``` Melting Stars } [kaylin]

I close my eyes, wanting to forget. But I only find that closing my eyes makes the memories come to life a bit better - with more definition and color. I force my eyes open again, leaving the memory of Ember behind. She is gone now. The stars speak to me. I can see there twinkling mouths moving, but I hear nothing. I always hear nothing. All that I can see is that they are happy. Stars always seem to be happy, at least from what I have observed. Is Ember happy? Is she anywhere besides my memories? All I can do is hope. Hope is a strong thing, but can hurt. Just like I hoped to marry Ember one day. Just like I hope to see her again. Just like I hope for my mother to come home someday. Just like I hope I can hear the sounds of Earth one day.

I guess hope is pointless because no matter how much hope you put into an idea or a memory, it never comes true.

And as of right now, Panem itself was a hopeless place. Everyone was dying of illness, or trapped in a mine collapse, or working themselves to death each day. And children were being drafted like soldiers to fight a war against each other. It was the perfect strategy to keep the youth of the nation away from each other. A united place was something Panem was not. And it was all because of the entertainment that the Capitol wanted - craved. How could any one being want to watch so much death? It is as if tributes aren't real people. Animals. We are all animals fighting to survive.

And suddenly my thoughts are wracked as I body falls over me. I stand quickly, noting that I really need to not lay down in fields anymore. This time was a bit different than all the other incidences though. This girl - she was crying. She was saying something but I couldn't understand. Her face was too distorted with blood and the beginning of bruises. And then, without warning she fell still. Like the darkness of the night stills the Earth. Like the winter stills the bears. Like death stills a human body ... I get down on my knees, finding myself terrified. If she is dead I will blame myself - she cannot be dead. I am gasping for air as I get closer to the girl, her beaten face making me feel sick. The only time you ever really see things like this is during the Hunger Games and that's through a television screen. I lean in close to her face, trying to forget about the blood and trying harder to ignore the smell of it. Shallow breath hits my ear and I know that she isn't dead - she is alive. But for how long?

The calm moment that passed over me has passed on and a new panic rises in me. What the hell am I supposed to do? The moon is starting to show itself in the sky, a bright orange bulb illuminating the Earth. The stars continue to sparkle and the black sky is no longer completely black. It almost calms me how bright it is. Almost. I don't know what to do, and in a frantic panic, I grasp her shoulders and shake her - but nothing happens. Her body is still limp. I give a sigh and compose myself before picking her up, cradling her in my arms. Normally, I wouldn't be able to carry anything, even a small girl, for very long, but she is so frail she feels as if she weren't there - almost like a feather. I look around, knowing there is no way I can go back to my aunts house, not with a girl that s bleeding and passed out. So I walk towards the woods nearby, seeing a cabin not to far away. It is small, and no lights are on inside, but that is quite common. I can only hope that when I knock on the door that someone will answer and help me, or it will be abandoned.

I reach the door, and give a knock. No answer. I knock again, a bit more insistently this time, trying hard not to drop the girl in my arms. Her face is at my chest and I feel the blood from her face seeping into my shirt. It is cool and damp against my skin. the door remains shut. I walk around the cabin, peering in the windows, seeing nothing. I return to the door and slam my shoulder into it as hard as I can. It bursts open, dust flying everywhere, filling my chest, causing me to splutter. My eyes adjust to the light, but I see nothing. I take a step inside, scared of what might be hidden in the corners of the cramped place. I stop, standing there, wondering what to do next. My feet won't carry me further and my fear of darkness is taking over. Without sight I am nothing. I look down at the girl, wishing with all my might that she will wake. I get to my knees and set her down on the dusty floor. All I can do is hold her head in my lap and hope. Hope for a miracle.

Hope.