Needless to say, you avoided every chance you can to being alone with Marie. You can't run away from her in the nightmares though, they were always different but held the same message. She was screaming for help, and you turned your back and walked away. You think you're going to dream like this forever.

If Marie noticed you different, she didn't say anything. She seemed preoccupied with her own thoughts, often lost. Often daydreaming, or were they nightmares like yours instead? She avoided drinking whenever possible, you supposed it was because she was too scared to go back in there except when absolutely necessary, and when she does go to the toilet she did it in rocket speed.

Before you can reconcile with your dreams of Marie, they've changed the game again. It seemed like months, but it has only been a few days since Marie's incident. There were rumors going on of rebellion coming up. There were men impatient about sitting and waiting for this condition to end. You know about it, but didn't join nor discuss it. Your father joined eventually and you warily look as he sometimes approach the other men and seemingly chatting casually. You know better though, because your father doesn't have that look when he chats casually. His face went tense and he would involuntarily raised his eyebrows every other second when he's nervous.

You were massaging your grandmother's leg when you saw your father and five other heads of families slowly approach each other. Seemingly without purpose, but definitely nearing towards one another. You stopped massaging and moved to follow but your grandma's hands gripped your wrists strongly. She pulled you in as she said,"I've gone through war before, did you know that?" I shook my head absently, still concentrating on my father.
"You, and me.. we are the same," suddenly grandma's voice grew stronger and you can't help but look at her. She was suddenly strong, and her eyes were bright.
"You and me, we are survivors. Do you know that? I know you as I know myself. The rest are brave men, they are heroes, and they will fight to death. But me, and you, we were born to survive."