She tucks the bread under her arm and runs, hoping that the footsteps behind her belong to her twin. The jeweler has enough money to buy the soft honey bread from the bakery; his family doesn't need the rough loaf that sang to her from his windowsill. To the Peacekeepers, it won't matter that the jeweler's children have never gone to bed hungry or that she can see each of her ribs poking out from beneath sallow skin. Thieves' blood isn't an uncommon sight here, and at eight, she and her brother would not be the youngest ever sent to the whipping post.
She lets out a shriek when a large, strong hand clutches her arm, and the girl spins to strike the stranger. Already, the man's grip loosens as her brother's elbow hits his stomach. She smashes her foot into her attacker's, and he groans in pain. Still, he won't allow her to escape. "Stop it, the both of you. I don't want to hurt you."
Her hand stills halfway through a punch. "Who are you?" her brother demands.
He isn't a Peacekeeper, he assures them, and they aren't in trouble. Quite the opposite, in fact - he has an opportunity for them. The man offers the two children a chance to grow strong and make their district proud. If they do well, he promises, they'll someday live in a big house and have beautiful things.
After years of nothing, the thought of everything entices her. She glances to her twin, and she can see the same wonder reflected in the green eyes so much like her own. Two golden heads nod in unison, not understanding the suffering they've so happily agreed to endure.
.oOo.
A/N: Thanks for reading and to Estoma, hollyhobit101, stellaslomp, and apathyismypoison for reviewing!
The last chapter was Glimmer.