Match

3

people are always saying that if you go far enough you'll escape. i don't know whether or not to believe such a thing.

"i don't want to get wed, but if I don't, they'll kill her, and i love her and i'm so glad she is my match." thomas tells me after school.
there is always an hour of leisure after work or school, so we usually spend it at the park, like most of the children here.

i stare at the ground messing with the grass. we sit quiet for a while and i wonder what he is thinking and i wonder who his match is but i don't dare to ask.

i look over at some of the younger children on the play castle, not caring about their match, but they are thinking about it. its always with you. everyone always thinks about it.
"how do you think they came up with this system?" Thomas asks me.
i look at him startled, not ever thinking of such an absurd question.
"what?" i ask.
"how do you think they came up with the whole 'match' system". he asks again looking at me with a serious expression.
"why are you asking me?"
"because you're my friend and i value your opinion."
i blush a little.
"oh well maybe it was someones idea from long ago. it could be anything."

he thinks for a while.

"how do you just decide to start something like this? for peace? there is truly not real peace here. its an act, and you know it,"

i stare at the ground.

"i mean, who thinks of this? who decides? there surely aren't places like this or else we would know. but i know there is normality out there, we just have to find it."

"what are you going to do?" i say finally looking up.

"i have to marry her. i love her, but i dont want to stay here and i know she doesn't want to either.

my heart starts beating fast. is it me? could it be me? i decide to ask.

"w-who is it?" i say just above a whisper.