Under the Willow

Chapter 20

        Your safe.

That's all everybody tells us anymore. But who can we trust? All I ever feel anymore is that we are going to be bombed wherever we are. Maybe that's why they diagnosed me with a mild case of trauma and burns on my stomach.
That's what everyone had.
Tonight I'm aloud to take a shower. As I step into the warm water, I feel my hard burnt skin reflect the water. My eyes search for something to focus on, but I find nothing.

    Then, the tears come. I realize that I've never cried after 12 was bombed. But here I am, sobbing. I force myself to get out and change into the hospital pajamas. As I curl up, I don't think. I don't move. I simply just let the darkness take over me.

***

    I flinched as I woke up, and my bed moved.
A nurse walked into the room with a clipboard. Her black hair was tied up in a tight bun.
" You are going to be discharged today," she said, and laid down a dark grey jumpsuit.
" Meet up at the center for an announcement."
As she left, the lights turned on, blinding me.
I slowly got dressed into the jumpsuit, and combed my golden hair. I didn't even attempt to braid it, I was too tired.
      I closed the door and followed the rest of the kids making their way to the center. A woman, about sixty, stood on a large podium overlooking the crowd.
         " Welcome," she said, and stroked her grey hair over her shoulder.
        " My name is Coin, and I am the leader of District 13. I know all of you have been through some type of trauma. We have children from all districts, even some survivors from 12." I closed my eyes, remembering the pain.
Coin paused, then continued.
     " But I will train all of you to be your best. You will all take a test, and depending your score, will be trained in a certain area. If you are unhappy, you are allowed to change. "
     " Then, you will be groomed and washed. Tomorrow, you will follow your schedule. "
   She smiled coldly. " Now please go to a station to get your test. Thank you."
  I walked to the nearest station and received my paper test. As I sat down, I knew that I was going to get nurse. And I did.
   I handed my test to the collector, and then went into the grooming room. They pulled me into a chair and cut about six inches off, so it was about to my rib cage. Now, my hair was light brown. The woman held up and option of hairstyles to do, and I picked a double braided bun. Then, we were directed into the results room. I got nurse, as I expected. I collected three nurse uniforms, and two dark grey jumpsuits. I still go to school, since I'm a minor, for three days, and then the hospital three days. On Sunday, it's a free day. I walk up to my room to see my mom waiting for me, folding up nurse uniforms.
" Mom, I never gave those to you."
She nodded, glancing at the pile in my hands.
" I've been assigned nurse duties too. Upper nurse."
" They didn't give you doctor?"
" No. They didn't say I was prepared enough."
My face saddened, and she could tell.
" Only for a year. Then I will get certified."
I smiled. " At least we can work together."
" Yeah."
She embraced me in a quick hug, and I finally felt safe again.

Change is hard and difficult, but I guess it depends on the outcome.