no borgers are served here [nessa's crew] jb

Does it make you a bad person if, for the briefest moment, you regretted that you just saved your cousin's life? Had you let go of her when she asked... then maybe... maybe it would not have been you on the stage, looking over the people of District 6, your family, your friends, for the last time. The thought felt like coal in your mouth, and you expel it from your head as quickly as it appeared. You had done the right thing, holding Jillian back. You had done the right thing. Right?

You don't hear much as the rest of the ceremony proceeds. You barely even see Jimmy as you are commanded to turn to face him, and shake his hand as though you were two strangers and nothing more. You barely notice when your environment had shifted from the town square to a room inside the Justice Building when suddenly your whole world was silent, and all you could hear was the pounding of your heart.

Suddenly, the door is ripped open, and Dorothy, Dad, and Flynn enter. Mum is nowhere to be seen. Not surprising; hell, she probably didn't even know what was happening. But that didn't stop it from hurting any less. Dorothy wraps you up in a hug, and instantly your arms encircle her waist, pulling her in closer. Dad hovers close by, but your eyes drift past him to Flynn, who stands by the door in silent panic. You watch him closely for a moment, wondering just how quickly he would unravel.

Looking away, you pull away from Dorothy, forcing a smile. "I'm fucked, right?" You say, glancing at Dad as you cuss. He hated it when you swore. "Oh Dorothy, I forgot to ask you, please make sure you give Pretzel her favourite treat when you get home. The chicken one with some thick ass gravy." You pause for a moment, as reality began to catch up. You would never see her again. Would she think you abandoned her? Would she even notice that you were gone? "You'll take care if her, right?"