Broken {Evelyn oneshot}

It was a cold day. An eerie chill filled the sky piercing through her thin skin leaving a mark on her bone. The school was cancelled as a feast was announced. A feast was a certain death trap for those left alive, and this one was mandatory. Evelyn stood at the back of the square staring at the screen watching thousands of pictures flash before her eyes as she stared at the tributes running around in a pool of water. Her tiny ears picked up on every conversation booming through the air. Hands flew out of her pocket before pressing down on her ears trying to block out the sounds. It was loud, but suddenly everything grew quiet, and all that was heard was the screams from the tributes, and the sounds of the weapons clashing against one another.

Her eyes turned towards the ground. Somewhere in the mess of a feast her cousin Esme was fighting. Evelyn wasn't sure why she was gone, or why she left the district on that fateful day, but seeing her face flash before her eyes many times brought a small smile across her lips. The fight was still young when the crowd broke out screaming. "Run, Esme! Move Esme! Get out of there, Esme!" All blended in a giant buzz ringing through her ears. She wanted to stay at home away from everyone, and it took a miracle for her parents to even coax her from the house. This wasn't part of the daily routine. Her legs shook underneath her as she watched in silence. Maybe she's a star. But the thought was cut off by the sounds of shrieks flowing horribly throughout the square.

It sounded like an animal had been tortured and they were leaving it to die alone by itself. Her eyes flew towards the screen right as the spear slammed deep into her eye. Blood spewed from the socket as the young boy removed the spear, and all Evelyn could do was watch as her cousin collapsed to the ground. All was silent for a motion as the world turned in slow motion. What? Why is everyone leaking water? She asked herself while looking around. Her eyes shot back towards the screen as people started gathering around her, and the last she saw was Esme's body being flung in the air before disappearing in the depths of the arena forever.

More and more people gathered around offering condolences. Her entire body shook in fear before her mother made her way to her. Evelyn could see water spewing from the eyes of her mother, and soon enough the rest of the family joined in. People were hugging people, and all she wanted was to run away because too many people. Her hands shot over her ears again blocking out the constant mumble of conversation going on around her. "Mama." Her tiny voice squeaked through, yet it was lost in the chatter of those around. Why water falling eyes? A million thoughts poured through her mind making it impossible to hear, to think, to do anything. "Mama." She called out again unsure of what was going on.

"Esme's dead." A voice broke through the area forcing everyone into silence. Dead? What dead do? Evelyn didn't understand, and nobody around noticed as the tiny girl fell screaming as loud as she possibly could. Too many people. Too much noise. Too many faces flashing before her eyes thousands of times. She slammed her eyes close because she couldn't stand this. A routine was what she needed, and this was far from it. Her mother wrapped the tiny girl in her arms holding her closely. She raised a hand wiping the water away from her eyes as a small smile spread across her lips once more. "Mama. We see Esme soon?" It was a question she probably shouldn't have asked, but it was one her mother could answer, yet the best answer was the one left unspoken because Esme wasn't coming home alive.