The waves continued lapping at the sand on the beach.

The adolescent boy watched the snow falling, arms outstretched, enjoying the flakes falling on his red hair, carefree. He started spinning, making a little hole in the sand, until he somehow entangled his feet, and fell on his back, laughing.

"Mom! It's snowing!"

"It is, Buddy, it is."

"I've never seen snow before! Have you?"

"In another life, I saw some, yes."

The woman, bundled up in layers of wool and a thick coat, watched with eyes barely present under the green scarf that somehow complemented her red hair, and smiled at her son's antics.

Memories came back rushing. A City made of concrete, the white snow spoiled with petrol, or blood. Crashed vehicles slowly burning in a corner, pods exploding. The Star Squad.

She took deep breaths, letting the air fill her lungs, before holding it tightly inside inside her chest, following the advice of Dr. Peachmar, her long-time therapist. And so started her list, expelling as she spoke:

"My name is Annie Cresta Odair. I'm thirty four years old. I live in District 4. I was married to Finnick Odair. He died during the Rebellion. I have a son. His name is Ewen. It's snowing. We're going to make a snowman."

On and on, she repeated her litany, the words comforting her with each passage, until she finally, finally could open her eyes and smile.

Ewen was still laughing, trying to catch the snowflakes with his tongue.

"Ewen? Do you want to try to make a snowman?"

The young boy nodded, urging his mom to return to their house a few yards away.

Annie looked at the sea, calm and quiet on this snowy day.

As she turned away, the waves continued lapping at the sand on the beach .

Thank you, ct522, my friend for hosting this event, and allowing me to participate in - and all your beta work :)