The 250th Hunger Games.

Chapter 1.

Illness. I can never escape it. Not in the literal sense that i am always ill, but by being constantly surrounded by sick people; whether it be physically or mentally. I soak a disinfected bandage in clean water and hope for the best as I carefully wrap the length of the soft cotton fabric around my final patients back and his scrawny shoulder, a mask hiding the reality behind what the peacekeeper had done no less than 30 minutes ago. This left me with a fresh wound to care for with only minutes until curfew. A deep, red-raw gash formed a deep line down his back, mottled skin and dried up blood clinging to the open skin. It's a good job he got to me before I closed up for today or he surely would've passed out from the pure agony he had to face. Even after the cold water seeps into the burn I can still feel the heat radiating onto my hand- but that's all I can do other than send him on his way with a herbal remedy I had stored for these frequent occasions to help him sleep tonight.

"Well, that's all I can do for you in terms of treatment today but come back tomorrow so I can change your bandages, okay?" If i'm here tomorrow. I immediately push the thought to the back of my mind; there are more pressing matters to deal with.

"Thank you, miss Miller."

He offers a quick smile in addition before he hastily scuttles off down the street, clearly nervous about the length of time it would take for him to arrive home and how late he was for curfew. I sure hope he's lucky enough to miss the peacekeepers.

I start to pack away my stall, placing an assortment of various sized jars, lotions and other priceless equipment into my bulky navy backpack before swiftly heading off to the one place I needed to be before tomorrow arrives all too quickly. Warily, I step into the closest alleyway to my left, scoping the open space to make sure i'm not being watched before I quickly spring into action and travel quietly down a series of cobblestone pathways, leading me away from the eery city centre and towards the outskirts; towards freedom. Over the years, I have become more stealthy in which results in me not being caught and being ruthlessly whipped in the dead of night, my pain induced screams causing everyone to wince and be reminded of the torture they would have to endure if they dared to follow in my dangerous footsteps.

I arrive at a small clearing, around 10 minutes after starting my journey, which is excessively patrolled from a tall, grey and grim watch tower, besides the fresh saltiness of the ocean which sat peacefully to my far right. Cornering off the steady, blue waves and the soft sandy beach in front of it is a supposedly 'natural' mountain range. However my instincts tell me that it is just another way to secure us being trapped like puny ants under a glass jar. Natural or not, there are ways and means to get around things that prevent you from getting what you want.

The sun setting overhead creates shadows, providing me with some protection as I sprint as fast as my legs can carry me towards the slender crack embedded at the base of the mountains. Every single time the watch man mistakes the rocks I throw as an intruder, it provides me with an essential lifeline to get through the crevice in the nick of time; my 5 foot 2 inch stature offering an advantage used on a daily bases. As soon as I slip my whole body through, I instantly sense peace; something not often felt but frequently longed for and so I stop and savour the moment. A ginormous field lies before me, fuchsia flowers scattered in all directions on the grass bed with evergreen trees bordering the boundaries and offering comfort together with protection in the scorching summer months. Squirrels, foxes and birds collectively gather here and bask in the fresh spring of the pond that flows gently as an addition of the soft waterfall that trickles a steady stream down the mountain.

I slowly walk forwards soaking in the delicate sunlight and conscientiously plonk myself on the edge of my preferred spot; the abysmal cliff that steeply drops off into the dark unknown. The view is overwhelming; a vast plane of rain forest that could hold endless possibilities. Hours pass by, thoughts drift on and my dreams end. Anon I sigh, stand up and make my way back up to the crevice, turn back and memorize what could possibly be my last look at the alluring boarder of District 5.