escape from reality [zharkus--open]

It took me awhile to realize that someone was speaking to me, which was surprising. I barely ever had to ask someone to repeat the words; I was always paying attention somewhat. But this time, it was a few seconds later when I turned around to acknowledge the other boy, who appeared to be around the same age as me.

"I highly doubt that," I said wrlyly. "An innocent girl like me outside even in the rain? No one would notice." If I didn't have my hoodie on. For a moment I was tempted to take it off and keep to my earth toned shirt instead. But then I decided against it; the hood provided some use at least.

I glanced back at the boy. "But it's kind of hypocritical to tell me something like that," I said, "when you're outside yourself." As those words left my mouth, however, I wondered if I'd gone too far. I just met this guy. Was I supposed to brace myself for him to pull a knife on me or something?

The conversation was beginning to gather some tension now, I realized. Of course, whatever he said just raised more questions. Why had he been out walking in the morning? Why was he still walking? Surely he'd stopped home some time, and even if he hadn't, why not?

I didn't dwell on those questions for too long though because the next thing I knew, he was saying something else. About my clothes. Instinctively I looked down, only to realize he meant my hoodie. I couldn't blame him, but still.

"Inconspicuous or not, it's a little early for you to be pointing out my flaws. You don't even know me yet." I allowed myself another glance at the sky before crossing my arms against my chest. So much for not exposing my own hypocritical side. In any case, I might as well get his name before this conversation takes off, if it ever will. But the best way to do that would be to introduce myself first, which wasn't something I often did anymore.

"Forget it," I said. "My name's Ash. Now who are you?" I kept my other questions at bay. They'll come soon enough.

Sorr. The name echoed once in my head as I studied him. Dark hair. Green eyes. Definitely taller than me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was a guy many girls would fall for, especially with his silent personality. Or at least that was what I'd already assumed about him.

"I used to live in District 9," I said with a shrug. "I've only moved to this District only a few years ago." I paused, chills rolling down my spine that had nothing to do with the rain. Great. Resurfacing memories.

I didn't mention that I'd been home-schooled the whole entire time I was here, until about a few months ago. I didn't remember seeing Sorr in my classes either, but then again, I never was really attentative. Shaking my head, I went back to my previous questions. Now it was my turn. "Where were you walking from?" I asked him. From what I could tell, it was almost noon, and although District 5 was large with open fields, it was still hard to believe someone had been walking all morning in the rain.

I had to admit; I was impressed with this guy. Clearly he wasn't some reckless person who would just give the truth away without really pondering the question at all. But that also meant I had to be on my guard. Still, his answer to my question was fair enough. If he was delivering sheep, then he had probably gone to District Eight, the District that was close enough to home.

When Sorr asked me his next question, I didn't answer right away. Instead I waited, watching as he took a seat on the grass next to me, suggesting I should sit down as well. At first I wanted to refuse; I really did prefer standing over sitting. But then I settled myself down beside him anyway. It couldn't hurt, and it would look less suspicious. Besides, I could tell he was beginning to trust me somewhat now.

"I had some family issues," I finally said after awhile. It was an answer I was used to giving to people. In this District though, my brother takes care of me." I wondered if he could hear the hidden meaning behind those words, if he could somehow figure out what really happened. Then again, my words weren't really a lie; I just refused to tell him anything. Just like now, I was refusing to ask him another of my questions. I felt we could both use a break from them.

We were silent for a moment and I began to wonder if I said something wrong. I half expected him to ask me another question, but when he didn't, I just leaned against the tree and gaze ahead of me. My mind was whirling and then I began to wonder why I cared so much. Then again, he was the first person I'd talked to who was as quiet as myself. It was a nice change, I had to admit.

"Sun's coming out," he finally said after awhile. I just nodded, watching a beam of sunlight appear between the grey clouds above. There seemed to be a hidden message behind that statement, but I was preoccupied with something else. Why were we still talking about the weather? There had to be some other topic.

"There's something I don't get," I said, which wasn't entirely a lie. "Even if you were delivering sheep to another District, why did you go alone? District traveling is hard." At least I assumed he went alone.

I paused, wondering if I'd given too much away. That was the perfect opportunity for Sorr to begin asking how I'd moved from District to District, especially when District Nine was so much further away.

Relief flooded through me when Sorr elaborated further on his previous words. So he lived with his father. I found a twinge of envy at that. Having known my father for such a short time didn't exactly help with our relationship, but that didn't mean I didn't want one. I wondered what it'd be like, living with both parents instead of an older sibling. Irritating? Assuring? I would never know.

His next answer was fair enough. I didn't know too much about merchant passes, but obviously I've heard of them. But then Sorr asked the question I was dreading--how did I make it to District Nine by myself?

"I didn't," I replied. That was the truth. "My mother made sure I made it through safely. Back when my dad was alive, he'd left behind a few maps. He once lived in District Five too." A lie mixed in with the truth. The scar on my stomach tingled as if in warning, but I tried to ignore it. My mother had died before I made it to this District, but no matter how much I trusted Sorr at the moment, I couldn't reveal absolutely everything about myself to him.

I kept yet another question out of my mouth because, surprisingly, I'd run out. It seemed Sorr had told me pretty much the truth. I let a little bit of guilt seep through my body.