Take Your Share (Kousel & Yoya)

Every single month a certain amount of food must be given to the Capitol, the amount depending on the family's crop size. The percentage doesn't matter, it's whatever the Capitol needs, desires, or wants. Even if it's a bad month they'll take all of the food supplies, leaving a family starving for any lengths of times. That's probably how they get everyone with the tessera, either way it's disgusting. But a lot of things about the capitol were awfully cruel.

"Iona, I need you to deliver the food to the train station alone this time please." Iona's aunt informs, her simply words making the young girl freeze from reading her book. Not that she minded doing chores, actually she loved helping out, but going out alone sounded terrifying. She was extremely shy, practically mute, and socially awkward. "Okay?" Her aunt makes sure to get a confirmation, she shakes her head up and down to gesture she'll do it. "Thanks." Her aunt quickly says before leaving the house. Iona couldn't help but gulp as she book-marked her spot and put down the book.

Not wanting to disobey any adults Iona immediately went to get the wheel-barrel filled with grains already set up in the back. It was extremely heavy, which was exactly why she preferred going with one of her brothers. Though she'd gladly suffer pulling it along if it meant having one of their protections while going out. Even Iona's little sister by two years went out alone though, but she did have much better social skills. All of her siblings did, but for some reason Iona wasn't too lucky.

"What's a young lad doing all by herself?" The peacekeeper in charge of taking in the food asks, his height and built at least three times the size of tiny Iona. Of course her heart began to race with fear, just as it easily did with any unwanted confrontation.

"Hol...Holbrook..'s...taxes." Iona's voice was as soft as a mouse, and she couldn't help but stutter a bit. Another gulp followed.

With ease the peacekeeper lifted the bag of food from the wheel-barrel and plopped it onto the scale. He scribbles something on the paper, most likely the weight and who's it from, then returns his attention back to the young girl. "It's ten pounds under." He informs, leaning closer to her and grabbing one of her wrists. "Do you know how to make up for that?" He asked coyly, immediately Iona slid her hand from his grip and toke off without her wheel-barrel. Luckily she was scrawny and could always manage to slip away from anyone, even with her complete lack of strength. And she had absolutely no intentions on finding out how to make up for the ten pounds.

Ducking behind a corner to catch her breath, Iona knew she was going to have to go back. It wouldn't be pretty if she came home with a lack of the family's only wheel-barrel, and she knew she'd never be able to explain herself. Peacekeepers are good people, and Iona's forgetful is what they'll say. Any mistakes always ended in punishment to. She didn't want that. After a minute she peered around the corner and was quite relieved to see others walking over to him to deliver their family's taxes. This was the perfect time.