Timber

Chapter Sixty-Three: Bittersweet

The scent of walnut, pine, and diesel filled Hazel's lungs as District Seven air flooded into the train car. Outside, waiting on the platform, was the most beautiful thing she had seen in ages: her family. Their collective gaze was glued to her, and tears immediately burned within Hazel's vision at the mere sight of their faces. Both Fern and Oren wore matching dark circles under their eyes. Fern had a hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face. The children surrounded her skirt, peering wide-eyed as Hazel hobbled into the station. She stumbled forward, the clunking sound of her cast vibrating loudly against the wood-paneled floor. Her left calf swelled and pulsated, but she refused to let it slow her.

The crutch's rubber foot squeaked as it caught on the less-than-smooth surface of the flooring. Hazel tossed them away, letting them fall out of her grasp. They clattered to the ground as Fern closed the distance. Before Hazel could utter a word, Fern had her wrapped in a tight embrace. She cradled Hazel's head, peppering her hair with soft but rapid kisses. Hazel shuddered as she buried her nose in Fern's shoulder. Her lungs filled with the scents of pine needles, vanilla, and a hint of apple. Her thoughts flashed back to the dream she had in the arena. No dream could compare to this.

"It's really you," Hazel murmured.

"Oh, darling, it's me. I'm right here." her mother's voice broke as she ran her hand over Hazel's hair. Petting her like she was a little girl afraid of a thunderstorm.

Hazel's vision blurred with tears as she clung to her mother, holding on as if she could anchor herself against the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. The sensation of her mother's tears dripping onto her skin chilled Hazel to the bone, but the warmth of her arms soothed her soul.

"Oh, my baby, you're home. You're home." Fern whispered.

Hazel was incapable of forming words; a mangled sound escaped her, yet Fern seemed to understand fully. "I know, I know."

Suddenly, another pair of trembling arms wrapped around Hazel's back. A warm body snuggled up to her side. This was soon followed by another, with the twins softly speaking incoherent words. Then, smaller arms encircled her waist. Sage murmured from behind her. If it was humanly possible, she could have dissolved into a puddle at the sound. A large, firm hand gently patted her head, and Oren's resonant voice enveloped her. "Welcome home."

Hazel shuddered as she buried her face further into her mother's blue dress, soaking in her family's collective embrace. Her three siblings clung to her, their tears dampening her elaborate Victor's clothing. The quivering of their bodies resonated with her own. As they held each other, their pain was hers, and hers was theirs. She exhaled, letting the warmth of her family's affection permeate her being. I would gladly drown in their tears as long as we are all together.

The peacekeepers navigated around the group with discretion, murmuring among themselves and casting the occasional side glance in their direction. Sable rocked on his feet while Bellona brushed off an errant tear. Leo maintained his downward stare, hands clasped, seemingly granting them a moment of mourning within the scant privacy they were allowed.

Before long, the intensity of her family's embrace became overwhelming. The pain from her injuries flared under the pressure, and her lungs clamored for breath. An involuntary groan escaped her as she accidentally shifted too much weight onto her cast-bound foot.

"Ok, everyone, let her breathe," a voice cut through the soft sounds of crying.

Her family slowly untangled themselves from her, which brought both relief and a small sense of loss. Once they were separated, she turned to her three youngest siblings, stroking the twins' heads as they stepped back.