Provisions

Part 3

Cain:

    On April 3rd, about a week after the Everdeen curse was lifted, I was visited by some strange men reporting from the government. Seemingly, they knew about my father's large fortune and invited themselves into my house. They found their way to the couch and sat down, placing their briefcases on the floor next to their feet. I watched the large men curiously. Both were about 6', had darker skin, and soulless eyes, as if all life had been purposefully sucked out of them.  I slowly made my way over to the invasive men and sat down on the seat opposite the couch. "May I ask who you are?"

One of them answered saying, "Cain Beckright, we were sent here by the United States Government to deliver you some news."

The other one began, "You see, the Everdeen was a horrifying tragedy that devastated more than one third of our population. Your government is trying to make things right."

"Yes, so in doing so, the government is giving you a secure, free government living quarter."

"Free government living quarter? What? Like an apartment?" I asked puzzled.

"Yes, free for the time being of course, until we start to issue out jobs."

"Food, water, and essential living items will also be provided. Here's the address. Get packed. A car will be here to collect you and your things tomorrow morning."

"No." I muttered.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said no."

"I'm afraid no is not an answer."

"You can't force me out of my house. This is the last living memory I have of my family! This is where I grew up! My entire life is inside these walls!"

"Listen Mr. Beckright, you're family is dead. Life goes on without them. You are apart the generation that's going to rebuild America, and that can't happen when you're living in the past. So I suggest you start packing your shit up."

"What about my wealth? My father amassed a fortune, where is the fortune now?"

"You will get reimbursed his fortune when you've proven yourself worthy and capable of fixing America, so in the meantime, get yourself back together, you arrive at your apartment tomorrow morning 9 o'clock sharp."

The two men stood up simultaneously, picked up their briefcases, straightened out their suits, and showed themselves out.

"Oh, Mr. Beckright, if you do fail to comply to our requests, there will be dire consequences. Believe me."

I sat on the couch in shock, this was it. My house. My childhood home was getting ripped from my fingers.  My family died in this house. This is the last place their soul touched before they left the physical world. And now...now its gone. Just like them.

Gone.

Farah:

    Clouds are really strange. Point blank. They never stop changing. One minute you could be looking at a flower and next thing you know, that same cloud morphs into a puppy on a bicycle. It's really crazy isn't. Clouds are kind of a metaphor for life. One minute life could be all peachy-keen, then the next it could be a living hell. Life is just one big cloud that never stops changing and we're stuck on top of that shape-shifting cloud for all eternity. I've been thinking a lot lately. About how drastically my life has changed. I used to wish life would speed up when I was stuck inside my house during the outbreak, but now I can't seem to catch my breath. I've seen Cain every single day this week and somehow it feels as if I've known him my entire life. I've never been in love before, never had a relationship, hell, I've barely had a friendship. But he makes me feel something I've never felt before. It feels so fucking good, but I'm horrified at the same time. And I'm not saying we're a couple or anything, to be honest, I don't know what we are.

    Speaking of Cain, he actually hasn't been here today, but I'm sure he'll be here soon. He hasn't missed a day. I've been waiting outside all day, taking in the warmth of  the spring sun, soaking up all the poisonous UV's.

"Farah, can you please come inside!" my dad called.

"In a minute."

"Farah, you've been out there for hours, spend some time with your family!"

"Ugh." I groaned as I got up from the hot pavement and made my way inside. My entire family was in the living room listening to the radio and playing some old board games. I plopped down next to my brother Ezra, head in my hands as I rested on the couch. "Where was Cain?" I thought. I hope he's okay.

"What have you been up to?" Ezra asked.

"Just enjoying the fresh air."

Ezra looked at my with squinted green eyes. He always knew what was up in my life. To be honest, he's always been my best friend. My baby brother always protected me before I could protect him. Sure, we fight and we punch, and we say things we don't mean but I couldn't ask for a better best friend. I love my entire family but Ezra and I have always connected. Keeping Cain and mine's "relationship" from my family, especially Ezra, was killing me, but I didn't want my family seeing me as someone who's going to ditch them for the first boy I meet, especially after what we've been through. I sat there in the living room,wondering what happened to Cain but putting on my best face for my family. "Yahtzee."