Mess Hall

I laughed "That was one day I was glad Megan didn't tag along behind us."

I chuckled. "Yeah, true. We were lucky not to be hurt, I'm glad we didn't put her at risk. That time anyway. God we were dumb kids weren't we," I said and laughed.

"We were, but I wouldn't change it for anything."

"Neither would I. We had some great times," I said as I finished my drink. "Well, there's really not much I can show you before dark. I think I'll let you get back to your lady and call it a night. There'll be breakfast in the morning, just come back over here whenever you wake up."

"Alright man, have a good night. Thanks for accepting us here Jack, I was worried about what to do with Faye once I drug her all the way out here." We chatted a little more and said our goodbyes.

I led them to the front of the room and started a fire. "Now just sit back, relax, and I'll have you all set soon." I winked at them then went downstairs to get some food. I brought some deer steak up and some vegetables, then gave them both something to drink. I started the grill and started to cook. "So what made you leave the districts? If you don't mind my asking.

I looked at mom and she nodded, "I...well i was accused of murdering peacekeepers."



I raised my eyebrows. "Really? What happened?"

I told him the whole story, even about the rescue. "They saved my life, but we couldnt stay. I left behind the boyfriend who saved me, and my best friend too, whos now in those fucking games." i sighed and fought tears. "I didnt get to tell her goodbye."



I sighed and shook my head. "That's horrible. I'm real sorry that happened. That's too much for anyone to go through, let alone someone as young as you. Things are better here though, away from all that. You'll never have to go through something like that again. You'll always be protected here."

"I am glad, mom and i have been through enough." i said quietly.

"Sounds like more than enough to me. But no more," I said and got the steaks and veges off the grill and loaded up their plates. "Eat as much as you want, if you're still hungry when you're done, we've got more," I said, getting them both more to drink and setting it all in front of them. "You two outta just rest tonight, tomorrow whenever you wake up I can introduce you to everyone else."

we finished and he showed us to a small cottage. we went in and Chelsi laid right down, hugging the sweatshirt Ethan gave her. "Thank you, for everything. You sure its okay,i mean we dont wanna intrude."

I smiled at her. "You're not intruding at all. This house is vacant anyway. If you want, I'll help you clean it up tomorrow. And if you or your daughter need anything during the night, I'm right next door."

I looked around and said, "Its perfect, and thank you for the offer to help. I wanna help to though, maybe make breakfast for you, and whoever else."

I smiled. "That would be much appreciated, but you don't have to do that. You just got here, no one'll expect you to pitch in yet. If you want, I can show you around tomorrow too."

I smiled and tried not to pa attention to how handsome he was. "Thank you, i uh...am not used to people helping me, so forgive me if i seem...well unappreciative, really i am not."

I smiled. "I didn't think you were. You come from District 5, and you've been traveling a long ways, and the way we hear it, things have gotten worse up there. We just had a couple people show up earlier too. And with everything that just happened to your daughter, it's understandable that you would be wary, at the very least, of a man you just met. We'll get to know each other though, and I hope you'll decide I'm not that bad," I teased. "Nothing worse than a gorgeous woman hating you," I teased and winked at her.

we walked in and he had us sit down while he went to talk to the man cooking.



I went up to Jack and spoke to him for a minute then brought him over to the ladies. "Beth, Chelsi, this is Jack, he's kind of in charge, makes sure everything runs smoothly, we have everything we need, that kind of thing. Jack, these lovely ladies are Beth and Chelsi, come from District 5."



"It's real nice to meet you. I trust my boy Jon here's been good to you? Did you find a place to sleep last night?"

Chelsi slid a little closer and I smiled. " yes he's been wonderful."



I smiled and nodded. I could tell they were both a little nervous, the girl more than the woman. "Good, I'm glad to hear it. Well, the food's just about done, so when you're ready, come on and help yourselves," I said then went back up to finish.



"So did you both sleep well last night?"

I nodded and said quietly. " yes, I... I heard wolves and this morning birds, I never heard either before, and i love your dog. She's so fuzzy."



I took the coffee he handed me and nodded . " I slept good, thank you." I said smiling as he sat down.



"Good, I'm glad to hear it, I was hoping you would." I smiled at Chelsi. "That's one of the many reasons I love it out here, nothing but nature and the animals. That's Josie, I've had her since I was a kid. She's a trooper." I smiled as she laid her head on the bench by Chelsi's leg. "She likes you."

I rubbed the dogs furry head and smiled. "she is very sweet." i said shyly.



"Yeah she is. She's a big teddy bear, there's not a mean bone in her body."

" could I maybe play with her later, I mean if that's okay?"

I smiled at her. "Anytime you want. Tell you what, how about I let her hang out with you all day. You guys live next door anyway, and she knows her way home."

I smiled and thanked him as he said breakfast was ready. Chelsi got her a plate and sat back with Josie again while we got ours. We sat back down and I said " you all will have to let me help , cooking or whatever."



"That would be great, you can help with whatever you'd like. I'll show you the storage cellar where we keep all the food, and the garden out back. When they get up, you can meet Jason and Faye, they came from district 1. I bet she'll be happy to have another woman around to talk to."

I looked up and said "Faye, I knew a Faye when I, well when we were in one. Her husband was my ex's team leader, that would be something if it was the same woman."



"Could be, it's not a very common name I don't think. She didn't come with her husband though. She said she left her husband, sounded like a real asshole anyway, excuse my language. She came here with a man named Jason, old from of Jack's when we all lived in the districts."

I smiled and looked at Chelsi," It's Mrs. Osterman I think hes talking about. We lived next door, her husband Jasper was a real dick."



"That would be cool, if she's who you're thinking of. It'll be nice for you to have a familiar face around."