Author's Note: Prequel to Worse Games to Play. Takes place after the deaths of Johanna's family. Will probably add another chapter, later. Hope you like it. Read and review. I do not own characters created by Suzanne Collins.
Bear woke to the screams of his girlfriend. He ran from his spot on the couch, up the stairs, and into her room. He rushed to her bedside. She flailed around in the sheets. "Johanna," he yelled, unable to hear himself through her cries. He wrapped his arms around her, trying to shake her awake from the nightmare. "Johanna, wake up! It's just a dream. It's just a dream," he tried to coax back to reality.
Her eyes sprung open, finally calmed but still shaking. "No it's not." Her voice was quiet and low. "They died because of me." She hung her head.
He shook his head. "Johanna, look at me," he pleaded while reaching for her hand. "It was not your fault."
"You don't understand," she screamed. "I put my entire family in danger! I've put you in danger! I should have just done what Snow wanted me to do."
"No, you did the right thing." His voice was kind. "You didn't know what they were going to do. And I'm not in danger. Snow's never even met me."
"Yeah, but he knows about you. I'm sure peacekeepers have told him about us by now."
"Maybe not. Maybe-"
She cut him off. "Bryant." Johanna used his real name whenever she was serious. "Who do you think killed my parents?" He dared not to look at her sad face. "Cause it wasn't some savage grizzly bear in the woods. And my brothers? They sure didn't die from some weird flu floating around!"
He still hadn't looked up when he began to talk again. "I know, but I'm not going to let them get to me." Bear pushed a strand of hair away from her crazed eyes.
"Bryant, I'm scared." He could tell she wasn't lying. Her eyes were wide and her lip quivered, as if she were about to cry. He hugged her tight. "I'm tired of trying to be strong."