[so] BITTERSWEET // [The Runaways]

The Runaways is a closed plot set in District One. Features four runaways (a girl who ran away from District Five; a District One boy who ran away from the orphanage; a mentally-unstable District Four girl; and a District One girl who ran away from home) and how they all try (I repeat, try) to put aside their differences and their hatred for each other and the fact that each of them are all trying to kill each other for no apparent reason.

______________________________________

.// amethyst rose sparks

The sudden stop of the mechanical humming jolts my senses awake from the sleeping spell ― of me chasing flittering fluttering flying hummingbirds with the darts and I chase them and I dance with with ― that I put myself into the night before. I sit straight up, with my spine stiffening up like a stick-straight rod Peacekeeper's rodPeacekeeper's rodPeacekeeper's rod

[/color]. My eyes pop wide open, as I blink and flutter my eyelids for my brain to finally take in that it's dark where I am ― and I need light I need light I need light light light ad I'm trapped ―[/color] and I am no longer closing my eyes. But this was a wooden crate of a train cart[/color], and the dampness of the wood and the cold air seeping through the tiny cracks ― and with my little eyes I spy a fairy-fly but it's a fly and I'll burn it with my laser eyes ―[/color] tells me that it rained the night before. I look around, and see what I have gotten myself into. I crawl around ― like a kitty kitty cat that I'll kick ―[/color] until my knuckles touch wood and I think it's the wall. I place my hand on it and run it along as I crawl more. My hand presses against something metal and rusty and all the dried flakes are rough against my skin and it hurts, and as I firm up my grip around it I find that it's the latch. I hesitantly press my ear against the yucky ew gross wet wood and try my very best to ignore the wet sensation that smothers my ear. I close my eyes and press my lips together to fully concentrate[/color] and try and hear what is going on in the world outside. Aside from the decreasing hum that comes from the train itself, it was silent. I quickly remove myself from the wood and grip on the latch tighter. One, two. OnetwothreeOPEN![/color] I unhinge the latch, and push it open. The wooden door revealed the uneven rocky road and at three arm's length was the 'woods' ― although you wouldn't call them that especially after walking you realize that the fences of the District and the District itself is there. I stick my head out and look left. The one that I was in was not the last cart, with two more empty ones after. On my right was the passenger carts and even far away I could see their silhouettes up and moving and sooner or later they would move out. I pull myself back in, and walk backwards until I bump into the lone and abandoned rice sack that I never knew was there in the first place. This is crazy. This is crazy, But I'm born crazy. And I'll do this.

[/color][/center]

A smile that never meant anything good found its way on my lips and before I knew it, I was running out of this box full of darkness. I leap up up up and away and land with a thud with the bottom part of my body on the large bushes that I thought was large enough to catch me, and the rest on the ground. Unfortunately, it was one large, noisy thud ― and I never knew I could be as heavy as that when I was a fluttering bird but then I guess I'd have to kill myself. I groan as I try to move, and I'm pretty sure that I have broken my rib cage despite my hands that tried to break my fall was now flat against my weight and probably now had bruises and cuts because the forest floor was never as smooth as ice. I take a deep breath even though my lungs are probably bleeding now, and it hurts. With whatever strength I have left, I try to push myself back up into all fours. I did, but now my hands are complaining. I hear something and my heart skips a beat. I know that heavy thump of large feet pounding the ground anywhere and they weren't any different wherever you go either. I fall back on my elbows and on the ground and rolled over close to the roots of the bushes so close[/color] that I am one of them. It was dense enough to cover me, and despite the numerous, high-speed, over-lapping 'pleasenopleasenopleasenopleasenopleaseno' that was everywhere inside my head (and I had to clamp my mouth shut with my dirt-ridden hand just in case)[/color], I knew that they are already here. The footsteps grew louder, and heavier, and in a few seconds I see white boots just behind the shrubbery. They are of different distance sin my eyes. They are close, but the numerous roots will become my soldiers and tangle themselves against the giants' feet. I am their queen, and together with my captive worm slaves, I will make them suffer before they touch me. But then they are too close, too close that every zap and sizzle of the electricity that runs through their sorcery sticks[/color] batons[/color] makes me flinch against the water-soaked soil and tense every muscle in my body. Either it is a reaction to the cold rain droplets hanging dangerously on the leaves or the series of chain memories that set off of a thousand mile-speed in my throbbing head.

"Pa, where are they taking you? Pa? Pa! Pa! Where are you going? Pa! Take me with you! Take me with you Pa! Don't leave us! Where are you―"

[/color][/center]

Peacekeepers. The sudden realization brings back memories and not the good ones. That time in the market when I forced myself behind a garbage can just by the sound of their footsteps. When they were right outside of school and I refused to go out of the bathroom for a solid hour. Out last dinner―. I squeeze my eyes shut, desperate for everything and everyone to go away. Another rush of tear-soaked memories that you would long dried from all the years hit me, and it was never good. Especially not now in a time like this. "Hey, did you hear that?" I hear one say. I open my eyes and kept my eyesight on their boots that always managed to look as white as the clouds or as the angels despite all the crimes they do behind their backs. They had batons with them, and I could only guess what they might do with me with that if they managed to find me. But I only hate animals, and not plants. Hopefully this bush will be kind and not reveal the squirming worm that I am now to these bloody Peacekeepers. "Of course I did. You would have to be deaf not to hear that." Another one retorted. His voice was more roughed up and I just know that he's more cruel and evil and violent.

[/color][/center]

"The door's open." I drew my breath. The fast reverberating beating of my heart tells me to snap out of whatever trance of memories of the past that holds me in a cage ― and no matter how many times I beat the indestructible metal and try and trample it with my minuscule fists I'll never get out and I'll try and distract myself with the pretty pretty birds that perch on top and find myself a rock to throw at them ―[/color] and focus[/color] to try and predict how many beatings I'll get to see how I'm supposed to get out of the spider's web. All because of the one single mistake of not closing the door. "Someone was inside," the first Peacekeeper said. I heard the door slam shut and a grumble welled deep in the throat. A grumble of frustration and determination. "Alert the rest. We've got to catch some vagabond troublemaker." The second one spat on the ground and I crinkled my nose in disgust. They both went off, leaving me to take in what I've just heard. I have no idea what 'vagabond' means, but I know one thing ― I'm a wanted runaway.[/color] No matter how heavy the thought was, I shrugged it off and waited for a few seconds before finally slowly rolling back up. I sat only with my upper body, and I was short enough and the bush large enough to only let me peek through the tops of the bushes, despite the invisible balls of fists that attacked my sides. I have fell down thousands of times already, but never in a case this bad. I look down and see no blood on my gray tunic, but 'if it doesn't bleed on the outside, then it's bleeding in the inside'[/color], I could remember Ma saying.

[/color][/center]

Ma. I wonder what she's doing now.[/color] My chest tightens up ― and it hurts more than my rib cage. I had left District Five and everyone I love[/color] yesterday on a high noon. It was, like almost every other decision I make in the eyes of others', an on-the-spot decision. I was tired of my life and everything I was doing, or rather, what I wasn't doing. I marched back home with Grandma sleeping, and it was easy to pack and run run run away. My clothes were either torn apart by my attempts in clothing myself two sizes too small, or worn down with tears and holes ranging from the size of my pinky finger to my entire hand. The only ones that made it into my bag was my coat, another tunic, and a blanket that I had ever since I was six. Those, and the poisoned darts that I keep in a pouch. Pa never used those, seeing any weapons would be confiscated by the Peacekeepers and he never found any use of it. I never knew he had those until his death, when Ma fixed his things. I only discovered their use when I shot a goose that walked past by me. And it never walked on the earth, ever again.[/color] I played around with them ever since, without Ma ever knowing. If she did, she would take them back and I can't have that.[/color] Ma will be worried sick about me, and so will Grandma, but I know that she knows that I have been itching to get out of Five, and we all know that someday it will happen. Well, someday came.[/color] I needed to get out of that horrible, ugly ugly ugly place with only tortured animals to offer. I can't keep on leaving dead animals for Ma to sweep up. It was hard for me to leave, but I knew better prettier things were in store for me, and not only animals and oil slicks.

[/color][/center]

My stomach groaned, and I am reminded that there was nothing left in my stomach. The goat cheese and stale bread that I had for breakfast and the lone apple that I had for lunch was long gone. I clutch my stomach. My gaze drifts to the bushes, and only then discover that it had berries for fruits. It wasn't at its peak point, especially when winter was coming by the breeze beginning to turn icy with each day, but had enough ripe, large berries that would soon spoil. I tore a piece of my tunic and laid it on my lap. My tunic reached past halfway my thigh, so taking a piece wasn't of any disadvantage. I picked as much berries as I could, eating some at the same time, until I could barely tie it together. I placed it on my bag, and didn't bother in returning the other berries that fell out of the tied cloth and into my bag. I pick a few more on my palm and threw back my head, with my mouth wide open, and dumped all berries into my mouth. My sword-sharp needle-prick[/color] teeth tore apart the delicate skin and released the juice out, flowing freely inside. With my cheeks bulging like a chipmunk eating a nut, I grind on them and wipe some of the juice away with the sleeve of my tunic that dribbled on the side of my mouth. My eyes were on the battlefield that was on the other side of the bushes, and I knew that in the minute, everyone inside would be rushing out. i crawl once again, this time as fast as I can, trying to get close to the opening. I crouch down low, to make myself undetectable as possible to searching eyes. Only little vision was offered through the thicket of leaves that can't help but bunch up together, but that's better than nothing[/color] or getting risk of being seen. I wait a few more minutes until I hear a lock pop open from the inside, and the door gave way to a mob of officials who were probably sent for business. They didn't wear extravagant suits with hues borrowed from the rainbow or skin covered in tattoos nor jewels, but from the way their hair were covered in something shiny[/color] and reflected light, like their shoes that were gleaming clean, or maybe the way their turned up their noses up in the air in disgust because the Districts was lowliest of the low, I knew that they were from the Capitol. Right after them were the richer District citizens, probably some Mayors and some governments officials. I got bored at the sight of uptight businessmen in suits and formal wear until they were replaced by a large group of children in tattered and grayed clothes covered in dirt ― just like me.[/color] A Peacekeeper ― always with a baton ― with droopy eyes led them, with no care of even looking behind. They were trapped. And they were going to be Avoxed.[/color] Thoughts both opposite against each other ran wild in my head. Will I risk it?[/color] My brain reminds me of what happened earlier, and a sudden jolt of pain attacks my left side. But this was a now-or-never decision. Without thinking anything else, I head for a group.

[/color][/center]

I am easy to miss ― like a grasshopper hopping from one grass to another which I can never trap inside a jar because it's too fast and I'm too slow. I have known that ever since I saw everyone else's eyes move all too quickly from me to another.[/color] I thought this only happens in Five, but boy was I wrong. I guess it also happens in Districts I don't know the name of. I move my feet quick to the crowd, who notice nothing about my sudden appearance. I tiptoe ― as fast as swift as the wind ―[/color] my way throughout the wave of humans. With every bump avoided and approaching footstep dodged in the nick of time, my mind wanders off to wonder what would it be like to swim. Maybe District Five had bodies of water that I never discovered during Mari Carola's Journeys in Animal Land.[/color] My feet could only go as far as I would, which was away from the oil dumps and factories and nearer father near where my next victims were lurking, unaware of the future pebble that would hit them in the head.

I see the sad frowns in the dirty faces of the poor children, and join the last line as casual as possible. I blend in ― with my soiled clothes made up of a torn tunic, dirty pants and mud-stained shoes and a gaunt, hollow appearance ― and no one would ever suspect a thing. They were all around ranging from the ages of ten to fourteen, with the youngest in front and the eldest at the back. The eldest, who was boy, looked at me with a raised brow, which I replied to with widened big large huge eyes that said something along the lines of an innocent 'what?' and a guilty 'ssshhh don't whisper speak shout'. (It didn't matter to me ― all were the same.) He looked away, hopefully understanding the messages I sent through my eyes and did nothing else but continued on walking. Only then did I realize that he was walking in a weird weird weird weird I'm weird you're weird we're all weird fashion ― he was limping on his left leg. His left arm was over ― not as support, but an act of protection ― a little girl just as tall to reach his hips. She has the same dark brown eyes, the only difference is that she had that light that only the innocent have ― that Jack has had. But hers were flickering, the tough and rough surface of reality grazing the delicate skin of her innocence, soon to plunge into that deep, dark abyss that was adulthood. Her curly, mousy brown hair was cut just underneath her ear, and I could see that scratch on her neck, short and looking like it was interrupted.

I craned my neck to get a better glimpse at whatever was behind the little girl, ignoring the numerous wailing protests of 'it's none of your business!' running wild in my head. no matter how loud it gets, the high-pitched voice that sits as the leader above all ― the core of my existence (don't even think that I know what that means. But teachers all speak their words in a way that would make you believe in them)[/color] ― requires no effort to gain the will of that part of me that tells me what to do.[/color] But I curiosity killed the cat, and I immediately regret seeing the gruesome sight. I quickly snappedmy head front, pressing my lips together to hide that hard grimace. I never thought there would be something more of that than me.[/color]

[/color][/center]

The boy's left calf wound was bleeding and one gory sight. His pants were torn in a rugged shape that made it clear that whoever tore that had no care. Same words to be said for the wound itself, bloody and deserves the yuckiest of yuck that I had to tore my gaze away from it. But the boy was quick with his eyes, and saw that I have been eyeballing his really really really ugly[/color] wound.

My eyes alternate between the boy and the little girl, until it finally dawns upon me like a jigsaw puzzle finally being put together. The little girl getting in trouble with a Peacekeeper, his baton one more moment before getting a real deep cut. The boy ― maybe her brother well I remember the time I used to have a brother ― stepping in, and getting his calf burned instead. It was horrible. I immediately feel all the berries I just ate coming back, climbing my throat. What was once a delicious fruit now was a sickening red ― red red red red blood ―[/color] was taunting me. My hand finds its way inside my bag, desperately clutching the bag of berries and pulling it. I have lost my appetite.[/color] I pull it out, and only did I realize that the little girl had been staring at me with fearful ― fear that I have during stormy nights ―[/color] eyes that I shot a look of alarm to the boy. He gets it ― I hope he did ―[/color] and looks down at the girl, tapping her to look at him, and smiles gently. She leans in, taking refuge in his protective arms. I eye them enviously because I knew[/color] that once, I had a brother of my own. A brother to shield from the world, and I loved every minute of it. I hold the bag in front of the girl, and the boy gingerly takes it. Wait, was that a smile[/color] ― a genuine smile? It felt so different. Ever since Jack died ― no. He never died. He never died. He never died. He never died. He never died.

I look up, trying to get my head off those things[/color] and see the the gates of the District. It was encrusted with jewels ― pretty pretty pretty jewels mine mine mine ―[/color] and a childish smile ― this one not so different, since it always forces itself out―[/color] appears on my face. District One. The luxury District. I am here. I'm finally here. I belong here.[/color]

[/color][/center]

Once our group has entered the gates, the crowd grows, and I take it as a chance to get out, and separate myself as far as I can. I don't run, not to rouse suspicion from the citizens, but walk fast enough that it only takes me for what seems like only a few minutes, and I reach the Town Square. District Five's was poor and ugly[/color] in comparison, especially once compared to its glittering decorations and sleek surfaces. It was lined with the finest shops ― ranging from luxury products to the essentials. To my right, and I see a mob of people surrounding a shop. I get nearer, and notice that people that bought from there were carrying loaves and loaves of bread of different kinds ― from buns, rolls to those pretty[/color] pastries. I walk a lot faster, and guess that it was a bread sale. They have those too in my District, but as not as often because stale bread or fresh, every penny was worth something.

A playful smirk comes, and I skip towards the crowd. They will never see me.[/color] I don't even stop and think about the consequences, because the chances are slim. The crowd is so tight, I might break a bone. But it doesn't matter. I squeeze myself in between, and continue to wiggle myself forward until I am thrown forward into a table-full of assorted bakery goods. There were hands everywhere, grabbing whatever they can and throwing wads of cash towards the other side, where a lone frantic baker was busy catching them. I gape at all the cupcakes in front of me, charily picking them off one by one and dumping them in my bag, regardless of the frosting that smudged inside. I pick off some rolls and dart back to camouflage in between the crowd once again.

I got outside and draw in a large amount of oxygen. It was a suffocating venture, and my feet head to the nearest hiding spot. Any Peacekeeper might have seen me, and I won't take any chance of being caught. After a quick sweep of the surrounding shops, I see a dark alley nestled between two jewel shops. Only then within a few meters near I smell the disgusting stench[/color] that I could now see weren't metal scraps, but garbage bins. Ew ew ew ew ew take me away take me away from there.[/color] With a determined frown, I waved the screaming thought away.

[/color][/center]

The alley was one dark ― dark dark what do I do it's dark ―[/color] place, with the awnings from above covering whatever light that was suppose to shine[/color] in this dim place. It was narrow, and I could touch both sides without fully stretching my arms. But I wouldn't try and do that, not when it's covered with what seemed was moss. The cobbled path was wet, and I could only guess that it's something not worth guessing when I lift my foot up and had the questioning liquid stick for a split second. My nose can't help but crinkle at the horrible smell coming from the dumpsters, and move out in a hurry, with my hands tightly pinching my nose. I ran farther and farther from the Town Square, and finally slowed my pace down. I was in the middle of nowhere, knowing nothing of this District. /But this is certainly better than that oil-slicked farm town./ I dug unto my bag for a cupcake, and had my entire hand covered by frosting. I didn't mind, and licked everything off clean. We weren't rich enough to buy these yummy ― yummy yummy yummy give me more ― goods, and only ever got to taste it before when I stole Sarah's cupcake snack during recess, a few years back. I never forgot the taste of it.

[/color][/center]

I munched along for how many hours, stopping by to admire the jeweled crafts that were everywhere ― and I want them all I want them all ―[/color] until I reached what would be the factories. By the setting sun, I could tell that they were close, and there were no people around. I wandered around the area, circling every building for the heck of it. There wouldn't be any Peacekeepers around this time,[/color] I thought to myself. This was the sixth building, and I was at the back, until something shiny[/color] caught my eye. I turned towards it and raised my eyebrows. It was a cloth pouch, its color camouflaging with the ground. It looked like nothing special at all, until you see the glinting jewelry bits flowing out of its opening.

My face breaks into a grin ― because who wouldn't smile in glee with diamonds? ―[/color] and I let out a squeal of joy. I kneel down and cup my hands around the bits off the ground and examine them. They weren't valuable (but they were to me) since they were probably one-twentieth of a fingernail, but I held them against the bright sunset sky ― with its warm colors and the pretty reds and pinks and yellows on the cotton clouds ―[/color] and they glittered. I scoop them into the pouch and tightened the rope around it, until I could see the little hole on the wall and peered through it. There were more bits.[/color] I smiled to myself as thoughts of praising the lucky fortune that I had today danced around in my mind. I dumped the pouch in my bag, and looked around. No one saw me. I got up to my feet and looked at the sky. It wouldn't take long before it would be gone, and it would be nighttime. I needed a play to stay. But where?[/color]

[/color][/center]

I walk around the factory compound until I see a row of houses close enough to the factories. I head there without thinking twice. Sadly, some had obvious occupants with the light inside and I had to walk more only to discover more occupied houses. I was contemplating on just sleeping on a tree branch until I see a house in a condition not as good as the ones before, but it had no light inside. Either the owners were sleeping, or there was no one. But who would leave their house unkempt? No one.[/color] I smirk. I have found a place to stay.[/color]

Sure, some wooden boards were cracking and some were falling off, but there was a roof hopefully sturdy enough, and that was what all I need. I step in the porch, still peering around for any signs of human occupation, but there were none. But that wasn't enough to convince to me to let my guard down. Only something really really really really pretty. I open the door, which had its hinges slowly coming off and made a creaky noise, but I had walked on the creaky floor and there wasn't anyone who came out with a weapon to kill me, so I ignored it and shut it close once I got inside. For a house that was deprived of maintenance, I had to admit that it had once used to be beautiful too. It wasn't like those huge houses I had seen before, but the glossed wooden furniture and the fabric on the furniture must've cost a lot. I walk around, touching small porcelain figurines on a table and went around what would be the living room.

But then my eyes saw something that would always catch my attention no matter what time of the day it was, and I gasp. On top of the mantle was a gold jewelry box encrusted in different jewels, from sapphires to pearls. My fingers trail around every curve of the embedded jewels against the gold surface, and I couldn't help but grin. But I have always been told my Ma that I was always attracted by pretty things ― and that I could agree ― and it numbing my senses. Maybe she was right. If she wasn't, then I could've heard the feet thumping against the porch. Or the fall. Or the loud noise of wood breaking. Or the door opening. But she was right, and I was still gaping at the beautiful box.

I was about to open the box, putting my finger underneath the cover, and I released it accidentally when I spun. The jewels and jewelry, together with the box dropped on the floor with one thud. Only until then I heard the faint sound of a knife retracting was it jolted my senses awake. My eyes widen, and I spun around only to have missed a knife by a mere inch, it's sharp tip grazing my hair, and bouncing off the mantle.

My heart was beating fast. Both in adrenaline and shock.

I had barely missed a knife.

[/color][/center]

[/color][/justify][/blockquote][/size]