"Peeta Mellark!" my heart stopped as the name rang in the silence of the crowd. I watched in horror as the blonde headed boy made his way to the stage. I couldn't believe it, couldn't believe I had to watch the boy I loved fight in the arena. To watch him turn into a monster before dying.
I stared on as he and Katniss disappeared behind the doors before I was dragged away by Gale.
"No no no, Gale this can't be happening." I begged him to tell me any different.
"Sorry Zila it is. Look, I'll be back but I've gotta go see Katniss." He left me sitting outside my home.
The days passed quickly and I watched as Gale proclaimed his love for Katniss to Caesar and watched as he made his first kill. I watched on in horror and sadness as he and Katniss kissed in the cave before tearing out of Gales arms and running into the woods. I made sure to hide my trail so Gale couldn't follow me. I fell asleep out there in the woods, curled up under a fallen tree I didn't wake up until finally I heard Gale screaming for me.
I stood up shakily and brushed off the dirt from the clothes that hung off my skinny frame. I barely ate during the games every year this year I simply didn't eat at all.
"Gale! I'm over here!" I called. I spotted him charging through the forest towards me. I stared at him as he grabbed me tightly before scooping me up bridal style.
"God, Zila don't you know how long you've been out here?" I shook my head.
"You've been out here two days Zila. What were you thinking?" I glanced up at him.
"I was…sleeping. You woke me up." I spoke quietly, not having the energy to speak any louder.
"Well, you missed it, Peeta and Katniss both made it. They should be here by now and setting up in the victors village." we had reached the fence and Gale set me down to climb through before helping me climb through and picking me back up.
"I don't want to go see them. Just leave me at home." I muttered into his jacket.
"Why not?" He asked. I simply shook my head. In all reality I had a very good reason to not want to see them. I had slept with Peeta not long ago and my period had disappeared. I would ruin everything.
"I just can't Gale. I can't face Peeta." I told him. He looked down at me.
"Get over loving him. He's with Katniss. I've already made my peace with it." In a burst of anger I twisted out of his arms and growled at him.
"I'm pregnant Gale! It's Peetas! I would fuck everything up!" I yelled at him before walking off towards my house. I lived alone thankfully. My family was all dead. Well everyone except for the little life now residing inside me.
I left Gale standing there in shock as I burst through my doors expecting the shabby emptiness. Instead I found Peeta standing in my house with shock written all over his face. He had heard.
"Are you sure?" I slapped him.
"Of course I'm sure now leave!" I pushed past him but his cane caught my foot and I began to fall. Surprisingly strong arms wrapped around my middle and pulled me to a warm thick body.
"Zila," his voice scraped gently across my ears.
"Peeta, no. You have your life with Katniss now in Victors Village. I have my life of shit to continue on with." I tried to push myself away and realized I was crying.
"Zila, I can't leave you like this." I shook my head.
"You can and you will. You're in love with her aren't you? Then go love her! I'll survive." my head swam.
"When did you eat last?" I turned my face away. "When Zila?" he shook my shoulders.
"Reaping day." he scooped me up into his arms just as my vision darkened.
I woke up in a bed much softer than my own at home. Also this bed was much warmer and moved. I took a deep breath of the sweet air around me and snuggled farther into the bed. Something was draped comfortably around my waist.
Opening my eyes I was greeted by a head of blonde hair. Peeta. I must be in his house. Still didn't explain why he was here sleeping as well. I sat up carefully and stared at his sleeping face. I gently kissed his lips before getting up and leaving the room and making my way out of the house. It was apparently nighttime. I got to my house with no difficulty and lay in my bed as a few tears crept out of my eyes.
After that night I avoided Peeta at all costs as I grew larger. But then, in my fifth month of pregnancy, the government decided to come calling. We were once again lined up as Effie Trinket spoke, a huge purple wig with an orange flower in the front resting on her head.
"The president has decided that, in order for us to fully appreciate our peace we will be holding another games! Now: as always, ladies first!" She reached her pale hand into the glass ball and withdrew the piece of paper. Peeta and Katniss were standing holding hands on the stage.
"Azila Triarch!" Peetas eyes bulged as I stepped forward bravely and grabbed a peacekeepers arm so he could help me to the stage. The peacekeeper surprisingly didn't resist my hand on his arm, probably shocked at my state. I watched Effies eyes widen a bit as she took in my form draped in a sea green dress that complemented my tan skin and gray eyes.
I stood where I was supposed to and watched Effie draw the boys' name. A boy by the name of Eric Geates was picked. He was a large muscular boy with the Seem look about him. We shook hands and were promptly escorted to separate rooms.
I sat on the bed and sighed. Truth be told I knew this was coming. The moment Katniss and Gale both survived I knew the President would pull something like this.
Gale entered the room his face drawn.
"Zila, someone should have volunteered for you." He sighed. I shook my head.
"No, I have no one here to care enough. Besides. I plan on coming back." I growled surprising him.
"You do? But Zila, look at you. Five months pregnant and weak." I glared at him.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Gale. I appreciate it. But I'm ready to murder whoever stands in my way of bringing my baby home alive." again, his face was shocked.
"Well, then I suppose they will all learn not to piss off a pregnant woman." He laughed wetly.
"Yep." A peacekeeper opened the door and called time. Soon enough I was on my way with Eric to the train with Effie talking about everything in a subdued manner whilst eyeing my stomach every so often.
"Yes Effie. I am pregnant. Get over it. I can kill as well as anyone else. Probably better." I snapped at her. Eric smirked. The car stopped and we piled out and into the train.
"Well, I suppose I will go get your mentors. You get all three of them. Game rules." We waited as Haymitch, Katniss, and Peeta filed in. I stared at all of them. Haymitch looked surprisingly sober for once.
"Well, this is pure shit." Haymitch grabbed a bottle of vodka from the table and promptly took a swig.
"Agreed. Hand me something bad tasting would you?" I told him. He eyed me before handing me a lime green drink. I took a sip. It tasted horrible. I chugged it.
"So Peeta, how do you propose we save our asses?" I asked after refilling my glass.
"Find water, shelter, stay away from the original bloodbath. Keep the others in the dark of your abilities." He listed off. I rolled my eyes.
"That's basics yes. I'm looking for more than that. I intend to win." Katniss shot me a strange look and I followed her eyes to my stomach where my other hand rested.
"No fires unless you pair with the careers which I sort of doubt." Katniss answered me this time as Haymitch took another gulp of vodka. I handed him the green stuff. He took a gulp of that before making a face.
"Great, I need trained though on a few things. I'm betting so does Eric." I looked at Eric who was munching on a bread roll from the fishing district.
"Yeah, trident." he mumbled over the bread.
"You seem awfully okay with being picked for the games." Katniss looked at me skeptically.
"Well yeah. Think about it. I know President Snow got a good look at me when he came to visit. Yes I know about that. Not as weak or as stupid as you think." I ate some corn. Katniss looked mildly disturbed. "Going to bed before I steal Haymitches drink and chug it myself." I got up and left smiling at an Avox that took me to my room.
As soon as my door shut I flung myself on the bed and promptly fell asleep. I woke up later on, it was dark so I found the TV remote and turned it on. The previous games were the only things I was able to watch. Figures. I started watching them calculating moves I could do and how I could get out of them. A knock sounded on the door as the seventieth games came on.
"Come in." The door opened to reveal Peeta looking tired. I got up and shut the door behind him before leading him to the bed. He sat and leaned his cane against the dresser. I sat beside him and was suddenly pulled into his arms.
"I'm so sorry you were picked. If I could do something about it I would." he mumbled into my hair. I rubbed a circle into his back.
"It's alright I'll win. I have to." I consoled him. His hand went underneath my chin and brought my face up to his. I hadn't time to think before his soft lips crashed onto my own forcefully. I kissed him back and moved my arms to lock behind his neck, the games reruns forgotten.
Our tongues battled for dominance throughout the night and clothing was lost and we were glad of the soundproof rooms as the sun rose. I woke from the sweet oblivion wrapped in Peetas arms one of his hands resting protectively on my tummy. I smiled and turned in his arms before kissing his nose then his lips. Somehow, I didn't mind being completely naked in his arms. Then again, I doubt it mattered. Peeta was an excellent artist and could probably paint all of me perfectly.
"Morning," I greeted him as his blue eyes opened to greet my own brown ones.
"If only all morning afters were like this," He groaned as he sat up "too bad," I giggled.
"Oh hush, don't ruin my happy mood." I kissed him once more before getting up to dress. I could feel his eyes watching me as I worked with the technology to get a loose pale pink shirt and long white leather pants. I might be five months pregnant but I hardly looked much different due to under eating.
Bare pale arms wrapped around me from behind as lips met my neck.
"You shouldn't tease me." I moaned a bit as he bit down.
"But it's such fun." I turned to him smiling before shimmying out of his grip and picking out a pair of high silver heels. With my newfound height I looked more of the seventeen year old I was. Not that I wasn't gifted in the curves department. Or the looks department for that matter. Actually I had light maple syrup color-not that I had ever had any before skin and striking green eyes. My hair I was very proud of, it was mid thigh length brown curly hair that accentuated my um, assets. Not that any of that would matter in the arena.
Looking up from my heels I watched Peeta don a silvery shirt and black dress pants. Glancing once more at him I opened the door and stepped out to the hallway. We would be in Panem today.
I greeted Haymitch who was pouring booze into a teacup religiously. He glanced up at me with an interesting expression on his face.
"What?" I asked as I sat to butter a piece of toast.
"Whose baby is that?" he asked. I looked at him for a moment.
"You haven't figured it out?" He took a good look at Peeta as he shuffled in.
"Guess I have." He drank from his teacup. At that moment Effie burst in with a sleepy Katniss and a disgruntled
"We have arrived in Panem!" She exclaimed. I stood and looked out the window to view the shining city. Here it goes.
