Eva was barely aware as she shuffled along, her black and polished shoes quickly becoming dusty and coated in dirt.
Her arms wrapped around Rosemary, Eva led her friend towards the Justice building, where the Donner family is waiting for them. Eva could hear Rosemary sobbing, no longer silent in her grief but unashamedly open. She could feel the tears running down her cheeks, and everything around her seems miles away.
As they near the gate, Eva looked up, her bleary eyes catching sight of Willamae Donner, Rosemary and Maysilee's mother. The woman's shoulders where shaking with sobs, but her arms were open and Eva registered as Rosemary was pulled from her side and taken into her mother's arms. Beside them, standing drooped and defeated – like one of the miners – was Dusk Donner, the girl's father. One arm was wrapped around his wife's shoulders and the other around his daughter; Eva could tell he was trying to be strong for them, but his eyes betrayed his grief.
They were the image of a devastated family, and it was almost too much for Eva to bear.
For a moment, she thought back to that cold February morning when her brother had died. Her parents had looked like this broken and defeated.
She remembered running into her brother's room – she'd been going to see him – but he'd already been taken away. His room was empty and he never returned. He'd been taken for them forever.
Eva could feel her heart breaking, hoping against hope that this would be the fate of the Donner's as well.
Mr. Donner placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes saying what he couldn't say as he pulled Eva into their small circle and she was enveloped in their arms.
In those moments, and the moments after as they climbed the stairs to the Justice building, Eva forgot that her parents were would be expecting her behind the fence or that Phoenix was waiting for her. In those moments, all she thought of was Maysilee.
The Donner's went in to see her first, leaving Eva alone in the cold and empty hallway.
Guilt plagued her as she stood there, searching for something she could say to her friend. She'd been so self-consumed, and so focused on herself and what she wanted, that she'd ignored her friends. Not just Maysilee, but Rosemary and Wade also.
Maybe now she'd never have a chance to make it up to her.
Eva could feel the tears burning in the back of her eyes, biting hard on the inside of her check, determined not to cry and to let Maysilee know she was there for her.
It may be the last, and the only thing she could do.
After many long minutes the Donners emerged, and the sight that greeted Eva startled her.
In her father's arms, Rosemary sobbed, louder than Eva had ever heard; her face was white and snow and her eyes were red, swelling with rivers of tears. Her father's face was ashen and blank, but his red-rimmed eyes told tales of his deep emotion. Mrs. Donner brought up the rear, her eyes hollow, and soft, moaning sounds escaping her lips.
Eva almost couldn't look at them, and as she watched them go a fresh stab of pain hit her broadly in the chest. She almost couldn't move forward as a peacekeeper behind her pushed her through the door to the visiting room.
Inside, Maysilee sat crumpled on a cushioned bench; she was bent over, with her head resting in her hands.
Eva stood, and it felt like her insides were slowly being ripped apart as she struggled to form words.
"Mays?" She questioned timidly, he voice was weak and trembling, hoarse with emotion – it sounded foreign to her.
Maysilee's head shot up and her eyes were bright with unshed tears. She stood, her hands shaking and rushed towards Eva.
Eva crossed the small space between them, crushing her friend in her arms, the two girls clinging fiercely to each other.
"Eva!" Maysilee sobbed dryly. "Oh Eva – Rosie – oh she's… I couldn't stand it…"
Her voice trailed off then, her shoulder shaking as they held each other. Eva could feel fresh tears coursing down her cheeks, and was surprised that she still had tears left to cry.
They stayed together for several minutes before Eva felt Maysilee take a deep, shuddering breath in an attempt to compose herself. Pulling away from Eva, Maysilee took a step back, her breathing harsh and unsteady.
"What's done is done right?" She said slowly, "I can't change it – you know, I might as well make the best of it."
Eva shook her head, pursing her lips together in anger.
"You shouldn't have to Maysilee! It's not right!"
The strength in her voice surprised her, and Eva was shocked to find that her grief had given her a passionate anger.
Her voice softened then, as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"It's not right…"
Maysilee nodded, taking her friends hand in her own, her lower lip quivering.
"I know Eva." Said Maysilee, pausing for a moment before continuing.
"Who knows, maybe one day… maybe one day this will all be just a bad memory – maybe one day… things will change."
Eva wrapped her arms around her friend.
"You need to try." She said.
Maysilee nodded slowly, hesitantly, pulling something from her pocket.
In her palm was a small golden pin, delicately crafted to form a mockingjay with an arrow flying by it, encircled in ruddy gold.
Eva looked up at her friend as Maysilee placed the pin in Eva's own hand.
"I'll try Eva, but I need you to know that you'll give this to Rosie if… if anything happens – I've watched the Games before… I know what this could mean."
Eva's eyes filled with tears again at the tremble in Maysilee's voice.
Shaking her head, Eva pushed the pin back at her friend, but Maysilee wouldn't let her, closing Eva's fist around it.
"I need you to do this for me Eva – please."
The pleading in Maysilee voice broke her, but Eva kept the pin in her palm.
"I will." She said softly.
The two girls sat there together, fingers entwined as Eva spoke again.
"I should have done something – I should have volun – " Maysilee stopped her.
"I would have hated you for it – I'm glad you didn't."
Maysilee was smiling sadly, but Eva couldn't force herself to do the same.
"I-I'm sorry Mays, I've been a terrible friend to you lately – I wish I could go back, I wish I could make it up to you."
Maysilee shook her head; bring her gaze to meet Eva's.
"You've never been a bad friend – and when I needed you the most – look where you were, where you are. You were right by my side – you always were."
The two girls held each other again, one last time as the peacekeeper called Eva out.
Standing up, Eva slowly pulled herself away from her friend.
"I love you Eva!" Maysilee called as the peacekeeper pulled Eva from the room.
Struggling for another second with her friend, Eva touched three fingers to her lips before pointing them out to Maysilee.
"I love you too – I promise – I'll never forget you!"
Eva caught one last look at her friend, standing there alone, her hair loose around her shoulders and her eyes tearstained, wishing for another minute with her.
And then the door slammed shut, leaving Eva standing alone in the hallway.
I hope those of you who have been reading this story like how it's going so far! I had it all planned out, but as I've been going along I've changed a thing or two. Let me know if you guys have any ideas of stories you might like to see me write - I'd love to hear them! Let me know what you all think of this chapter! Thanks!
Also: I welcome constructive critisism. Bring it on if you see something that needs fixing!