Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games or any of the characters
A/N: Hope everyone likes it
Chapter 1: Sometimes, people just need to be held
Growing up, I guess I should've noticed things more. How sometimes, Daddy would grip the back of a chair, head bent down, face twisted in pain. And how Mommy would sometimes wake up screaming in the middle of the night. How sometimes, Mommy and Daddy would flinch at some of the things we said…some of the things we did…do.
When I would go out, picking Primrose flower's from the garden, while Rory would pick Rue flowers. Then we would go inside, and hand them to Mommy. She would thanked us, and told us they were beautiful in a chocked voice, then she would turn, and lock herself in her room.
When I was seven, I developed a love for cats. On my way home from school one day, I saw a scrawny cat in an alley way. It had little fur, and was ridden up with fleas. But I approached it, and it hissed, back arching when I was a few feet away from it. I squatted down, made a clicking noise I had seen my best friend Naylor do, and reached my arm out, while rubbing my fingers together.
"Come here," I called softly. "I won't hurt you."
The cat cautiously walked toward me, and I started rubbing behind it's ears when it got in close enough proximity. It flinched at first, but then began purring, as I rubbed it's head, and scratched under it's neck. I picked it up, and began walking home, while it fell asleep in my arms. I checked and saw that it was a boy. The little fur he had on him was white, and he had muddy yellow eyes. He reminded me of a Daisy. So that's what I called him.
When I had got home, and showed my family the cat, Mother said, "Absolutely not! The thing is infested with fleas! And we do not need another mouth to feed." she declared, even though we lived in the Victor's village, and were very wealthy. I hadn't known the reason she had hated him so quickly. Daddy backed her up and said we had no place for it. I started to cry, and Mommy had a weird look in her eye. She told me I could keep it, then sent me outside to play with Rory, who was four at the time.
His grey eyes of The Seam danced, as he watched as he watched the cat chase the yarn I had got from the house. He suddenly got up, and started chasing the cat. Daisy didn't like this. So when Rory finally managed to catch him, they cat hissed, and scratched Rory on the face.
He started crying loudly, as the blood came. He got mad and started yelling in his four year old vocabulary at the cat, and threw a rock at him. Then I got mad.
I tackled my brother to the ground, and Mommy had to drag me off him. He still has a scar from that cat.
*oOo*
I loved to sing, and Mockingjay's were my favorite things. I used to sit out in the meadow, and sing various different songs I had heard over the years.
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow. A bed of grass, a soft green pillow. Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes. For when again they open, the sun will rise.
Here it's safe, her it's warm. Here the daisy's guard you from every harm. Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true. Here is the place where I love you.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away. A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray. Forget your woes, and let your troubles lay. For when again it's morning they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm. Here the daisy's guard you from every harm. Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true. Her is the place where I love you."
Or another…
"Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree
Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree'
Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, Are you
Coming to the tree
Where a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be', 'If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree"
And also…
"Down in the valley, the valley so low
Hang your head over, here the wind blow
Here the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow;
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in Heaven know I love you,
Know I love you, dear, know I love you
Angels in Heaven know I love you.
Build me a castle, forty feet high;
So I can see her as she rides by,
As she rides by, dear, as she rides by.
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in Heaven, know I love you,
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in Heaven know I love you."
And there was a four note tune I heard the Mockingjay's call, so I started whistling it. In school, in the bath, before I went to sleep, in the meadow, on the walk to and from school…and around the house.
When I was whistling it one day, with a gold pin I found in my Mom's room with a Mockingjay in it, Mom stopped me.
"What's that in your hand?" she asked.
I froze, then turned my dark head, to capture my mother's eyes, with her blue ones. I walked toward her, my white dress swishing, flats making a click on every step.
I opened my hand to reveal the shiny, gold pin.
"I don't know," I answered. "I found it in your room."
Mom looked up at me. Her grey eyes harsh.
"Go to your room." she commanded.
I stood stock still, disbelieving. Mother never talked to me that way. Ever.
"But Mommy…" I whispered, a little stung.
"GO!" she yelled at me, eyes welling with tears.
I ran fast through the house, tears spilling down my young cheeks, into the arms of my Dad.
"Sweetheart…Are you all right?" he asked hesitantly, crouching down to my eye level.
I didn't answer, but threw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest, sobbing.
He wrapped his arms around me, resting his chin on my head.
Sometimes, people just need to be held.
