Wiress sighed. She collected more gears in her small cart and pushed it down the aisles of Factory Five until she reached her small table near one of the windows. She sat down and began sorting gears into piles organized by degree of damage before making repairs. "Hi, Wiress." She looked up as Max Johnson came over an hour later.
"Hi." Wiress said smiling, but a tear slid down her cheek. "I'm sorry." She stammered. "I - whenever I see you, I think of Terrin and Wendy."
"I know." Max said softly, tears brimming in his eyes as he thought of his little brother. "You've been singing sad songs the last three days." Wiress nodded. "Wendy's strong."
"So is your brother." Max nodded.
"We'll get through this, Wiress." He said. She nodded. "You're doing a really good job on these gears." Wiress nodded her thanks before returning to her work. She finished her shift at lunch and spent the afternoon sitting on the swings in the park thinking about the times she had been there with Wendy and Terrin. As the bells rang in the factories signaling the end of the day, she wiped her eyes on her sleeve and walked home.
"They have their interviews, honey." Mrs. Carpenter said smiling. Wiress nodded.
"I miss Wendy a lot. To the infinity." Wiress said before sobbing as she sat on her mother's lap.
"We all do." Mr. Carpenter said wrapping his arms around both of them. "And I know you both want Wendy to come home."
"I - I - just hope Beetee can bring her home." Wiress said through her tears. She sniffled before wiping her nose with her sleeve. Her mother bit back a comment about using a tissue next time. "I've been telling him that with The Force every day."
"So have we." Mr. Carpenter said gently. "So, shall we see about these interviews?" He flicked on the TV as the Panem National Anthem was playing.
Wiress gasped as Wendy sat down across from Caesar Flickerman. Wendy was wearing a dark purple sleeveless dress that wrapped around and went over one shoulder. "W - Wendy!" Wiress squeaked.
"She looks so beautiful." Mrs. Carpenter whispered.
"That's our Wendy. That's our girl." Mr. Carpenter said, his voice a mix of pride and pain.
"So, Wendy Carpenter, You got a six in training." Caesar said smiling. "Two points away from your mentor who got an eight last year."
"I trained hard for the same reason he did." Wendy said. "So my baby sister Wiress could see me again." She smiled at the camera. "Nerdling, I know you're watching. I love you little sis, and I'll see you soon, ok?"
"Ok." Wiress whispered, her large eyes drinking in Wendy's image on the screen.
"So, Wendy, a few other tributes also have little sisters they would like to return home to see as well. What sets you apart?"
"My little sister can use The Force." Everyone laughed. "And I learned a lot of stuff quickly during training, so I can go in there ready for whatever you all have for me." Wendy said smiling and half-smirking at the Capitol audience. "Finally, I have pretty much the best mentor ever. Beetee, my little Nerdling is counting on you. Work your ingenuity!" The buzzer went off and Wendy smiled and waved before going back to her seat.
"Terrin, you are the youngest tribute this year." Caesar said smiling. Terrin nodded. "And you got a four in training."
"Yeah. I didn't drop anything on my foot." Terrin quipped thinking about the burly kid from Four who dropped a mace on his foot during his private training session. He glanced sidelong at the boy who had an orthopedic boot on his left foot and was looking quite grouchy. The crowd laughed.
"What would you say your strength is, Terrin?"
"I have a goal and I focus on it." Terrin answered smiling, a far away look in his eyes.
"Are you thinking about coming home to a special little someone?" Caesar asked. "Because you can't be too young for love." Terrin blushed as the crowd let out a collective sigh of 'aaaw.'
"My -" Terrin gulped. "My large eyed beautiful friend. Wiress. I love you, Wiress." Terrin said before the buzzer went off.
"And once again, this mysterious little girl is the rallying point once again for District Three tributes." Caesar commented. "Maybe we will see her one day in the Capitol. Who knows, now let's go to the District on the Sea - District Four!"
"Wendy -" Wiress whispered tearing up.
"Wiress, honey, you bring so much hope to Wendy and Terrin." Mrs. Carpenter whispered holding Wiress close. "Never forget that."
"I won't, Mommy. I just want them home."
"Honey, I know." Mr. Carpenter said. "You know what, squirt?" Wiress locked her large eyes onto him. "I know whatever happens, they will do their best." Wiress nodded. "Want to stay with us tonight?" Wiress nodded before he picked her up and carried her down the hallway.
"Daddy?" Wiress asked as she snuggled against her mother. "Could you get Wendy's blanket?" Mrs. Carpenter smiled sadly at her husband.
"Sure." Mr. Carpenter said. He opened the door to the girls' room and looked at Wendy's empty bed. Blinking back tears, he pulled her blanket off and took it into the master bedroom before tucking it around Wiress. He and his wife rubbed the blanket and linked hands over Wiress' sleeping form. As they fell asleep, all three Carpenters wished with all their might that one day, they could hold Wendy in their arms once more.