Katniss floated in and out of awareness, the entire world was coated in a sickening grey. Hours, days, weeks would go by with Katniss functioning only in reaction to her surroundings. And then she would hear tick, tick, tick. With no control she was sucked into the moment, experiencing, seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling everything to the smallest detail.
Tick, tick, tick.
The window was closed making the room unbearably hot. A drop of sweat was slowly making its way from behind her ear down her neck. She didn't have the energy to wipe it away but it tickled and bothered her. He was snoring. She hated that. It was obnoxious and she kept picturing smothering him with his own pillow or shoving his wrestling t-shirt down his throat. The bedding was soft but gave her no comfort. She rolled away from the window to watch Rye sleeping. He never had nightmares. She was jealous.
Tick, tick, tick.
Posey and Vic were playing some game on the floor. Posey kept giggling while Vic was silent with a small pleased smile on his face. Rory had left an hour ago saying he was too old for kids games. Katniss wanted to tell him he really wasn't. As the afternoon turned into early evening she realized that for the last few hours she had been enjoying herself. Immediately she felt guilty and looked down at her hand. Gale's large hand reached over enveloping hers. He gave her a gentle squeeze, after a moment she squeezed back. Soon Gale moved his arm around her shoulders drawing her closer. When she looked at him she saw a light blush pass over his cheeks. The same small smile that Vic had was now appearing on Gale's face. He looked shy. Katniss broke their gaze turning back to watch the game. It had been a good day.
Tick, tick, tick.
Lavender filled her nostrils. Katniss wrapped her arms around her knees watching the warm water fill the capital bathtub. Purple liquid was being poured, swirling with the water creating foam. Soon bubbles were surrounding her. Her muscles began to relax when the water reached her knees. A delicate blond woman knelt down, and turned off the faucet. Her hair was pinned in a sophisticated bun and her face was scrubbed clean. She was one of the most beautiful woman Katniss had ever seen. Effie reached over with a wash cloth; gently wiping away Katniss's smeared makeup. Katniss listened intently to the importance of keeping a strict schedule while in the capitol.
Tick, tick, tick.
The floor was really hard. She hated that. It was also really cold. She hated that as well. Bile was in the back of her throat, she moved her head from staring straight up at the ceiling to the side. She spit on the floor she was lying on. Fear grabbed her heart; she was beginning to get sober. Feebly she reached for the bottle of white liquor near her. Haymitch stepped over her picking up the bottle. He settled down at his kitchen table and began to drink from her bottle. A disgruntled protest escaped her mouth, Haymitch looked down, and after a pause he said "you drink too much sweetheart". She hated him the most.
Tick, tick, tick.
There was one thing Katniss was always aware of in every second of every day. Peeta was dead.
