Chapter 4
"And now you are questioning your memories as both the Capitol and District Four seem familiar to you?" Dr Aurelius smiles as he looks at Career. "For one or the other reason both those districts could have been home to you at various intervals of your life. Maybe you were a peacekeeper? They came from One and Two. You could have been placed in District Four?
"Some other possibilities are that that you were an assistant to the victors, or a victor yourself. These possibilities are highly unlikely since assistants were uh, colourful and marked. You were neither when we found you. And the victors are all accounted for. Therefore those two theories don't hold up."
A look of horror spreads over Career's face as the reality of Dr Aurelius' words sink in. He throws his head back on the pillow behind him and shuts his eyes. "A peacekeeper? I heard about them. They were monsters."
"It is a conjecture, Career. A theory. If it is any consolation, now that I think about it, I do not believe that you could have been a peacekeeper. You do not fit the profile."
"It makes sense for me to have been a peacekeeper. Everyone thinks I'm a fighter," Career scowls. "Funny how something that made you so proud once can disgust you later on." And with a soft sigh he continues. "The rebels must have hated me. It explains the bombing."
"There are holes in your little narrative. The rebels only reported detonating one bomb in that vicinity and it was done by Katniss Everdeen. I can assure you that you were not the target. I have personally spoken to Katniss about the incident in question, so I know what I am talking about. Besides, why would the rebels have felt the need to fine comb the area for Snow-loyalists if they had already been there blowing up Snow-loyalists?"
Career relaxes a little and opens his eyes. He pushes himself up back into a sitting position. It is a smooth, easy action for him.
"You have a point," he says in his raspy voice. Suddenly Career is reminded that he hasn't thought about his hoarse sounding voice for a few days. The forecast of the trip and finding out about himself had replaced so many thought of his inadequacies. Having a purpose has given him direction. Hope.
"And about what Dr Ravelle said; I know about the disorder he was talking about. I resolved not to tell you about it. Not until you presented some of the symptoms. You have so much going on in your life, Career, and I wanted you to be positive when you leave the hospital, not wondering about some condition you may never have."
Dr Aurelius makes a note in Career's file. Then he moves closer to the bed so he can sit next to the sombre young man.
"It may seem like I was being unprofessional, when in fact my decision was made to aid your recovery. Isn't that what doctors are supposed to do? Help patients recover?" Dr Aurelius searches Career's face for signs that show the young man has accepted the older one's explanation. "My methods are unconventional. But the intentions are solid."
"I will phone Johanna once I get to my office. I think I have devised a tour itinerary for you. You will start at the Capitol and work your way through the districts, skipping District Four. I want that to be your end destination, if we can call it that. You spoke of the ways of the Capitol with knowledge, but you spoke of the water with passion. With love. With a familiarity that only a life there can afford."
"Should we not wait with the trip to the Capitol as well? Do it later since it feels like I know it?"
"Dear boy, the Capitol has changed so much in the last few years that it will be almost unrecognizable to people who can remember it perfectly. I doubt it will trigger memories. Still you need to experience it, and this way you will have the rest of the trip to reflect on what you saw there."
"What about District Two? I have been here for almost two years. Do we have to come back here after Johanna and I visit the Capitol?" An uncertain feeling of warmth leaks in to Career's chest. It is so comforting to be able to use the phrase Johanna and I when he has not had anybody to refer to like that over the last two years.
"You never left the hospital grounds. That hardly counts as getting to know the district."
There is a knock at the door and Dr Everdeen's head appears in the doorway. Her face is worn, she must have had a rough night. Her mouth, however, is smiling.
"I have heard the good news from the other doctors. You are ready to explore the world." She enters the room with a small package in her hands. It is a small, unwrapped brown box.
Career searches her eyes. They are not smiling. He remembers how she reacted after they spoke about personal matters and decides not to ask any prying questions.
"I am well. Ready to explore the world!"
Dr Aurelius is not as kind as Career. He makes Dr. Everdeen promise to see him at her earliest convenience. Though it sounded like he meant she has to see him directly after she finishes with Career.
"I will have Johanna with me when I come back tomorrow. Be packed." Dr Aurelius gathers his notes and other belongings and exits the room with a stern glance at Dr Everdeen.
"I guess I am in trouble." She places the package on Career's lap. "Don't open it now. I will feel embarrassed. It is just something small to remember us by."
"What do you think about Johanna Mason, Dr Everdeen? I don't know what to make of her. What I have heard varies a lot."
"She worked hard in the arena to keep Katniss alive. And she didn't even like my daughter back then. That makes her alright in my book. Just keep her away from any medication or weapons and you will be fine."