"Say yes or I'll kill you."

Leering eyes that fit the words.

"No! Dren, say no! Just-" 

A gunshot. And then a word.

"Yes."

Before

"Leo, we can't keep going. Look at Chel. She's going to pass out soon." I said tiredly.

"Better she pass out then they catch us. Here, Chel, want a ride?" He coaxed. Chel tiredly let herself be lifted, a look a fear in her eyes.

A look that was in all our eyes, and never left.

We plodded on, daring not to speak again. Our pursuers were gaining on us.

"Leo, there's no chance of escaping quietly. Run!" I screamed when the tip of a car came around the bend.

Leo responded in running. The rest of us, Mel, Lox, Mart, and Devel hurried after us.

My name is Dren. And this is everyday life for me.

I have no idea how I've survived to turn fifteen. How any of us survived. Especially when Leo and I were young- I can't remember to back then, but somehow we managed. The rest we found over the years, and now we have a clan of seven. We have no goal, except to survive. Because in a world where children are hunted and killed, that's your only option.

Leo and I have spoken about what to do when we turn eighteen. That's the legal age of adulthood- but since we weren't legal in the first place, joining society might be a bad idea. Especially since we'd have to abandon the rest of the clan.

Our footfalls crunch against the fall leaves. Chel is wide awake on Leo's back, but she stays there since her little nine-year old legs are no match against the cars.

And neither are ours. You'd think we would be caught, but Leo and I have developed an escape pattern over the years to fool the adults. It works pretty well. We've had a lot of close calls, but somehow, all of us have survived.

I ran faster. We zigzagged and swerved. Leo ducked us onto  another path. It didn't work. 

On and on. My legs grew tired. The cars grew closer... and closer...and then

Arms suddenly pulled me away into a tree.