a debt to be paid // [Thundy]

Zanita Luzell

The girl could feel her throat tighten as the Victor mounted the stage. Zanita was at the back of the crowd by herself. Sebastian and the others did not care for such events and it was not like the Keepers were going to hunt them down in the forest to drag them into the square like on Reaping day. Brown eyes studied the tall thin frame all done up in Capitol clothes. Her mind drifted back to Reaping day only a month earlier when that same frame had stood before her taking Kovu's place. Words could not express her gratitude, but then again Zanita tried her best not to reveal such emotions.

It was because of that boy that Kovu was safe in camp, that he lived and was not slaughtered for the entire country to see. It was debt that she could never pay back, but it made it even more complicated now that he had won. Colgate O'Leary, District Nine's first victor in quite some time. It was easier when she thought the boy would go and die. She might have visited his grave and paid her respects but he was living person and those are always harder to talk to.

The presentation came to an end and the citizens started to disperse. Some started for home and some rushed at the stage to congratulate Soap. Zanita slipped around a few stores and walked down an alleyway cluttered with boxes and garbage until she got the back of the stage. Capitol camera men were packing up their gear and paid her no mind, after all food had be scarce lately and she was frighteningly skinny. Bones poked out at the same angles as when she found Kovu, just two ratty children slipping on the streets. Of course this would change since the O'Leary boy's victory. The winner's home district gets extra shares of grain and oil and Zanita planned on using every bit.

When the boy started down the stairs she knew it was her time to speak but her tongue was dry, her head clogged with too many feelings. This boy had saved her brother's life, what could she possibly say to him?

Stepping forward, she planted her bare feet on the concrete below her. Her lips parted but no words came out. People weren't Zanita's favorite company, and it was often easier to be cruel than kind. Now she had to find a way to deal with both, gentle words to practically a stranger. He didn't remember who she was, just another face in the crowd. After all he had been through, she doubted he would remember who he volunteered for at all.

"I...," clearing her throat, Zanita trained her eyes on the boy's face in an attempt to ground herself. "Thank you."