The Parables

Medea - Precinct Eleven

Medea - Precinct Eleven

My life is ruined. My family is gone. My friends have been left behind. Not that I really had any friends, but Riza. And not that I really had much family, but my Mother and Father. Not that I really saw Father, apart from early in the morning and late in the evening. He was constantly working. No matter how much money Mother had from her win in The Parables, it wasn't going to be enough to keep a family of three surviving forever. Besides, half of the money was donated to the Mayor to spend on Precinct Eleven when Mother first won it; that made us only half better off than we could've been.

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair and lean back in the seat. My legs ache from being still so long and I'm starting to feel nauseous from the rocky journey down this uneven track. I feel weary all over but cannot drift off to sleep. There are too many nerves and fears running through my mind, preventing me from having a peaceful kip. If only I had some lavender oil with me then I'd feel much more relaxed. The thought of lavender oil suddenly makes me consider something else. Mother.

Sitting up, my heart starts pounding as I realise what I've done. Mother's the only apothecary in Precinct Eleven and she does a pretty good damn job of healing people, but she's less capable without me. I'm always there, ready with the remedies, oils and essences, herbs and teas. I'm always ready to anaesthetise the patient or prepare the supplement they need to take. Without me, Mother can't cure a patient as quickly. There'd be a greater risk of the patient's ailment deteriorating. There'd be a greater risk of death. Father would be useless as he's never there; he can barely tie a bandage around a cut if he were available.

Closing my eyes, I sit back in my seat and try to forget it. Maybe Riza's Mother would help her. She used to help out occasionally when I was at school. But when I left school at eleven, I began my apothecary training so her assistance was no longer needed. But now Riza's Mother has three children and a very tiny toddler. She'd never be able to help Mother out with all those children on her hands. Well, minus a child as Riza is just as capable of surviving by herself as her Mother is.

Glancing out of my side window, I smile at the sight of the sunrise. In Triumph Town, you have the best view of the sun waking from its deep slumber. The sky is bright with a marmalade sun and coral clouds, the warm colours illuminating the ground below. Emerald fields and grassy plains transform into a golden butter colour from the glare of the rising sun. A gentle breeze brushes over the grass, swaying the fields in one direction. If only everything was this beautiful. There'd be no more glum or depressing moods, everyone would just feel good from looking at stunning sights like these.

"The train station's just ahead."

My eyes land upon the sentry. A few ginger hairs are escaping from the helmet. Her helmet. The voice was feminine. Frowning, I lean forward in my seat.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I query.

"I said the train station's just ahead," the sentry repeats.

"Fiji?"

Her eyes appear in the rearview mirror.

"Hey, Medea."

"Why didn't you tell me it was you driving the car?" I cry. "I wouldn't have had to sit here in this awful silence then. We could've had a chat."

"To be honest, I'm not that good of a driver when I'm talking," Fiji admits. "Also, I'm not really meant to be talking to the Martyr."

"Did you choose to drive the car on purpose?"

"I would've put myself forward for it anyway, but I was told after you were chosen as the Martyr that I was going to drive you to the train station. It's the least I could do. Your Mother has helped my family on so many occasions."