Katniss had been in Cray's house for three days and she didn't know if her family had heard what had happened to her. She barely recognized herself so she didn't know how her family would recognize her. She hoped someone had told them she was alright, in a manner of speaking. Alive, at least. She also hoped that the money would start to come soon, or it would be too late for Prim.

The wedding was planned for a week from today and nearly all of the townspeople were invited. Katniss wondered if her bruises would heal in time. Her last one, a black eye, was from asking if she could invite her family to the wedding.

Cray kept her busy, cleaning his house thoroughly and cooking meals for him. Not a slave indeed, Darius, she thought bitterly.

She heard him calling for her, not by name of course, he used "girl" but never her name; she felt like she'd lost everything, including her identity.

She hurried out of the kitchen before she angered him, for she had learned he did not like to be kept waiting.

She bowed her head as she entered the room and Cray held out his arms. She learned quickly that obedience and servitude would keep her alive.

Two things she normally rebelled against.

"There's my lovely girl. Fetch us some tea, dearest."

"Of course, sir." She rushed back to the kitchen to prepare the tea and bowed her head as she served it. When she lifted her head, she was taken aback by the other man in the room. He had short blonde hair and soft blue eyes. He looked like every other Merchant in 12 except he looked vaguely familiar. His face softened as he reached out to take his teacup.

"Thank you, Miss." She bowed her head and took a step back. Cray had not dismissed her and she knew better than to leave the room yet.

"Katniss is to be my wife. You are of course invited to the wedding. I expect all of my District 12 Peacekeepers to be there and after all, you are now among that rank."

"Katniss? As in Katniss Everdeen?" Her head shot up at his questioning tone and saw the surprise in his eyes.

"Not for long," Cray chuckled as he sipped at his tea. "You are dismissed, girl. Finish cleaning the kitchen."

"Yes sir." She practically ran from the room and retreated to the solitude of the kitchen. Who was that man? There had been recognition in his Merchant blue eyes.

She heard muffled voices, laughter, and then the sound of scooting chairs.

"Katniss! Come here, girl!" She wiped at her dirty face and attempted to make herself presentable before she appeared before him again. But both men were standing and Cray was clutching a large bag in his fist.

"You belong to Ryland now, girl. Don't you dare think about taking any of my things with you." Katniss's eyes fell to the dress she wore and bit her lip. The other man, Ryland, stepped forward and set a hand on her shoulder.

"Surely you wouldn't mind her keeping one dress, Commander?"

"You don't want her walking out of here naked?" he sneered. "I've seen her and I will tell you, she's quite a sight." For some reason, the young man looked immensely uncomfortable.

"I will pay extra for the dress." He dug in his pocket and tossed another coin to Cray.

"Fine. Get out of my sight, girl." Ryland wrapped his arm around her shoulder and lead her out of the room. They did not speak until they were far away from Cray's house. He was leading her to the other side of the district, where the peacekeepers lived.

"Sir-"

"Don't talk just yet, Katniss. I promise I will explain everything soon." She clamped her lips shut and followed him across the district.

He lead her inside a beautiful house, though not quite as grand as Cray's home. It was cozy, though, and she felt a strange warmth as soon as they entered.

He hastily unbuttoned the stiff jacket he wore and worked the buttons at his collar.

"Katniss, be a dear and help me out of this thing." Confused and terrified, she hurried forward and helped him shrug the jacket off. He sighed and rolled his shoulders.

"Thank you. That is immensely uncomfortable. I know there are formalities but sometimes they go a bit too far."

"Sir, I don't understand. Am I to be your wife now?"

"Not mine. I…ah, purchased you for my brother. I guarantee you he will be a better husband than Cray." Katniss had no doubt about that but what of this brother? Where was he? And why did this man save her?

"I don't understand," she said again, "Who is your brother?"

"Does it matter? You are free from Cray. Isn't that the matter of importance here?" She nodded slowly.

"Do you, um, have any other belongings? Or is that your only dress?" It was torn and quite revealing.

"Cray took me straight to his home after he bought me. I wasn't allowed to go home to fetch my things." His blue eyes widened.

"You mean you haven't been to see your family?" She wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head. All of a sudden, the tears spilled over and she sank to her knees. Ryland jumped back, alarmed.

"Umm, Katniss? Are you alright?"

"My family! They don't know what's happened to me! And my sister…my sister is dying! The only reason I agreed to this type of contract was to save her, to bring her medicine, and I haven't received any money! It will be too late! My sister will die!"

"Alright, calm down. Let's…let's take you home to get your things and check on your sister. We will order the medicine from the Capitol. If I put in the order, it will be rushed so it should arrive tomorrow. Would that make you feel better?"

"You…you'll let me see my family?" He sighed and pulled her to her feet.

"Of course. Katniss, As soon as I saw you, I knew I needed to get you away from him. The bruises on your cheeks tell me it wasn't a moment too soon." He reached out to push a strand of hair out of her eyes but she flinched, prepared for the sharp hand. He withdrew and looked saddened.

"What has he done to you?"

"You don't know me," she said quietly. "You don't know what I was like before he bought me."

"Well, you're wrong. I do, actually. But we won't go into that. Let's go see your family." She wanted to ask him, find out why he looked so familiar; he clearly knew her. The way he had said her name at Cray's house told her so. But she was too excited to go home to think about it any further. Ryland grabbed his formal jacket and started to button it up again. He opened the door and held out his arm.

"Shall we?" Taking a deep breath, she took his arm and he lead her out of the house and back toward the Seam.

Her mother was in tears when she saw her; Prim, however, was still stricken with fever and Katniss fell to her knees when she saw how weak her little sister looked. Ryland quickly spoke with Mrs. Everdeen about what medicines she needed and he promised to put in the order as soon as they returned home. Katniss could tell her mother wanted to ask what was going on but she kept silent in the presence of a high-ranking peacekeeper. The stripes on Ryland's jacket told them he was a man of importance and so nothing was said as Katniss quickly threw her things into a knapsack.

"You'll have more dresses and things to wear, more befitting of a peacekeeper's wife," he assured her as he offered his arm again.

"Please, sir, take care of my daughter," Mrs. Everdeen finally spoke, her eyes locked on his. Ryland's were gentle as he nodded.

"I assure you she is in good hands, ma'am. And she may come to visit you any time she wishes." Her mother squeezed her hand before she scooped up her bag and Ryland lead her away from her childhood home.