The first sentence of a book is a handshake, perhaps an embrace. Style and personality are irrelevant. They can be formal or casual. They can be tall or short or fat or thin. They can obey the rules or break them. But they need to contain a charge. A live current, which shocks and illuminates.

-Jhumpa Lahiri

Disclaimer: I absolutely do not own the Hunger Games. It all belongs to the wonderful and brilliant, Suzanne Collins.

Ivan Mellark's P.O.V

It's already four in the morning. Another sleepless night. Another night with only bottles of liquor by my side, helping me drink away my fears, my thoughts, my insecurities, and my memories. The only problem is that they all come back sooner or later. They never leave, nor will they ever leave.

Today, on a Beautiful sunny morning, I'm yet again laying on the couch. Covered in dirt, blood and Photos. The Photos that are scattered everywhere are memories which haunt me every day, for now 13 years exactly. When I pick up one of the many Photos I ask some very useless questions out loud. Was it a dream? Or was it real? Was it all set up, just to make my Father happy? Did she even love us, like she said she did? Or was she also faking her emotions towards me and my sister?

But those questions never receive an answer.

I get up, and quickly put my boots on, grabbing my Bow & Arrows and head out towards the forest. Since its only 4am, barely anyone in the District is awake. So I keep walking towards the forest taking in every detail of District 12. I know the District was not the way it was now about 30 years ago. I've heard about the Games, the revolution caused by The Mocking Jay and The Boy With The Bread, I've heard everything, even the Details that only a handful of people know. I've seen the faces of those who played an important role in my Parents past life, and I also know that it's part of my life. Since the day I've taken breathe in this world, it has been part of me. The cameras, the interviews, the gossip, the horrors, the everything and the anything.

All this because I'm the Son of Katniss Everdeen, and Peeta Mellark. The star cross lovers of Panem.

I keep walking until I reach the Gate, and crawl under it, finally reaching the Woods. My Woods. I shrug off my thoughts and start to hunt for some game. The woods are probably the only place in the world, where I feel at home, as if someone who loved me was watching me here, caring for me.

It's almost noon when I leave the woods. So I start walking towards Greasy Sae's home. She's quite old and she's also sick now, but I still come around and bring my game for her and her Granddaughter.

''G'day Ivan! How are you doing my Boy?''

I turn my attention towards the older man, already annoyed with him. ''Hello Esther. I'm well and you?'' What does he want now..

''I'm as Good as Gold, Thank you.'' He Pauses and approaches me slowly. "Have you heard the news Ivan?"

And here we go with the Gossip. ''No, I don't know about the so called news. I have to go now, Thank You.'' And I start to leave, just happy that I don't have to hear the old bag brag about whatever he has to say.

''Wait! You mean ya' haven't heard the news!?'' He yells so that everyone in the street can hear.

I turn back around and cross my arms waiting for him to continue. ''Mr. Gale Hawthrone and Ms. Katniss Everdeen are getting Married...'' He keeps talking but I stop listening and sprint to Greasy Sae's House.

I barge In Greasy Sae's home, searching frantically for anyone I can talk too. I forget to take my boots off, reminding myself to clean it up before leaving.

''In Here!''

I run into the room where Both Greasy Sae and her Granddaughter are sitting, both with worried expressions on their faces.

''What's wrong Boy? You're so pale, and...you have been drinking again''. Greasy Sae's face changes to worry to a women who's about to put me in time out for not obeying her rules.

''Greasy Sae, I need you to tell me something, and I want the truth because I know that you've been hiding it from me for some time now.'' I pause, taking a deep breathe. ''Look me in the eye, and tell me that it's true that Gale and his...'' I stop barely able to spit the words out, and look at the ground. I look back up Crossing my arms over my chest.

''Is it true... that they're getting Married?'' My voice is barely a whisper, and I'm sure she didn't catch a word.

Greasy Sae moves in her chair so that she faces me, she massages her temples and looks me straight in the eye.

''It's very true Ivan.''

She stares at me, obviously waiting for me to say something or make a move. But I don't. I simply stay there and lean against the door frame, to shocked to even make a sound. I pass my hand through my hair, thinking about my next move. I move forward to give Greasy Sea a kiss on her cheek and thank her. I do the same for her Granddaughter and tell her that the game is in the kitchen.

I quickly head back home, In the Victors Village. When I come pass the door, the phone is already ringing and I answer, knowing that I might not be able to drink myself out if this situation.