time is of the essence {gaby}

[Knuckles]

T E A G A N

So much time has gone by, and yet the district isn't what it once was. I remember the beautiful beaches before the tsunami destroyed them. The families running around without a care in the world. Happiness lingered in the horizon, but now it feels like all of that has gone away. Families are still torn apart. Loved ones missing. And yet life goes on leaving behind those who can't keep up. I lost so much, yet I still come to the beach every chance that I get. I still look through the rubble hoping to find my parents and my brother. Family dinners aren't a thing anymore - many nights I go to sleep hungry because I can't work. My legs don't allow me, and regardless of how many times I try to stand, I topple over like a child who's just learning the motions of walking. It's such a lonely life, and many nights tears have rolled down the side of my face. I want it all to become a dream, but I know it isn't. Every morning when my eyes open, I hope to see them, but now they're only a figment of my frail imagination.

Today is no different, and with candidates running for mayor, I wonder if anyone can help.

The sun sits high in the sky, birds fly before it disappearing behind the select few clouds. People move through the streets happily, and here I am, a boy bound to a chair. The doctors said it would last forever, and yet I want to prove them wrong. Surfing has been taken away from me. Fishing, swimming, all of that gone in the blink of an eye. I have nobody left to really care for, but one person. It's been a while since I've talked to her, and I wonder if she's okay, but today isn't about her.

I've set out on a mission to find the candidates. I want to talk to them. To get to know them. To figure out who I want running the district. There has to be more out there. A working class is needed. The district needs rebuilding. It needs help, but what can a crippled boy do? The waves stole my life away, and I want to take it back. I want to break the chains holding me down.

Moving is challenging, but my arms are benefiting from it. Rocks topple across the road, and if I'm not careful, they'll toss me out of my chair. Yet when I arrive, I know what to do. I'm looking around hoping and praying to find a candidate. One that can assist me and maybe answer some questions. That's when I see her. Spinning the wheels as fast as I possibly can, I make my way over towards her, calling after her, and I cross my fingers she hears me.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I was wondering if I could use a couple minutes of your time."

Made by Frankel

[Sleepy Fluttershy]

Rubia's morning started with a big cup of coffee and a great deal of thinking. Being a Career for almost an eternity, she had never thought that there was more to life than just hitting, throwing, winning. She thought that what she was offering in her speech was a fair deal for everyone: everyone gets better training, she gets a mayor post. But it turned out there was much more to do if she wanted to be loved. And the worst part about it was that she had no idea what else to do to make everyone happy. And it felt like a disaster, because Rubia was beginning to realise that not only the district needed her, but she needed every person there, too. And she was going to be nothing without them.

She was thinking about the little boy who had talked to her the day before. His brother died in the Games. And she knew that nothing could be done to make his grief disappear, but at least wanted to make life better for those who lost their loved ones in the horrible event and didn't receive any kind of compensation. That seemed pretty unfair. And Rubia decided that if she became mayor, she would definitely be present at all the tribute's funerals and would try to give the fallen tribute's families all kinds of support. However, she was thinking that there was much more she could do. She just had to find out what it was.

She was in desperate need of help. And she knew where to get it. Rubia went out into the street and started wandering around the district. Hopefully, someone would notice her soon.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I was wondering if I could use a couple minutes of your time."

Last time she heard "excuse me, ma'am" it gave her ideas. Maybe she could find out something important about everyone's needs this time, too. And she turned around with a charming smile.

"Yes, of course, you can ask me whatever you want."

[Knuckles]

T E A G A N

Life has never been easy. Many times the direction changes leaving me behind in the undertow. But I had a life, and it was perfect in my eyes. Most days I spent living life to the fullest. Every day I knew wasn't promised, and yet I sit here today wondering where I went wrong. What did I do to deserve the harsh punishment thrown down by the higher beings residing somewhere beyond the sky? I never mistreated anyone. They took my family away from me, and that's something I don't think I can forget.

It was once beautiful, and now all that remains is crushed dreams laced with debris.

Yet my heart feels alive the moment I see her turn. Her smile offers a sense of hope, and it was something I lost so long ago. Why have hope when it doesn't exist?

But maybe it does.

Maybe she can help.

"Well, it's about the tsunami. It happened a few years ago, and yet it feels like most of us are still left in the dirt. So much debris remain. So many ruined buildings. Destroyed beaches. Families still missing." I pause a moment trying to think of what to say. Trying to make sense of it all. "Can you do anything else to help us? To try to reunite families?"

My heart drops for just a moment,

"Or is it a lost cause?"

Made by Frankel

[Sleepy Fluttershy]

"Well, it's about the tsunami. It happened a few years ago, and yet it feels like most of us are still left in the dirt. So much debris remain. So many ruined buildings. Destroyed beaches. Families still missing."

She had never thought about the tsunami much. It didn't affect her life in any way. Only her mom went to help the wounded a few times, and that was it. But it didn't mean that the tsunami was nonexistent. Its consequences were still there...

"Can you do anything else to help us? To try to reunite families?" 

His voice sounds like he is losing hope, but she still doesn't know what to answer.

"Or is it a lost cause?"

But after a moment of awkward hesitation, the answer is there:

"I am working on it right now... I was planning to give more financial help to the tsunami victims and all that stuff. But I was also thinking about helping them in any other possible way. I can't promise to reunite you with anyone - it seems impossible, but I will try to make a list of those who lost someone and find out if those who they are looking for are still alive."