Billy's Escape - Quick Write 10/4/10

(As usual, the first sentence was the prompt, and I spent about 20 minutes writing and 5 minutes editing afterward.)
- - - -

The poison was coursing through the tall man's veins.  He look at Billy in shock and swayed slightly from side to side.  The spent syringe fell from Billy's numb fingers.  The clatter it made echoed through the cold, concrete room. 

Time stood still for an eternity. 

Finally, the tall man reached out his right arm and tried to take a step toward Billy.  His left leg gave way, and he crumpled to the floor, his arm still outstretched.  Billy stared down at the long, lifeless body that for so long had controlled his entire world.  He knew he should run, get away, put as much distance between himself and the brutal events of this place as he could, but his feet refused to move.  The tall man seemed to be controlling him still.  Billy felt as though he would be frozen here, next to the tall man's body, forever.  Eventually, the tall man would be missed - at work, if not at home - and the police would be called.  They would find Billy here, discover what he had done, and lock him away in a deep, dark cell forever.  Just like the tall man had always said would happen.

"NO!"  Billy jumped at the sound of his own voice shattering the unnatural stillness.  That slight movement was enough to break the tall man's hold on him.  He had been through too much to give up now.  With his own shout still echoing after him, Billy turned and fled.

Daylight was just beginning to fade as Billy burst through the entrance of the building.  He glanced around without slowing and veered off  to the right.  He circled around the enormous building and lost himself among the abandoned junkyard, boarded up metal shops, and dimly lit warehouses that were so prevalent in this area.  He ran until he thought his lungs would burst.

Just when he thought he couldn't force his legs to take another step, he spotted a familiar corner.  Within minutes, he was climbing the rusted chain-link fence surrounding the old, forgotten playground where he had so often sought refuge from the tall man's temper.  He climbed up the ladder of the splintered climbing equipment.  Panting in equal parts exhaustion and relief, he threw himself into the nest of newspapers and leaves he had so long ago made for himself at the top of the slide. 

No one ever came to this park.  Billy figured that everyone had forgotten all about it as the industrial park had slowly devoured the housing tracts that used to occupy these blocks.  Comforted by the isolation and lulled by the hum and rumble of the few factories that were still struggling against their inevitable demise, Billy closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
- - - -

I'm starting to think that I spent too much time in my youth reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz.  Every story starter seems to suggest horrific events and terrifying people.  I am glad I don't have to write the rest of this story because I am afraid to find out what horrors the tall man inflicted on our poor Billy.