Strong (Johanna Mason Fanfic)

The Second Day

        I am awoken by a sudden crash against my door. I frantically jump up from under the covers, eyes wild and wide, panting, heart beating fast. Not because of the sound. Once again, the nightmares don't stop. 

        This time I imagined myself back home. I was walking in the town on a cold fall day. The fog took over our hills and gave the District an eerie feel. There was a light breeze and I felt my hair threatening to cover my face. I feel for it and am surprised at its length. My hair is long like the one from the Parade. My bangs are swept to my left side, slightly curled at the ends. Half of my hair is pulled up and held by a gold clip. My wool scarf is wrapped around my neck, over an old leather jacket of mine. 

        That is when I hear the scream. I frantically run towards the square as fast as my legs can carry my little body. I know that scream, I feel like I heard it before. I run to the crowd standing in the center, a hanging post in the middle of it all. People push me away, but I, stupidly keep making my way to the front. Then I see it.         

        I see my Ramsey being dragged against his will, bloody, to the post. The Peacekeepers put the noose around his neck. He has tears streaming down his face. 

        "Ramsey!" I yell, my voice cracking.

        He looks up and I see pain and deception in his brilliant eyes. I see a single tear stream down his cheek and he mouths the words I love you. Then the Peacekeepers pull the lever and his body drops and is hanging by the noose. That is when I hear myself yell. 

        I wake up, covered in sweat, panting, a crash against my door. I tiptoe to the door, making sure that Lance is still sleeping. I am surprised that he slept through my yell. I open the door curiously and I hear Lance moving on the bed. I see a single letter in a black envelope with gold outlines. I open it curiously.

        Dear Johanna,

        I miss you greatly, and you know it. I know you miss me too. I want you to know that whatever your crazy self will do in the arena and in the Capitol, I will forgive you for. You probably already got drunk but trust me, no matter what irrational thing you do, I will forgive you. 

        I love you unconditionally and I know you can do this.

        Stay strong,

        -Ramsey 

        I gasp at the letter. How the fuck did I end up getting it?! I guess Ramsey has his ways, but still! I am distracted at this moment with Lance getting up.

        "What's up?" he asks in a raspy voice.

        "Nothing." I reply.

        "Johanna, no one gets up at three in the morning because they want to. What's up?" he asks, knowing my lie.       

        "I... I got a letter from Ramsey..." I whisper.

        "What?!" his eyes shoot wide open, "How?!"

        "I don't know, but it makes me feel better." I say. 

        "Hey, I heard someone screaming. Was that you?" He asks, his voice cracking at "screaming".

        "Yeah. I'm sorry I woke you up. I'm a pain in the ass, I know." I frown.

        "It's okay, I get them too. Do you mind if I want to know what it was about?" he asks, holding my hand in between his hands.