The Parables

Cyrin - Precinct Four

Cyrin - Precinct Four

Yawning, I sigh and snuggle down in the seat. I've been awake throughout the entire night and now the fatigue is hitting me. Hard. I've never known Precinct Four to be this huge. We were travelling through some part of the village I've never been through for nearly an hour before we hit the countryside. Now, I doubt I'll be able to recognise a house - I've seen so many trees, I'm growing sick of nature.

Beams of sunlight pierce through the windows as the sun rises up into the sky and a warmth floods into the car from the heat of the sun. Birdsongs resonate throughout the copses of trees as the civilisation of the country begins to wake from their slumber. Shadows of the trees glare down at the grass, expanding gradually to take the form of creatures. Monsters, even. Shifting back in my seat, I'm reminded yet again of the terrible fate I've been dropped into. Just then, my stomach points out my developing hunger as it grumbles for the eighth time in the last hour or so. Sighing, I gaze wistfully down at it then turn my attention back to the window.

Mother pops into my mind then and I'm replete with anguish all over again. A pang of guilt strikes me as I think back to yesterday when I was dragged away from her without saying goodbye. I can picture it so clearly, it seems to be happening in front of me now. But I know it's not and I'm glad for that, as I can't stand watching that poignant moment again.

At that moment, Flint enters my thoughts. He tried his best to get Mother to me, but he just wasn't quick enough. I pity him deeply, but I know he has a good heart and trust him to make sure my Mother survives without me. If not him, then her friends will do their best.

A sudden anger spurs inside of me at that point, like a single flame igniting. It quickly transforms into a massive inferno. The anger bubbles inside of me like lava in a volcano. It fills me up, turning my pity for Flint into a rage for the sentry. He should've stopped. The sentry should've stopped the car and let me say goodbye to Mother. But he didn't. The cold-hearted bastard. My hands clench into fists and I narrow my eyes. This time, it's personal. I want revenge. Now. Suddenly, I'm thrown forward out of my seat. My forehead takes the pounding as the car screeches to a halt and I slam into the back of the seat in front. Grimacing with pain, I sit up and rub my forehead tenderly.

"Are we here?" I mumble, in a daze, all my anger for the sentry subsiding.

"Rabbit."

"Huh?"

"There was a rabbit in the road. I had to stop or it would have-" The sentry breaks off.

"Right," I say sceptically, feeling the fury grow inside of me again. "So you'd rather crush a little girl's - although she's not that little - wish than make a rabbit pancake?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" the sentry demands, swivelling around in his seat.

"I-" I start then stop talking.

It's as if a light bulb has been switched on in my head, as now my negative emotions have fled my mind. I shouldn't waste time yelling at the sentry for snatching me from my Mother without a goodbye. I ought to be trying to survive The Parables, so I can make it home and be reunited with her again. She needs to watch me on the big screen in the Plaza and be proud to call me her daughter. She should be able to feel joy when I succeed and disappointment when I don't. She should be emotional when I get emotional and feel agony when I get injured. She will always be in my heart, regardless of whether there was a goodbye, or if there wasn't. All I need to do is get back home. Although, I'm bound to find out that it's easier said than done.

"It doesn't matter," I mumble, flashing the sentry a brief smile. "Sorry." The sentry frowns. "I guess you better continue driving then," I remark, with forced cheerfulness, swiftly changing the subject. "Wouldn't want me to miss the train."