In Town

"What the fuck are you doing out here?" I asked, honestly shocked to see my cousin and then his wife stepped out of the trees too. "Damn. She's still putting up with you?"

"Yeah, don't ask me why though. It's a long story. Lots of us are out here now." I shook my head, still in shock to see him, then pulled him into a hug. "What've you been getting yourself into since you left?"

I hugged him back and shook my head, shrugging a little. "Nothing much to be honest. I did save this kid's ass from a bear attack though." I said and then pulled Dove into a hug as well "It's good to see you, girl."


"You too, I'm still in total shock though."

"You always were the hero type," I teased. "You seen a douche bag name Carlisle anywhere nearby?"

Brady

"Yeah, I just sent him home. It took some persuasion but he headed back as far as I know. Why?"

"Because he fucked up my daughter's face and left a bruise on her arm. And a sprained ankle. And I need to have a little talk with him."

"That was baby Winter?" I asked and Dove nodded "If I'd of known that I would have broken his arm while I had him down."

"Well I plan on breaking more than just his arm when I get ahold of him."

"I still don't know what happened, I just know Diego is dead and he's went off the deep end."

I sighed. "We got a kid over in our camp named Quin. He's engaged to another kid, Aurora. Anyway, a lot of bad shit happened where we're from, and when we got out here, Quin went back to get revenge on what the bastards did to his mom and sister, and his fiance's brother and mom. He was gone for too long, so another guy Asher went to go look for him. He did what he went to do but... Quin he... they messed him up pretty bad. Anyway, while they were gone Diego moved in on Aurora. Or tried to. When Quin got back and found out, he beat the shit out of Diego. Diego retaliated by getting a bunch of his buddies, kidnapping Quin, taking him out in the woods, and beating him so bad he damn near died. Had him hanging from a tree and everything when he was found. I don't know who killed Diego, I wasn't there, didn't know bout this till after, but yeah. In my eyes they more than had reason."

My son was out here in the middle of this fucking mess and that bastard's kid is the one who fucking initiated it? What about Selma? And he mentioned a sister? With too many emotions coursing through me along with questions I needed to let out some anger, I drew back my arm and punched a tree as hard as I could.


I was confused by his sudden reaction and I wasn't the only one, I could tell by the expressions on Brady and the other boy's face.

"Man, what... the hell?" I asked, not sure what else to say. "What did I say?"

I didn't know how else to explain my behavior without just spilling the truth like I should have done a long ass time ago. "Quin's my son, Brady."

I blinked a few times. "He's... excuse me? He's your son? And you never said anything?"

"It was between Selma and I and there were complications with the Capitol." I sighed deeply "Is he going to be alright? Do you know?"

"How many complications have I had with the Capitol, and you knew about Winter. You were one of the few that did. I just can't believe you never told me you had a kid." I sighed and shook my head. "I don't know. Honestly. I haven't seen him. Went by the infirmary earlier when I was stocking up on firewood and I didn't see him in there. So he must've been okay enough to go home." I shook my head again. "Does he know you're his dad?"

I shook my head "No, I don't think so. He didn't before I left...not sure if Selma ever mentioned it or not." I sighed "So, you think he's home? Does he stay with Selma?"

I shook my head. "I mean, he might be, but if he's home, him and Aurora have their own cabin far as I know. Least they did before he left to go back to that shit hole. They're engaged and all." 

"Really? Aurora...that sounds familiar."

"She used to live up in the upper districts with us, in 2 though. Last name's Miller."

"Erica's daughter? I remember Selma talking about her now. They're out here too? Damn."

"Yup. You wouldn't believe who all's out here." I shook my head. "A lot's happened since you left. It'd probably take me days to give you the short version."

"Right now let's find the dick who man handled Winter. Show us, Jamie."


"I don't know if I should...I still have to live there. Know what I mean?"


"I do but you're rarely around here anyway. That's what you told me, right?" I asked and he nodded "And this girl you mentioned...she's at the other camp. He wants to put a halt to all that."

"He wants to what? Oh hell no, some of ours have family over there." I shook my head. "Don't worry about it son, I know what he looks like. If you don't want to get involved, you can make yourself scarce and we'll take care of business."

"No...I'll go with you. Not saying you guys can't handle yourselves, I'm sure you can. But things are a little crazy over there at the moment. Let's go." I said and started to lead them to Carlisle's.