Broken Promises

chapter 34

Athena freezes momentarily at the sound of that name. She hasn’t dared said the name or anyone else in fear that it might trigger another meltdown. Tears sting the back of her eyes just at the memory of the last time she croaked out his name as she wept over his lifeless body. She flashes forward towards the memory of her first day back at District 7. Since her sedation on the hovercraft, she has been utterly silent; not speaking a word to a single soul. It was until she was wandering amongst the crowded streets of the District that she found her feet taking her towards her old home. Athena hesitantly knocked on the front door to be engulfed into her parents’ warm embrace seconds after. She had immediately started blubbering into their sleeves, soaking their shirts.

                “Mommy, Daddy.” She croaked as they tightened their hold on her.

                “I knew you’d come back to us.” Her mother sniffled into the crook of her neck. She was dragged into her home to be taken up to her old room. It felt like years since she had last stepped foot into that room. She curled into the fabric softener scented sheets and continued to cry vehemently until she hadn’t enough energy to lift her eyelids any longer. The next morning, her parents had called her to breakfast but their efforts were futile. She hadn’t had the stomach to be able to force anything down in weeks. Athena’s days consisted of lying in bed with a glazed-over expression and thoughts of suicide running through her mind.

                “What about him?” She seethes through clenched teeth. Tyler has no right to talk to her about Jason. No right.

                “The note you received during the games was a lie.” Tyler pleads with wide eyes.

                “You have to believe that I would never do something like that to you, Athena. I love you.” She looks up at him with a hopeful expression. Could it be true? Could he really love her? She scowls suddenly. He could just be using her. She doesn’t plan on getting her heart broken again.

                “I don’t believe you.” She whispers shakily. He takes a step toward her with his hand out stretched. Athena abruptly moves away from him. She doesn’t trust Tyler. He’s about to speak again when a ringing from her doorbell interrupts him.

                “Did you invite someone over?” He asks firmly, his voice hinting an undertone of fear. She shakes her head in a confused daze but steps out of the room and down the steps.

                “Athena, no. Don’t open the door.” Tyler shouts from the top of the stairs. Athena disregards his pleas and swings open the door.

                She’s met with the face of the man she thought she’d never see again in her lifetime. His eyes bore into hers with such a grand emotion, she feels herself sink onto her knees in a heap of tears. Jason.

                                                                                end of book 1