I watch as my mother’s unruly brown hair blowing in the wind the white mask that covered her beautiful face bared a plastic smile. We stay silent, my hands stay clasped together mirroring my mothers until we closed the door of our home behind us. I carefully take off my mask and place it on our couch My mother with her mask still on walked into the bathroom silently. The soft rush of water from the showerhead was audible through the thin walls that separated the two of us. I layed down the couch and drifted off into a fitful sleep.

I awoke to a splitting headache which made my eyes throb, but forced myself to stare up at the ceiling. I gently pushed myself off the couch then glanced at the clock. I had been asleep for about an hour. I trudged over to the kitchen to find a note taped onto the door. "I left went to the market to get some more bread and soap. I'll be back in about 40 minutes. Go take a shower then make find something to eat.” I folded up the paper and placed it into the trash can, I was surprised that mom even left the house. Ever since my brother Alex and my Dad were taken by “The One” she refused to even speak to me or anyone for that matter, so leaving the house was usually out of the question, unless there was a community meeting which were mandatory. I trudged to my room to grab some clothing and walked into the bathroom.

I stood still as the scalding water hit my back, more tears flood my eyes blurring my vision. I wanted to escape, I wanted this all to be over. I turn my face towards the showerhead and squeeze my eyes shut, I wanted the pain to stop. I became calmer each second the hot water hit my face. Soon I started to feel like all of the emotion was being rinsed away along with the water. I felt numb, normal. I slowly redressed into a light blue shirt and long black skirt,that lightly grazed my ankles,then made my way out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, the feeling of hot water still lingering on my skin. I started the kettle then sat down at the kitchen table; grabbing one of the many dull colored books we had set on the table. After about ten minutes there was a quick rapping on the door. I scrambled to the couch to grab my mask and fasten it onto my face, then opened the door. I glared at the tall figure that loomed over me, his cleanly shaven face was completely emotionless.  It was on of the unmasked men. Behind to him were the two skinny children from the judgment “Marie White you and your mother Jane White have been voted to foster these children until the the nearest work camp gain enough supplies to care for them” I quickly clasped my hands together and bowed to the man “Thank the One for this gift, i'm honored by his grace and kindness.” I did my best to keep my voice monotone but it cracked during the last few words. The Unmasked man scowled at the mistake and pushed the two through the door while turning to walk away.