I really wonder how you feel on these nights so alone

“if only you could see”

Laugh and sing..

Sep 23, 2008 || 11:05 PM || comment?

..but while we're apart don't give your heart to anyone.

This weekend was fun! Yay for Kaylyn's 18th birthday! There was good food and good music and dancing like an idiot and having fun while doing it!

But today is Monday, and I have a morning case of the blues? Mostly because I had to get up and go to school, which is rather inconvenient. But I dressed nicely today. ;)

What's the occasion? It's Monday! So it's going to feel sucky anyone so why not dress nicely, and maybe get some compliments out of it? (:

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"Again, this is only a test. There is no cause for alarm...Exit at the predesignated areas and file out as quickly and quietly as possible. Th-thank you."

She was running with her boots untied. Her gloves were barely put on, and even then, her pinky was shoved into the same finger as her ring finger. She tripped on a shoelace, then caught herself and decided if she was already late, then she had time to tie her boots. She adjusted her gloves, wiped the sweat from her brow and inhaled deeply. As she continued her sprint to the predesignated area, thoughts were flying just as fast in her mind. She did not believe one second that these tests were necessary. Or at least, as much as they held them. She felt herself becoming desensitized to sound of the man's voice cutting through the air, to what it meant on a larger scale. What did it mean, after all? Her world was no longer a safe place, as these announcements became a more frequent part of her life.

She was about to wrap a scarf around her neck when she ran into an old granny. "Are you alright?" she asked, as she picked her scarf up from the ground. She was about four feet tall, a very petite woman, who seemed like the wind might carry her away. "Don't worry about me, dear, but you need to follow me." The old woman took the girls hand with an unexpected amount of strength, and turned her down a secluded alley. It was when a bit of light shined down on the old woman did the girl recognize her. One of the oldest members of their community, a lot of the citizens went to her for stories. Stories of a more desirable place, how things once were. Stories of when she was younger. The girl and the old woman shared a mutual relationship, and she like many of the others enjoyed her stories, and perhaps she likened the woman to the mother she never knew, and her, the daughter she never had.

"I...where are you leading me? We need to follow the drill.." the girl said, yet the granny did not answer her. It was frustrating, but the only thing she could do was trust the old woman. Together they entered a building, perhaps a small warehouse or something, then the granny disappeared.

"I guess I'll just wait here," the girl muttered, as she looked around the empty room. What was this place? She supposed she would never know, and with this thought, the woman returned, with a bundle of clothes in her arms.

"You're going to need to change your clothes," she said suddenly, sternly. She handed the pile to the girl, who simply stared, then looked down at the clothes.

"These are boy's clothes.." the girl said slowly. "Why?"

"You need not tell a soul that you were here, that you're anything other than a young man, who had business with this place, and you're returning home."

"Why are you telling me this? Why do I need to-..."

"There is no time for questions. You must realize, that this is no drill. This place has brainwashed everyone, and they are completely unaware of what's going to happen to them," the old woman interrupted her.

"What's going to happen?!" she finally screamed.

The old woman averted her gaze from the girl for the first time.

"I...I don't know. But there have been people in and out of this place all day, and they are not from here. And I know it has something to do with this "drill". I was hoping to see you today, so I could help you out of here...you do not deserve this fate. So please. Put on the clothes, then I will give you a hair cut."

The unknown. Sometimes, that was worse than knowing what was going to happen. She didn't even know if she'd be able to make it out alright. But the woman knew more than simple stories of the past. She changed quickly, the only familiar bits of clothing being her boots and gloves.

"Follow me. I'll never be able to cut your hair if you're not sitting down," the woman said as they entered a hall, then into a small room. There was a single a chair, made of metal, and luckily she wore pants or else it would have been unbearable to sit on. Out the corner of her eye, she watched chunks of hair fall to the ground, her hair that she hadn't cut since she was a little girl. This would be for the better. When the woman was finished, she stuck a hat on the girl's head, then walked around her.

"Don't take off that jacket, or else you'll give yourself away." The girl nodded, then glanced at her chest for half a second.

"There is a motorcycle outside for you, and this is the key. I went through a lot of trouble getting one of those, so they will most likely believe that you are not from around here. Speak as little as possible, only answering questions when necessary. Anything else you can answer by nodding. The closest city is about a day away, avoid telling anyone where you've come from, because you never know who is working for who. I have Republic currency, which you must use, but sparingly. Get rid of any old bills or change that you might have on you. I've put together a pack for you. There is a bit of food, and also some bandages. You're a strong girl. I believe you can take care of yourself."

It wasn't until then did she realize the magnitude of the situation. The life she was leaving wasn't necessarily a good one, but it was the only she's ever known. To be thrown into the unknown like this...was scary. And exciting. She never gave much thought to the outside world. Or that an outside world even existed.

"Okay...I'm ready."

"These are your keys, you might want to go slow at first, to get a handle of riding the motorcycle. And please don't forget your hat." She took the hat from the old woman, and covered her head. She followed her down the hall, was this maybe the last time she'd see this woman? She felt sad, yet this is what the woman wanted for her. She owed this woman her life.

"Out that door, you will ride down to the end of the alley and turn left. At the watch shop, take a right, and head all the way down. This is where the gate is. There is no need for eye contact. Just tell them your story, and you will be on your way."

She nodded. "I will come back for you."

The old woman smiled, yet there was sadness in her eyes. "There is no need for that. Once you leave this place, forget it. Do not come back." The girl frowned, then asked, "Will I ever see you again?"

"Maybe. The world will be a much better place when that day arrives." She nodded and smiled, then bid farewell to the woman. Just as she was told, she made her way out of the city without too many questions. Already being late, she rode well into the night, her amateur riding skills slowly developing, but to her the hardest thing was resisting turning back to everything she once knew.

Labels: fiction junction