CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] | Hunger Games: The RPG

gloryisben
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 6, 2012 9:10:14 GMT -5

Post by gloryisben on Oct 6, 2012 9:10:14 GMT -5

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face

Walking to school this morning with Lola and Trey, I feel the change in the air. Yes, it is cooler and the days are shorter, but it is more than that. Parents sending their kids off have easier smiles, and I myself feel a weight lifted from my shoulders.

I wasn’t picked.

Sure, the Games are horrible. They always are. But when they’ve been around your whole life… It’s disgusting, but you get used to it.

Trey and Lola are whispering behind me, but I pay them no mind. It is usually like this in the mornings. I know they like catching up this way, so I leave them alone. I have thoughts of books on my mind.

The ground is dry, and dust kicks up as I drag my feet. It hasn’t rained in awhile. Not that it really matters in our district… I know that some people have vegetable gardens, though. It probably matters to them.

The school is in the Square. I love watching the bustling of people. Merchants are dusting the front steps, while seamstresses flock to the back. Carts are being loaded, shipments going back and forth. Nobody really buys anything from the shops; it’s usually too expensive. They are mostly a front for the work going on in the back, and Capitolites like seeing them when they come for the Reaping. Every once in awhile, there will be sales in the shops. Everyone looks forward to that.

You would miss the school if you weren’t paying attention. Stuck in there between two shops, it’s in really bad shape. I guess our intellectual enlightenment isn’t high on the list of priorities.

Kids are flowing in, overseen by Mrs. Georgie. Her brown skin glows and you can tell that she loves us, and loves teaching us, too. I smile at her as I walk past.

Walking to class, I hear whispers. “They survived the blood bath”, “She almost got him killed”… It’s what’s on everyone’s minds. The unlucky siblings from District 8. The whole district is torn. I can’t help but wonder how “random” the Reapings are...

Before my train of thought goes somewhere dangerous, I snap back to attention, listening to Mrs. Georgie talk to us about the different ways to dye wool.

***

“Trey, you CAN’T quit school.”

I’m looking at him with eyes filled with angry tears. We’re standing in our tiny kitchen. I cooked a meagre meal made up of stale bread and vegetable broth. Our father is still working, and it’s better this way. This would destroy him.

“We only learn about factory stuff, anyway! Think about all the benefits we would have if I worked full time!” he snaps back.

I try to steady my voice.

“It’s not all we learn. We learn about history. Words. Science, even! Information that you need, that will broaden your mind!”

As soon as it’s out, I know I’ve lost.

“Karen, this knowledge will never be useful to us. NEVER, do you understand that? We are meant to work for the rest of our lives in the textile mills, and you better start acting like you know this!”

I do know it, Trey. And I accept it. I just want to keep LEARNING.

“Then go. If you truly believe that, quit. Go get your hands dirty in that machinery oil.”

I snatch my coat off the wooden peg beside the door and run outside. I need some fresh air.

I know I’m right. And I know I won’t change his mind.

Last Edit: Oct 6, 2012 22:40:06 GMT -5 by gloryisben

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teezoen
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 7, 2012 19:15:55 GMT -5

Post by teezoen on Oct 7, 2012 19:15:55 GMT -5

ALDER HEATH

I struggle to lift my feet up and walk home. My shift was especially difficult. The tedium and the slow pace made it difficult to keep from thinking about the Reaping. About the Games. About the siblings.

It wasn't enough that the Capital made us afraid for ourselves. It was the mixed feelings later that were worse. Should we feel proud for them, representing us? Hope that they can win, and get us some more food? Should we feel disgusted at our selfishness, hoping for more food? (My stomach chooses this moment to rumble at me.) Should we want to rebel to stop this sort of thing? Feel ashamed at our cowardice? Or cower in the shadow of the mighty Capital? We may pull together to help each other, but come Reaping day, when somebody is chosen, there is the unconscious step back, as if being chosen was something you could catch- like a sickness. Immediately, the person was marked as both "Tribute" and "corpse". And I had felt it before, and would feel it again, twice.

Unless I was chosen.

That sinking feeling again.

I swallow my feelings, willing my stomach to eat them instead of the nourishment it so desires, and continue walking. I need to get home soon. They'll make us watch the Games again, of course. I was somewhat glad that I hadn't had to watch during the day, that I was one of the few chosen to work to ship the necessary orders. But I'd have to see the "highlights" soon enough. Nobody was ever spared.

Distracted by my thoughts, I look up sharply as the door opens and she runs outside. She looks like somebody I should know... she's in my year at least.

Over a split second, several things happen inside me. I remember her name. Karen. Karen Lightly. I see the look on her face. A mixture of anger and remorse. And maybe something else, that mixture of grimness and submission that we all feel. Hopelessness? The knowledge that we can do nothing about it- is that hopelessness? I can't stand it all of a sudden, and feel a great urge to help her. Somehow. With whatever has put these emotions on her face. Even though I am usually shy, even though I have hardly spoken to her, even though I myself have dealt and am dealing with these feelings- I must do something.

So as I see her pulling her coat on, I raise my hand and call to her. Not a shout- almost quiet actually, but it carries. "Karen!" I suddenly realize, as I see her reaction, that I don't know what to say. Does anybody know what to say? I stare at her, and somehow, I think everything I would need to say is conveyed before I can attempt to translate it into spoken word. So after a moment passes, I just say, "Need company?"

Last Edit: Oct 7, 2012 19:18:22 GMT -5 by teezoen

gloryisben
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 8, 2012 9:54:37 GMT -5

Post by gloryisben on Oct 8, 2012 9:54:37 GMT -5

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And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.

I shut the door quickly, not quite slamming it. We can’t afford to break the hinges.

As I put my coat on, I retreat into myself.

How can he even think this? Trey. As much as I would like to deny it… My half. I guess I don’t want that part of me. The part that wants to give up and do as I’m told: work 12-hour shifts and come home. I want to push back that moment as far as I can.

I’m not naïve; I know it’s coming. That moment when all you have to look forward to are numb fingers and pounding headaches. Cold limbs and hungry hearts. I’ve seen it in my father’s eyes, in his determined glare to fake through it all. But I see through that, and it makes me wonder if Trey does.

I rein back my anger a little. I do love Trey. But I know this is the wrong decision.

I have half of my left arm in my jacket when I hear my name. “Karen!” It’s spoken softly, though the person is quite a distance away, piercing through the air and floating like a songbird’s whistle to my ear. I squint and make out a blonde boy, standing squarely on the street. Alder. We’ve never interacted much but I know he’s a “good honest man” like my dad would say. After I make out his form, my gaze slowly drifts to his eyes.

Whatever anger I had a few seconds ago dissipates slowly, seeping through my pores and evaporating in the air. I find myself staring back inside a mirror, and in this moment, I know that Alder Heath and I feel the same thing. Hopelessness. Defeat. I’ve never allowed myself to actively feel these things, to showcase that. And yet, perhaps because of my fight with Trey, it’s like he pulls them out of me. There’s this moment, very short, of complete, utter silence and stillness. Then he speaks.

“Need company?”

Yes, a thousand times yes. You’re my age. Two more chances to get your name picked. But it’s not over after that, is it? Not even close. Do you have younger sisters, Alder? Brothers? Even strangers going up on that stage must hurt your heart, don’t they? Can we just be, for a moment? Forget about the siblings, forget about Trey wanting to quit, forget about the insurmountable pressure of every day life.

My face sags a bit after being taut in a frown.

I slowly walk down the steps, one by one, gazing at my tattered shoes.

I finally make it to the boy with the crystal clear blue eyes and plant my brown ones on him.

“Yes.”

We walk in silence for a little bit. Surprisingly, a comfortable silence, made up of understanding and shyness. Then I turn to him, stopping in my tracks, an inquisitive glance on my face.

“How come we’ve never talked before, Alder Heath?”

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teezoen
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 9, 2012 9:22:36 GMT -5

Post by teezoen on Oct 9, 2012 9:22:36 GMT -5

ALDER HEATH

She seems to understand exactly what I feel, and her eyes meet mine for a second time. I'm sure of it now, that she understands. We both share worry for the people we know and love. We fall into step easily, walking through the District's streets as others shuffle home, paying us little mind. Who are we but another wayward pair walking outside in the chill air?

I don't even feel awkward walking beside her. My usual shyness has dissipated. There is no need to exchange words, not about the subject at hand. In this moment, what we needed was companionship. And we gave it to each other, even if it only meant hearing the steps of the other along the ground beside you. Sometimes, that's all you needed.

Eventually, she stopped, and spoke, breaking the silence. "How come we've never talked before, Alder Heath?"

I stopped as well, looking back at her eyes. Why hadn't I talked to her? Not in any classes, not in any badly planned attempts to ask somebody out, not to play games as a child, not at all. Not as far as I could remember. So I said the only thing I could think of. "I don't know, Karen Lightly. I guess it could be because I work in the warehouses all the time..."

And maybe it is. People who work in one place or another tended to know their mates better if they worked alongside them. I saw her at school, which was an ever decreasing part of my life, and sometimes on the streets like this. And not much else. But as I looked at her again, I smiled for some reason. I hadn't smiled all day, so it was nice. What was this feeling? Companionship? Fellowship? Just the sharing of feelings? Whatever it was, it felt good.

"Either way, I sure am glad we can talk now." Because we both really need somebody to talk to, I didn't say. But my eyes conveyed it. In this situation, my quiet nature was actually helping. If I had been chattering at her, I'd have said something stupid. But when language was inadequate, silence, body language, and understanding was more than effective.

gloryisben
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 9, 2012 21:03:06 GMT -5

Post by gloryisben on Oct 9, 2012 21:03:06 GMT -5

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and no one dared
to stir the sound of silence

It’s like we’re in a bubble, floating past what is happening around us.

He looks at me, taking in the moment. “I don’ know, Karen Lightly. I guess it could be because I work in the warehouses all the time…”

That could definitely be the reason why I haven’t seen him at school lately. So many kids our age need to work more frequently. I’m left to wonder if he is happy about this development or if he misses school…

As I’m lost in these thoughts, I catch a glimpse of Alder smiling at me. It’s not a mischievous smile, or a flirty one. It’s… content? As if he hasn’t smiled in weeks, and his face is learning how to do it again. It’s an interesting development; what could be making him smile like that? Whatever it is, I think it’s contagious, because I feel one spreading across my face.

“Either way, I sure am glad we can talk now.”

He’s right. There’s no one around, and we don’t really know each other. I can open up to him without fear of judgment. I also have a feeling he’s a great listener, and then weighs the pros and cons before speaking. I take his last words as my hint to speak my mind. After all, if I don’t take it now, who knows when? Mandatory watching of the Games’ highlights is coming upon us in a few of hours. I want to take advantage of the time we have now.

“You know, I feel like I’m the only one who cares about cultivating our education.” We walk until a pile of big rocks, a little removed from the houses. I sit on one and hug my knees. “There is more to district 8. We don’t have access to it and never will, but it’s there. There are reasons why things are this way, why the Games exist. School is our one way of expanding our knowledge of history and science”.

I take a moment to take in our surroundings. It’s bleak, grey-coloured, and dusty. I wish there was some nature around. Birds chirping, or something. I continue.

“The other way is by visiting our senior citizens.” I look at Alder. “They know things. About how it was… before.”

“So I go to school and visit the elders, because I believe there is more. But I can’t talk about it with my family. My father is hardly ever home and he is very focused on work. He listens to me when I talk about school, but we can’t converse about it. And my brother…”

I sigh. I hate that I’ve left things in a bad state. But I shouldn’t be the one to apologize.

“We had a fight. That’s why I looked like I was in a state, earlier. He wants to quit school and pursue work in the factories full time. I think that’s ludicrous; if he stops now, there is no going back. He thinks I’m the irrational one; he could bring in so much more money working full time, and he knows what he’s going to do the rest of his life, anyway. I think that’s just so… sad.”

I look up from my knees and see that Alder has been intently listening to me, one foot perched on a rock. Conversation is a two-way street, Karen. “Anyway… I guess I just don’t get it. Do you miss school?”

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teezoen
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 11, 2012 12:51:36 GMT -5

Post by teezoen on Oct 11, 2012 12:51:36 GMT -5

ALDER HEATH

I followed her until she sat on a large rock, and listened quietly. It was good that she was talkative, because I was not. I would not have been able to talk about something like this normally, but I felt like it was okay to do so right now. It wasn't so much that her speaking openly about such things broke the silence, or the unspoken rules of the people in District 8, so much as it filled an emptiness. And it was welcome to my ears, knowing somebody else had the concerns. Knowing that somebody else wanted to learn.

I had always been a good reader, and I had loved to learn about nature from what my dad knew and remembered. However, it was always soured by being so closely controlled- everything was brought back to the Dark Times, or to the Games.

We learned about nature through the Games, since there was so little of it here to see. We learned about History from the perspective of the Capital. We learned about fabrics, how to weave them, what they were good for- prepared for our destined future. What else would we need to know, of course? It was all we could do. We were nothing but weavers in the eyes of the Capital. And it was obvious she saw this, and knew it, but she didn't say so- THAT would be crossing the line. What she expressed was more of a longing- and sadness and longing were within the limits. They wanted us to suffer. And suffer we did.

As she turned to me, speaking of her brother, then asking me about school, I couldn't help but feel for her. She could see what her brother wanted to do- he was utilitarian. School was useless to him- money, meanwhile, brought food. Safety. Security. But she wanted more than that. She wanted life- to REALLY live. Not just to subsist, survive. And I did too, somewhere deep inside. But that part of me was crushed and held in check by my fear. I suddenly felt admiration and respect for her- she knew what she wanted, but also had the impetus to keep trying for it.

"I do miss school... I still go when I can, but my family really needs the money." I shrugged. "I was always a good student, and I liked reading and writing... but it had to end sometime, I guess." I looked over at her, watching her face. I didn't want to make her any more sorrowful than she was. I thought back as far as I could, trying to think of something to say to her that would make her feel better, but all I had was my sympathies to offer her. "I think that we all do what we feel we have to do. There are no easy choices before us anymore. Perhaps your Brother made the only choice he felt he could make." But I smile again a little. "Despite that... I admire your choice. I wish I was strong enough to make it myself."

gloryisben
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 12, 2012 11:46:14 GMT -5

Post by gloryisben on Oct 12, 2012 11:46:14 GMT -5

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So I don’t like to admit when I’m wrong. But two people have now told me that I am. It might be time to reconsider.

Alder didn’t flat out say that I was wrong, of course. He’s too much of a gentleman for that, I gather. However, his words about “doing what we have to do” have some truth to them. I will definitely be keeping them in mind.

I reflect on the words he’s saying to me. He seems so… I think resigned is the term? It makes me sadder, the fact that he loved reading and going to school but felt he had to quit. I don’t feel pity, though. Alder commands respect, and if he feels he had to make that choice…

I smile and shake my head. You’re being a hypocrite.

I quickly realize that I have to respond to his praise concerning my “strength”.

“You know, I don’t think I can accept that compliment. Yes, I am choosing to continue school, but the reason I have that choice in the first place is my dad.”

Orrin Lightly. I know it’s not easy for him, working so much. Yet he’s always the picture of patience and understanding. It’s true that we don’t connect so much on interests or topics of conversation, but I think it’s clear that we are there for each other. And I will always be in his debt for putting me through school.

I look up at Alder. I’m wondering what I’ll see in those blue eyes once I’m done recounting my sob story.

“My mother died when I was young. It would have been really easy for my dad to make us work as early as possible, but he didn’t. I still work in the wool mills, but not full time. My father worked more than one jobs all my life, so we’re not very close… But I know he’s working out of love for us, and I do know that makes me lucky.”

I hold onto his stare, not daring to look down. I know a lot of kids lose their parents in the Districts. This news shouldn’t surprise him or anything, but I hate appearing weak. Yes, I lost my mother. No, I’m not less of a person. Some people can’t make that distinction.

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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 12, 2012 14:37:20 GMT -5

Post by teezoen on Oct 12, 2012 14:37:20 GMT -5

ALDER HEATH

I can almost realize by the way she sets herself as she delivers her story that she doesn't want pity. I'm not sure I'm ready to offer it. My life hadn't been easy, but it hadn't been terrible either... my life, of course, took a rather different course than her's had. My mother and my father were both still alive, and they both worked- my mother part time, babysitting, knitting, and the like, and my father, like me, in the warehouses and the factories. I was an only child. No matter how hard we worked, we never made a lot of money, but it kept food on the table (usually). We all only had one job, though- never two or more like her father. I imagined that he must be a very strong man to take care of her family by himself.

As I watch her, and she looks at me, I can see that I was right. She doesn't want my pity at all. In fact, I wasn't sure what she wanted. Or if she wanted anything at all. Eventually, I lose my nerve and look away. I smile just a little, but only a little. "I suppose I am lucky as well." Is this right? To move into my own story? I don't know. "My father works in the warehouses like me. My mother gardens and babysits. Between us, we've got enough to eat." Barely.

I sit down, leaning back on my hands which I splay back out behind me, looking up at the sky. "I guess my story isn't really... that inspiring." I show her a nervous grin. "We're just normal people, scraping by. I guess our only claim to fame is our garden..." Our garden- the reason we sometimes had food to spare. Sometimes. But usually, the rations we got were so meager, that we couldn't really slide by. I wondered how on earth her father did it. I turned to her, a kind, but neutral expression on my face. "The two of us... really are very lucky." After all, we weren't starving (yet.) And we hadn't been sent to the Games.

My statement, I realized, had just opened up a can of worms that I had tried to keep shut. I hadn't wanted to draw attention to it... but I just had. I silently cursed my mouth, and my face may have gone a bit sour as I realized what I'd done.

gloryisben
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 12, 2012 20:09:34 GMT -5

Post by gloryisben on Oct 12, 2012 20:09:34 GMT -5

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Why in the night sky are the lights on?
Why is the earth moving round the sun?
Floating in the vacuum with no purpose, not a one
Why in the night sky are the lights on?

It was very refreshing to be talking to Alder.

It wasn’t dramatic and it wasn’t mysterious, but it was honest and authentic. I could guess from the way he spoke about his parents that they were a close-knit family. When he smiles nervously at me and tells me his story isn’t “inspiring”, I want to tell him the opposite. It is quite remarkable that under the circumstances we have to live through in District 8 he’s a well-adjusted person.

“The two of us… really are very lucky.”

The sentence is loaded with meaning, spoken slowly and deliberately. An awkward silence, the first one we’ve had so far, weighs down upon us, extinguishing whatever lightness there was in our conversation. Must it always come down to the Games?

Of course it has to. And I so badly want to have a conversation with Alder about how ridiculous and WRONG they are, but not here, not now. Firstly, I don’t know him well enough, and the threat of Peacekeepers is ever present. Secondly, even if I can trust him, we’re not far removed enough. I look around; houses with their windows open could easily hear us. It’s too risky.

I stammer out something, quickly, to change the subject.

“I guess we are...”

We furtively look at each other. I’ve never had a moment of utter comprehension like that with anyone, not even Lola. Only Trey and I can understand each other without spoken word. I guess the word “only” no longer applies.

Alder Heath looks away to his left. I’m left to gaze at this sandy-blonde haired boy. A little lanky, his head is resting on his hands, in a totally relaxed pose. I watch his chest rise and fall with short breaths. How have I never noticed you before?

The sky is starting to darken with dusk; clouds are rolling in the purple sky and the stars a peeking behind the fluffy blanket.

Then it hits me.

“Alder, we have to get home. It’s almost dark! The highlights will be on soon.” I’m in semi-panic mode. I’ve never had dealings with Peacekeepers before, and I sure don’t want to start now. “Will you walk me home?”

Credit goes to SOUTH for the amazing header graphic! Thanks

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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 13, 2012 23:07:09 GMT -5

Post by teezoen on Oct 13, 2012 23:07:09 GMT -5

ALDER HEATH

I could see by her demeanor that she immediately got what I had said, and understood it to the core meaning. I felt terrible. I'd unleashed all the memories of it on her, just like I had on myself. I could remember every Reaping Day as thought it had just passed and I was trying to forget it. The memory of people I knew stiffening at hearing their name. As I turned to see their fear, their eyes glass over, and their staggered steps up to the podium. To be seen one last time by the public before they died. And then their deaths on the TV. Gasping. Crying. Bleeding. Screaming.

It all came back in a rush. I saw her face. I saw she knew it too. Remembered it all. Felt it all. She stumbled over her words, covering for me. She knew I hadn't meant it- she could understand my meaning, my intentions, so quickly. How did she do that? How had we never spoken, and yet she... so quickly read me. Like a book.

I stared at her for only a few moments after she spoke, but it was obvious we were of one mind. We shared an intense dislike and hate for the Games and the regime that ruled over us. We both shared the knowledge that we needed to be quiet about our dislike, which was why she covered for me almost immediately. We were both in this together, after all. I turned away to look at the sky again. The colors began to go out over the clouds, seeing the sun set. It was comforting- something small to take comfort in, at least. The beauty in the sky, and Karen beside me.

But this is shattered quickly, as she speaks in panicked tones. The sky. The time! It's getting late. I spring up, and reach down to offer her a hand to get up. "Of course. Let's hurry Karen. Come on!" I speak quietly, but my tone is no less insistent or hurried than hers. I know we need to get out of here quickly before some Peacekeepers come across us together. Who knows what they would do to us? I walk quickly- an outright run would only get us noticed.

The sky has begun to turn dark, but we will make it easily enough. As we near the place we met, I feel relief. We're nearly home safe.

It's only then I realize I'm still holding her hand.

gloryisben
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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE] Oct 14, 2012 16:33:36 GMT -5

Post by gloryisben on Oct 14, 2012 16:33:36 GMT -5

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I shut the door carefully behind me and lean my back against it, closing my eyes.

What the hell just happened?

I can’t believe I was holding Alder’s hand all the way home. I’ve known him for what, an evening? And I hold his hand? To be fair, I didn’t even notice. We were so caught up in the moment, trying to rush home before dark and the PK patrol, that a boy holding my hand was the last thing on my mind.

But then we got to my living quarters and we realized what we were doing. Alder’s face became a pinkish hue as he gently shook his hand out of mine.

And what did I do?

Nothing. I just stood there, mouth slightly agape. I think I remember him passing his hand in his hair and mumbling something or other then turned on his heels and ran home.

I shouldv’e said something. I shouldv’e said, “hey, thanks for walking me home!” or “thanks for listening to me!”; normal things. This never happens. I’m strong, confident. No boy steals my voice, not ever. And yet…

I open my eyes, only to find two other pairs staring intently at me.

Oops.

“Karen, where have you been?”, asks my dad, full of concern. “It’s almost dark and the highlights are coming on!”

I feel horrible. He doesn’t need that kind of worry.

“Dad I’m so sorry. Earlier, Trey and I had a…”

I’m interrupted by Trey’s face, looking at me severely. He unperceivably shakes his head. Oh, time to switch gears!

“…had dinner and I really needed to get some air after, so I went for a walk. I bumped into Alder Heath and we talked for a bit. We didn’t notice the time…”

“The Heath boy… His dad’s a carpenter?”, my dad replies, visibly relieved.

I don’t know if he is, but I lie. “Sure, yeah!”

“Well, that’s a relief” he exhales. “Now get your butt in the living room for the Games.”

I nod, then look at Trey. Hopefully he gets my hint. “Of course. I need something first.”

I walk to our room and Trey follows me. He got it.

In what passes for our home, there’s only one bedroom, and Trey and I share it. My dad sleeps in the living room, so we walk past him as we reach our door. “Make it quick!” Orrin replies.

I go in first, and Trey follows, keeping the door slightly ajar. “What were you thinking? You had him worried sick!” he hisses.

“Well I couldn’t very well stay here!”

Trey looks down. “Look… I know you only argued with me because you care about my education. And so does dad…” So that’s why you didn’t want him to know we had argued. Clearly my dad had no idea about Trey’s little plan.

“You know what?”, I say, looking up as I untie my boots, “you do what you have to do, ok?”

He looks stunned, his brown eyes wide open. He’s not used to winning, apparently.

“We’re different you and I. I still think you should go to school, obviously. But if you don’t… then I’ll have to live with that.”

Trey lights up a little. “So you’ll help me convince Dad?”

I walk to the door and scoff. “Don’t push your luck, brother.”

He shrugs. “A guy can try.”

We both sit down in front of the viewing set, our father sitting on the only chair. As the gore splashes on the screen, I find myself thinking about Alder and our evening together to escape these horrible images.

I wonder when I’ll be seeing him again.

***

End of chapter 1.

Credit goes to SOUTH for the amazing header graphic! Thanks

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CHAPTER 1 - The Come Down | [TEE]

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