Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games
Authors note: Yes, well, here is another Hunger Games fanfic. This all takes place after the rebellion when Katniss is 18 and Peeta is 19.
The Darker Side of Things
Chapter 1
I walked steadily as my feet danced across the tiled floor. Beautiful. The home was beautiful. In a room, Peeta was happily snoring and cuddled into his warm bed with silk sheets and soft pillows with the heater flowing, blowing warm air into the cozy room. And while I slept on an old, ripped couch in a cold cellar with water that dripped from the ceiling.
It was like this, now. Peeta, the bakers son. The Boy with the Bread, abused his wife.
The funny thing was, I still hadn't left him. It was kinda sick in a way, that I would stay and allow him to beat me senseless and lock me in an old wine celler with little to nothing to eat and starve me. Our home in Victors Village, a place where I would seek out comfort in Peeta, was now the one place where I would most likely die. How amazing.
My mother of course had no idea what was going on. She hadn't been to District 12 for two years now and had no plans on returning. Prim. Sweet, innocent Prim, had roomed with Haymitch, who's alcohol addiction had settled down a few notches, much to the pleasure of myself.
Effie, who decided to finally ditch her Capitol look and go to being natural, had moved down here a few months ago. Blonde hair shimmering and sapphire blue eyes, she had became a riot with the men down here, with her charming personality and flawless bronze skin. It was actually nice to see Effie looking like an actual person.
"Katniss!''. I scurried off into Peeta's room. He was there, holding a beer bottle in his rough hands. His eyes were bloodshoot and furious. With the way he drinks, not even sleep could drain the liquor out of him.
" Katniss!'', he yelled again. " Who told you to go out of your room?''. I stared down at my feet and meddled with my fingers. I let my brown hair shield my gray eyes.
I felt a sharp pain to my cheek and flew backwards, hitting the wall with force that made the breath fly out of me.
" Answer me!''. He stalked towards me, raising the beer bottle up and bringing it back down as to hit me with it. I narrowly avoided the shards of glass that covered the floor now. I screamed and yelped as he grabbed a pot of flowers off the nightstand and flung it at me.
Screaming and yelling Bloody Murder, I darted out of the room and into the living room.
" Get back here, honey!''. He was taunting me, trying to scare me. I refused to stay here and wait. When he was nearing me, I threw myself out the door and landed in the cold snow with nothing but my slippers and gossamer blue robe. He was in the door frame, sneering at me.
" Fine!'', he yelled." Stay out. then'', and then slammed the door shut.
January was always the coldest month with its unforgiving, bitter winter and thick snow that seemed to blanket everything. I particulary hated them, it being since it was the 22nd of this month that my father died. I shivered and used my arms as a source of warmth. I though about going to Haymitch and Prim's home, but quickly dismissed the thought. I had been there to many times. They would get suspicious. I decided to go to Effie's home, knowing she would shake off any thoughts about me arriving at her house clad in only a robe and slippers.
" Katniss!'', Effie pulled me into a warm hug and I sniggled closer into her embrace. She smelled like pincones and honey, while her blond hair rested on my cheek.
" Hey, Effie''. I smiled and greeted her warmly and took her invitation to a warm cup of hot chocolate and rolls.
" So'', she said as she walked out of the kitchen with a tray laden with warm, fluffy croisants and sweet, hot cups of chocolate. " What brings you here?''. I racked my brain for a lie.
" Me and Peeta got into a fight'', I blurted out. " Nothing too serious. Just a dissagreement''. She nodded and placed the tray on the glass table.
" Too bad. Hoping you two would start off your new lives together being civil to eachother''. SHe wiggled her eyebrow playfully and I laughed.
" Guess the Honeymoons Phase is over'', I pointed out and she let out a lod guffaw.
The house was glorious. With soft brown carpet and white tiled floors and bedrooms filled with plush sofas and soft beds, there was no way to deny it. A fire glowed from the fireplace and illuminated the house a soft bronze color. I dunked my rolls into my cocoa and chewed on the soft desert. I licked my lips, removing any traces of the hot chocolate and bit into another roll, nearly moaning as the soft bread warmed my mouth.
" You look like you haven't eaten in days, Katniss''. I let out a soft laugh, knowing her comment was all too true. I hadn't eaten anything but the scraps off Peeta's plate and water for weeks. I was partially skin and bones.
" No'', I say. " Your cooking is just that good''. And she grins a little and pats me on the back.
" Thanks. Means alot to me''. And she kisses me on the cheek as if she is my mother.
" I know'', I reply with a smirk on my face.
For the rest of the night, me and Effie chat and eat rich, buttery foods like Groosling leg that is filled with a thick, creamy sauce that fills my mouth, to buttered crab that is steamed and hot. When I finally become exhausted because of all the food, I sleep in a guest bedroom that has white silk sheets that are cool and engulf me in their soft embrace.
" Night, Effie'', I whisper to her, snuggling deeper into the covers. She looks back at me and smiles.
" Good night, Katniss'', and then closes the door behind her.
For the first time in months, my dreams are not filled with nightmares involving Peeta.