Quickly I tore off the massive, white gown that three maids just helped me put on five minutes ago. I told them I had a headache and needed a moment alone. Thankfully they were foolish enough to believe me and gave me this needed moment to myself which I would use to be rid of this place forever. Once I was free of the dress that almost swallowed me whole, I put on something more suited for what awaits. What that was, I’m not sure yet, but anything is better than this prison. I pulled a long, sturdy rope from underneath my bed that I had been hiding and tied it to the bed post closest to the window. I grabbed my pack that I had prepared last night, and quietly made my way over to the window. It was a long fall if this should fail, but my alternative to this is worse. My time is running up, so I grab hold of the rope in hope it does not fail me. I start making my way down when I hear my bed inching across the floor. If I don’t pick up the pace I will have to face my doom that awaits me at the end of the aisle, and I’ve come too far to let that happen. My hands shuffle past each other on the rope until I reach the point where I can safely jump. I hit the ground, and before I take off running I look at this stone prison one last time. Why would any girl wish this upon themselves, I wondered. Who knows, but I was finally free. I glanced at the ring I forgot was still on my finger. I slid it off and tied to a piece of the rope. “Jail break.” As I run through the forest I am grateful for the times I use to come here with my father. I remember these woods pretty well, but even then it is easy to get lost in Dark Vale Forest. The name comes from an old story. From what I’ve heard, whenever people used to go into the woods without returning it was said they had been taken by the people who resided in Dark Vale. Dark Vale is a supposed valley that appears out of no where that leads to who knows what. The catch is the entrance never stayed in the same place long, and most of the time it was hidden. This is all just a story though, however that didn’t stop me from looking for it when I was younger.

I’m hot, dehydrated, tired, and scared out of my mind. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. After these past two weeks I’ve grown a respect for all the previous people who’ve suffered through the barbaric Hunger Games. I don’t want to end up being the reason that someone someone doesn’t make it out of this cruel prison. I wouldn’t kill out there so I can’t do it in here. Except I also can’t not see her again. I stuck my hand in my pocket and pulled out a long yellow ribbon. Every time I looked at it I was brought back to that night. The best and worst night of my life. It was the night before the reaping. The night where everything is uncertain. I was sitting outside on our porch, which longed for a fresh coat of paint, but it would never get it. The wood boards were cracked and rotting away. I did my best to help keep it in shape, but just like everything else, it was falling apart. I sat there on that chilly night trying to forget about tomorrow. Except if I could do that I would have been sleeping instead of gazing off into no where. I remember hearing a soft shuffling sound in the dirt followed by a creek in the wood when she sat down next to me. “Whats goin on in that head of yours?” Pansy said softly leaning her head against my shoulder. I turned to look at her. Her face was glowing in the moonlight and her blue eyes sparkled like a rare gem. Her silky brown hair is the color of milk chocolate I’ve tasted only a few times in my life. Her eyes met mine expecting an answer. “I don’t know…” was all I could say. She laughed at this for some reason. “Stone, stop being such a boy!” She laughed again. “You do know. You just won’t tell me.” “Tomorrow.” That was the simplest way of putting it. “Me too.” Pansy replied as a tear slid down her check. There are very few times when Pansy is anything less than joyful. The night before the reaping is usually one of them. “I just hate that I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again after tonight.” I barely got out. “I want more time.” “Me too,” she repeated in her calm, angelic voice. “Pansy.” “Yes Stone?” “I wanted to wait to tell you this, but I don’t if I’ll get another chance to say it,” I said nervously. “Well what is it?” She asked. “I…uh…I,” Why was this so hard for me to say!? I looked back at her glowing beautiful face. She was always there when I needed a friend, and someone to lean on. She was always positive and cheerful even when I couldn’t understand why. She’s the only person who can really make me laugh. Shes my everything. “Pansy,” I said shaking. “I lo-“ Pansy smiled and cut me off. One more time she repeated, “Me too.” We sat there in silence for at least another hour. I held her in my arms as we looked up at the sky. Finally she looked at me and said, “I should probably get going.” She sat up and before she walked off the porch she brought her hands up to where her hair was partly up. She untied the shiny yellow ribbon and gave it a little kiss. She smiled again and handed it to me. “Goodnight Stone.” That was the last time I saw Pansy.

Shoot. If Cali is late one more time, she’s going to be in hot water. I looked at the clock. 12:14. She has exactly one minute to make it to class. A part of me thought maybe this would be the day she got to class on time, but the other part of me did not believe that at all. I looked at the clock again. She wasn’t going to make it. I glanced at the door. No one. Well that’s that. Except it wasn’t. My mind shut down and my body took over. I walked over to the nearest paint bucket in the art room. I picked it up thankful it was only half way full, and looked around the room. This better work. Before I could stop myself there was a big “splat sound.” The whole class turned to look my way. Bright blue paint streamed down my face, my clothes, my shoes, and the floor. As if I hadn’t done enough already I blurted out, “I finished my art project.” A second later I heard the words “detention!” I looked over to Cali’s easel. The teacher hadn’t seen her come in. Well, at least my diversion worked.

Everyday after school you’ll find me at Glenwood Park. Well, mostly everyday. I come to the park next to our neighborhood and I swing for hours on end. Except that’s not all I do. I like to watch the people. I’ve found over the years that you can learn a lot about someone just by watching them for a little while. Mr. Jenkins is a business man who is always talking into his earbuds while running. Miss. Murray is an English teacher who has an addiction to romantic British novels. I think she’s also trying to find her Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Randle has two children named Claire and Rider who love playing at the park. While her children play she works on her bible study. One of my favorites is Miss yoga pants, also known as Kelli Bishop. She is always wearing yoga pants and a sports bra. Her hair is beautiful, blonde, and flawless. My messy buns actually look messy. Her messy buns look perfect. She comes here and does yoga a few times a week, but I know why she’s really here, Silent Sam. He sits under a tree and draws. I’ve only seen a couple, but they looked amazing. I wonder if he’s drawn Kelli. I’m sure she’d love that. This is what I do. I observe. I wonder if anyone has ever observed me?

A fire burns and gives off light

The flames ascend into the dark night

A forest burns and destroys life

A burning star lights the sky

Burning anger is held for too long

Burning passion sings a sweet song

Light the spark

Let it touch their hearts

Set the world ablaze

It only takes one flame

“Hey you guys are going so fast!” I yelled. “That’s the point Tess!” My sister yelled back from farther up the river. “I plan on winning this year!” “Do you hear that Ben?” I yelled to my sisters boyfriend, “Jenna thinks she’s actually going to beat you this year!” He looked at her and laughed, “Sure, whatever you need to tell yourself.” I laughed. Ben and Jenna were so cute together. We have been camping with Bens family since Jenna and I were in elementary school. Once we got old enough we started to kayak and it eventually evolved into an annual summer race. I have only won a couple times, but I just enjoy the adventure of it and the beautiful scenery. As I continued to paddle, I realized that I had fallen behind. Way behind. Shoot. I kept on paddling and there was no sight of them. Once I got to the fork in the river I really was in trouble. We usually went to the right, but sometimes we switched it up. Ugh. This stinks. Just as I was about to go to the right I saw another small opening just before it. Weird. I hadn’t noticed that before. After calling Jenna and Ben on their phone, I waited a few more minutes and then headed for the mysterious opening. Well this should be interesting.

Pictures of places I’ve wanted to go for years are scattered across my bedroom wall. New York, California, The Grand Canyon, Paris, England, Ireland, Greece, Australia….etc. The list goes on and on. Those places were just dreams of mine. A fantasy. Now I have the chance in a life time to make all those dreams come true, and I’m scared to death. Most of my life has been spent in one place. A small sliver of the world called Janesville, Wisconsin. My home is here. My family is here, and so are most of my friends that I’ve known since childhood. I looked out my window at the small blue house across the street with the stone path and beautiful garden. The same thing I saw every time I looked out this window. I looked at my suitcase, which looked mostly untouched, then out the window again. I had a decision to make.

I’m back again

Staring at the winding road

Back at the beginning

With so many unknowns

I try to move forward

I want to stand and say “This is it!”

But I still sit here with no decisions made

I continue to stare down the winding road

Not knowing exactly where to go

Is it déjà vu?

I don’t know

I’m still staring at this winding road

I had a plane to catch, but I couldn’t bring myself to get in the car. This was my home. The walls of that house hold so much laughter. The stalls of the barn are the keepers of patience. Hours would keep us as we awaited a new resident to the faded red barn. Hot days spent in the shade of the tree that rested in the middle of the field, or in the pond if not already claimed by the ducks. The countless days I would spend reading in the field or a tree as the breeze would play with my hair and the pages of my book. Now it was time to make new memories. Memories far away from here, and far from my family, but I will return one day. I looked back at my car and decided it was time to go. I’m coming New York.

Today was going to be great. I looked around me at the people walking, or running, in and out of the hospital. I smiled and walked in. I was now one step closer to my dream of becoming a surgeon. This is where I belonged. All my life I had prepared for this. I turned down parties, skiing, prom, boys, trips to Florida, mall days, and so many other things. I even powered through an exam once while I had a raging migraine. There is no room for mistakes, anxiety, or distractions. I looked around for Sophie who was supposed to meet me here to give me instructions. I walked around a little, and just as I was pulling out my phone to call her I saw it. A distraction......in the shape of a boy. Oh no.