I wake up the following morning to a room full of people. Haymitch, Evelyn, Annie and Johanna are stood around my bed as Annie helps me into an upright position
"Alright, what's wrong?"
"Had a very upset customer last night" Haymitch says "he got very drunk and he's passed out in one of the rooms. Your cousin"
"Cato?"
"Yeah, that's the one"
"Well, is he alright?"
"Well that's the thing" Haymitch says awkwardly, unfolding his arms from across his chest "he says-"
"Your dad's told everyone you're dead" Johanna cuts him off "said thieves broke in to the house and you caught them in the act"
"Clever" I mumble "did you tell Cato the truth?"
"We were going to leave that up to you. Didn't want to go telling him if he was going to run off and tell the mayor where you are"
"No he won't do that if I ask him not to. Can you take me to see him? Please?"
"I'll go … wake him up. Annie why don't you help Madge get dressed?" Evelyn follows Haymitch out of the room leaving Annie and Johanna
"You alright Jo?" Annie asks her
"I'll help. You might drop her down the steps if you try and do it yourself"
"You don't have to" I tell her weakly. I don't feel comfortable with Johanna seeing me that frail and incapable
"Hush up brainless and lift your arms so I can get this thing off you" she orders, tugging on the nightdress I'm wearing
"Gently Johanna" Annie admonishes too late and I can't help but cry out as my arm is wrenched up
"Fuck" Johanna hisses, her eyes riveted on the rainbow of bruises under my skin "they sure did a number on you didn't they"
"I've had worse" I mumble, untangling myself from the nightgown
"Worse? Than this?" she says, arching an eyebrow
"A broken collar bone's just the worst" I tell her sarcastically, to which she grins
"You know brainless, you're not half bad" Annie smirks and I can't help but feel like I just earned an impossible stamp of approval.
Cato looks much like he did when he first started drinking with Darius. Sprawled out on his front, drooling on his hand, snoring softly. I clear my throat
"Huh- wha?" he blinks a few times, frowning at Haymitch, Johanna and Annie, then at me "Madge? Is that you? My God Madge what happened to you?" he falls to his knees in front of my chair, taking hold of my hands where they sit in my lap "we were told you were dead. My god Madge what happened?!"
"You can't tell anyone I'm here" I rasp, my throat is still bruised and speaking to Cato I realize how awful it sounds
"Damn it Madge tell me what happened!"
"Promise me first. I need your word"
"I swear. What happened? Did they do this?" he demands, eyeing our company
"No Cato, calm down"
"Just tell me you're not in any danger"
"No, not anymore" he squeezes my hands and I hide a wince of pain but he still notices my mangled fingers and loosens his grip "they've helped me"
"Please Madge tell me what happened. Why does your father think you're dead?"
"He may very well believe I am"
"Why?" I look to Annie over my shoulder and she lays her hand on my arm lightly, so it doesn't cause me any pain
"I don't think I can explain" I tell her feebly "I'll answer questions but I can't- I can't tell him. I'm sorry it's stupid"
"No, just tell me if I say something wrong?" I nod and Johanna groans
"Her dad was beating her senseless. Even started letting his buddies in on it" I throw an exasperated look at her which she just shrugs off and Haymitch gives her a nudge in the ribs
"Your father hit you?" Cato murmurs, his gaze pinned on me "Madge?" he squeezes my hands again without thinking and it makes them throb "did he Madge?"
"Yes" I rasp. Cato swallows, looking at my feet, clad in thick socks that hide my bruises
"More than once?"
"Yes" I nod
"And all this" he indicates to my body "he did this?" I shake my head
"No, this was someone else"
"Who?"
"I don't know, Thread someone"
"How long has this been going on?"
"A while"
"Answer me"
"Since my mother passed I think"
"I don't understand. How could this have been happening? Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Who was there to tell?"
"You could have told me"
"No" I croak
"Oh Madge, I'm so sorry" I shake my head at him, he has nothing to be sorry for "Why are you here?"
"Haymitch- Mr. Abernathy found me, brought me here so Mrs. Everdeen could treat me"
"When will you be well enough to leave? You'll come and live with my mom and me"
"Cato …"
"No arguments"
"Your mother-"
"Wouldn't have it any other way. We'll pay Mr. Abernathy and Mrs. Everdeen for all they've done and then you'll have a home with us. Your father never even has to know"
"We don't want payment boy" Haymitch interrupts "just want her safe and well and she's got that here"
"She doesn't belong here"
"She belongs where she wants"
"She belongs with family" with that Haymitch storms off mumbling about 'kids' and 'typical' and 'bloody Trinket' "I can go to your old house for anything you might want"
"My father isn't there?"
"He left for the city after announcing your death. My mom is there now making arrangements"
"Perhaps you best talk to her first?" I suggest. It's probably wise to tell her I'm not dead before she starts measuring coffins for a body they don't have
"Yes, yes alright. I'll go there now and come back for you in an hour or so?"
"You can't take her yet brainless, what if someone sees her? Besides Mrs. E isn't done fixing her up yet" Johanna interrupts, Cato looks at her questioningly and Johanna crosses her arms with a smirk
"I'd like to keep her close by for observation and her own wellbeing" Mrs. Everdeen confirms "you're welcome to visit whenever you want" Cato nods in acceptance then looks back at me
"You're sure? You're safe, I mean?"
"Well we're sure as hell not going to hurt her" Johanna snaps
"Madge?"
"I'm alright Cato" I watch him glance down at my battered hands and grimace "I'll get better. I promise"
"I'll be back, I'll bring you some of your things"
"Nothing the mayor will notice missing" Mrs. Everdeen adds
"I'll be back soon" Cato leans forward and kisses my forehead swiftly before rushing out and Johanna smirks again
"Good looking son of a bitch isn't he, your cousin? Can't handle his liquor though"
"I'll put in a good word for you" I snicker
"Don't bother, you're more my type than he is".