Chapter 4
Peeta
I wake earlier than usual the next morning, feeling a little sleepier than usual. I'm not used to sleeping in this house yet, and I know it'll take me a while to get used to it.
As I lay in bed, wondering what I should do today, I remember that I have plans for later that night.
"With Katniss," I breathe, letting a smile cross my face.
The smile falters after a minute though, as I remember that Haymitch will also be attending dinner.
I hadn't seen or talked to Haymitch since the Capitol, and, though his presence will most likely cause some sort of trouble, I'm glad he's around. He is my mentor after all, and he isn't that bad of a guy…once you get used to him.
I finally roll out of bed, and jump in the shower, letting the warm water run down my slightly scarred body. I scrub every inch until I'm tingling, and get out to towel off.
After a while, I make my way downstairs, and decide that I'm going to make something to bring over to Katniss' for dinner.
I rack my brain, thinking of something she likes that I can easily make. I decide on cheese buns, seeing as any memory I can muster up that includes my food, shows her enjoying them.
I take a quick look in the pantry, and then the fridge, and realize that I'm going to have to make a trip into town. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little afraid of venturing into town. It'll be the first time I'll really have the chance to see any damage done, and anything could really trigger an episode. But I need the groceries if I'm going to make the treat for dinner. So before I can change my mind, I make my way outside into the cool morning air.
Before I go to town, I stop at Haymitch's house. I knock on the door a few times, with no answer, so I just walk right in.
"Haymitch? Haymitch? Are you home?" I call, stepping into the front hall.
When I'm met with silence, I peek into the living room, with no luck. So I continue down the hall to the back of the house and enter the kitchen. Sure enough, my mentor, in all his glory, is lying face down on the table, passed out. Drunk, most likely.
I'm about to shake him awake when I notice the knife clenched in his fist, and remember that he always sleeps armed.
I let myself wonder briefly how he manages to sleep with such a good hold on his weapon.
I carefully try to pry his fingers off the knife, and as I do so, he snaps awake, standing suddenly and knocking over his chair, hissing at me.
When his eyes focus on me, he sighs and puts the knife on the table, picking the chair back up.
"Jesus kid, dontcha know better than to go sneakin' up on old men like that? Especially old men with a weapon? I coulda sliced your damn arm off for cryin' out loud," he mutters, reaching under the table and grabbing a fresh bottle of liquor.
I can't help but chuckle, "Nice to finally see you again too Haymitch. Oh yeah, I've been fine, thanks for asking."
He glares at me from behind his bottle as he takes a long drink. He slams the bottle on the table, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Fine, I'll play along. How ya doin' kid? Still dealin' with the bullshit Snow planted in your head?"
I roll my eyes at his less than gentle approach and nod.
"Still having episodes, if that's what you're asking. Although, I'm down to only two a week, which is a hell of a lot better than the everyday thing I used to go through," I sigh, taking a seat across from him.
He nods, "Jeez kid, terrible stuff. To hell with those assholes."
I'm about to comment on the almost tender comment he just made, when a sly smile crosses his face.
"So, ya came back here for the girl, hmm? Lookin' for some lovin', like the olden days?"
I snort and shake my head at him in disgust, "Yknow Haymitch, I can act for myself sometimes. It isn't always about Katniss."
He raises an eyebrow and I sigh, "Ok, you're right, maybe I did come back for her. Problem?"
He raises his hands, as if surrendering, the smile playing on his lips once again, "No problem, no. You just might wanna think before you go tryin' to get in her pants. Girl hasn't exactly been right in the head since she got back here." He takes another pull on the bottle, and I stand from the table.
"I want to help her, Haymitch, and I just might need your help too," I say firmly, getting to the point of why I really decided to stop in.
"You want my help? Don't get me wrong kid, she's a cute girl, but I'm pretty sure she won't want me in her bed with the two of you. I can give you some tips on how to get her to let you into her bed though, I used to be quite the ladies' man, if I do say so myself."
I groan, "Haymitch! You know what I mean. I want…I need to help her. She's not herself, obviously you can see that. We need to get her back into a good place. This dinner invitation could just be her way of trying to show us everything is fine again, when it isn't. Please, help me. She's your favourite, you chose her, so help me to help her now."
He looks at me for a few minutes, as if deciding what witty remark to use next, which is why I'm a little shocked when he says, "Sure kid, I'll help. Best I can anyways."
"Thank you," I breathe, "Anyways, I'll see you tonight," I say, turning to leave.
As I reach the door, I hear a chair scraping on the floor, and Haymitch appears in the hallway, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck.
"Hey, uh kid…what you said about her bein' my favourite? I ain't sayin' it's a lie, but I want you to know that, uh, it ain't just her well bein' I care about. I care jus' as much about you too. And, ah hell, it's good to have ya back," he stammers, obviously embarrassed by the show of affection.
I smile at him, "Thanks Haymitch, I appreciate it. And even though she's my favourite too, I guess I can say I care about you as well." I wink at him before going out the door, just catching his muttered insults. I laugh to myself as I head out of Victors Village.
It is good to be home.
As I exit the village, I veer to the left, heading into the part of town that is being reconstructed. There are still piles of debris, and ashes lying about on the roads, and I know the Seam hasn't been cleaned or rebuilt at all. Soon enough though, our little District will be as good as new.
After a few minutes' walk, I reach the main part of town, and find people milling about. I am a little shocked at how nice the rebuilt parts look already.
There are a few buildings that have been finished; Swanson's Market, Mae's Tailoring and Thom's Hardware. Everything is shiny and new, and there are no signs of the torture devices that littered the square before the rebellion.
The name on the hardware store sounds familiar, but I have trouble remembering where I've heard it before.
I push that thought aside, and head into the market. As I make my way towards the store, people on the street stop and stare. Some whisper, and point, others break out into big smiles when I pass by. At first I wonder if this is all due to the fact that I have a prosthetic leg, which most people have never seen before. But then I realize the real reason.
I sigh to myself. I guess the reactions that come with being a part of starting the rebellion don't fade away after the war ends. Looks like I'm a hometown hero.
I wonder to myself, as I enter the store, if that's why Katniss never likes to leave her house. She never likes the attention before, and certainly now, with her killing Coin instead of Snow, and being put on trial, people would recognize her everywhere—not that they didn't before the killing anyways.
The market is a fairly nice place. Everything is in order, clean, and fresh.
I scan the aisles, looking for the ingredients I'll need, when a young man wearing an apron, who must be just a few years older than me, appears in front of me.
I'm a little startled, but I smile warmly at him.
"Hello," I say, reaching out a hand to him, "I'm Pe—"
"Peeta Mellark, I'm well aware of who you are," the man chuckles, taking my hand firmly and shaking it. "I've known who you were since your first Reaping. Let me tell you, there's been a lot of talk, people were wondering if you were going to come back here, and seems like they don't need to wonder anymore!" He smiles at me.
I manage a chuckle and nod, "Yes, I don't think I could ever leave my home. Er...I'm sorry, your name is?"
"Oh! How rude of me, I'm Burt Swanson, I own this market," he says proudly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
I talk to Burt for a few minutes before getting back to my shopping.
I find that we are able to order items from the Capitol, which will arrive on the nearest train. I decide to order some ingredients that we won't be able to get in our District until 11 has their farms back up and running.
I exit the store, carrying my groceries, and am greeted by a man who looks vaguely familiar to me. He introduces himself as Thom, the owner of the hardware store. I greet him warmly, not able to shake the feeling that I've met him before.
He notices the strange look on my face and acknowledges it.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I just feel like we've met before, but I can't put my finger on it," I say, a little embarrassed.
"We have met before. I uh...I helped you carry the Hawthorne boy to Mrs. Everdeen after he got that whippin'…" he says slowly, assessing my reaction.
Of course, Thom Edwards. He worked in the mines, along with Gale. He probably knows all about my condition, which is why he was hesitant to tell me how we met.
He's not much older than I am, maybe three or four years, but his hair is graying, probably as a result of all the stress of the District being destroyed and having to be rebuilt.
When I don't respond, he clears his throat, regaining my attention.
"Anyways, I'm in charge of the rebuilds, and I was hoping to talk to you. When you have a moment, that is," he says a little nervously.
"What about?" I ask, trying to look interested.
"Well, I know your family owned the bakery. We were thinkin' and we could sure use one around here, so people could have the chance to buy good baked good, you know? So we were wondering, if maybe you'd like us to build one," he says quickly.
At the mention of the bakery, images start to flood my mind. I can't help it when I feel anger rising up inside of me, anger towards the mutt who caused my family's bakery, along with my family, to turn to ashes.
When I realize what's happening to me, I drop the basket with my groceries in it, and take off towards home, ignoring the calls of a worried Thom. I run as fast as I can with my fake leg, trying to ignore the pain I feel as I try to fight off the episode.
I make it to my house just as I begin to lose it. Images of a mutt version of Katniss setting fire to my family's bakery and laughing as she watches it burn being to spiral through my mind.
Before I lose it completely, I manage to lock myself in my room and sit in the middle of the floor. Just as I feel myself being taken over, I have one last thought.
There's no way I'm going to let myself hurt her.