A/N: Yeah, I'm back. Turns out that I don't hate what I wrote earlier, just detest it. So, I'll be continuing with this. --
Gale knew that he wasn't in the place or in possession of the skills or the tools needed to tend to her wounds so he decided to get her to Mrs. E as quickly as he could. Decision made, he promised the girl that she would be okay and then hoisted her to his back again.
Gale started walking on the path trampled into existence by the fleeing survivors, taking extra care to make his movements fluid so as to keep the girl comfortable. Soon, the relatively reduced pace and the absence of immediate danger of burning and/or exploding made the effects of adrenaline wear off Gale. He became acutely aware of his aching muscles, dry lungs and his throbbing head, among other notable pains. Judging from the sniffling, the girl's wounds were also introducing themselves to her in earnest.
In order to distract her, Gale started talking. He didn't know her or what had happened to her family so he tried to keep the topics of conversation light and non-invasive. With time, she started asking questions as well. By the time they reached the rest of the survivors, Gale knew that Lily was 7 years old, loved birds, wanted to have a sparrow as a pet (but pigeons were cute too) and that his hair was very pretty and soft.
She reminded him of Posy and he was sure the two of them would click right off the bat.
When they finally did reach the rest of the survivors, there was absolute silence. Gale could only see somber faces and the difficulty of the task before him finally hit Gale. Here were dozens of people (that he could see) who would need food and water. Resources, which were not abundant in the first place.
Gale detected movement in front of him and walked over to it. Mrs E and Prim had set up a makeshift medical centre but there wasn't much they could do without proper supplies. Here were the people who were coughing and retching because of smoke inhalation.
Gale was sure that some of them would be dead by the morning and that nothing could be do done to help them.
Somber, he walked over to Prim and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and quickly moved to take Lily. Lily, however held onto Gale's shirt, unwilling to let him go away.
After reassuring her that she would be safe with Prim and he would be back soon, he walked off to find his family. Someone wordlessly pointed him in their direction and Gale followed their directions after nodding his thanks.
Rory saw him first and Gale saw some of the tension in his shoulders bleed away. He quietly informed Hazelle, who had been holding a sleeping Posy, and Vick, who had been silently staring off into the trees, of his arrival and both of them snapped their neck in his direction. Both of them were visibly relieved.
Hazelle patted the ground next to her and Gale lied down, content to rest for a couple of minutes, reassured with the knowledge of his family's safety.
A/N : I do not exaggerate when I say that reviews are powerful motivators.
