Accounting Theory And History Accounting Essay

Accounting Theory And History Accounting Essay Accounting has evolved since it was first developed and has continued to evolve. The aim of this essay is to explore and discuss why accounting, both financial and management has changed over the last millennium. In order to achieve this aim an in-depth approach will be taken into the origins of accounting, its purpose and need. This will mean examining history papers which are evidence-based but are intertwined with value judgement. Many alternative theoretical and practical explanations are offered in literature for the development of accounting over time. These course literatures will be evaluated and there theories will subsequently be accepted or rejected. In order to explore the question and because the definitions provided by accounting bodies are themselves are subject to change, it is crucial to first define accounting and its purpose. The purpose of accounting is to provide information based on relevant data that aids users in making economic decisions. Financial accountin g is designed mainly to produce financial reports which provide information regarding the firm’s performance to external users such as Tax authorities, Investors, Customers and Creditors. Financial Accounting is highly regulated in order to ensure they have certain characteristics. These characteristics enhance the usefulness of the financial reports to users. These characteristics are relevance, comparability, timeliness, fairness and objectivity. Management accounting is used to prepare accounts and reports that provide accurate and up to date information that allows management to make decisions. Accounting developed as people needed a method of recording their assets and property. If property was recorded and accounted for, it would be easy to prove legal ownership. Accountancy has been around for thousands of years. Professor L. Plunkett of the College of Charleston calls accounting the â€Å"oldest profession† In this millennium there have been countless changes a nd developments in accounting. From more primitive methods of simple accounting for property and assets, in order to record for evidence of legal ownership to a complex regulated form. Management Accounting â€Å"British Entrepreneurs and Pre-Industrial Revolution Evidence of Cost Management† a paper by Richard K. Fleischman and Lee D. Parker examines the use and developments of cost accounting in 1760 to 1850. The four main areas looked at in cost management will be: cost control techniques, accounting for overhead, costing for routine and special decision making, and standard costing. These firms used cost data to control raw material input materials. The iron firms broke down costs using raw material controls, whilst taking into account the differential costs of mining and smelting. Textile firms were concerned about the profitable raw mixtures and the cost of raw materials input. Marshall textile firm employ the practise of using performance cards, which is an effective m ethod and is still used by firms today. Performance cards are used daily to monitor and control expenses.. These management accounting practises benefited the business greatly. It allowed marshal to be cost effective and efficient by minimising costs. Gregs was another textile firm which kept wage and expense books to calculate control costs. This helps to identify trends, weaknesses and areas for improvement. For example they experienced losses in 1829 and where able to identify and attribute these to heightened production costs and outdated machinery.

SHOULD ETHANOL BE REQUIRED IN GASOLINE Research Paper - 1

SHOULD ETHANOL BE REQUIRED IN GASOLINE - Research Paper Example Since last two three decades scientists, however, have been expressing their concerns over the over use of fossil fuels. Since coal, gas or natural energies are non-renewable and over the year’s excessive use of these fuels have caused huge depletion of these, this golden age of fossil fuel power can not run for long. Time has come to seriously think upon alternative sources of energy for the future as possession of huge amount of energy is a requisite for any kind of human civilization. Looking at the depletion rate of fossil fuels it has become quite evident that future will embrace renewable sources of energies to keep the high pace of development of human civilization. Being environment friendly these energy sources will also be able to provide mankind with a more pleasant and safe environment to live in. Here comes the importance of ethanol as it is a renewable fuel. Ethanol can be produced from various kinds of agricultural feeds like sugarcane, agricultural residues, an d wastes of forestry wood. However, sometimes, it is also produced chemically from chemical components like ethane or ethylene. (Onursal and Gautam, 1997; Srinivasan and Saravanan, 2010) The molecular structure of ethanol comprises of C, H and O and it is chemically known as C2 H5 OH. Ethane has very well defined chemical as well as physical properties. Ethanol has the capacity to be used as fuel for transportation purposes in its original form. It is also quite able to get blended easily fossil fuels like gasoline. Today, many cars are no longer using pure gasoline as the source of energy, but they are using a blend of ethanol and gasoline. (Onursal and Gautam, 1997) Currently, the interest in using ethanol as an alternative fuel option has increased significantly. As a result production of ethanol is also taking at a faster pace than before. At present, most of the ethanol is being produced from renewable stocks for minimizing CO2 emissions in the air. CO2 is greenhouse gas that i s responsible for global warming. The addition of ethanol to gasoline helps in the increase of the octane number in the blended fuel form and produces some changes in the distillation temperature. (Onursal and Gautam, 1997) Although addition of ethanol to gasoline is being increasingly considered to be an alternative of pure gasoline, there are some arguments against having ethanol in gasoline. In the presence of widespread debate regarding the use of ethanol in gasoline, the purpose of this study is to find out whether it should be right to use ethanol in gasoline. Thus the thesis statement of this paper can be presented as follows: Ethanol should be used as an alternative fuel option and it should be there in gasoline in appropriate proportion. Here some efforts will be made to check the cases for and against having ethanol in gasoline. On the basis of the findings, a conclusion will be made with respect to the thesis statement of this paper. (Onursal and Gautam, 1997) Arguments f or having ethanol in gasoline In near future fossil fuels will no longer rule the energy sector of the world given the alarmingly fast rate of their depletion. The golden age of fossil fuels will come to an end very soon and different sorts of other power sources, particularly renewable sources, will replace fossil fuels and also play an important role in making the environment more clear. Alcohol like ethanol has some advantages in their use as an energy source over

E-Compensation Human Resources Information Systems Assignment

E-Compensation Human Resources Information Systems - Assignment Example The development and configuration of the infrastructure requires skilled personnel as well as resources. Another merit of the web-based compensation tool over the client-server and stand-alone PC based compensation tools is that it requires less hardware. This is because most of the hardware required for the web based compensation system are available over the internet and supported by the company hosting the web based services. The client/server and standalone PC based compensation tools require all hardware needed for the compensation system to be available locally. For this reason, the client/server and PC based compensation tools require higher initial cost to setup (Mukherjee, 2012). As much as the client-server based and stand-alone PC based compensation tools require higher initial cost to setup, they offer superior long term savings than the pc based compensation tool. The reason behind the long term saving offered by the client-server and PC based compensation tool is because an organization does not have to pay monthly or annual fees for the services to a third party company. The web based services are offered by id party companies at monthly or annual subscriptions that can result into higher long term costs. On the other hand, companies choosing the client-server and PC based compensation tools require high skilled IT department personnel to support the systems. Therefore, the web based compensation tool is recommendable for the organization stakeholders because it does not require high IT support to support the infrastructure. Moreover, the system can be upgraded and updated at lower costs compared to the client-server and stand-alone PC based services ( Sistare, Shiplett & Buss, 2009). From an employee perspective; the e-Compensation tools can motivate the organizations employees to work harder thus improving their performance. The reason behind motivation is that the efforts of

Employee training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Employee training - Essay Example The company does not have to arrange for extra resources for training. Employees also get to learn practically while remaining on the job. This makes them more productive. They also tend to interact with other employees, which is effective for their development as employees. In off-the-job training, the employee is not trained at the workplace, but is given training elsewhere (Draga, 2011). There are many methods in this type of training, such as the employee takes a day release to get off the job to attend a seminar or a workshop at some other place. He may be encouraged to take evening classes or courses at a local college. He may also be told to take computer classes at some academy. This way, he is trained while he is not at the workplace. A major advantage is that the employee tends to learn a greater set of competencies and qualifications (Duggan, 2012). He may get a degree or a certificate which may be beneficial for him in future. He learns from various professionals. This way, he is more confident while returning to the workplace. Draga, R. (2011). Welcome to the Trainingcenter Butzweilerhof: Off-The-Job-Training. Retrieved November 25, 2012, from

Strategies to Reduce Hospital Acquired Infections

Strategies to Reduce Hospital Acquired Infections REVIEW OF LITERATURE When we think about hospital, one thing comes to our mind is â€Å"Hospital is the place for cure†. This revolutionary idea of treating the patients under the same roof was considered to ease the job of healing. But due to lack of knowledge of sterilization and antisepsis, it turned wrong in Pre- Listerian era leading to gangrene and death of patients which were suffering from wounds. Due to this reason a new discipline was emerged called as senics which was mainly dealing with the Hospital Acquired Infection (Nosocomial Infection). Semmelwis in 1861 with the help of medical officer and students observed the association of Puerperal sepsis in patients. Thus by the introduction of hand washing with chlorinated lime, he was successful to bring dramatic reduction in infection rate. Hospital acquired infection (HAI) are infections acquired during hospitalization, which are not present at eh time of admission (Atata et al, 2006). According to Baveja in 2002, the term hospital acquired infection, hospital- associated infection, hospital infection or nosocomial infection(nosocomion,meaning hospital) is defined as infection developing in patients after admission to the hospital ,which was neither present nor in the incubation period at the time of hospitalization . Such infections may become evident during their stay in the hospital or sometimes after their discharge. Due to its increased mortality and morbidity in the hospital patients these HAIs are of significant cause. HAIs are also caused due to prolonged hospital stay which are inconvenient for the patient and constitute economic burden on health care (Malhotra S, et al 2014). Dancer in 1999, depicts that microorganisms which are associated with hospital acquired infection displays two important characteristics, firstly those are the pathogens of well-established medical importance and secondly they also can withstand the hospital environment which benefits them outside temperature. Thus providing an appropriate environment niche for their survival until they transfer back to patients. Some pathogens originate from patients own flora especially those who are immunocompromised whereas others can survive in human tissues and thus rely upon person to person spread in order to disseminate. The patients who are immunocompromised due to underlying diseases, medical or surgical treatment, age are typically affected by nosocomial infections. In pediatric ICU, the hospital acquired infections are approximately three times higher than elsewhere in hospitals (Weistein 2006). Pathogen transference occurs most commonly by presence of bacterial or fungi in inanimate surfaces and equipment or between the hands of health professionals and patients (Kayabas et al., 2008). The transmission of microorganisms from hands of health care workers, medical equipment and surfaces which has become contaminated with a wide variety of pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms has become a significant proportion of hospital environment infection which ultimately results in crosscontamination (Sehulster et al., 2003). When compared to other hospital patients, the patients who are hospitalized in ICUs are 5-10 times more likely to acquire nosocomial infection. The risk of infection and the frequency of infection vary by infection site. The increasing incidence of infection is caused mainly by antibiotic-resistant pathogens leading to seriousness of hospital acquired infection (Weber 2006). Some of the common human pathogens like, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter spp, En ­terococcus spp and Escherichia coli can survive for longer periods of time on the hospital surfaces or formites that can potentially transmit infectious organisms (Kramer et al., 2006). The primary sources of indoor air contamination are the microorganisms. When compared to outside air environment, the indoor air environment can potentially place patients a greater risk because enclosed spaces can confine aerosols and allow them to build up to infectious level. The relative humidity and/ or the moisture content of the materials determine that to what extent different micro-organisms are able to grow on indoor or outdoor materials (Dhanasekaran et al., 2009). Adebolu and Vhriterhire in 2002 reported that magnitude of hospital acquired infection is dependent upon the number and type of visitors, mechanical movement within the enclosed space, quality of hospital systems and level of hygienic conditions in hospital environment. Sites where infections acquired in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. To be classified as a nosocomial infection, the patient must have been admitted for reasons other than the infection. He or she must also have shown no signs of active or incubating infection. Depending on the hospital involved, 1 to 10 percent of the patients affected die as a result of the nosocomial infection (George Krucik 2014). Most of these infections can be prevented while others are unavoidable. In hospitals the contaminated surfaces are increasing the cross transmission which is shown in figure-2. Figure-2 Showing the contaminated surfaces in hospitals (source: Wikipedia). These infections occur: Up to 48 hours after hospital admission Up to 3 days after discharge Up to 30 days after an operation In a healthcare facility when a patient was admitted for reasons other than the infection. In the United States, it has been estimated that 9.2 out of every 100 patients acquire a nosocomial infection Pathogens Causing Infection According to the CDC, the most common pathogens that cause nosocomial infections are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, and E. coli (C.Glen May hall 2004). Based in biological and clinical criteria, the national Healthcare Safety network (NHSN) has categorized into 50 infection sites under 13 major types for the surveillance purpose (W. Bereket et al., 2012). When choosing the test organisms that are clinically relevant to human pathogens, six different organisms are considered to be major threats. These pathogens cannot cause the most devastating illnesses but majority of them will compromise with antibiotic resistant infections that are seen in most healthcare settings. These are commonly called as ESKAPE pathogens namely Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus Klebsiella pneumonia, Actinobacter baumanni, Paeudomonas aeruginosa and several species of Enterobacter. These (ESKAPE Pathogens) pose a biggest threat that physician face today. To fight with them we definitely need some new drugs and need some cooperation among industry and government to setup RD (research and development) infrastructure to fill the needs of new drugs tha t will tackle tomorrow’s infectious diseases threats. Escherichia Coli It is oxidase negative, Gram negative, and facultative anaerobic. It is one of the common organisms that are involved in Gram negative sepsis and endotoxin-induced shock. It is one if the leading cause of blood stream infections among all other Gram-negative pathogens. It is the fifth leading pathogen for causing blood stream infection in United States (Maazuddin t al., 2014). According to Bijay Kumar Chandra 2012, a study was concluded that Escherichia coli were most common agent found in nosocomial diarrhea. Some of the common infection caused by this organism includes wound infection, urinary infection, meningitis in neonates, pneumonia in immunocompromised hospitalized patients and E. coli associated diarrheal disease or gastroenteritis. It also possess broad range of virulence factors which are responsible for disease such as UTIs and gastroenteritis (Brooks GF et al., 2007). Enterococcus spp These are gram-positive cocci typically arranged in short chains and pairs. These grow optimally at 350C on a complex media which requires carbon such as glucose, nucleic acid base and vitamin B. when enriched with sheep blood agar, it supports the growth with large and white colonies. Enterococcus species are facultative anaerobic and are considered as a part of normal flora in genitourinary tract and gastrointestinal tract of humans. Enterococcus species have emerged as a one of the most important pathogen of hospital environment. The major enterococcal infections of humans are caused by two species namely Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Enterococci are one of the most important hospital acquired pathogens. Isolates of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis are the third most prevalent pathogens worldwide. The most common infection produced by this organisms are intra-abdominal infection, urinary tract infection, pelvic infection, surgiclal wound infection, endocarditis, bacteremia, neonatal sepsis and rarely meningitis. Enterococcus faecalis is the most common cause of infection (80-90%) followed by Enterococcus faecium (10-15%) (Marothi YA et al., 2005). Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus aureus is by far the most important pathogen in the hospital environment in all the genus staphylococcus. It is non-spore forming, non-motile, gram positive, catalase positive facultative anaerobe arranged in clusters (Wahington CW et al., 2006). The indicence of nosocomial blood stream infection is more known to be caused by S. aureus (Rodrigo et al., 2012). S. aureus is rarely isolated from urinary tract infection (T.Grace et al., 1993). This S. aureus is both pathogen and commensal. Approximately 30% individuals are intermittently colonized with S. aureus whereas 20% are persistently colonized. It is one of the leading cause of hospital acquired infections. Methicillin resistance staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are the one which causes most of the infection and its isolation is continuously increasing (S Khono et la., 2007). Infections may occur during hospital stay by streptococcus and staphylococcus species when compared to other Gram-negative bacteria. Coagulase Negative Staphylococci The coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) species are widely known to cause NTs specifically bacteraemia in patients with prosthetic implants and catheter and also in patients who are immunocompromised. Staphylococcus epiermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus are the teo well known species and occur most common in CNS species (C.Geary et al., 1997). Coagulase negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus are the three most widely isolated pathogens which tends to cause blood stream infections. After hospitalization of the patient, the CNS usually takes 19 days to cause bacteraemia. The mortality rate of CNS is less when compared to some other pathogens (Aldof et al., 200). For the colonization of CNS, the main reason is its antimicrobial resistance. This CNS isolates is resistant to Oxacillin or nafcillin and methicillin (T Grace et al., 1993). Pseudomonas aeruginosa It is a Gram-negative with mucoid polysaccharide capsule typically arranged in pairs. It is a well known cause of pneumonia, endophthalmitis, conjunctivitis, sepsis and also associated with high mortality rates. Potential reservoirs include humidifiers, equipment, incubators, sinks, tap water and hands of health care workers. The identification of this pseudomonas aeruginosa is mainly based on simple biochemical test and colony characteristics. It colonizes the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of the hospitalized patients. When normal defense mechanism is impaired, the pathogenesis by this organism is initiated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa attaches and colonizes the mucous or skin and invades locally to produce systemic disease. This process is mediated by different virulent factors like enzymes (proteases, elastases, phospholipase C), Pili and toxins (endotoxin A). P. aeruginosa produces infection such as blue-green pus, urinary tract infection, meningitis, and necrotizing pneumon ia (Contreras GA et al., 2008). Many contemporary studies showed that, the antibiotic resistance among the gram-negative bacteria is increasing especially of pseudomonas aeruginosa. The rate of resistance towards ceftazidime and imipenem by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was increasing dramatically. Prevention of Infection There are number of simple care practices that can reduce the probability of developing a Hospital acquired infection. Some of them include sterilization of resuscitation bags and masks, elimination of overcrowding, decreasing number of heal sticks, use of sterile suctioning technique, careful preparation and storage of infants formulas, using single dose administration of medications and avoiding drugs associated with increased risk of nosocomial infection. Infection Control Committee The infection control committee is a board which deals with the preventionof hospital acquired infections. It involves multidisciplinary personals like pharmacists, physicians, clinical microbiologists and others. This committee works on co-operation, information sharing principles and inputs. It has many different tasks to perform for the eradication and prevention of hospital acquired infection. It has to review and approve the surveillance data when needed. It has to examine and encourage the infection control practices and provide proper staff training in infection control safety. It also need to assess the new devices used in the hoapital for their risk in violating infection control stratergies and slso to communicate and co-operate with the hospital control committees for information. According to infection committee statistics, the infection rate were increased from 13.8- 22.1 per 1000 catheter days (Jeffery et al., 2005). Therefore infection control committee plays a key rol e in preventing the nosocomial infection. Hand Hygiene Hand hygiene has been considered to be the most important tool in nosocomial infections control. One of the significant contributors to the outbreaks of this hospital environment infection is failure to perform appropriate hand hygiene. Resident and transient microorganisms are known to be the natural microflora of the skin of hands. The resident microorganisms survive and multiply on skin and does not cause any harm to human flora whereas transient microorganisms represent recent contamination of hands which is acquired from colonized or infected patients/clients or contaminated environment or equipment. These transient microorganisms are not isolated consistently from most of the persons. When compared to resident microorganisms, the transient microorganisms which are found on the hands of health care personnel will become as a primary source of infections. Gram negative coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus has been known to be the most common transient microorganisms (Sarmad et al. , 2009). Appropriate hand washing results in reduced incidence of both nosocomial and community infection (Kampf et al., 2004).An estimated 40 percent of nosocomial infections are caused by poor hand hygiene (WHO). Hospital staff can significantly reduce the number of cases with regular hand washing (Figure-8). They should also wear protective garments and gloves when working with patients (James Chin 2000).

Free Argumentative Essays: Euthanasia is Inhuman :: Physician Assisted Suicide

Euthanasia is Inhuman A subject that has been disputed more ever since medical technology has dramatically improved is Euthanasia. Euthanasia is assisted suicide, or it could be ending a patience's suffering by letting him die. Medical technology is advancing so fast euthanasia is not needed to be a practice in today's society. Moreover, it is inhuman and against the law. Many people with incurable diseases have thought about euthanasia. Their families do not want them to go through the pain any longer. One reason why these families should not consider euthanasia is because medical technology is advancing at an alarming rate. Diseases can be cured now that could not have been cured just a few years ago. The way things are going technology would probably find a cure for the patience's illness in the near future. Families or individuals thinking about euthanasia should get all the facts first about the research being done on the particular illness that has invaded a member of their family. Think twice before making any serious decisions. Euthanasia is an inhuman way of taking care of a difficult problem. Some people might say that it is inhuman to have someone suffer through the pain of his or her illness. Many of the families have a harder time dealing with the pain than the actual victim does. The families would like to ease their own pain along with the victim's pain. It is not inhuman to keep someone alive as long as humanly possible. If a cure is found, then the victim could possibly go on to live a long life. It would be inhuman to not let the victim have the chance to live the rest of his life. A human life is the most beautiful thing on the face of the earth or anywhere, and people should be given a chance to experience the beauty as long as possible. Some people want to die for one reason or another. These people go to someone and ask him or her to help them die. Most of the victims of diseases that would result in them wanting to die are in an unstable condition and are not fit to make these major decisions. A paper I read off the internet said "Contrary to the assumptions of many in the public, a

“Crazy Homeless Man” Essay

â€Å"Crazy Homeless Man† It was sophomore year of high school and after a long day of taking tests and writing essays it was finally time to go home. My cousin and I waited for and then got into our regular train.As we got in, we saw nothing out of the ordinary; you had your regular business man with too much product in his perfectly combed hair, that seemed as though he had spent hours on it, reading his newspaper while tapping his overpriced shoes on the floor, screaming little kids jumping up and down and swinging from the poles while their negligent nannies, totally oblivious of the whole scene, sit quietly reading their new editions of Harry Potter, and finally the homeless guy on the corner seat wrapped up in old newspapers and a dirty fleece, probably found while searching through some garbage, trying to get a good nap in before he has to switch trains. â€Å"Nothing different about this train ride,† we thought to ourselves as the train left the station. Shortly after we took our seats, the homeless man awoke, stood up, and started walking around looking at people and sniffing the train. Everyone looked away as though to look busy, just in case the man tried to shout out his life story and then beg for money.Instead he took an old sock out of his pocket that looked worn out, and started to clean the train doors with it. He said, â€Å"Child, this train is dirty! † He moved around the train trying not to fall or lose his balance as he swept the floor with the old sock. He then took out an air deodorizer and started spraying it on the train walls. My cousin and I tried so hard not to laugh. We looked away so that we weren’t tempted. Our giggles and smiles soon changed into surprised, scared, frozen expressions as the man took out a lighter and said, â€Å"I can’t take this dirty train anymore. † I knew because of my immature eighth grade friends that when someone had an aerosol†¦

I’ve never been accepted

â€Å"Freak.† And â€Å"Monster† were the names I heard day in and day out for the last four years. That's why, when I got approached by The Mavericks I thought things were looking up for me. Little did I know, things were about to go whirling out of control. It was a piercingly cold day, my hands were raw, I was doing my usual paper round, thinking of giving it up, in hope of bed-ridden mornings and no more bags' under my eyes. I'd given my last paper to a elderly woman leaving her house to check the milkman had been. He hadn't. He had stopped coming years ago and then I headed back to the Newfield Newsagent and collected my pay. Twenty pound is what I got paid for getting up at six in the morning, every morning. I made my way across the snow covered field, my feet making firm, strong crunching noises†¦ But wait, why could I hear four footsteps instead of two? I twirled around, SMACK. A strong handed punch left me breathless, and knocked me on my back. â€Å"Wh†¦ what?† I asked, breathlessly. I opened my eyes. Jesus, my glasses had snapped, another reason for my dad to call me hundreds of names. â€Å"GIVE ME YOUR MONEY!† a gruff voice called out, â€Å"who.. who are you?† my usually low voice turned into a whimper, as I attempted to sound strong. A defence technique I learned, living with my beastly father for so long. I cursed myself for sounding fearful. I didn't get another chance to think of another comeback. A rapid, sharp blow hit my straight in the face again. A ripping sound. Lighter pockets. Crunching noises. Then black. I heard a voice. â€Å"Uh dude? You going to be ok? I opened my eyes, slowly and tried to sit up. My whole body ached. There was blood on my white t-shirt. â€Å"You.. You look pretty bad there.† â€Å"Aw SHUT UP Jonny! Way to make him feel better!† Who were these people? I didn't recognize there voices. â€Å"Where am i?† I managed to whisper. â€Å"You don't need to know. All you need to know is that, we found you on a field, covered in blood and brought you here. We're the Mavericks.† The Mavericks? Not the gang, The Mavericks surely? I looked around, everything was black, and a few cardboard boxes lay around, empty cans of Fosters, cigarette boxes and a pool table. I couldn't really be with The Mavericks could I? I looked up, three tall men stood before me. They were all wearing black suits and black hats. I was with the Mavericks. â€Å"I need to go, I need†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stopped mid sentence as I saw a gun being pulled from Tall Man number two, coat jacket. â€Å"You'll stay right there. Since we saved your life, we can end it too. I think you owe us a favour don't you?† I gulped. I tried to slow my heartbeat down, afraid that they would hear it. â€Å"Just.. Just let me go. I'll do anything.† I whimpered. When I said I'd do anything, I didn't think that they would ask me to do what they did next†¦ â€Å"THERE HE IS! RUN!† Joe screamed, I ran, I fell, I got up and ran again. They wouldn't let me stop; they will kill me if I gave up on them, if I backed down. We were trying to catch Freddy's dad, a multi-millionaire jewel extraordinaire. Freddy, the newest member of The Mavericks was running ahead of me, I felt sorry for him. He didn't want to be in this position was much as I didn't. Joe said that if he didn't cooperate on this mission he would kill both his mother and father, and then come back for him. So here we were. three months down the line from them finding me on field, bleeding and shaking in my converse. They were using me I knew that, and as soon as the police came, it would be mine and Freddy's name that would be read out in court. My voice that would plead not guilty to any crime Joe had committed weeks before. I was just a matter of time. Freddy tripped and fell down. I stopped and helped him back up again. I could see tears roll down his cheeks. â€Å"Don't let them see you. Quick, lets go!† I whispered hurriedly. We started to run again. Where were we? I couldn't tell. It was too dark to see anything. The only thing I knew was that we appeared to be in a wasteland. The smell filled my nose as soon as I got there, I covered my nose with my scarf and carried on running, still aware the stench was seeping through it. â€Å"HE'S HEADING TOWARD THE LORRIES! DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE!† I ran harder and faster, overtaking Freddy. I saw a shadow crawl under the lorry and I slowed to a stop, just in time for Freddy to stop behind me. â€Å"Where is he?† Freddy whispered. â€Å"Under the lorry, but be quick. I don't think anybody's seen him yet.† I replied. Freddy ran and slid under the lorry, I heard a crash. Like metal hitting a skull. I'd heard it before, when Joe had make me kill a poor innocent man because Joe didn't like the way he looked at him. I hoped Freddy was ok, I really dd. I sprinted to escape from the wasteland, maybe I could get away now? No-one was around, I saw a entrance to a huge warehouse, maybe I could make it? One look behind me pushed my doubts away. I rushed toward the door, just before I managed to let out a sigh of relief. A heavy hand clamped down on my shoulder. â€Å"I don't think so Jonathon. You know the rules. Now you'll pay.† A muffled laugh, a shout. â€Å"HE'S HERE!† the hand that was tightly clamped down on my shoulder, let go. I was going to get it now, I really was. Then I heard heavy footsteps, not running toward me, but running away from me. This was it? They were letting me go? â€Å"JONATHAN, HERE. NOW!† I heard Joe scream. But I was already running. And running. Away from the violence and the crime. Running away. I was finished with the Mavericks, And I never looked back.