I woke up screaming. Dreaming about the nightmares my mother and father endured, the death of my Aunt Primrose, the mutts, and worst of all, the horrid games that were stopped 13 years ago because of them. I never could imagine what they went through, but it all felt so real. But I know I'll never have to participate, or even watch, the games that happened over a decade ago.
The Hunger Games.
My father bustled into the room followed by my mother. They don't have to ask about my sudden awaking- the nightmares have occurred over and over again.
"Petunia, are you ok? What was it about this time?" My dad asked, concern filling his coal grey eyes.
"T-the mutts, a-and Aunt Prim.." I trembled.
"That was horrible..." My mother stated, "But they're just dreams, not real . You'll never need to endure what we did."
"Yes, I know, mom!" I flared. "They just seem so real."
My mom sat on my bed and gave me a comforting hug. My father kissed me on the forehead.
"Now go to sleep. Tomorrow is a BIG BIG DAY!" My dad said in a Capitol voice that made my mother laugh.
They left my room and left me to sleep. Instead, I lay wandering about what my life would be like if I was in the Games.
"Peeta, these dreams have gotten out of hand," Katniss said as she layed back down in bed beside Peeta and turned out the lamplight.
"She's thirteen. Dreams like this happen, its not like we haven't experienced it before." Peeta exclaimed. "Stop worrying! Everything is back to normal, Twelve is rebuilt, the Hob is up and running, there are no Games, and Haymitch is drunk again."
"I know... It's just that if anything does happen, she'll break down. The little one would become upset, and my nightmares will reoccur." Katniss exclaimed the horrors of what cod happen as she snuggled closer to Peeta, like the cold nights in the cave from their first Games.
"And if that does happen, I'll be right there with you. Always." Peeta murmured as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I awoke, drenched in sweat with a muddy yellow cat at my feet. After so many years, Aunt Prim's little bastard cat was still alive and as lively as ever. He kinda sorta warmed up to us after a few years but I can tell can tell he doesn't trust me.
The smell of fresh baked bread flooded my room and I threw off my covers and stumbled down the stairs to find my family stuffing their face with bread.
"Dammit! Why didn't you wake me up? There's barely any bread left!" I yelled.
"We didn't want to wake you, you needed your sleep." My mother responded calmly as she tossed me a roll of bread.
I downed it in ten seconds flat and reached for another one, but no such luck. My ass of a brother, Finn grabbed the last roll and shoved it in his mouth while sneering at me. I rolled my eyes as I went to fill a cup with water. As I turned on the sink faucet, nothing came out, only a layer of coal dust.
"Water's out," Finn said, glaring at me with amusement as I slammed my cup on the counter. What a devious 9 year old.
"Thanks for telling me." I responded with sarcasm. "I'm gonna go hunt." I turned to my parents as I headed upstairs to change.
I slipped on a pair of black yoga pants and my mothers old black and red arena jacket. I did my hair in a low fishtail and zipped up the jacket. As I flew back down the steps there was another loaf of bread on the table.
"Really?" I asked annoyed.
"I am a baker, Petunia you could've asked for more bread if you wanted more," My dad exclaimed jokingly as his grey eyes shone.
I rolled my eyes as I began to leave the house.
"Just be back soon," mother said. "Haymitch's 45th birthday is today. We are throwing him a party."
I nodded as I strolled out the door through Victor's Village. I peered over at Haymitch's house door wide open, shattered bottles scattered in the yard. And that guy helped my parents win the Games, along with winning himself. I could hardly believe it. I rolled my eyes and walked on.
District 12 was rebuilt from the ashes by the time I turned 6. The coal mines were shut down, and our District now specializes in hunting. I came to the District boundary, broken and battered down, and climbed through an obvious opening. I found my bow and arrow hidden in the grass and picked it up. I remember the stories my mom told me about this place. She and her former Best Friend, Gale Hawthorne, used to come here hall the time and hunt illegally. Nobody really cares any more, since Snow was overthrown along with the Capitol. it gets my mind off of things, hunting. My one true passion.
My mom taught me how to hunt at the age of 8, the sooner the earlier, she'd always say. It's funny how my mom used to come here all the time. It seems like her adventures never stopped- until she had me. I mean, The Hunger Games era was horrible, but all so exciting, and since everything has died down, it's gotten boring. There's no more fearing and rules and the Capitol. One big democracy, like our ancestors had centuries back. I sighed as I sat down on a flat rock in the woods. I heard the rustling of a few people as the sound of scattering animals fainted. Why couldn't there be someone like Gale here? There are so many people out in the woods these days, I can barely get a good shot. I know that everyone is here now, and I'm surrounded by my fellow citizens, but still, I feel like the loneliest person in the world.
I sighed and got up, knowing I wouldn't get a kill today. I climbed back through the fence and into Victor's Village. I didn't even bother looking at Haymitch's house, I couldn't have been out there that long. I ran into the house and found it empty. They probably went to the bakery to get a cake. I went over to the clock to check the time. 2:57 PM.
Oh crap. I was supposed to be there at 12! I dashed over to Haymitch's house and ran through the open door where I found everyone gathered around a cake and Haymitch in the middle of blowing out 3 candles. They suddenly all looked up.
"Petunia Rue Mellark! Where were you? I was worried sick! What's your excuse?" My mother spat.
Haymitch staggered up from his seat and wrapped an arm around my shoulder while winking. "Yeah girlly? What's your excuse this time?"
I answered immediately without thinking. "I was uhhh... Drunk?"
Stares were directed at me immediately. Greasy Sae chuckled slightly, Finn cocked his head, and my father gave me one of his 'your so screwed looks'.
"Good answer," nodded Haymitch. My mother glared. "I mean horrible excuse go to your- I'm not good at punishment, hand me a drink." Groaned Haymitch.
The rest of the day- and night, we partied with Haymitch. I couldn't believe that some of my parents friends from other districts came. Now the Effie Trinket chick was a real character. She used to reap for district 12 in the Games. Another one was a woman named Annie. She used to be engaged to my parents good friend Finnick, the guy Finn was named after. He gave his life for my mother and father when they were being chased by horrible muttations.
It was great. Almost everyone got him alcohol and his cupboards were stacked. As the party died down and people started to leave, Haymitch tried to single me out. He waved off everyone, even my parents, until I was in his house alone. It was awkward being alone with him, wasted and all. He started to tell me about the stories of my parents first Games. It feels like that's all anyone talks about anymore.
"I actually persuaded Seneca to keep your parents alive with a young love bit. And obviously that act blossomed into a little something more." He exclaimed.
Most kids don't like to hear about their parents' love stories, but for some reason, I loved hearing about mine's. It was so romantic, and it only helps me wander about what mine will be like. Nothing compared to theirs.
My thoughts were inturrupted when Haymitch started to speak in a more serious, sober tone. "Now, why were you really late?"
Sweat beaded down my face. He'd yell at me for thinking that being free is boring, he'd been wanting freedom ever since his name was called at the 50th Reaping Ceremony. "Well... I was thinking about Mom and Dad's life and yours when the Games era was in commence. And I think about all the adventures my parents had, and compared to my life, freedom is boring. No offense to you or anything, I know you've been wanting freedom for the longest time."
I tensed. "Ya know what I think?" he asked. "WHAT I THINK?" This was it, R.I.P. Petunia Mellark. "I think you're exactly right."
What? "What?" I asked.
"I thought being free of the Capitol would be the greatest thing. But now, no one cares, it's like a part of me is wishing the Games were still going on, but another part is telling me to give it up and live in freedom while we have it." Haymitch- actually sober for once, exclaimed.
"While we have it?" I asked, confused.
"Tunia," Haymitch started. "We're not gonna have freedom forever. There are people rebelling against this freedom as we speak. They will take over the Capitol and make us suffer ten times worse of what the Hunger Games were. And we better be ready for it."
I just nodded and lay my head down on a table.
A jabberjay sat on Haymitch's windowsill watching him and Petunia talk, recording everything to certain rebels. Snow's granddaughter and a few of her allies were listening to their every word.
"They're right, a rebellion is coming, and Snow will be avenged." She growled. "And they can expect a war, but it will be closer than you think. Panem will suffer like never before."
So whaddya think about the first chappy? Expect more to come in this dystopian future told in Katniss' daughters POV :) see ya soon
-PrincessEmmmmm