The Boy from Below

In an alternate 20th century, the United States is a totalitarian military regime following a devastating civil war. The regime has established an annual event, the "Long Walk", which aims to inspire patriotism and work ethic among the destitute, as the country is in the grips of a severe economic depression. Fifty teenage boys, one from each state, are chosen randomly, given water and rations, and must walk hundreds of miles nonstop while escorted by armed soldiers who also broadcast the event. Those who fall below 3 miles (4.8 km) per hour or stop walking receive up to three warnings before being executed. The Walk ends when there is only one survivor remaining, who receives a large cash prize and can have one wish fulfilled. Although the sign-up is technically voluntary, nearly all eligible young men do so every year in the hope of improving their families' lives. Raymond "Ray" Garraty, the year's participant from Maine, is driven to the starting line near the Canada–United States border by his mother Ginnie, who begs him to back out, even though the deadline to do so has already passed. Ray refuses and meets the other participants, including Peter "Pete" McVries, Billy Stebbins, Arthur "Art" Baker, Collie Parker, Gary Barkovitch, Hank Olson, and Richard Harkness. The Major, a mysterious official who oversees the regime's death squads, starts the Walk and greets the boys from time to time as they proceed southward. During the first day, Ray gets to know the other walkers and forms a bond with Pete. A boy named Curley is the first to be killed after he develops a charley horse in his leg. Barkovitch is shunned by the group for provoking another walker named Rank Sanders into attacking him, resulting in Rank's execution. As the Walk continues, Pete says he wants to use his wish to improve the world. Ray wants to wish for a rifle to kill the Major as revenge for his father's execution over political opposition. Pete tries to talk Ray out of it, admits that he cannot let someone die to win, and intends to sit down once he has had enough. More walkers die as the days pass, including Harkness. Hank becomes delirious and tries to attack the soldiers, but they shoot him and let him bleed to death. After learning he was married, the boys vow to send money to his widow. Guilt over causing Rank's death and his exclusion from the pact leads Barkovitch to beg to join. Soon after Ray agrees, Barkovitch has a mental breakdown and fatally stabs himself in the throat with a spoon. Only Ray, Pete, Stebbins, Art, and Collie remain. While walking through his hometown of Freeport, Ray spots Ginnie and runs to her, apologizing for competing. He is almost killed for stepping off the road, but is saved by Pete. Collie steals a rifle and shoots a soldier, then kills himself after being wounded by the others. Art develops an internal hemorrhage and thanks Pete and Ray for being his friends before stopping. Stebbins, who has fallen ill, reveals to Ray and Pete that he is one of the Major's many illegitimate sons, and he intended to use his wish to be taken into his father's home. He tells the pair it was an honor to walk with them before stopping, leaving Ray and Pete as the final two walkers. On the rainy evening of the fifth day and after 331 miles (533 km), the pair enter a city in which a large crowd has gathered to see who will win. Pete sits down, but Ray picks him up and encourages him to keep going. He does so only for Ray to stop walking instead. The Major personally executes Ray and congratulates Pete as the winner. When asked to state his wish, Pete carries out Ray's plan by asking for a soldier's carbine and killing the Major with it. He then turns to the now-empty and silent street and walks away. Alternate ending[edit] In an alternate ending, Pete drops the rifle at his side upon sparing the Major's life and continues walking, still disillusioned from his wish. A postscript revealed that three envelopes filled with cash each month were mailed to Hank's widow, Ray's mother, and Art's grandmother – the last of whom also receives Art's rosary and cross, which he had given to Ray before deciding to stop. 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