"Ha! Fresh meat! Well, you brats will be working in the 14th pit of Section C," sneers Davis. "You'll be clearing all the useless rocks so you can start the real mining in three days."
Young recruits are always assigned to the surface mines. We're useful and not expendable like the older miners who are sent into the tunnels. Those places are dangerous; accidents are common; they don't want to lose their new tools before breaking them do they?
It was one of those freak accidents that killed our fathers and Thom's aunt. We couldn't even give them a proper burial. They were blasted to bits.
Within two weeks, people were forced to work in the shafts again.
***
Our assigned area is nearly four times the size of my house. All this rubble, then the walls should be cleared only by four people?
"There's no drills or anything..." says Bristel. "Only crowbars, spades and sickles..."
"Oh no. We can't risk giving those machines to you newbies. Don't want to lose a limb do we?" mocks Davis from behind. "I'll be right around the corner. Start digging brats!" he sneers and walks away.
I pick a spade and get to work.
***
"I-I can't....do this."
"What?"
I turn around to find Sasha collapsed in the ground. "Shit."
I pull Thom. He has the same reaction.
He goes down and shakes her hard. "Sasha get up! Just another hour and our shift will be over! Get up!"
"I...can't," she huffs.
Four hours of mining with no breaks have left us all exhausted. The loud clangs of metal hitting the walls resonates throughout the place. It's a wonder that my ears haven't started bleeding yet. The unforgiving sun scorching our backs does no help. I'm drenched in sweat. The still, dust-filled air chokes me.
But I'm grateful that they didn't send me into those treacherous shafts. Dark and hot. Always working in the constant fear of whether you'll see the sun again.
"Leave her be. We'll cover up for her," I grunt.
With no other option Bristel and Thom agree.
I raise the spade. One more hour.
***
"Hey, maggots! Where's the girl?" shouts Davis.
"Uhh...she's gone to the bathroom sir," says Thom.
"Alright. You get a two-hour break after that you'll begin working again," Davis barks. It almost sounds like he's mad that we're getting a break.
"YES SIR!"
Davis gives us a nod and walks away.
"That was close," mutters Bristel.
"Yeah."
We made Sasha sit down behind a huge pile of rocks we made. She fell asleep instantly.
"Sasha wake up. It's lunch break," says Thom, kneeling beside her.
She wakes up with a start.
"Oh. Thank you so much. I owe you all big," she sighs.
"No problem," smiles Thom. He offers her a hand, "Come on, let's get some lunch."
***
As promised I posted. hope you guys enjoy it!!! vote and comment guys.
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the untold tale (A Gale Hawthorne story)
Hayran Kurgu"Maybe I'll tell her after the Reaping. Maybe she'll be my Winter Fire someday." But there's only one rule: Kill or be killed Gale Hawthorne's life takes a drastic turn. One that's going to break his heart. His best friend gets Reaped into the Hunge...
