Note: Chapter three is here! I hope people are enjoying this story, and I was overjoyed to receive emails telling me some people had read and liked my story! Thank you guys! This chapter is marginally smaller than the earlier two, but I am still as satisfied with it as the others. Remember to read and review! See you next chapter!

Chapter Three:

My mother, Prim and I walk with Gale to his house. His family seem so happy to see me, and I can't help grinning. Our mother's talk, and on my way out I discreetly pass Gale's mother a pouch of coins, who smiles gratefully. On the long walk to our house, the three of us engage in small talk.

"Was the food nice?"

"Did Haymitch set a good example?"

"How big was the train?"

I happily answer these questions, but know the deeper ones will come with time. Eventually we stand outside the gates of the Victor's Village. I sigh, even though I am happy to be home again, it's seclusion reminds me of the arena, no way out unless it is open, no way in unless allowed. Prim leads me inside and we sit together. There is silence, as there is not much to talk about. Finally Prim breaks the ice.

"How was the Victory Tour?"

I decide not to lie to her, why bother? She would be able to see right through me.

"Painful. Hard." I stutter out and she wraps her arms around me.

"It's over now; you don't have to worry…" I turn my head and look at her.

"Is it? I still have to go back to the Capitol next summer, and the one after that, and train tribute after tribute and watch them all die." I can feel myself crying, but for once I don't try to stop, I just let it out.

"I won't be able to be your sister anymore…" I blubber and shut my eyes. I can feel her patting my back.

"Yes you will" She argues "we are going to get through this, I promise. Do you want to tell me what has been happening?" She sounds so grown up, like a parent talking to a toddler.

"Did you watch the games?" I ask.

"Every second of every minute, I had to make sure you were ok." I snort between my soft cries. No one goes into the Hunger Games and comes out 'ok', but I pour out my story, about the sleepless nights, and when I could sleep how it was filled with nightmares, how I would wake up screaming or crying, because I ran out of medication that made it hard for me to wake up at all. Amazingly she doesn't seem startled or amazed, and just nods solemnly. I go on about my thoughts in the arena, and how Peeta on the ground dying occupied more of my mind then basic survival skills.

By the end of it I am shaking and my eyes tightly shut. Prim hugs me tighter and we sit there together.

"Come on Katniss, you need some rest" I realise how exhausted I am. Crying is a real workout. So I find no reason to object her taking me up to my room.

"I'll see you later sis" She whispers, softly shutting the door, leaving me lying in the darkness. I am hesitant at first, but I eventually find myself nodding off.

"So" Clove says, a crooked smile spread across her face. "Let's eat. I suspected him all along, so I obviously grabbed some food as well." Dammit! I should have known Clove would have food on her. She produces a large box of crackers and a few bananas, making me wonder what else she has in store.

I watch them as they eat, and almost laugh when I see Clove put her head on Peeta's shoulder. People in the Capitol may be devastated, but it just gives me another reason to kill him. I hear the anthem start to play, and see Cato's face among others projected in the sky. We are the final three. Peeta and Clove can't see the faces in the sky above the trees, and obviously see no objections to kiss. I watch, my desire to end their lives burning hotter and hotter. They chat for a while, and I manage to hear a few words.

"…loved you from the beginning…"

"… the start I wanted you in the careers…'

Oh barf. Peeta offers to take the first watch, but after approximately two hours he dozes off. I do not sleep.

I take out an arrow ready to fire, but have an idea that will send a chilling message, or rather, a burning hot one. I use my knife to cut a small portion of wood from the tree I sit in, and carve into the perfect shape of an arrow head. I cut the head off another arrow, and use my wire to tie the wooden one on. It's not pretty, but soon it won't matter. I take a match and strike it, sending the tip of the arrow into a burning blaze of heat. I glare at Peeta, eyes slitted. This will teach him. I take great care to aim, savouring the moment, (and the fact that the wire on my bow is fire proof) and when I fire the arrow, and it lands right in the middle of Clove's chest.

As I watch her scream, while Peeta freaks out, crying while he holds her hand. After the cannon fires, realisation fills his eyes. I can almost read his thoughts as he processes the hidden warning. 'You may have been able to fool me a first, but now that your career pack is gone, the star crossed lovers are the final two. Watch your back Peeta Mellark, here comes the girl on fire.'