Survival isn't Freedom/// Ani

White clouds fly through the air shielding the earth from the sun. Birds dance through the sky chirping away as the winter ceases existing for the year. Green grass pokes through the ground saying hello for all the world. It's time for a new beginning, a new hope, a new freedom. Never take for granted the freedom seldom received through the districts because once it's taken away, you'll be trapped behind the walls waiting for a certain death. Peacekeepers run the place taking it over little by little forcing the prisoners to a breaking point; my mind snapped a long time ago. My family doesn't trust me anymore- my mother wants nothing to do with me; my father wants me dead, but no matter what, it's better than being trapped behind bars not knowing when they would come for me.

Nightmares flood my dreams chasing me against the bars as I helplessly pounded against the walls begging for help. Waves crashed around me tossing me against the ground as the footsteps of the peacekeepers stopped in front of the cell. Fear would pulse through my veins especially when they took him away. He was gone for many hours; when he returned, he was beaten, bloody, almost dead. My feet suddenly felt like cement blocks plastered them against the floor as glue formed against the bottoms not allowing me the opportunity to move. My chin dropped many times as my mind would race. One day, they took him away from the cell, and he never returned. Several days went by, and I wasn't able to sleep as my thoughts were on him. I can only hope he made it out alive.

Finally, I was set free with no physical pain pressed against me. My mind broke from being trapped underground listening endlessly as the feet walked through the corridor. Many held their breath wondering who'd be next. I remember listening as people screamed, begging the peacekeepers not to take them, but nothing could be done when their name was called. The screams of those being tortured echo through my mind, bouncing across my skull before falling into the abyss hiding forever only to return at the worse possible moments. Nightmares flood my dreams keeping me away every night- sleep is slim to none. For no reason, my body collapses onto the ground time after time, and many wonder if I'm okay- my parents tell them I am, but the truth is, I'll never be okay.

My feet carry me through the district with a tiny piece of paper, my only means of communication, and a rusty pen scattered through my hands. My thoughts racing along as my feet carry me carefully through the district, towards the fence where I stupidly stepped across. My eyes widen at the sight. Fear pulses through my veins as I remember running through the fence, into the forest away from the peacekeepers. Nobody can hide from them as they are always watching, and they know every path possible. My knees buckle under the weight of my body sending me crashing upon the ground. The tiny paper falls from my hands dropping against my side. My hands cover my ears fighting against the pain as I tell myself over and over again it'll be okay as it's only a memory.

Somehow, I managed to survive. I am a survivor after all.