The first shot was felt, more than heard, at the front of the column.  Jared and Raphael, walking toward the rear of the group were under no illusions.  It was a gun shot, sure as **** and a tremor of fear raced down Jared's spine.

"Rafe, I know what that was but I ain't gonna turn around to confirm my suspicions," said Jared.  Rafe had already confirmed his suspicions.

"****, man, one of them ****' mounted guards just killed a guy.  Blew the back of his ****' head off, man!"

"****, man," stammered Jared,"what the **** is going on, man?"

Rafe had turned completely around and was walking backward, "I don't know, man, but I count about 30 guards on horseback, now.  If ya ask me, they's just lookin' for someone to ****' shoot!"

"Rafe?  Rafe?"  Rafe turned around and Jared grabbed him by the shoulder, pulling him close.  He leaned over and with his mouth next to Raphael's ear, he whispered, "Rafe, I read a book a long time ago.  It was a bunch of short stories by a famous horror writer.  I don't remember the ****'s name, man, but one of those stories was about kids walkin until they ****' couldn't walk anymore and when they couldn't, these dudes would blow 'em the **** away.  Man, this is so ****' weird, man...just like that ****' story I read, man."

"Come on, Jared.  The ****' guvment ain't gonna go and just start killin' legitimate prisoners what ain't even thinkin' about escapin'!  ****, man....get away from me."

Raphael pushed Jared a little to the side and then, recalling that Jared was the only friend he had, he siddled back over to walk next him.  Jared looked pissed so Raphael said, "OK, man...so, how did that ****' story of yours end?"

"It wasn't my story, **** for brains...and it ended...well, it ended with one sorry **** being the only one alive at the end of that walk!"

"Oh, ****, Jared....you don't really think...."  Raphael was  spooked and interrupted by a horse suddenly appearing next to him.  Rafe and Jared looked up to see a guard, sunshades covering his eyes but you just knew those eyes were the devil's own; lookin down at them. 

As if in slow motion his mouth opened and in a grating voice said, "This is your first and last warning.  No talking.  Keep walking."