An excerpt from the book

"... At thirty he felt he could survive in this climate, but he also knew that sooner or later the urki or blatnye (thieves and cutthroats), who comprised the greater population of the camp, would finish him off for his boots or the warm coat. How long could he last? To stay here would be capitulating to the Soviet Regime which so unjustly destroyed his family. But, if he survived, there could be a chance to escape, and possibly see Olga again. He decided to run at the first opportunity. He was a desperate man, and desperate men accomplish things sane men would hardly consider.

When the exiles were brought to the camp, the guards began separating them into groups and distributing them into barracks. Jacob was shoved into the nearest building and toldto find a place. These accommodations were not much different from the Stolypin railroad car cages in which he and the others were transported to the camp. At least here the air smelled clean. One could take a breath without choking on human odors. Looking around, he did not see anyone and noticed an open door at the end of the hall. What did he have to lose? The guards were preoccupied with new prisoners, right now would be the best time to try his escape, at least from the barracks. What lay beyond the open door, only God knew.

As he crept toward the open door, chills and cold sweat ran down his back. Will he make it out? At any moment he anticipated a “HALT!” from a guard; if he didn’t obey the command immediately, a rifle shot would follow. He pressed on toward the light. His mind was bombarded with fear and anxiety but, the survival instinct in him was stronger and he concentrated only on the next step, while a persistent thought reverberated in his brain, “Will I hear the bullet screaming toward the back of my head?”..."

(from Chapter 1 of,  The Long Walk Home, With Miracles Along The Way)