Authors Note:
Peeta Mellark came back as the victor to the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss was killed by Cato after she released the tracker jackers, Peeta was too late to stop him. It was Peeta who buried Rue, and Peeta who will be going on the victory tour alone.
This is my prequel to my next story Im writing, in which the 75th Hunger Games will take place.
This is told in Peeta's POV. I hope you like it.
-
Chapter One
I dusted the flour off my hands and moved to take the bread out of the oven. Everything was different now. Even the bread, the same dough recipe I had been kneading since I was old enough to stand on a stool next to my father, it was all-different. The games change you. I now lived in the victors village along with my mother and father and two brothers. I am the youngest of the three of us, but even winning a bloody fight to the death is no real victory, and Im still seen as a child. My mother isn't any kinder and my father watches me with sad eyes.
All the deaths, those of Rue, of Katniss, they didn't mean anything. They died for nothing. I remember the trackerjackers falling from the sky and if I think about it enough, I can remember the grotesque visions, trying to sort out which ones really happened and really didn't. One thing I don't have to doubt is the moment Cato's sword pierced Katniss's side. It was perfectly aimed between her ribs, straight through to her heart. There wasn't anything I could have done. Not that I didn't try, and I paid for it with my artificial leg. All the lies I told the capitol, all the talk of "star-crossed lovers", all for nothing. I couldn't save Katniss, and so to pass the time, I do the only thing I know how. I make bread.
The days dragged on now that I was living in the village. I wake early, before the sun rises and pull myself into the shower. I don't think I'm ever going to get used to having hot water so easily available to me.
I dressed in simple clothes and went downstairs. Packing a bag full of bread I had baked before sunrise and filling a small pouch with gold coins, I silently moved out the door. The early morning air was cool on my face and I travelled the well-known path down into the houses by the mines. As I approached the house Katniss used to live in, a great sadness filled me. I paused before it, the old wood splitting on the door, the overgrown hedge creeping up the walls, holding so many memories inside them. I knocked lightly on the door and waited. It opened gently and I saw two blue eyes peering out at me.
"Hi Prim" I say softly.
"Hi" a small voice answers.
"I brought you some bread," I said, raising my bag off my shoulder. Prim opened the door more and reached her hands out. In them, I placed four loaves and a few coins. I'd promised Katniss I'd take care of her, and I was no hunter, so at least with the money they could buy what meat they needed from The Hob.
Prim disappeared inside and came back out with a small bundle of cloth. In it, I knew she had wrapped some cheese she makes from the goat Katniss brought her. The first time I had refused anything in return for the bread, Prims eyes had grown heavy with sadness. I could see how much she wanted to care for her family; her mother is all she had left. Since then I had always accepted the gift with grace.
"How is your mother today?" I asked her.
Prim looked up at me, and a soft sigh escaped her lips. "The same as always. She keeps asking when Katniss will be back…I…I don't have the heart to tell her Peeta."
"Then don't" I reply. "Sometimes its easier to let someone believe a lie, then break their heart with the truth".
Prim nodded sadly.
"Don't worry Prim, I'll always be here". I leant down and put my arm around her shoulder, giving her a tight squeeze. With the best smile she could manage, Prim returned my half hug. Releasing her, I gave her a reassuring smile and set back off up the path towards the village.
As I walk up the path to my home, a chill crawled through me that I knew had nothing to do with the wilting temperatures. I saw the shiny capitol car was parked outside and my pace quickened up the steps. With as much control as I could muster I opened the door gently to find two men standing in my hallway. One was dressed extravagantly with snow-white hair, the other in a simple black suit. The smell of blood and roses made it ways to my nostrils, making me gag in my throat.
"Ah, Mr. Mellark" a voice drawled at me.
It was coming from the stout man with long fingernails. President Snow. He reached a stubby finger out and beckoned at me to follow him. He seated himself upon the couch in the living room and patted the space next to him. I crossed the room in swift steps.
"Ill stand if that's alright with you" I folded my arms across my chest. "Why are you here?"
"Well Mr. Mellark, I merely wanted to see how things are going, what with the victory tour coming up and all."
"Everything is fine" I responded stiffly "Oh, unless your concerned about the starving people in the districts, or the fact the capital is alive and thriving on the very bloodshed of everyone who died."
Snow chuckled to himself. "Ah Peeta, you always did have a way with words, however it was my impression that you were supposed to be…quite the charmer yes?"
My mouth formed a stiff line.
"Well Mr. Mellark" he continued, "I just want to make sure there aren't going to be any problems, any little snags with the future of our victor, and the future of his families. See, when a person from a lower district wins The Hunger Games, he seems to think he's invincible. Some have even tried to stir up trouble. I want to know your intentions Mr. Mellark"
I raised an eyebrow slowly at Snow. When I didn't respond he continued.
"That's okay boy, you don't have to say anything." He raised himself from the couch and moved to stand face to face with me. "Just be careful, I wouldn't want anything to happen to your family."
His face was so close to mine now I could have leaned down and his hooked nose would have touched my chin. The smell of blood was overwhelming.
"Or, for that matter Mr. Mellark, I wouldn't want anything to happen to that precious Everdeen girl, Primrose is it? Just remember that."
He practically spat the last words at me, his lower jaw lined with pointy teeth, glistening in saliva. He smiled a crooked smile, and with a sweeping motion, he left my house.
I heard the engine of the car growling and fade into the distance. I sank into the nearest chair with my head in my hands. All I ever wanted to do was show them that they didn't own me, now without the expense of my friends and family, and everyone I loved, the Capital owned me.