Mice were common creatures inside the homes of District Nine. A constant reminder of their failure during the rebellion. Originally released by their oppressors as a form of biological weapons, it wasn't uncommon to see their descendant's scurrying...
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The Dagan family was not the richest family in the district, which was surprising to many people. Back in the day the two doctors that resided inside District Nine were beyond wealthy. (By district standards of course.) They made close to a thousand a year and more on top of that from doing calls inside the peacekeeper base. They charged high and more for those needing supplies.
So when the young Sythe Dagan came straight from Kernel many assumed he would be like the others. Charge high rates and only do pro bono for the occasional child. They were not expecting a man who only bartered with trade. Asking for food, old clothing or tools they didn't need in exchange for his work. He still even resided in the Kernel doing only house calls and helping those in the fields.
Many wondered how long this would last, thinking it had to be a splurge of stupidity from the doctor, that would end once his son was born. It did not.
Instead the family of three lived inside that small house for a good year. Sythe now trading his services for baby clothes and food. Many started to simply give the family things because they knew he would remember and help them when needed.
Then when Harlo could've only been a few months old the mayor had people banging on Sythe's door begging for help. Mrs. Fairway was having trouble with her delivery and if it wasn't for Sythe both she and the babe would've met an early grave.
Sythe, knowing his payment plan was very common, was expecting a few blankets or some new clothes, but the Fairways went and did something the family was not prepared to receive. Giving them a two story vacant townhouse. It took a lot of work and a few favours, but on Harlo's second birthday the Dagan's were ready to move in.
Solona and Harlo even surprising Sythe by making a medical cross with their handprints. And as Sythe proudly hung it on the door it had officially become their home.
A home that the now sixteen year-old Harlo needed to get back to before anyone realised he was gone.
"Are you sure you can't stay longer?" Ebony Fairways asked.
Harlo shook his head as he started to grab his clothes, "Dad'll have my head if he found out I snuck out. I shouldn't have stayed the night considering what day it is."
The mayor's daughter only nodded and got out of bed to help him, "Are you... nervous?"
He shrugged as his girlfriend helped with the buttons on his shirt, "I'm fine. I'm just ready for it to be over..."
"How many times is your name in today?"
"Standard amount..." he strapped on his belt, "You?"
