CHAPTER 7: DISTRICT 4
"This is it," Peeta says, and we all stop walking. "47 Arrowhead Lane… just about right."
I look up at the small, quaint cottage, and it resembles our very first home in District 12. The mossy vines climbed up the ivory wall, and primroses bloomed from the windowsill. A small, 'WELCOME' mat in the shape of a cat lies in front of the door. It reminds me of Buttercup, Prim's now-dead cat.
I walk up the steps and knock on the wooden door. I hear faint footsteps, and it's a three-part rhythm. Slowly it gets nearer to the door, and then it creaks open. A wooden cane sticks out first, and then my mother is revealed from behind the door.
"Mom," I whisper, dropping my luggage and hugging her tightly.
"Oh Katniss, my dear," she says, stroking my hair.
"It's nice to see you again, Ms. Everdeen," Peeta greets, accepting her hug.
My mother's fair hair had turned sliver, and her face was ridged with lines around her eyes and mouth. She hobbles on her cane (the cause of the three-part rhythm) proudly, though, and her passion for saving lives had never faded. Her simple frock was stained with flour, and when she smiled, her eyes crinkled up like an accordion. I guess smiling was pretty rare for her.
"Grandma!" Rue and Finnick call in appreciation. Rue gracefully runs into her arms while Finnick wobbles over more slowly.
"Hello my dears! Oh, you've gotten so big!" she exclaims, doting over them as Peeta and I lug the bags inside.
"What do you think of the place?" mother asks, letting go of the kids' hands. They scream and run all over the house.
"It's lovely, but I think I better restrain Rue and Finnick before we have to pay for damage repair," I say, smiling. "Rue! Finnick!" I run around, chasing them until finally we are all collapsed on the couch, and I'm grinning in victory.
"No fair mommy," Finnick says. "You were in the Hunger Games."
I look at him, surprised, and Rue puts her fingers to her mouth. "Shh!"
"Let's all have some lunch, how does that sound now?" mother says tensely, making her way into the kitchen without waiting for a response.
We follow her and I'm surprised to see my favorite dish from the Capitol sitting on the table: lamb stew with plums. I never thought I'd taste it again!
Mother laughs at my expression, and she pushes it to me. "I remembered you liked this stuff so much, so I decided to make some for you."
"Thank you," I say, my mouth already watering as I pile my plate high, and then fill Rue and Finnick's. We are all hungry and start shoving the food down our throats.
...
"So how is Annie's family doing?" I ask my mother as we sit on the couch. Peeta and the children are playing outside; I can hear their laughter.
"Not too well," she says, her face growing grim. "Ever since she came back here, she's been moody and paranoid all the time. Poor Matt isn't doing too well."
"Matt?"
"Their son. He's twenty-one now, and well off enough to take care of himself, but he's very shaken over loosing his mother," she explains.
Oh, that's right. Annie and Finnick's son was born right after the war ended!
"His whole childhood was very traumatic," she continues. "It's almost as if the roles were switched. Ever since he was twelve he's been the one watching out for his mother. She used to have seizures, and she would always cover her ears and eyes, as if she just wanted to disappear…."
I remembered Annie Cresta at District 13. How she would always hide from the world, always afraid. She was just another victim of the stupid Hunger Games. After watching her fellow tribute from District 4 being beheaded, she was never the same. But Finnick would always be there. His arms were always quick to shelter her. Without Finnick in her life, it almost surprised me she lived this long. I winced at the horrible thought.
"Where is Matt now?" I ask.
"Oh, he's still in District 4. He's working at the Justice Building down the road, if you want to see him," she says.
"I think I better go now, just to get it over with," I say, rising up.
"It's been a long trip, dear, are you sure you don't want to wait?"
"No, I better go do it now. The funeral's tomorrow and I want to introduce myself beforehand," I explain.
I walk out door and look up at the sky, which is slowly fading. Shining faintly, the moon shown like a mirage in the sky. It was not yet night, but it will soon be.
"Mommy!" Finnick runs, waving his arms and clinging to my leg.
I laugh, picking him up and swinging him in a circle. He laughs in delight as we twirl around.
"Hey," Peeta says, coming up to me with Rue on his back. She smiles at me, and I can see that her eyelids are slowly drooping.
"Hey," I reply, kissing him lightly. "I'm going to go visit Annie and Finnick's son," I said quietly. "Do you want to come, or are you going to stay here and watch them?"
"Do you feel like it's something you need to do alone?" he asks.
I shrug.
"Come on kids, let's go inside," he says, making his choice clear. He gives me a final parting glance, and the door slams shut.
I slowly make my way down the street, which has barely changed since my last visit here over twenty years ago. I stare sullenly at the dry mud caking the ground, watching as my steps make little dust clouds around my boots. I smile at the people who pass by. Some smile back normally, while others' eyes bug out as they realize who I am. Five people stop to ask me if I really am the Mockingjay and then I have to sign something for them before I finally reach the tall Justice Building at the end of the long road.
I climb the stone steps, feeling awkward amongst the crowd of workers filing out to go home. All are dressed in black, white, and grey and chatter excitedly for the coming weekend. Usually weekends are great for me, unless I'm attending a funeral.
I walk inside the tall room, where people's shoes echo off the marble floor. They have now put in elevators and an additional fifteen floors. I walk to the service counter, greeting the lady working there.
She was obviously a Capitol Native who had come to live in a quieter District. I could tell by her faded, but still shocking, green hair and the jewels encrusted onto her cheeks. She smiled at me, showing off her gold teeth.
"What can I do for you Miss?" she asks brightly.
"Um, I'm looking for where I can find Matt…" I wasn't sure whether to say Cresta or Odair.
"Matt Odair?" she fills in, raising her eyebrows.
"Yeah, that's the one. Can you please tell me what floor he's on?" I ask politely.
"Um, well, I'm not sure if he's taking visitors right now, Miss…."
"Everdeen," I say, running a tired hand though my hair. "Well, could you at least tell him I called?"
She stared at me, her mouth slightly open.
"What?"
"Did you say Everdeen?" she asks, in awe. "As in Katniss Everdeen? The victor of the 74th Hunger Games, love interest of Peeta… the Mockingjay?" she breathes.
I sigh. "Yes, that'd be me."
She squealed. "Oh my gosh! I am such a fan! You are, like, the best ever. Can I be honest? You're amazing!"
"Katniss Everdeen?" a voice says behind me.
I spin around to see a young man standing in front of me. His blonde hair is trimmed short and his sea green eyes look over me with surprise. Matt Odair.
