Just like candy ✔️ Treech

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The truck was dark and cold, and althought their minds were too groggy to even think straight, they both knew one thing— that they needed to get out. They would do whatever it takes. One of them knew what it was like in the capital, and never wanted to return. The other, had lived their entire life in the districts, and never wanted to be taken away from it. Their hearts pounded against their chests as they looked at eachother in silence, eyes flickering towards the door to the back of the truck.

The smaller one, stifly crawled towards it, fingers blindley gliding up the cold metal wall, before they latched onto a hard lever.

The first tug, did nothing, and the door stayed tightly sealed shut. But neither did of the two captives would give up, and with another tug, the door swung open.

The other captive, crawled forward staring at the ground beneath them, that moved quickly, as the truck flew forward on the gravel road. Neither of them had to think twice before jumping out of the back of the truck, sending themselves flying into the hard stones.

Funerals in district four were always something somber. At sunset, the families of the fallen would gather around the beach, sending off a glowing lantern into the water, and then the morning after, a pearl would be placed at the families doorstep, and then another at the grave. It was district four's way of saying that family would always find a way to be with eachother. the pearl was a symbols of connections, the last thing that held a peice of those who had died. Many had items, or things that people kept close to them, but a pearl— a pearl was a peice of their soul, the very same soul that was kept in district four, safe and sound. The capital could take away their riches, or their humanity. They could trash their homes, and take away their loved ones, but they could never take away districts four's pride. They could never take away the mememories the civilians held, or the words they said, or their minds. They could hide them away, but they would always find a way to shine through. Their souls would be kept alive.

Mizzen's small fingers gently pushed the lantern into the waters, and for once, the entire beach remained quite. They held their breaths watching as the lantern drifted away, the flickering light remaining the only thing to be seen. Mizzen had wet salty tears dripping down his cheeks, and Minso leaned down towards him, already having sent Gil's lantern into the water. Minso squeezed Mizzens shoulder, trying to tell him it would be okay.

Mizzen didnt know what to think, he had just gotten Avi back. He had lived without her for years, and although he had managed to get past it. It was entirely diffrent this time. Avi had protected him, and saved him. She was the only reason he was alive, and he couldnt do the same for her. A part of him felt guilty, for letting Gil and Avi go first, becuase maybe if it had been him, or if they had checked behind the truck a second time, both of them would still be here, and not just the memories that stayed in his head.

Minso tugged Mizzen into his chest, tucking his head against his body, as Mizzen's sobs echoed across the beach. He was just a little kid, but yet he had everything ripped away from him like it was nothing. He had his brother Kirke, and then his sister. Mizzen was the last one left.

Gil's father, who was an old man, with a cane. An injury he had sustained from fishing when he was still middle aged. He patted both the boys on the back, giving them a warm comforting smile. He had lost everyone too, his wife long gone, and his son, who was the one too take care of his sick self, had now been taken away. "Its alright. The pain will go away, but the memory of them will not."

Mizzen wiped his cheeks, turning towards gil's father.

He tapped Mizzen's chest, right where his heart was, "they are both, right here."

Mizzen softly sniffled, pressing the palm of his hand against his heart.

"They wont ever leave you." The man told him, "they'll just be watching, from somewhere far away."