𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃—
Everyone knew it, they watched his body be pulled from the corn grater all cold and blue. Silence filled district nine as his parents wept the loss of their child, candles were lit in memorial to honor Cade. the district had already become eary, though it was a common occurrence of 'accident.' Happening, resulting in the loss of lives, but this was the fualt of the industice in the districts, and everyone knew it.
May Lee tugged the warm blanket she had around her shoulders tighter. Cade was dead, and some of it was her fualt, if only she had stopped him, tried to convince him to not get the hat, but she hadnt and now her friend was gone. Silo sat beside her, his head burried into his hands, as they sat on one of the benches by the town square. They could just faintly hear the sobbing of Cade's family just around the corner.
May Lee watched as few people flocked around the center of the district, wary looks on their faces, but most returned home as soon as the sun set, to recoil over the days events, though May Lee didnt think she'd be getting any sleep anytime soon, not when she felt so guilty. A taller man left one of the shops tents, the fabric flurishing behind him as he bid the shop owner goodbye, a paper bag in his hands. The man slowed as he caught sight of May Lee watching him. It took a moment for May Lee to regonize who he was in the dark light, but there behold stood Kassian Heyord, districts nine's famous victor. He stood for a moment, adjusting the bag in his hand, but neither of them made any move towards eachother.
"Alright, come on you two. Why dont I give you a ride home." Mr. Folly told them, "I'm sure the both of you could use the rest."
Both of them didnt say a word, only clambering into the back of Mr. Folly's work truck.
They arrived at Silo's house first, where his mother was waiting on the front porch, her sweater pulled around her. She had bags underneath of eyes as she watched Silo get out of the truck and walk into her embrace, her arms wrapping around him, refusing to let go.
"Thank you, Mr. Folly but I think I'll walk the rest of the way." May Lee told him, jumping out of the truck. Mr. Folly gave her a nod, driving away.
May lee took one uneasey step after the other, each one felt like a constant battle, but she didnt find herself walking towards her house, where she knew her twin brother Rylen would be waiting for her, instead she was creeping into Victors village, the gate had already been pushed open, probally from the victors returning home. May Lee took an uneasy breath, as she stepped up on the porch, before her knuckles softly hit the wooden door. It took a few moments for the door to swing open, and May Lee considered turning around and going home. Kassian stood infront of her, confusion and worry etched onto his face.
"May Lee? What are you doing here?" Kassian had grown taller, and he was more defined now. He wasnt the same whimpy boy who was sent into the games.
"Im sorry." She said softly, "I just didnt want to go home and I—" May Lee didnt have to say anything else for Kassian to pull her into his arms, tugging her into chest. She tucked her head into the crook of his neck, gripping onto the back of his shirt as she began to cry.
"Shh, its okay. Im right here." Kassian told her, "Im not going anywhere."
May Lee couldnt help but blame herself, a little part of herself knew that it was her fault, she knew that he was dead becuase of her and she couldnt change that. She should have done something, cade was her friend and she should have stooped him, but she didnt, she didnt do anything but stand there and watch him fall. Cade Dean was dead, his family would be mourning him, and the memory of him would soon be forgotten, whisped away in the air. Whenever Cade would be mentioned, it wouldnt be becuase of the jokes and liveliness he constanstly spread, instead it would be becuase he was dead. That's who he would be remembered as, Cade would never laugh again, he would never enjoy his life or grow old, but he would also never starve again, or be reaped for the hunger games. Part of him was free.
