ＷＩＴＳ | ＭＡＲＶＥＬ ＨＵＮＧＥＲ ＧＡＭＥＳ ✅

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The sound of Cook's soft cries wakes Rybbon up from her slumber, a silent yet audible groan coming from her closed lips. Wiping her eyes, she feels the soot that caked them be brushed away, reminding her that she needs to take a bath. But now is not the time, as when she allows her head to fall to the side she sees Cook curled up into a ball beside her, hand over his mouth in hope of muffling his cries. But it never did work, both he and Rybbon knew that. No matter what, she somehow knew when he was in despair.

Rolling on her side, she hears the bones in her back crack, easing some of the tension in it as an airy groan passes her lips. She pushes her tangled hair from her eyes before placing her hand on his arm. Her fingers slowly wrap around his small arm, pulling his hand away from his face, allowing her to see the despair prominently on his features.

"What's wrong, Cookie?" she asks. She hears her voice break many times in that short sentence since she just woke up, but ignores it, placing her full attention on her little brother. She waits a few moments to get a response but receives sniffles and sharp intakes of air. Instead of waiting any longer, she forces herself to sit upon the small bed, her back against the cool concrete wall. Opening her arms, she watches as it takes a moment for Cook to register what she's implying before crawling into her arms. Sitting on her thighs, he wraps his arms around her lower torso, letting his head fall against her chest. He hides his face between her breasts, his sobs becoming muffled from her shirt. Her arms wrap around his small frame, one hand going to gently pat his back while the other untangles the knots forming in his unruly hair. "What's wrong, Cookie?" she whispers once more, her voice still gravely but not as broken as before.

His sobs become soft for a moment, notifying Rybbon he's trying to answer her question. Forcing his head from her chest, she tilts his head up the slightest bit, allowing her to see his tear-stained face. He sniffles loudly, trying to hide the snot slowly draining from his nostrils. "Wh-What if-if you g-get p-picked?" he sniffles noisily. His question makes Rye sigh quietly, her hand halting in his knotted locks. "What if you aren't as lucky this time?" he sniffles once more, forcing his head up to look at her. She looks down to meet his eyes, a soft smile forming on her face as her fingers comb through his hair once more. 

"Cookie," she starts, yawning before continuing, "I'll be okay. I was okay last year. I'll be okay this year. And if I get picked I'll make sure to win just to come back to you." The tear-eyed look stays in his eyes but his sad expression softens, the boy hiding his face in her chest once more.

"You better," he mumbles, his tone angry-like. It makes Rybbon give out a tired chuckle, feeling the slightest bit relieved at his antics.

"I promise, Cook. I'll never leave you."

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ｋａｙａ　ｓｃｏｄｅｌａｒｉｏ

Ｃｏｏｋ　Ｆｙｒｎｓｂｙ
ｔｏｍ　ｈｏｌｌａｎｄ