A Stroke Of Originality

“Ezzy, listen to me. Your father and I are going to get you out of here, but you have to run as fast as you can. You understand?” Toni asked.

“But, Mom. I can’t leave here without you. I’m not strong enough to survive out there.” Ezzy protested.

“You are, and you will do just fine,” Toni reassured.

Tears rained from Ezzy’s eyes, and her mother embraced her for the last time.

“Ezzy, you are strong. You just have to believe it, there’s no limit to what you can do. You didn’t survive this long because of us, you survived this long because of yourself. We’ve taught you everything we know, now use it, and survive as long as you can.” Toni assured.

Ezzy stared at her dad, who gave her a smile. 

“You remember what we taught you? Use that to get out of here. Close your eyes but count the steps, remember the way, and do your best.” Ezzy’s father advised as she ran into his arms.

Marc gave Toni a nod when he heard the guard coming and moved his daughter to the side of their cell.

“Stay hidden until we clear the guards out, then you run as fast as you can. We love you Ezzy, make it out of here.” Marc whispered. “And remember, no matter what you see, don’t make a sound. You run out of here as soon as things look clear, and don’t look back.”

Toni leaned on the wall and started to scream, and the guard came running to the door.

“What’s going on in there!” the guard yelled.

“He’s killing me!” Toni yelled.

They could hear the guard rattling his keys as he tried to quickly open the door. When the door finally opened, Marc swiftly grabbed the guard lifting him off the ground by his neck and thrust his head towards the wall, knocking him unconscious. Toni caught one of the other guards by surprise when she came running out of the prison cell, leaping onto him, clawing at his face. The third guard quickly pressed a button around his neck, sounding the alarm throughout the prison. Marc charged at him shortly after, and his the corner of his eye, he could see Ezzy run out of the cell. That’s my girl, he thought as more guards came running down the hall. With a smile on his face, Marc charged at all of the guards, throwing his body at them as they pierced him with swords. Still, he Marc stood firm as the blood drained from his body.

“Knock him down!” A guard yelled.

Toni ran behind him, holding his body up as they struck her with their spears. Slowly the life drained from their bodies.

“Check the cell, make sure there are no more crazies in there.” The guard commander ordered. “Were they on a suicide mission?” he asked out loud.

“It’s clear, sir,” The guard yelled.

“Get these bodies to the burn pit and prep the cell for more prisoners.” The commander bellowed.

Cheers erupted from the other prison cells as the commander started to walk away.

“What the hell…” he muttered. “Everyones going crazy in here, no food for any of them for the rest of the day.” said the commander as he left the prison area.