Just A Boy and His Violin

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

I frowned at Andre’s question. “That’s probably not going to happen, but I’d love to live in one of those beautiful houses.. I’d probably never leave it and make it my own safe paradise." I dreamed about it in my head.

Suddenly the anthem played in the arena. I raised my eyes to the sky and looked straight into Mara’s eyes. It saddened me to see her up there. She was strong, she was confident, more than me and she died already. The other girl seemed so sweet as well on her picture. My heart sank. God knows I could be next.

"I don't plan on making it out so there's nothing for me to say."

I looked up to the sky and saw the faces of Nara and Pixel. Why does everyone I care about have to die!

"Warm summer sun. Shine kindly here. Warm southern wind. Blow softly here. Green sod above. Lie light, lie light. Good night dear heart. Good night good night. To you Pixel, you had a chance to love and I'm not doubting for a second that you didn't love him until your last breath. Even in death I'm sure your love for Wistar is as strong as ever. You were an amazing person in life. May your light shine as bright as the stars in the night sky. To you Nara. The bravest little girl I have known. You taught me many things. I remember seeing you there in the infirmary. You were bandaged and sleeping peacefully. But I knew inside you had the spirit of a warrior. May you forever keep fighting. In truth I started to love you as my family. I will never forget either one of you."

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

I chuckled at Andre’s words. Momma Miriam… She would definitely be a good mother. I knew that the first time I met her. I rested my head on her shoulder and smiled at the boys.

"Her kids would be lucky" I replied playing with my fingers under the cover. Tomorrow will be another day and some things would change. I felt it already.

I looked back into the fire.

"I agree. What do you all plan to do if you make it out of here?"

Trying to keep things positive. I can't let my mind wander to Isobel.

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

I put my head on Miriam’s shoulder and smiled. With the cover around us, our heat was keeping us both warm. The fire was burning now and I managed to keep my eyes off of it and forget about the crackling of the wood. I kissed her cheek and whispered a thank you as I relaxed in her arms finding myself safer than I ever was until now.

"Was there a death today? A ring of a cannon?" I asked fighting my eyelids. I kept looking at the sky expecting the pictures of people to show up again.

I glanced over at Miriam and Cashmere.

"You'll make a good mom someday Miriam. I haven't heard anything yet. Maybe everyone is trying to lay low?"

#continuing #its short

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

As soon as we arrived to our camping point, Gabriel put me down on the floor. I thanked him. I took out the sleeping bad and some food from my bag for them. I watched Miriam going to look for wood and sat down on a rock.

When she came back, I was in the sleeping bag eating some food and drinking some of the water I had filled in this morning. I laughed at Miriam’s word before getting back to my food. It felt more alive than when I was alone. I looked up at the sky and the stars. The view here at the top of mountain was much better. It felt almost out of the ordinary. The sky seemed almost faked but perfect. I kept silent and listened to them.

I had a few bites of blackened rabbit. The taste was weird but it was food. My arms felt like jelly. I'm more than happy for a rest.

"Miriam you know I love you. Thanks for getting the supplies."

I grabbed a few rocks and put them in a circle around the branches and leaves. The process of getting the fire going took less time than it usually did.

I started humming a song by Charlie Winston while I sat in front of the fire.

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

I woke up slowly from my dream as we were still walking. Gabriel was still carrying me. I almost wanted to tell him I could walk slowly on my own. I’m sure his arms were hurting him at this point.

I felt Miriam’s fingers brush through my hair. I looked at her and smiled. “Yes… Shouldn’t we have arrived up the mountain by now? It feels like we’ve been walking forever…" I looked at the sky which was slowly turning darker. Night would fall soon. “I have things in my bag… food and water." I pointed at the bag on Andre’s shoulder.

"It's just ahead of us. We can stop when we get there. No offense to the forest but I don't really feel like it's a safe place anymore." I was referring to the fact that my Izzy died. "So we're good then. I'll just have to gather some supplies for a fire then we'll have some warmth."

I picked up my pace. My arms were really starting to hurt now. Just a bit further. I can do it.

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

andre-galin

I looked over at Cashmere who was sleeping peacefully. Clearly, she trusted us enough to relax in our presence, which, honestly, felt kind of nice.

"Is there really the only thing left?" I asked, perplexed but making sure not to raise my tone. I sighed. “You will have to find something else to eat then."

"Take a look around Andre. Everything is either charred or rotting. I spotted a bush a few paces back. The berries were shriveled up and black. Either it's from the fire or something else."

Contrary to popular belief just because everything is dead does not mean we have to be. We're going to need food unless we want to die out here like these plants.

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

I nodded to Miriam. Would I keep fighting till the end? If Miriam made me promise, I couldn’t say no. My eyes felt so heavy as Gabriel’s movement was craddling me. I let go of his neck resting my shoulder for a little bit. His grip was stronger as he promised not to drop me.

I feel asleep and let the sweet dreams of a small blonde girl soothe me. I felt safe. Safe enough to sleep better than I had slept in the arena since we were here. I know nothing would happen to me. I trusted them.

I wish I could follow Cashmere's lead. Soon I can. We just have to keep going a bit further before we set down to rest.

"Andre what food? I only have a can of soup and we ate all the fish."

Continuing to Live || Careers + Cashmere

"There’s no one else I know too, but if anything does happen to me and it’s you left you still fight okay? Pull all the tricks that I taught you in training out of the bag alright?" I patted her head a little and saw that her eyes were starting to drop, she looked so sleepy it was pretty adorable.

The good part of the forest was coming into view and as we walked through the forest it was eerily quiet, I started to doubt that anyone was here too. “Do we climb all night as well?"