Escape Essay

All day long Orloff had paced his cell. The blackness of the sky outside was equaled merely by the blackness of his thoughts. The deep rolling of the thunder reverberated through the thick stone w in alls of his prison, and every at present and then a fitful gust of rain swirled through the tiny broken window, roiledting his grammatical case as he stared out into the night. Orloff cursed, wiped the water from his display case with his grimy fingers, and turned to pacing his cell erst more.For seven long years Orloff had been thus confined but a small fraction of the intent sentence he was serving for the horrible crime he had committed. But at magazines he had asked himself, Was it not worth it, after all? He could still feel the wet, warm blood trickling amidst his fingers, and see the whites of his victims look. Then, too, there was that great day of the trial, when so many officials, in their refined uniforms and gold braid, and so many beautiful women, clad in their f urs and satins, had gazed at him, horror-struck, unable to avert their eyes from his face, or miss one word that fell from his lipsAt such times Orloff would rub his hold and smile to himself, in memory of that great day.But tonight Orloff was in a different mood. minacious despair and vengeance reigned supreme in his soul he wished only to escape, in order that he might seek out his destroyers and in turn destroy them. His steps became more feverishly foment perspiration gathered on his forehead and he clenched his hands until the nails spot into his flesh and brusque trickles of blood oozed from between his fingers. A brilliant lightning flash illuminated the far wall of his cell release it as it had never been lighted before. Orloffs eyes became riveted upon a huge stone, on the lowest gradWere his eyes deceiving him, or had he in truth seen a tiny crack surrounding it, as though the cement had been scraped away or altogether removed? Hardly daring to breathe he tip-toed a fall guy the room and fell on his knees before the stone, feeling its edges with his blood-stained fingers.Yes, there was a deep crack surrounding it. And, what was more, the stone was loose. Orloff tugged at it, scraping the flesh from his fingers, sweat pouring from his face and matted hairsbreadthIt movedHe pulled the great stone from its place and peered into the blackness beyond. Another lightning flash showed him what he had only dared hope for a passage in the rock, leading downward from his place of torment.On the history was a piece of paper, folded and yellow with age. With trembling fingers he carried it to the window, through which shone the unclouded rays of a lamp in the courtyard below, and there unfolded it. On it was a brief message, apparently pen with some dark red fluid. For the first time in his life Orloff was glad that he had been made to read, if only a little.For on the paper was writtenI escaped by this passage. May he who finds this share my good f ortune. It was signed S.K.The tramp of the watchs feet resounded outside the door of his cell. Orloff threw himself over the stone till the footsteps had died away then he knife thrust his head and shoulders into the opening, and began slowly to worm his way along the narrow passage before him.The walls of the passage were wet with slime and mould, and sharp, jagged rocks protruded, tearing Orloffs clothes and scratching deep into his fleshBut of all this Orloff knew nothing. His eyes were gleaming, but only one thought was present in his mind escape. He remove his bloody fingers into the mud and pushed himself steadily forward, flat on his stomach, like a serpent.As he advanced, the floor of the passage became steeper and steeper, diagonal at an ever-greater angle. The walls became yet wetter and more slimy and the jagged rocks bit deeper into his writhing limbs. Foot after foot Orloff propelled himself along this narrow, sloping path. His breath came in short gasps, eon the d arkness seemed to become ever more intense. For one moment he paused, an agonizing fear injection through him. He realized that it would be impossible for him ever to asc residuum that sloping passage to find out his cell. A cold shiver ran down his spine. Then, he clenched his teeth and propelled himself forward with the superhuman specialisation of despair.A sharp bend in the passage revealed a sight which made him gasp. A faint circular opening in the distance permitted the rays of the moon which had fitfully begun to shine to penetrate the stygian blackness. The end of the passage lay before him. Victory escape The cold night air fanned his face he urged himself onward in a last desperate effort.The passage became ever more sloping as he advanced. His body was inclined at a sickening angle. Strange streaks of blackness seemed to cross his vision, as he half(a) fell, half slid the few feet which yet remained to be traversed. Orloffs head crashed into something hard, which hal f stunned him. A moment later he opened his eyes, and saw before him a severely barred iron grating, and a skeleton.