Oswine Nanshope,12, Victor of the 81st hunger games
I can hear seagulls crying above me as a cool breeze blows over me along with a hint of sunlight flashing over me. I can feel myself let out a yawn as I can hear waves of water colliding into each and the seagulls cries get louder. I let out another yawn and my eyes slowly open to see I'm on a sunny beach. I look around in awe as everything looks so bright, so pure, but I think I'm the only person here…
"Hey Oswine, you're finally up I see!" I hear a familiar voice and I spin around to see Xavi sitting next to me with a warm smile on his face.
"Xavi? W-what are you doing here? Where am i?" I sputter.
"I think only you can answer that Oswine, we're wherever you want us to be!" He smiles but I'm still so confused, just what is going on?
"Xavi i…I won." I inform him and he does a nod while patting me on the shoulder.
"Yes Oswine, it appears you did win, I'm beyond proud of you. If it wasn't me, then I would've wanted it to be you and I'm glad that was the case." He admits.
"I…I wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for you though Xavi…it's all thanks to you!" I thank him but he only blushes a little and laughs.
"I don't deserve all of the credit, we both did well, especially you Oswine. You kept fighting…you believed in yourself and that is the reason why you're still alive!" He smiles but I hold my head down for a moment.
"Xavi…I should've came back, I should've came back for you. I could've saved you from Barbel…" I lament but Xavi only shakes his head.
"No Oswine, I'm glad you didn't come back. That was my fight and I didn't want you being apart of that. But Oswine, I don't want you to carry the weight of that on yourself. Wondering if you could've done things differently to change the outcome of whatever happened, that's not the way I want you to live." He tells me and I feel my eyes begin to water.
"You're the victor Oswine…feeling horrible, having regrets, It's a normal feeling. It shows just how big your heart is, but just try to find some peace as well Oswine. Try and remember those who love you, remember that you'll get to be with them, that you'll be able to start a new life. Believe that Oswine…and it'll make things a little easier." He smiles and I nod as some tears roll down my face.
"He's right Oswine…" I hear a female's voice next to me and I turn around to see it's Victoria.
"Victoria…" I mumble.
"Believing all of that…it will make things easier and the people you care for, the people that care for you, they'll always be there to pull you out of the darkness, remember that ok Oswine?" She wipes my eyes while smiling.
"Y-yes..i will…I promise." I assure them and she nods before looking over at Xavi.
"Well Xavi, the water is looking nice and cool, let's go for a long swim!" she extends her hand to him.
"Phew yeah, don't have to tell me twice!" He laughs and grabs her hand as he pulls himself up.
"Oswine…you will find peace, it'll always hurt, but it'll get better, remember that!" He smiles and gives me a thumbs up and I nod as tears continue streaming down my eyes and they both begin walking towards the water but I want to go with them!
"Wait! I want to go too!" I blurt out and begin running towards them but Victoria stops, catches me in her arms and embraces me.
"No Oswine…not yet. You still have so much left to do, so much more to accomplish. Someday you will be able to swim away with us, but that time isn't now." She tells me and I only stand still and nod, wiping my eyes.
"We'll see each other again Oswine…but keep your loved ones close. With all of you together, even the darkest of darkness won't be able to wilt you!" He gives me a thumbs up and they both walk into the beautiful clean body of water and begin swimming away until a light in the far distance envelops them and I look up at the bright sun. Xavi and Victoria…I'll make the two of you even more proud.
"Oswine…" I hear a voice and my eyes shoot open to see I'm on an aircraft with Charlotte standing over me smiling.
"You had a good sleep it appears, we're home now though, and everyone's waiting." She tells me as the aircraft begins landing on the ground and I can already see so many people from my district standing outside awaiting my arrival, but I don't see my parents…
The aircraft lands on the ground and Charlotte helps me unbuckle my seatbelt.
"Home sweet home, will never forget that smell!" Bretson laughs as he sips his coffee and Charlotte laughs.
"You ready Oswine?" she helps me up and I nod.
"Well then let's not keep your family waiting any longer." Bretson states, opens the door and an uproar of cheers pour out to welcome my arrival and I'm not really sure how to greet them, it's so many people here…I just want my parents to take me away.
"Kiddo! kiddo oh god!" I hear my father and I see him running towards me with tears pouring down his face.
"Dad!" I shout and also run towards him and I run into his arms where he picks me up and embraces me tightly while spinning around.
"My boy, my boy!" he continues crying and I hug him tightly, dad…I'm just so happy to see him. He keeps me up in the air for a while longer, hugging me tightly and crying but he puts me down and kisses me on top of the head and I see my mom standing nearby and she has a guilty expression on her face as tears come down her eyes. I still remember the awful things she said to me and I said before that I might not be able to forgive her…but I'd like to try.
I walk over to my mom and hug her and she clutches me tightly crying and apologizing and the three of us envelop each other in a group hug as we embrace each other for a while but my mom gently grabs my hand and lays it on her stomach and my eyes widen in shock, what, is she…
I look at her stomach and then look back up at her to see she's both smiling and crying
"You're going to be a big brother soon Oswine!" My father sniffs and I smile before hugging my mother again. Xavi and Victoria, you told me to find peace and I've found it. You told me that no darkness can wilt me as long as I'm around the one's precious to me and…you were right!
Bam! Two chapters in one day! This brings us to the end of madness begins and it is now officially over! This is a very emotional experience for me, finishing my very first syot and i loved all of these tributes like they were my family, even the unlikable ones. Guys I've said it so many times already but thank you so much for staying and experiencing this journey with me! It isn't over yet but the first chapter is over and i can now get things started with chapter 2! I'm very excited with the tributes I've recieved thus far and i just can't wait for you all to meet them! Anyways i don't want to ramble on too long. This story is now finished and i can finally put a stamp on it! See you guys in the sequel!
