Hunger for More | A Mega Crossover Between Star Wars, DC, and HTTYD

chapter three >> goodbyes

   They shove me in a small room and lock the door. I don't resist. No point in that. 

   I don't what for long before the door opened. Damian rushes in and collapses in my arms. I hold him close. I know I might never see him again. My little brother...

   A tear rolls from my cheek. 

   "Damian, listen to me. Don't let her get you. Stay on guard. Keep acting as everything is normal. Okay?" I say, desperately needing him to answer.

   He keeps crying into my shoulder. 

  "Damian, promise me, please!"

  "I promise, you wonderful idiot of a sister."   

   I smile in spite of my tears. I pull him closer. The tears are a waterfall now. I'm not going to be there for Damian anymore, especially now, when he needs me most-

   The stormtroopers pry Damian away from me. 

   I catch the eye of the commissioner. Commissioner James Gordon. He always had a soft spot for Damian. 

   "Please, watch over Dami."

  He nods, turning away so I can't see his tears. 

-//-

   The stormtroopers escort me to the tram. It's extravagant. The waiting room is filled with fancy chairs and decorations. The windows are shiny and clear, unlike the grimy ones back at my house. 

   I sit down on the edge of the chair. I feel very self-aware. I keep my hand tightly clasped. 

   Then I hear it.

   The ticking noise. 

   Tick, tick, tick, tick.

   My vision flickers. The flamboyant tram car flits away from existence. 

   I see it

   the kinetic bomb being inserted into their necks

   the countdown

   ten. nine. eight.

   their tears as they hear the number of seconds they have left on this earth

   seven. six. five.

   my panic

   the chains pulling at me as I strain against them

   need to help

   need to stop

   the numbers-

   four. three. two.

   my scream

   one

   blood

   No, no, I need to wrench away now, get away from the memory, need to get back to reality-

   my bloody hands

   My name is Arleen Kenneth. 

   what's left of their bodies

   I live in District 12.

   the locket

   I suffer from post-dramatic stress disorder.

   laghul's leering smile

   Get out of my head-

   her triumph

   Need to stop-

   "You okay?"

   The tram car spins back into reality. I see the elaborate decorations again. 

   It was gone. 

   I look up. It's the other tribute. Jason Todd. The one I saved from the Scauldron. The one I don't really want to kill.

   "Are you okay?" he asks again.

   I look away. "I'm fine." Like he believed that. "I have PTSD."

   He gives an apprehensive smile and sits down on the chair next to me. "I guess I shouldn't ask why you have PTSD."

   I give him a glare. "Never ask me."

   He nods, the smile gone from his face. 

   Pity is etched on his face. 

   I turn away. 

   If there's one thing I can't stand, it's pity. 

-:-:-:-:-

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