A Road to Home (OPEN TO ALL)

Before I could open my mouth to answer the boy, I heard a blood-curdling scream. It was Kana. I immediately froze when I saw a peacekeeper walking by, but soon, he was gone. The boy got up and ran to Kana, who was now lying on the ground. Before my mind could grasp what was going on, he carried her into her home. For a brief second I pause, contemplating on wether I should go in or not. I grab my bag from the ground, and follow in behind the boy.

Kana was a mess, her lip was beginning to swell, where the peacekeeper probably had hit her. Despite what she said, I knew she was not fine. I ripped a small piece of fabric from my already ragged skirt, and dabbed at the blood in the corner of her mouth. "You'll be fine." I say to Kana.

I turn to the boy, "Do you know exactly what happened. Or anything that could cause this?" Peacekeepers don't just go punching people in the face for grins and giggles. She, or they, must have done something to bring this on. The girl moaned, and I felt sympathy for her. I knew that the petals of poppies would relieve some of her pain, but I didn't dare go to the field now, it would just have to wait. [/color]

I was surprised by the boldness of Kana's father. He knew me and mother well, why would he tell me to get out? Nonetheless, I leave taking one last glance at Kana, lying on the bed. So many things were going wrong, I needed to get answers. I turned to the boy. "Okay, what did you do to cause this? What exactly did you 'drag her into?." I whisper so no one could over hear. Whatever he was doing was illegal apparently, and I knew that I should stay away from him. But wasn't the peacekeepers after me too?

I spot a peacekeeper out of the corner of my eye. I grab the boys arm, pulling him behind a tree, and wait. I don't let go of him, perhaps out of fear. I close my eyes and slowly count down. 3...2...1 I glanced around the tree and was grateful that the peacekeeper had moved on. I release my grip on the boy, and look at him, waiting for an answer. [/color]

I'm glad she pulled me behind the tree but her grip is strong and her nails dig into my skin.
To protect myself I tell the girl. "Nothing of your concern but if you want my guess I'd say they are after you for stealing!" A lump forms in my throat. I can't help but think of my late brothers punishment for stealing. "You'd better hide well. My brother got caught stealing and they took him to the market square and shot him. I don't know about these peace keepers here but you'd better not get caught and I did not tell anybody about you." I sound almost insulted.
"I couldn't!"

When I peek around the tree I see Kana in front of the door, pretty wobbly on her feet.
'Just go back inside!'

"You'd better hide well. My brother got caught stealing and they took him to the market square and shot him. I don't know about these peace keepers here but you'd better not get caught and I did not tell anybody about you. I couldn't!"

He didn't tell! That fact alone made me smile slightly, but it quickly faded. If he didn't tell, who did? I looked around, making sure there were no more peacekeepers. "I don't know where to go." I whisper, on the verge of tears again. "Thank you, for not telling." I couldn't look at him in the eye. I hated for people to see me cry.

I straighten myself up and look at him again. "Wait, what do you mean you don't know about the peacekeepers here? And you couldn't tell? What's all that about?" I was confused now, wasn't he from District 11? Before he answers me he leans over looking back at the house.

"Just go back inside!" He says

I turn around and see Kana standing in the doorway watching us. Poor girl, she really needs to go lay down and rest up. But why did she seem so protective of this boy? Everywhere he was, she was there also. Why? It seemed like I had already asked this question a thousand times today. [/color]

Kana slept at the dinning table. She immediately fell asleep once she headed inside after she kissed Jack. She was forgiving, and didn’t hold a grudge. It was mostly her fault; a peacekeeper watches random streets each day. And her ‘street’ was the one in a million chance. The peacekeepers have a list of each person in a home, and everyone not accounted for is deemed…well. Doing illegal activity, most of the time. Jack was going to another district, but Kana didn’t care she was starting to like Jack.

Kana stirred at the sound at the window. A small, ping, sound echoed though the air. Thankfully her father is a deep sleeper. Kana checked herself, no blood, only some bruises here and there on her back. She wasn’t dreaming, hopefully. Kana slightly jumped up from her seat. Kana slightly stumbled to the door. Her hands slowly creaked the door open.

The moon was high in the sky. The moonlight reflected onto her pale skin making a slight glow effect, but only slight. Jack stood just in front of her home. Kana widened her eyes, quickly waking herself up. Kana’s ears perked up, but nothing but the two were awake for a long ways.

“Hey, why you up so late?” Kana asked him with a yawn just after she finished. Were they going to go find the medicine? She would probably be asleep right now? Where would she be? Kana had no idea’s.

"There is an abandoned building up the road from my home here. My father went there for medicine before my mom died. We can leave just before sunset."

Kana said while wide awake. Kana looked up at the stars the sky was clear for now. But in the distance some clouds floated aimlessly by. Little stars twinkled at her, sometimes she would want to just be with the stars. And not rotten district 11. Her life was permanent here...unless. No, the odds would never be in her favor. Or would they? Kana discarded these thoughts and asked Jack,

"Do you want to come inside?"

Kana turned around and motioned for Jack to come inside. She creaked the door open just so the fire didn't die from the harsh air. The dying fire would offer litter comfort, but it was something. Kana left the door open for Jack while she got her own coat. It was nothing special, but was made by her mother. It was all the rabbits she caught in one. Warm and cozy for those cold nights here and there. The fire was in the kitchen next to the wooden table. You know when you have a fire and the little sparks shoot out everywhere? Well for some odd reason it never set the table on fire, thankfully. Kana then got some more rabbit stew for the two. It was partially warm, for a good late night snack.