A Game of Colours

Chapter 9- A Metaphorical Drowning (and Literal)

This next paragraph isn't really relative to the story, so you can skip it if you'd like.

So...a grade 9 passed away at my school last night. No, I didn't know him personally. I knew OF him, and I'd seen him. Friends of friends. He was a shy guy with a cool beanie. He liked photography, and that's all I got from him. But do you know something? He was happy.  We don't know why he passed, but he isn't the first one this year. So here's what scares me--we humans are COMPLETELY oblivious to those around us. Think about it. We don't know what anyone's thinking or feeling. What they're going through. We have friendships, relationships, call them what you will. But what about the people we DON'T know? Just faces in the crowd we see everyday. What about them? I'm not asking you to be friends with everyone, or even to like them. But respect them. If you see anyone who looks like they're going through a rough time, try to reach out. Smile in the hallway. I do it all the time. They won't always smile back- may even think you're crazy, but so what? Just remember, we're all humans. Act like it. Don't let anyone be forgotten, or left behind. And if you ever personally need someone to talk to, if you're feeling down? I'm here, even if no one else is. Writer's honour. Message me, I'm happy to talk, alright? I may just be a teen, but I care. :)

I don't know why he influenced me so much, maybe it just scares me how easy it is to lose people we love. That could've been anyone.

So... I'd liked to dedicate my next chapter to you, Liam. Hope it's good enough. 

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        Before now, walking was easy. I knew that every step I was taking was farther away from the plantation, and all those who tried to enslave me. Sure I was sore and hungry, but I was walking to freedom, and that kept me going.

Now? I wasn't so sure. The farther we went, the more depressed I was. I was leaving Tom behind. Sick, injured Tom. I would probably never know what would become of him. I just wanted to spin on my heel and march right back to the farm, and tell him I would never abandon him because I knew he'd never abandon me. But I had.

"I hate you" I spat at no one in particular.

"I know" Isaac responded fittingly.

"We left him behind."

"I know."

"It shouldn't have been him."

"I know."

"You're horrible." 

"I know."

I turned to face him in disgust, and I saw a tear roll gently down his cheek. 

"He was my brother, you know? My twin. We've been together our whole lives. Ever since my mom died, Tom's been taking care of me. Protecting me. You know; our dad didn't give a rat's ass about us. It's Tom who got us out of the Jensen plantation. He worked it out with Walter and Lucien; the whole thing. Snuck out once to get the information he needed. He didn't HAVE to come back. Hell; he'd probably be safer if he hadn't. But he did it for me. He didn't abandon me and now I left him. You think I don't feel like shit right now?"

That silenced me. 

I didn't know how to respond, so we continued to walk the muddy trail through the forest. It was a swampy place, that was for sure. But they planned it that way; so the bloodhounds wouldn't follow our scent. The problem was, it slowed us down. Mary Lou had little legs, and she was easily tired.

"Please, can we rest?" she'd whine, and we'd always stop for a minute or two until finally, the sun began to rise.

"We can't do this anymore; we're losing too much time" I sighed, "we should have reached the river by now."