Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 39: Welcome

I touch up the makeup that covers how much I've been crying since reading my brother's note. He truly did love me and it rips me to shreds now. The only thing keeping me from completely dropping into a heap of tears and grief is the thought of us reaching eleven soon.

"Ten minutes."

Seeder says as she passes, glancing my way before continuing towards the next car. I sigh, tucking the small mirror into my pocket next to the box with both Aetos and Acacius's notes tucked inside. The landscape outside the train becomes familiar farmland, countless fields and orchards filling the horizon.

I take a deep breath before moving towards the chairs near the entrance to the train. I'm going to make sure I'm the first person of this bringer of death, even if I have to wait till the very last second.

Time passes at an agonizing pace, dragging out as I twist and turn the diamond that is made from my brother's ashes. I push the tears down once more as a shaky breath leaves my lips.

He's coming home with me...

Just not in the way I wanted.

——

The train comes to a stop, peacekeepers on either side of me as I hear the cheering and screaming of the people of my district. As soon as the doors open, I'm greeted with rows and rows of people clapping and hollering for my success.

A camera is recording everything to my left, no doubt playing everything for the people of the Capitol. A few familiar faces push to the front, people I worked with out in the fields and orchards or old classmates from when I went to classes.

I smile and wave, thanking those who bring me gifts of flowers and treats. A young girl barely old enough to be walking alone holds a flower crown in her grip. I smile, bending down to her level as I step out of the train.

"This is in honor of your bwother..."

She mumbles, making tears well up as a smile draped my lips. I let her place it on my curls before braking off one of the roses from a bouquet, slipping the flower behind her ear.

"Thank you, sweet girl. He would have loved it."

She smiles, rushing back towards a heavily pregnant woman who sends me a sad smile. I stand before scanning the crowd once more. My eyes don't settle until they land on the familiar faces of my family. Aurelia is perched on Atlas's shoulders, Sloan right beside her perched on her own brother's shoulders. Briar stands between the two males, a large smile on her face despite the tears flowing freely.

I ignore anyone else, my body drawn to the five staring back at me. Briar does the same, pushing people out of her way until we're just a few people apart. She nudges past them before immediately pulling me into a tight hug. It's like I'm home in her arms, my tears falling freely as her arms grip me tight.

"I'm so sorry..."

I feel her tears wetting my shoulder, my own no doubt doing the same to hers. Atlas and Sven let both of the younger girls down behind the dirty blonde as everyone and everything disappear around us. Briar finally pulls away before holding my shoulders as her eyes scan me.

"Are you hurt? Did they do anything else to you?"

"No...no I'm okay..."

She sighs, wiping away some of my fallen tears before stepping back. Aurelia rushes me next, wrapping her arms around my waist in a tight, constricting grip. Her curls are braided, her face buried in my stomach. I pry her off me long enough to bend an get a proper hug.

"I missed you so much, Buttercup..."

I feel her sob against me, making my tears become full blown stream. After a moment, she pulls back where I can look into her beautiful eyes. My hands grip her cheeks as my thumbs wipe away some of her fallen tears.