Torn Away {Romana Izar Oneshot}

Romana Izar

Another one of our clan, torn away by the Capitol. Supposedly, to the people of the Capitol, it was a way to show us that we never should have rebelled. It was meant to be a consequence for us. Personally, I feel that seventy-six years of punishment is far more than enough. They've ripped out family apart, piece by piece, and as each one is taken away, we have no way of knowing if they are to return. Raquel Izar was the next one to be a part of that mystery. No matter how much we all dreaded the fact that she wasn't likely to come back home to us, we still had hope. Hope is a powerful thing, but not everyone has it. It took me a long time to realize I had any myself. Raquel showed me what hope was.

That day, talking with Raquel in the Justice Building, she explained to me that I had to take care of myself before anyone else. She taught me that I couldn't think negatively. I suppose the advice that was given to me did really help. I try my best to hope for her return, and tell myself that she's coming back. Although I know that, even if she does come back, she won't be the same. She would be a killer by the time of our reunion. No one gets out of the Games alive without taking life from another living soul. It was just impossible, and wasn't ever going to happen. If you emerge from that arena alive, you're the reason someone else didn't. That's part of why the Games terrify me so much.

I've had nightmares, recently. They've been about the Games, but surprisingly, not about Raquel. The terrors show me as the one selected at the reaping, heading up to the stage and then parting ways with my family members at the Justice Building. Instead of Raquel, it's me. I've begun to wonder if that's how it was meant to be. I don't have a lot of close family members, so I doubt I'd be missed as much as I'm sure she will be if she dies. 

The worst part of the dream, however, isn't it ending in my death. No, it ends in me ending the life of another tribute. It's me, Romana Izar, killing someone else. I end whatever they might have become. I prevent them from going on. I cause their family to fear hatred for me. I cause their family to mourn their own family member.

I would awaken from the dream, screaming and drenched in sweat. My younger sister would come running into my bedroom to be sure that I was alright. She would cuddle up next to me, and we'd fall back to sleep next to one another. My nightmares, however, would continue. It doesn't matter how close my family is in proximity to me. When one is missing, it's like they all are. It's like I'm alone, and I know that that feeling will never go away.

As I wake up one morning, I realize what day it is. Tomorrow is the first day of the 76th Annual Hunger Games. It will be time for the death match to begin, and blood will be shed mercilessly. All of the tributes; likely even Raquel herself; will see someone die. I just have to hope that she won't kill when she doesn't have to. 

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