through the fog // [shrimp] mayor blitz

The wooden plank slammed against the hull of the small boat, sending it bobbing in the waves. Her heart stopped in her chest, her ears deafened by the sound water rippling around them. She peered up at the women, standing along their fantastical boat and it felt like a dream.

Althea shared a glance with her rower, he nodded at her and she couldn't hide the smile creeping across her lips.

She stood as gracefully as she could in the tiny boat being knocked about by the residual wake from the amazon's vessel. The woman was grateful she had opted for practical boots rather than the usual campaign heels she wore on the mainland. This island had different customs, and she was giddy to be as close as she was to it.

She could taste it- the power, the freedom.

Althea, with her arms spread to keep her balance, stepped onto the small bridge. Her navy blue coat caught the wind, flying open flapping behind her like the cape of a great warrior.

She crossed the bridge slowly, to keep from falling but also to savor the moment. The moment she got to leave district four and all its history into what felt like a fairy tale.

She reached the end and hopped down to the deck, hair yanked from its design whipping around her face and her lips pulled into a gigantic smile.

"It is an honor," she gasped breathlessly, unsure if bowing was an accepted custom among them. She certainly felt like bowing. She felt like groveling.

They take her hand and she it feels like Althea's entire body is on fire. She's as excited as a child as the boat slides against the coastline. Her guide draws an arrow, a focused eye on the water below, and lets it fly. A few others heave up a net and a fish with an arrow sticking out of its gut hits the deck.

The amazon turned to her. "Althea, Have you ever speared your own fish?"

Althea had spent plenty of time on the beaches in her youth, mostly training. Years were spent with a trident in hand, yet she never put it to use gathering food. They had always lived comfortable enough to afford buying from a fishwife.

"Can't say I have."

The woman smiles at her.

"Well, today's your lucky day."

A spear is thrust into her hand, and suddenly she's seventeen. The heft of the weapon pulling at the muscles in her arm.

She shrugs off her coat, letting the chill morning air hit her skin. She can't let the garment restrict her movement.

Her feet parted, her arms raised as she falls back into the easy pose of a champion taking aim for the kill.

Althea takes a deep breath, and looks to her guide, blue eyes hard and focused.

"Show me."

The warriors move around her, settling into a formation. Althea is herded into place beside Atalante.

Her minds wanders to a life not lived. A world where she was born on the island. A life where she never met Fabian, never had kids. Where she never stopped training with her spear. Never traded gym visits for community lunches.

Her eyes sting as they are called to arms. She raises her spear, the cool wood warmed by her hands. Atalante looks at her, and Althea shares her glance.

"Ready?"

The woman's body was a perfect weapon, her bow held with practiced perfect technique. A handcrafted arrow sitting in place, ready to be thrown forward.

Althea smirked.

Weapons flew. Arrow after arrow hit the water and along with them Althea's spear cut through the waves.

Her hank sank as she saw the trident hit the water and simply sink to the shallow bottom without hitting anything.

No, I need another chance.

Althea climbed on top of the small but of hull in her way. She stared down at the water, her eyes focused on her spear through the blood and arrows.

She took a breath and jumped.

The water was freezing, a shock that went through her whole system. She gasped, calming her heart before slipping under the clear water and grabbing her spear.

The woman surfaced, her brown hair completely freed from its intricate bun and now sticking to her face. She climbed up the side of the boat, taking the helpful hands of the other warriors. She swung her feet over the side and while she was soaked to the bone she never felt more alive.

"Again?" she grinned.

The amazons roar with with cheers around her. She hears the word "warrior" and "mainland" and her heart swells in her chest. She feels young again, she feels at home.

Leaning against the hull, Althea turns her face to the sun letting the heat melt away the cold of the water and dry her clothes. Atalante offers her bread loaded with smoked fish and salty seaweed. It tastes amazing. Bold flavors slamming together like fighters.

"Why Mayor?"

It wasn't the first time Althea had been asked that question. Was it something about her that didn't strike people as very mayoral?

Althea smiled. She wondered what she looked like to the women of the island. Anything she wanted? She wanted to laugh.

"I wanted to be a fighter, in the Hunger Games," she said staring at her piece of bread. "But a man talked me out of it."

"I've been listening to men for a long time, men that run this country into the dirt and take everything away from the people. I'm done listening to them. I want to make it better anyway I can."

It didn't sound as eloquent as her usual speeches, but it felt like the truth.

"What do you do? If you could do anything?"