U N T I T L E D Robert
Kearney
“Hey, come back here. Kid, I need that sword back.” I laugh while running away from security guards. My name is Kyrin West and when I grow up, I will be the greatest swordsman in this wasteland. “Damn this kid’s fast. But I’m faster—gotcha kid.’’ “Let go of me right now!” I said. “You’re going back to your cell,” the security guard said. As I get thrown back into my cell, I smell something and it’s not the “usual smell.” The wasteland usually smells like a forest with the hint of a dead water rat. But now, it smells like . . . gas. Pungent gas. “Everyone get back in your cells, this smell is The Paradox,” the security guards screamed. Wait, is The Paradox true? I’ve heard stories about it when guards were conversing. It’s a deadly gas, and if you inhale it, it closes up your lungs. You struggle to breathe. We’ve been avoiding it for years but it’s finally caught up to us. “Wait, Roy is still out there guys, let me out!” I scream. “We can’t let anyone out when The Paradox is near, that’s protocol.” I have to think of a plan and fast before Roy gets caught in The Paradox. “I have to use the bathroom.” “Kid, turn around—there’s a toilet behind you.” Okay, I can admit that wasn’t one of my best ideas, but I had to try. Wait a minute. I think I’m skinny enough to slip through the bars. Before I try, I need something to distract the guards. 177
