Searching for a Myth

Greetings and Salutations

Violet's POV:

I run away at top speed, triggered by Devin's comment. Who the hell does he think he is, talking about my brother like that!!

I know I'm probably overreacting, and I need to get back to help Basil, but there are tears leaking over my cheeks, frosty against my skin, and my heart is hammering and I'm breaking down.

I collapse on my knees, my head held in my hands, neck limp, the tiniest excuse of a snowfall fluttering and piling on the ground around me.

"Oh my god." I choke out, cause that's all I can manage.

Our family has never really been religious, but I've always hoped there was a helping hand out there. I close my eyes and slow my breathing and I pray that Aspen and Olive and Cedar and Danny and mom and dad and everyone are alright. I pray that I'll be able to survive, or do more than just survive. Maybe we'll get to 13 and thrive in the community. Maybe it'll all be okay. Amen...

"Greetings and salutations." Someone says, causing me to jump nearly out of my skin. I snap my head up and catch a glance and in the hazy morning light and my foggy mind it looks just like...

"Aspen...?" I shudder.

"Pardon?" Says the figure, stepping closer and I realize it's not Aspen, but a tall, lean guy with blue eyes and shoulder length brown hair.

"H-h... hi." I gasp out, rapidly rubbing at my tearstained face.

The guy, maybe a little older than me, kneels in the shallow soft snow and holds out a hand to me. His hollow cheeks are flushed red from the cold and he wears a heavy black coat and pants.

"I'm Andrew Coin." He says, fumbling a little as he moves his hand towards me.

I tentatively take it and mutter my name.

"Pretty." Andrew says, holding my cold hand in his warm gloved one.

"Uh, thanks." I say, pulling my hand away and standing up clumsily.

"So, where are you from?" Andrew asks as he stands up, and I glance at the ground, then into his piercing eyes. His eyes are so pure and blue, it's like they force you to tell the truth, but not by intimidation, more like trustworthiness.

"I ran away from Eleven... on my own. But then after a few weeks I met two girls from Twelve... and a boy and little girl from Eight. And then a guy and girl and her baby from Four. Then this other little girl who turned out to be the boy from Four's sister showed up. We all joined up and formed what Basil, the younger girl from Twelve, calls the 'Mega Squad'. Turns it we all knew people in the Games too. But anyway, I need to get back to them, Basil's sick with what looks like pneumonia and I left on a spur, and... yeah, bye. Sorry." I sputter out our long complicated story.

"Wait... come with me to Thirteen," Andrew offers. He grabs my hand, seemingly unfazed by the confusing account of the Mega Squad's adventures. "All of you can come. We have doctors, for Basil, and shelter for all of you. Just... please?"

"You're from Thirteen?" I ask in astonishment. I hadn't realized how close we must be to the lost district.

"Yeah," Andrew says with a coy smile. "Since I was young. My parents and sister and I came here from District Nine. Well... actually... just me and my sister in the end. My parents were shot by peacekeepers near Four. We watched it all happen... my sister was too young to understand, but I took it upon myself to protect us both. We ran the other way until, finally, after we'd lost track of the days, we came to Thirteen."

"I... I'm sorry." I say, saddened by the death that seems to claw at everyone I know.

"It's okay..." Andrew say with a little nod, staring at some unseen thing in the trees. "I'm okay now." He smiles shyly.

"VIOLET!!" Someone shouts. It sounds like... Devin. He bursts into the little area where we are.

"Who is this?" He asks, gesturing to Andrew's tall figure.

"Andrew," I say coldly. "He's from Thirteen and has offered to lead us there."

"Oh... okay..." Devin says, and I can tell he's nervous, about Andrew? Or me? "Violet, I'm sorry."

"Forget it." I snap. "Where is everyone?"

"Uh... I'll get them," Devin says. "Sorry again."

When he's gone, Andrew turns to me with a raised eyebrow.

"Who was that guy?" He asks.

"Just Devin. He's from Eight. We... had a disagreement. It's nothing, though." I stammer.

"Nothing? He made you cry."

"Andrew, no offense, but there's a lot between all of us that you won't understand. You just got here, we don't even know you, so don't try and get all up in our space."

Andrew's jaw drops a little.

"Okay. Sorry." He says.

Devin reappears alongside everyone else, Ian carrying Basil, the others carrying our myriad of supplies. Andrew introduces himself and everyone tells their names and districts.

"So, shall we go?" Andrew asks, and I nod. "We're about two days out. I was just doing a little patrolling, plus I needed some space. When we get to Thirteen, you can meet my sister, Alma. She's very nice, five years younger. You'll all be given rooms, probably paired in twos or threes-"

"Andrew," Poppy says, gripping her bag. "We'll figure it out when we get there. But Basil is just getting worse and worse so if we could get moving to this hospital of yours that'd be lovely."

"Oh course." Andrew mutters, trying at a smile, and then we're off. Two days and we'll be in Thirteen. Just two days...

A/N: We're back from our break! Yay!! Happy new year everyone!

Chapter by xxshenevermissesxx