No one tried to stop her when she ran off stage to hold the little boy. The panicked look on her face contrasted with the serenity in his eyes. We walked with in a fast, but sure pace, stretching his arms for her, with the confidence of a good deed. There was no glimpse of fear whatsoever, and that was what scared her the most. Hasn t he realized what he has done? The crowd stared silently when Cosette finally grasped Alphonse by the shoulder, kneeling down, to look deep in his eyes. From the back of the square, an hysterical scream AL! . Both of them recognized her voice immediately, and for the first time, there was a hint of restlessness in Alphonse s face. He turned back, trying to see his mother, but instead, a camera stood in front of his nose, blocking the view. He could also see Muffin Man approaching with his main camera crew, and he was almost getting caught in the moment when Cosette chook him:
-Al? Al? He finally looked up to her with a smile Are you insane? Are you? she took a break, gasping for air, looking at the ground, and making a colossal effort not to cry Why why have you done this?
- Because, wherever you go, I must follow.
-No, you don t! That makes no sense, you may have just killed yourself!
He looked slightly disappointed at that remark. Time was running short. He knew Muffin Man s entertainment stunts would delay the inevitable that they would get pulled in to the stage with no further time for explanation, at least until they were probably in the first and last train ride of their lives. -Don t you remember? He asked in a hushed tone.
It only took a few seconds for it all to come to her, like an avalanche. Alphonse was, like Cosette, the middle child. She, the youngest of four sisters and three younger brothers. Him, in the middle of two girls, one still to be born. They lived in a crammed up household, in which they all had to take care of each other in able to survive. Even though they lived in a two story house near the center of the city, the conditions weren t perfect for a family of 10 there were 11 before Al s father died, and they will soon be 11 again as soon as his little sister is born, that is if, both of them would come back alive. Humidity in the house, as well as the lack of space and proper heating, often lead to deseases and various fights for privacy. Money and other commodities were also a big issue. In a still growing family, it was very difficult to maintain everybody s needs and desires. Often, sacrifices had to be done. Cosette left school at the age of 14, and so did her two younger brothers. Alphonse and Micca were the ones in the family who were still in the education system, and Cosette was making a huge deal off effort to keep it that way. In recent times she had taken extra hours in the factory, as well as occasional work in other factories to be able to grant both her little brother and little nephew with school supplies and tuitions. In 8, school is free until the age of ten as soon as children are taught to read and write they are as educated as they are wanted to be afterwards, the prices skyrocket, undermining the chances for lower class kids to achieve better jobs. But Alphonse was a math whiz, light years from what would be expected from a 12 year old. Cosette had great faith in him. He dreamt of being a teacher. She would make sure that dream would come to be. Micca, unfortunately wasn t so gifted. If he were to fail this year, she would have no choice but to put him to work. For some reason, Cosette also developed a strange love for all things mathematical, and logical. It is unusual to see a 12 year old kid tutoring a much older person, but this was the case, and between equations and long talks about dead animals that turned in to rock, their bond grew bigger along the years. She was the one who picked him up for school each day, and eagerly asked him what he had learned in school. She really missed school. One warm spring afternoon, on their way home, Alphonse was narrating what he had heard in biology class that day:
-There are creatures that only eat vegetables in the forest!
-Vegetables? Like lettuce? Vegetables were very uncommon in 8; their diet was almost integrally based in grain and some meat What a life! Cosette put her arms to her back, walking with a dream like expression Oh! I miss eating carrots Hopefully there will be some after the shipment from 11 next week.
-No, no that kind of vegetable! he argued jokingly leaves! From trees! he said in excitement, pointing at the horizon.
-Leaves? Leaves are edible? Come on Al! shoving him -Back of auntie, - he said shoving her back it s true, I can prove it. But we will have to get near the fence.
-Oh great, getting burned to a crisp: just how I expected to end this lovely afternoon -No, we don t have to touch it silly -I know silly, just kidding!
It took them at least two hours on foot to get to the outskirts of the city. They had to pass through a few dozen factories and neighborhoods to finally get to a flat area in which only a decaying factory rose up. In front of it, a heavily electrified fence, with danger signs all over it. Touching it would mean certain death. Getting caught over the fence would also mean certain death. The people of 8 were effectively trapped in their own district. They approached with caution. Peacemakers often patrolled the area, looking for possible escapees. Cosette disliked the place. The woods were completely foreign to her, as well as much any nature element that was not meant to eat. But it surely smelled better that the rest of the city. Twilight was approaching, and she began to feel uneasy.
-Listen kiddo, as soon as the sun sets we are off, ok? she said, stoking his hair or else I m pretty sure Micca will eat your supper.
-Shh he whispered and pulled her hand, as they both walked almost silently nearby the fence. Through the square shape of the fence, they could clearly see the silhouettes of thousand of pine trees, as the sounds of the awakening animals of the forest. This was a sight of color, sound and peace that was often unseen in the city. Cosette had almost forgot that there were so many shades of green, yellow and orange, and stared in aw when Al pulled her arm and pointed to a bush nearby. It started to move violently, which caused her to take a step back, and then a few further. It was one of the most beautiful creatures she had ever seen in her life. So elegant, with shinny fur adorned with spotted patterns.
-What is it Al? she asked him with eyes wide open, watching it eat -It s a deer he answered quietly, not to disturb it see, he is eating leaves!
-Not tree leaves, bush leaves!
-Still leaves, Cosette! He might eat leaves from trees too!
-What do you know about deers?
-More that you, obviously! he replied, crossing his arms in defiance wait, it s not a he, it s a she! She has no antlers!
And as they looked at the deer again, a cub joined them. Small and delicate, but as wonderful as its mother was. It gently pushed its way under the mother to feed itself, wagging its tail. Instinctively, Alphonse grabbed Cosette s skirt at the bottom. It was a habit that he was still trying to quit in the present time. He used to walk around town, grabbing her skirt. A small dark haired like his deceased father boy, that looked as frail and vulnerable as he was adventurous. But still, wanting and needing the protection and care that his mother so often refused to give him. Not on purpose though. His mother, regardless of staying at home, had a lot on her hands, doing laundry and sewing for rich citizens. As a widow with a growing family she had no choice. Cosette took the job as surrogate mother, a role that she played gladly. Their presence finally scared the two deer s off, that run together in to the forest, as the sun sat in front of them.
-That s what a good kid does, see? Wherever she goes, he follows. There is no way he could get lost she said with a smirk, remembering him of the times he used to get lost in the market because he had forgotten to hold her hand and be latter found crying, next to a fat peace maker! Even though this was an embarrassing event for Al, they both laugh it off.
-Deal, wherever you go, I ll follow.
Those words were echoing inside Cosette s skull. Wherever you go, I ll follow? Have I made you do this? There was no turning back at that point. The baby deer had decided to follow mommy deer to slaughter. What a brave silly deer; she thought to herself caressing his face. She got up, grabbed his hand tightly, as if she was afraid to lose him, and looked around. Thousands of faces with tears in their eyes stared back at them. The ones closer to the runaway tried to touch them, pat their backs, give them any type of physical comfort that might calm their spirits. Cosette was secretly grateful, deeply touched by the gesture, but at that point in time she had chosen to stick with the determined attitude she had started with. There was no way that she could forget that every single moment of that reaping was being broadcasted live, and that whichever emotion she portrayed would be interpreted by her fellow tributes. Not too week neither too confident, she thought and then looked down at Alphonse that, once more, had grabbed the bottom of her skirt and was facing the sky. She couldn t read his mind; he didn t even bothered to look at her, so self absorbed in his own thoughts. What makes a healthy, happy 12 year old make a suicidal decision? She had no clue. Instead she just pulled him closer to her, wrapping her arm around his shoulders, and even before they could process it, Muffin Man was pushing them on stage, shoving is big metal microphone in the boy s face. -Alphonse, Alphonse sweetie, what made you volunteer? He asked, truly curious, has was the rest of district 8.
-I had to do the right thing. Auntie always does the right thing, and so do I he responded and Cosette gasped like the heroes from story books.
There was nothing that could have prepared the presenter for such a well thought answer. There was sureness in his voice that indicated that he meant business. Maybe that was just the self image that we wanted Panem to buy: the young brave boy that volunteered for a fellow citizen. But somehow, he seemed sincere. He probably hadn t had the time to weigh the actual costs of his gesture: only one comes alive from the Hunger games arena. Which obviously meant that him or his aunt were going to die. Simple logic really. And there was no super hero that could defeat the Capitol. -Heroes huh? Jonhs asked playfully, trying to milk some adorable children talk out of him.
-Heroes can be princes and princesses, they can be normal people or different from everyone you have ever known. They always step up no matter the situation. And believe me, I know he placed his palm against his chest and added, with a confident tone because I ve read hundreds of books! -Yes, he is the hero, and I am his sidekick Cosette replied am I right Al?
-Of course! Alphonse hugged her by the hips and buried his face on her dress. For the first time she could feel some palpable distress in him. His palms sweaty, is body cold and shaky.
Night was closing in on 8, and it was about time to wrap up the ceremony, which lasted a lot longer than it should. People were stressed, emotional, and some of them, actually injured. There were arrests, fights and commotion enough to fill a whole week of news. Jonhs finally decided to wrap things up, placing himself amongst the two tributes, and holding up their arms, concluded:
-Ladies and gentlemen, the tributes of district 8 for the 72nd Hunger Games! And may the odds be on your favor.
No one cheered and the show was over.
-Al? Al? He finally looked up to her with a smile Are you insane? Are you? she took a break, gasping for air, looking at the ground, and making a colossal effort not to cry Why why have you done this?
- Because, wherever you go, I must follow.
-No, you don t! That makes no sense, you may have just killed yourself!
He looked slightly disappointed at that remark. Time was running short. He knew Muffin Man s entertainment stunts would delay the inevitable that they would get pulled in to the stage with no further time for explanation, at least until they were probably in the first and last train ride of their lives. -Don t you remember? He asked in a hushed tone.
It only took a few seconds for it all to come to her, like an avalanche. Alphonse was, like Cosette, the middle child. She, the youngest of four sisters and three younger brothers. Him, in the middle of two girls, one still to be born. They lived in a crammed up household, in which they all had to take care of each other in able to survive. Even though they lived in a two story house near the center of the city, the conditions weren t perfect for a family of 10 there were 11 before Al s father died, and they will soon be 11 again as soon as his little sister is born, that is if, both of them would come back alive. Humidity in the house, as well as the lack of space and proper heating, often lead to deseases and various fights for privacy. Money and other commodities were also a big issue. In a still growing family, it was very difficult to maintain everybody s needs and desires. Often, sacrifices had to be done. Cosette left school at the age of 14, and so did her two younger brothers. Alphonse and Micca were the ones in the family who were still in the education system, and Cosette was making a huge deal off effort to keep it that way. In recent times she had taken extra hours in the factory, as well as occasional work in other factories to be able to grant both her little brother and little nephew with school supplies and tuitions. In 8, school is free until the age of ten as soon as children are taught to read and write they are as educated as they are wanted to be afterwards, the prices skyrocket, undermining the chances for lower class kids to achieve better jobs. But Alphonse was a math whiz, light years from what would be expected from a 12 year old. Cosette had great faith in him. He dreamt of being a teacher. She would make sure that dream would come to be. Micca, unfortunately wasn t so gifted. If he were to fail this year, she would have no choice but to put him to work. For some reason, Cosette also developed a strange love for all things mathematical, and logical. It is unusual to see a 12 year old kid tutoring a much older person, but this was the case, and between equations and long talks about dead animals that turned in to rock, their bond grew bigger along the years. She was the one who picked him up for school each day, and eagerly asked him what he had learned in school. She really missed school. One warm spring afternoon, on their way home, Alphonse was narrating what he had heard in biology class that day:
-There are creatures that only eat vegetables in the forest!
-Vegetables? Like lettuce? Vegetables were very uncommon in 8; their diet was almost integrally based in grain and some meat What a life! Cosette put her arms to her back, walking with a dream like expression Oh! I miss eating carrots Hopefully there will be some after the shipment from 11 next week.
-No, no that kind of vegetable! he argued jokingly leaves! From trees! he said in excitement, pointing at the horizon.
-Leaves? Leaves are edible? Come on Al! shoving him -Back of auntie, - he said shoving her back it s true, I can prove it. But we will have to get near the fence.
-Oh great, getting burned to a crisp: just how I expected to end this lovely afternoon -No, we don t have to touch it silly -I know silly, just kidding!
It took them at least two hours on foot to get to the outskirts of the city. They had to pass through a few dozen factories and neighborhoods to finally get to a flat area in which only a decaying factory rose up. In front of it, a heavily electrified fence, with danger signs all over it. Touching it would mean certain death. Getting caught over the fence would also mean certain death. The people of 8 were effectively trapped in their own district. They approached with caution. Peacemakers often patrolled the area, looking for possible escapees. Cosette disliked the place. The woods were completely foreign to her, as well as much any nature element that was not meant to eat. But it surely smelled better that the rest of the city. Twilight was approaching, and she began to feel uneasy.
-Listen kiddo, as soon as the sun sets we are off, ok? she said, stoking his hair or else I m pretty sure Micca will eat your supper.
-Shh he whispered and pulled her hand, as they both walked almost silently nearby the fence. Through the square shape of the fence, they could clearly see the silhouettes of thousand of pine trees, as the sounds of the awakening animals of the forest. This was a sight of color, sound and peace that was often unseen in the city. Cosette had almost forgot that there were so many shades of green, yellow and orange, and stared in aw when Al pulled her arm and pointed to a bush nearby. It started to move violently, which caused her to take a step back, and then a few further. It was one of the most beautiful creatures she had ever seen in her life. So elegant, with shinny fur adorned with spotted patterns.
-What is it Al? she asked him with eyes wide open, watching it eat -It s a deer he answered quietly, not to disturb it see, he is eating leaves!
-Not tree leaves, bush leaves!
-Still leaves, Cosette! He might eat leaves from trees too!
-What do you know about deers?
-More that you, obviously! he replied, crossing his arms in defiance wait, it s not a he, it s a she! She has no antlers!
And as they looked at the deer again, a cub joined them. Small and delicate, but as wonderful as its mother was. It gently pushed its way under the mother to feed itself, wagging its tail. Instinctively, Alphonse grabbed Cosette s skirt at the bottom. It was a habit that he was still trying to quit in the present time. He used to walk around town, grabbing her skirt. A small dark haired like his deceased father boy, that looked as frail and vulnerable as he was adventurous. But still, wanting and needing the protection and care that his mother so often refused to give him. Not on purpose though. His mother, regardless of staying at home, had a lot on her hands, doing laundry and sewing for rich citizens. As a widow with a growing family she had no choice. Cosette took the job as surrogate mother, a role that she played gladly. Their presence finally scared the two deer s off, that run together in to the forest, as the sun sat in front of them.
-That s what a good kid does, see? Wherever she goes, he follows. There is no way he could get lost she said with a smirk, remembering him of the times he used to get lost in the market because he had forgotten to hold her hand and be latter found crying, next to a fat peace maker! Even though this was an embarrassing event for Al, they both laugh it off.
-Deal, wherever you go, I ll follow.
Those words were echoing inside Cosette s skull. Wherever you go, I ll follow? Have I made you do this? There was no turning back at that point. The baby deer had decided to follow mommy deer to slaughter. What a brave silly deer; she thought to herself caressing his face. She got up, grabbed his hand tightly, as if she was afraid to lose him, and looked around. Thousands of faces with tears in their eyes stared back at them. The ones closer to the runaway tried to touch them, pat their backs, give them any type of physical comfort that might calm their spirits. Cosette was secretly grateful, deeply touched by the gesture, but at that point in time she had chosen to stick with the determined attitude she had started with. There was no way that she could forget that every single moment of that reaping was being broadcasted live, and that whichever emotion she portrayed would be interpreted by her fellow tributes. Not too week neither too confident, she thought and then looked down at Alphonse that, once more, had grabbed the bottom of her skirt and was facing the sky. She couldn t read his mind; he didn t even bothered to look at her, so self absorbed in his own thoughts. What makes a healthy, happy 12 year old make a suicidal decision? She had no clue. Instead she just pulled him closer to her, wrapping her arm around his shoulders, and even before they could process it, Muffin Man was pushing them on stage, shoving is big metal microphone in the boy s face. -Alphonse, Alphonse sweetie, what made you volunteer? He asked, truly curious, has was the rest of district 8.
-I had to do the right thing. Auntie always does the right thing, and so do I he responded and Cosette gasped like the heroes from story books.
There was nothing that could have prepared the presenter for such a well thought answer. There was sureness in his voice that indicated that he meant business. Maybe that was just the self image that we wanted Panem to buy: the young brave boy that volunteered for a fellow citizen. But somehow, he seemed sincere. He probably hadn t had the time to weigh the actual costs of his gesture: only one comes alive from the Hunger games arena. Which obviously meant that him or his aunt were going to die. Simple logic really. And there was no super hero that could defeat the Capitol. -Heroes huh? Jonhs asked playfully, trying to milk some adorable children talk out of him.
-Heroes can be princes and princesses, they can be normal people or different from everyone you have ever known. They always step up no matter the situation. And believe me, I know he placed his palm against his chest and added, with a confident tone because I ve read hundreds of books! -Yes, he is the hero, and I am his sidekick Cosette replied am I right Al?
-Of course! Alphonse hugged her by the hips and buried his face on her dress. For the first time she could feel some palpable distress in him. His palms sweaty, is body cold and shaky.
Night was closing in on 8, and it was about time to wrap up the ceremony, which lasted a lot longer than it should. People were stressed, emotional, and some of them, actually injured. There were arrests, fights and commotion enough to fill a whole week of news. Jonhs finally decided to wrap things up, placing himself amongst the two tributes, and holding up their arms, concluded:
-Ladies and gentlemen, the tributes of district 8 for the 72nd Hunger Games! And may the odds be on your favor.
No one cheered and the show was over.