Hello @hillarypowers. What an intense story with lighthearted moments. Intense because the main character is a prisoner attempting to escape. He would have succeeded had it not been for him making a move that was to eventually be the cause for him being recaptured.
The fact that reason that aided his recapture was a nest of termites is the delightful part. An adversary so small as to be his undoing was the delightful part. I wouldn't stop laughing. I was thinking perhaps he'd run into a swarm of bees. But that would have probably kept the authorities from capturing and returning him to prison.
Every prisoner if you ask will tell you they are innocent. It's a programmed response. Never admit guilt unless absolutely necessary.
I enjoyed your story. Thanks for sharing.