Old Habits // [Cato]

Working on a farm has its perks, but it doesn't make the world better. It's been two years since my baby sister was taken away and thrown into the games. Nothing will ever make it better, yet I keep a smile one my face. She would want me happy instead of moping around all the time. I see her everywhere. In the fields. In the sky. In the barn. In my cousins. It's a pain that won't ever go away. One that I'll live with for the rest of my life.

Every day, I end the farm. I work in the stables with the horses making sure they have food. I feed all the animals. Sometimes Evelyn comes with me, but today she didn't. Another girl was put with me. One I've never seen before. Ma said she needed work, and Pa was willing. I guess I have to help her now. Though in all reality, I would rather work with Evelyn. She has this sense of innocence. One that nobody in the world could take away. She's not corrupt like the rest of us living here.

Walking through the mud, I help her throw hay over the fences in the stables. I've slept with the horses before when chaos broke through the house. In one of the stalls, is Cowie. I dare anyone to try and touch her because that cow is Esme's, and I would kill anyone who tried to destroy her. Shaking my head slightly, I listen as she talks. "I usually just tend the farm. Keeps my mind distracted and focused." Esme was a hard worker. She spent endless hours making sure the animals were taken care of, and I owe it to her to work hard. "Free time? Its best for me to keep working. And yeah, I love doing this. I love taking care of the animals. I love feeding them. I love making sure they have everything that they need."

It's only right. It keeps me going. It keeps me focused on life instead of spiraling down into a pit of despair. I've lived there for so long, and it was only recently I started my climb back into the light. "What's your name again?"

I sigh to myself. "Aaron Truus." A bale of hay falls from my hands before I can throw it over the fence. "And you are?"