"What are you doing here?" My mother asks again, sounding more herself.
"I came to talk to you about the Peacekeepers." Gale says evenly.
"I thought they were gone."
"Not quite."
Silence.
"You'd better come in then," my father says eventually. Asher and I quickly put on an about-face and busy ourselves with some dishes.
"Who's this?" My mother asks, and I know she means August.
"August Dale Hawthorne," August says pleasantly. "Pleased to meet you." Hmm. He's charismatic.
"You son?" Peeta asks Gale.
Silence. Gale may or may not have nodded.
"I guess he can go upstairs," my father says. "Asher! Daie!"
I drop the dishtowel and struggle to look innocent, popping my head back into the hall. Asher bumps into me and we engage in a silent wrestling match until we both wind up, pink-cheeked, in the hall. "Yes Dad?" I ask politely.
"I'm going to assume you were eavesdropping and not bother to introduce Gale," my father says briskly. "Bring August upstairs."
I notice a scar, long and thin, across Gale's cheek. "Sure," I say to my father. The three of us file silently upstairs.
The wrestling match starts on the landing, with August unabashedly jumping in and struggling for a spot at the railing, where you can hear everything that goes on downstairs.
"Move over," I hiss, nudging Asher.
"You move," he shoots back.
"Oh, real witty comeback," I whisper sarcastically.
"Ladies, ladies, you're both pretty," August hisses. "Now will you be quiet?"
We both cock our heads at him, arching eyebrows. He's growing on me.
"What have you been doing?" My mother's voice is saying.
"Living in 2, mostly, heading up the military effort. Got married."
"Who was she?" My mother asks softly.
"Why do you automatically assume she's dead?" Gale asks harshly.
"She's not here, is she?"
I sneak a peek at August. His eyes are downcast. I watch as he swallows hard. So she is gone.
"Her name was Elia," Gale says eventually.
"Any other kids?"
"Just August."
Silence. Seems to be a lot of that going around.
"You know, I'm surprised at your kids' names," Gale says eventually.
"Why's that?" my father snaps.
"Well, I thought you'd name a daughter for Prim."
Dead silence. That was so the wrong thing to say.
"How dare you," my mother says, her voice dangerous.
"Katniss-"
"How DARE YOU!" My mother screams. I flinch. "How dare you come in here and talk about her like that!"
"Katniss, I-"
"You helped KILL her!" my mother screams. "If you had just kept your stupid mouth shut she might still be here!"
"That wasn't my fault!"
"You were supposed to kill me!" My mother shouts furiously. I flinch again. I've never heard her like this. "You were supposed to kill me before you let them take me!"
"And you were supposed to kill me, Katniss!" Gale yells. "And then were would we be?"
"Dead," My mother cries bitterly. "Dead and happy."
"Do you really think that?" Gale says, his voice deadly quiet.
"I don't know. Yes. Maybe. Dammit, Gale." My mother says furiously.
"I think we can all agree that if anyone was supposed to die it was me," Dad says suddenly. "So you can forget this conversation because I'm still here and every day that I am is a gift. Now what do you want, Gale?"
"You always were the peacemaker," Gale says bitterly.
Silence.
"That was awful," I breathe, cheeks soaked with tears. Hearing them talk like that, about wanting to die-
Someone puts their and on my shoulder. August, looking at me with the same shock I'm feeling.
"I'm here because of the Peacekeepers."
"The Peacekeepers died with the war," my mother says fiercely.
"Apparently not. Katniss, you should know a second generation of Peacekeepers attacked the memorial last night."
"The tribute memorial?" I ask the boys in a low tone. "The one for everybody who died?"
"Must be, "Asher whispers.
"Don't look at me," August whispers. "I just came to spend time with my dad while I'm on leave."
"From the army?" I ask in disbelief.
"First year training."
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
"Quiet," Asher hisses.
"-do to it," my father is asking.
"Painted it with graffiti. 'Bring back the Games,' crap like that."
"So why did you come here?" My mother asks bitterly.
"Because there's a chance 12 is their next target. It's where the rebellion started, and, well-"
"I'm here," my mother finishes, her voice pained.
"What can we do?" My father asks softly.
"Leave."
"No one else dies for me," My mother snaps instantly. "Not again, Gale."
"So stay and die for nothing!" Gale yells.
"Nobody is going to die!" Dad snaps loudly. "Just how many new Peacekeepers are there, Gale?"
"Possibly as many as a couple hundred," Gale says softly.
"How is that possible?" My mother breathes.
"They've been training them, breeding them. The old Peacekeepers and Snow sympathizers."
"Are we talking another war?" My dad asks in a horrified tone.
"No. The military can overpower them. But we have to catch them first. And they almost equal 12's population. We have no idea what they're capable of. It's dangerous to underestimate them. This is all worst case scenario."
"What do you need us to do?" My mother asks.
"The best thing you can do is show no fear. People look to you."
"Where have I heard that before?" My mother says bitterly. "I can't do this again."
"We're talking a small skirmish at worst. We'll move some troops in, they'll take care of it, end of story."
"So why are you here?" My mother challenges.
"Because you should be warned, Katniss," Gale snaps. "That's it."
Heavy silence.
"So what do we do?" Dad asks.
"Keep your family safe. We'll have people here to protect you."
My blood runs cold. We need protection?