Picture Perfect {elidor one-shot}

Tap tap tap.

The gentle sound of knocking on the door forces my eyes open. Rays of sun glare through the cracked window into my bedroom. Rubbing my eyes, I force myself to sit up. It’s been a long night. Most of it sleepless as I kept running into the main room to check the games. When I closed my eyes the last time, the moon was shining brightly in the sky, but now it’s gone replaced by the sun. It’s amazing what exhaustion and sleep deprivation can do to a person. It’s been so long since I’ve actually slept through the night. Nightmares of Crusader journeying through the arena haunt me, and now nightmares of Harbinger journeying through the arena keep me awake throughout the day. Losing Crusader was hard enough, and now I face losing him.

Does the Capitol have something against us?

I don’t think we’ve ever done anything wrong. Crusader just gathered plants for people, and Harbinger just tries to heal people. Is that wrong? Should we not help anyone at all?

Tap tap tap.

Stretching my arms above my head, I try to get the sleep away. Sometimes I wish I could see what the sun actually looked like instead of seeing a white blob sitting in the sky. It’s a shame, really. I remember sitting in front of a fire, and Crusader trying to describe the color to me. The different shades of orange, yet it was only white and black. The entire world. That’s all I see throughout my entire life, and it frustrates me at times, but I try not to let it get to me, especially now. Much greater problems rest on my shoulders, and I honestly don’t know what to do with myself.

Tap tap tap.

“I’m coming. I’m coming.” I mumble. I just want whoever it is to stop knocking. I don’t want any visitors. I don’t want to see anyone because they’re going to try to make me happy. They want me to smile. To show the world that I’m alright when I’m not.

I won’t ever be okay anymore. Not after Crusader died. It changed my entire life. I blocked so many people out. Including Harbinger and Tamron. It was a huge mistake, and now Harbinger is in the games. He’s in the shoes of Crusader. I guess I’m glad that this arena isn’t nearly as dark as the other one. But it’s still a living nightmare.

Lurking in the peaceful hills is monsters.

Passing in front of the small screen in the front room, I stop and stare at it. I watch as the camera keeps switching around from place to place. So many people are fighting these horrible things, but what gets me the most is the fact that I’m watching a death happen. Cringing, I turn away. I can’t watch. No. I don’t want to see it. Each time a cannon sounds all I can see is Crusader drowning in the horrible stuff. I’m not sure what it is, but somehow it killed him after he laid his weapon down in order for Patricia to survive. Sometimes I hate her, but I remember Crusader wouldn’t want it.

Sighing to myself, I reach for the doorknob and swing the door open. Yawning, I try to take in the person in front of me. He’s holding something in his hands. It looks badly wrapped like it was done quickly, but nonetheless that doesn’t matter. He looks a lot like Kirito, but I know that Kirito is in the Capitol right now doing everything he can to bring a district eleven tribute home. Cocking my head slightly, I try to figure out who this person is, and why does he look like Kirito?

“Hi, I’m Ikaia. Kirito’s twin brotha.” Makes sense. I didn’t know that Kirito had a twin, but knowing that he knows what it’s like watching a family member journey through the arena brings some peace, but his brother won. That makes a difference.

“I know that Crusada went through the arena. I know I ain’t able ta bring any good words ta ya ‘cause I neva experienced death in the games.” The kid keeps mumbling on and on, and I’m about to shut the door in his face and tell him to go away. He doesn’t know what it’s like losing someone in the games. He’s never experienced it, and he never will. Kirito survived. But as I start to shut the door he speaks again. “What I’m tryin’ ta say is, I want ya ta know that I’m here if ya need anythin’. And also, I made ya somethin’.”

He gestures towards the thing he’s holding. I can feel my heart breaking as he hands it to me. I’m not sure if I want to open it or not because it doesn’t matter what it is. It won’t make the pain go away. No, it’ll always be there no matter what.

Inhaling sharply, I slowly remove the horrible wrapping from the gift he’s presented. My heart shatters into millions of pieces the moment I look at it. It’s a picture of Crusader standing underneath a tree, and Harbinger is standing next to him. Tears prick the corner of my eyes, and my chin drops to the floor. My gaze lowers towards the ground as tears stream down my face. I’m at a loss of words. Nothing I say right now will bring Crusader back. It won’t change the fact that he’s dead, and the fact that Harbinger could die as well. Lifting my gaze, I stare at the picture in front of me.

“I neva lost a brotha in the games, but I have lost Pa. I know what it’s like ta be helpless. I ain’t sayin’ it’s the same as losin’ a family in the games ‘cause I know it’s not anythin’ close. But don’t ya eva forget that they’ll always be alive in yar heart.”

His words ring true, and they bounce through my mind over and over. Why would he draw this for me? Why would he take time out of his day to do something? Does he really care? I don’t even know him, and here he is trying to help me. He’s trying to give me something good. Something worthwhile. I know that I’m going to hang this picture up in my room above my ragged bed. Tears continue streaming down my face as I stare at the amazing masterpiece before me.

“Ikaia, I have no words to say. This means so much.” My voice cracks with every other word, and I’m a sobbing mess standing in front of him. “Thank you. Thank you, Ikaia. I don’t think I can ever repay you.”

I’ll have to think of something to do. Something to make up for this, but what can I do? How can I repay him?

“Don’t worry. Ya don’t gotta repay me. I just want ya ta know that someone actually cares.”

Sliding down the wall, I collapse to the floor drawing my knees towards my chest. I sit the picture down in front of me, and I never take my eyes off it. It’s just a personal belonging now, but this picture is one I will never lose. One I will never let go of.