nepenthe (n.) - an ancient Greek word, defined as a medicine for sorrow. it is a place, a person or thing, which can aid in forgetting your pain and suffering.
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Leora always knew her stealing would get her into trouble one day. That's okay, she lov...
While it's just a simple sentence, something uttered out of pure frustration to some, it's so much more than that to Leora. She still remembers the first time she felt things were unjust and, of course, also remembers what adults would always tell her.
"That's just how things are," they'd say, already worn down by the harsh reality of life.
And ever since she was a little girl, Leora would scoff. A part of her started resenting the adults surrounding her for their passivity, their willingness to leave anything unjust the way it is.
Growing up during the war means that Leora knows what it's like to feel powerless. Even now that it's technically over, District Five is far from a full recovery. The divide between the rich and poor continues to grow with every single day and still, that same old phrase.
"That's just how things are," her mother always says.
And every single time, Leora wants to rip her hair out. While she knows she'd never stand a chance against the Capitol, that doesn't mean she should have to stand by and watch when the people in Five are suffering.
Because if you don't like how things are, you do something to change it.
To her, it just feels like nobody is listening. The adults have grown so accustomed to everything and are so used to the ways of life after the war that most of them are willing to take everything the Capitol is throwing at them just so they can live in peace. During the war, the rebels would purposely trigger blackouts in the Capitol. And nowadays, with most rebels either dead or in hiding, the Capitol is fully profiting off everything Five has to offer while the citizens themselves are living with barely even the minimum.
Leora is furious. She remembers the war and she's glad it's over, undoubtedly so, but her mind can't comprehend how people are willing to give up so easily. Her parents always insist that this is better than war, but is it really? She doesn't know.
What she does know is that she's as good as powerless — but not in Five. Always a wanderer, she'd sneak out with her best friend, a fast and sneaky girl called Sol Fritts, to explore the ruins of District Five. With its many corners and hidden crevices, it becomes their favorite pastime activity, no matter the risks of playing in an abandoned warzone. It's dangerous and whenever Peacekeepers catch them, they scare them away by threatening them with their rifles.
Until Leora has enough one day. At school, she witnesses once more just how unfair the world can really be.
While some of her classmates barely have anything to eat during their breaks, the mayor's daughter is showing off the meal her parents have packed her. The girl isn't even trying to be bashful or shows any kind of shame about eating enough to feed at least three children in one break, she doesn't care that some of her classmates don't have anything to eat or barely even scraps.
