FREEDOM.

His feet ached--terribly so. With each pound into the sticks and earth he winced with pain. The air in his lungs was stale and brief...his heart beat on and on. A drum in his chest. Salty sweat made lines along his face's curve and his eyes were wide with terror. He ran on.

"Don't look back." The man told himself.

"Keep running..." The man told himself.

And he could hear others snaking through the trees along their own routes. Rushing toward an unknown. Running. For running's sake.

His knees wouldn't give out.

His panting unwavering.

The hooves grew closer. He knew the fate of a caught man. He knew the fate of a listless wanderer.

The hounds drew nearer.

A cry in the dark.

A body hit the ground.

A scream pierced the night and struck out at the watchful moon.

But the man ran on.

Maybe to freedom.