The skies where dark and gloomy of an on coming storm. Thunder could be heard from a distance as FEMA camp prisoners where escorted to their quarantined cell blocks. All of them looking like walking skeletons and their skin looked as if it where made of leather. The patches of fur that was still left on them where matted with sweat and blood. All with pain and fear in their eyes. The guards escorted them to their cells, whipping and beating any if they fell behind. But what the guards didn't noticed was that their where three prisoners missing. The three where hiding between two silver storage buildings, just out of sight of cameras and guards.

"How do you guys plan on getting us out of this Insane Asylum? I mean, this ain't no Bora Bora but I'd rather stay here and wait for a better chance of escape than to be killed."

said a young, bracken colored squirrel named Maximus. He was a very weak, scrawny, and paranoid kid, just in his early 20's. He had large patches of missing fur and scars going across his back from the guards' harsh punishments. He'd been brought in at the age of 8 after the government took over and killed his family along with thousands of others. He squatted their, covered in matts of blood and mud in his fur with the look of fear in his eyes as he starred at his companions.

"Don't worry bud, we'll get out. And hopefully help the others escape too."

Maximus looked at his friend Rhino, a large skunk. He was neon yellow and black, very well built for a prisoner. He'd played football as a part-time hobby, along with a full-time job as a tattoo artist. Well, before the dark days. But as confident as he sounded he was a little weary about the plan himself. He looked to the figure at his left.

"What now our Sonic?"

He said to the figure to his right. He was covered in shaggy, blood stained, blue quills and scars. He'd been their the longest. He was one of the original members of the first resistance group that had revolted against the government. A Freedom Fighter. He had a small appearance but a violent and short-tempered personality. His muscles rippled through his arms as he chuckled,

"Heh. Be patient. We gotta wait for the right moment, and when it comes... Don't fuck up. We only have one chance. If we get caught they'll kill us for sure."

He said. His voice was rough like sandpaper and his face was stern without emotion. Not like what he use to be before the Illuminati days. But every golden age comes to an end. Life changed, nowhere was safe, and the whole world had gone to hell. Life as a prisoner made him a tough, belligerent character. He was also confident, especially in his plan of escape. He'd been planing this escape since day one 15 years ago. The only problem now was if it would actually work.

"We only have two minuets to get across the yard and through the three fences. That's how long it usually takes for the guards to switch shifts. I was able to put holes under the fences directly in front of us so it shouldn't be too hard to find the way out. I'll go first to make sure it's all clear. When I give the signal, you run as fast as you can to the fence. Don't stop. Don't turn back."

Maximus and Rhino nodded in agreement, both still doubting there friends plan. Sonic ran out to the middle of the field, looking everywhere as he went. The watchtowers where empty and the searchlights hadn't been turned on yet, just as he predicted and the other prisoners had just been put in their sells. He waved his hand in a signaling motion and his companions ran for the fence. Mud splashed on their legs and sucked their feet into the ground a few inches. The fence was covered in razor wire and barbs, almost impossible to climb. They made their way to the fence, slogging through the mud to their destination. Once they'd gotten there, their was a small opening between the fence and ground just big enough for them to slide through but small enough for nobody to notice at a distance.

"Alright Rhino, you go first. You have broader shoulders. Then Max."

Rhino wriggled as he struggled to crawl under the fence. Then Max went, making it with ease because of is small body. Then Sonic, going through with somewhat of a struggle. They ran 200 yards to the next fence. The second fence was slightly lower then the first so it was harder to get through. Like the last, this fence was covered in barbs and razor wire. Max went first this time, slightly struggling but getting under quick, Sonic went next as he aspired to get to the last fence. As hope raised in their chests, it dropped at the agonizing howl of Rhino. They turned to their caterwauling friend to see him at the arms of a guard. The watchtower guard that just got off his shift was holding Rhino with a gun to his head.

"Stop what you're doing or I'll blast his brains all over the ground!"

He yelled. Rhino struggled to get free.

"RUN! KEEP GOING! YOU STILL HAVE TIME! JUST GO!"

Rhino barked. Realizing he'd made a premature decision on their escape, Sonic and Max ran. He squirmed free and head butted the guard. But as he turned to run for his friends a bullet went through his throat. Blood gushed from his mouth and bullet wound as he fell to the ground gurgling. The life quickly slipped from his body and his breathing slowed to a stop. Max stood in shock as he stared at his friend quickly dying before his eyes. Sonic grabbed him and shoved him under the fence. His fur snagged on the fence and yanked from his skin, leaving it red and sensitive. But he didn't care, he hardly realized what was going on. He turned back to look at Rhino, the blood ran like a thick waterfall out of his wounded throat, staining the grass red. Then Sonic scurried under the fence before the guard had time to get him. Sonic bumped Max, knocking him back into reality, he panicked and his eyes teared up,

"NO! WE CAN'T LEAVE HIM! WE GOTTA GO BACK! WE CAN STILL HELP HIM!"

Max yelled as he tried to go back, tears running down his face. Sonic dragged him to the final fence and slammed him into it. Max was terrified. "Quit your raving! Their is nothing we can do! He sacrificed himself so we could escape! Now get your ass under that damn fence!" he said. Max wiped the tears from his face and stared into his eyes before scurrying under the fence. The stern, serious, rage filled glare. Max crawled under the fence, still sobbing at the loss of his comrade. Then Sonic when after. Half way under the fence Sonic stopped. He looked up to see Max staring at him with pain and death in his eyes. Blood began to run down the corner of his mouth. He looked down at his chest to see a massive hole. Blood rushed out. He looked back to Sonic. Sonic couldn't believe what he was seeing. He wished he'd been dreaming. He wished he had a second chance to get his friends out. But this wasn't a dream. This was the real world and the only thing that raced through his head was to run. Max's body fell lifeless like a rag-doll. Sonic got up and look at the lifeless body of his sell mate. Then a bullet hit his leg. Pain surged through his body as he yelled. He turned to see a sniper on top of the main FEMA building in the middle of the camp, preparing to take another shot. Sonic ran as blood poured from his leg. He ran as fast as he could but he knew he wasn't fast enough. His wound slowed him down and he stumbled from exhaustion. He ran into the forest that bordered the camp. The sound of dogs and shouting men followed behind him, slowly getting closer. He pushed harder. His legs burned and his chest felt like it was on fire. The barks and yells began to get further away as he pushed on. His vision started to blur and breathing started to feel like swallowing razors. The forest bled into itself and the surrounding terrain looked the same. After 20 agonizing minuets of running, Sonic got to a dirt road. It began to rain. He stood in the road looking back, his legs shaking and trembling trying to keep him up. He couldn't hear anything besides the pitter patter of raindrops hitting the ground. Maybe he'd lost them. He dropped to his knees and gulped down deep breaths. Everything started to hit him all at once. Losing Rhino, Max, escaping from that hell-hole camp, and the pain that grew in his body. Tears filled his eyes and his ears folded back. He couldn't believe what happened. He felt alone. Then he thought to himself, Nobody's gonna help an escaped convict. They'd be too scared of getting caught. Everything seemed hopeless, he never thought he'd get this far in his plan. He thought of going back and letting them kill him, just take him out of his misery. But before he had time he was sure of what to do, a bright white light pointed in his direction. It closed in fast. He tried to get up in time but before he could get out of the way the impact of the object hit his side, crushing his ribs.