Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 24: Why

"We should move..."

"I can't..."

I sigh, standing with as much strength I can muster. We've been sitting in the same spot for over an hour. The sun is already setting past a cluster of trees. Acacius has an over his face, his body laying in the same spot as before.

"Come on...we're exposed here...we need to find cover for the night."

"I can't, Azalea...."

"Yes you can. Now come on."

I bend, grabbing his arms and pulling. He groans, moving to get up. Both swords lay on the ground where we left them. I eye them as Acacius gets to his feet. He stumbles a bit, making me gasp as I catch him. I steady him, worry clouding my judgment.

"Come on...there's gotta be somewhere we can stay for the night...."

"I can't climb..."

"And you think I can?"

I offer a small smile, bending to grab the two swords. I slip one into my belt before slinging his arm over my shoulder. We start walking, twigs and leaves crunching underneath our boots. Acacius grips me, stepping when I step. The sky darkens as we grow farther from the poisoned water.

After walking, more like stumbling, for a few minutes, I spot a cluster of large boulders. A dark opening sits at the center. I guess that will have to work. I start moving towards it, Acacius still gripping my shoulders with every movement.

The opening morphs into a small cave, providing more than enough cover for the night. I help Acacius sit down, his breath ragged  and uneven. He lets out a cough as soon as I move back. My eyes study him, my own body sinking onto the cool stone floor of the dark cave.

"Let's rest here..."

My head rests on his shoulder, my eyes becoming heavy. Both of our backs sit against the cave wall, the jagged edge barely noticeable with how tired we both feel. The backpacks provide little cushion between us and the hard stone that rests behind us.

Everything slowly becomes dark. Acacius hums, his head resting on my own. A deep exhale leaves me as my eyes fall shut. I don't have the strength to fight the darkness that takes over...

——

'Azalea!'

My eyes, immediately zoning in on the old dresser under an all too familiar paining of a vase with daisies. That's the painting my dad painted...for my mom...

I look around, realizing that I'm back in my room in district 11. A familiar humming comes from down the hall, drifting in through the slightly open door. A cloudy haze fills my vision as I stand. The hardwood floor is cold on my bare feet, making me look down. A white nightgown covers my form, leaving only my ankles, hands, and feet free from the fabric. My hair is in braids just like my mom used to do.

I take a shaky breath, stepping towards the open door. The old hinges squeak as I pull it further open. The humming becomes louder as my feet pad out into the hall. A comforting smell fills the air, wafting towards me from the kitchen.

I round the corner, freezing as two figures meet me. Beautiful dark curls similar to my own sits at the table, the humming coming from the face I haven't seen in years. Her dark skin shines in the sunlight shining in from the kitchen window. Her hands fold a pair of work jeans, patches and stains clear on the old fabric.

The other figure is facing the opposite direction, his shoulders broad and strong. His bald head down as he focuses on flipping the food that sizzles away. His pale skin contrasts the dark work shirt that stretches over his muscular form. He's just as tall and strong as I remember.