Disclaimer: "The Hunger Games" is a series by Suzanne Collins. Not me. Obviously, this is not mine except for the plot and the new characters (excluding Peeta's and Katniss's children, which I did name so I can only get credit for that relating to their children).
Opening my eyes, I feel the sunlight's warmth. The cold of death is disappearing. The nightmares gone. I rise up from bed and head to the kitchen, following the scent of sweet bread.
"Good morning Katniss," Peeta says from the table.
"Morning Peeta," I say, walking up to him and kissing his cheek.
"Sit down and eat some." He waves his hand to the bread, nibbling on the end.
"The kids should be ready soon," he says watching me carefully.
I nod and finish my piece. "Did you eat yet?"
"A little. I wanted to save some for you and the children."
"You've made plenty! Eat some." I pick up a piece and hold it out to him.
"No it's fine."
"Peeta, eat the bread. Please." I put the bread in his hand, making sure he holds it. I take another piece for myself.
"Hi mom, dad," Ryleigh says while picking up a piece of bread.
"Ryleigh, where's your brother?" I ask.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Morning everyone," Daniel says, kissing my cheek. He sits and devours a piece of bread.
"All right, take some bread and head onto school before you two are late," I say, standing.
"Okay mom," they say in unison. Both come up and give me a hug. "Love you!"
"Love you too. Be safe."
"What about dad?" Peeta asks. Ryleigh comes up and kisses his cheek and Daniel gives him a hug before they take their bags and walk away. The sound of the door opening and closing is faint.
"I should get to the bakery. I'll be home soon though," Peeta says while getting up and walking towards me.
"I love you. Be safe," I whisper to him.
"I love you too Katniss." He kisses me before taking off. I hear the door open and close as I look at the table. The piece of bread I gave him untouched.
~.~
It's noon. I can feel it. The woods seem more quiet than usual. I lower my bow and put it away, beginning to walk to the seam. As I get nearer, I see a shadow coming overhead. I hear machinery whirring loudly. I look up and see an airship in the air. It's nothing like the District 13 airship. It looks like a Capitol sh-, I think.
"No," I say. The ship moves over me. I push myself to run and I reach the seam. People crowd the streets and shout my name. The ship moves in the direction of the school. I hear myself screaming for it to stop. I pass Peeta's bakery and turn my head to see him. There's a moment where our eyes meet and the panic is evident. He comes out and follows me, attempting to run. The ship stops at the school and students are evacuating. I reach the school when something drops from the ship. A capsule. It opens, gas leaking out. Poison? Most likely.
"Katniss!" I hear Peeta yell, distracting me. I take a second to look and don't see what's coming. Something grabs me.
"Peeta! Peeta! Help!" I scream as I'm lifted into the air.
"Katniss!"
"Mom?" Ryleigh screams. She's also in the air, as well as Daniel.
"No! No! Let them go!" Peeta yells as he's underneath me.
"Let them go? Why would I do that Peeta Mellark?" a woman's voice asks.
"Who are you?" I yell, thrashing around.
"Your worst nightmare sweetheart. I'm Rosalie Snow, granddaughter to President Coriolanus Snow. Remember him?" she says. The sound is projected across the seam. I see people cringing at the reference to President Snow.
"Why are you here?" I yell.
"To bring you and your children away. They've just been reaped for The Hunger Games and you're going to be there to watch."
Next Expected Update: Monday or Tuesday