nevertogether.ButwhereIliveisnotnormal,andwhoIamnotnormal.Mylifeisbothof
thesethings,together............Everyonehasachoice,achoiceonwhattheyllturnouttobe.
Theycantchoosetheenvironmenttheygrowupin,buttheycanchoosetobelieveandthink
beyondthosemeans.Formanypeoplewhoaretrulyinspiredandhaveadream,butwitha
dreamtherescomeshardworkandeffort.Andthatswhattheydotheyfight.But
unfortunately,noteveryoneaccomplisheswhattheysetoutfor.Evenme,aboythat
dreamedforthestarsallmylifeandworkedhardtoaccomplish......allofthatwascrushedina
matterofminutes.Sometimesitsnotevenworthfightingforawar,thatyouknowyoure
goingtoenduplosing.Youmightassumemeasapessimistic,butbeforeyoujudgemeyou
mightaswellknowhowIendedupthisway.

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Thebloodslowlybegantocometolifeandlistenedtoitsorders.Thebloodswam
downthetunnelsandspreadout,anditkeptgoing....andgoinguntilthetunnelsgot
smaller....andsmaller.Icouldslowlyfeelmynumbarmscomingbacktofeeling.But
countless,Iwasstilldrearyandfarfromanynoticeablesignsofbeingalert.Thedarksky
seemedtomaketheopenemptystreetseerie.Thebeautifultallbuildingsandfieldswere
loomingintoview.Iwasatahighpointlookingacrossthecity.IsquintedasIsawthefiery
beastbeginitshovertothepeakofthecity.IsighedasIbegantotrailofthestreetsandinto
thefieldstogetabetterlookatthecity.Thismightseemlikethelifeinsuchabigmiraculous
city,butthethingsthathappen.....ohifyouonlyknew.Usuallymydaysarefilledwithpain,
boredom,closecalls,andhard,hardwork.Andthisisusuallymyfavoritepartofthedaythe
hill.Thehillisoneofthehighestterrainpointsinthecity.Itliesbetweenthestretchof
wherethecitybeginsandwherethecountryandopenfieldsend.Itisaboutatenfootdropto
begin,butitslantssoyoucantfallstraightdown.Afterthedropiswhereyougain
momentumtoslidedowntherestofthe3acrefield.Atthetopofthehillisagroupoftrees
thatblocksofftheoverhang.ThatisusuallywhereIclimbover.Inimblyjumpedforthefirst
branchthenmaneuveredmywaythroughthelargetrees.Iswungfromthelastbranchonto
thegreengrass.Betweenthetreeandthedropisathreefootareaofgrass.Onewrong
moveandyoucouldgodownheadfirst.IgrabbedthelargechunkofbarkthatIalwaysuse
whengoingdownthehill.

One...two.......THREE!IscreamedasIpushedoffandflewdownthedrop.Theten
footdropnearlysentmeflyingandthencameabump.Iflewoffthebarkinmidairandcame
backdownlandingjustrightonthebark.Thewindwhistledherusualtuneofjoyand
happiness.Istoodonmykneesandraisedmyhandsintheairwhilelettingoutaloudhowl
ofjoy.AAAWWWROO!!IlookeddownatthegrassandhowfastIwasmovingpastit.It
wasthefeelingofbeinginacarwithallthewindowsdownwatchingtheworldflybyyour
eyes.ThesearethemomentsIlivefor.Myshortmomentsoffreedom,butunfortunately
thosemomentscantandwontlastforever.Ilostmybalanceandfellforwardtowardsthe

grasswhileatmyhighspeed.Itumbledandrolledwhilethegroundspitdirtinmyface.After
thepainfulcrashlandingIstoodup.Itookasmallpieceofwoodfrommybrownleatherbag
andplungeditinthegroundasamark.
Wow!Iwentfasterthanlasttime,Isaidoutloudtomyselflookingattheotherpiecesof
smallwoodinthegroundfromthepasttimes.

Ilookeddownatmyscratchedarmsandgrassstainedclothes.Mygrayvneckedshirtgotit
goodagain.
Ishouldprobablywashthis,
Ithoughttomyself.Itsfunnytothinkthatmyshirt
usedtobewhite!Ibrushedthetwigsanddirtoutofmydarkbrowncurlyhair.Itwaslikethe
jungleinthere.IknewIwasgoingtoneedtocutmyhairsoonerorlater.Itwasalargeafro
atthispoint.Iinvestigatedmyscratchesonmyarms.Notbad.....notbadatall,Isaidout
loudandactuallyprettyproudofmyself.Mostofmyotherscarswerebarelyvisiblethanksto
mycaramelskincomplexion.Ilookedupfromthegroundandnearlygasped.Iwas
surprisedonhowmuchcloserIwastothecity.Iturnedaroundtolookatthehillandmy
distanceIhadtraveled.ButmyheartdidaflipwhenIsawwhowasatthetopofthehill.
Thegangs,Isaidundermybreath.Theywereyellingdownatmewavingtheirfistsand
withthemwhatseemedtobe.....dogs!IfrozeforasecondandbeforeIknewitIwasina
sprint.MylegsreactedbeforeIhadeventhoughtofrunning.ThatsjusthowscaredIwas.

Nowyoucanseealittleofwhatthisevilcityhastooffer,andthisisjustthetipofthe
iceberg.InausualcityapersondoesntrunfromgangsorevenhastoworryaboutgangsIn
somecitiespeopledogetchasedbygangs....Butrunningfromtortuouskillerdogs?Thats
justnotright.IknewtheywereheadingrightwhereIwasheaded,butonceIgotthereI
wouldbesafe.Somewhat.Iracedthroughthetallgrassesofthefieldanddidntlookback.I
knewthatatthispacethedogswouldgettomeandeitherIhavethesanitytorturedoutofme
orIwoulddierightawayfromoneofthedogsfirstkillerattacks.Neitherofthosesituations
soundedgood.AsImademywayoverthenextsmallhillInoticedthebridgetothecitywas
comingup.Itwasa30footlongbridgethatstretchedoverwhatusedtobeariver,butthat
driedupyearsago.IknewnowIonlyhaddownhill.SoIwentforit.Ibolteddownthehill
withallmymight,butcametoanunfortunatetumble.Oneofthedogshadcaughtuptome
andpouncedfromthegroundtowardsme,likeapredatorgoinginforthekill.Iduckedand
thedogflewoverhead.Icouldfeelthebreezeandsmellthestenchofwetdog.Thedog
tumbled,butgotbackinbalance.BeforeitcamebacktoitssensesIsentakickstraightto
thedogsface.Ifeltbadforthedogs.Theycanthelpit,itswhatthey'retrainedtodo.The
doglayonthegroundinahaze.TheotherdogswouldbehereanysecondsoIranforthe
bridge.Iranabout8feetontothebridgebeforeclimbingovertheside.Iclingedontothe
metalstripsatthebottomofthebridgeandslowlybegantomakemywayacrossthebridge.

lhadhopedthatmygrassanddirtstenchwouldthrowoffthenosesofthedogs.The
dogsgottheresecondsfromwhenIjumpedoverthesideofthebridge.Soonthegang
caughtup.Heyman!Hegotoneofthedogs!yelledoneofthegangmembers.Ikeptmy
mouthwideopenandbreatheddeeplyandslowlytoquietdownmyheavybreathing.My
lungscalmeddownandIbegantobreatheinthroughmynose.Alittlesawdustfromthe

bridgewentupmynose.Thesnifflescame,thentheeyetwitch,adeepbreathinfollowed
that.
Ohno.
AAAAAAAACHOOOOOOOO!Thedogswentcrazybarkingandthegang
membersbeganyelling.Heshere!Oneofthedogstriedtostickitsheadthroughthe
railinginanattempttogetme.Ilookedupandwasfacetofacewithaslobberingmenacing
rottweiler.IquicklybegantoswingmywayunderthebridgegrabbinganylooseendsIcould,
thenIstayedstill,hangingunderthemiddleofthebridge.Icouldstillhearthegangabove
yelling.Lookovertheedge!Myhandsbegantoache,Icouldntholdonmuchlonger.I
lookeddownitwasabouta20footdrop.Icouldnttakethatchance!Breakingmyankles
wouldn'tdomeanygoodsinceIwouldneedtorun.Imademywaytotheothersideand
pulledmyselfonthebridgeagain.Allthegangmemberswerestilllookingovertheedgeand
thedogsweredownunderthebridgelookingforme.Ijoggedawayandcreptthroughthe
grassesandsooncametothebeginningofthemiraculouscity.Ilookedupatthetowering
buildingsasIwalkedandnearlyfellover.Thatnevergetsold!toaIlookedatmysilver
watchstrappedaroundmywrist.Thehandsofthewatchread5:30...a.m.Isprintedintothe
citywithalowprofile.Awwman!Schoolstartsintenminutes,Isaidtomyself.HowamI
gonnacoverfivemilesintenminutes.Ilookedaroundthecityhopingtofindaway,asign,a
miracle.....oradrunkguy!

Aroundthecornerrightinfrontofthe5thAvenueBrewerywasthebeatupredcarof
PeteDickson.Petewasoneofthefewdrunkardsleftinthecity.Mostwereeitherintegrated
andtoldtostoporweretakenoutofthecityandtakencareof.Prettymesseduphuh?You
wouldthinkifthegovernmentdidntwantdrunkardstheywouldgetridofthebreweries.Not
thesmartesttactic.Freecountrytheysay,butthatsjusttheoppositehere.Peteisnever
caughtdrunk.Hesafool,buthesthemostcunning,nimble,andquickthinkingdrunkardI
know. Pete!HeyPete!Iwatchedhimfinishupthelastquarterofhislargebottleofred
winenotbotheringtowipeawaythestreamsoftheliquidthatcakedonhiswrinkledfaceHey
Alijah!Mybuddyhowsitgoing?Foracunningdrunkmanhesuresoundsdrunk.But
everyoneassumesthatshisrealvoicesincethatsthewayhealwayssounds.Thatsone
reasonwhyhenevergetscaught.OkIguess,butaroundherethingscantgetmuchbetter.
Asmilestillremainedonhisface,thesmilethatcouldlightupthedayofanypersondownin
thedumps.Imalwaysthereforyou!Ioweyouman,andImgonnamakesureIrepayya!
Ilookedupathimandtherewasasparkleinhiseyes.Hishazeleyeshadthatsamecheerful
stare.Letsgetgoing,hesaidasheranhishandthroughhisblondehairandsmashedhis
bottleontheground.Ijumpedinhiscarwithhimandbuckledup.Icouldbarelyfindfoot
roomformyselfduetoallofthebeerbottles,rippeduppaper,garbage,andoldswitchblades
onthefloor.Youmightwannaholdonthesomething,Petesaidwithasmileasheputon
hisshadesandrevveduptheengine.Petetookoffwithaloudscreechthatechoedthrough
theemptystreets.Hemaneuveredhiswayveryroughlythroughthestreetswithhisbeatup
redsportscar.Countlesstothejerkingmovementsandthebumpseverytimehehitacurve,
Ifoundmyselfdriftingofftosleep.Abeautifulsleep.

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Iwokeuptosomeoneshakingmevigorously.Islowlystretchedoutmyarmsand
yawnedbeforeopeningmyeyes.ALIJAH!!!WAKEUP!!WAKEUPYAGIANTSHRIMP!I
quicklystoodupandwipedawaythedroolfrommymouth.Iwasonthegrassfieldacross
thestreetfromschool.Itstoolatenow.....Ohno...Ohno....criedPeteandheplantedhis
faceinhispalms.Theygonnagetyou!IfailedyouAlijahIfailedyou!Petecriedashe
begantosobwithbigandheavyheaves.Ifiguredthatheputmeonthegrassbehindthecar
sotheguardswouldn'tseeus.Ilookedatthefloorofthecarandgrabbedtwobottlesof
spraypaint.Youthinkyoucoulddomeanotherfavor,Isaidwithasmileonmyface.After
aquickplanningIranandhidbyabigtree.Petewentthroughthegatestomyschooland
begantowriteinbigletteratthefrontoftheschool,THEGOVERNMENTONLYHELPS
THEMSELVES!Thesecuritycamerascaughtsightofhim.Menwithgunscameoutand
beganchasingPetepointingtheirgunsathim.Petescreechedawayinhiscarandthe
guardsgototherstogetintheirheavydutyblackcarsandtakeoffafterPete.Isnuckintothe
schoolandwentthroughthehallwaysavoidingotherguards.Iwasrightdownthehallfrom
myclassroomandnowfeltitwassafe.Imademywayaroundthecorneronlytofindagun
pointedatmyface.ItwasoneoftheS.W.A.Tteamguys.Ilookedupandsawhisdarksuit
withpaddedarmorandhisblackhelmetonwherehisfacemaskwasup.Whatareyoudoing
outoftheprogram.Youarenotpermittedintothesehallwaysatthistimeof......Imadea
kickathimdirectlyintohiscrotch.Hedroppedhisgunandbentoverinpainandthatswhen
Igrabbedhisheadandslammedhisfaceinmyknee.RightawayIregrettedmyactionasI
grabbedmykneeinpain.Limpingawkwardly,Ipickedupthepacetomakeittomy
classroom,butIwasntfastenough.Iopenedthedoorandwasgreetedbymyteacher.And
wherewereyouAlijah?Youareanhourandahalflate!yelledmyteacherMs.Evens.

Thestudentsintheclassallgavemethesamedirtylookfromtheirseats.Iwas
talkingtotheheadofaS.W.A.Tdowninhisofficebeforeandanemergencycameupand
theyallheadedout.Itwascrazy,Ilied,butsmiledasIsaidso.Shegrabbedherwooden
stickandwhackedmeupsidetheheadwithitandthentookanotherwhackatmeinthe
stomachsendingmesprawlingtotheground.Iwillnothaveliersandmischiefsandinmy
class,butitseemswearetoolateforthat,shesaidwithdisgustinhervoice.Sheglancedat
therestoftheclass.Nowwewillgetbacktoourlessonsbeforewegooutbacktodosome
work.Ourlessontodaywasonhowourgovernmentwashighestpowertherewasandwas
theonlywaytoaperfectandhappylife.Welearnedofthosewhoattemptedconspiracies
againstthegovernmentandwelearnedwhathappenedtothem.

Fightingwiththegovernmentisnousesincetheyarethehighestpowerwehaveever
known.Theyknowwhatsbestforus.

Whatawasteofmytimetoheartheselies.Iknewbeyondthiscitywasanamazing
outsideworldjustwaitingformetocomeatlast.Ifourgovernmentwasperfect,theywouldnt
bekillinginnocentpeoplejustbecauseofsuspicionorliesthatthecitizenswilltellthemorjust
becausepeopledidn'tagreewiththeirideasandways.Mymomwouldntbedeadrightnow

either.WhenIwasseven,mymomwasatareallyhighpointinthesystemandwasgoingto
animportantmeetingaboutthegovernment'smilitarymen.Itwasaspecialdaybecauseshe
wassupposedtobepromoted.Wellshepullsupinhercartothebuildingandwasshoton
thespot,forsuspicionofconspiracy.Thekindest,mostloving,andhonestwomen...oneofthe
onlypeoplewhomadethislifeworthwhileformewaskilledincoldblood.No,shewasnt
planningaconspiracy.Whatitreallywasajealousmomofanotherfamilywhowaslowerin
theranksandseemedtodespiseourgoodlife,soshemadeupafakestory.Thatswhatitis
inthiscity.

Welltheworktodayatschoolwasworkingonthegatesaroundtheschool,cleaning
theroomthatthestinkbombwasthrowninto,andfinallyasusualweweredigginginthelot
nexttoourschoolsgettingthestructurereadyforanewbuildingbeingbuilt.Basicallywhat
ourlivesinthiscityarelikeareyougetupearlyandgettoschoolat5:40forsixdaysofthe
week.Youlearnaboutthegovernmentandeverythingthatgoesonandyouworkyourbuttof
doinglabor.Atleast10kidsadaycollapsefromdehydrationorbeingoverworked.Theday
youturnagefouryouareforcedintotheschoolsandforcedtowork.Itsbasicallyprison.
Thenontheonedayyouhaveofffromschoolisthedayyouworkalldayforthecommunity.
frombuilding,todigging,toreconstructing,toanythingthegovernmentwantsyoutodo.After
alongdayIbegantowalkhomewithJacobmyoneandonlyfriendmyage.Awellbuilt
teenagerfromtheyearsoflaborwithshortbrownhair,butasmoothface.

HeyAlijahletsjustditchtherestoftheday.Wegottakickbackandrelax.Wedontneedto
doourduties.Rememberlastmonthwhenwedidthat!Itwasgreat!Jacobsaid.Hewas
alwaystryingtogetoutofworkandgettingintotrouble.Iwantedtogetbackhomewithmy
dad,butIbethecouldwait.Letsgo!Isaidexcitedly.Therestofthedaywesnuckintothe
backwaysofcandystores,wentswimminginoneofthelakes,wentrunningaroundthecity
exploring,and....welljustactedlikekids.

WewereheadingdownthestreetsofthecityandIfinallyrealizedIwastired.Though
wehadmuchfun,therewasstilltheconstantdangerathand.Whatisthepointofhavingfun
ifyouarealwayslookingoveryourshoulder?Thesekindofthingsinspiredmetodomore
withmylife.Iwanttoleavethiscitywithmyfatherandbeapartoftherealworld.I
rememberoneconversationwithmydadbackfiveyearsago.......

Iwalkedintomydadsroomandsawhimlayingdownonhislittlebed
achingfrom
anotherharddayofthegovernment'swork
.Iwalkedinandhesatup.Iwantedtotalktohim
abouthowthekidsatschoolhadbeatmeupandthatmyteacherhitmewiththestickfor
sneezingoverandoveragaininclass.ThewholetimeIwastalkingtohimhisbigbrown
eyesstaredatmewithcareyetheartbrokenknowingthestuffIwasgoingthrough.
Whencanweleavethisplace...Idontlikeit,Isaidcrying.
Iknowbuddy.Iwanttoleavetoo,butIjustdontknowhow.
Buttheykilledmommy!thehatebegantoriseinmyheart.Theyhadtakenmymom.Ifthey
weretotakemydadtoo,IdontknowhowIcould
containmyanger
.

DaddyIwannagoandmakethempay!Iwanttodosomuchstuff
inthebigworld
,butIcant
here!
Alijah....YouhavebigdreamsIknowthat.Icantellyourelikeyourmother.
Shewas
adventurousandhadsomuchpotential,justlikeyou.Bute
venlivinghereyoucanworkthe
fulfillyourdreams.Itmightnothappenhere,butyourhardworkwillpayoff.Ipromiseyou
thatonedaywewillleavethisplace.Ipromise.......

AtearstreameddownmyfaceandJacobstaredatme.Ithoughthewasgoingto
makeajoke,butinsteadhesaid,Itsok.ImherewithyouandImnotlettinganythinghappen
toyou.Ilookedathiminangerandyelledbetweenmysobs.Iwannaleavethisplace!I
dontcarewhoIleavebehind,whateverittakesmeandmydadaregonnagetoutofhereno
matterwhatanyonesays!Asweturnedacornerintoanalley,outofthecornerofmyeye,I
sawagroupoftenmeninblackfollowingus.QuicklyIcockedmyheadbackforward,and
motionedtoJacobwithmyeyes.Wewalkedquicklyoutofthealleyanddartedaroundthe
cornerintothenextalley.Wethrewourselvesbehindthelargegarbagebagsandwatchedas
themenrandownthestreetinafranticsearch.

IturnedbacktoJacob.Hewasintearsnowaswell.Whataboutme?Youwouldnt
leaveme,wouldyou?IdidntknowhowtorespondIjustfeltatalostforwords.Iwasn't
angryathim,butattheevilpeopleofthiscityandthegovernmentandallthepainIwent
throughmylife.Ididn'tmeantohurthim.Iopenedmymouthtosaysomething,butnothing
cameout.Hestaredatme,long.Imsorry....I..Ijustneedtobealone.Imheadinghome.
WiththatIwalkedaimlesslyoutofthecityandintothefieldsofthecountry.Slowly,Imade
mywayoverwherethehousesandneighborhoodswere.Istoppedandwenttositundera
tree.Ineededtimetothinkandrest.IsoondriftedoffwiththoughtsofmydadandI
escapinginmind.

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Thegroundrumbled.....Itshookviolently.Aloudcrashsentmeflyingacrossthe
ground.Iopenedmyeyes.Whatintheworld....Iheardtheshakingofbranchesbehind
me.IturnedaroundtheseethetreeIhadbeensleepingunderwasfallingrighttowardsme.
Idoveandrolledjustbeingmissedbyit.Theairsmelledofsmokeandwheretherewas
smoketherewas.....FIRE!!!FIRE!!Iheardpeoplescreaming.IwasscaredsoIwentinto
theneighborhoodtogotomyhouseandfindmydad.Isawhousesburningasawalked
downthestreet.AllthehousesindifferentsectionsofthecitywereallthesamesoIhad
gottenusedtonovariety.Peoplewerelayingonthestreetwhileothersweretendingtothem.
Isawamanwalkingthroughthestreetsholdinghishairandcrying.Whatsgoingon?!What
happened?!IyelledasIranuptohim.T..Thegovernment.Theyheardofa
conspiracy....someonewasgonnatryandescape,buttheystoppedthem.Hesaidastears
randownhisface.Mydaughter...Idontknowwhereshewent.Icantloseher....KATE!!
KATE!!Hesobbed.Irandownthestreetsovertomyhouse.Thesmokeseemedtohave
gottenworse.Isawmyhouseupahead.NowallIneedtodoisgetmydadandwejust

needtogetoutof.....Ineverfinishedthatsentence.Ajetplaneflewoverheadanddropped
something.Itdroppeddownrightonmyhouse......BOOOM!Itsentmeflyingacrossthe
streetontothesidewalk.Icoughedandsputteredblood.Itwaspainful.Ilookedup....IwishI
hadnt.Myhousewasafieryholeofdebris.Daddy!NOO!Irantowardsmyhousestill
coughingfromallthefireandsmokeintheair.Itriedtolookthroughtheremainsofthe
house.Therewasonlyonesectionofthehousebarelystandingandtherewasasmall
openinginthatsection.Ijumpedthroughandraninside.Whatwasleftoftheinsidewasin
flamesandfallingdown.Iheardacough.DADDY!Icriedrunningintothenextroom.My
dadwasstuckunderalargepieceofwood.Son.....y..youhavetog..go,hesaidweakly.I
yelled,NO!IAMNOTGOING!Igrabbedthewoodandtriedliftingit,butitwashotandthe
flameswerecomingtomydad.Theflamescrackledandmadetheirwaydowntheheavy
beam.ThefleshonmyhandssizzledandIcriedoutasIliftedthewoodupandoffmydad.I
puthimonmyshoulderandbegantoheadtowardstheopening.Myhandswereshakingand
weresensitivetoanytouch.Iheardacommotionoutside.Thenextmomentswerehard
momentsinmylife.Thegovernmentagentsraninandopenedfiresendingmetothe
ground.Itriedtostandup,butthebuttofasubmachinegunwassentintomyfaceknocking
metothefloor.Iheardthemurmurs.....wegotthemsoletsgo.Wedidwhatweneededto
do.Andwiththattheyweregone.Ilookedatmydad.Evensoclosetodeathheseemedto
peaceful.IloveyouAlijah....Iloveyoutoodaddy,Isaidsobbing.Andthenhishead
collapsedandhedidntmove.Theroofaboveuswasgivingway.Twoneighborsraninto
getmeout.ComeonAlijah,onesaidastheygotmeoutofthehouse.Thentheroofgave
wayandcrashedin.DADDY!!!

Whywouldtheykillmydadandtrytokillme?Iwastooshockedtoevencry.My
neighborsbegantotreatmywounds.Theytookcareofsomeofmyminorburns,butfirst
treatedthemajoronesonmyhands.Itwasntprettytolook.Theyweresomewhatblackand
charred,butnowhadabloodredlooktothem.Theyrestedmyhandsincoldwaterbefore
puttingstuffonmywoundsandfinallywrappingmyhandsup.Theytriedtocomfortme,but
nothingtheydidwouldmakemefeelbetter.Ithoughtback.DidIsayanythingthatsomeone
couldhavesnitchedonme.Ithoughthardandlong......Jacob.Buthewasafriendandwould
neverdothat.Thenagainthereisalwaysthepossibility.Thenithitme.Whenwewere
walkingbackthroughthecity....
Iwannaleavethisplace.Whateverittakesmeandmydadaregonnagetoutofhereno
matterwhatanyonesays!
Therehadbeenmenfollowingus.Thegovernmentmighthavethoughtitwasa
conspiracy.Nowondertheytriedtokillus.Nowonlythingranthroughmymind.....Revenge.

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{}
{}

Ibegantoheadintothecity.Imademywaydownthehillandoverthebridgeinto
thecity.Iwasapproachedbythreegangmembers.Inoticedonehadapistol.Alijah!
Wheredoyouthinkyouregoing?saidChadmockinglytheleaderofhisgang.Ididntsay
anythingandthatswhentheyproddedon.Alijahwearegonnabeatthecrapoutofyouand

thenwellturninyoursorrybutt.Theyknewthegovernmentwantedme.Usuallyifyouturn
peopleinthegovernmentwillpayyouhandsomely...usually.Letsgetthisrugrat,Chad
said.Heapproachedme.NOW!Ijumpedathimquicklyandkicked.Icaughthimby
surprise.Igothiminasleeperholdbeforesendingmyelbowintohisstomach.Iwasona
roll.Icameatthenextguywherehethrewakick,butIgrabbedhisleg.ThenIswipedmy
legunderhimsendinghimtothegroundandIsentmyfootintohisstomach.Thelastguy
jumpedonmybacksoIjustflippedhimover.Hedidntbothergettingup.Itookhisgunand
tookoffintothecity.Theywasgoingtopay...onceandforall.

IranintoPeteonthestreet.Hewasntdrinkingbeerthistime.Odd.Hecriedand
huggedme.Ithoughtyouwasdead!Theysaidtheykilledyouboth,butnowIknowthats
nottrue.WheresyourdadIwanttotalktohim.IlookedupatPete.Hisscragglybeard
seemedtobegrowingtolookevenmorelikehisblondehair.Itookadeepbreath,Hes
dead.Theykilledhim.Inevereddreamedofeversayingthosewords,buttodaywasthe
day.Petestaredatme.Youpoorthing....HebegantocryandIdidthesamewithhim.
PetewasalwaysveryemotionalandIusuallyfigureditwasbecausehewasdrunk.Butthis
timeheweptforme,forthepeople,formydad.Theyaregonnapayamillionliveswiththeir
livesandImgonnamakesureofthat,Peteyelledatthetopofhislungs.Iclenchedmyfists
andlookedathim.Thenthereisonelastfavoryoucandoforme.

Itwasthenextdayafterhoursandhoursofplanning.Westoleagovernmentagent
carsowewouldbeabletogetupintherestrictedsectionwherealltheimportantpeopleof
governmentare.Therewouldbeameetinguptherethatday.Ihadablacktuxedo,shades,
andmyhairdonenicely.Petehadshavedandworeachauffeursuitalongwiththehat.He
wouldposeasmychauffeur.Wegottotherestrictedareaandcametoacheckpointwhere
theywouldcheckus.PeteandIhadstolenIDsandcustomizedthemtohaveourfaceson
thecards.Oncewemadeitpassedthecheckpointweheadedovertowherethemeeting
wouldtakeplace.Therestrictedareawaslikealittleutopia,butguardswereeverywhereand
thisutopiawascorrupted.Themeetingwouldtakeplaceatthefromofoneofthe
governmentbuildings.Wepulledupandscannedouttheplace.Thewereabout200to300
peoplegatheredintheaudience.Thepodiumwasatahighspotinfrontofthebuildingwith
largepillars.Itlookedlikeanoldagekindofthing.Iwouldneedtogettoahigherspotthan
intheaudience.IknewtherewasnowhereelsetogowithoutgettingcaughtsoIwould
improviseasthemeetingwenton.Themeetingwasaboutgettingridofpeopleplanning
conspiracies,rebellionsandsoforth.Butthentheytalkedaboutonlyhavingfamilieshave
onekidandkidswhowerentstrongwouldbeexecuted.Everyoneagreedwiththis.Ithought
itwascrazy.Youcanthelpifyourescrawnyorfrail.Thatsjustthewayyouwereborn.

Soonitcametimeforpeopletoaskquestionsandthatswhensomeofguardsmoved
uptothepodiumwithwiththegovernmentofficialwhiletherestoftheguardssurroundedto
audiencetowatchthem.Anytimesomeoneaskedaquestiontheguardswouldwatchthem
andgetclosertothemtomakesuretheywerentuptosomething.Iwouldhavetointerrupt
someone,butattherighttime.Awomenwasinthemiddleofaskingaquestionofabortions

whenonetheguardsupfronttrippedoverhimselfsendingtheotherguardsfallingtothe
groundaswell.Nowwasthetime....anddoyouthinkthatabortionswouldbeavailable....
HEY!Iscreamedstandingup.Igotsomethingtosay!Ipulledoutmypistol.Screwyou!
Iaimedattheofficialandpulledthetriggertwice.Thegunshotsscaredmeeventhoughthey
werefrommygun.Theofficialjerkedbackwardsandfellinaheapbythepodium.People
werescreamingnowandalltheotherofficialsandleadersofthegovernmentweretakenout
ofthearea.Mostwerebeingtakenoffincarstodifferentpartsoftherestrictedareatoget
reinforcements.Imademywaytothebackofthecrowdwheretheofficialsandleaderswere
takingoff.Itallhappenedsofastthatnooneknewwhofiredthegun.SoIslippedoutthe
backandsawthetrunkofoneofthecarswascrackedopen.Iranovertoitjumpedinand
shutitwhileallthecommotionwasstillgoingon.SoonIheardsomeonegetinthecarback
ofthecarandthecartookoff.Ipeakedthroughalittleopeninginthebackoftheseats.A
governmentofficialwasinthebackofthecarrightinfrontofme.

Getmeoutofhere!Asfastasyoucan!Hescreamed.Thecaraccelerated.I
peakedthroughalittleopeningthroughtheseat.Icouldntseeanyoneinthecarbesidesthe
driver.Isoonrealizedtheofficialwasrightinfrontofme.Ipeakedovertheseatfromthe
trunkandalmosthitmyheadontheguyinfrontofme.Iduckedbackdownquickly.Getme
outoftheareaandmakesurethatthePresidentofthecabinetandtherestofthemknowof
thisassassinationandleavetheHQrightaway,Icouldhearthefearinhisvoice.Yessir,
saidthedriver.ThePresidentandtheotherswerestillattheHQintherestrictedarea.Ihad
achancetocatchthem.Ipulledmybladefrommybelt.Ithenputmyhandoverhismouth
andplungedtheknifethroughthebackoftheseat.Ipulledoutmyknifeandletgoashefell
over.Ijumpedovertheseatandtothefrontofthecar.Iheldmypistoltothedriver.Drive,
Isaid.Hejumpedinfear,butthenhekeptondriving,scared.Iwasntgoingtokillhimhe
hadnothingtodowiththisgovernmentbeingcorrupt.HedrovemeoverbytheHQbuilding
whichwashadthesamestructuresofacastle.Youcangetoutnow,Isaidandhe
scrambledoutthedriversseatandranaway.IjumpedinthefrontandlookedattheHQthat
wasstraightahead.Igrabbedagunthatwasinthebackandlodgeditinthegaspedal.The
cartookoffandIjumpedouttumblingandrolling.Igotupandsawthecarjustasitcrashed
inafieryexplosioninthesideoftheHQ.

Istartedrunningtowardsthebuildingandranintothegapinghole.Ipickedupan
assaultriflethatafleeingguardhadleftbehindandthenIsnuckintothebuilding.Iraninto
themainlobbywhichseemedlikeagrandhotel.Isprintedupthestairs,butmakingsurenot
tofirewhatsoever.Istoodovertheedgeandwaited.Ilookeddownattheexplosionandsaw
somemanysprawledoutunmovingbodies.Theofficialsandguardsranthroughthefront
doors.IknewtheywereheretowarnthePresidentandtheotherofficials,butIopenedfire.I
heldthetriggeraimingtheassaultriflebackandforthandpeopledroppedeverywhere.Once
IranoutofroundsIthrewthegunovertheledgeandran.Iranthroughhundredsofcorridors
andthroughmanyhallways.Isoonfiguredthattheyhadmecornered.Iheardtheirvoices
comingfromthehallwaysbehindmeandinfrontofme.Iwenttooneofthegiantmetal
doors,openedit,ranin,andshutthedoor.Thelightsintheroomautomaticallyturnedon.It

seemedlookedliketheultimatemasterbedroom.Iwalkedaroundtoseethedifferentthings.
UpaheadIsawarailingandwalkeduptoit.TomysurpriseIwasonabalconyandbelow
wasalowersection.Imademywaytothestairsandcametothelowerfloorandsawthe
placeturnedupsidedown.Thecoucheswereflippedover,foodandlampsandshelveswere
scatteredonthefloor,therefrigeratorwasonitssideandwideopen.
Wassomeonealready
here?
Ithoughttomyself.

Suddenly,achillwentdownmyback.Ifsomeonewasalreadyherethenthatmeans
theywouldbeinclinedtoeventuallyreturn.Icockedmypistolandwalkeduptoadoorunder
thebalcony.Iputmyeartothedoor.Nothing.IknewIhadtoseewhatwasinthere.I
jiggledthedoorknob,butitwaslocked.Ibackedupstaringatmytargetlikeabullgetting
readyforthecharge,aliongoinginforthekill.AsIchargedtowardthedoortimeseemedto
slowdownlikewhenapersonisinacarcrashandtimesseemstoslowdownasyouslowly
watchtheglassflybyyourface.Thatsjustwhatitwaslikeforme.Islammedthroughthe
doorandchunksofwooddovetowardsthegroundandthedustseemedtogiveoffaneerie
look.Islowlygottomyfeetandscannedtheroom.Isanyone.....
BAM!
Ifellstraight
downcollapsingonmyback.Irubbedmyeyes,butmyvisionwasblurry.Aloudringingwas
stillscreaminginmyearfrommyhit.Icurleduplikeawhimperingpuppypleadingformercy.
Amaninablacksuitwasstandingovermybody.ThoughmyvisionwasstillblurryIcould
recognizethatfaceanywheresinceIsawiteveryday.ThePresident.Iswungmylegunder
hislegsandhefelltotheground.Ijumpedontopofhimandhereachedbehindhisback
...
BAM!
Athudwasfollowedafterthehit.Theringingstartedupagainitsagonizingscream
runningthroughmyhead.ThePresidenthadametalchainedwrappedaroundhisfists.I
wasenraged,butatthesametimehelplessandsosad.Itriedtogettomyfeet,but
collapsed.ThePresidentstoodovermeandgrabbedmyshirtcollar.Ilookedintohis
angeredpalefaceandhisdarkevilbrowneyes.Icouldsmellhisbreath.Itwreakedofhate,
murder,andtheabsenceofmercy.

AndwiththelastofmystrengthIslammedmyheadintohissendinghimsprawlingto
theground.Theroomseemedtobespinninginconstantcircles.Theliquidsrosefrommy
stomachandfloodedthefloorhosingoutmyinsides.Iclenchedmyheadandclumsilystood
tomyfeet.ThePresidentgotonhiskneesandlaunchedatme....
CRACK!
Thesmellof
gunpowderfilledtheroomanditstungmynose.ThePresidentlayontheclenchinghis
bloodychest.IfeltanunevenweightinmyhandIlookeddowntoseeascarysight.Therein
myhandlayapistolstillsmokingfromthebarrel.Iheardacry,butnotoneofaman,butone
ofa....girl.AyounggirlranoutoftheclosetandrantothePresident.DADDY!shecried.
Shecurleduponherdadusingherselfasashieldtoprotectherdad.Daddy.....Iquietly
whispered.Thememoriesofmydadranthroughmymind,thenthelastmomentswhenmy
daddiedmadeitswaytomyhead.Isingletearrandownmycheek.daddy....Mygunwas
pointedtowardsthegirlandIscreamedinterror.Idroppedthegunandfelltomyknees.I
wasamonster.IneverythingIdidneveroncedidthethoughtofabetterlifecametomind,
butthethoughtofmurderandrevenge.Thiswasntforthedeathofmyfatherormother,but

itwasforme.AllthehardtimesIwentthroughalltheabuseIexperiencedledtothis.AndI
justusedthedeathofmyparentsasanexcuseforthiswholething!Ifelltomykneesandput
myfaceinmypalms.IthenrememberedthePresidentandwenttohisaid.Andthoughhe
wasahorribleman,sowasI.HoldstillIllhaveyoucleanedupandoutofheresafely,Isaid
softlyyetquickly.Ilookedathiswoundandgasped.Itwasagapingwoundandtheblood
flowedoutaswaterwouldfromawaterfall.Ilookedathisdaughter.Whatsyourname?
Sue,camethemeekresponse.Gogetawetclothandadryonetoo.Andprobablyafirst
aidkit,goquickly.Sherushedoffintothemainroom......T..Theycameinand.....they'reall
gone.....nowtheyllgetmydaughterastheydidmywife.....Youarentoneofthemareyou?!
Istaredandhim.Hewasinaconfusedstate.NoImnot.Andwhoisthey?Whocame
here?Heliftedhishead.Hisfacewasveryclosetowhiteandtheonlycolorhehadwasthe
bloodrushingfromhismouth.Hiseyesmadeascarytinkleashesaid,Theoutsideworld!
Hecollapsed.Icheckedforapulse.Hewasunconscious.

Suecamebackscramblingwiththestuffandshecriedoutseeingherdad.Iasked
herwhathappenedwiththeoutsideworld.Sheexplainedtomeasacleanedupherdad.
Therehadbeenplanesflyingoverthecityformonthsandapparentlythereweresomepeople
sentintothecityasspies.Theyhadneverfoundthiscitysinceitwasofftheradarsofany
known.Theyknewthecitywasordinaryandwereworrieditwasaconspiracy.Sotheykept
watchforthenextsmonthswithspiesalloverthecity......thenwhentheywerefindingout
moreaboutthecitytheyweregettingevenmoreworried.Sothespieswentintothecase
evendeeper.Whenearliertodaytheassassinkilledtheofficialattheconference,they
thoughtitwastheconspiracysbeginning.Sotheybroughtintheirmilitaryandplanesand
tanksand......Shebrokedownfallingonherknees.Itthenhitme.Iwasthereasonforthis.
Iwastheonewhobeganthis.IthoughtIwasdoingagooddeedforthecityandwhatwas
betterforthecitizens,butitwasformyownselfishdesires.AndSuedidntknowthatitwas
measthekiller.Shewouldntbesocalm.Ifeltlikeajerk.ThePresidentsoonwokeupand
Icontinuedtocaretohim.Why?heasked.AfterallIdid,tothecity,thepeople,my
decisions.Whywouldyouhelpme?Ivemademistakestoo,badone.ButIsawtheevilin
them.AndHeavenknowsIcanttakethosemomentsback,butIwanttomakethebestof
whatIvegotleft.Youweretheassassintheywarnedmeabout....arentyou?Hesaiditso
emotionlessandblunt.Yes.Hestaredatmeandasmilewasputonhisface.Ilooked
overtoSuewithasorrowfullook.Couldyoueverforgiveme?Shelookedupatmewith
angryeyes,butsawthesincerityinmylook.Iforgiveyou...Shesaiditlikeawhatachild
wouldsay,Iloveyoumommy..Weneedtoleavenow.SueandIhelpedthePresidentup
andwegrabbedwhatweaponswefound.Mypistol,apocketknife,andabaseballbat.Sue
leadustotheclosetofcoats,beautifulfurrycoats.Ontheclosetfloorwasatrapdoor.As
wefiledinthetrapdoorIheardthepeopleoutsidethedoor.Buttheywereunfamiliar.Mr.
Presidentweknowyouareinthere!Giveyourselfup!Allofyoursenators,officials,judicials,
allofthemareinourhands.Youwillletusin...Iclosedthetrapdoor.

ThepassagewaywasafairlylargesizeenoughforthePresidenttogetinto.Sue
guideduswithherflashlightleadingusthroughthepassage.Soonittrailedoffintothe

sewersandsheseemedtoknowthedifferentpipesandtunnelwayslikeitwasherbedroom.
Aswewalkedinthewasteofthecityabovewecouldhearthecries,criesofinnocentpeople
dying.EventuallySuetoldustoclimbuptheladderthroughthemanhole.Ittookawhileto
helpthePresidentuptheladder,buthesoonmadeittothetop.SueandthePresidentwere
atthetopandwentoutofthemanhole,thenIcamelast.Thesoundsoftheoutsidescared
meandwhenIcamefromthedarksewersabrightlighthitmyface.Notthelightofthesun,
butoftheflames.Theflamesengulfedmostpartsofthecityandmanybuildingscollapsed.
Manyfighterplanesflewoverheadfiringatthecityandtanksshotswereheardfrommiles
away.Wewereattheveryedgeofthecityandseeingtheplaceyouknowandlovedying
beforeyoureyesisahorriblesight.Especiallywhenitsyourfault.IglancedatSueandthe
President.Theystoodinhorror,butinahorrormuchgreaterthanmine.Letsgonow!I
screamedoverthesoundofgunfires,planes,tanks,andthedarkdarksoundofdeath.

Wetraveledoutofthecitythroughthefieldsofthecountrymadeourwaytothe
outskirtsofthecity.Wheretheworldbegan.Upaboutamilewasagiganticgroupofpeople
ofthousandsofpeopleandtheyhadmanyvehicles.Nottanks,orfighterjets,butcars,
motorbikes,smallplanes,andalltheordinaryeverydayvehicles.Wemetupwiththemand
theywerethepeopleofthecity.Theywereinprettybadshape.Woundedpeople,crying
babies,dyingpeople.Theyallturnedandlookedatus.Wemadeourwayonthesandy
grounds.ImademywaythroughthelargecrowdseeingthefacesofpeopleIknewand
loved.Ifeltahandonmyshoulderandglancedover.ItwasPete,hisfaceforoncedidnt
haveasmile,butafaceofdespair.Hisleftearwashalfgoneandhisrightarmwaswrapped
inagiantcast.Ialmostcried,butheldmyselftogether.Imademywaytothemiddleofthe
crowdandtheyallgavemethesamecommonlookandpleaofhelp.Iclimbedontopofone
ofthecarsandtheloudmurmursofthecrowdstopped.Justinaninstantitallstoppedjustto
hearwhatIhadtosay.

MynameisAlijahandIlivedthereinthatcityasallofyouhad.IthoughtIknewwhat
wasbestforallofyouandformyself.IthoughtifItookdownthegovernmentwecouldall
liveapeacefullife,butwhatIdidIdidformyownselfishselfandIamsorry.Imadesome
badmistakesandyoushouldallknowthis.Butweareone.Wearethestrongfamilythatno
onecanpart.Wemuststicktogetherinthesetimesandmustloveeachother.Forgetallthe
badthingsthathappenedbacktherebecausethatisthepast.Forgetyourgrudges,forget
thehate,forgetallinthepast.Thetimeisnowandiswewanttobefreewemustwork
together.WhenIwaslittleIdreamedeverydaytoleavethisplaceandliveafreelife.Mydad
saidtomeallthetime,Ifyoubelieveandworkandfightforwhatyoulovethenanythingcan
beachieved.Nowthatswhatwewilldo.Wewillwork,wewillbelieve,wewillfightfor
freedom.Ifthereisanyonewhodoesntwantthisthenthiscityiswhereyoubelong.Butif
thisiswhatyouwant,thenIknowyouwillALLworkhardtoachievethatbecauseIknowthe
lifeyoualllived.Wellnowitstimeforachangeinthisworld.Weneededanopportunity,an
opportunitycame.Weneededaleader,andIamhere.Nowweneedchange!............and
changeiswhatwehaverightherepeople.Weneedfreedom,andfreedomiswaitingforus
upahead.Now.Brothersandsistersletusleavebehindwhatweknewandlookforwardto

thefreedomawaitingus!Riseletusgo!

Thecrowdwentcrazyandpeoplechanted,theychantedachantoffreedom.Wetook
offoutoftheoutskirts.Icametothefrontofthecrowdandlookedahead.WhenIlooked
aheadIsawhopethatIhadneverseenbefore.Itwasmymistake,soIamheretofixit.
Thesearemypeople,andnowIwillleadthemtofreedom.Thoughmyfamilyisdead,my
truefamilystandsrightbeforeme.ThepeopleIloveandknow.Thepeopleofthecity.