District 7 slowly was coming alive—people returned to their work, children started roaming the streets again, and even the forest gradually became green. It seemed like the only one to stay grieving was Johanna. She never thought she was going to get better; the wounds were deeply engraved in her mind. But time passed, and they turned into annoying scratches—almost healed but still bleeding.
She had a new house now—the one the government gave her. Its bricked walls weren't overly hospitable, but Johanna had seen far worse than that. The house wasn't big, but it was close to the market and, more importantly, the hospital, so Johanna was fine with it. Here, her cherished isolation was disrupted by only one human being.
Mac was the loudest child Johanna had ever met. The boy, who was not older than ten, lived two houses away. On a mostly calm street, he raised hell every day with his old red bike. Sure, the little devil helped the old Ms. Lane get the milk from the market or get the letter to the post office quickly, but something about his loud laughter in the evening annoyed Johanna to no end.
Not Y/N, though. Johanna wondered how such vastly different people could live under the same roof. Ms. Lane called her ''Lovely Y/N'' and Johanna had to agree with the old lady for once. Y/N worked as a nurse; Johanna often saw her in the white halls of the hospital. She was just what Johanna loved about her District the most: someone with a big heart and working hands.
This type of people sang old songs in pubs after a day in the sawmill or chatted with their neighbours over a cup of tea on Sunday afternoons. The people Johanna remembered from her childhood, the people her parents and brothers once were. Y/N was just the type—she smiled more often than she frowned and laughed more than she argued.
It seemed distant to Johanna, like a tune she'd heard before but couldn't recall the words of. She doesn't belong among those people anymore. Not after all she went through. And every time Y/N appeared on the porch of Johanna's house with a warm smile, Johanna was reminded of that.
"Good evening, Miss Mason."
Y/N stands in front of her once again. She came right after work, a worn bag over her shoulder, a deep blue coat a size larger, hurriedly buttoned up. The little devil is also here; now, the boy shyly hides behind the woman, hiding his gaze.
''My name is Johanna.'' she clears. Johanna hates that she can't hold a civil conversation for once; her words definitely didn't sound polite.
''Yes, sorry. Johanna, I am so sorry about your flowerpot. Mac?"
''I'm sorry, Miss Johanna. It won't happen again.'' the boy mumbles, his head bowed in deep shame.
Oh, yes. This dumbass broke a flowerpot with his annoying ball this afternoon. To be fair, Johanna couldn't care less about that thing; it was empty anyway. Besides, she had a stupid habit of breaking everything in her house when angry, so sooner or later, the flowerpot would meet its fate.
''Don't worry about it,'' she mumbles, almost embarrassed to see Y/N's warm smile appear on her tired face once again.
''I thought we should buy you a new one, but I didn't know which one to choose. How about we go to the market on Sunday together, and I'll buy the one you want?''
Johanna freezes. The idea of going to the market on Sunday terrifies her. Then, most of the District gathers there. But if she doesn't agree, Y/N will think she hates her. Johanna can't allow it—the nurse is the only thing close to a friend that she has. Mason can't help but think how damn stupid it is not to be able to buy herself a pot. So, the choice is obvious.
''Sounds good!'' Johanna squeezes out. Her voice is harsh, but Y/N still nods.
''Great! At the corner at ten then.''
Y/N is already there when Johanna comes, and Mason feels at ease, distracted from anxious thoughts by a pleasant conversation. That is until they enter the square. It is noisy and too fast for her to keep up, and Johanna almost thinks of running away, but Y/N places a hand on her back.
''First, let's look at Greg's. They changed the aisle; it is closer to vegetables now.''
Johanna might feel like throwing up, but she still got her stupid pot and made Y/N laugh a couple of times, so, in her book, it is a win. Y/N seems to think so too. She takes two pieces of candy out of the bag.
''Would you like some? I stole it from Mac.''
''Do I look like a kid to you?'' Johanna resents.
She still takes it, of course. It's chocolate, for God's sake.
It is Friday; Y/N's shift ends fifteen minutes after Johanna's appointment with the doctor, so they walk home together. Y/N says she doesn't like walking alone, and Johanna almost believes her; after each session with a doctor, Mason leaves the room with bloodshot eyes. Of course, Y/N notices them too.
Johanna waits for her near a small shop on the corner, as she usually does. What is unusual are a few wet patches on the pavement. Johanna feels her heart drop. Its racing beat rings loud in her ears. Suddenly, the air doesn't want to enter her lungs anymore; Johanna grasps it again and again, feeling her knees weaken. Water drops had already found her head and shoulders, each one burning her skin.
That's how she is going to die, she thinks. The water slowly covers small holes in the road; Johanna's hands begin to tremble, chills covering them. She already can't feel her legs. Water, then electricity. Snow fucking got her. She can't escape him.
A pair of colorful shoes blocks the view of the road. Then, concerned eyes appeared in front of Johanna's. It's Y/N, Mason thinks; her figure is a slight blur. She says something, but it is quite hard to understand—the water is pouring down her face.
Johanna shakes her head. "I don't," she stutters, "I can't."
She loses Y/N's face again but feels her presence near. The woman places something cold in Johanna's hands, her voice ringing loudly in Mason's head.
"Breathe.''
And she does. In and out, in and out, until her vision isn't so clouded anymore and she can finally feel her sore legs. The rain doesn't stop, but it doesn't hit her anymore. Y/N is sitting beside her, holding an umbrella.
''Can you walk?'' she asks, her hair and clothes soaked.
Johanna only nods, feeling the usual sleepiness returning.
''Let's get you out of here then.''
Johanna sits on the old chair in the smallest kitchen she has ever seen. They are at Y/N's house. She is in a horrendous dress that Y/N made her change into; she can't remember the last time she wore one.
The owner of the house, if you could call it that, was nowhere to be found. Y/N claimed to go searching for the blanket, but it was highly suspicious—the house was too small for anything to get lost. Johanna wonders if she is calling the doctors now, or hiding in the bathroom with a knife in her trembling hands—the thought brings a smile to her face.
Still, she is not alone in the room—a pair of curious eyes watch her very carefully.
''Are you going to hide there all day?" she asks, annoyed.
The little devil leaves his not-so-well-thought-out hiding spot with a loud sigh. ''Y/N told me to leave you alone,'' he reveals. ''But you are at my house, so...''
The boy looks very confident in himself. He grabs a pear from the nearest bowl and slides onto the chair next to her. ''Why are you here?''
Johanna eyes him up and down. ''Your mom dragged me here, and I didn't have the heart to argue with such a beauty'', she shrugs.
''Mum?'' he exclaims, making a disgusted face. ''Ew! Y/N is my sister, you moron!''
''MAC!'' Y/N roars, returning to the room with a spare blanket. ''What did I say just two minutes ago?''
The boy rolls his eyes. ''Don't bother the guest.''
''And?'' Y/N looks at him sternly.
"And don't you fucking swear." Mac grins, stealing one more pear from the bowl before dodging the rag thrown at him.
Johanna snorts. "A lovely kid you have here."
Y/N sighs. ''He's a pain in the ass sometimes. But I can't really blame him. ''
Mason watches the woman place a kettle on the stove. She changed her wet clothes, but her hair is still damp. Y/N looks relaxed like this, even with a near maniac in her kitchen.
''Why are you raising him?'' Johanna looks at her curiously.
''Well, my parents were executed for supporting the rebellion. So there was not much of a choice.''
''I'm sorry.'' Johanna frowns.
She never thought about how much the revolution affected the people around her. Sure, the District was burned and bombed, but how many people lost their families as Y/N did? Like she did years ago?
''I like to think they were happy to die fighting.'' Y/N watches the droplet of water hit the window. ''You can stay for the night. I am leaving early, but Mac will be home.''
Johanna wants to argue, but frankly, Y/N is right. She can't even bring herself to look at the rain, let alone set foot outside.
''Thank you.''
Y/N nods. She doesn't talk anymore, deep in her thoughts. Johanna wonders what she has also missed.
''I had brothers too, you know. Two. Snow killed them after I won.'' Johanna bites her cheek, feeling her eyes water.
She had never told anyone before. None of the survivors
know where her family is, except for the doctor, but it wasn't really her choice to tell him.
''I miss them.''
''I do too.'' Y/N's eyes mirror hers - something in them makes Johanna's heart squeeze. ''Sometimes I think it should've been me. Mac would've been much happier without a sister than without parents.''
''Don't say that.'' Johanna scowls. ''You help a lot of people.''
Y/N chuckles. ''I don't do much. I am not a doctor.''
It's not what she meant, Johanna thinks but keeps her mouth shut. What did she mean by that anyway?
Johanna cleans for the first time in forever. It's refreshing, although she will never admit it. The weather is pleasant enough to keep the windows open, and Johanna thinks the sky is finally starting to clear. That's when she hears loud bangs on the door. There is only one person who knocks this loudly.
''What do you want, Mac?'' she asks, opening the door only to find a boy completely out of breath.
''Miss Mason, Y/N wondered if you could help us chop the wood?''
Johanna frowns. ''Is this why you were running here?''
''Yes.'' the boy nods.
Something doesn't add up, but Johanna has absolutely no wish to dig deeper; it's easier to say when Mac doesn't have something going on.
''Well, let me grab my axe.''
Johanna doesn't understand why the little devil keeps rushing her. Their house seems fine, with no fire or explosion in sight. When they approach, however, Johanna hears a familiar voice speak louder than usual.
''Mister Pitforest, I'm afraid I can't. I am working at that hour.''
''Oh, Y/N. Are you going to deny me the pleasure of your company? You know, my darling, it gets lonely these days without someone by my side.''
''I am very sorry to hear that, but I have to put food on the table.''
''Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about that. I will take good care of you and your brother—that's what old friends are for, right? So, what do you say?''
Johanna watches Mac's hands turn into fists when the man touches Y/N's shoulder. He is at least twice her age, if not older, and she is clearly uneasy.
''I believe she said no.''
Y/N turns to her, surprised. Johanna knows she probably looks like a mad woman with an axe in her hand and Mac hiding behind her. The axe feels natural in her grip - she still remembers how to use it properly.
''Y/N, don't tell me you know '', he motions toward Johanna, "her.''
''I do. Is there a problem?'' Y/N's face is stone cold, and Johanna can't help but think it was much more intimidating than a weapon in her hands.
''A problem? Y/N, she is a child killer! What would your poor father say to that?''
''And what would my father say to his friend trying to sleep with his daughter?"
The man's face grows red. ''I was trying to help you, ungrateful bitch.''
''One more word,'' Johanna warns.
The man throws a glance at her axe before quickly getting into the car. He is rich, Johanna thinks—not a lot of people can afford cars here. She watches the auto disappear in the next turn before turning to Y/N.
''You should've told me he was bothering you sooner.''
''He was a family friend.'' She shrugs. ''And a dick, apparently.''
Johanna chuckles. ''So, where's the wood?''
Y/N looks at her, confused. ''In the forest, I assume?''
''Mac told me you need help cutting it.''
Y/N laughs. ''That little shit.''
Johanna can't help but notice how pretty she looks like that.
''You don't look bad yourself, with an axe and everything. It suits you.''
Mason feels her legs take a step closer to Y/N, their eyes meeting.
''Can I?'' she asks, but Y/N is quicker; she presses her lips to hers.
It's calm. For the first time in years, Johanna feels calm. They pull away after a few moments, Y/N's arms still intertwined with hers—the one without an axe, of course.
''I haven't been hugged in years,'' Johanna admits.
''Well, that should feel nice then.''
They stay like this, just holding each other - as much as Johanna doesn't want to admit it, it does feel nice.
''Are you finished eating each other's faces?'' Mac asks, his eyes purposefully shut.
Johanna feels Y/N giggle in her chest. ''Tell him he has five seconds to run as far as he can.''
She smiles too, watching the boy vanish into the house. Maybe, just maybe, being alive has its perks.