Another Tree Falls (open)

Abryl awoke early to the deep chill of the fall. Her eyes remained firmly shut as she wiggled down deeper under the thin blanket. Just a moment more. Let her rest. The early morning chill bit at her face, worming its way through holes in her scrappy blanket and wrapping its cold tendrils around her body. She heard her brother awaking next to her. Both she and Mabry awoke early in the chilly fall. His gentle footsteps approached her bed, stopping before her. Abryl felt a strong hand come to rest slightly on her shoulder. "Abryl, wake up. Come on, work starts soon," He whispered soothingly. Had it been anyone but Mabry asking her, Abryl never would have moved. Only her older brother could get her to do things. Abryl's eyes cracked open, soft blue light spilling in through the dusty, cobwebbed window. She watched Mabry's receding figure as he walked down the hall and into the kitchen.

Abryl sat up slowly, throwing back the poor excuse of a blanket to meet the chilly autumn air. Her feet felt numb as the walked sorely across the frozen floor. She hadn't even bothered to take off her work clothes last night, and so this morning, she only had to pull on socks and her boots. Abryl then followed after Mabry into the kitchen. She didn't glance at what he was eating. Today was her day to go without breakfast. They all took turns, well, except for the twins. They were too young. Mabry seemed to notice her sullen expression, and ate hastily, careful not to smack. When he was done, they left the cabin silently, walking side by side into the forest. It was quiet this early in the morning with not a soul about. That would change soon when the sounds of axes and saws and "heads ho" filled the air. But for now, it was calm and Abryl relished in it.

They parted when the reached the new crop of trees. Mabry gave her a simple nod and headed towards the axemen. He was responsible for cutting down trees. Abryl grew them. She glanced after him for a moment, and then turned into the neat rows of young, sapling pines. As she walked, she reached out to touch their trunks. Here was Patrick, one of the first trees she had planted. Further along was Peppa and Padarn. She had named them, two for each hunger games. Each name started with a P because they were pine trees. It wasn't very original Abryl admitted, but it was the best she could do. This year, she had named the two trees of her choice Pandora and Pallas. They were in the last line of saplings, barely growing to her waist. It would be many many years before they were fully grown and cut down. Abryl prayed she wouldn't be there to see it. She kneeled and began to pull weeds from around the roots of the trees, taking special care not to upset the pines. As she glanced around her, she noticed some of the trees over near Patrick were beginning to fall. Abryl grinded her teeth together in frustration. The axemen cut down the trees to young, or so Abryl thought. If they would just wait, they would get much stronger trees.

Fuming, Abryl left and went to pick up the bag of seeds at the end of the row. It must contain at least two thousand, maybe more. Sighing inwardly, she took a rusted shovel and began to long grueling work of planting pine seeds. Her back began to ache, but at least there was no one here to see her work. To see her hunched over the ground. To see her where she was most vulnerable.