9-FAREWELL

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The sky brewed dark, as the sun hid behind the clouds. Rows of people stood together, black clothes cladded on their bodies. Her blonde hair whipped against the chilling wind, her hand interlocked with his. He stood next to her, his face stone cold. Not a single glance of remorse or hurt painted his face. He felt a bit relived. No more pain or hurt could attack him anymore; suffocating him, he was free. It almost didn't feel real, it felt like a dream-a sweet dream. A beautiful nightmare, that finally had an ending.

Peeta's father was dead. Gone. Deceased.

He was no longer alive to cause his son anymore harm. Peeta felt almost happy that his father was long gone. He felt safe. There were no more bruises, nor screams of terror and pain. No more lies and fearful nights, cowering in a corner, begging for mercy.

Nova watched as the evil man's coffin was lowered into the ground. She didn't cry, not single drop of water slipped from her blue eyes. She took a glance at Peeta, seeing his eyes emotionless. The blonde couldn't tell what her best friend was feeling. He was blank.

When the funeral was over, Peeta walked past his grieving mother, whom was broken, as Nova followed him. She didn't want him being alone when his father had just died. Peeta's father had died from a stroke just early last night. It came as shock to the town. The whole town was in morning, but Peeta. He stood in the sidelines, not caring that his father had died. He didn't even wish his father a final farewell. His father may have physically died, but emotionally, he had died along time ago, according to Peeta.

Nova watched as the young boy sat in the meadow, as he finally broke down. Tears came rushing down his face, his cries sounded broken and torn. Years of torture and abuse flashed through his mind, as his sobs were loud. Nova felt her heart sink into her stomach. Tears pricked down her face, as she felt her best friend hurt.

"Peeta?" Her voice was horse.

Peeta glanced up through his tears, the blonde felt more tears spill from her eyes. The single look of being broken and torn apart by the seems, easily painted his face. "Nova..." he trailed off, only to have Nova hush him.

"Just come here," she told him, as her arms were opened. He wrapped his arms around her, his face behind shoved against her shoulder. Tears stained her light pink blouse, but she didn't care.

"My father is dead," he cried. Nova ran her fingers through his dirty blonde hair.

"I know, Peeta. Just let it out all. It's okay to cry," she softly consoled him.

In that moment, it was just them, haunting by the memories of their past. Their dark past that seemed to follow them wherever they went. Everything could only go up from now on.

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