The Hunger Games Begin

We are the Peacekeepers

For a good part of the day, I perch on the town bench hugging my knees and observing the uniformed men busily slaving away, working on the Justice Building.

I begin worrying at eleven o'clock when Ailee still hasn't materialised. Through the war, she and I became close friends. Surely she wouldn't ignore such an event right here in the square?

Finally, I decide to find her parents and ask where she is. Mr and Mrs Browning are a friendly old pair so I don't feel awkward questioning them where Ailee is. But when I see Mrs Browning's eyes streaked with uneven red patches and her eyes damp panic begins to settle itself in my heart.
"Oh, Skye, we should've told you sooner," Mrs Browning sobs, "those men in white clothes, they shot Ailee at dawn." I can see that the poor woman is hysterical with grief. Mr Browning emerges from the hallway, I can see that he too is upset but has managed to keep his eyes dry.
"They're the Peacekeepers. Thats what they told me. Ailee was off on her daily walk and a couple of other people were out and about too. They just shot them, then and there." I listen soberly to Mr Browning and summarise that Ailee's death was an act of terrorism to keep us in order. The war is over, but it is them who have won.