Light the Way

Chapter Eight

Olivia remembered the beginning of the dark days, partially because it was so hard to forget, but also because bits and pieces still plagued her nightmares. The rationing, being forced to stay inside throughout all hours of the day, feeling her entire home shake, and hiding under her bed to cry and hope that everything would be alright. Her parents had helped her get through it though – always trying to make the best out of it. Getting together each night to share stories and setting up camp in their living room so they could all sleep together. She had felt so safe, cuddled in between them, her father snoring in her one ear, and her mother singing in the other.

The Lumens had Olivia later in life than most. Nearing their late thirties they realized they were missing something in their lives that money and status just couldn't quite fill. The joy of a beautiful baby girl, looking up to them with wide, green eyes. They could see the world in her when she was born. Growing to become an even blend of their two personalities.

Her mother, Ventis, was a biomedical engineer, coming from a family of honourable scholars decorated in medals and achievements. Eventually, she transitioned from health sciences research to the war and weapons sector of the Capitol, finding a special interest in biomedical weaponry and animal DNA. There she met Victor, who came from a long line of engineers who were responsible for developing the initial power mainframe when Panem first came to be. Prior to the rebellion, they both lived full, and intrinsically rewarding lives, along with their beautiful daughter, Olivia. So smart, and beautiful and oh so aggressive in all of the right ways. A spitting image of the two of them.

Olivia remembered the day her mother passed away, or rather the deep pit of dread that it left behind. The week prior, Ventis had developed a popular form of influenza that was making its' way through the Capitol. Supplies were dwindling, and after being cut off from the Districts, everything was scarce. No amount of money could get them the pills they needed because they simply didn't exist. A doctor had managed to get them to the top of the list for the next round of antibiotics being offered, but they'd have to wait until the next shipment arrived, which was due any time now. Filled with hope, they all sat together and spent the night telling stores, her mother coughing every few minutes while she tried to sing.

But the shipment never made it. Rebels had intercepted what they believed to be important food rations for the Capitol children and bombed it to pieces. There was nothing left. And Olivia's hope died out that day too. Days later her mother had passed, lying in that same bed where they used to sing and cuddle and hope for better days. She remembered her father huddled over her mother's body, sobbing and yelling about how unfair it was. The worst part was that her body had to stay there for a few days, a sheet draped over her and the door shut, while they waited for someone to come and prepare the body for the farewell ceremony.

Every year the memory got a bit blurrier, making it easier to digest. Sadly, her mother's face also got fuzzier and fuzzier, making Olivia feel like she was slipping away from her for good.

"If you're ever missing her, just look into the mirror. You're your mother's greatest gift to me." Her father had said to her, pulling her in for a hug.

Some nights she'd stare at herself in the mirror for an extra moment, trying to catch a glimpse of what her father saw, but it never seemed to made sense to her.

After her mother's passing, Victor wasted no time in trying to stop the rebels, volunteering to help in any way possible, desperate to stop the grief from killing him too. He needed to be strong now, for Olivia and for Panem. His knowledge of the power structure and his late wife's notes about biomedical weapons currently being developed helped them spearhead stronger defense holds. Victor brought Olivia along with him to work every single day, as they drew up blueprints and plans, developed their own bombs to fight back, strategically placing them throughout the intersecting gridlines of the Districts. He was committed to making them feel just as powerless as he had when he held his wife's hand in her last moments.