Remember Us! [Sarella]

[Tibby Maything]

TOBY IWILL

I stumble out of the house, the laughter of the men seeing to follow me. I shake my head slowly, my hand to my head, attempting to stop a terrible headache they inflicted upon me. I keep a steady pace towards the square. Perhaps I could steal some food, or pickpocket some money. In my years, I have learned no one needs to more than me. Even if they are leaning against a wall, dying, I still need it more. I'm young. So what if I have to shove a 7-year-old down a well to get food? Who cares about them, or me? No one, and that's why it's okay. I can't have feelings. I can't.

I reach the crowded late-afternoon square and spot my first target of the day. A girl, who looks a few years younger than I, is sitting against a wall. She's hugging a loaf of bread like a toddler's teddy-bear. No feelings. No feelings. No feelings. I repeat in my head, as I approach her. I loom over her, being much taller than her when I stand at my full height without slouching. The fact she is sitting is even better.

"Give me your bread or I'll force it from you," I say in the bravest, manliest voice I can.

[Head Gamemaker]

ALICE BLUE

I roam around the District mindlessly. My ody is sore from the beatings I have recieved today. I feel like I just can't move any more. Stumbling to the ground in hunger, my palms are alll that is seperating my face from the hard ground of the Square. I can't go on. I need food. Letting go, I fall onto the ground, but don't care. Let me die now, so I won't have to go through another second of my family. Please. Let me leave this world.

My eyes skim over it. A piece of cloth, nothing at first glance, but then I see it is much more than nothing. It is fine silk. Snatching it up, I take a few minutes to pull myself from the ground. No help from anyone. I stumble to the nearest store, and shove it at the face of the baker. He looks surprised for a seond, then takes it gently and smiles kindly. The baker was a nice man. "Here," he says, "The silk isn't enough to pay for it, but I think you'll need it." Then, as if by some sort of magic, I'm standing outside the store, my mouth open slightly.

I walk silently to a wall and lean against it, my body ending up dragged downwards from weariness. I hug the warm bread tightly, and prepare to eat it, when someone's shadow looms over me. I look up weakly and shudder. "Give me your bread or I'll force it from you," He says. I hug it tighter. He looked tired, or in pain. I barely croak the words, "It's mine." Then take a bite. If he was going to try and force it from me I wasn't going to share. Maybe if he had asked nicely.

[Tibby Maything]

TOBY IWILL

"It's mine," she says bluntly, and takes a bite. My stomache growls painfully, and I glare. Oh send a sheperd, a she obviously needs one. "Selfish, much?" I ask. I reach down to grab the bread, trying to wedge it out of her hands. Why was it so difficult to get people to give me food these days? I wouldn't hurt anyone badl, unless they were stubborn, and it's not as if I liked it.

[Head Gamemaker]

ALICE BLUE

My stomache welcomes the bread joyously, taking it in like it was a cream-filled cookie. "Selfish, much?" The boy asks, bending down and trying to pick the bread from my hands. I jerk away from him and squeek out of habit. He's not getting my food. It's my food, not his, he can go get his own food! Or wa she a thief? I certainly hope not.

"Back off, potato head, this'll probably be the only food I get this week," I say, annoyed. Then I stand up. I don't match his height. He seems a foot taller than me, and I feel like a little girl. He wouldn't hurt me, would he?

[Tibby Maything]

TOBY IWILL

That girl's got some guts, talking to me that way. When she stands up, I get as close to her face as I can. Then I ram her against the wall as hard as I can, hoping to at least make her bleed. It was MY turn to hurt someone. I've never purposely hurt someone in my life, but I'm hungry enough. It's been done to me enough. I still have the welts from the whip on my back from a few months ago. It's my turn. And this girl will be the first person.

"You think I care?" I ask, my breath quicker than usual. This was new to me. "I haven't eaten for a week and a half, I've been beaten, I've been shoved, for goodness sakes I've been nearly drowned - and you think I CARE you haven't eaten lately? Hand me the brea or the next thing on my agenda will be to escape this District as a murderer." It's only a threat, as I would never murder a girl who must only be eight or nine. I would never murder. I swallow. "Wait - no I'm sorry." I lower my head in shame.

"I'm so, so, so sorry." I mutter, tears popping onto my eyes. Who was that that just came forward? Why am I having such thoughts?

[Head Gamemaker]

ALICE BLUE

When I get pushed against the wall, I hit my head. Oh the pain, the pain! The begins rambling about his life, and I take in every detail, my injured head soaking in everything it hears like a black hole. I moan, and I groan, and I try to fall on my knees. I feel like crying, it just hurts so much. My back hurts to, my breath having been taken away by how strong he was to push me so hard.

Then he apologizes. My breath completely stops in confusion. Was he bipolar or something? He starts tearing up, and I purse my lips together. Then, the words he said come back to me. His life of late sounded a bit like mine. I break my bread in half and push some into his hand, feeling empathy overflow me. "Those things you said,..." I say, "Me too."

[Tibby Maything]

TOBY IWILL

I swear I stop breathing. Her, too? I stare blankly at her pale, pained face. I grip the bread in my hand and take a nibble. "Thanks," I mutter. I back up from her, giving her some space.

[Head Gamemaker]

ALICE BLUE

I stumble forward, barely catching myself. I don't hear what he says. I feel dizzy. Extremely dizzy. I stumble forward again, and lean against the boy. I feel so heavy! My weight completely falls onto him, and I feel like passing out.