Just Another Dawn [zori]

Alexander Athos

Coming home to district two after years of service in the corp, Alexander felt like an alien on a distant planet. Sure, he’d had his layovers now and again over the years, seeing his mother and brother at holidays but it hadn’t quite been home in twenty years. He’d left here after his last reaping, just as soon as he’d passed his tests and training to become a peacekeeper, and never looked back. So it was strange, even two years back, coming to terms with the way two could throw itself right in his face.

The lower districts had breadth but no depth when it came to wealth. Even the richest folks in Eleven where he’d last been stationed had two-story homes with running water and air conditioning and called it downright futuristic. They felt forty years behind two, with holograms and houses with so many rooms you could get lost in them. Restaurants and bars that weren’t dives or ready to be condemned. Parks with trails, flower gardens, fountains, and all manner of statues.

He’d not been ready for a reassignment, much less a discharge. They did nothing to prepare him for coming home, other than handing him his last paycheck and saying that he could follow up with his commanding officer for a recommendation if he’d needed one (this was a formality, there’d never be one if he ever asked, especially after the riot incident). There’d been a few photos of his signing off ceremony, a goodbye of sorts that was really just a prelude to him taking a long hard look at his life on the train ride home. Him in his uniform one last time giving a salute, signing the big book of resignations, and then a handshake.

And then, he was plain clothed, whizzing back on the rails toward district two.

Too much money to burn and not enough to do.

At least he’d told his brother Michael that, hanging onto one of his nephews while they toddled all over him. He’d gone on to become a surgeon, married, and seemed no worse for wear. He let him stay in the spare bedroom on the ground floor for a few months while he got his head sorted. Which truly just meant a lot of runs in the park, working out in the nearest gym, and staying up until four in the morning binge watching all the terrible television he’d not seen.

But after a while, he’d needed something to occupy his time, and to spend the handsome amount of money the capitol had paid him for his years of service. He’d been frugal enough to have a hefty sum when he’d set foot back in two. Not enough for one of mansions in the nice part of town, but he’d bought a condo and a failing gym to turn around. He had a preference for taking tough jobs, especially ones where he’d have to put in the work to make something better. It was more satisfying to have a challenge, one where there’d be doubt he’d be able to do much at all.

A year and a half on, and he’d scooped up clients and cleaned up the old place. Call it his regimented style or unforgiving nature, but Alexander did well among folks in district two that truly wanted to better themselves. Not just the teens that wanted skills to save themselves from certain death, but the older folks too, the ones who saw what he had to offer – a chance to reinvigorate themselves – and take it.

He reflected on all of this, walking along the edge of the park. He’d been jogging, hoodie up, head phones in, and after that was done, took to having a stroll back toward where he lived in the center of town. He’d spent a lot of time building up a client base and not much else – aside from helping to baby sit his nephews. So he lumbered along, eyes on the pavement, mind clear.

He’d clocked Julian a half-block away. They’d been trained to know all of the victors on sight, and if he was being honest, had thought he’d been pleasant to look at. He could respect a career, too, so that helped in his approximation. He’d heard this and that about him, and tried to wrack his brain if there was anything of note. He’d not done much in a while, especially considering the dearth of victors from two. Well. Victors didn’t necessarily make the best teachers.

“Julian Bryze?” It felt a bit out of character for him to want to say hello, but this was less about meeting a celebrity and more his competition. He trailed along to give him enough distance to show he wasn’t one of the kooks trying to get an autograph or a photo (though he wondered if after all this time anyone asked him that anymore).

“Didn’t think they still let you out in public. Alexander Athos,” He stood on the sidewalk, hands at his sides. “Athos Gyms? I purchased a training ground that’s not far from your place. Thought seeing you here I'd finally introduce myself.”