July 5, 1953. That's the day I ran away. I was finally free from the federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia. People say prison changes you... I don't even know what they're talking about. I'm not even sure why they locked me up. I don't remember doing anything wrong. Bobby Lee, Hiram and I ran away early this morning. The guards weren't working after the long night of July 4th celebration. We easily managed to take on some guards and steal their weapons. I also stole a black hat from one of the guards. Escaping was the easy part. Staying hidden, that will be the hardest part for us. I planned the escape so that Bobby Lee and Hiram would look for me as responsible and to keep them safe. Once out of the prison we went into the forest and used the trees as cover. After driving along the highway we reached a rest area about five miles from the penitentiary. The darkness of the night hid us well and we camped near the rest area for a night. The next morning the rest area was completely empty except for one car, a large, black, battered hearse-like car. I approached the black car and it was deserted. I called Hiram because he had told me earlier that he knew a thing or two about cars. We broke the window and were able to open the car and plug it in. Once Hiram started the car, I asked Bobby Lee to come over and get in before anyone could notice what was happening. As I was walking near the rest area building I noticed a photo of my face on the newsstand, I giggled and grabbed one to read on the way. Hiram was taking us out of Atlanta. While I was traveling, I was reading the article that had been written about me. The paper said I was headed to Florida. They had to be... middle of paper... woman, if I was there to hold the gun to her head every minute of her life. Bobby Lee thought it would be funny and I told him to shut up and that there was no real pleasure in life. Hiram and Bobby Lee both picked up the old lady and carried her to where they had thrown the others. When they returned I was sitting in the passenger seat of our big black beat up car with the cat purring on my lap. Hiram got into the driver's seat and Bobby Lee got in the back. We all sat in silence in the car until we got back on the normal road after what had just happened. I said it was a good thing the animals couldn't talk while I was petting the cat. It was a shame what happened to that family. If they hadn't recognized me, they might still be alive today. I couldn't take the risk of anyone knowing where I am. I can't go back to the penitentiary. I will never be able to go back there.