Wasting Life Away [Open]

[Allison Arelix]

"They're killing us slowly."

Pain ached through Allison's stomach, the lack of food straining against her now. Her Uncle probably had food cooking, but she'd spent all day trying to sell a squirrel and get some information. Old wife's tales, myths--anything. Her face twisted in confusion as she glanced along the filthy streets. It disgusted her.

The new government had cleaned it all up. They stopped poverty and did it all. But it was worse now. People didn't trust each other but they could always leave if they got out in time. Or so that's what she was told. When people left, she wasn't sure where they went or what happened to them. She heard from a vendor that the Capitol took them away, and imprisoned them. But it was merely a tale. she wasn't sure.

Uneasily, she shook her head, trying to block out the disturbing images. It wasn't fair. The Capitol got to sit up high and mighty and never have to worry about starving to death. Never having to worry about what if they can't get food for the night? Never having to work for anything.

Allison stopped, her blue eyes scanning around once more. Kids trying to look for scraps of something. People trying to bargain. Trying to do whatever they could to live. Beyond the fences, giant trees flocked the horizon. The New Government did get rid of the poverty, but even still, it lived on.

"What's beyond it? What's it like away from this hell?" she thought. That's what she'd been trying to figure out. No one in the District really knew her. Maybe from selling or they knew her from what'd she been after her parent's death. But no one knew her really. Her Uncle was the closest thing to a friend she had, and even then it was because they were forced to live together.

But she could leave. Her Uncle was well without her. All it'd take would be sneaking out. Relying on the bow and arrows her Uncle made for her. Mapping out traps and snare. Hunting each night for herself. Building her own house. Finally learning how to use the old sword her father would practice with "just in case". Leaving behind a world that she loathed.

She had it all mapped out on what'd she do even. It seemed so real. Seemed so there. It'd be easy enough to do. Slip out of the fences, go off on her own. Get as far away as possible. Before the stealing.

Allison glanced over her shoulder, looking for any suspicious activity. That's what they all were doing now. It was cruel. Crueler than the Original Games had been. At least you knew you were going to go. But now, they just steal one girl and one boy. Death to whomever. Nothing had changed.

"I'm becoming paranoid..." She muttered with a soft chuckle and a shake of her head. Her blue eyes turned to the street, just in time. A large man shoved past her, knocking her into a crate. With a small grunt, she fell over it and hit the ground, the air stolen from her body. Allison lay on her back, staring up at the sky, trying to remember how to breathe.

[/size]