The Parables

Laia - Precinct Thirteen

Laia - Precinct Thirteen

I jerk awake. Something touched me. Sitting up, I glance over to my legs and the minute I see something there I shrink back in shock. Pulling my knees against my chest, I press my back to the wall. A moment later and I realise that the thing on my legs is the television remote; the vibrations from the carriage must've knocked it off the shelf and onto my bed. Sighing, I lean over and grasp it, putting it back on the shelf where it belongs. Every little thing that appears alien to me is a sign of danger. Even though I've spent seven years living in the Thicket, new things still startle me, especially now I'm on my way to The Parables.

Relaxing, I slide my legs back under the duvet and lay down again, resting my head gently against the pillow. Today, I'll finally find out who I'm up against. Or, to put it another way, who I'm going to die with. I'm pretty sure the majority of the Martyrs this year will perish like they usually do, but there's no doubt that the Martyrs from Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen will survive. All their hard training doesn't count for nothing. 

Just then, a knock at the door captures my attention. Frowning, I figure it either has to be Erwan or Vasa, but what would they want with me at this time in the morning? We can't be there already. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I slip onto the ground and head over to the door. Clasping the handle, I twist it and open the door. Vasa stands there, with a warm smile on her face.

"Morning, Laia," she greets. "How was your night?"

"Alright, I guess," I reply, flashing a smile back.

Vasa nods her head. "Good. Just came to inform you on what to wear today. Make sure you're wearing a white dress or a white blouse and black skirt."

"Any particular reason why?"

"White is our Precinct's colour. Don't worry about it, just go with the flow. It doesn't matter hugely but you'll need to wear it now, during your training sessions and in the Labyrinth so you can be easily identified as a Martyr from Thirteen."

"Won't a white dress get dirty though?"

Vasa shrugs. "I didn't choose the colour."

She heads back off and enters the kitchen, letting the door slam shut behind her. Shrugging, I close the door and open the doors to the wardrobe. Sifting through the dresses, I choose a plain, white sheath dress similar to the one I wore to the Retraction. Pulling my nightdress over my head, I slip into the sheath dress and enter the wardrobe once more. Seizing a hairbrush, I find a mirror in there and brush through my hair, then arrange it into a waterfall braid.

A few minutes later, I leave my sleeping quarters and head into the main area of the carriage. Vasa has laid out quite a spread on the table; there's everything from sausages and bacon to pancakes and waffles. A moment later and she reappears from out of the kitchen, carrying a tray which holds two china mugs, puffs of steam billowing from the hot liquid in them. She throws me a smile and sets the tray down on the table.

"You look beautiful Laia," she remarks. "I love what you've done with your hair."

I blush. "Thank you. Your dress is just as lovely, though." Vasa is dressed in a short, black, one-shoulder dress with a pair of ebony tights and heels and her hair is neatly tied in a bun, loose strands framing her face.

She smiles at me. "Why thank you. Oh, and do you want anything hot to drink? Tea? Coffee? Hot chocolate?"

"Tea would be great."

Vasa nods her head and disappears back into the kitchen to fetch me my drink. Taking a seat at the table, I eye the food hungrily. Living in the Thicket doesn't provide you with food that is anywhere near to the quality of what is set out before me. My daily diet consists of rabbit or squirrel meat, some berries and sometimes a few grubs if I'm really out of options. Everything here is about the amount I'd eat in a couple of months; I can eat all that amount right now.