As Edan ran through the forest jumping over rocks and logs, he didn’t notice his splintered and bloodied feet. Running as fast as he could, which wasn’t really fast because he was wasn’t very strong. He had always been weaker than other people and much smaller than other boys. He was 17 now and had realized that he wasn’t going to get any bigger, He was short, slender, beautiful like a girl. His hair was dark and long like his slender gentle hands.

He kept running into the woods hoping they would give up and go back to the village but he knew them wouldn’t. “Aggghh” Eden yelled as he tripped and fell to the floor twisting his ankle. He tried to pick himself up, his weak and tired body failed him as fell back down to the floor. Tears started to fall down his cheeks as he drowned in his dark thoughts and despair.   They are going to catch me. They’ll find me and sacrifice me to their sick god. Fuck, I don’t want to die like that.No.Stop,common Eden get up you can do it.     He wiped off his tears and, holding on to the tree behind him slowly worked his way into a standing position. He winced in pain when he stood on his twisted ankle.

He could see the dim lights of torches approaching from behind and started to walk forward despite his pain and exhaustion. Damn it!   he thought, trying to go faster, as the sounds of voices reached ears. Terror was grabbing at him, while he stumbled along going as fast as he could. They were right behind him now, their words clear.

Edan decided to hide in a crevice between a log and boulder, they’d catch him for sure if he kept walking. He sat silently waiting while the villagers over the boiler and past him. A piece of the boulder was painfully rubbing his arm, so Edan shifted not realizing that as he did so a large stick fell to the ground because of the movement.

The stick fell loudly to the ground and Edan gasped in horror. Everyone stopped and someone started to chuckle. At first, it was low and quite turning into hysterical laughter that shook Edan. Edan stiffed so as not to make a sound, but then the laughing man jumped right in front of the crevice where he was. Edan let out a scream as the man lunged at him dragging him out And shouting” I’ve found him, I’ve found him! “ still laughing.” No! Stop it! Let me go, please!” Edan sobbed as the man tried to take him back to the village, while Edan fought with all the strength he had left. The man grew angry, beating him until he no longer moved.

No, no I wanted to see the ocean once more. I ..I want to live. He thought as he slipped into unconsciousness, while the men dragged him back to the village.