Chapter Two


The men had just left. They'd spent several hours fixing his roof and fitting new windows. The door that led into his house had been replaced, but his bedroom door still wouldn't shut right. However, he had been entranced by the rope that the men bought with them and insisted they needn't fix his door today.

He quickly found his wallet and headed out, intending to by a length of rope. There was currently only one general store in town. What the men had called The Hob no longer existed since it had been bombed-there was no need for it now that they weren't under the Peacekeeper's watch. He figured he ought to buy some new clothes as well; his only pair were getting pretty dirty now.

"Welcome," called a middle aged man from the counter. "Can I help you find anything?"

"Rope," he replied.

The shopkeeper nodded, heading over to help him. "You new in town?" the man asked him, leading them towards the back of the store.

"Yes. I just arrived," he responded.

"Well, name's Keand. From District 13 originally, but damn grateful to be out of there," he went on. "What's your name?"

"Caspian," he responded, more quickly this time. The name wasn't his own, but he was slowly warming to it.

"Fine name. Ah, here we are. We've got all sizes, you take your pick and let me know if you need anything else," Keand told him before heading back to help a customer that just arrived.

"Caspian," he mumbled to himself. "My name is Caspian." He reached out and touched a length of rope and felt a wave of calm hit him. Why did he like rope so much anyway? He grabbed the one he was holding, then on a rather strong whim, grabbed a few bundles of thinner rope. These things were familiar and he wanted them.

He went back to the counter where Keand was sitting, reading a book. "All ready?" he asked, reaching for the rope that Caspian held out to him. He wrote out a receipt and Caspian handed him some bills. "Thank you. Come back again soon," Keand told him on the way out.

Rope in his hands, Caspian felt much better. Happier. He headed to the tailor shop further down, startled when a bell rattled as he opened the door. "Just a moment!" came a yell from the back. Soon a young girl came to greet him. "What can I do you for?"

"Um..." Caspian hesitated. She seemed rather young to be the one in charge. "Well, new clothes. These are my only pair."

She scrutinized him for a moment. "Just some everyday clothes then? Nothing fancy?"

"Everyday clothes," he agreed. Just how old was she anyway? Ten? Twelve?

"Right then," she agreed, taking a tape measure from her apron. She grabbed a stool from nearby and stood on it as she took his measurements on top. Hopping down she proceeded with the other measurements, and he had to admit that she did seem confident in her work. "My mum was the seamstress," she told him. "But she died when they bombed the place. So I took over. Dad died when I was young."

"I'm sorry," he told her.

She shrugged. "You're new here, right. You didn't know." She straightened. "Anyway, I've got to make a living or else I'll end up in the orphanage. That's the last place I'll ever go, believe me."

"I have amnesia," he confessed.

She paused, glancing up at him. "That sucks."

He half smiled. "When can I come pick up my clothes?"

"Three days. I've got a few orders before you," she explained. "You can pay when you get them. What's your name?"

"Caspian."

She jotted some notes down on a notepad she fished from her aprons pocket. "Alright Caspian, I'll see you in three days."

Caspian went home after that. He wanted to figure out his fascination with rope. He nearly ran home in his excitement, but managed to maintain his cool until he got through his front door. He plopped himself on the couch, his fingers already working on the thicker rope. His fingers moved of their own accord, expertly tying the rope into a complicated looking knot. It was easy for him to see where to pull to make it fall loose. His new hand seemed to respond well, though he made many mistakes along the way.

After an hour of this he turned his attention to the thinner lengths of rope. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do with them, but his former self seemed to know instinctively what to do. His hands moved deftly over the rope, twisting, turning, knotting, until he had created a finely crafted net. He had to redo some sections of it over because his hand seemed to disagree with what he wanted it to do, but he persevered. It was finished before he knew it, and he stood up, holding the end between his outstretched arms to inspect his handiwork.

He walked to his bedroom to where a hook in the wall jutted out. He looped one end of his net over it and looked for another one. Finding none in his room he walked about his house until he found another hook by the front door, where the old owners must have hung coats. He unscrewed the hook from the wall and brought it back to the bedroom, knocking on the wall until he found a stud. He carefully screwed it back into the wall, pulling on it to make sure it stuck. Once he was satisfied, he picked up the other end of his net and slung it over the hook.

A hammock. A bed.


Dinner he ate from a woman called Greasy Sae. He took it this was the same one that brought Katniss her food every day. He mostly kept to himself, though others insisted on engaging him in conversation. He learned a bit more about the town and some possible job opportunities. They were going to reopen the mines and prepare for the medicine factory. There was much excitement about the latter; apparently the mines weren't the safest place.

For now, though, he could help with the reconstruction of the place, being paid a small stipend in addition to his free house. It was as good a deal as he would get, he figured, and so Caspian agreed to work. When more opportunities arrived later, maybe then he would try his hand at something else.

Some of the others went back to their families, others went to the town square to socialize, but Caspian went home instead. Tomorrow, after work, he would explore the town more, the surrounding forest, and buy some more things for the house. But tonight he wanted to think, to try and remember his past life. Upon arriving home, he grabbed the metal tin that contained his scar cream and applied it to his face. He'd long gotten used to the tingle of it, and it was even pleasant now, lying in his hammock, feeling the sensation across his face.

He thought about the woman Hazelle had mentioned earlier. Katniss. He remembered her vaguely. He remembered the desperate, haunted look in her eyes. They had spent a lot of time together. Helped each other, healed each other. The more he thought about her, the more sure he became of her. Katniss must be the brown haired woman he had in his memory. He could remember hours spent together, sometimes talking, sometimes not. And he remembered hand holding, and a gentle kiss to the cheek she had given him. Her wiping tears from his eyes, and tugging at knots he had made.

Sighing he turned to his side, curling up to himself. He wanted to meet her, to talk to her and figure this all out. He touched his face, still a mess after all this time. Would she even recognize him? It was a lot to think about, and he was tired. Finally feeling at home on his hammock, he drifted off to sleep.


Work was a bit laborious. Caspian somehow remembered being stronger, more lithe than this. Of course, he'd had little exercise for months now, and his bionic hand and leg made things harder for him. The others took note and were patient with him when he dropped nails or had a hard time holding things steady. They didn't bother asking him what happened, they all just assumed he had been hurt in the war. It was odd, he thought, that no one around seemed to care about where the others had come from. People were always helped, never questioned. The sense of community was overwhelming.

Toward the end of the day, he saw Hazelle struggling to carry some groceries home, and he hastened to meet her.

"Hello Hazelle," he greeted. "Let me help you."

She handed him the groceries. "Thank you," she sighed in relief. "My eldest used to be the one to help, but now he's off doing who knows what. Did you just finish work?"

"Yes. I was with the group rebuilding the school. We're hoping to get it finished by the end of next month."

"That'll be good. Get these kids out of my hair for a little while. Are you settling in okay?" she asked him, leading her towards his house. They made some small talk as they walked, until Caspian told her of his observations. "Well, most of us know each other," she told him. "And we're all looking to start over. It's important to remember, but there's no use in reopening fresh wounds." He nodded in agreement. "So, would you like to join us for dinner?"

"Oh," he said, surprised. "Well I don't want to impose." He shifted nervously.

"Nonsense," she said, ushering him in. "It will be nice to have someone over. And it will also be nice to have someone help me chop these things."

He helped her to the kitchen where she put away the groceries she didn't need and rinsed off the vegetables for dinner. He chopped some carrots while she did potatoes. "Are you from the Capitol?" she asked him suddenly.

He laughed lightly. "What happened to not opening wounds?"

She smiled, shrugging. "Doesn't mean we aren't curious. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"No it's okay. Honestly, I don't remember. My nurse, Trinia, said I have amnesia. So I don't know how I got all these wounds or lost my appendages." He frowned. "I have no clue who I am. Caspian isn't even my real name, I don't think. It doesn't seem like it is anyway. We just had to pick a name because up until then I was 'Patient 2756'."

"So why did you come here?" she inquired.

"Well, Trinia told me that District 12 was completely rebuilding since it had been bombed. I figured it was as good a place as any to start my life again, seeing as I would be starting from scratch too."

"Well, we're glad to have you. Not many people want to come back here when they have the option of moving to the other, wealthier Districts." She put her potato in a skillet with butter and asked him to add his carrot after several minutes. "Do you mind watching the food?" Hazelle went around the room, grabbing dried herbs and seasoning the vegetables. Then she went to the oven and took out a chicken that had been roasting in there.

Caspian helped her put it on a serving plate then arrange the carrot and potato around it. "I'll go get the kids. Do you mind setting a fork and knife out for five?" He did this task and finished just as she returned, three children in tow. "This is Caspian," she introduced. "He just moved to town."

The eldest, a boy of maybe 15, held his hand out. "Rory." He was tall, with dark hair and gray eyes. In fact all the children had the same sort of look. Dark hair, gray eyes, olive skin.

Next was a younger boy, perhaps just hitting his teens. "Vick," he greeted, shaking Caspian's hand. The last was a young girl, and she was shy. She cautiously held her hand out to him, and he took it gently in his own. "Posy," she told him.

"Nice to meet you all," he told them.

"Let's sit," Hazelle said, ushering them to the table.

With the window open, a nice breeze kept the room cool. The conversation was light and happy. Summer called loudly to him, and Caspian felt the urge to swim. It was so strong that he had to clench his good hand to beat it down. He smiled. It felt like a little bit of him was coming back at last.


"Thank you so much for dinner," Caspian said, stepping outside.

"You're welcome," Hazelle responded. "I'm glad you're settling in."

Caspian headed towards his house but continued further down the lane until he reached the edge of the forest. He still had several hours left of daylight so cautiously he entered. He walked in no particular direction, every know and then making a marking he could recognize if he got lost on the way home. He startled several deer but otherwise was alone. After some time he came upon a lake. He stood staring at it for a long time, but slowly he undressed and dipped a toe in the water. It was cold but refreshing. He dove in immediately, and muscle memory kicked in, letting him glide through the water and perform graceful twists and turns.

He swam until it was near dark. Caspian had never felt so exhilarated. In the water his bionic limbs offered little to no resistance as he moved with them and for the first time he felt totally in control of them. Resting on a rock to dry off, he quickly began to cool off, shivering a little as the night cooled with him.

When he was as dry as he was going to get, Caspian redressed and began following his trail home by the moonlight. There were more creatures out now, and he hastened his pace, feeling unprepared for any surprises. At last he made his way out of the forest and onto the lane leading to his house. Tomorrow he would go back and swim again.


The weather was turning warmer every day. It was his second month in District 12 when there was a bit of a stir during work.

"Said she saw her walking around today."

"Out of the house? Hasn't happened in ages."

"Looked like she was going hunting. That's what Lee said anyway."

"What are they talking about?" Caspian asked the man next to him.

"Katniss," the man replied. "She hasn't been out of the house since she first got here. Some people saw her early this morning with her bow, heading towards the forest. Reckon she'll go hunting again. Used to shoot the best game around here."

"Hmm," Caspian replied, though his heart skipped slightly. He wanted to meet her. Seeing her might be the key to unlocking his memories.

After work, Caspian stopped by the seamstress. "Haven't got another hole, have you?" Mavis called from where she was sewing in the back.

Caspian smiled. "How'd you know it was me?"

"The way you walk. And also I don't have any customers supposed to come in for another day or two."

"Actually, I was hoping you could make me some swimming trunks?"

Mavis stopped her work and headed to where he was waiting. "Swimming trunks? Not sure what you mean."

Caspian explained to her to the best of his ability. "Mostly just a fabric that will dry quickly," he added. "That's really the most important thing."

Mavis tapped her fingers on the counter top. "Well," she said slowly, "I think I have some fabric that will work. Got it from some Capitol person a while back. You come back here in a couple days, I'll have it ready."

"Thanks." Caspian grinned. "You're the best, Mavis."

She flushed lightly. "Yeah, yeah. Now get out of here, you're scaring away the customers."

Caspian obliged. As per usual, he stopped at his house for a quick snack before heading towards the forest. After an unfortunate incident some days back where he was ambushed by some wild dogs, Caspian had carved himself a spear. It didn't feel quite right, and he had trouble using his bionic right hand with it, but it would do in some desperate time. So, spear in his left hand, Caspian plunged into the woods, heading down the trail that he now knew well, towards his lake sanctuary.

As he spent more time there he remembered some memories of the ocean. Breeze blowing his hair, salty water in his mouth. Sea gulls crying above him as he relaxed on the sand. He was born to be in the water, that much he knew.

Caspian had taken to jumping off the rocks, practicing his dives into the lake. He spent hours here, usually until the sun went down, alternately lazing about or trying some new and complicated trick. Once he had even managed to snag a fish when he dived down further than he normally did. It was a good dinner.

Caspian got out earlier than he normally did today. It had been a long day of carrying heavy pieces of wood, and he was tired. He lie on the rock, letting the last rays of the sun warm him. Behind him a branch snapped. Alarmed, Caspian bolted upright and grabbed his spear, ready to fight off some more dogs.

An arrow whizzed by his head and thudded into the tree behind him. He turned his gaze to where it had come from and saw her.

Her brown hair was in a braid, her complexion pale and unhealthy. She seemed too skinny, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She held her bow straight, another arrow notched, and stared him down. And even though he couldn't remember her, he would know her anywhere.

"Katniss."

Katniss relaxed her stance a little, but still didn't drop her aim. "How did you find this place?"

He shrugged. "I just...did." An unfamiliar feeling was spreading throughout him. He couldn't quite identify what it was. "Katniss." He liked saying her name.

Slowly she lowered her bow. "You're naked."

He glanced down to realize that he was indeed. Grinning he replied, "You're closer to my clothes than I am."

For a moment it looked like she blushed, but then she turned around, retrieving his clothes. "Who are you?" He moved to grab them, but she yelled in alarm, "No just stay there!" She looked away while he reached out for them.

"I uh...Caspian. My name is Caspian."

Katniss glanced at him. "Don't I know you...?" she trailed off.

He shrugged. Before he could respond there was some noise coming from the edge of the clearing. A moment later some dogs emerged from the clearing. It was then that he noticed that Katniss was carrying several dead squirrels. Alarmed she jumped up on the rock beside him. The dogs ran over, sniffing and circling, but they didn't jump up on the rock. After a while they left, and Katniss breathed a sigh of relief.

She hadn't known she was pressed up against him, but Caspian wondered at the familiarity of it. "Katniss-"

"Oh!" she exclaimed, jumping away from him. "Sorry I-"

But she broke off. She was staring at him now. Slowly she reached a hand up to his face. She shushed his half hearted attempts to speak. His heart was pounding with her being so close. He knew her. He didn't know how he knew, but he knew.

She brought words to his thoughts. "I know you," she said softly. She reached down and grabbed his bionic hand, then gently touched his new leg. She reached up and touched his short hair, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder. Katniss gazed into his eyes for a long time and finally her breath hitched and tears filled her eyes.

"Finnick."