tainted realities {frankel}

[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

E

verything changed. Teagan looked through his window at the destruction the terrible tsunami caused. Buildings remained crashed. Many were still unaccounted for, yet the search and rescue had been called off weeks ago. Families were still mourning the loss of a loved one. Some, like Teagan, had lost many. Lying on the cot in the medical tent, the peacekeepers offered condolences on the loss of not only his father, but his mother, and his brother. His entire family wiped out by one giant wave. It was a terrible fate, but somehow he managed to survive; however, Teagan wished he was dead. Not a day went by without him thinking about his family and friends. Mina was out there somewhere; maybe she was even in the medical tent when he was. But his mind was focused on his own being.

"You won't ever walk again."

Such a simple phrase with a harsh reality crept through his mind. Teagan was shopping with Mina looking for trunks when the wave hit, and instead of saving himself, he chose to save the lives of others. And now he was paying for it.

Every day tasks became hard. Finding the clothes to wear, and somehow managing to slip them on while confined to a chair was more than he had ever asked for. Even with his eyes closed, Teagan tried to make his legs moved, he tried to feel them again, but the feeling was gone. Hollow bones slapped against the wheels. It was almost like they were gone.

The sun was high in the sky, and birds chirped joyful tunes like nothing had gone wrong. For the longest time, Teagan stared at the clear blue sky wondering if he was living beneath the ocean for his entire life. Not even a cloud filtered the angry sun.

A heavy sigh left his chest, and his heart dropped into the pits of his stomach as he settled for his old pair of swim trunks, and a old shirt. Teagan didn't have much. His entire house was swept away, and nothing remained. All he had was the clothing he wore the day the tsunami hit. And those only held painful memories.

His arms grew strong as he wheeled himself around the district searching for someone he knew. It had been such a long time since he saw Mina, and part of him was afraid she was gone too.

No, she's alive.

The helpers from many different districts were sent home to prepare for the next games. Names were chosen, yet Teagan was left behind like he had been many times before. But instead of heading to the rebuilt shops, Teagan went to the beach. Wheeling himself through the sand was almost impossible. Tiny pebbles caught in his wheels almost dumping him face first into the boiling sand. His eyes locked on the waves crashing against the shore.

They had no clue something had happened.

Silent tears rolled down his face as he watched people surfing the waves like nothing had gone wrong. Yet there he sat motionlessly unable to move or do anything. As much as Teagan willed his legs to work, they never moved. Not even a flinch.

The scorching sun roasted his back as he wheeled himself as close to the ocean as he possibly could. Downcast eyes locked on the sun reflecting from the water, but all he saw was his own image of a helpless teen looking for freedom that didn't exist.

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Nothing would be the same again for Mina Knudsen. Everything that she had grown to know had changed. Loved ones taken away from her within an instant. Despite all the physical pain that she had to endure, it’s the mental pain that will take time for her to recover from. Lying in the tent for hours, helping her head heal that had been rung like a bell after falling down the collapsed stairs while trying to save Teagan, she hadn’t realise that nobody came to visit her. Where was her mother, her brothers, her father? As soon as her body was ready, she went looking for them, hoping to see their healthy faces in the rows of the injured. Hours of searching, not a single familiar face. Venturing back home, she was relieved to see the home without a single scratch, the only fortunate thing about having it more inland. But inside, the house would be a little bit emptier.

Opening up the door to her home, only her mother greeted her, tears stained on her cheeks. ”They’re gone Mina, they’re all gone.” Swept away in their trawler, the wave would have got them first. Pulled into a watery grave, to become feed for the marine life, never to be seen again. How would Mina survive with just her mother? Although everything changed, her mother only had Mina now and her attitude towards her daughter slowly changed. They had to help each other through the tough time. Grieving and mourning within each other’s hands.

Days past and everything that surrounded Mina began to rebuild. Although pain still circulated her body, she tried her best to help those who had given up their time to come to District Four and help. Eventually time went on and the community spirit quickly helped with the recovery process and Mina returned home to comfort her mother. Keeping herself busy amongst all the chaos is the only way for Mina to cope. As soon as she gets a lone time with her mind, that is when all the grief floods her like the tsunami that caused all the devastation.

Plucking up the courage to go to the beach again, Mina left her slowly mending mother to go back to her peace place. Tonnes of people occupied the beach, many tackling the waves. It is as if nothing happened and everything was back to normal. Dressed only in her maroon laced bikini she’d lay out her towel, laying on it to allow her skin to catch the sun’s rays. Scratches and bruises still remain on her skin, many likely to transform into scars, reminding her of the day. Fortunately she came out of it with just a sore head and body but so many lost so much more.

Teagan crossed her mind so many times, where was he? She hadn’t seen him since the day and she begs that he is still alive. Maybe he is helping his family rebuild, she’ll soon see him.

Scanning the ocean, she’d watched the surfers, envious of their capability. One day she’ll purchase her own board and maybe ride the waves by herself. Moving her eyes to the edge of the beach, a male in a wheel chair catches her eye. Teagan? Pulling her towel from the sand, she’d spring towards him, relief filling her body.

”Teagan, you’re o…” Her eyes would fix themselves on the wheelchair, hoping that it was only temporary.”You’re alive! It is so good to see you.”

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[Knuckles]

T E A G A N

The sound of the waves crashing against the ground was a music to his ears, and Teagan wanted more. He wanted to press his feet against the smooth surface of a new surfboard and ride the waves. To feel the wind blowing through his shaggy hair. It was his desire. His one wish taken away the moment the waves struck back. Closing his eyes, he tried with all his might to move his legs, but they never moved; not even a flinch. A heavy sigh expelled from his lips as a silent tear rolled down the side of his face. His life was ruined.

Joyful sounds roared through the air of the kids enjoying the waves, and his mind continued fighting with everything he had, and he wanted to feel the sand between his toes once more. But it just wasn't there. Nothing was there anymore except a life filled with pain and misery. His family was dead, and the last thing he said to his father was hateful words, and now it was too late to make amends. Teagan hoped his family knew how much he loved and cared for them.

"Teagan, you're o..."

His heart leaped into the back of his throat. Just hearing her voice made the world better for only a moment, but the way her words ended was a knife trying to gut him. Yet Teagan tried ro smile. He tried to turn this moment into a happy moment because Mina was alive. "You're alive! It is so good to see you."

For a moment he thought the mind was playing tricks on him, and the heat was getting to him, but she was there. But she couldn't mend the hole growing inside his chest with each passing second.

"Mina!" He exclaimed trying to throw a happy demeanor, but the pain was there radiating through his mind with each beat of his heart. But his gaze turned towards the ground. The sun reflected from the sandy shores blinding him for only a moment. "It's so good to see you."

His heart shattered and a river threatened to pour from his eyes, yet somehow the broken teen managed to hold them back.

"How are you doing?" He asked trying to hide the quiver of his voice. "I hope you're doing well."

Made by Frankel

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Feeling the sand tickle at her toes sends an army of emotions through Mina. Even though the soles of her feet are slowly beginning to cook, a different surface than her house’s floors is a soothing change for her. Any environment out of the home of mourning is a great escape for Mina; she still feels sorrow from the loss of her father and brothers but being sad about it won’t help revive her mood. Nothing she and her mother can do will bring them back and even if it is hard to accept, they just have too. Death is just a part of life; it follows everyone around, slowly preparing to pounce. Obviously death has some worth for Mina’s father and brothers, seeing as they took them early.

Scattered across the horizon, perfect waves ascend on the ocean but despite them being so great, they’re nothing compared to the chaotic wave that struck the District. It’s odd how everything quickly became tranquil and peaceful. Nature plays odd games; maybe it gets in a mood sometimes like people. Anger must have struck nature that day, for it to unleash all of its power onto the world, whatever triggered that anger, it is definitely something people caused.

Seeing Teagan sat in the wheelchair makes Mina feels pity towards him. Secluded to wheels, what could have possible happened to him? Begging again that it is only temporary, Mina is eager to get back on the waves, with Teagan by her side. Never could she do it by herself, maybe she could ride her own board but she wouldn’t feel safe if Teagan wasn’t nearby. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Even if she proved she can’t protect anyone, especially after the day cliff diving, she can at least have her on protection…in the form of Teagan.

Teagan asks how Mina is doing and she is conflicted on whether or not to dilute the truth. This isn’t the time to bring up the loss of her family. ”Ahh I could be better.” Sitting down in the sand besides Teagan’s chair, she looks up, inspecting it. ”So when you ditching those wheels?”

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[Knuckles]

T E A G A N

Listening to the birds singing in the sky was almost peaceful, yet the reality of a shattered district danced behind him. All he had ever wanted was gone in the blink of an eye when the waves struck back for some unknown reason. Teagan couldn't think of any reason. Maybe she was mad at all the children riding the waves she produced every day without ever saying thanks, but even that idea was far fetched. Stretched out as far as his eyes could see, Teagan wondered about the realm his family escaped to. Was it painful? Was their last moments the worst moments of their lives?

No, me being born was the worst moment for them.

A soft sigh escaped past his lips as another large wave crashed against the shores. He yearned to balance himself on the surf board and fly through the tunnels of the waves like he had done so many times before. He longed for the chance to overcome the odds, however, the words of the medical providers still burn through his mind. "You'll never walk again."

The corner of his lips twist into a small smile as Mina sits down in the sand beside him, but it's soon replaced with a terrible sorrow. Just days before the sand was his friend. Just days before the waves made up the majority of his day. Just days before his family was still alive. Now it was all gone. His family. The sand didn't accept him anymore. The waves called for him, but Teagan couldn't follow. Yet it was all different when Mina came around.

He'll never forget riding the waves with her for the very first time, or jumping off the cliff. It was an amazing moment despite the terrible pain it put him through.

"So when you ditching those wheels?"

A broken heart slammed into his ribs begging for an escape as his head dropped forward. Every single tear he held back swims down the side of his face. Muffled sobs erupt past his lips, and the world he was trying to hold crashes around him. The tsunami took so much away from him, and he prayed it wouldn't take the one person he had left.

Each word caught in the back of his throat. The truth was so hard for him to believe. So hard for him to understand because just days ago he had everything he could ask for. A valuable lesson was learned, and Teagan regrets not learning it sooner. One never knows when their life will turn upside down. The fight with his family. Telling Falcon he hated him.

And now he's dead.

But like many times before, he wouldn't allow this to hold him down.

"Never." He said with a heavy sigh. "I'll never walk again."

Made by Frankel

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Taking a cup full of sand in her hand, Mina funnels the particles, watching them retreat back to the ground. Doing it over and over, it helps tackle the boredom that swarms her. It took a while for her routine to come back but it never truly will return. Never will she be able to wave goodbye to her brothers and father as they go off on the trawler. Never will she be able to have a real family dinner around the table because now, now there will be four empty spaces. Four plates that won’t have to be filled. Three and half beds left empty. No matter how hard she tries, Mina can never make her life the same again.

But she can change it, have a fresh start. Even if it’s a horrid thought, so many have died, leaving jobs open. Gutting fish for a living is not something Mina wishes to continue all her life. Now there are so many opportunities for her to take up. The surf shop that Mina and Teagan nearly lost their lives in, lost it’s only two shopkeepers however the owner of the shop still lives. Planning to rebuild it, Mina will be quick on applying for a job their whenever it opens its doors.

Washing her mind of the tragic events, before she thinks of taking a new path, she needs to get through the ruins of the one she is currently walking. Not exactly having help psychologically from her mother, who spends most of her days in mourning, the only way Mina has been able to help herself is by doing chores. Before the tragedy, Mina would have never been seen washing the dishes but now she has been cleaning the house from top to bottom. Maybe she has acquired a new obsessive compulsive cleaning disorder but it has at least helped with the bereavement.

Looking at Teagan in his wheelchair, she knows he must be helped to be rebuilt, everyone does in the District. If he has lost anyone in his family, he needs someone besides him, unfortunately Mina did not have that but maybe Teagan can help her too.

But first, he needs to get out of that chair, so they can both get back on the waves together. Maybe he could take up the second job in the shop alongside Mina.

"I'll never walk again."

Hit in the chest by a second tsunami, shock fills Mina’s body. Her only true friend…unable to walk.

Pushing herself off the ground, she stands in front of him, her face expressionless. ”You will, I’ll make sure you will, someone must be able to help you.” Ideas swarm her mind but then reality hits her, District Four, even in its wealth isn’t known for great medical care. ”Uhh…even if you can’t walk…you’ll be able to do a lot of fun things.I’ll make sure of it!”

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[Knuckles]

T E A G A N

Throughout his entire life Teagan took pride in being able to stand when he fell. Each obstacle set up him for a crash course, yet he managed to climb out on top. Despite the harsh words his parents said to him, he found his way through life. Even when Falcon pushed him away like he was nothing, Teagan grew stronger until a foolish tsunami wiped him off his feet. He'd never forget lying in the bed at the hospital wondering if his parents would come see him -

"I'm sorry, Teagan, but you're parents and brother have died."

It was words nobody should ever have to hear growing up. He heard it enough every year as the games carried on in the midst of Panem, but this was different. It hit home harder than he ever imagined. He thought he hated them. That he wanted nothing to do with them because of the way they treated him; however, his mentality changed the moment he heard the news. Yet it wasn't bad. Mina was alive, and she was doing alright, and knowing that he still had someone in the world meant a lot to him because without her, Teagan wouldn't be alive. The day they spent riding the waves, to the day they jumped off the cliff, to the day the tsunami hit, Teagan took in every moment because he was grateful for it all.

But none of that mattered anymore.

His life changed in the blink of an eye.

A heavy sigh departed from his lips as he watched Mina playing in the sand - he longed to sit down on the beach beside her. He wanted to feel the sand running through his fingers and toes. But the makeshift chair stopped him. Tears burnt his eye sockets, yet he blinked them away because he had to remain strong for her. The sound of the ocean waves made him wish he was in the middle of a huge nightmare and would wake at any second walking like he was before. Maybe it was still possible.

"You will, I’ll make sure you will, someone must be able to help you." The corner of his lips twisted into a genuine smile because he knew she wanted to help, but nothing could change what had happened. His legs had no feeling left inside them, and it ate him alive. Perhaps if he didn't try to save the people in the shop that dreaded day, he'd still be walking - Teagan refused to live by the what ifs. An entire life time could fly by without him realizing it, and he didn't want that. He wanted every second to matter because he took his life for granted, and now his family was gone. "Uhh…even if you can’t walk…you’ll be able to do a lot of fun things. I’ll make sure of it!"

It wasn't what he wanted to hear. Teagan longed to walk down the sandy shores of the beach as the waves smashed into the beach. He yearned for the chance to stand in the lineup again as people waited for the perfect wave.

None of that was possible now.

His gaze dropped to the ground for only a moment trying to find the words to say. He wanted to sound happy despite the pain lingering inside. He didn't want Mina to feel down about the situation he was in.

"Yeah. I'm sure of it!" He exclaimed forcing the smile on his face to grow larger. "I've got some ideas now if you'd like to hear them."

Made by Frankel