I stood with my hands limp at my side, the familiar touch of the grass on my feet. The meadow was almost silent, just the faint rustle of birds in the trees. I closed my eyes and let the aroma of new grass enter my nostrils.
There was a loud rustle behind me, one I would recognize anywhere. I let the tiniest smile appear on my face as I remembered Peeta trying to walk quietly through the woods in the arena. But it disappeared quickly. The games. Rue. Prim. Even after 3 years, I couldn't forget. A shaky breath left me and I fell to my knees. Strong arms wrapped around me from behind, and I buried my head in Peeta's shoulder. After a long silence, Peeta looked at the rising sun and spoke so quietly, only I could hear. Not that there was anyone else around, anyway.
"What would have happened, you think, if there had never been any Hunger Games?"
I gazed into the blue shades of the sky and then into Peeta's eyes for a long time. They were the same shade as the soft blue that stretched above us, and had long-lost the unfocused black stare.
"I would have woken up." My reply came stiffly.
Peeta smiled momentarily and stood up. I took his hand and we found our way back to our house, past the ashes of District 12, into Victors Village. The lights were off at Haymitch's house, expectantly, as he was most likely passed out and drunk. Peeta kissed my hair and went to off to bake, and I was left alone on the front steps, lost in my thoughts. After a few silent minutes, the air above me swirled and loose leaves flew around hectically. I looked up in the sky to see the silhouette of a hovercraft descending in front of me. The sunlight glinted off the craft and into my eyes. I blocked the light from my face, wondering who it could be.
The list of people who cared to visit was short. My mother, to see me and all the while dread returning to District 12. Paylor, to tell me someone else I cared about had been killed. But when the sleek craft doors glided open, my breath caught in my throat, and I nearly fell onto the steps behind me. Rue's slight build, luminous brown eyes, filled the space in front of me and stupefied me. I blinked. Twice.
It wasn't Rue. It was her little sister, the one who had eyed me on my Victory Tour in District 11 all those years ago. She was about as old as Rue was when she died. The resemblance was captivating. I choked out the word that were lingering on my tongue but all that left me was a whisper.
"R-Rue."
Rue's perfect clone bit her lip and I noticed she stood like Rue; arms slightly extended, on her toes like she was about to take flight. I saw the vague differences now. Her eyebrows didn't arch the same way and her face didn't have much innocence left, unlike Rue's. Of course, she had been through much more than her older sister.
"Well, I guess I'd better introduce myself now." she started.
"You know of course, I'm Rue's sister. My name is Jade and I need your help."
I noticed how her voice matched Rue's quiet, but sincere tone. She took a breath and spoke clearly, no hint of bluff in her cocoa brown eyes, which finally met my own eyes.
"The 76th Hunger Games are about to begin. And I want you to stop them."