The Capitol's Lies || Annie Cresta's Story

Chapter 2

I sprinted hurriedly down the worn path to the shore where I work. I'm late, and I know it.

While it's not uncommon for me to arrive after dawn, the peacekeepers still are strict about it. I race to the beach and nod curtly to the peacekeepers, the look of respect on my face a disguise for the hatred I have for them.

The faint and healing scars on my back tingle at the moment I see the head peacekeeper, Possel Reeds. I still don't forget that one day.

It was shortly after my brothers death, and I still screamed every night thinking about it. I was going to the justice hall to sign up for the tessare, which wasn't an unusual act.

On the way there, some peacekeepers were gathered in a corner, clearly drunk. I kept my head down and avoided them as I made my way up the steps. Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm gruffly, and I turned to see the head peacekeeper, Possel. "Hello Beautiful," he said dryly, smirking and twirling a toothpick between his teeth.

He glanced at my hand to see my wooden seashell grasped tightly in my hand. He snatched it away and grinned, "Why don't you let me buy you a real piece of jewelry and we can go get a drink?" I twisted in the grip of his hand and he smirked.

I suddenly stomped on his foot, snatched away the seashell, and slapped him, hard, across the face. He looked shocked and angered as he spat at me, "I'll give you one more chance red. Kiss my boot and I'll forget the whole thing."

I stood up straight and looked at him defiantly in the eyes. He laughed, "Looks like we've got a feisty one, don't we?" I continued my stance and he said roughly, "Last chance." I stared and him, and spat at the pavement between us. He yelled to the other peacekeepers, keeping his scowl locked on me the entire time.

I felt myself being roughly dragged away by my shoulders and I'm pulled to the square. "Five lashes!" He yells. I felt myself be chained up and saw the shadow of Possel raising his whip and bearing down.

One. Two. Three. I shake with almost unfathomable pain.

Four. Five. I let out a breath of relief and feel Possel force me up.

He slaps me, hard, and I wince, but no tears fall. "Respect your authorities," He sneers. I turn and walk away until I turn the corner, then I sprint, my back stinging and my red hair flying behind me.

I scream, infuriated and frustrated, knowing nightmares will follow me to sleep.

Slipping out of my daze, I realize that one of the peacekeepers glaring at me, pointing to the water. I change into shorts and dive into the ocean.

I relax, letting the current surround me. After a few moments I thrust deeper towards the floor. I squint my eyes open and feel the soft sand for shells, oysters, and mussels. I come up with a dozen, not bad for me. After a few more trips down, I collect almost 70 shells and such, almost 30 more than my quota.

I know the peacekeepers will try to take all my extra, so I hide most of them in my pockets. I hand over the shells to the official, and he nods.

"Any extra?" He inquired. I kept a straight face and shook my head. He shot a tired look and pointed to the bank. "Finish one net and you're done." I walk over to the dock where some of the others are already working.

I grab the ropes from the peacekeepers and get to work. In, out, make it tight. My fingers lace the rope together with speed. I look around at the others.

Most people are done, but Sawyer is fumbling. I finish my net quickly and give him some tips on his. Sawyer is a small boy about my age, with dark brown hair and a scrawny build. He has a large family, so it's no wonder he's scarce on food.

I walk out to leave and go home, and I'm stopped by a peacekeeper. "What's that?" He says angered, pointing to my bulging pockets. I quickly think up a lie but before I can say it, he snatched the oysters out of my pocket. He takes them away and I shoot a defiant glare at him.

I walk home quietly, knowing I've lost far more than my meal for tonight. Now that they've caught me once, they'll search me all this week. I'll have to be more careful where I hide my extra supplies I take. Luckily they didn't notice the extra rope I snagged from the peacekeeper. I smile slightly at my small victory.

I arrive home hungry and tired, but I know my nightmares will chase away any chance sleep and I prepare for another restless night.