The Trial Run (Open)
May 1, 2012 19:24:59 GMT -5
Post by pianoplayer on May 1, 2012 19:24:59 GMT -5
Introduction:
As everyone knows, the Peacekeepers in District 11 are particulierly ruthless. They are always trying to find a new punishment to keep the citizens of District 11 in their place, and they think that the research has paid off.
But of course, before you get something approved by the Capitol, you make sure it's foolproof, and you test it, a trial run. Peacekeepers are looking for citizens willing to spend a week in a facility where the trial will take place. Each citizen who applies and agrees to take part receives a months worth of tesserae for their entire family. Sounds like a good deal, almost too good....
It had been two days since Harmony Cinniccati had seen the sign in front of the Peacekeepers office. She hadn't meant to see it; no, she was just finishing a few errands in town before heading back to her home out in the orchards. Then she caught a glance, and the word tesserae caught her eye. She came closer, to where the people were huddled, and read it. They were looking for participants in a ' few simple Tests' who would spend a week at a Capitol funded facility. The recompensation was a months worth of tesserae, for the entire family.
The idea has been gnawing at me ever since. That kind of offer, it has to be some sort of trick. It couldn't be so simple. Whatever the 'tests' were, they would be something horrible probably. The details weren't mentioned, but it has to be bad- nothing good ever comes from the peacekeepers. But still, a month of tesserae means that money may let us afford an extra bar of soap, a bit of meat, a few more things that we could use around the house. Mom and Dad can't do it because they are working full time, but I'm only a part time worker in the fields, and really, we learn nothing in school these days.
My parents don't want me to do it, but I think I will. I know it's risky, and I don't know what will happen at this 'facility', but how bad could it be, really?
Now thinking that just completely jinxs it for me, I think to myself as I finish packing my bag. I don't have much to pack; a jacket for rain, my flute, a few scraps of paper and pencil in case I want to remember something, my pocket knife, and some dried fruits for the walk. Other than that, all I have are the clothes I'm wearing; long pants, my once white shirt that's turned dark cream with age, and sandals. I tried to tame my hair into waves, but when all failed I just threw it into a messy ponytail.
Mom and Dad are already gone to work, so I'll walk to the office myself. It's still morning, and I don't have to be there for another few hours, but I'll walk there now and be early. I take one last look at my room, and then I walk out the door and down the dirt road.
As everyone knows, the Peacekeepers in District 11 are particulierly ruthless. They are always trying to find a new punishment to keep the citizens of District 11 in their place, and they think that the research has paid off.
But of course, before you get something approved by the Capitol, you make sure it's foolproof, and you test it, a trial run. Peacekeepers are looking for citizens willing to spend a week in a facility where the trial will take place. Each citizen who applies and agrees to take part receives a months worth of tesserae for their entire family. Sounds like a good deal, almost too good....
It had been two days since Harmony Cinniccati had seen the sign in front of the Peacekeepers office. She hadn't meant to see it; no, she was just finishing a few errands in town before heading back to her home out in the orchards. Then she caught a glance, and the word tesserae caught her eye. She came closer, to where the people were huddled, and read it. They were looking for participants in a ' few simple Tests' who would spend a week at a Capitol funded facility. The recompensation was a months worth of tesserae, for the entire family.
The idea has been gnawing at me ever since. That kind of offer, it has to be some sort of trick. It couldn't be so simple. Whatever the 'tests' were, they would be something horrible probably. The details weren't mentioned, but it has to be bad- nothing good ever comes from the peacekeepers. But still, a month of tesserae means that money may let us afford an extra bar of soap, a bit of meat, a few more things that we could use around the house. Mom and Dad can't do it because they are working full time, but I'm only a part time worker in the fields, and really, we learn nothing in school these days.
My parents don't want me to do it, but I think I will. I know it's risky, and I don't know what will happen at this 'facility', but how bad could it be, really?
Now thinking that just completely jinxs it for me, I think to myself as I finish packing my bag. I don't have much to pack; a jacket for rain, my flute, a few scraps of paper and pencil in case I want to remember something, my pocket knife, and some dried fruits for the walk. Other than that, all I have are the clothes I'm wearing; long pants, my once white shirt that's turned dark cream with age, and sandals. I tried to tame my hair into waves, but when all failed I just threw it into a messy ponytail.
Mom and Dad are already gone to work, so I'll walk to the office myself. It's still morning, and I don't have to be there for another few hours, but I'll walk there now and be early. I take one last look at my room, and then I walk out the door and down the dirt road.
