And the Winner Is

by shadowfax23415

Waking up alone in the Capital, Katniss finds herself the soul winner of the 74th Hunger Games. Follow her journey as a Triumphant Winner and watch her struggle through the politics of the capital with the tutelage and guidance of Haymitch, her sole fellow victor from 12th district. And as they fight against the capital, they have to deal with their own emotions towards one another

The overwhelming darkness was more than welcome. She didn't know why though, but she knew once she left the quiet solitude, her whole life was going to be different. The silence began to fade, and voices soon assaulted her. Some loud, some quiet, all an intrusion in her dark void. Soon, she would have to awake, and face the music.

The darkness receded as Katniss opened her eyes. After the blissful solitude the extreme white of everything was almost painful. She squinted in the light, trying to remember where she was and why. This was definitely not District 12, nothing would ever be this pure in that coal covered town. Vaguely, she remembered the selection of the tributes, and Prim's name being called out. Without thinking, Katniss had called out to volunteer as tribute in her place. The train ride with Peeta and Haymitch and Effie and then the training here in the capital.

But after that, Katniss couldn't remember anything. Were the games over? Had they even started? She remembered her final showing before the leaders of the games. But then it was all blank.

She sat up, frowning at the IV tugging at her wrist. Glancing around the room, she registered the voices coming from just outside the door. She didn't recognize the quieter voice but the loud shouting, that she recognized. Grasping the IV line, she ripped the needle from her wrist. A shrill noise came from the machines she had been hooked up to, but she paid no attention to it as she swung her legs off the bed. Her focus was to the door that slammed open with a stranger in nurses garb in the opening. Then the nurse was shoved over and Haymitch was standing there, as shabby and disheveled as ever.

"Katniss." he spoke, before stepping into the room and up to her side. She stared up at him while he looked down at her, scanning her. "How are you feeling?"

"I... don't know. Fine, I guess." she replied. "What... what happened?"

Haymitch squinted down at her. "You don't... remember? Anything?" Katniss shook her head.

Haymitch glanced back at the door. The sound of running feet could be hear echoing down the hallway. Turning back to Katniss, he leaned in close. "The Hunger Games are over, but that doesn't mean the games are truly over. They've only just begun. Guard your answers, think before every move. You are the winner of the 74th Hunger Games, but you will never be safe again." Katniss leaned back, to look into his eyes. Never had she seen him so sober, so serious. "Trust no one. I'll try to see you soon." Haymitch backed away from her when the nursing staff and the doctors burst into the room.

While they fussed and inspected, Katniss watched as Haymitch slipped out of the room, seemingly unnoticed. But she noticed. And as she answered their questions with a robotic tone, her mind wasn't on her health. Her mind was on how Peeta had died, how had she made it through, how could she have possibly become the winner?