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A gasp escaped my lips as my feet planted onto tall grass. I checked my surroundings, recognizing the thick trees and the small cottage that sadly stood in the open clearing. This was the first time I was aware this was a dream. Everything suddenly felt fake, a lot less like a real memory.
"That one isn't ready yet."
That same voice popped up again. But, this time around, it sounded much more present and clear. I turned to face the garden I spotted the last time I was in this place.
In front of me was the same young girl, who I assumed was me, crouching next to an older woman. For some odd reason, her face was blurred, as if she was an unfinished painting. It was disturbing to hear her speak without a mouth.
"It looks ready to me." My younger self replied, holding up a small tomato. I looked fourteen here. My hair was a lot shorter than how it was now, resting above my shoulders. Younger me had this naturally sassy look to her and it made me wish I remembered who I was before the Maze.
"No, look." The older woman, who must've been my mother, took the tomato from my hand, turning it over to show a green spot standing out compared to the red color of the fruit.
"I didn't see that before..." I commented sheepishly. I could tell the little girl felt embarrassed to be proven wrong.
My mom patted her on the back, "It's okay, sweetheart. You're still learning." She scrunched her daughter's hair, tossing the tomato to the side.
I hadn't noticed the single tear falling down my face as I watched the two talk to one another. Why couldn't I be that little girl living her best life with her family? The thought of having a motherly figure cradle me in her arms made me feel cold inside.
I approached the older woman, reaching my hand down to her unrecognizable face. Instead of my fingers making contact with her fair skin, they seeped right through like she was nothing but empty space. I pulled my hand away, afraid she might disappear if I tried again.
I backed away from my mother just in time to catch a glimpse of three armed soldiers jogging up to the cabin, their hands clutching onto a gun.
"Exit the house or we will open fire!" The one closer to us shouted, aiming the weapon at the front door.
My mom scrambled to her knees, pulling younger me with her into the bushes. I heard quiet whimpers behind me, only assuming it was the little girl.
"Don't shoot!" A male yelled from inside the house.
This only angered the armed men. They immediately began shooting at the walls after the man responded. The windows shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces.
One of the men kicked the door open, storming inside with the other two. Shouts and yells were heard from inside the cabin, followed by punches and more gunshots.
