Chapter 1: Arrival

I was waiting at the train station when the train pulled in. All the steam coming of the engine was enough to blind people for a few seconds. While people around me stumbled about trying to continue on their way, I stood perfectly still, waiting for the smoke to clear, waiting to see his face. The face I had been desperately hoping to see on T.V. the past few weeks to make sure he was okay. The smoke had finally cleared, and people were walking in a direct path again. I was making my way to the passenger car, when the crowd fell into a hush. I knew this meant the door had opened, which meant I had to move quickly. I started to run, my fiery red hair flying off my shoulders as I pushed people out of the way. I had to get to the front and I made it just in time. When I looked up from the ground, which I had been staring at intently to make sure I didn't trip on anybody, I saw his face. His healthy face. He had made it back from the games in one piece, well, at least alive. My baby brother. Victor of the 74th Hunger Games.

The crowd broke into a cheer. Screaming their names. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, is the constant refrain coming from every bodies mouths. The two victors both belonging to district Twelve. I join in and shout my brothers name, as well as the girls, who I saw keep him alive. I am about to scream again when I look up and see him staring at me, recognition in his eyes. I smile at him, and he flies off the train to meet me. When he is about a foot away from me, I see him get tentative. It has been a year since we've seen each other. But before we can think about it anymore I sweep him into my arms.

"Peeta," I say softly so only he can here. "My brave little brother." Before I know it I can feel he is crying. My heart breaks, knowing exactly what he has been through and the pain you still feel even after you are out of the arena.

"Leah" he says in a choked voice. "Can we go home? I just want to leave."

"Sure thing." As I shelter my baby brother with my arm, I make a path for both of us, out of the train station. He has no personal items that I need to worry about getting, only the clothes he is wearing. As we reach the end, I feel something pull at my arm. It's the girl. The other Tribute from District Twelve. She looks like she wants to talk. "One sec." I whisper to Peeta. He nods his head and walks a little further on. When I turn back around the girl starts to talk.

"So your Peeta's sister?" I nod my head. "He never really said anything about you. I didn't know he even had one. Let alone last years Tribute from District 11." I stood there impatiently. What did this girl want? Yes, I was the victor from last years Hunger Games, but why did that concern her? Anyways with my red hair I was pretty easy to recognize. She started to speak again. "Anyways, I just wanted to remind Peeta that there is a big fancy dinner tonight. Well actually Haymitch wanted me to remind him. So I guess I will see you there?" I nod my head. She turns away, when I remember I need to say something to her.

"Katniss! Wait!" I call. She turns back around. "Thank you...thank you for Rue. She meant a lot to me, and I was glad she had someone there at the... the end." I choke out. She just nods her head with a tight smile, and turns and walks away.

I walk to my brother and pull him up from where he was sitting on the ground. "Ready to go?" I ask. In response he starts moving. I run to catch up and sling my arm around his shoulder, and together we walk away from the train station where he just came.