The Running Man
by Stephen King
Contents
…Minus 021 and COUNTING… Richards found himself drifting in a
Overview
Richards's injuries and exhaustion begin to threaten his control of the hijacked plane, giving McCone a chance to watch for weakness. Richards deliberately reopens his wound to stay conscious, showing both his desperation and his resolve as the flight nears Albany and the endgame approaches.
Summary
As the hijacked jet continues south, Ben Richards begins slipping in and out of a daze. The engines' steady drone and Richards's blood loss make it harder for Richards to stay alert, which frightens him because McCone notices the weakness and watches for an opening.
Amelia also sees Richards deteriorating and sits miserably near the galley, afraid of what may happen between the two men. Richards drinks more coffee, but it barely helps him focus on matching the maps with Holloway's flat updates about their outlaw flight.
To force himself awake, Richards punches the bullet wound in his side. The pain jolts Richards back to full awareness, but fresh blood soaks through Richards's shirt and Amelia moans at the sight.
Holloway reports that the plane will pass over Albany in about six minutes. Richards tells himself to relax, while privately wondering whether the ordeal will soon be over; the time is quarter to eight.
Who Appears
- Ben RichardsWounded fugitive hijacker fighting exhaustion and pain to keep control of the plane.
- McConeNetwork representative watching Richards weaken and waiting for a possible advantage.
- AmeliaFrightened passenger who notices Richards’s decline and reacts to his bleeding wound.
- HollowayPilot providing calm flight updates as the hijacked plane approaches Albany.