Release {Lorenzo/Castle JB Thread}

CASTLE RUINED

After seeing Lorenzo walk up to that stage, Castle's entire world seemed to slow down. She stood there in shock, still, as the crowd was dispersing, until she truly realized what was going on. Right then was her very last chance to say goodbye to her cousin, on the chance that he may not make it out of the Hunger Games alive. When given the opportunity, she made her way to the Justice Building where she'd be able to see her cousin. Sure, they'd never really spoken much, that didn't make her care about him any less than any other family members that she had and may have been closer with.

Approaching the Justice Building to bid farewell to Lorenzo was nerve-wracking. As she walked, her heart pounded. Thud-thud, thud-thud, thud-thud. She could feel her pulse in her ears and her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. She was terrified, and she wasn't even the one going into the Games. Finally, when she got to the door of the Justice Building, which felt like it took a lot longer than it actually did, she looked to the Peacekeepers standing by the door. Telling them she was there to visit Lorenzo, she was then ushered inside, and brought up to the room he was in.

Castle had never been inside the Justice Building before. Then again, it was likely that most people in the District never had, either, unless they had the terrifying reason to do so that was saying a possible final farewell to a friend or loved one. Some people may question why the girl was so panicked, when she barely knew her cousin. Castle wasn't entirely sure how she'd explain that, had someone asked her. She just was. She didn't want to lose him like they'd all lost Pixie. Another cousin's death, or any family member's death, for that matter, would devastate her.

She understood why he volunteered. He was doing it for Pixie. She got that, but still didn't like the idea of letting him go. Regardless, she wasn't going to scold him for doing so, or tell him he was wrong in any way. No, this was a time to let him go, in case he never came back. It was a time to say goodbye, and release him to do what he wished.

Entering the room that Lorenzo was in, Castle opened the door slowly. She saw him in there, and held back tears.

"Lorenzo?" she said as she approached him. Then, she embraced him in a hug, not wanting to let go. Although, when she did eventually release him, she spoke again. "I understand that you're doing this for Pixie. Just stay safe, okay?"

Tears began to form in her eyes, and a single one slid down her cheek.

word count: 465
notes: Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]