getting away {open}

[loralaifrost]

Nomey gets to the steps and there is something there. Small and black, a little leather bag sits on top of a small piece of paper. She climbed a few steps and sat down next to the bag and picked it up. She admired the little ring made of a strange metal before pulling it off to look inside the bag. Money. He had left her money.

Nomey looked around the town circle with tears blurring her eyes. He didn't plan on coming back, that much was clear. She still had the feeling that he was here. He wouldn't leave a bag of money unattnded to be found by anyone would he? it made her so angry. It carved her heart out like a sharp knife. Lifting the piece of paper into her hand she blinked away enough tears to see what it said. She couldn't help the reaction she had.

She stood and yelled into the shadows. "You lie to me? Why?" Her lip shook and she held the little bag of money tightly in her hand and searched the shadows for movement. "What good is this to me?" She held up the bag and crumpled his note and threw it at the ground in anger. "If you cared at all nothing would make you leave me. Nothing could keep us apart. I don't deserve to be lied to!" She had screamed the last part and she was sure peacekeepers, if there were any about, would be on their way to find her there.

That's not what made her run. It was the pain in her chest. She tried to outrun it by breaking into a swift sprint, leaving the circle behind. But she wasn't going home. She couldn't stand the thoughts of him that rushed her while she was alone in her room. Her chest burned and she hoped her heart would explode and put an end to the way she felt. Money. He left her money. She wondered how much it was. Wondered how much she was worth to him.

She ran. past where the roads ended and the trees began. She ran through the mud of the tree farms. Row after row of pine smeared by her. It took her a while and she slowed some but she couldn't stop till she got there. The black cottonwood tree sat on it's hill alone in the dark. She dropped into the mud at it's roots and cried like she had not cried in so long. Deep inconsolable sobs shook her body and she hugged herself to the trunk of the tree like she was holding an old friend for comfort. She cried until numbness took her heart.

Nomey didn't care to move. Didn't care that her parents might be worried when they woke her for school and she wasn't there. She didn't want to interact with anyone. She thought about his soft caress and his big ocean colored eyes. She was a fool to trust a stranger. He got what he wanted. He won't come back and I'll forget it ever happened.[/i]

Slowly she slid down into the mud further, not willing to move. It was cold but she didn't care. She held the little coin purse and twisted the ring around her finger. She wondered if he meant for her to wear it. How smoothly he played her. She wondered if he was smiling right then. She wanted to hit him until the bones in her hands broke. Until she couldn't recognise his handsome face. That's not really what she wanted and she reminded herself of that but it was hard to keep in mind with all her anger.

She laid against the tree trunk for a few very long hours. The sun began to peek over the horizon when she finally fell asleep. Her body nestled deep into the freezing mud and roots at the foot of her favorite tree.


((OOC: Kingly, you have a pm. )) [/color][/size]

[Kingly]

She couldn't see me, but the way she screamed, so angry with me. So focused. When she runs, I follow. I don't know why, but I follow.
She runs for a long time, and her every sob is a knife to my heart. I would rather have an episode than listen to her sobs. When she circles around a block, i already know a way to catch up. And it passes right by my shack. I cut across an allry and slip in my door, right to my trunk. There was a coat I had procured previously. It was too thick to fit under my cloak so I had no intention to wear it. I pull it from my trunk and take off again. 
I lost track of Nomey for just a second, but the weeping led me to her. She was against a tree, still weeping as hard as before. It's killing me.
I'm want to come forth from my shadow, to hold her and tell her I stay.
But... I can't. My heart says yes, instinct says no.
So I stay. I watch her cry and hold herself for hours. And I never moved.
When she finally falls asleep, the sun is peaking over the horizon. I come forth from my shadow to wrap the coat around her. And I slip one last note into her hands.

this may sound hurtful, or wrong, but you need to know about me. I don't come from this district. Not even this half of Panem. I was born in the capitol, and I escaped that evil vile cesspool when I was very young. People could be looking for me still, I don't know. But if they are, and they find me with you, you could be executed. 
It kills me to leave, but it could kill you if I stay. But as sure as the sun's rise or the star's light, I would give everything to be at your side. So please, don't cry. 
And even if you don't believe me, even if you want to tear my heart out. Just know that I've never lied to you. I do love you.
And that ring, it was my mother's.

I kiss her again and walk away. Wondering if I'll ever see her again.

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[loralaifrost]

Nomey woke up with a groan and tried to roll off of the root that was wedged into her back. She pulled her blanket up around her face to drowned out the light that hurt her eyes. It took her a second to register a few things. Firstly, she didn't have a blanket. Second, it was daylight and she had no idea how long she had been here.

With a deep breath she sat up quickly and looked at the blanket that covered her. It wasn't a blanket it was a coat. She lifted it to her nose and smelled it. This is why she slept so well. It smelled thickly of Hilent. Her eyes searched the woods around her. There was no movement around her accept for the dead leaves falling serenely from their branches in the light breeze.

She held the jacket tightly against her and started getting to her feet. She was a wreck. Covered in mud with leaves tangled in her short hair. She did her best to brush off the bigger clumps of mud from her jeans. her eye's caught on a small shred of paper covered in mud and laying in the hole that her body had left in the ground. She lifted it carefully and wiped away the dirt until it was readable.

This may sound hurtful, or wrong, but you need to know about me. I don't come from this district. Not even this half of Panem. I was born in the capitol, and I escaped that evil vile cesspool when I was very young. People could be looking for me still, I don't know. But if they are, and they find me with you, you could be executed.
It kills me to leave, but it could kill you if I stay. But as sure as the sun's rise or the star's light, I would give everything to be at your side. So please, don't cry.
And even if you don't believe me, even if you want to tear my heart out. Just know that I've never lied to you. I do love you.
And that ring, it was my mother's.

Nomey's skin crawled with goosebumps. She had to read it again. He had a good reason for leaving. But how could he move between the districts? It was nearly impossible. She hugged the coat to her chest and read it once more. She looked down the hill that led back down through the fields of lush evergreens and back to her house. She needed to go. She needed a damn good reason for not going to school, but she wouldn't worry about that just yet.

Nomey swatted at the leaves and muck to find the small leather bag that held the money he left for her. She took the ring carefully. His mothers ring. She slid it slowly onto her slim ring finger and put the coat on. The leather bag of money got shoved into the jacket pocket and she looked around once more before leaving her favorite tree behind.

The trek home was slow and thoughtful and emotional. She didn't cry though, she was to exhausted to cry any more. at least for now. When she got to the house she pushed her way in the door and her mother was there waiting. Immediately the questions started. Where was she? Why would she leave the house so late? What was she thinking?

She told her mother that she had gotten upset because her boyfriend broke up with her. Keighvan would at least assure her of that. And that she had taken the walk up to the tree farms to clear her head and because it was so dark she got lost. She told her mother that until the sun came up she couldn't figure out how to get home. Her mother seemed to buy the story but made it clear that she would not go up into the tree farms alone again. Nomey agreed but knew that she would anyway.

After that the days dragged slowly. She did her school work and her normal chores. Her brother didn't bring up the note or boys or her night in the woods. Perhaps he was afraid that Nomey would give away his love affair with Mary. Perhaps it was that Nomey was so silent most the time that it was easy to forget that she still lived there.

Days stretched into weeks and the weeks turned to a month, then two. She couldn't forget Hilent. Couldn't stop looking for him in crowds. Her heart was still broken, but as time went on it seemed to get easier. She knew he wasn't coming back but hope would occasionally take her over and she would pull out his letters. Play with the ring on her finger and wonder where he was. If he was safe, warm, or still in the district. If he would ever come back to her.

Two months had passed since her short meeting with Hilent. It was getting easier to believe that she could be okay if she never saw him again. Maybe not okay but she would live through it simply because she didn't have a choice. If she had a choice she would have chosen him two months ago.

She had the flu and had to stay home for a few days from school. Her Mother stayed with her making sure she ate though most everything came back up. She spent a lot of time in her room imagining what it would be like if Hilent was still there. She wondered if things were different if he would have asked her to marry him. It made her smile a little to think of things like that even though they were impossible.

Her Mother called out her name and she could her the alarm in her voice so she went to her. Her Mother stood braced against the sink in the bathroom. This was not abnormal. Her Mother had braces on both legs and had a very hard time standing upright for long periods of time. "Mom.. You okay?" Nomey reached out her hand and placed it gently on her mother's shoulder.

"Nomey.." Her mother swung open the cabinet and looked at her. "Is there something you want to tell me?" Nomey stood there confused and after a moment she shook her head. "Mom, I don't understand.. Whats wrong?" Her mother pushed past her with irritation and made her way to the small kitchen.

"Nomey. Your father and I raised you so that you would know you can talk to us. When things are bad , you need to know that we're here for you and if you don't tell us what's wrong we can't help. Sit down." her Mother didn't often get agitated with her and it caught her off guard. She knew what this was about.

Nomey barely spoke at all any more. There was nothing for her to say. Plus half the time she was locked in day dreams that would never come true. Of course her Mother would notice how detached she's been. Her slipping grades. Her lack of interest in just about anything. She felt guilty now and sat as her mother ordered. There was no mistaking it, it was definitely an order and this would not be a heart felt chat.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I've just been.. Upset.. over a boy-" Her Mother interrupted her. "Did he force himself on you? Is that why you don't want to tell us?" Nomey's mouth hung open. "What?" Her word came out in a whisper smothered by her confusion. "Nomey. We need to go talk to this boy. Talk to his parents about this. Suddenly she was totally lost. Her mind darted to Hilent and she knew they wouldn't be talking to anyone's parents. "Mom.. No what are you talking about? We just broke up, it's fine. There's no reason to go talk to his parents." nomey's mother narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Even if you've broken up with him Nomey, you still have to tell him, and his parents. We still have to work through it. It's not just going to go away." Nomey smiled because she was sure her Mother was being a bit crazy about this. As soon as the smile hit her lips her mother reached across the table and smacked her so hard she nearly fell out of her chair. She had to hold the table to keep from hitting the ground. She looked back up at her Mother shocked. Her Mother had hit her only once before. She stole some money off of a table in a shop in the center of town. Her Mother beat her black and blue that day but that was the only time she could remember her Mother raising a hand to her.

nomey raised her hand to her face and tears grew in her eyes. "Mom.." She whispered. "Do you think this is a joke?!" her mothers voice rose loud enough to echo off the living room wall behind her. "Do you think that your father is proud to have a daughter pregnant by the age of sixteen? That I wanted this for you? You think Your brothers will pick up the slack and stay home to watch the baby while you go to school? And what about the reaping? You think they wont pull your name out because you are pregnant?"

Nomey sat completely still and silent with her mouth hung open in complete shock. Her hand still pressed against her cheek where her Mom had hit her. "M..Mom... I'm not pregnant. Even as she said the words she questioned their truth. What if she was pregnant? How did her mother know? She had to have a good reason for thinking so. Her Mother shook her head looking down at Nomey.

"You haven't had your cycle for nearly two months and you're violently ill Nomey. I know what being pregnant is like." The way she said it was so cold and angry. It made Nomey shrink in her seat. Maybe she was pregnant. She thought of Hilent and her heart shattered. She looked up at her Mom and she wanted to run. Run away and never come back here again. Never face her. How could she tell her that Hilent would never be back? That there was no one to tell.

It was quiet for a minute but her mother stared at her. "Are you ready to talk now?" She asked in a still cold voice. She was still angry and there was nothing Nomey could do to get out of this. "I'm sorry Mom." Her Mother shook her head. "Sorry isn't good enough, Nomey. Tonight you will tell your father and your brothers what you've done because I shouldn't have to. Tomorrow you'll take me to the boys house and we'll tell his parents. They can pay for you to go to the doctor." Her Mother started to hobble away slowly. Nomey swallowed and couldn't speak. What could she say?

Nightfall came too quickly and she had locked herself in her room without food or water all day. When dinner came around she was still far from hungry. Time went slow as molasses. Wooden wares scraped on bowls as they ate. Nomey stared at her food. Grain and a small portion of stew to cover it. Her Mother cleared her throat. "Nomey has something to tell all of you... I think I've lost my appetite." Her Mother pushed her bowl forward and limped away from the table to her room.

Everyone stopped eating and looked at her. Nomey couldn't look up at them. Her body began to shake and she couldn't control it as the water pooled in her eyes. "Nomey.. What's going on?" Her father asked before putting a spoon full of rice in his mouth. She shook violently all over. Her father would hit her. He didn't have the patience her Mother had. She began to cry and couldn't stop. Her father put down his spoon and turned his full attention on her. Her brothers sat silent. Tom continued to eat, because he was older, nothing much bothered him, but she could see Keighvan was braced as she was for her father to start swinging.

She swallowed and tried to speak but only a squeak came out. her father watched and she could feel his patience growing thin. "I.. ..I'm pregnant.." She braced for the hit to come but it didn't. When she finally looked up at her father he had his elbow on the table, hand against his cheek, and he was looking at her. He didn't look angry, just tired. Her brothers had gone silent as the grave. Thom even stopped eating to watch what would happen.

"Well.. Okay. Who's the boy?.. I think I'd like to talk to him." She burst into tears. What could she say? He would never understand. She knew he wouldn't. Her father reached across the table and held his hand out to her. She didn't want to take it. She imagined him ripping her across the table and beating her while her brothers watched and did nothing. Her jaw chattered and she slowly reached out for the hand, putting her hand into it. He closed his large hand over her small thin fingers. "Nomey.. We'll get through it okay? We always have before, we always will. Your Mother will calm down." She couldn't believe the kindness that he was showing. His hand held hers tightly and her brothers stared in shock along with her.

He took his hand away slowly patting hers and going back to his food. He started to scoop spoon fulls into his mouth. Keighvan turned his shocked stare from his father to Nomey and his face twisted in malice. "It was that kid wasn't it?" He spat the words at her. "He got you pregnant and left you. You don't have any idea where he is now do you?" She shot him a look and when she yelled it was so much louder than she intended it to be. "Shut up, Keighvan! You have no idea what you're talking about!

Her father chimed in. "What kid?" He looked between Nomey and Keighvan. She had to tell him and she knew it but her brother spoke before she could. "That kid that she brought home that one night. He left her a note saying he was dangerous or something and he couldn't see her. I'd like to get my hands on him and show him how dangerous I can be." She slammed her fist down on the table shaking every ones bowls. "Shut the fuck up, Keighvan!" her father stood up. "Now that's enough. Keighvan,keep your comments to yourself. Nomey. I want an explanation. Let's go." She stood up glaring once more at keighvan before she turned to trail behind her father. He walked into her room and held the door for her before closing it and going to sit on the bed.

"Now you want to tell me about this boy? How is he dangerous?" Nomey shook her head. "He's not dangerous Dad, he just isn't from around here." her father leaned back on his one good arm. "So he's from the north then?" She shook her head. "The west? The east? What? Work with me here honey." She looked into her fathers eyes and pleaded with him. "You can't tell anyone dad. You have to promise." He leaned forward and put his hand into hers. "Nomey. I'm your father. You can trust me honey." As he said it she knew she could. She wouldn't tell him where Hilent was from. That was all too complicated of a mess. Once she said it she couldn't take it back. This would be simpler and easier to explain.

"He doesn't live any one place Dad. He's a runaway. He left because he thinks the peace keepers are looking for him. He can't go back home Dad and he wont stick around because he's afraid to get me in trouble.. Please Dad don't tell anyone. I don't want him to get in trouble. Please don't tell Mom." She begged him. Her fathers face flashed with irritation but then calmed. "Okay Nomey, okay. I'll let you tell her when she calms down but she needs to know. The more you keep secrets from us the less we know. You have to remember that all we have is each other. We can't afford to keep secrets from each other."

"But you see why this is important right? If Keighvan-" "Don't you worry about Keighvan. He just doesn't want to see you hurt, Nomey." She didn't want to argue so she just nodded. Her father kissed her on the forehead. "The boy should know that he's going to be a father. If you have a way to find him.. You do that." He stood up and went to the door. "People aren't perfect Nomey. You have to have some faith. If you can't trust anyone else. You should at least know you can trust your family. No more secrets." That was all he said before he walked out the door and closed it behind him.

It felt like a strange relief to have her father be kind to her. He was always kind but with her father you were never far from breaking through his temper. For the first time in a long time she felt relieved. Laying back and looking at the ceiling it finally hit her. She was pregnant. They had made a child. She touched her stomach and rubbed her hand over the skin of her belly.

What would he think of that? What would he say? She thought of him. Out in the woods somewhere, making a fire. She thought of the small satchel of money that he had given to her and how it was still wedged underneath her clothes in her drawer. She wondered if he needed it. If he was doing okay. Somewhere in her deep thoughts she drifted off to sleep.

She dreamed of a little boy with the most heart warming smile she had ever seen. He had mesmerizing blue eyes. Hilent's eyes. She dreamed of taking the boy to her black cottonwood tree up on the hill. Meeting Hilent there and watching them play. It was the best dream she ever had.



((OOC: Sorry this is so long but I didn't feel like I should cut anything out ))
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