Things are not going well.
An outbreak illness has broken out in Fort Centurion and in the CastleTown, a nasty strain of Yellow Plague. It lasts much longer, has a smaller survival rate, and is able to spread to regions too cold for it to have any business being in.
We quarantined the whole fort, nobody is allowed in or out. There is an important purpose for this; if the Yellow Plague spreads before vaccines can be synthesized than it will decimate the Wild Folk populations and the District populations if it spreads that far.
I have not caught it yet, so I am one of those who has to try and enforce the quarantine. Instead of my regular uniform, I am wearing a white hazmat suit over my Peacekeeper Armor. It is one I recognize; ever hunger games they show a propaganda video and one of the images in it is a peacekeeper in a white hazmat suit walking through a city that was burned to the ground by rebels. By all the accounts I was shown, the rebels in the Dark Days were inexcusably brutal. I do not know what I would do if I were in charge of an uprising, but I like to think I would try to steer it in a direction that minimized the deathtoll of innocents. But I really should not worry about hypotheticals; I doubt any of the problems society has at the moment are going to change within my lifetime, if ever.
Right now I am on my way to visit my friends in the hospital. Many of them have Yellow Plague, but their chances of survival are still good. Given that they are peacekeepers, they will doubtlessly get better medical treatment than the Panem Nationals would get.
On the way to the hospital, I can see that Yellow Fever has taken its toll on the Nationals living in the CastleTown. A man leading an ox-pulled cart full of corpses rings a bell and shouts for anyone who can hear to bring forth their dead. Many of those who are sick but not yet dead are lying or sitting in the streets begging for money or food.
When I finally reach the hospital, I head strait to see my friends who are sick. Gregory and came down with Yellow Plague, but fortunately they told the medic in time so their chances of recovering are greatly increased. Nero was not sick, but he did sprain his leg doing something reckless. Leo is not sick, but he was already here visiting them when I arrived.
"I hope you both feel better soon. It's getting lonely without you here. Well, not fully, cus Peeta is still there, and I still get letters from Conner and from The Major, but I still hope you get better because I miss you too."
Leo then fumbled in his pockets for a few moments before pulling two wooden toys and handing one to each.
"Here you go, these are for you. Gregory, I bought that duck from a peddler and ... and I thought it would cheer you up. Nero, I got you a boat because you said you were from Four."
This made Gregory smile weakly in defiance of his sickness.
"Aye, this is indeed makin' me feel better. Tis a fine present."
Nero also showed his appreciation.
"Thanks. When I'm better I might take you fishing. Would you like that?"
Leo nodded eagerly as an answer.
It was at this point that they noticed me. Nero was the first to comment.
"Heeeeey. Peeta's here."
Leo stepped aside, twiddling his his thumbs absently like he always did.
"Oh, Hi Peeta. I came to visit Nero and Gregory because- cus they weren't feeling good and I wanted to tell them I hoped they felt better."
I smile and pat Leopold Saltz on the shoulder. "That's very kind of you."
My comment makes Leo practically ecstatic.
I next turned to see Gregory and Nero.
"How are you two holding up?"
Gregory answers first. His face was jaundiced, and his eyes were particularly horrific to behold.
"I will be holdin' up. The quack was here a moment ago, tellin' us we should be healthy as horses within the month. Peeta Melark, won't be needin' to lose sleep over this sorry soldier."
Gregory, while still rattled with guilt over his life mistakes, has been making improvements to his emotional well being. It is amazing how being able to talk to someone can help with these things. I myself know this because my nightmares are noticeably less severe whenever I talk to someone about my fears and mistakes.
"What about you Nero?"
Nero, while not looking as bad as Gregory, was still in a bad condition. He had to wear a hazmat mask to prevent him from getting Yellow Fever, and it did not look comfortable.
"This sucks ass Peeta. Promise me you'll never hurt your leg."
"I don't think I can control that."
"Just promise, as a personal favor to me."
"Ok, sure."
I do not know if I can keep this promise, but I will certainly try.
"What about you Gregory, any advice to give Peeta?"
"Aye. Do not get sick."
This made us all start laughing. After we leave, we all feel better from this visit.
It is good to have friends.