Have I Seen You Before? ~ Ali & Sarella

Another day, another voiceless day. I sigh heavily. Being back at the Avox center has its perks- one being aloud out on sunny days like this. It also has its downfalls in the fact that its harsher than my previous Mistress. The amount of beatings I had recieved from the peacekeepers who worked there over the past few weeks was ridiculous. I felt like I was back home with my self-centered abusive husband. I flinch at the memory, thinking of little Daria. Well, she wouldn't be so little now. She would be big and strong- 16 years old. Maybe 17- I couldn't remember her birthday. That is how long I had been living in this hell that monster, I had once called my partner, had forced me into because he was spitefull and bitter and had no love in his heart.

I missed District 4- I missed the sun and the sand between my toes. The Capitol was cold in the Winters- the sun barely shone and the ground was horribly cold. In District 4, despite the chillness of the wind, Winters were mild. The sun shone most days and when it rained, the rain fell as slush- not too cold but not too hot. Summers here were much worse than those in District 4. Though District 4 got oven hot, the humidity managed to dampen somethings down a little. Here, in the Capitol- the summer months had no humidity. It was just pure baking sun light, the temputures were what I imagined Hell to be like. I sigh to myself as I close my eyes and let the bitter cold wind bite my cheeks as I stand idley on the street corner. I was so bored- at least having a master meant I had something to do, even on weekends.

All of a sudden I hear running feet. I open my eyes only to see a small child run behind me. I am quite surprised by the sudden actions of the child. A frown forms on my face- I go to look back but suddenly I find a group of small boys talking to me.

"Hello Ma'am, there is a girl hiding behind you if you haven't noticed, could you please move aside?"

I blink once or twice and while I could not speak- I took the oppitunity to look back at the small child. Judging by her height and facial features, I assume she is around 7 years of age with pale skin- her face is framed with brilliant bright red hair, that curls around her childish face. I run my eyes down the rest of her stature and I nearly gasp in absolute horror. She is wearing a white tunic- that of an Avoxes. Never in the many years I had been in this place, had I ever seen an Avox as young as her. The youngest I had seen up until now was 13- i thought that was wrong but this, this small defencless child, that was sickening. It occured to me that these boys did not want to play with the girl but simply bully her because she was an Avox. I couldn't stand for it. Unable to shout at them to go away- I gestured for them to leave, scowling down at them.

They frowned, confused before one of them whispered to the others what I was. They all laughed and began mocking my silent movements. Agravated- I began hissing through my front teeth flailing my arms at them. Slowly, the ran off- laugh giddily at my display. With a huff, I turned to the small girl. I slowly got down to her level and tapped her shoulder- smiling motherly at her.

The small child nods her head carefully, scratching the back of her head. I see her flinch slightly, and my worse fears deepen. A child of this age should never be put to this torture of no words forever. I force back the emotions that dwell inside of me, and I think of little Daria. I remind myself that Daria isn't so little anymore. She is a fully grown woman. I wonder how she has coped with her father, being...well..abusive. I wonder, I dread to think that she may be in fact dead. I cringe at the thought of my baby girl being dead- and my husband cackling evily over her lifeless body. She then, atleast wouldn't have to suffer and she would also be with Tisha. Oh, how sweet they both were and how cursed both were. How Tisha was killed and how Daria was born with deafness? Unlucky- I guess but every cloud has a silver lining. I know that Tisha was a smart brave little girl and my Daria was just as smart as all the other children in her year.

I look down at the little girl- she reminds me of Daria. I think its the bright blue eyes and the hair colour- no wait. Its just the eyes. Darias hair was brown. I sigh thinking of her again. I slowly lose touch with the grief within me when I see a line of blood on her nose. Alarmed I glance round- checking for peacekeepers. I'll take her back to the Avox Center. As far as I am aware- it is almost like an Avox sanctury and the Peacekeepers dont give a damn if there is an extra mouth to feed or and extra head to rest there for one night. Her owners on the other hand- well. That is something I will need to sort out later. Maybe I'll speak to Jerry- the kind Doctor on Level 2. I look down at the girl, and give her a reassuring smile. I gentley place a hand on her back, and I feel the yearnings of mother hood overcome me again. I smile to myself as I gentley lead her towards the center.

It isn't that far away but by the time we arrive it is getting late and many of the Avox's are returning. I know nearly all their faces- with only about 20 permant residential Avoxs living there at a time. I pass two female Avox's who names I have learnt to be Olivine and Mafi. They frown at the girl- and also show the same expression of shock as I had earlier on. An Avox names Dimon hold the door open for us and also cannot help but stare at the child avox. Garnet, another female avox, and Spar, another male, joing the crowd of Avox's following me to Level 2. Halfway up the stairs I turn round and shoo them away with a laughing smile on my face. They glance at me and show the same expression, despersing slowly. Garnet hovers a little longer until she departs when we reach the Doctors office. I knock twice and wait for Jerry to answer.