Escape

Escape(Joseph Logsdon) Escape
By Joseph Logsdon
Randy Newman had been in prison for 10 long years. Throughout his troubled life, Randy had been isolated from everyone around him. Eventually, Randy snapped and murdered his teacher and classmates. He felt betrayed, angry, and desperate. He wanted to kill himself. However, Randy was captured before he could end his life. After 10 years, Randy still felt isolated. In Randy’s mind, society had betrayed him and everyone like him.
Randy hated the fact that he was forced to stay in his jail cell. Like most prisoners, Randy felt a deep sense of regret. He never wanted to murder anyone, but the time for forgiveness had passed him by. When Randy got bored, he would talk to his roommate. Like Randy, James Griffin had murdered many people. Despite his criminal background, James was a kind and loving man. He never complained, not even when other prisoners harassed him. During their time in prison, James and Randy had become very close friends. Unfortunately, their friendship was about to come to an end.
Randy had been thinking about escaping from prison for many years. Despite his hatred for mankind, Randy wanted to see the world one last time. As time passed, an escape plan began to form in Randy’s mind. He wanted freedom, but he would need help to secure that freedom. It was late at night when Randy finally decided to tell James about his plan.
“James, are you awake?” Randy asked.
At first, Randy herd no reply from James. The chamber was dark, cold, and damp. Like a corpse, the air was rotten and dead. Everything was a threat, including James. Randy wanted to trust James, but he could never be sure of his loyalty. In the end, Randy was acting out of desperation.
“James, are you awake?” Randy asked again.
“What do you want?” James mumbled in a tired voice.
“Do you ever think about escaping from this place?”
“Everyone wants to escape from this place, Randy.”
“What if I told you that I could get us out of here?”
“Randy, don’t even think about it.”
“James, I have it all figured out.”
“I’m certain of that, but it won’t work.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’ve seen men die trying to escape from here. I know you think you have it figured out, but it won’t work.”
“You would like to think that, wouldn’t you?” Randy exclaimed.
“Randy, I don’t want to see you get hurt,” James replied.
“I won’t get hurt, not if you help me.”
“How can I help you?”
“You can help me climb the fence,” Randy answered.
“Are you insane?”
“They can’t get both of us at the same time, James.”
“What do you mean?”
“You and I will climb the fence at the same time. I know it sounds risky, but it will work.”
“You can’t be sure of that,” James replied.
“I’m not, but what choice do I have?”
“You can choose to live, can’t you?”
“Buddy, I wouldn’t call this living. James, I don’t want to die in here. When I was a young man, the world seemed dark and depressing. It is still dark and depressing, but I have learned the value of life. I want freedom, James. Can you give that to me?”
“I feel for you, I really do. However, I can’t risk my own life for the small chance that I’ll somehow make it out alive. You understand, don’t you?”
“I guess this is goodbye, James.”
“What do you mean?”
“I will be climbing the fence tomorrow.”
“You’re doing it without me?” James asked.
“I have to,” Randy answered.
Daylight came swiftly as Randy prepared for his escape. After several hours, the prisoners were released into the prison yard. Randy was nervous, anxious, and terrified. At first, he didn’t make an attempt to climb the fence. He was waiting for the guards to feel relaxed and confident. Suddenly and without warning, James put his hand on Randy’s shoulder.
“What are you doing?” Randy asked.
“I’m coming with you,” James replied.
“What changed your mind?”
“Like you, I don’t want to die in here.”
“Fair enough,” Randy replied.
Without further hesitation, Randy and James ran towards the fence. At first, the guards didn’t even notice that two prisoners were heading for the exit. By the time they realized what had happened, James and Randy were climbing the fence. Suddenly, the guards fired their guns at James and Randy.
“We’re almost to the top,” Randy exclaimed.
“I can't believe you made me do this!” James shouted as the bullets headed towards them.
After several seconds, Randy had reached the top of the fence.
“We did it, James!” Randy shouted.
“I’ve been shot,” James replied.
Randy looked down and saw his friend bleeding. In that moment, he realized that James would never make it.
“I’m sorry, James.”
“Don’t leave me,” James pleaded.
“Buddy, I have to leave you,” Randy replied.
Randy climbed over the fence as the guards came closer. After several seconds, James let go of the fence. Within moments, the guards had his broken body surrounded. Randy wanted to look back, but he couldn’t bear to see the look on his friend’s face. From that day on, Randy Newman was a fugitive.
Escape