Lingering Fates (Pandora[Damen's flashback])

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sundra wie
~Here is my bio~

Maybe I know, somewhere
Deep in my soul
That love never lasts

And we've got to find other ways
To make it alone
Keep a straight face

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

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Death takes hold of us like a giant shark; it's unexpected, and nobody's able to do much about it. Sometimes it's slow and painful, like when the shark wants to play with its kill. Other times it's quick and sudden, as if the shark needs to eat, or it'll die itself.

I'm pondering this as I sit on the roof of my house, contemplating taking a sudden slip off of the rooftop, and plummeting two feet downwards to the hard, cold depths of October's wrathful scenery. Of course, the trees have just started to change color; I'd normally find this so beautiful that I'd take out my colored pencils, just for this moment. But I can only think of the arena when I glance at those threateningly bright colors. And Trace.

Trace.

The 56th Hunger Games is going to be a quick one this year. Nine deaths on day one, one of which was Trace's. My almost-boyfriend who cheated on me. Sure, I know that he probably wouldn't make it. Maybe he tried to forget about me. But it still hurt when I heard that he had kissed that deaf girl.

But it had just about killed me when I realized that she murdered him. He tried to flee, but he died before he could get away. The girl was killed a few minutes later, but it didn't help ease the pain.

And now I'm here. Is this what my life has come to? Becoming suicidal over somebody who I went on one date with?

Yes Sundra. Yes it is.

So I stand up, and prepare to jump. But before my feet fly off the unstable rooftop, a thought pops into my mind.

Stop. Don't die. Do the things that Trace never got to do.

The simple seed buries itself into my mind, causing me to simply lose balance. And I fall sideways, into the citrus tree.

But I'm alive. Nobody would have known if I'd died. My family is at work. They'd come back to my cold corpse, bewildered as to why I'd take my own life.

Slowly, I climb down from the tree. I think I bruised my rib. It wasn't a far fall down (from the roof to the tree that is), but it hurt. Ow. It really hurt. And now I stand, at the base of the tree, just looking around.

I start walking. My feet take me there - to the barn.

No, nononononononono-

Shut. Up.

I silently venture into Trace's barn. It's empty - the animals have been put up for auction, or sent to various owners. Only one animal is still here - Cain, Trace's horse. I wonder why he's here. He's a healthy, strong horse with nobody to take care of him. I'd assume that he'd be snapped up in an instant.

I pet the horse's leathery pelt. I smile. I haven't done that since his death. It's only been a day or two, but still.

I walk away from Cain, kicking the hay everywhere. Suddenly-

Is that a flash of white? I reach downwards and pick up the sheet of paper.

Trace, what is this?
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Writing was rare among District 5. It was a rare occurrence to get paper, let alone the ink to write with. However, both items are easily granted for those wishing to write special documents. Marriage Certificates, Birth Certificates, Trade Details. All of the fell under uses for the paper given to each citizen. However, my writing was different. Mine wasn't about starting new, or being born. Mine wasn't about exchanging items. No, mine was about death, and giving all those items away. Mine was a will.

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"Dear Reader,

I, Trace Rowgan of District 5, have died, if this letter is being read. I am new at this, and don't have any guidance, so bear with me.
To my family, I give the homestead in which I owned, and the many cows and chickens.
To my brother, specifically, I give him my room, and all possessions inside.
To my sister, I give my horse Rytan, and all supplies in the barn.
To my friend Kale, I give $50,000, which was to be used for the progression of the homestead. I also give him my dog, Wolfe, should he still be alive.
Finally, to Sundra Wie. There are four things that I would like left to her. Firstly, my favourite horse, Cain. With him are all the supplies she needs to keep him safe. Second, I leave the barn on my homestead. This shall belong to Sundra, and only Sundra, should she want it. Thirdly, I give her all the money I have saved up, which should be around $25,000.
Lastly, but most importantly, I wish to leave her with these words.
'Although-'"


Loud banging echoed through the barn.
"Where is Trace Rowgan!? He is wanted for murder, assault and trespassing." A deep voice bellows, and I quickly finish the will.

-"'we only had one day together, I wish there was more. No matter what you see or hear, know that I will always care for you. Always.'

Signed,
Trace Rowgan."


The door broke open, and I looked up to see many Peacekeepers staring me down. It took all my effort to run to the wall, and hide the paper, before they ripped me out of the barn, and tossed me into a truck. Then, everything went dark.

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[shrimp]

sundra wie
~Here is my bio~

It's... It's a will.

A freaking will. My heart starts pounding as I silently read it. I shouldn't be doing this. He probably didn't give me anything at all. This is just for his family. But... I just want to know if was that special to him. It's really selfish, I know. But I just really would like to find out.

His family. I never met them. No doubt they're worse off than I am. At least I wasn't affected financially by his death. Now they'll have to work even longer to continue to live the life that they've become accustomed to.

His brother... He... He has a brother? I didn't know that either. Well family isn't exactly the topic of discussion on a first date. I also didn't know that he had a dog. But there's no point in reading this anymore. I know that this is personal, I'm not part of it. But I'm about to close the letter when I see "Sun".

What? What is this? He.. He cared about me that much, huh... I smile at the fact. Tears start rolling down my eyes. He cared, he really did. And now he's gone - his body returned in a little wooden coffin that will be lowered down into a grave 6 feet under.

But I have Cain now - he's all that I have left of Trace. Well, him and (oh my god $25,000). I'm slightly shaking as I ask Cain if I may ride him. In return, he doesn't kick me when i try to mount him. Together, we ride to his house. Quickly telling his folks about what I've found (for some reason, they don't mind me snooping in the barn), we race to town hall.

Now the family has their livestock back, and I have the barn and Cain. I look at the horse: He's a chestnut color, with darker patches, creating a slightly marbled look.

And so I mount the marble horse, and we ride. Soon we reach a large pasture where I dismount, and let Cain eat as much grass as he wants.

I lie down on the soft grass, staring at the clouds. Maybe Trace is up there, staring down.

"Thanks Trace. I promise I'll look out for him." I whisper, knowing that somehow, he'll get the message.