Chapter Thirty Four: Homecoming
March 25th 2141.
I spot Clancy causally standing around the tree we always socialize around.
I wouldn't have expected him to be out here at our special tree . . .I break into a sprint up the hill, breathing heavily as I flash a smile his way.
" . . . H-Hey Clan-Clancy!"
He says nothing, but continues to gaze toward the mountains in the near distance. A cool breeze washes over us like a smothering blanket, allowing us to stand in silence as take it all in.
"Clancy?" my voice is more sincere. His light brown eyes pierce my grey ones, seemingly in thought about something. My heart races in anticipation, only to dissipate as he sinks against the trunk.
"Hey." he replies curtly. I'm used to the cold shoulder from him . . . Our relationship is an awkward one, always has been. I could just cut off all ties to him and give him the icy shoulder, but I don't. Why?; Because I'm better than that.
"You alright Clancy?" I beam, smilingly brightly as he frowns. It takes a minute for him to shake his head 'no' as I frown and let out a low mew. I take a seat beside him, pushing my knees inward toward my stomach watching as the clouds go by.
It had been a week or two since Clancy's father had died during the treasury building robbery. Like anyone who loses a loved one, a father more or less, they would be just as down as he was. When school lets out he heads straight home, when you speak with him he averts eye contact. If I had my druthers I'd make sure he were the happiest boy in Eleven.
A handful of minutes blow by until Clancy clears his throat.
" . . . Can you sing?" Clancy murmurs.
I glance towards him. "What?" anxiousness seeps though my voice.
"You have a mighty fine singing voice while you till the fields and I was wondering . . . if you could." he quivers, keeping his eyes on mine as another calm breeze envelopes us.
"Anything for a friend Clancy." I blush glazing upwards towards the clouds.
Nobody knows the trouble that I've seen
Nobody knows my sorrow
Nobody knows the trouble that I've seen
Gloryhallelujah
If you got there before
I do, oh yes Lord
Tell all my friends, I'm
Coming too, oh yes Lord
Nobody knows the trouble that I've seen
Nobody knows my sorrow
Nobody knows the trouble that I've seen
Gloryhallelujah!
As I finish the mockingjays closest to us carry the tune for minutes on end, seemingly enjoying this newly found melody. He jumps as I lay my head on his shoulder, entwining his right hand in mine. This is the part where he usually shoves me off, hating physical contact. Instead he returns the gesture by holding my hand back, heaving as I nuzzle against his shoulder. As the mockingjays wrap up the melody, we continue to watch the sky and the clouds that pass by.
"It'll get better Clancy. I promise."
July 5th 2141
I'm interrupted out of my daydream by a gentle, motherly back pat.
"Thinking about him again?"
" . . . Yeah. There should have been more between us y'know . . . there could have been more."
I shift around to meet the saddened gaze of Persephone, my mentor, who continues to rub my back. If she didn't have my back since day one, I don't know if I would've made it here today.
She makes an apologetic noise. "Emery, I feel for you but you can't dwell on this forever. Not only should you live for yourself, but for him as well because he wanted this."
I turn my attention back to the scenery outside the observation window, allowing her words to sink in. He did say I was his priority since day one, and now that his promise was saw through I can't help but feel indebted . . . Its the best thing I can do for him as of now. Live life the way he would want me to, tell Dew about his role in my Games and how because of him, I continue to breathe.
I can't help but remember all the awkward moments we shared . . . our sheepishness towards each other . . . our first kiss . . .
"How did you feel after you won?" I muse shyly, feeling her eyes trained on me.
She lets out a sigh. "Near about the same way you must feel lamb. Guilt . . . confusion . . . a giant mixture of a whole bunch of other emotions . . . God knows you must be wracking your brain with so many questions, especially with a girl your age."
I nod in understanding, prompting her to kiss my forehead and rub my shoulder. "Stay strong Emery. With your history making accolade and performance in the arena . . . we've only just begun. You can't crash now."
I take a quick glance at her, then avert my eyes to the colourful tokens of my fallen allies. They wouldn't want me to check out so early.
We're interrupted by a chime, along with a feminine voice announcing that we'll be in District Eleven within the hour. As the feminine voice finishes Penelope walks in.
Instead of her usual red uniform she now wears a deep blue blouse and a black skirt. Devoid of her white make up, her peach skin and brown eyes glow with a new found sense of freedom. Her once awfully lonesome and skittish aura is no longer. She now looks like any other normal teenage girl you'd see in a District.
My team along with Caesar and the crowd were shocked when I had said that I was buying Penelope as my own housekeeper. When I said I'd take her back with me, I meant it. She knows her way around infant care so she'll be awfully great at taking care of Mama and the baby.
As I gaze out the observation window we begin to approach wide open spaces littered with barbed wire, hedgehog obstacles and military humvees. Beyond the field, is a thirty foot wall that's almost impossible to bypass.
I never thought I'd miss them as much as I do now . . .
Penelope proceeds to guide me towards my prep team, who in turn offer me a yellow sundress along with a daisy clad wide brimmed hat.
As I finish getting dressed, I begin to head towards the main exit only to turn around and meet my stylists. The young adults look on with small smiles, their eyes glisten with pride.
I let out a small sigh, unhappy that I won't be seeing them for a little while or so. "Kevin . . . Stella . . . Stacy, thank you so much for everything."
They pull me in for an unexpected group hug, which I return with equal amount of force.
"Thank youEmery, for your extravagant courage!" Stella coos, just as Minnie and my mentors waltz in.
"Come along, Come along! The public awaits youEmery." Minnie's beams as her eyes brighten to a light blue, quickly assembling us into a single file line, Persephone and Vincent first.
The light cheering from outside could be heard just as well in here. Hearing it makes my heart and stomach grow warm with anxiety, prompting me to stretch a little as Minnie places a gentle hand on my shoulder in what is meant to be assurance.
"Are you ready?" She smiles brightly as I gulp, nodding once.
"Ready as I'll ever be . . ." I say.
As the main doors to the train open, the crowd's roars of joy wash over me like a smothering blanket.
While Minnie and my mentors stand off on my right hand side, cameras flash my way as I take in the hyper crowd of thousands in front of me. Farmhands toss their caps into the air as people joyfully clap and cheer my name, most noticeable being Julian and Lily along with their respectful folk, who send a thumbs up my way.
My smile turns into a frown as my eyes meet with Mrs. Carmichael's, who holds three year old Dew in her arms and is held steady by Elm, who smiles towards me. Mrs. Carmichael smiles weakly, but just by looking at her the smile appears like its going to spiral into a deep frown. I pick up my smile, only for her to nod firmly.
Just beside my family friends stands my own. Sage and Magnolia wear thin smiles while Mama stares at me with longing eyes. Daddy also has a thin smile across his lips with Rose sitting on his shoulder, with a beam as wide as the sun . . .
It all starts out with my casually walking off the platform and striding towards them. Halfway throughout the stride I break into a sprint, crashing into Mama's waist. I let out every single tear welled up within me since day one when my name was first drawn to the end when my face was sloshed with Spinel's blood.
"Mama! . . ."I croak under a sob, "I'm sorry-"
"Don't you worry sugar, you done did exactly what Mama told you to. I ain't gonna never stop loving you."
We both equally grip each other tight with no indication of letting go. Mama then releases me only for Sage and Rose to latch onto my waist, Rose's darkened hair nuzzles against my face as she and Sage bawl and murmur their thankfulness of me coming back safely.
"I missed you Emmy! Don't leave me ever again." Rose murmurs into my dress as Magnolia joins the hug, linking her arms with my neck as we begin to teeter left to right in our haphazard embrace.
"I missed you." she sniffles.
"I missed you more." I reply with a soft smile.
I turn towards Daddy, who kneels down to my level and wraps me in a tight embrace. Using a thumb, he wipes a stray tear away from my cheek and places both his hands on my shoulders.
"You gone done good baby girl. You're safe now; you ain't got nothing to worry 'bout."
I grip him tight, resting my head on his shoulders.
"I sure hope so Daddy . . ."
After a brief interaction with some supporters, a speech by Mayor Fleming along with photo's with my team alongside him, I say goodbye to Minnie and proceed to be driven towards VictorsVillage by Commander Ponder. As I look out the window marvelling at the much better conditioned government homes, I can't help but wonder at all the good I've done the District. Folks get fed, Mama has a midwife, Sage, Rose, and Magnolia no longer have'ta lift a pinkie or file another slip of tessarae ever again.
"Miss Smithsonian, we've arrived."
As the Commander opens my side of the door, me along with my family watch on with widened eyes as we gaze up on the golden gates of Victor's Village. I'm greeted by the press here too, along with Mr. Chaff and Ms. Seeder. As Seeder embraces me and makes pleasantries with Mama, Chaff lets out a hearty chuckle and grips my hand as he shakes roughly, welcoming me to "the club.". I plaster a modest smile on my face as two armed Peacekeepers open the gates and beckon us to walk through.
Eleven's Victor's Village is truly more diverse than most other Districts. The Houses are spread far apart, connected with cobble pathways and vibrant gardens adorned with birdbaths. The soothing sound of mockingjays humming sweet, wholesome melodies could be heard as the Press took their photos to often which they would comment on Magnolia and how we resemble one another so closely.
Magnolia points outward, her face lit with excitement. "Well gall-lee . . . would you look at that!"
Looking from off the ground towards the direction of her finger, I lay my eyes on what is supposedly new home. Painted in a vibrant white with deep green shutters, my new home appeared to be two floors when it can easily pass as three. The lower level is centered by grand steps and vibrant hedges, while two wooden benches flank the main doorway as they do the second level balcony. Its almost as extravagant as Minnie's mansion (and when I mean almost I mean just below par.).
It's perfect, perfectin everydetail . . . My eyes can't help but well up in tears at the sight of our new home. Without the help of Evan, Izzy and Clancy, this would never be.
"Ms. Smithsonian?"
I glance over to the right to see Mayor Fleming standing just by the steps towards the mansion, with a golden key in hand. I receive a soothing back rub from my mother, urging me to move forward along with just as assuring smiles from the rest of my kinfolk and the Victors.
Slowly striding forward I kindly accept the key from the Mayor, moving up the long steps and towards the green door, tinted with glass implants of various leaves. "Emery Smithsonian: Victor of the 67th Annual Hunger Games"was inscribed in a golden plaque just beside said door.
Quickly glancing back at my family and the reporters, I slowly unlock the door and move inwards. Immediately I'm engulfed in a cool breeze as my eyes dart across my new home. Everything screamedlavish from head to toe.
Magnolia's head turns in every direction. "And I thought the outside was too much to handle . . ."
"I wonder what else's in here!" beams Rose.
"Well, let's find out." I lightly squeeze her shoulder as we dart off to inspect our new environment.
The family room was large and filled with appliances and knickknacks, with the grand piano being the highlight of it all. The kitchen was decked out with fancy tables and cooking appliances, the fridge was stocked full with foods in which I've never heard of.
"So much foooooooooooooooood . . ." Sage and Rose gawk at the hulking grey structure that is, just a regular refrigerator.
The bedrooms were also shocking. Spacious and free, their large beds were softer than the clouds themselves. To top it all off, the attic contained an art studio filled with different equipment ready to use at will.
We begin our descent down the grand stairway, prompting Mama to turn my way. A warm smile spreads across her lips as she rubs my back, hugging me in a possessive embrace.
"Can't you believe it Mama?" I beam, watching as Mama struggles to find words.
She smiles brightly, nodding her head slightly. "I'm still trying to wrap my head 'round all this. My little Emery, a Victor. I'd never thought..." she pauses, nodding towards the direction of the private study.
"Who's that sugar . . .?"
On cue, we turn our heads towards Penelope who quietly fiddles with a number of books. She reminds me of Clancy, he'd always linger in the background as if he wasn't wanted. I quickly take Penelope by the hand and place her in front of Mama as she rubs her right shoulder shyly.
"Mama, this is Penelope. She has nursing expertise so she can help you with the baby." I explain with a smile.
Penelope smiles faintly, curtsying politely as Mama smiles, making a sound of sympathy with her mouth.
"So this is the girl you said you was gonna bring along with you . . . she's so young. If anything, she's a daughter of mine regardless!"
Mama pulls her into a gentle hug, to which Penelope happily embraces. As Mama's back is turned away from us, Penelope casts me a quick wink to which I return with a soft smile.
At least some good came out of my victory.
It brought a whole heap of peace to my heart as everyone including my family and the rest of the victors, all settled down having a quaint supper. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Chatting away about anything there was to talking . . . except Penelope of course for obvious reasons and myself, who continues constantly boggle my mind about my continuation of living. I don't deserve this . . . any of it. I'm constantly brought back to the real world by Mama, who gently envelopes her hand in mine.
So, after what will go on record as the best meal I've ever eaten in my entire twelve years of life, Mama and the rest of my Kinfolk had to leave, for we still had a residence halfway across town. Having said goodbye and my rib cage constricted, my kinfolk leave, followed by the other Victors.
"How d'ya like your new digs kid?" muses Vincent, "Must be awfully shocking.".
I nod. "It's all so strange . . ." I murmur, fiddling with a empty picture frame. It's as if everything was catered to me . . .
"You'll get used to it, its all a little overwhelming at first." coos Persephone.
I shrug, "I guess." I murmur, earning a soft squeeze to the shoulder.
"Vincent is right across the street, as I'm just a ways beside you if you need anything."
With a ruffle of my hair from Vincent and a hug from Persephone, I was left with Penelope.
Even now, in the middle of the night as Penelope rushes to my bedside calming me while I shriek from dreams that won't ever be stopping soon, I desperately yearn for my kinfolk again.
HI! :P, for those of you who care, I'm sorry for being away :(! Y'know, skool has us working 24/7. I hope you can forgive me!
Up next; the victory tour , then a chapter focusing on Izzy and Evan's districts :P, then an epilogue. I'm not sure how I'll go about doing the other districts...well, I'll see when I get there :P.