Yin's Story

31

I wake up, and Spring is gone. I feel a lot better than I did last night. I stretch before slowly standing up, my joints cracking. I limp my way out of our cell. No one's running around the halls and the guards aren't patrolling like they usually do. By process of elimination, it's got to be free time. I limp my way to the double doors and use most of my strength to push them open. They've never been that hard to open before! I have to quickly limp my way out into the courtyard I can't have the doors hitting me. I wouldn't want to fuck myself up some more. As the doors slam shut behind me, everyone turns their attention towards me. Their eyes seem to stare into my soul. The usual chatter that fills the courtyard is gone, and the silence is so loud.

"Put your head down and find your friends." Yang's voice echoes in my head.

I'm glad to hear his voice again it broke the silence. I don't need to look around for my friends I know where to find them. They'll all be standing in a circle in the far left corner of the courtyard. I take a deep breath, staring at the dirt and start limping my way over to them. I've missed my friends, but mostly Yang.

"I've missed you too kid. Do me a favor and don't ever fucking do that to me again."

I have to suppress my smile. I don't want the guards to see it. I'll most likely be punished. Again. Nobody wants that. I promise Yang I won't ever go into a coma again.

"Good."

I finally reach the circle and squeeze myself in. I expect greetings with smiles and hugs from Leah. But it's the complete opposite. No one is saying a word to each other, and everyone stares down at their shoes. Even the twins who are usually always happy and running around are standing still not looking at each other. I look up at Spring tugging on his sleeve. He ignores me and continues to stare at his feet kicking up the dirt around him.

"Spring what's going on?" I ask. My voice echoes throughout the quiet courtyard.

He looks down at me putting a finger to his lips telling me to be quiet. I listen to Spring and copy the others staring at the ground shoving my hands into my shorts pockets. I feel the notebook that I found in the doctor's office. I still haven't looked through it yet. I'll have to do that later. Yang, do you know what's going on?

"Unfortunately yes. It's bad Yin. For your mental safety, I'd rather not tell you about it."

I roll my eyes. Yang, I can take it. I'm much stronger than I was.

"Just listen to me!"

Fine. I continue staring at the ground kicking up some of the dirt. It coats my boots making them dirtier than they already were. It seems like I've been staring at the ground for eternity. I've even started counting the pebbles in the dirt.

"ATTENTION!" shouts one of the guards.

Everyone almost in sync turns towards the guard who yelled. Two other guards stand to either side of him. They're both holding guns, and suddenly I'm scared. Chills run down my spine.

"As you all know we've had to make sacrifices for the past three weeks! Until Dagenhart returns to work, we have to sacrifice someone! MR.GLOVER?! WILL YOU PLEASE STEP FORTH!"

An old man steps forth tears pouring down his face. I grab Spring's hand tightly. I don't like this. I don't like this at all.

"Please sirs! Not me! Anyone but me!" the old man pleads.

I feel tears forming behind my eyes.

"Shut up old man! On your knees!" Demands the guard.

"Please?! I'll do anything!"

"We said on your knees!" yells the guard on the left forcing him down.

My knuckles turn white from squeezing Spring's hand too hard. The old man suddenly looks at me his tears falling down his face and onto the dirt below.

"You," he says pointing. "You can save me! You are the angel!"

"Yin, ignore him and close your eyes." Says Yang sternly.

But I can't turn away from this. No matter how much I want to, I can't.

"READY?! yells the middle guard. The guard on the right stands at attention cocking his gun.

I can hear my heart pounding in my chest.

"AIM!"

The guard on the right points his gun at the old man's head.

"YIN, CLOSE YOUR EYES NOW!"

"FIRE!"

The sound is deafening as the guard pulls the trigger. I quickly bury my face in Spring's shirt as the tears slip off my face. Springs holds me close running his fingers through my hair.

"Don't look, Yin, please, just don't look."

I don't want to look. I feel the guard's eyes piercing into my soul.

"Let this be a lesson to all slackers! Now get to work!"