The 36th Games Reapings~

Travis barely noticed it, but he was led to the room inside the Justice Building where he could say his final goodbyes. His family was the first to come...just his brothers and sisters though. His parents didn't bother to show up. Go figure. His older sister was the first one to start crying as she hugged him and whispered, "I'm sorry...we were all supposed to stick together, like a family should..." He felt himself shed a tear and pat her on the back gently as he replied, "Don't worry 'bout it...I'll be home before you know it." The others took their turns hugging him and saying goodbye and they ended it with a group hug. For all he knew, it would be the last he would ever have. He let go of all of them and stepped back, sighing as they were shown out.

It hadn't even been thirty seconds before the next visitor came in, and when she did, Travis couldn't help but smile. "You came..." All of a sudden her arms were wrapped around him and he had his arms around her. He could tell she was about to cry, if she wasn't already, and he gently brushed his hand through her hair, whispering, "Shhh Stace...it's gonna be alright..."

He allowed her to cry into his shirt, chuckling when he was called a moron. Then she responded to him and he promptly stated, "Well I know so." He looked into her eyes when she pulled away. She said his name and her words drifted as she looked away. When she did he waited a couple seconds before gently taking her chin in his fingers and turned her head towards him so they made eye contact. He smiled reassuringly, his eyes showing no fear or sadness even though those were his exact feelings as he asked, "What is it? You can tell me...you might not get another chance."

At first her words didn't exactly make sense as he said, "But if I become a father then that means I...oh..." His eyes widened as he leaned back a little. He was confused on what to do. He didn't even know what to say. So, he did what came naturally. He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers gently, resting his head against hers as he pulled away. He stepped back, his hands leaving her sides. "Don't worry. I'll make certain our child doesn't grow up without a father..."

Travis watched with longing as she was being escorted, and heard her say something that made him want to run and hold her forever, killing anyone who stood in his way. And to that he responded, "I love you too Stacey...I'll come home...just...just take care of Blaze for me while I'm away." And then that was it. She was gone, maybe forever from his life. He turned around and breathed out deeply. He would not show weakness. He would not die. As he stepped out of the Justice Building he realized that he needed to come home. And no one would stop him.