I took a deep breath, motioning for Nadya to do the same. Then, I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the edge of the crowd. I pushed all kinds of people out of my way. Potheads, hippies, punk rockers, fat guys who formed conspiracy theories in their moms’ basement. I even pushed kids out of the way. Small kids. Eleven year old kids were being gassed for no reason. What the hell happened to this country?

I couldn’t worry about them right now. I was not going to prison. Not today. Or ever again.

I felt my eyes start to water. My lungs felt like they were about to burst. Nadya got pushed to the ground. I picked her up, threw her over my shoulder, and kept running. I could see an opening in the crowd.

We were free! I kept running, though. I ran until I just couldn’t go anymore. I set Nadya down. She had a bruise on her face. I realized then just how much pain I was in.

Maybe illegal concerts aren’t the best way to organize a rebellion.