Shadow beyond the light(Azure)

Bio.

The bitter wind nipped at my skin as I made my way through the maze of trees. Tired feet and sore legs seemed to only make the trek that much more difficult. It's been two weeks since I ran away, and as a result of the hunting knowledge I lacked, two weeks since I had received a meal. Bony ribs peek through my worn, dirty avox uniform. Though the pain of hunger has long subsided, a constant burning in my abdomen reminds me of my dire situation. Perhaps I'll die out here, cold and alone. Like so many others before me. I fall down to the ground on my knees, and gently graze my fingertips across the moist soil. Inhaling deeply, I curl up into a ball and close my eyes.

I can see it all happening again. The moment of my demise flashing through my brain, recreating the gruesome scenario. The more I push to forget the horrible ordeal, the more it seems to fight it's way into my mind. I recall the sounds of my screams and pleads. I see it was as if I were a bystander, yet I'm unable to reach out and help myself. Then the scene changes. I see where I lashed out, snapping the neck of the man that ravaged me. The sound of his bones snapping was all too real again. Now comes the part with the yelling. Men, running towards me screaming obscenities as they rush to the aid of their now dead companion. I didn't try to run that day. All hope for a normal future vanished the second those peacekeepers engaged me. Next, the hardest part to bear of this flashback. Cold steel pressed against my porcelain skin, drawing a thin red line of blood. Muffled screams try to reach out for help, but it's to no avail. The last thing I remember was the sharp blade forcing it's way into mouth, and then nothing. Darkness.

I gasp and breathe heavily as I slowly regain consciousness. Tears caress my cheek, and fall on the soil beneath me. These scenes replay over and over in my head, generating at random moments, paralyzing me, rendering me helpless. The first day I had these visions, I was beaten relentlessly for shattering the plates I held. It's been a tumbling downward spiral since. They've increased in frequency and intensity, often triggered in times of stress. No one understands the pain I went through, whether it was physical or mental, it left scars nonetheless.

As I struggle to regain my footing, a sheen of metal reflecting the sun catches my eye. Making my way over to what has now taken the shape of a fence proves to be quite the challenge. My vessel has grown weaker and weaker, to the point of sheer exhaustion. I notice that the enclosure stretches for miles, reaching far beyond the point of my naked eye. This must be the boundary for a district, though, it's much less fortified than the ones back in District One. Suddenly, a sharp pain has made it's way to my gut, and it proves to be more than I can bear. Collapsing to the ground, unable to get beck up, I know I have lost. I tried so hard to succeed, but to only end my journey in failure. Tears form in my eyes once more, and I know I am left helpless.

Oh? What is this? From the corner of my eye, I spot a boy, sitting on the other side of the fence. Unable to cry out for help, I extend my arm in hopes that he will spot me. But what will he do once my presence is made known? Will he assist me, or simply put me out of my pitiful existence? Either was a welcome option, as I had now given up.

The moist soil started to dampen my clothes, simply making my weak body colder. I knew that the only chance of me surviving this, rested on my ability to sit up, and somewhere, acquire food. The boy I had reached out to in desperation sat there, the look of confusion on his face. This has been a mistake... I should of never let him know I was here. I'll be lucky if he doesn't inform the peacekeepers about me. This time, they'll kill me for sure. My body quivers as I press my palms against the ground. I need to do this, I need to get up. Preoccupied with my struggle to pull myself up, I nearly miss the sound of my audience clapping. But... Why? Why is this boy clapping? Is he encouraging my attempt to sit upright, or is it something else?