After completing half a lap, I realize that I’m falling behind. Several guys overtake me, and a wave of terror begins to well in my chest. I can already envision myself kneeling in front of Gabriel, begging him to spare my life as he presses the gun into my forehead. I can’t let it happen. Panicking, I increase my speed, sprinting past a few others. I already know that the pace is too fast for me, but I can’t make myself slow. I’m running scared. Our group completes the first lap, when my injured knee suddenly starts aching.
“Come on!” Gabriel yells. “Faster! Go, go, go!”
My leg is killing me. It feels like something inside my knee is about to tear apart. I panic even more, anxiety overtaking me. I’m losing my breath, sucking in air in painful loud wheezes. I have to stop or at least slow down. But I can’t do it, not just yet.
Amy is still running beside me, her breathing easy and stride smooth. Topaz and Martha are now pulling away, and I realize I’m slowing Amy down. She doesn’t seem to want to leave me behind, running slower than she really can. I know I must increase my speed but I have no energy to do so. Samantha runs on my left, red-faced and also breathing heavily.
“Who wants to get one between the eyes?” Gabriel threatens, pointing his gun at our group as we pass by.
The last lap! I’m desperate. I can’t keep up the pace, slowing now and gasping for air. My throat closes, messing up my breathing even more. My entire body is in pain and I feel like I’m about to pass out. Amy throws a panicked glance my direction as we fall further behind. Only Logan’s friend, the one who bothered us on the beach, and Samantha are still running even remotely close by.
“I’m so sorry,” Amy sobs, taking off and leaving me alone in her wake.
I push myself harder, trying to keep pace with her. But I’m too tired. Logan’s friend also increases his speed, putting some distance between us. Samantha and I are now running head to head, and we’re the last two runners.
She suddenly shoves me, knocking me off balance. I stumble and nearly fall. By the time I regain my balance, she’s already moved several yards ahead. I follow, running as fast as I can, which is clearly not fast enough.
I’m losing. I’m going to die. It’s all over.
The realization sets in and I have a strong desire to just give up, because there’s no point in running any further. No matter what I do, I won’t be able to overtake anybody. But some part of me holds onto the senseless hope that I’ll still somehow survive, so I continue running. I watch as Samantha passes Logan’s friend, and realize he’s struggling as well. Maybe this is my chance. Maybe I can still outrun him.
It’s too late. I can see the finish line. I sprint faster than I thought possible, but the guy is still ahead. Everything becomes a blurry haze as tears fill my eyes. And then something strange happens. About fifty yards from the finish, he stumbles and falls. I run past him, disbelieving my good fortune. It’s something surreal. He scrambles back to his feet, desperately sprinting, but I’ve already crossed the finish line.
And suddenly, the race is over. Groaning and sobbing, I kneel on the ground. My lungs hurt. The world swirls around me. I see faces, hear voices but can’t comprehend anything. All sounds seem muffled and objects blurred, as if being underwater. I’ve survived, the first thought comes to mind. I’m not last. I won’t be killed.
Amy puts her arms around me, crying. “I’m so sorry I left you behind! Please forgive me!”
I just stare blankly at her.
“It’s not my fault, master!” the guy exclaims behind me. “I’m faster than her. I know I stumbled but I’m faster.”
“I know,” Gabriel sighs. “I saw everything. And I do find it unfair, believe me.”
“Please, master. I’m a good runner. I’m hardworking.”
“You shouldn’t have fallen. I truly wish you hadn’t done that. It was a really bad decision to fall right before the finish.”
I turn around. The guy is kneeling on the ground with Gabriel holding a gun to his head. The other racers stand aside, eyes downcast.
“I’m sorry,” Gabriel says. “You’re fast and much better than the girl who outran you. But you don’t leave me any choice. I did promise to kill the last runner. So I’d be a liar should I spare your miserable life.” He frowns. “Do you think I’m a liar? Answer me!”
“No, master,” the guy mutters, fully on his hands and knees now. “You’re not a liar.”
“I’m glad you understand what has to be done.”
I watch in a daze as Gabriel fires the weapon and the guy collapses onto the ground. I hear a few astonished sobs. Somebody screams, probably Martha or Topaz. I also want to yell, but know better. I cover my mouth instead. A few days ago I really hated this guy now lying on the ground, but right now I feel like crying for him.
Gabriel slowly approaches me.
“Back away from her,” he orders, firing a shot above Amy’s head.
Amy gulps, scooting away from me. I sit on the ground, slack and defenseless.
“Just look what I had to do on your behalf,” Gabriel says, pointing at the body. “This boy was a better runner than you, yet I had to kill him. He took your bullet. How are you going to live with that?”
I look up at him.
“Why aren’t you answering?” he spits. “I asked a question and yet you choose to remain silent? What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t you
