Dazzling Dust

Claire!

I remembered that day. The day before the world was still a merciful place for those who are less fortunate. Is the world really this ruthless? Was it good before? Maybe I would never know.

These are my everyday thoughts whenever I am here in the Greens, under the scorching sun, tired of the day's work and pained by the harsh past. It has been five years since I was placed in this cruel part of the kingdom, The Western Square.

"Hey! You filthy boy!", one of the Rankies, whose hair seems like a mirror, so shiny, that it reflects the blinding rays of the sun, shouted. The boy he is referring to is the ten-year-old Miguel who is sitting in the mud, resting. "You're not here to sit all day! Get up and help the others remove the weeds!", the Ranky yelled.

Wearing an angry face and a frightening evil stare, he is now approaching the little boy and we all know what will happen next.

I removed my gaze from the scene, afraid that another cruel memory will be added to my mind.

Thankfully, the gong rang signalling the end of the work. The Rankies lose the authority to bark orders and give punishments when the clock strikes at 5 in the afternoon.

Over the years, we learned to form a line with no words escaping from our always-so-hungry mouths. Willingly accepting our wage distributed by the Keepers that is too little to feed a starving stomach.

After the distribution, I immediately call up the attention of Lorenzo whose eyes are wandering in the wides of the Greens. Probably looking for his poor younger brother.

He saw me waving my hand and a faint smile becomes visible to his tired face.

"Did you see him?", he asked me, the worry in his tone is very clear.

"No.", I answered.

"Kai told me that he saw the Ranky who scolded Miguel together with the other Rankies, certainly making their way back to the Quarter", he said while continuously roaming his eyes in the soon-to-be-empty plantation.

"So where is he?", I asked him. Stupid question.

"I could not forgive myself if any-", Lorenzo is not yet finished saying his lines, which I have already memorized when we hear the playful voice of the person we are anxious for.

"You must see the face of that Ranky when the gong rang hahaha", Miguel shouted while approaching us, half-running half-skipping in the moist grass.

"Don't you ever do that again! You worried the hell out of me!", Lorenzo is giving the brotherly sermon to tiny Miguel.

"Calm brother. You really do not acquire the knowledge of having fun, right Laura?", Miguel teased Lorenzo.

"Miguel, if you are beaten, fun is not present in that aspect. Promise me, you would never do that again", Lorenzo, using his serious tone, said to Miguel.

"I promise brother", Miguel politely answered.

"Well boys, we should get going now. The Roamers will soon be here and if we are lucky enough, we would all be get beaten", I said.

Saying my goodbyes to them, we part ways. I head north while they head east.

There is really a part of me that wishes I could also have a company in my way going home. The arrival of the night is quick, engulfing the surroundings with darkness, leaving the path almost in pitch-black. I hate nights. And darkness. And being alone.

I am aware that several dangerous flesh-eating animals are inhabiting the woods. There were some nights that the odds were not in my favor and a mountain lion would be apparent to be on my way. Fortunately, the trunks of the trees are wide enough to conceal my body.