Shadows {FALL} on the Horizon | Esme's DP

It was all going as planned. People were fighting. Blood was covering her body painting it red as she steadied herself in the mess of the water tainted with blood. Her teeth were bared as she struck with the knife over and over. The whites of her eyes stained red as she stared down her prey. Someone killed Kirk and Animus, and Esme wasn't leaving until whoever had done it paid the ultimate price. Death. Her balance wasn't the best as she swung around, but never once did she see the kid from eight moving towards her with his spear held high until it was too late. She saw the steel spike coming for her, and it was too fast. She couldn't move. Screams flew from her lips begging for some help, but there was nothing. Only darkness as the world changed around her one image after another as time ceased to exist.

Age 5

A five year old girl stood following her father around, mimicking his every movement as he walked through the stables. When he stopped, she stopped. A huge grin spread wide across her face as she stared at the cows, goats, and pigs on the other side of the stable doors. Each of them was perfect to her because she knew nothing else. All of them had names despite the warnings her father gave her about naming them as one day he would slaughter them for food for the rest of the nation. "Now, now, Esme. Don't get too excited. I have to pick one to slaughter. I think you should stay inside with your mom." She only stared at him as the words filled her ears. "Dada, don't kill them. They don't deserve dying." But it wasn't enough as the tears fell down her face at a rapid pace until her mother's arms wrapped around her tightly dragging the screaming five year old away from the scene. "You don't want to be there, Esme. Not when he kills the cow. Trust me. Please."

Age 8

"Esme. Let's play!" Her ten year old cousin pleaded. Kraygon and her eight year old self weren't normal cousins, they were like brother and sister. Strangers even thought they were brothers and sisters because of how much they looked like and how much they played. "We can play your favorite game!" He shouted, and a smile spread wide across her face. Esme's favorite game was chasing the cows through the farm herding them into them into the direction she wanted. As fast as she could, she ran to the barn grabbing her whip, one her father made for her. Tiny hands wrapped around the handle as she turned to Kraygon. "Let's do it!" That night they spent chasing the cattle around the farm bashing their whips into the ground as they never stopped laughing. "Let's play only a little longer. Ma and Pa ain't gonna say nothing to us. They ain't gonna say nothing at all."

Age 10

The sun shone brightly in the sky mixing with a gentle breeze flying through the air scattering the leaves across the ground. The ten year old's hair blew in every direction as she tried to keep the strong hair out of her eyes. Her brother, Aaron, stood beside her as her sat on a fence post watching the clouds sit peacefully in the sky. "Esme! Aaron! Dinner ready!" Her mother's voice rang through the air mixing with the leaves. The smell of her favorite meal brought a huge rumble inside her stomach begging for the food. Aaron stood up first. "Com' on Esme. I'll give ya a piggyback ride." She grinned from ear to ear as she turned towards him little by little. He kneeled down in front of her allowing her to climb upon his shuolders. "I'll always be here for you Esme. No matter what." And he carried her to the safety of her mother's arms.

Age 13 

"Pa, I wanna getta cow. I wanna get a cow. Please lemme get a cow." A thirteen year old girl begged her father over and over again. He promised her she could get one when she grew older, and now was time for that promise to be fulfilled. "Yeah. We'll go to the auction today, and we'll see what all cows are for sale." Esme smiled from ear to ear as she ran as fast as she could to her room throwing on her best clothes before heading back to her parents. Hand in hand, she walked to the square with her father. The sound of the cows mooing filled the air around her. The drum hidden beneath her chest pranced as they came into sight one by one. She looked around trying to find the perfect cow. One she planned on bringing home with her. One that would become her own. She saw the tiniest one of them all standing in the middle of the field all by it's lonesome. She knew right away that was the cow she wanted. "Pa! I want that one! That one! Please pa!" Excitement flew through her veins faster than any emotion she ever experienced. "Yeah. We'll get that one." And that cow became her's, and she named her Cowie.

Age 14

"Esme, you wanted to learn to slaughter pigs. I have a pig that I'm about to slaughter, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me." For her entire life, Esme waited for this moment, and now was the time. Her entire face lit up when he asked. Of course the answer was yes. She wanted to be just like her father, and now he was allowing her. She was excited. They went outside together marching through the crunchy, dry grass. The sun shined brightly on the ground scorching everything in it's path as a drought raged through the district. Sweat poured from her brow, but everything changed the moment they stepped foot into the stables. A pig, her father already picked out, was laying in the first stable connected to the rope as he prepared to lead it to its slaughter. Her heart raced under her chest as forced down the emotions of watching an animal she grew up with die because food was needed. Her tiny hands wrapped around rope, and they left the stable. He led the way taking her from away from the rest of her family because nobody wanted to watch. Nobody wanted to witness the death of an innocent pig, but Esme was ready. She had been ready until she watched him bring the hammer doown upon it's tiny head cracking it's skull bashing it's brains in leaving the pig deceased.

Reaping

She stood in the district square next to the other females her age waiting to return home for her favorite home cooked meal her parents only made on reaping day. Her mind remained blank as the escort gave the same speech every year until it was finally time to draw the name of those unlucky children. "Esme Truus!" Her own name was called, and she fought against the tears forming in her eyes as she walked down the isle towards her death. Her name was followed by Kirk, and he promised she didn't have anything to worry about because he would take care of her. After it was over she was led to the justice building where she had a fight with Kraygon. "I HATE YOU!" He shouted at the top of his lungs before walking out the door slamming it behind him. He may have hated her, but she definitely didn't hate him. Then her parents walked through the door along with her brother, Aaron, and she promised she would fight for them, but Esme knew she was as good as dead because she wasn't strong enough, she wasn't brave enough, and she was too small to fight against a bunch of blood thirsty careers who trained everyday.

Train Ride

Saffron led them through the train away from the car they sat in. Mace was uncomfortable for some reason, but he was terrifying. Esme wanted nothing to do with him because he was tall, and he a victor, something she would never compare to. She had no business being around them, but Saffron and Mace had won the games. They both survived the fighting, and she wanted to know how they survive knowing they murdered innocent souls in the arena, but she never asked. It wasn't any of her business. Truth be told, Esme looked up to them for the honor they brought to the district. When Saffron ran into the car, and the stars lit the way, Esme felt her heart leap into her throat. It was beautiful, but she knew it wouldn't last forever. In a few days, twenty-four children would be thrown into an arena where it was literally every man for himself, but she couldn't think like that. Tonight she was happy because for once she forgot about the weight that's been placed upon her shoulders. A weight no person should ever bare.

Training Day 1

She held onto a knife trying to throw it at the target, but she couldn't. A knife didn't belong in her hands. No weapon belong in her hands, yet others were tossing them around like it was nothing. They wanted to kill those standing before them, but Esme didn't want to kill. She wanted to stay true to herself, but her options weren't the best. Out of the blue someone knocked into her sending her crashing down towards the ground. A giant stood in front of her when another giant, who was taller than the one who knocked her down, threatened him. Kirk wasn't far behind. A fight broke out as a misunderstanding happened. She didn't want anyone fighting because it was wrong. Hurting someone was wrong, but it didn't matter here. Twenty-three would die because the Capitol said those were the rules. Eventually the fighting started and they became allies, but they weren't just allies. Kirk, Animus, and Crusader became her friends. She looked up to them, and she wanted more than anything to prove she's capable of fighting along side with them.

Training Day 2

She stood in front of the camoflauge station holding onto a paintbrush not caring what anyone said. Neither Mace nor Saffron could take her away from the painting she was doing because for the first time since she arrived at the training center, she felt relaxed, like her normal self again. A girl her age walked up towards her. "That is nice. I find it hard to think of happy things while I am here. So thank you." Esme never expected anyone other than Kirk to talk to her, but here she was standing next to someone, an enemy, but maybe she wasn't as bad as she expected. Maybe she was a friend in the midst of the bloodthirsty, but there was only one way for her to find out. "It is hard to think happy things here, but I can't just sit around waiting for it to happen. Plus, I wanna have fun. Might as well make the best of it." Putting her childish self in front of her allowed her the chance of freedom for only a moment. It gave her the chance to realize the games wasn't all that bad. She watched as her new friend painted a picture and handed it to her before introducing herself as Emery. Esme took the picture, and in return painted Emery a picture hoping their new friendship would last them a lifetime because their lives wouldn't last much longer. Deep inside Esme promised she wouldn't attack her because she had just made a new friend in the midst of a horrible storm.

Dinner with Kirk

She sat down at a table looking around terrified at all the tributes gathered around. Sure some of them were talking, but Esme knew every last one of them would try to kill the other the moment the games began. Kirk sat down beside her, and she was happy, extremely happy because someone actually cared about her. He handed her a plate of food, and it was amazing knowing the Capitol had all the food she could ever ask for. "What happens when someone dies? Do we become those stars that are above our head at night? Like the ones Saffron showed us in that train car? Or are we just dead?" Worry rested on her voice as the question escaped her lips, and she knew right away the question wasn't one Kirk was prepared for, but he tried to answer it the best he could. "Ah don't think that we'll be the stars, but we'll sure be up there with 'em, looking down and watching the world go on in a place where time itself has no meaning. My grandad always said that when we die, we go to this city near the stars where the streets are made of gold, and rivers made outta milk and honey. There ain't no sickness, ain't no pain. No death, no suffering, heck there ain't even any darkness. Just a wunnerful light that you'll be surrounded by forevah and evah. Sounds like a mighty fine place to me." She wouldn't be a star, but she could live next to them in a city with no more suffering. No more pain. No more sorrow. No regret. Hope raised in her chest once again. This city Kirk told her about was where she wanted to go the moment her life ended.

Private Training

All twenty-four gathered outside the training center as they were called one by one allowing them a chance to show the gamemakers what they were capable of. Being from District Ten, Esme was one of the last to go, and she had no idea what she could do. She wasn't a killer. She wasn't a fighter. She wasn't anything, but the only thing she didn't know how to do was impress the gamemakers. When her name echoed throughout the waiting area, her hands connected with the seat, and she pushed herself into the air staring at those remaining around her. Kirk was already gone, and she only hoped he had done well. Sweat poured from her body as she made her way into the gym. The beady eyes of the gamemakers pierced her body, but she knew what she would do. She moved through the gym gathering as much equipment as she could before moving it all towards the center. She watched her father slaughter a lot of pigs in her life, but she had only slaughtered ten since he allowed her to help, but it was enough for her to grasp the common understanding. With the knife in her hand, she went through the steps of how she slaughtered a pig using a first aid dummy allowing the blood to consume her body. She was happy knowing she scored a five which was in the middle of the group. She only hoped it was enough for every tribute to leave her alone until she was the last one left alive. She would soon find out.

 Games Day 1

She was terrified as she was led away from the comfort of the training center towards the arena. Her entire body shook each time her feet planted firmly against the ground. Mace and Saffron weren't there to help her. She couldn't escape. She couldn't run away, but she wanted to. She longed to get away, but that was impossible and would only end in her death. Esme promised her family she would fight, and she planned on keeping that promise. She never expected the arena to be completely dark though. Nightmares lurked behind the darkness as she tried turning every direction looking for her friends. When the gong sounded she ran as fast as she could only for people to jump her. Pain vibrated through her body as the bone in her arm made a loud, deafening snap. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked for Crusader, Animus, and Kired. She was running away from the fighting looking for them when she realized the item she snatched from the arena might be more useful. She lit it on fire and jumped into fight the first person she saw, but the moment her face was illuminated by the fire, Esme yelled for everyone to stop because she had hurt her friend. She attacked Emery leaving her near dead breaking her arm like one of those others did in the arena. Guilt raised through her chest as she watched her running away. Esme begged for Emery to forgive her, but she was gone, and there wasn't anything she could do because she had to stay with Kirk, and her guardians in order to live.

Games Day 2

Nothing but pain racked through her body as she slept on the hard ground. Kirk was there comforting her from the guilt of attacking Emery, and the three giants took turns patching her up making a makeshift splint for the broken arm. The small fire lighting the area helped scaring the nightmares away as they tried overtaking those left alive. Four people died, and Esme knew nineteen more needed to die in order for her to return home. She led the way as they walked through the tunnels, and they found another alliance. Fear surged through her body as Esme ran from behind Kirk attacking the first person she came across. Vomit flew into her mouth because her blade sliced into the skin of another human, and they followed suit. Soon they were fighting. She watched the career boy from one slice away at her friend over and over, and it made her blood boil. Nobody would attack her friends and get away with it, and she would make him pay for everything he did. She lunged at him slicing his stomach open. A miracle happened when his intestines remained inside. Her eyes turned towards Animus as he stabbed him in the chest, but they retaliated. They fought back because nobody wanted to die. Her mind went back to slaughtering her first pig, and she knew what she had to do. She tightened her grip on the knife and ran towards the career boy slicing his throat with the knife. Blood spewed from him covering her and everything around. He fell towards the ground dead taking her innocence with him. She regretted every second of it, but she had to save Animus, her friend. They left her with no other option.

Games Day 3

That night after killing the career, she couldn't deal with herself. She killed an innocent man, and she hated herself for it. She wanted to die for the crime she committed. She couldn't stand herself, but when the anthem played, another face embedded deeply into her skull. Emery, her friend, the girl she attacked without thinking twice about glared at her, and her heart shattered into millions of pieces. She sobbed violently, and Kirk tried comforting her again, but this time it wasn't any use. Esme couldn't be around them knowing they helped attack her, they helped kill her, but she didn't blame anyone but herself. Her torch busted her arm, she burnt her with the flame setting her on fire for a moment. It was her fault Emery died. It was all her fault. She may not have killed her, but she attacked her leaving her practically helpless. When the three giants were asleep, Esme walked away from them as she needed time alone, but she never expected to get lost. She never found her way back to where she left them behind. A monster roared in front of her stopping her in her tracks until she saw a boy alone fighting a giant beast created by the Capitol. She felt bad for him standing there, and she didn't want him to fight the monster alone. She lunged down the steps attacking the beast. The boy fought along side with her cheering her on as she tried really hard to help him, but her broken arm wasn't allowing her. Asa kept her going, kept telling her to fight as hard as she could, and Esme asked for a distraction. It allowed her to attack the beast leaving a deep gash in it's leg, and she watched in awe as Asa took it down ending it's life forever. In return for helping, she gave him a full jug of water, and he helped heal her up before they both went their own separate ways.

Games Day 4

She was alone all alone, terrified because she didn't want to light her torch on fire. Hiding from those around was her best option, but she knew people would find her anyway. She stared at the sky when the anthem played. Animus and Kirk stared down at her shattering her heart more than it already had leaving her a broken child. Sobs filled the tunnel around her as she stood up heading away from where she was. Esme set out on a mission to find whoever killed them with a promise of toruting them in the worse way possible. Someone would pay for their death. She stopped when she heard the rapids flowing beside her crashing against the rocks mixing with the draft flying through the giant maze. Something was walking to her, and she swung her sword never making contact with anyone, but someone or something stood in front of her slicing the sword through her leg sending her tumbling towards the ground. Her blood boiled as she started fighting little by little. Her blade connected with whoever it was. All she could hear was the blades slicing through the skin and the heavy breathing of two humans fighting one another. Pain raged through her as she attacked again. It was only then she saw who it was fighting her. Asa, the boy she had just made friends with the day before was down with her leg next to him. Tears spilt from her eyes as she stared at him regretting everything she had done. If she had lit her torch, or if he would've turn his light on, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe she could have stopped herself from hitting him, and her leg would still be attached to her body, but it didn't happen. She fought him, and she killed him. Esme handed Asa her tiny wooden cow her father made her hoping he'd forgive her and give him something to remember her by. Something emerged inside her leaving her a puppet controlled by a master living deep inside her bones. She raided him taking his things because Asa no longer needed them. She didn't sleep that night as she watched the anthem. Deep inside she hated seeing his face appear in the sky. She hated that her blade struck him down, but she couldn't change what was done. But the puppet master didn't allow her to feel anything. He took control changing her into the beast she promised herself she wouldn't become. Esme Truus was a filthy monster.

Games Day 5

It was all going as planned. People were fighting. Blood was covering her body painting it red as she steadied herself in the mess of the water tainted with blood. Her teeth were bared as she struck with the knife over and over. The whites of her eyes stained red as she stared down her prey. Someone killed Kirk and Animus, and Esme wasn't leaving until whoever had done it paid the ultimate price. Death. Her balance wasn't the best as she swung around, but never once did she see the kid from eight moving towards her with his spear held high until it was too late. She saw the steel spike coming for her, and it was too fast. She couldn't move. Screams flew from her lips begging for some help...

The steel piece of the spear jabbed into her eye breaking the bone around it stabbing deep within her skull. With a disgusting pop, blood poured down her face. For a moment she saw nothing, felt nothing until he removed it. She flung her arms out in front of her letting the bag fly away from her hands. The knife she was holding onto slipped out of her grips as she was falling face first into the blood tainted water. Her lungs begged for oxygen as she gasped for air. Were Mace and Saffron proud of her? Was her family proud of her? Water flowed into her lungs as she fought trying as hard as she possibly could to stay alive. Hands reached underneath her, and she started floating. Blood poured down her face as her heart grew weaker and weaker. "I won't leave you to die alone. Someone will be there for you." His voice echoed through her ears. Crusader was holding her. He wasn't leaving her to die alone, unforgotten by everyone else remaining in the world. Esme would only be another face in the sky. Her name wouldn't be spoke anymore. Her life would be forgotten, but Kirk made a promise. She didn't have to worry about anything. She exhaled one last time. Crusader released her body from his arms sending her flying through the air into the depths of the giant chasm in front of her. No more sorrow. No more pain. No more guilt. No more regret. Just hope. The world was silence at last, and Esme had went home to the city beside the stars.

**********

A large grin spread across her face as wind blew through the air scattering clouds across the bright blue sky. Her feet moved softly across the clouds dancing with the birds as they sung welcoming tunes. The clouds shifted under her feet like a feather pillow she had just laid her head on each night she crashed into the soft bed made by her parents. Each step she took changed her life as she moved through the sky climbing the stairs of clouds heading towards the city by the stars. The sky changed from a bright blue, to a dark blue until it was black; the only light being the stars and the moon shining down upon her twinkling before her eyes. Her feet moved without her thinking, without her trying as the stairs grew smaller and smaller. The grin on her face grew wider as she moved holding out her arms like a child when they're just learning to walk. She turned in every direction as the birds slowly flew away from her, and she couldn't help but cock her head slightly. Maybe they weren't allowed where she was heading, but she wouldn't find out until she reached the destination.

Gold bars stood at the top of the clouds growing larger the closer she became. A golden gate wrapped around it for as far as she could see. The drum hidden behind her chest jumped into her throat as excitement flew throughout her body. Ever since Kirk told her about the city by the stars, Esme wanted to find it. She had to see the golden streets for herself. Her arms pumped by her side as she ran up the stars as fast as she could. With arms extended in front of her she reached for the gate, yet the moment before she grabbed ahold of one of the bars, the gate flew open. The street behind the gate was pure gold. Children moved around with wings attached to their backs holding onto harps singing a chorus so amazing, Esme couldn't make out what all was said. Blood pooled in her cheeks burning them bright red as the gate shut behind her locking her into the city. Her feet echoed when they landed firmly against the street of gold. A rived flowed beside her. It wasn't a normal river. She stuck her finger inside tasting the honey. It was perfect. It was all she could ask for.

A joyful noise burst out somewhere ahead of her, and she ran towards it. The chorus repeated itself over and over as the children with wings gathered around her. One grabbed ahold of her hand guiding her through the city closer to the singing. Esme longed to join in with them. A man with larger wings stood in front of her holding onto a harp smiling from ear to ear. "This is for you." Her hand flew forward taking the harp. It was perfect, just her size like they knew she was coming. The man flew away as the tiny children with wings continued drawing her closer and closer to the singing. Children were flying, but she couldn't fly. Wings didn't come with her. "Don't worry, Esme, your wings will grow soon." Every hair on her arms stood straight up when the tiny child spoke with a voice purer than anything she had ever heard before. Shaking her head, she followed along until the chorus was coherent.

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."

She stood in awe. The chorus grew louder and louder. Peace grew inside her spreading like a wildfire. The more she thought about the words, the more they meant. She may be dead, but she finally found the peace she longed for when she was trapped in the dark maze. Tears well up in her eyes. Not tears of pain, or sorrow, but tears of joy. A river falls from her eyes as she continues listening to them. It was amazing watching them, and she wanted to join with them, but she wasn't sure how. Does everyone get a voice like that? Her feet moved her towards them without her telling them to. A bright light shines brightly from the sky like they were finally welcoming her home. Kirk was right; this place was truly amazing. She stopped next to the choir of children with wings as they same the same thing over and over. Esme finally joined them singing along bursting out when she could.

"It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."

And it truly was well with her soul.