Freesia's Life

Chapter One

Freesia Mellark watched her momma, Katniss, as she picked the wild flowers for their soup. She knew that Katniss had won the Hunger Games once, but she never told Freecia what really happened.

Peeta said that it was because it was too violent, when the nation was under cruel rulership, unlike now. The hunger games were punishment for being bad and rebelling, but they were ended in yet another rebellion. That was all her parents ever told her.

"Momma, what happened in the Hunger Games?" Freesia asked, although her mother always told her that she didn't want to tell her, she always asked again in hope.

Katniss looked up at her, pushing her hair out of her face. "It was a dark time." She paused, "Where life was difficult." She continued on to picking her flowers.

"What happened in the games? Were they mean to you?" She was 12, yet she still didn't know what they did in the arena.

"They tried to.. attack each other." Came the gruff, hesitant response.

"Did anyone die?"

"Yes. How about I tell you after supper?" Her mother gave in, she was much too curious, always questioning everything that happened. It was time she knew the truth.

Freesia quickly nodded, agreeing cheerfully. She had waited a long time for those words! With a happy skip, she went back into their home at Victor's Village. Even though it was from the time when the Hunger Games were, for victors to live, they still lived there because it was one of the only standing houses left after they came back.

"Father! Mother said that she would tell me all about the Hunger Games after supper today!" Freesia burst into their little house, breathing hard from her excitement.

Peeta's shocked blue eyes met her own. "She said that? Why?" He was more saying that to himself than to Freesia. His running mind was thinking rapidly. Why now? Did Katniss have a reason for this? Was it time? Would she understand? Was it the right choice? Would it be better to not tell them? So many questions, yet he didn't know any answers.

Freecia was startled by Peeta's reaction, so she ran up to her room and lay there until dinner was called.

"Freecia! Birch! Supper!" Called Katniss, the smell of the soup wafting up in the air and filling the small cottage.

Freecia and her brother, Birch, arrived down just in time as Katniss placed the soup on the table.

Freshly made with wildflowers and rabbit meat, it was a delicious meal. Yet Freecia couldn't concentrate on the meal, not with the important business to discuss afterwards.

After their supper, Katniss took Freecia by the hand and led her to their small living room. She closed the door behind her.

"Freecia, this is very important. I trust you with this, and you mustn't tell your brother or frighten him in any way with it."

She continued on, "The hunger games is when 24 tributes are locked in an arena. They are forced to kill each other for entertainment, until one lone victor stands. With real weapons, and this is broadcasted all over Panem and force people to make it as a celebration."

Freecia's eyes widened. She didn't expect that 23 children died each year! Maybe it was good that she only knew now, she didn't know what she would have done if she heard this years ago.

"During my year, my sister, Primrose Everdeen, was picked. I volunteered for her. I was brought to Panem, and we had training, interviews and such. We went into the arena, and we fought to the death. Me and your father were the last ones left, and we caused the capital a problem. We would live or die together. They could have 2 victors, or none. This was supposedly the whole start of the rebellion."

"So the rebellion started because of you?" Freecia managed to get out a sentence, then cleared her throat and continued on. "We're free because you saved us?"

Before Kaniss could answer, a hard brutal knock on the door was heard. "Peacekeepers. Looking for Katniss and Peeta."

Katniss quickly jumped to her feet and went to open the door, Freecia followed behind, like a shadow. Like Rue.

"Yes?"

"We have come to inform you that you are needed to go to District 2 right away. Gale Hawthorn has called for you and wishes you to come immediantly."

Katniss gave a curt nod. "Yes, we will head over as soon as possible.

"You must leave now. The train is waiting for you."

"Well what about my children, Freecia and Birch?" Came the question back.

"We will take care of them."

Her mother closed the door and bent down to talk to Freecia. "We have to leave. You need to take care of your brother. Make sure he's okay. Don't let them do any harm to you."

Katniss rushed to find Peeta, and with a farewell hug and kiss, they both left. Now all felt wrong, something was out of place.

"Please come with me children." The Peacekeeper said to them. "We will take you on a different train somewhere."

Katniss and Peeta arrived at District 2, and they took the map and headed for Gale's house.

"Katniss? Peeta?" Gale's head peeked out the door, looking at his close friends and allies.

Katniss gave Gale a bear hug. "We heard you wanted us. We came right away."

Gale's quiet voice seemed to echo loudly through all their heads. "I didn't ask for you. I'm fine. Nothing's wrong."

Peeta voiced what they all realized. "This was a trick. We need to get back to Freecia and Birch."

"I hope it isn't too late."

Freecia rode in that train for what seemed like forever. They arrived in a splendid city with wonders that made her want to stare forever.

Peacekeepers were walking around her, though she didn't realize or care. The view was stunning!

"Thank you for coming. President-" The voice lingered there, "Dogwood shall be very pleased to have you join us."

"Join you?" Freecia echoed, confused.

"The capital has returned. You have arrived just in time, for our new spinoff of the Hunger Games. Still 24 come in, still 23 die. But every year has a different spin, like the Quarter Quell every year. And everyone must die by each other's hand. If you don't die that way, then you're whole family is sentenced in public. We have decided to make you.. the tribute of honor, yes? You might be the.. oh, spotlight? After all, it was your family that brought this on. Birch is not in the games this year, yet he is too young, but I'm sure he would be a lovely person to cheer you on."

The words were like mush in her head. But one thing was clear. She was in the Hunger Games, and she was going to die.