[ CW ] Write yourself into a corner .

“ Quickly, to the hills! ” the town leader yells, the gates of the town had been smashed open and orcs ran freely through the streets, hunting and killing as they pleased. The town guard were gone and all I had was my father ’ s rusting sword and the bundle of rags that held my brother, wailing at the noise like all babies do. 
 
 I try to keep up with the leader but the adults break ahead of me, more concerned about themselves than for a pair of orphaned children. With no choice I change direction heading for the river, if I can cross it I might get away. Diving through the trees outside of town I pick my way by moonlight until I hit the river. A brief hesitation and a moment to bundle my brother up so the rags wouldn ’ t tumble away I stride into the river, ignoring the biting cold and the tug of the water. 
 
 Half way across and im having to hold my brother above my head so the water doesn ’ t take him. Behind me I can hear the sloshing and yells of at least one orc chasing me. Somehow I don ’ t drown and my brother perhaps knowing our lives are in danger quiets down. Some how I make my way onto the other bank and risk a look back. The orcs are in the middle of the river, I count 5 swords and three heads. 
 
 Three seconds I waste picking a route. I choose to run down river, it gets rocky there and I might be able to lose them. For three hours I run, I run until the sun is up and my feet are bleeding. I can hear them calling to me, the orcs can run for days. They know they can kill me when they want and how they want. 
 
 They want me to fear them when they kill me. They want brother to scream as they kill him. I don ’ t want that. I turn left into the river. It flows shallow and fast here. A quarter way across I see three stones, big enough to hide behind 
 
 Wading in I slip on moss stones and drop brother, scrambling I grab him as he squeals. Cant hid now. Back onto the stones and into the trees I quickly loose where I ’ m going, the sound of brother in my ears and the pounding of dirt on my feet. Looking back I catch a glimpse of grey chasing me through the green. Looking forwards I see empty air. I stop, there is no left, no right. Only down or orc. 

