Page 22 of Invaluable

18

Sara

The stompof their boots in pursuit of me shook the earth, ringing in my ears like a repetitive bad dream. My shins burned but I pushed through the pain, running for my life. I had a bit of a lead on them since they weren’t in the best shape, but that lead was shrinking by the second. They were going to hunt me down like an animal and shred me to pieces. Breathing hurt. Hell, everything hurt. I wanted the dirt to open up, create a hiding place for me, swallow my body until they passed. Still, I kept going. The stars illuminated a mountain in the distance. If only I could make it to that mountain, I would have a chance. I could shield myself until they gave up finding me. But even if I succeeded, would I succumb to the elements? Would I be able to be rescued? It was a chance I had to take. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t try. I would not die freely.

My strides grew bigger. All those months training to be a cheerleader had been worth it. I flashed back to my daily runs on the track at SDSU, complaining about the heat messing up my hair, or the harsh sun on my skin. Every run I had made prepared me for this dash of my life. My pace was steady and fast. These men surely couldn’t be in as good shape as I was. They were medium built; some would say thin. But they lacked muscle and endurance. Their only advantage was their lungs were used to the high altitudes and mine were most surely not. I was spoiled by the San Diego sunshine and the crisp sea-level air. I forced myself to breathe through my fear and kept running. I was used to the long distance. It was what I excelled at in track.

As I ran, a false sense of security passed over me. They would never catch me, I would be able to hide out and await rescue, these fools would never take me alive. I psyched myself up for the race of mylife.

The sound of their boots faded and I was more confident in my victory. I could see the base of the mountain ahead and a few feet farther back appeared to be some type of cave. A few more steps, a few more breaths and I would make it. I was thin enough to blend in, or at least I hopedso.

My left foot pounded into the ground and without warning I heard a terrible crack. My ankle gave out under me and I collapsed onto thedirt.

A sharp pain radiated through my body. I was so close. I summoned every ounce of strength and pulled myself to my feet. Not now. Not when I was so close to safety.

Dammit—that goddam rock had now cost me precious seconds. I hobbled forward, my pace slowed, willing myself to just keep running, no matter how great the pain. The irony dawned on me that a day ago this injury would’ve gutted me for potentially ruining my dancing career, yet now my only concern was saving my life, even if there was permanent damage. How trivial my former concerns seemed to menow.

A few more paces and I could hear the rhythm of the boots getting closer.

A gun shot rang out into the night. I instinctively dodged, praying the bullet wasn’t flying towardme.

No, I can do this. I will make it. I won’t be taken.

I could feel him behind me. Closer, so close his hot breath blew on my neck. No!

Whack!

The back of a gun smacked me across the head, instantly knocking me to the ground. My head ached like crazy. But that was the least of my problems.

“You whore!” Crazy Eyes barked.

He pointed the gun to my head. I had no choice. I wanted to live. And I would do anything to survive. If I kept him talking I could buy myself more time, and maybe a bit of sympathy.

“No, please,” I begged, forcing myself to kneel in front of him. “I’m sorry. Please, don’t kill me. I promise I’ll be good. I’ll behave.”

The crushing pain in my head enveloped my body. And the pressure in my ankle shot straight up my leg. But I refused tocry.

“Please!” I reached out and grabbed his leg. “I’m yours. I’ll do as you say. I’ll do anything youask.”