The Running Man
by Stephen King
Contents
…Minus 007 and COUNTING… “Oh dear God,” Amelia Williams moane
Overview
McCone makes a final armed assault on Ben Richards in first class, and the two men badly wound each other in a brutal exchange of gunfire. Richards survives the immediate fight but is left with devastating injuries, intensifying the sense that his hijacked flight is moving toward a suicidal endgame.
Amelia Williams remains trapped as a horrified witness, her screams underscoring the violence Richards has brought into the cabin and the physical cost of his last stand against the Network.
Summary
After killing Donahue, Ben Richards is covered in blood along his right side. Amelia Williams reacts with horror, while Richards responds with grim detachment, joking about how much blood the old man had.
McCone suddenly rushes into first class with his gun drawn. McCone and Richards fire at the same time, and McCone is blasted back through the canvas separating first and second class, while Richards collapses with a severe abdominal wound.
Amelia continues screaming as Richards realizes he can see his own intestines. McCone then staggers back into first class, horribly wounded but still grinning, and fires twice; one shot misses Richards, while the second hits Richards below the collarbone.
Richards fires again. McCone reels, drops his gun, and falls over, apparently finished. The compartment fills with the smell of burned powder and flesh, while Amelia's screams continue and Richards notices how strong and healthy she sounds.
Who Appears
- Ben RichardsHijacker and Runner; survives McCone's attack but suffers devastating gunshot wounds.
- McConeArmed pursuer who attacks Richards in first class and is shot down.
- Amelia WilliamsTerrified hostage who witnesses the gunfight and screams throughout the violence.