Fiction On Odyssey: Running Away
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Fiction On Odyssey: Running Away

An excerpt from a longer work in which a young boy cloaked in tragedy pursues a twisted goal.

17
water

All the boy could do was run.

No one was chasing him. He knew this. He understood this. He had no reason to be running as fast as he was, or to even be running at all, but his legs had begun to move before his mind could come up with a better plan, so now he had no choice but to keep running. To get as far away as possible.

It took all of the remaining strength he had not to look back.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been running when it started to rain. It may have been minutes, it may have been hours, it may have been a lifetime. The only thing he was certain of was that it was raining, and he was cold, and his muscles were screaming in pain, and he wanted nothing more than to curl up in a cozy bed and fall asleep for an eternity. But then he would dream. Even blinking brought up memories of what he was leaving behind, flashes of contorted faces and horrified screams.

Was that why he was running? To get away from them? No, it was more than that. He was running because he had to. He was running because he didn't know what he'd do with himself if he didn't. There was nothing left for him there. He'd made sure of that. Tears began to burn in the corners of his eyes, but he quickly shut them and shook his head. Now wasn't the time to break down. He refused to break down, to give them that satisfaction. He didn't regret what he'd done...right?

Yes. No. He wasn't sure. Would he change his mind tomorrow? If he could, would he go back to the way things were?

He didn't have time to answer that question before he felt the world slip from his fingers. His foot slid out from under him out of nowhere — a puddle, of course. Rain. As he fell, he found himself reaching out for a hand, a hand he knew wouldn't be there and yet sought after regardless. His fingertips were met with nothing but air, and he let out a ragged yell as he fell face-first to the ground.

It hurt. It hurt a lot. His muscles roared with a pain unlike any he had ever felt before. A part of him wanted to stay there, to stay motionless on the muddy ground until he washed away with the rain. No one would miss him. Perhaps the world would be better off without him in it.

Something warm grazed against his cheek. He'd felt it for a while, fading and then returning every so often, and he instinctively lifted his hand to examine it. Just before he could touch it, though, he recoiled. It was a tear. He hadn't even realized it until then, but he was crying. How long had he been crying? Why was he crying? Were the tears for himself? Were they for what he was running away from? For the home it had once been, or for the nightmare it had become?

He had to keep running. No matter how tired he was, how desperately he wanted to stop, giving up was not an option. His power - gift or curse - must have been given to him for a reason. Perhaps that reason was to fix the world. To fix the humans, to erase their hungry gazes and greedy hands always reaching for more while never settling on what they had. Was that his mission? Was that what he was running towards?

His mother and father had yearned for riches so badly that they let it consume them. He'd given them what they wanted. What they deserved. Maybe it was the rest of humanity's turn to get what they deserved.

Through gritted teeth, he forced his way off of the ground and rose to his feet. The rain pounded on him, desperate to force him back to the dirt, but he refused. He'd found his calling. No longer would he run away. Now, he was running towards something. Towards his purpose. Greed would be humanity's downfall. By his hand he would liberate the world and pave the way for a new, golden era.

Until then, all the boy could do was run.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

17391
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

946290
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123000
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments