Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 40: Home

After the long line of greetings and condolences, we all head back towards our old home. The Capitol will give me my Victor's cottage tomorrow since everything took so long, meaning I get to spend one last night in my childhood home.

Aurelia hasn't let go of me since the train platform, her grip only tightening as we walk back towards the house. Sven, Atlas, and Briar roped in a few acquaintances to help haul everything back before a little boy stopped with a wagon.

"His names Thresh. He's in my class but I think he's a year younger than me."

Aurelia says after the boy left the wagon in our care. Sloan looks back at the retreating boy before looking back at Aurelia. Her face holds confusion as her voice over takes the strong breeze that threatens to knock us all over.

"Isn't he the one that lost his brother last spring to tuberculosis?"

"Yeah...his family's been having it rough the last year or so. He doesn't bring lunches as much anymore. I think his Mama even quite working out at the apple orchard because of her grief."

I stop at that, turning back to watch the boy that is still in sight. He walks at a slow pace, his shoulders slumped as his hands rest in the pockets of his hand-me-down overalls. Everyone else stops as I do, turning to see why I halted. I share a look with Atlas and Briar, the former more annoyed than I care to admit.

"I'll be right back..."

"Wha-"

"Just a moment, okay?"

I peel Aurelia's grip off of my waist as Briar nods. Sloan helps me by grabbing my sister, gently holding her arm to stop her from grabbing me again. Taking a deep breath, I turn back towards the boy walking away.

"Hey!"

I have to jog to catch up, the boy stopping to give me a confused look. He drops his head as soon as I reach him, his dark skin shining in the setting sun. He clears his throat as he tucks his hands behind his back.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"What's your name?"

"Thresh Morrowson, Ma'am."

I smile, holding out my hand for his small one to shake. He looks at it before gulping, raising his dirt covered hand up. He has a firm grip for his age, making me smile.

"I'm Azalea Lantzmann. Are you hungry?"

"No, Ma'am. My mama is making supper right now."

I want to believe him, but based on the look on his face...

"Well...that sucks. I wanted to see if you would be willing to let us use your wagon tomorrow in payment for you eating supper with us."

I hear his stomach rumble as he looks past me. His eyes scan over the group of people watching us before looking back up towards me. I don't need to turn to know that they are all wondering what I'm doing, the feeling of their eyes burning a hole into my back.

"If you'd like, Ma'am. I was just gonna go around and see if anyone had anything they're willing to spare."

"So your mama isn't cooking?"

"Well...no. But my Pops sometimes brings home something from the fields."

I sigh, bending to reach his height. I rest my hands on my bent knees before meeting his dark brown eyes. He looks at me confused, his eyes bouncing back to the group still watching.

"How about this...you come have supper with us, take whatever leftovers we have back home for your folks, and come back tomorrow to help us pack everything up and move and I'll make sure that you'll have food to take home all the days you help. Sound good?"