Post by Paul Wersbowski on Sept 7, 2010 9:57:48 GMT -5
Once he got the beach, Paul briefly registered how much his worn shoes sunk into the wet sand. He could feel the cool water that was stuck on the inside of his shoes warm from the body heat from his feet. He would have to put them by the fire later tonight so they dried properly for tomorrows training. IF there’s going to be any training tomorrow Paul thought as he reached the outskirts of the town that he, Annie, and probably the other woman lived in. He had to think of the perfect place he could do this, so as many people would hear as possible.
He thought about the Justice Building, but he was almost positive the Peacekeepers would either boot him off the steps or arrest him before he got the chance to relay his message to the townsfolk. But then again the Town Square was busy during the day since it had numerous stalls selling goods and such. Hopefully today would be one of the busy days and it would be packed with people. He might even get lucky and catch some of the fisherman before they left for work. Paul made up his mind and set off toward the Square.
Paul hadn’t been to the Town Square for a rather long time. He didn’t have a reason to go, well not since he broke up with Annie. He used to go to the square just to look for gifts he could get her, since he wasn’t as articulate as she was when it came to crafting things by hand. Once again his right hand moved up to the necklace. He moved it between his index and middle fingers absentmindedly as he continued his trek. He was hoping that most of the other Careers would be in the Square as well as the townsfolk. He especially wanted them to hear his message.
He heard several familiar voices coming from the square. Good a few are here. Paul thought as he passed the first stall. It sold the District bread. He looked at it for a moment, resisting getting a loaf as his mouth filled with saliva from the aroma, before continuing to the center of the square. Annie was more important than putting something in his stomach. He stepped onto the platform used by the Peacekeepers to set an example of a law breaker.
”Excuse me everyone. I have something I would like to share with all of you!” Paul shouted at the mass of people moving from stall to stall.
Several people stopped, looked at him, and nudged the people next to him. He repeated himself several times until the entire square was looking directly at him. A sudden wave of nervousness slowed through him as he looked at everyone. He had never addressed so many people at one time. There were at least three-quarters, if not the entire town here. There was a small ripple in the crowd and people parted to let two other teenage boys pass through their ranks. They were almost as tan and as toned as Paul was. But he instantly knew them from training. Good two Careers would hear this announcement.
”I’m tired of acting, tired of not being who I am. For the last two years I’ve been playing along with everyone at the cost of losing the person I love. And why did I do that you may ask. Because I wanted to participate in this years Hunger Games. But enough is enough. I’m letting all of you know this now, I am still madly in love with Annie Dobrev. If any of you speak insults about her and they reach my ears, you’ll have to deal with me. I don’t care what the consequences are, I’ve had enough of being a puppet of this town.”
”Oh so you’re just gonna give up all that you’ve worked for to try to mend your failed relationship with a backstabbing bitch?” One of the two Careers asked and the other laughed.
Instantly Paul was in front of the Career with a look a rage on his face. Before the Careers could react, Paul’s first blow had already landed. It sent the Career that had spoken to the ground holding his jaw as blood seeped from between his fingers. Paul turned his attention to the Career that laughed to be met with a punch that barely turned Paul’s head. He looked at the Career and shook his head slightly as if to say “you shouldn’t have done that”. Without warning, Paul planted his right foot in the Career’s sternum and sent him flying several feet back into the crowd.
Everyone stared in shock at him for his actions and because they had now seen what the four years of training have done. He wasn’t the little boy that started training anymore. He was a lone wolf stalking a wounded deer. He walked up to the Career that laughed and knelt next to him. ”Are you going to apologize for laughing at Annie’s expense?” The Career’s response was to spit in Paul’s face. Paul sighed and planted several punches on the Career’s face, breaking his nose, left cheekbone, and possibly his jaw. Satisfied, he stood up to the sound of whistles being blown and people backing away from him.
He felt several pairs of hands grab him before a Peacekeeper appeared in front of him and punched him in the abdomen. It hurt slightly, but only got a smile out of Paul. This seemed to enrage the Peacekeeper and he nodded to someone behind him. The sound of chains being brought out and the sudden silence of the crowd brought a slight fear to Paul. He hadn’t heard the chains before. If they were to whip someone, they tied them with a rope. But as he felt the numerous people start dragging him back to the platform, he realized that they took his strength into consideration. He was willing to accept any form of punishment they found fit for him.
As soon as the shackles were attached to his wrists and his arms spread high and far apart, Paul let out his breath that he hadn’t realized he was holding. The Head Peacekeeper stepped forward and was addressing the crowd about what law or laws he had broken and what his punishment was going to be. He let a look of boredom cross his face. That was before he heard the crack of the whip as it made contact with the sun tanned flesh of his back. Paul let out an unintentional groan of pain and tears started to work their way to his eyes.
He thought about the Justice Building, but he was almost positive the Peacekeepers would either boot him off the steps or arrest him before he got the chance to relay his message to the townsfolk. But then again the Town Square was busy during the day since it had numerous stalls selling goods and such. Hopefully today would be one of the busy days and it would be packed with people. He might even get lucky and catch some of the fisherman before they left for work. Paul made up his mind and set off toward the Square.
Paul hadn’t been to the Town Square for a rather long time. He didn’t have a reason to go, well not since he broke up with Annie. He used to go to the square just to look for gifts he could get her, since he wasn’t as articulate as she was when it came to crafting things by hand. Once again his right hand moved up to the necklace. He moved it between his index and middle fingers absentmindedly as he continued his trek. He was hoping that most of the other Careers would be in the Square as well as the townsfolk. He especially wanted them to hear his message.
He heard several familiar voices coming from the square. Good a few are here. Paul thought as he passed the first stall. It sold the District bread. He looked at it for a moment, resisting getting a loaf as his mouth filled with saliva from the aroma, before continuing to the center of the square. Annie was more important than putting something in his stomach. He stepped onto the platform used by the Peacekeepers to set an example of a law breaker.
”Excuse me everyone. I have something I would like to share with all of you!” Paul shouted at the mass of people moving from stall to stall.
Several people stopped, looked at him, and nudged the people next to him. He repeated himself several times until the entire square was looking directly at him. A sudden wave of nervousness slowed through him as he looked at everyone. He had never addressed so many people at one time. There were at least three-quarters, if not the entire town here. There was a small ripple in the crowd and people parted to let two other teenage boys pass through their ranks. They were almost as tan and as toned as Paul was. But he instantly knew them from training. Good two Careers would hear this announcement.
”I’m tired of acting, tired of not being who I am. For the last two years I’ve been playing along with everyone at the cost of losing the person I love. And why did I do that you may ask. Because I wanted to participate in this years Hunger Games. But enough is enough. I’m letting all of you know this now, I am still madly in love with Annie Dobrev. If any of you speak insults about her and they reach my ears, you’ll have to deal with me. I don’t care what the consequences are, I’ve had enough of being a puppet of this town.”
”Oh so you’re just gonna give up all that you’ve worked for to try to mend your failed relationship with a backstabbing bitch?” One of the two Careers asked and the other laughed.
Instantly Paul was in front of the Career with a look a rage on his face. Before the Careers could react, Paul’s first blow had already landed. It sent the Career that had spoken to the ground holding his jaw as blood seeped from between his fingers. Paul turned his attention to the Career that laughed to be met with a punch that barely turned Paul’s head. He looked at the Career and shook his head slightly as if to say “you shouldn’t have done that”. Without warning, Paul planted his right foot in the Career’s sternum and sent him flying several feet back into the crowd.
Everyone stared in shock at him for his actions and because they had now seen what the four years of training have done. He wasn’t the little boy that started training anymore. He was a lone wolf stalking a wounded deer. He walked up to the Career that laughed and knelt next to him. ”Are you going to apologize for laughing at Annie’s expense?” The Career’s response was to spit in Paul’s face. Paul sighed and planted several punches on the Career’s face, breaking his nose, left cheekbone, and possibly his jaw. Satisfied, he stood up to the sound of whistles being blown and people backing away from him.
He felt several pairs of hands grab him before a Peacekeeper appeared in front of him and punched him in the abdomen. It hurt slightly, but only got a smile out of Paul. This seemed to enrage the Peacekeeper and he nodded to someone behind him. The sound of chains being brought out and the sudden silence of the crowd brought a slight fear to Paul. He hadn’t heard the chains before. If they were to whip someone, they tied them with a rope. But as he felt the numerous people start dragging him back to the platform, he realized that they took his strength into consideration. He was willing to accept any form of punishment they found fit for him.
As soon as the shackles were attached to his wrists and his arms spread high and far apart, Paul let out his breath that he hadn’t realized he was holding. The Head Peacekeeper stepped forward and was addressing the crowd about what law or laws he had broken and what his punishment was going to be. He let a look of boredom cross his face. That was before he heard the crack of the whip as it made contact with the sun tanned flesh of his back. Paul let out an unintentional groan of pain and tears started to work their way to his eyes.