𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓃𝒶𝑔𝑒 / 𝕋ℝ𝔸𝔾𝔼𝔻𝕐 !

aster hale. seventeen. tribute.

[asterhale-blog]

LEE / MAXINE 

Time: 9:03AM Location: Train to the Capitol Availability: Closed to @asterhale

From darkness grew bitter talons, claws that tore thick and raw past the clack of train against tracks. Always the same sweat, the same dreams, the same bile carried up in wings past the tang of past slaughter. Had night brought cries with it? If it had, no one had slapped them away into consciousness, and the sun must’ve beat back the din as it rose. Always another fight, another struggle, another scream to break in the day. Max brought a hand to her face, scattering the puddle of drool that had found home there. Its diaspora absorbed itself into the sofa’s velvet arm, darkening fabric as proof of tenancy. “Morning, peanut,” she slurred, nodding up from the couch towards her approaching tribute. She swiveled the cap from her flask, swigging deep before offering it up to the other. “Sleep okay? If I ever make too much of a racket, feel free to come in and kick me, I’ll shut up.” She propped her work boots up on the coffee table, hiccup breaking the upturn of her lips. “If you’re hungry, the train’s got food all around. Consider it the Capitol’s attempt at a last meal before a prolonged period of starvation, so whatever’s running through your little head, don’t let it get in the way of needed nourishment. Eat up, then tell me exactly how far you’d go to win.”  

            THERE  ARE  BAGS  UNDER  HER  EYES  ,  they ‘ re  red  and  puffy  and  the  light  in  them  dramatically  dimmed  somewhere  amidst  all  the  crying  last  night  .   she  did  not  sleep  .  she  could  not  sleep .  the  stench  of  alchohol  hits  her  as  soon  as  she  makes  it  through  the  door , disgust  .  she ‘ s  drunk  at  nine  in  the  morning  ,  how  is  this  woman  going  to  help  her  ?  she  rejects  the  flask   “ i don’t  ----  papa  never  let  us  drink  ----- ” and  the  bare  mention  of  him  is  enough  to  bring  reality  crashing  down  on  her  again  ,  and  bring  her  to  tears ,  again  .  but  she  wipes  them  away  as  quick  as  they  come   ,  she  reaches  for  a  small  pastry  ---  she ‘ s  not  hungry , she  feels  sick  ----  but  she  nibbles  at  it ,  and  it  helps  swallow  the  knot  in  her  throat  .  “  i just  --- i don’t  want  to  die . ”