"Angel and the Devil"// (Vee)

I pull the black coat tighter to my freezing body. Thankfully, it covers the whole length of my arms—unlike the old coat I had to wear for ten years. I had been forcing my parents to buy one for me but they never really had until a few months ago, on the day of the Reaping, to be exact. It’s almost funny sometimes, how kind they become when they dread to find you dead after a few days. And so now, I’ve got this brand new black coat that still seems to be too weak to fight off the winter cold. I exhale into the night air, as wisps of water form a trail before my eyes. I rub my hands together, in an effort to keep them warm. Night always had the power to make things more powerful, like how it was making the cold ten times stronger.

I clutch the bag of bread tighter, holding on to the warmth that it had earlier emitted. This was the reason I am here now, stuck in this cold, dark, street. Sometimes I really do think that having siblings is such a good thing. At least then you would have somebody you could send to the shops and buy whatever it is your family needs. I sigh, trudging on. I better just get home quickly. Then, I wouldn’t have to worry about the cold, or the night, or how my feet are starting to get wet from the melted snow that manage to seep through my worn down boots.

I cough. The cold is really starting to get to me. I stop for a moment, and look up. The first thing I notice are the few stars. There seemed to be a lot more before, but that was before District 1 had started expanding and the lights covered them from my sight. I put my head back down, and focus on the path before me. Not many people are out, considering the time of the day. Most are like me, rushing on their way home, eager to feel the warmth of the roaring fire, or to cuddle under a warm, thick blanket. One certain shadow, however, isolates itself from all the rest. From the distance, I can see it is a woman, but I can tell nothing more than that. I certainly can hear her voice, however.

From afar, I can hear her talking, though the distance between us prevents me from fully hearing what she says. I approach her wearily, thinking that it must be a Peacekeeper, but I back away again when I hear the person laughing. Who would be laughing and giggling like that in such a silent night as this? I back away wearily, surely a person who would be enjoying walking alone would be considered dangerous. Observing, I can assume that whoever she is must be really drunk, or really cold. She was obviously wobbling, almost near to topple. As soon as I think it, I see her legs give way and she falls to the ground.

Worried, I ran towards her, all thought of my problems forgotten. Now, I have to see what ever is wrong with her. I pant, the short run from where I stood and from the fallen girl already exhausting me. I place the once warm bread into the cold snow, and turn her around. She looked unconscious, but well enough to be woken up. I momentarily gasp. She was a peacekeeper, and maybe a new one at that. Her face was not familiar to me, unlike the others who have been roaming around our district for years. “Hey,” I say, shaking the woman lightly. “Hey, a-are you alright?” I repeat, shaking her more forcefully. I decide against it, but finally end up trying to lift her up. I couldn’t leave her in the snow, but now I just wish she would wake up.

BOLD WORDS