Because Panem wasn't the only country left after the wars that led to its creation. Not by a long way.
We watch.
Unbeknown to them, we watch.
The terrible wars that at one time raged all over the planet have ceased, and we have returned to some kind of twisted normality. Resources are scarce, but systems are worked out, people lead, we survive.
They, however, don't.
We see their version of what we have, their leaders and their people. But we also see the underlying unrest, the secret cruelty of what happens there.
And we see the rebellion, the people fighting back, and for one paralysing moment we think we will soon witness more war, more pain. So instead of stepping in, we shrink back, too afraid of what might happen. And as their fighting slows, and stops, we feel such relief and gratitude that it is over we almost make ourselves known to them, almost.
But then we see the plans, and the corrupt, twisted ideas, and we know we must hide away again. Because this is so wrong, so deeply, truly evil, we cannot find the courage to help. One by one the children are slaughtered, and they are forced to watch, and although we can leave at any time we are glued to these games by a sick, repellent force that makes us just as enslaved as they are. For seventy-five years, we sit through this.
Then we see her.
She fights back, and they follow her, and we want to follow her so badly too, only we are far too scared. She fights for freedom, for equality, for safety, and for her little sister. And eventually, she fights for him, her boy with the bread. We see all of this, but the fear continually keeps us in hiding.
She suffers, so badly, and we want to let her know she isn't alone, but then they take her sister and we know that no words can comfort her now. But it ends, as it always does, and once again their country is left to heal from a painful and long war. She doesn't seem to be in much of a position anymore, but we know she prefers that. And now she's left our screens for good, and we know that we'll never see her again. But enough filters through to let us know what is happening. They are together, finally, they are married, they have children, and she is moving on. Slowly. Of course, he is helping her, because that's what he does. And the war is beginning to fade, in everyone's eyes but theirs, and ours. We know it won't be the last one, not by a long way, but we hope against hope she never has to see another one. She has suffered far more that anyone should have to in a hundred lifetimes, and we can't help wishing we had stepped in when we could. Prevented some of the pain.
But we are far too cowardly for that, so we resume our lives, and do what we have done for years.
We watch.
Unbeknown to them, we watch.
Thanks for reading! Guess what? I love reviewers! (Like my subtlety there?)
Iliketotastetherainbow x