How did the boys escape?

The boys had to cross over a wet and muddy swamp to reach a tiny hill. They passed people along the way, but they did not stop to help them.... to stop would have meant risking their own lives. When they got to the top of the hill, they had no choice but to run, as the rebels began to fire everything they had toward those looking to escape. They ran as fast as they could into the forest.

Because he want to escape.