Hidden Freedom | Teen Ink

Hidden Freedom

October 7, 2009
By Inkling BRONZE, Cape Coral, Florida
Inkling BRONZE, Cape Coral, Florida
4 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Lying in wait among the tall grasses in the middle of an open field, Adler crouched low. He cursed softly under his breath as another fly buzzed in his ear, attracted to the sweat rolling in rivulets down his toned body. He had been crouched there for at least three hours. Adler breathed deeply without disturbing a single blade of grass, knowing that any motion made on his part would alert the tracker to his position. Again, he silently cursed, but he knew better than to let his situation push him to move too early. He was a pro after all. He had maintained the same position for over three hours, yet he still felt the Hunter’s eyes on him, searching for his exact location to make the kill.
They were in at an impasse, neither willing to make the first move; however, Adler had not been sitting idle waiting for the ax to fall. He moved his finger infinitesimally, setting off a trap laid long ago for just this moment. A hundred yards to the northwest, several blades of grass moved subtly, yet definitely in the field. An instant later, three arrows sprouted from the ground. Adler mentally took note as he sprinted in the direction of the hunter. The angle of the arrows had told him exactly what he wanted to know. It wasn’t good news.
He had misjudged the distance between them. Completely perfect for the Hunter’s long range attacks. He hated long range fighters. Adler could feel the Hunter’s eyes trained on his rapid and sporadic movement. At the moment the hunter cocked his next arrow Adler was still out in the open, an easy target. Adler’s eyes widened, processing every motion in his line of vision, taking in the weapon shooting towards him. He crouched and dove to the right, the arrow nicking his left arm. No matter. He was safer now in the cover of the trees. Adler loped in a wide circle, keeping the Hunter’s frustrated presence always to his right. Coming up right behind him would be foolish and deadly. Adler checked every movement, making each precise and clean. His enemy would try to get the highest vantage point in the trees closest to the open field to pick off his prey from above. What an amateur.
Adler was so close he could actually see his enemy in surprising detail. Tan, thick build with bulging arms. He had several arrows still in his arsenal. Not that it mattered. Adler was too close for him to use it again and the Hunter’s attention focused solely on the open field, feverishly searching for the prey no longer there. Another stupid and costly mistake. Adler weighed his own weapon in his hand, the only one he was allowed. He thought it rather crude, but he didn’t make the rules. His enemy’s dark skin stood out in the muted green surroundings, a living beacon directing his perfect aim. Adler always won. This Game was no different. Adler reached down into his worn sneakers for the pebble that had chaffed his heel for the last five hours. He had only one shot, but that was all he needed. Placing the pebble just so in his slingshot, Adler slowly pulled the thick rubber back and released. It shot through the woods and hit the Hunter square on the temple. With a loud grunt, the hunter fell from his perch and lay still. Adler stepped out cautiously from his position. It wouldn’t be the first time that a hunter was faking. Once sure of his enemy’s unconscious state, Adler slowly made his way to the Hunter and bent down to reach for his ankle band. The moment his hand touched it, a familiar voice boomed out across the field.

Congratulations Prey. You keep your life for one more day. Please return to the Pen. You have five minutes before your collar detonates.

Adler heaved a sigh and rolled his shoulders. He spared another glance at the fallen Hunter and began to sprint back. He was at least seven minutes away from the Pen and the Owners knew it. They always cut the return time close, as if the victors didn’t have enough on their minds. Another day down and payment received for surviving a Game. All of it went to the ultimate goal: freedom. He knew exactly how much he still had to pay to gain it. In the end, if they didn’t keep their word, he had a trap for that, too. Adler squared his shoulders and set his sights on the Pen’s looming gates. He wouldn’t let his situation push him to move too early. He was a pro after all.

The author's comments:
I hope that people will see that even something that seems impossible can be attainable. The means to get there may be hidden, but the drive must always be there to succeed, even if it takes time.

Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 14 comments.


on Aug. 17 2011 at 1:57 pm
emilybwrites SILVER, Villa Hills, Kentucky
5 articles 0 photos 112 comments

Favorite Quote:
last night i lay in bed, looking up at the stars and i thought to myself, where the heck is the ceiling?

this was really great! btw i have a new poem out and i really want everyone to see it and tell me what they think of it!!! its called "the others" please check it out!

Inkling BRONZE said...
on Nov. 26 2010 at 10:17 pm
Inkling BRONZE, Cape Coral, Florida
4 articles 0 photos 20 comments
Thanks so much! Please read the next chapter and see what you think!

bobhot6 BRONZE said...
on Nov. 26 2010 at 9:55 pm
bobhot6 BRONZE, Irvington, New Jersey
3 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
To wish to be someone else is to waste the person you are.

Questions! Questions! I want to ask so many of them! For the writer, I'm sure this is a good sign. Great stuff!

Inkling BRONZE said...
on Sep. 23 2010 at 10:16 pm
Inkling BRONZE, Cape Coral, Florida
4 articles 0 photos 20 comments
Hi guys! Just to let you know I've posted the next installment of Adler's story. It's called Hidden Freedom Part 2. Let me know what you think of it!

on Jul. 17 2010 at 8:09 pm
Great job. Very interesting.

on May. 12 2010 at 9:43 pm
CanYouSeeTheCrazy PLATINUM, Cle Elum, Washington
21 articles 0 photos 125 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I know why everyone in this world is so desperate to find love."
"Oh yeah? Why then?"
"Because, it's the closest thing we have to magic."

i totally agree with the other two, this is amazing, and i want to know more! scratch that, i NEED to know more! i would buy this book in an instant, no joke about it.

Inkling BRONZE said...
on Dec. 23 2009 at 3:58 pm
Inkling BRONZE, Cape Coral, Florida
4 articles 0 photos 20 comments
Gosh guys, that means a lot! I hadn't thought of continuing it since it came to me in the spur of the moment, but I'll consider Adler's future now thanks to you guys. It might take some time since I've been super busy lately, but I'll try! Thanks for your awesome comments!

on Dec. 19 2009 at 10:17 am
dragonfan SILVER, Arcidia, Indiana
9 articles 1 photo 213 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Death truly makes an artist"

i would too =)

on Dec. 18 2009 at 8:09 pm
...PensiveGurl... PLATINUM, Aurora, Colorado
20 articles 0 photos 267 comments

Favorite Quote:
You get ideas from daydreaming. You get ideas from being bored. You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we're doing it- Neil Gaiman.
Who are you to be who you are?-Le'Na Pernell

I agree! If you made a book, I would SO read it! >.<

on Nov. 17 2009 at 2:53 pm
dragonfan SILVER, Arcidia, Indiana
9 articles 1 photo 213 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Death truly makes an artist"

this is so interesting do you think you could write more??? I'm sure people would love it =)

on Nov. 17 2009 at 11:42 am
I was very impressed. So beautifully written I read it twice.

After all you are a pro. Good Job!

jr123 said...
on Nov. 16 2009 at 8:46 pm
One word W.O.W. that was excellent, you did a very good job

Be Brezz said...
on Nov. 16 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hi, this is Sam, very nice! I would never write something like this, you are way above my level. Keep it up! !

MrDA said...
on Nov. 9 2009 at 5:40 pm
Excellent work! The discovery of hidden abilities can allow us to reach the highest moutain peaks.