Strangely, it was as though I knew this was coming. It was as though I'd dreamed of it and just forgot.
"I don't think I understand." Peeta chokes out.
"Let the girl speak!" Haymitch mutters before taking another swig of his drink.
Lilly nods and I notice the sadness in her face.
She begins to speak again , "You see, names are drawn two months before the games begin. To my understanding Mrs Mellark, you had a little sister named Primrose"
She knew.I slowly nod, trying to push out all the memories of Prim and her death.
"I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm sure you are privy to what it feels like to lose a sister, so bear with me when I say I never wish to lose mine." Her face drops into deeper sadness, It doesn't take a fool to know this is about her sister.
Peeta seems to be in his own world, thinking. I would be too if I wasn't too curious to know what the next thing Lilly is going to say.
"Four days ago my sister's name was drawn to represent Britannia for the 225th Hunger Games. Now, I know for a fact that this wasn't by chance." A single tear rolls down her face.
I don't think anyone knew what to say. I pass her a handkerchief.
"Thank you" she says while wipes the tears "I didn't plan to be this emotional"
Immediately my mind snapped, "Why didn't you just volunteer if you cared so much?"
Peeta places him hand over mine. What? It's true. She didn't seem offended.
" I tried, I really did" more tears roll down her face. "But you see… God! This is terrible!" She is clearly distraught.
Peeta gets up quickly. Ever since his hijacking, people crying profusely makes him uncomfortable.
"I'll make more tea." His voice is mousey as he walks away
"You go do that." Haymitch looks as though he's going to pass out
" I… I'm sorry. It's just there's been a lot of stress lately …" Her brown eyes are clouded with pain. I can relate to the pain I see in her.
"It's okay, continue whenever you can" I sympathize with her. I must have looked like that when I lost Prim. But wait, didn't she say she didn't want to lose her sister? Implying her sister is still breathing. Hmmmm, what could be possibly happening ? I'm confused.
After blowing her nose and having a breather, she begins talking again.
"I didn't expect to get that emotional" she chuckles" I'm sorry again."
"It's no worries… Really" Peeta says bring over the fresh batch of tea.
Her smile lights up her whole face. It's the kind of smile that expresses appreciation.
"Well, I should probably continue." She takes another sip of her tea before continuing. Haymitch is on the couch sprawled out and passed out… Typical…
"Okay, so continuing, four days ago was the draw. My sister was chosen. Please believe me Katniss, I tried my best. I volunteered and protested but once someone is drawn, their fate is sealed. Especially Chrys'." I know exactly how she feels. I can easily say been there, done that.
"What does that have to do with us?" I realise now that it sounded much harsher than it was in my mind. Peeta realises too
"Katniss!" he scowls. I guess he's right.
"I'm sorry I didn't –" she interrupted me before I could finish.
"It's okay, I completely understand. Really." I feel bad now. She almost reminds me of Peeta. The way she speaks.
"Please, continue" Peeta says.
"Uhm okay, well, since this year is the 225th game it's what Panem considers the Quarter Quell. For us its 'The Term'. I honestly don't know why but it is. " Quarter Quell? This brings back many bad memories.
"Each term, a new rule is introduced or an allowance is given only for that term. For this term, representatives are allowed to choose their own mentors. I want you two to be Chrys' mentors."
"Whaaat? I don't know if you realised but we are out of this whole Hunger Games , Rebellion thing!" I couldn't contain my anger. What if they hurt Sabastien or Prim or Peeta! Never mind me!
"Katniss, calm down." Peeta rubs my back as I bury my face in my hands Just when I thought it was all over. I raise my head and see Lilly nodding. I don't think I could take it… On the other hand, who else would she and her sister have? I'm so confused… I don't know what to do. Peeta just keeps quiet. I don't know what's going through his mind.
"I understand it's a lot to ask from anyone, especially you but you have no idea how much Chrys means to me.." Her voice begins to crack " how much she means to Europa"
This girl is really making my head spin. What does her sister mean to Europa?
"Again, I don't understand." Peeta speaks out. I know he's as confused as I am." How does your sister tie back to Europa; to us?"
"You see, Europa is ruled by a monarch." Her voice begins to quiver" Currently Queen Violet. She controls everything; from the games to the rations of food and money given to each precinct." I could see the hatred in her eyes.
"How does this relate back to everything?" I wonder.. Haymitch begins to stir.
"Queen Victoria is dying of cancer and soon someone will have to step in her place. An heir." She takes a sip of her tea which is now cold. " I'm the next in line."
Bam! Another shocker! This is too much to comprehend. Her sister?
"Yes I know it's a lot to digest. This is how it connects back to my sister, I'm dying too. Slow degenerative disease. Nobody knows but the Queen. Slipped me a poison a few months ago and been fighting it ever since." She wipes of a stray tear from her face.
I cant believe this woman, strong, beautiful with bold feature is dying. What would happen to her family? I somehow can relate to her. She must be terrified.
"But why would your own mother want to kill you?" I can hear the sadness in Peeta's voice. He's affected too.
"Well, because she knows I despise the Hunger Games. Because when I ascend to the throne that would be the first thing I'd change. She knows this would cause a riot amongst the rich and she would lose whatever funding and riches she's gained from the precincts."
This seems logical. It's understandable. I still don't know if I want to help though. What if it doesn't work out as planned? What if Peeta or the kids get hurt?
"Naturally when I die, if I don't have any offspring, Chrys is the next in line. She knows that Chrys has the same views as me. The only option is to take her out, thus the Hunger games."
This poor girl, not only is she dying, she might lose her sister too.. Her Prim.
"Assuming Chrys is not able to ascend, who does?" Peeta asks such good questions. Things I would never think of.
She looks so tired.
"Next in line is my cousin, Morgan. Exactly like my mother. Pro Hunger games and thinks that the precincts are getting too much money as it is." She places her cup onto the table,"If you've think you've seen a monster, then you haven't seen anything yet. Describing Morgan as a monster is an understatement."
A/N Thank you so much for reading! I just posted the first three chapters! Please tlet me know if there are any corrections etc. Please review. I really would appreciate it if you put in your two sense worth… - Really
Love,
CP