Shattered Glass Hearts [Rade]

Cato
Librarian

3,003 POSTS
Member is Online

I wish Cato didnt die

Shattered Glass Hearts [Rade] May 7, 2016 20:15:18 GMT -5

Post by Cato on May 7, 2016 20:15:18 GMT -5

Harbinger Rhodes
Nineteen | Male | District Eleven

Returning to district four wasn't an easy decision for me. Daria and Someith both rest somewhere under the ground. I killed both of them in order to stand here today, and I can try to write it off like I didn't have a choice, but I did. I chose to live instead of die, but I didn't choose to fight in the hunger games. The Capitol chose me, but it won't make up for what I did. I always feel like I'll owe district four a debt I can never repay, and when I heard about the tsunami, and them needing volunteers to help out, I jumped at the chance; however, it won't change anything. I'll always owe them for the rest of my life.

But the moment I stepped foot into district four all the memories of the victory tour poured into my mind leaving me numb. How can I look into the eyes of the citizens and try to help them when I ruined their chances of bringing home another victor alive? The Staite family, and the Krearns family both hate me, and honestly I don't blame them because sometimes I hate me too, but I found the woman of my dreams, and I love her so much more than anything in the world. I would lay my life down to save her over and over, and it's my hope she feels the same. Navya is the reason I wake up everyday and face my inner demons for a chance to find a new meaning of life.

Yet here in district four, I feel so alone. Navya is here. Kate is here. Kirito is here. Ikaia is even here somewhere, but he's ran off on his own - I can't imagine the strain thrown on him right now, but it's none of my business either. I've tried keeping my distance from Kirito because I don't know what to say to him. It's my fault Carrita and Iain are dead. Here recently I've been wishing I would've just died in the stupid games. Maybe Iain and Carrita would be alive right now. Maybe Annora would be alive, but it's like Kate said before, I can't change the past. None of them deserved to die, but they did. All I can do is go on living for them. But it doesn't make this any easier.

My eyes dart around the district taking in the total destruction, and I feel my heart breaking over and over. This is much worse than anything I've ever imagined. Even when District Eleven went through the drought, I don't think this much destruction was caused. People died, but the buildings remained standing. And the numbers of those unaccounted for echo through my ears, and I know what I have to do. I take a deep breath before walking towards the last known location of Katelyn. Perhaps together we can search the district. Perhaps it'll be a time for us to talk because I don't know how she's feeling right now. And when I spot her, I run as fast as my fake leg allows me. "Hey, Kate, do you want to go through the district for some search and rescue? I'm heading out, and I could definitely use some company right now."

Victor of the 71st Hunger Games

[googlefont="Nothing You Could Do:400"]

charade
Retired Staff

3,811 POSTS

last seen May 1, 2024 12:08:12 GMT -5

Thinking

Shattered Glass Hearts [Rade] May 11, 2016 4:19:05 GMT -5

Post by charade on May 11, 2016 4:19:05 GMT -5

KATELYN PERSIMMON

The benefit was over and Katelyn breathed a sigh of relief. It was amazing, and a bit disconcerting that even in the face of a major catastrophe the Capitol could still find time to put on a party. A room full of wealthy philanthropists that consorted with the President, district mayors; she thought maybe she caught sight of one or two victors as well. But what bothered her had been the lavish buffet available at the party, a stark contrast to Fabian Perch essentially reduced to walking around with his hat out when his district’s industry was in peril. Who knew how long it would take for four to recover, and how it would affect the other districts? One third of Panem’s food industry at a standstill worse than the drought; not to mention what it would do to the canneries in nine.

She stared at the flattened buildings, the debris filled roads. The same streets that Daphne and Alexis walked down before they died. She remembered them; the feast. Alexis bringing Mason Hammerfell down only to get killed by Prism a couple seconds later. And Daphne… she had cut her leg off in the bloodbath only for Lexi to deliver the final blow the day after. Katelyn had made her peace with what had happened in the arena, but that didn’t mean she didn’t think about it from time to time, and to walk these streets, devastated though they were, it made her thoughtful.

She'd always wanted to see the beach. Never could imagine anything larger than one of the lakes back home, or maybe the water filled area of Colgate's games. She never wanted to see it like this. “Hey Kate,” a unmistakable voice said. She turned to see Harbinger coming up behind her. He asked if she wanted to accompany him on a search and rescue and she smiled.

And then frowned when she looked down at the dress she had been made to wear at the benefit.

Heh.

“I’d love to Harb. But I’m not dressed for it. Give me a couple minutes.”

Katelyn vanished back into the building and made a beeline for the quarters they had given her. Once inside, she shrugged the dress off and kicked the shoes away, opening her suitcase the moment after. When she returned to Harbinger she was wearing a pair of workman’s jeans, running shoes and a tank top that bared her arms and midriff. The red bandanna she took everywhere tied her hair up and back. This was better. She could only imagine the sight she’d make looking for survivors and delivering aid packets in heels. Probably like something in a Capitol promo. “Lead the way. I’ll be glad to finally be doing something useful.”

"When you’ve lost your way, when you have no words,
we are your strength, when you don’t have anymore. "

table coding (c) ghosty

16 Jul 12, 23:43
GB: I bet you just sit at your computer with a tea cup and a monocle

Cato
Librarian

3,003 POSTS
Member is Online

I wish Cato didnt die

Shattered Glass Hearts [Rade] May 11, 2016 21:35:33 GMT -5

Post by Cato on May 11, 2016 21:35:33 GMT -5

Harbinger Rhodes
Nineteen | Male | District Eleven

Time changes everything. When I first stepped out of the arena, I hated Katelyn and Kirito. I wanted nothing to do with them because they left me for dead. They didn’t try to save me after I lost my leg, and I proved to myself that I didn’t need them. I thought I knew it all, but it all changed the moment I actually became a mentor for the very first time. I was able to see from a different perspective what it was like being on the outside fighting to help tributes. It made me realize that how hard it was for them to help me because I fought tooth and nail for Iain, but it didn’t matter. President Snow wanted him dead, and nothing can save anyone once their name has been marked.

I enjoy being around Kate and Kirito now. It’s easier to talk to them, and I feel at ease because they know the same struggles. We’ve all killed people. We’ve watched friends die. We’ve done things we never imagined ourselves doing. But here we are. We’re still alive, and I believe we’re stronger than ever.

A large smile twists across my face as Kate tells me she has to change and then we can go into the district doing some search and rescue. I’m not sure what we can do, but I want to get away from the propaganda because the Capitol has been keeping close tabs on me. It seems like everywhere I go people are wanting to interview me, and I don’t want to be interviewed. I’ve told reporters many times to get out of my face, and I can see some walking towards me. Please hurry, Kate.

I turn away praying they don’t close to me, and then I realize that a formal dinner took place, and that they’re walking out from there. I keep my eyes fixed on the ground because if I can’t see them maybe they can’t see me. “Lead the way. I’ll be glad to finally be doing something useful.” I immediately turn to face her, and I want to get out of here before the reporters see two victors from eleven mingling together. With a quick nod of my head, I motion for her to follow. "It would be nice to get away from the cameras for a bit. A chance to be normal for once. Besides these people in four are in need. Maybe it'll be a chance to go unnoticed too?" I ask hopefully before slowly walking away.

Victor of the 71st Hunger Games

[googlefont="Nothing You Could Do:400"]

charade
Retired Staff

3,811 POSTS

last seen May 1, 2024 12:08:12 GMT -5

Thinking

Shattered Glass Hearts [Rade] May 12, 2016 3:28:31 GMT -5

Post by charade on May 12, 2016 3:28:31 GMT -5

KATELYN PERSIMMON

Harbinger had been different lately. Katelyn attributed most of that to Navya, but it was clear that the healing process had done something for him. He understood more now. He might never be completely okay, but he was better, and that was enough to warm Katelyn’s heart. He talked about the cameras and she smirked sardonically. Normal? This was their normal now. Unable to walk the streets in eleven without people staring. Being offered the occasional free drink or sandwich when she’d rather pay for it.

Attempting to relax at one of the swimming holes or community gardens and being followed by a retinue of star struck teenagers. But even though they weren’t at home, that didn’t necessarily mean they were any less recognizable. “Yeah, anonymity would be great; though I imagine that hardcore careers will recognize us on sight.” If Mason had been any indication, there were those who studied, lived and breathed the games in the hopes of being in them.

Katelyn pitied them.

They had no idea what they were asking for.

But she doubted Harbinger wanted to talk about that. “One can always hope though.” She hurried after him, sticking her hands in her pockets and turning away from the reporters before they could catch sight of her. She sighed and inhaled deeply, taking in the district. There was a salty tang that hung in the air, muddled by dirt and wood. She could smell fish too, and for a moment recalled cutting open a can of tuna in the arena and licking it clean. The smell of the ocean was invigorating, but different. The earthy smell was not the same.

There was no aroma of fruit, no sun kissed wheat fields. And through it all, there was an undercurrent of death. Here and there fish littered the area, rotting in the sun; citizens of four caught by the waves and dashed to pieces or crushed under debris and the weight of waves were likely buried in the silt around them. But, she reminded herself, chasing away the dark thoughts, they were here to help the living, not the dead. Like Kirito, who last she heard had been helping out at the medical tents. Good. He needed that. Just like Harbinger needed to find people.

Katelyn… Katelyn wasn’t sure what she needed. “Mayor Perch seems decent.” She said to break the silence. “More than I would have expected for a man in charge of a career district. Too bad he has to be present at functions almost as much as we do. I get the feeling he’d rather be out here.” She looked up thoughtfully. “Or at least not back there.” She shrugged, falling into step next to Harbinger. “What about you big guy, how has district four been treating you so far?”

"When you’ve lost your way, when you have no words,
we are your strength, when you don’t have anymore. "

table coding (c) ghosty

16 Jul 12, 23:43
GB: I bet you just sit at your computer with a tea cup and a monocle

Cato
Librarian

3,003 POSTS
Member is Online

I wish Cato didnt die

Shattered Glass Hearts [Rade] May 14, 2016 17:09:05 GMT -5

Post by Cato on May 14, 2016 17:09:05 GMT -5

Harbinger Rhodes
Nineteen | Male | District Eleven

It’s tough getting used to life after surviving the games. I see the way people look at me. People in district eleven see me as a hero, a savior, but I’m none of those. I’m nothing but a boy trying to live a normal life, yet nothing is normal anymore. I don’t even know what it means to be normal anymore. It’s like I’m a celebrity. Reporters always wanting to interview me. Everywhere I go I can’t just be Harbinger anymore. I try to tell them I’m the same person I was before the games, but in all reality I’m not. And I hate how much they admire me for what I did. I didn’t survive just for me; I survived for Navya because I wanted to see her again. I wanted to hug her. To hold her. And now she’s my best friend, and I love her more than anyone will ever know.

I shrug my shoulders as she speaks not knowing what to say. I fought careers, and I’m sure the careers here will want to make a show. They’ll want to prove that they’re stronger, braver. Maybe they are, but until they live through what I’ve lived through, they’ll never understand the meaning of life. But this is a good chance to learn more. To protect my family. To teach them something I never had anyone teach me. "One can always hope though."

Yeah, one can always hope. Hope kept me alive. It kept me going even when I wanted to give up especially towards the end when I had nothing left to lose. Yet it leaves me wondering how many people I can find to help. How many people of district four are actually still alive? But everywhere I look I can see the reporters trying to interview people. Immediately I duck down trying to look innocent because I want to avoid the cameras for just a day. I want to escape. I want to be me. I want to walk along district four with a friend. "What about you big guy, how has district four been treating you so far?"

District four has been challenging. Seeing the destruction is terrifying, and it’s constantly bringing me back to the days of living in the arena. Seeing the dead lying around on the ground. Knowing that their cannon sounded far too soon. Yet there’s something about it. Something I’ve wanted to know since I fought Daria and Someith. Since I came here for the first time on the tour. How could something like this happen? I’ve met a Krearns, and I don’t want to meet anymore of them here. But I can’t tell Kate. I can’t tell her. She wouldn’t like it, but at least I can handle my own. I sigh wondering if she knows the reason why I came. "It's been treating me alright I suppose. Just trying to lay low and keep my head down. If only it was that easy."

Victor of the 71st Hunger Games

[googlefont="Nothing You Could Do:400"]