Keep it G O I N G {ali}

Keep it G O I N G {ali} Jun 17, 2014 19:56:30 GMT -5

Post by ali on Jun 17, 2014 19:56:30 GMT -5

Sometimes, life was good. Father had been preoccupied with something the last day or so meaning Daria did not have the displeasure of encountering him drunk after work; nor did she have to suffer another beating for just being alive. So that morning had been pleasant, fresh, beautiful when she had woken up in her bed without a tear stained pillow or blood on the sheets; she had no bruises either. Though the ones from before had still yet to fade but they were not going to get worse because of his attacks. The sky had even seemed bright that day, the sun was warmer and the sea was greener. Perfect.

Daria decided for once, not to rush out the house. She lay beneath her cotton sheets and watched the fan swirl round and round above her; in silence. Her room was mildly cool, her sheets did not stick to her skin because of a nightmare of her father and nor did she have the dream of her dear mother being dragged off into the night. That was a foul thought. Not pressing the issue of what nightmares she suffered on occasion, Daria thought about the beach and the parties leading up to the Blood Bath. Her father of course would not let her go, but soon she’d be 18 and be free of her father’s evil grasp. Where would she go? She didn’t know. Veda was teaching her how to make fish hooks- though she’d never be as good as her- and there was always the offer from the library at the school.

Future, so far away she thought to herself, just focus on the present for now Daria. Sitting up, the young deaf girl decided to wear something pretty today. Rummaging through her cupboard of greys and blacks, she found her favourite dress in the entire world; her reaping Dress. She technically was only supposed to wear it to reaping’s and other special occasions- she never got invited to those- but today she felt like wearing something pretty. After a quick shower and a comb of her short hair, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her arms were still covered in bruises and she didn’t feel comfortable exposing her pain to others- it wasn’t fair on them. So after a quick hunt for a white cardigan, Daria slipped her sandals on and headed out down towards the Docks.

The Docks were always full of life and smiling people, there was rarely a day where the mood was foul. Everyone was kind here, most knew Daria and would tip their hats to her as she passed. Some knew her situation and would sign to her, asking if she was okay. Some were from far off Districts and so she only saw them occasionally; but they still knew how to say her name with their hands. Today, there were many ships in port. Many were fisherman and others were traders brining supplies from 12, 9 and 8; one ship from 8 called the Sea Pearl always bought the nicest plimsolls which were a pain to get elsewhere in 4. However, today the sight of one ship in particular excited her very much. The crow was docked and that meant Red was around.

Sprinting down the docks, she found her sea loving friend perched on the edge of a crate. The red haired, freckly woman smiled at her and signed “Hey there Daria! Long time no see?”

Daria excitedly replied with her hands “It’s been a while, how was your journey”

“Good, wish we could’ve been out of sea longer but the ship needs maintenance somehow” she smiled before thinking for a moment “I got you something”

Daria’s eyes lit up “Red!”

Smiling cheekily, she jumped off the box and went into her satchel- which was more of a burlap sack- looking for something. Eventually she revealed a necklace with an ancient bottle cap on it and handed it to the deaf girl. Daria grinned and examined the bottle cap, frowning a little at the trasnscription.

“Coca Cola?” she signed, confused to what this meant

Red shrugged.

“Thank you Red, its lovely” Daria signed, putting the necklace round her neck

“No problem darling, I need to do some captain stuff now so I’ll see you round??”

Daria nodded and galloped off down the board walk past all the people, smiling, the little necklace bouncing around her neck. Around half way back towards the residential area, Daria spotted a familiar face walking along the board walk. It was her cousin Sylvia- another face she had not seen in a long while. This day could not get any better she thought to herself as she hurried after her cousin, and friend, down the wooden pier. She slowed as she got to where Sylvia was, carefully treading on the planks so she could scare her but it didn’t work. Daria couldn’t hear her footsteps so had no idea if she was being stealthy or not, so it didn’t surprise her when Sylvia turned round, mouthing silently.

Daria paused there for one moment smiling before she shuffled forward a bit before signing to her cousin “It’s me”

Smiling happily, Daria sat down beside Sylvia; shuffling a little so that she was closer to the water’s edge. The sea gently lapped up against the wooden struts and almost touched the bottom of her sandals. The water was so clear here, she could see all the fish that swam about the bottom, silver slithers in a clear glass ocean. They were quick, fast and nimble. If a big fish came along, they darted away all together and then bobbed together in the water. They were like flashes of lightning the early afternoon sun, soon they were gone but they returned soon enough. Maybe I’ll see a crab, she thought to herself as she looked at the bottom of the sea beneath the wooden platform they sat on. Turning to Sylvia once more, she smiled widely, presenting her with the necklace around her neck.

“Look what my friend found”

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