Here it is, the sequel for Survivor. Follow the story if you like it and leave reviews if you have something to say.
Heather didn't like school.
It's not that she didn't like to learn but she didn't like the things they were taught about. Aside from geology and English, all the other classes sucked.
It had been a year since Rust died and things have never felt so… bland. It wasn't like life wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either. Heather would wake up, go to school, walk with Katniss to the Seam, assist her dad with his work or do her chores and then go back to sleep.
During lunches, she would sit next to Miche while he chatted with his friends. She didn't mind that since she didn't sit with him to converse. Heather just wanted to enjoy his company, that's all. Of course, the only downfall she had to face was that people expected her to talk even though she didn't want to.
Heather wanted nothing more than to glare at them and tell them to shut up. Sadly, she couldn't do so since her father's voice would always come up in her head during moments like these. So, she'd decline politely and go back to her food.
Another thing that bothered her about school was the way people would look at her. Whether it was because of Rust or her hair, Heather always stood out. It really annoyed her, she tried to pretend that it didn't but it always did. Her hair wasn't that different, it was the lightest shades of red that it came close to being similar to the colour peach. Under the sunlight, it would also turn into a golden shade of blond. But of course, nobody noticed.
Normally after school, she'd walk with Katniss home. She and the little girl have gotten so close this past year, developing the perfect sister relationship. Some days they would talk, other times though they'd be quietly holding hands, humming melodies together.
Afterwards, she'd either go home and do all her chores or go help her father with his work. However, the latter only happened when both Aeson and Blaze were busy to help him. Still, her father always made sure to reserve one day of the week to spend time with her. Luckily for her, today was that one day where she was going to accompany him.
When school was over for the day, Heather thanked the stars above, waved goodbye at Miche then immediately got out. She waited outside near the area where eight-year-olds kids would come out soon for Katniss.
Skipping out the door, Katniss instantly spotted Heather and didn't hesitate to jump on her.
The older girl didn't appreciate the gesture as she nearly fell down but managed not to. Still, Heather couldn't bring herself to scowl at her. So, she just rolled her eyes and tried to hide the small smile that formed on her lips. She handed her hand over for the younger girl and when she took it, they started their journey to Katniss' home.
"Hey, Heather? Can you help me study for my history test?" Katniss asked out of nowhere.
"Sure. how about tomorrow?" Heather responded. It wasn't abnormal for Katniss to ask for help that concerned her school work. After all, she wanted to become a teacher.
In District 12, to work in a school, a person had to achieve high marks throughout their whole school career. Most of the current teachers used to be from the Seam and they were all in their thirties or late twenties. So far, Katniss was doing great on achieving that goal. Heather could only hope that Katniss keeps this up by remembering her dream. Thankfully, for now, Katniss didn't need any reminders.
After hugging the little girl goodbye, Heather went on to search for her dad. Heather only moved ten steps away from Everdeen's residence before someone was calling for her. Gary Duskville was gasping for air as he came to stand up in front of her.
Heather didn't say anything as the boy was still trying to catch his breath but it was starting to feel awkward just standing there without doing anything. Finally, after Gary could breathe properly, she started posing her questions, "Is everything okay? What do you need my help with?"
"My m-mom! She's having the baby right now!" He exclaimed in panic.
Now Heather was alarmed. It was no surprise for her as Mrs. Duskville was supposed to be due anytime around now. "How long had she been in labour?"
"I don't know, I just came back home," Gary answered.
"Okay, I'm going to go look after her. Meanwhile, I want you to search for my dad and if you couldn't find him, get my brother."
Heather didn't waste time by waiting for a response from Gary as she immediately raced over to the Duskville residence.
The cries of Dana Duskville reached her ears before she even reached the door. This caused her to become more nervous as this was the first time she was helping a woman give birth without her father. To be honest, Heather probably had seen more babies being born than her brother. It was most likely because of the fact that she can look straight into a woman's vagina without feeling uncomfortable. The first time Aeson saw a woman give birth he fainted.
Rather than opening the door immediately, Heather just placed her hand on the doorknob and took slow deep breaths. She had to remain calm. Even though this was not the first baby Mrs. Duskville was delivering, she would still seek out Heather for reassurance. After calming herself down, Heather entered the house.
"Mrs. Duskville?!" Heather called out for the woman.
Rina Duskville, Gary's little sister, came running down the stairs as soon as she could. She was no older than four years old, the same age as Prim, and she had the traditional Seam look with her olive skin, grey eyes, and dark hair. There were already tears falling down her face as the young girl went to hug Heather's legs.
"Hey, sweetie," Heather cooed at her. "Don't be scared. Your mommy is not hurt."
"Then, wa-why is s-she in pain?" Rina burst out in confusion and fear.
"It's nothing to worry about, Rina. It's normal," Heather hugged the girl. "Come, let's go take care of your mommy."
Sniffing, Rina nodded her head then Heather took her hand. They filled a bowl with warm water for when the baby is born, a pair of scissors and brought a cloth as well. Heather already had a clamp with her which was something she was thankful for because they couldn't find one in the house.
Mrs. Duskville's whimpers of pain became more clear when they neared her room. Heather knocked on the door before entering it with Rina trailing behind her. Mrs. Duskville was laying down in her bed with her face drenched in sweat and her legs spread open.
"Heather," Mrs. Duskville said her name. "W-what are you doing here? I asked for YOUR FATHER!"
Heather could see that Rina was about to cry again as her mother screamed in pain due to the contractions she was having. Quickly, she told her to go play in her room. Rina looked at her mother for permission and the older woman nodded in approval, she got out.
"Gary ran into me while he was looking for Dad and he asked me to take care of you," Heather informed her while she put her stuff down. "Did you take off your underwear already?"
Mrs. Duskville nodded her head and started to take deep breaths to relax. Heather wiped the sweat off her forehead using the cloth and fluffed her pillows to comfort her. There wasn't anything else to do besides waiting for the contractions to be done. She wanted to check Mrs. Duskville's cervix to see if the contractions were going to be done soon but she couldn't do so without gloves. Since her husband was in the mines, Heather offered the woman her hand to squeeze whenever a contraction came up.
After some time and still no Gary with her dad, Heather wanted to go outside to see if they were coming anytime soon. However, before she could move away from the bed, a hand shot up and grabbed her.
"H-heather, I th-think that b-baby is coming," Mrs. Duskville told her as she began to pant heavily. With wide eyes, Heather immediately lifted the skirt that covered the woman's lower part and saw that Mrs. Duskville was, indeed, correct.
Heather could feel her heart beating against her rib cage as the realization hit her. She tried to calm down by recalling the steps her father would normally have done by now. It mostly didn't work but she tried her best to brush off her nerves as she went on to grab items she needed.
"Okay," she said to herself before turning to the bed. "I know this is not how you planned it, but now, you and I are going to be a team."
Mrs. Duskville looked a bit nervous before nodding her head in agreement. Heather knew how hard it was for her to accept that fact. If she were in her place, she also won't want a thirteen-year old to help deliver her baby. No matter how smart and responsible she was.
She could see her hands trembling when she picked the scissors and the cloth. She tried her best to stop but her body continued to disobey her. Mrs. Duskville already pushed herself to the edge of the bed and was in a semi-sitting position with her legs separated. Heather was just glad her first time was with an experienced woman.
With a cloth in her lap, Heather sat on a stoll between Mrs. Duskville's legs. "Alright, Mrs. D, you start pushing on three. One, two, three!"
The older woman's face turned into a deep color of red as she started pushing. When she stopped, Heather could see how tired she was, "You don't have to push yourself that much. We can take a little break before we start again."
However, Mrs. Duskville refused to do so and wanted to be done with this as quickly as possible. Heather was impressed that she could still have the strength to push as hard as she does, which is saying a lot for someone her age. Throughout the whole time she was pushing, Heather was cheering her up.
"You can do this, Mrs. D! I believe in you and- oh my god! It's the head! I CAN SEE THE HEAD!" Heather yelled out in shock and joy as she the little baby's head sprout out of Mrs. Duskville's vagina.
Encouraged by this newfound information, Mrs. Duskville began to push harder than before. As the head fully emerged out, Heather covered her hands with the cloth then laid one of her hands under the baby's head. Just when the new born baby started to cry, the door was slammed open to reveal that her father and Gary arrived. Still, Heather didn't turn around as she focused on the baby.
Finally, with a last push, the fetus was out and Heather didn't hesitate to clamp the cord then cut it. Mrs. Duskville hit the bed, panting after going through so much work.
She did it. She actually did it. Heather helped deliver a baby. She looked down at the baby girl in her arms. A healthy baby girl.
With the baby still in her arms, Heather turned around to look at her father's awestruck face with his blonde hair that was nearly grey and messy mustache. She gave him a wide grin then went on to greet him.
"Hey Daddy."