Russian Games

Pt.1: Running Circles-by: Kennedy

Andra's POV:
Quies District Wed. Nov. 15 2:00 am
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I stare hopelessly at the white, faded wall. Late at night the thing I seem to do is anything but sleep. I contemplate the decision I have to make. Whether or not I'm going to join the army.

Who thought an 18 year old girl would have to make this decision, but America really needs the numbers if we want to win the war against Russia. Who ever thought an little orphan who grew up would turn out to be in the army. Yes I said orphan because at a young age my parents died, and I didn't have any other family members living close so it was off to the orphanage with me.

I don't really remember how they died since I was only a small child, but I've heard different stories for different people, each story more gut wrenching than the previous.

   I sighed still wondering what I was to do, risk my life or be sent away from the people I grew to love here at this seemingly lonely orphanage. The people here had such bright smiles that made living here a lot more bearable. Since I'm 18 now it's either the army or I get sent off miles away to work for some shitty factory in the Valeo district.

  I don't want to leave my district. I love it so much here, compared to anywhere else it's quite peaceful. What adds to the peace is all the greenery with the sounds of birds chirping when you admire the scenery. It's so stunning I don't want to leave at all, but what I loved most is the schools. The school I went to wasn't too high tech or fancy but everyone cared about each other and the teachers were magnificent.

   What I'll miss most is the quiet walks along the trails in the peaceful parks. Looking out to see trees in the distance,
heading the cheerful chirps of the birds, and that was the one place I could write without feeling pressured.  Yet all of that couldn't erase the fact that this city wouldn't want me back if I signed up for war. War was everything my district was against. It was rare for someone to sign up for the task, it made you an outcast. But being a soldier seemed so right. As much as my town wanted the war to be done and not talked about, we all knew it was real and it was bad. We were losing, and we needed to win soon or it would all be over. I had to sign up, it felt right even if my town turned against me. I was willing to take that risk. To save people's lives who deserve it. I know I'm strong enough to do it. All that's left to do is get started on training. With one last thought to myself about the decision, I finally drifted off to sleep for once.
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Quies District Thurs. Nov. 16, 9:00am
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  When I woke up the next morning I went to go consult the head of the orphanage, I found her in her office as usual. I told her that I wanted to go off to training for the army. She nodded her head in approval but I could just tell in her eyes she didn't want be to go there was a strong feeling of disapproval when she got the news.
  "So I guess I have to leave next week," I said full of sorrow.
  "Yeah I guess so. You know we'll miss you around here but it's your choice and I can't blame you for making it. It's very, uh, noble of you to do that," she replied, giving me the vibe she wasn't happy at all about this.
  "Yeah well I've a always felt my place in this world was to help so that's what I'm going to do," I paused. She looked unamused. "Well," I continued awkwardly, "Hey at least it beats working a dirty old factory for the rest of my life," I said. She just glanced back at her computer and I walked out of her office.

Afterwards I went to go sign up, the walk back to the orphanage was full of thinking. When I got back I decided to pack even though the slip they gave me said I don't have to leave until Wednesday. I guess I was right when I told the head of the orphanage I had to leave next week. It was me merely guessing.

I decided to enjoy the time I had remaining in Quies district by roaming the city. I wouldn't even call it a city. It's more like a green place where people come looking for peace because of the terrible war everywhere else. I took my usual trail around my favorite park, nobody usually comes here because it's on the other side of town, the unpopular side I guess. I took my journal as always but I didn't write in it. Instead I just stared at the cover. The cover I decorated when I was 14 and depressed because I thought nobody would adopt be. Boy was I right, but this way I get to go to war to help fight, fight to help and protect.

I wandered back home, I wouldn't call it home, nothing has ever been home to me. Once I got there I lay down my things and plop down on my bed. Once I did so I thought about me and my life. It's strange how I haven't gone to college, had a normal life. But yet I feel so plain and the same as everyone else. I close my eyes, hoping that once I enter the army I won't feel so plain anymore