unam . noza | cigol

Is there any point in Manu being happy to see the stars? The clouds are sparse as far as he can tell, and overhead, they watch like crosses. Bitterness greets the sweet mood in the colosseum every once in a while, reminding him and the rest: you are going to die tomorrow. Stars have lived for millions of years. Even they find their untimely end in the hands of a reaper before exploding into a blanket of light for all the galaxies overhead to witness.

The two windows back home were all Manu had in his room. One on the east end, one on the west. He'd drag a comfy chair from one end of the room to the other when he was little to watch his star, the sun, rise and fall each day. (Through pain, loss, and suffering, life goes on, Manuel. Move on.) Right… accept it and move on. Those were the words that stuck in his head after the first patriot class. To move on and forget anything that troubled him. Emotional damage cannot maintain its chokehold if it cannot be remembered.

Manu takes his eyes away from the clear skies above and back to the group of cross-armed children beside him. He takes a quick analysis of the people around him: which should he gravitate to and which should he stay away from? And who's the weakest, most able to buy him time while those who have their first kills move on to their second. Manu knows how to gauge someone's strength: he was taught as a little boy with the other children in his classes to have strong insight and perception and to call out against anyone who might have been a remnant of the faded Rebellion. (Young boys such as yourself are corruptible, Manuel. Do not let the rebels overtake your spirit under any circumstance.)

Some are easier to read than others. Take this kid, for example: deep in thought. Is he thinking about how to cheat the system for his advantage, reflect on his life, or something else? Manu steps toward him. He speaks with ambiguity, "Happy Hunger Games, huh?" Hear what he has to say, exploit his weaknesses, and use them tomorrow if the time comes.

(The Capitol's way is the best way for you, Manuel. The only way…)