New roomate - locked to Bob Fraser

[primeverdeen]

Prim woke when the alarm on her padd woke her. Time to feed Buttercup and Lady. Then she could go to sleep again. She might have nightmares when she slept, but at least in the nightmares.... Katniss is there. At least she's not alone.

But when she woke up...

She got up and fed the animals, refilling their water bowls. She was about to go to back to bed, then she saw the notice on her padd, waiting for her.

A new roommate. She went to Katniss' side of the quarters. Touched Katniss' bed. No trace of her warmth left.

And then... then someone else will come... and use her bed?

She sank to the floor, tears running down her face. Someone else is taking Katniss' place. But...

....

... does that mean that... she really.... isn't coming back?

When her new roommate came in, he'd find her sitting on the floor beside the bed that's made and neat, sobbing into her hands.

Comments

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

He shook his head gently. "No 'of course' about it, miss. I'm not allowed do anything you wouldn't like me to do, you see.

"If you don't want me to ask you a question, then I can't ask you a question."

[primeverdeen]

She hunched down a bit further, but there was an odd look on her face... along with the fear and the tears. Like... she didn't quite believe him.

"Peacekeepers are allowed to do whatever they want," she said softly. Was this a test? Was he trying to see if she'd be stupid enough to stand up to him, to refuse to answer?

She closed her eyes, trying to block out the memory of packing snow onto Gale's back after he was whipped, of the lash across Katniss' face for standing up to Thread....

She waited for the question... or the feal of leather breaking her own skin.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"Not where I come from," he replied. "Where I come from, they have to answer to the people they protect. Our motto is 'Maintain the Right'. It means that I have to make sure you have the right to say 'no'."

[primeverdeen]

She hesitated, unsure. Things were so different here but... but were they THAT different? Could she trust it?

And then it hit her. Again. Katniss was gone.

But that also meant that no one could use her to hurt Katniss anymore. Which means the worst that could happen would e that she'd get hurt or die. But she couldn't be used to hurt anyone who mattered, because they weren't here.

She took a breath and lifted her chin, trying not to tremble. "Well... that's not the case where I'm from," she said as bravely as she could.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"I'm starting to get that picture," he agreed, nodding. He certainly wasn't being anything resembling aggressive.

[primeverdeen]

Which kind of confused her. "Wh....what did you want to ask...?"

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"Would you tell me if someone here made you feel scared?" he asked.

[primeverdeen]

She just stared at him like she couldn't believe he was such an idiot.

"Y....y...you mean... besides you?" she asked, voice shaking slightly.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"No, miss," he said, not acknowledging the look. "I don't mean besides me. I need to know that too."

[primeverdeen]

".... Why?"

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"Why?" he repeated with a shrug. "Because fear is terrible when you're alone. I know. I've felt it. My mother helped me when I was your age. So I want to help you."

[primeverdeen]

"Why would you want to help me? You don't know me...."

Or... did he know Katniss?

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"No, I don't know you," he agreed. "But my mother taught me I should always help others. And so I do."

[primeverdeen]

"M...my mother... also tries to help people...."

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

He nodded. "Mothers are good for that, I found," he said.

[primeverdeen]

"Yeah. I guess so..."

This was just... weird.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

He nodded again. Weird was better than terror any day.

[primeverdeen]

"S.....s....so.... now what....?"

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"It's up to you," he shrugged. "Now what?" he asked.

[primeverdeen]

"W...why are you in my room?" she asked. She knew she was getting a new roommate, she had no clue who.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"I was assigned here," he said. "I can change that, though, if you like."

[primeverdeen]

"Assig..... This room? Y...you're the one taking Katniss' bed?" she asked, her eyes widening, her skin paling again.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

He looked at the bed in question. "I can certainly make my own," he replied, which was true. He didn't ask who Katniss is.

[primeverdeen]

"I...I meant... you're the one... they sent to take her place..." she whispered.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

"I'm not going to replace anyone, miss," he replied. "I've been assigned here, though, yes."