Opinions, Opinions {Ems}

It's hard to keep my eyes open. Work ended just hours ago, and instead of heading home, I went to the district square to hear the debates of those running for mayor. Never once have I cared for politics, but this time I want my voice heard. I need a fighting chance to keep my family alive, to make sure my parents and siblings are taken care of. As the oldest, I have a job to do. People to care for. During the day I work in a little shop just to make some extra money because working as a janitor over night never does much. I could clean the rig from top to bottom, and nobody would even care. Nobody would say a word, but as long as Kestrel, Eagle, Dove, Raven, and my parents have a roof over their head, just a little bit of food to eat, and a place to sleep, this is all enough for me.

I walk through the square turning in every direction trying to keep myself awake. Trying to make something worth while, but in the end I need sleep because tonight I work again. I'll kiss my family goodnight before heading out for the midnight shift. Sometimes I hate it because I'm up all night and sleep most of the day missing precious family time. I'm sure they understand seeing what all we've been through.

Hearing of people having money aggravates me to no end. It crushes my dreams and hopes of ever living a good life. Even when father could work we never had much, yet it taught me the values of working. He taught me how I should handle myself. How I should treat my family if I ever get married and have children of my own - right now a married life seems impossible.

But as I reach a place with children playing, I can't help but remember the times growing up. Running through the open grass without any worry in the world while my parents looked on. Chasing birds throughout the district. It was fun. I just hate that it's taken away from me now. Enjoying my time as an adult is hard as no part of it is fun. Sitting down on a bench, I lower my head, my eyes lock on the ground. Perhaps I can take a nap here and tell my family work held me over. Lie to them. I'm just tired, and I need a break. Maybe someone could make a mess for me to clean up. It's been so long since I've slept like a normal person.

What is normal?

My eyes are shutting, and I'm slowly falling into the land of dreams and happiness -

"Hello! May I speak to you for a moment? I'm Castle Ruined, one of the mayoral candidates."

My head jerks up, and I look at the girl standing before me. I know her last name because I've watched two die. I know her name simply because she's running for mayor. But doesn't she know it's rude to wake a sleeping person? Letting out a yawn, I raise my hands rubbing my face. I want to sleep, yet I don't push her away. Instead I put on a smile and shrug my shoulders.

"If you want, I suppose?" It's more of a question because right now I don't care. I have to get home to my family before they worry, but this will give me the perfect excuse to explain why I'm running later.

For a moment, I look at her taking her in trying to decipher what she truly stands for. It's safe to assume she's looking for votes, but I have learned to never assume anything. Yet here I am sitting on a bench minding my own business listening as she apologizes for waking me. Many wouldn't understand the hardships of working over night while most people are sleeping, and I guess for that simple reason I'll let this slide just one time. However I wonder how she didn't know I was sleeping? It should've been obvious with my head slumped forward - perhaps it's simply a good thing. Right now I just want to get home to my own bed before heading into the bakery.

"You're fine." My voice muffled as it escapes with another yawn.

And then she carries on about how she appreciates me listening when it wouldn't take much to stand up and walk away. All I have to do is get the will power to push myself from the seated position, but my mind is too tired to tell my arms and legs to move.

But the last part of what she states catches my attention more than anything else.

The district needs so much improving. So much needs fixed. Better working hours. Better pay. Better help for those who can't work. My family relies on me, and I feel like it's never enough. It barely makes ends meet, and most of the time we're simply without food.

"Well, it definitely needs more for the working class as well as those who can't work anymore." I rub my face trying to wake myself up enough to talk coherently; "Yeah, I get that some people are well off, but there's other people who aren't as well off, and they work as hard as they possibly can just to barely make ends meet. And sometimes that means going without meals."

I inhale sharply looking around.

"I don't know, man, I'm just trying to work. Trying to help out my family, but I'm working two jobs, and it's still not enough." A heavy sigh leaves my chest;

My heart quivers rapidly as time stands still -

"What do you plan to do to fix it?"