CHAPTER 11
PART I
On Katniss Everdeen's Victory Tour
As far as Katniss Everdeen is concerned, the entire Victory Tour was one long, extended, waking nightmare.
In District Eleven, the first stop, she felt that she just had to say something other than the wooden, canned speech that Effie Trinket had prepared for her, especially when she saw the families of Thresh and Rue, sitting on raised platforms, underneath huge pictures of the two dead Tributes. And so, she delivered an unscripted, heartfelt speech, choking up several times in the process, and, in response, the impoverished field hands that were present kissed the fingers of their left hand and raised these same hands to her in salute.
They had no idea of the significance of the gesture, other than it meant respect. And every man, woman, and child present that warm December day in District Eleven felt nothing but respect for this slight, dark haired girl standing before them.
Her Escort, Effie Trinket, and her Mentor, Haymitch Abernathy led Katniss, overcome with emotion, off the stage. The second to the last sound Katniss heard before she disappeared into the District Eleven Justice Building was the sound of someone whistling Rue's four-note song...the one that she and Katniss had agreed on that would mean that they were safe. Katniss had distractedly left her bouquet of flowers on the stage...and the sound of the whistle seemed to stir her memory, for she spun around and stepped back out onto the stage, where she heard the last sound that she would hear on her District Eleven stop...twin gunshots, coming so fast it almost sounded like one.
That wasn't the worst of it. The worst of it was seeing a grizzled, wizened old man, kneeling on the stage, head down, as a pair of helmeted Peacekeepers each put a bullet in the man's brain.
Katniss couldn't get out of District Eleven fast enough.
After that, Effie and Haymitch had no problem convincing Katniss to stick to the script. But the nightmare continued.
The little girl in District Four that reminded Katniss so much of Prim who informed Katniss, even in the act of handing Katniss her bouquet, that she was going to volunteer for the Games as soon as she was old enough, "Just like you!" Katniss's nightmares that night included images of a dismembered District Four girl.
The parents of the District Eight girl that Gale put out of her misery, begging for a chance to meet Katniss, to thank Gale (through her) for showing their daughter compassion. The sisters of the District Five girl, Finch, each with flaming red hair, saying to Katniss how much she owed their dead sister for sacrificing herself, then in the same breath thanking Katniss for killing her quickly. And the stony silence and glares of pure hatred that greeted Katniss in Districts One and Two.
Katniss hardly ate and slept little. Cinna, her stylist, was constantly working on her clothes, taking them in, then in some more. Her prep team was fighting a losing battle with the dark circles under her eyes. And not a day passed that she didn't fight with Haymitch, Effie...or both.
Cressida, assigned along with her crew to document Katniss's Victory Tour, was the young Victor's only confidant. Katniss found in Cressida someone that was easy to talk to, and sympathetic to her difficulties. Cressida found in Katniss a young woman of exceptional intelligence and a dry sense of humor...when it could be coaxed out of her. In spite of their hugely different backgrounds, the Capitol correspondent and the Victor from the poorest section of the poorest district in Panem became close friends in a very short time.
And now, as the train pulls in to the Capitol, Katniss allows herself to relax. No more facing crowds of people that watched their own die in the Games. No more sullen, surly people. One more stop, Katniss says to herself. One more stop then I can go home. Katniss allows herself to breathe a small sigh of relief, certain that this nightmarish trip was near its end.
At that time, Katniss had no way of knowing that her true nightmare was yet to begin.
Katniss fidgets uncomfortably, clenching her hands into tight balls to keep from impulsively biting her nails. She glances nervously at the ornately decorated mahogany double doors, and at the brace of tall, muscular, black-clad men blocking the doorway, then back at the middle-aged woman seated at a desk, also made of mahogany, who had been steadily tapping away at a computer keyboard for the past twenty minutes.
Katniss tries without success to quell the growing knot of fear in her belly. She had been afraid many times during the Games, but the fear that she feels now was different. For, behind those ornate doors, was the single most powerful...and therefore the most dangerous...man in Panem.
Behind those doors was President Coriolanus Snow.
Katniss had been sound asleep when her Victory Tour Train pulled into the Capitol early this morning. After a quick meeting, her support crew of Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, and Cressida all decided to let her sleep. After all, she was not scheduled to make her appearance until the Capitol Reception tonight at the Presidential Palace.
"Let the poor girl sleep," Haymitch had said firmly. "Snow knows she needs it."
The rest of the group concurred, and sat down to enjoy a leisurely breakfast...that is, until the courier from the President's staff arrived shortly after eight.
Effie was the one that received the message. "Katniss Everdeen is to present herself at the Presidential Palace precisely at noon today for a private audience with President Snow. Present this letter at the West Entrance. Promptness is required."
Effie was beside herself with excitement. "An audience with President Snow! What a singular honor!" She turns to a nearby attendant. "Please go and wake Miss Everdeen immediately! We've no time to waste! This is a big, big, big, big, BIG day!"
Cinna and Cressida merely looked confused by the unexpected directive, and murmured softly to each other, speculating as to what prompted the unusual invitation.
In contrast, Haymitch Abernathy looked like he was about to throw up.
A very grumpy Katniss Everdeen joined the group for breakfast five minutes later. She woke up completely and instantly as soon as Effie gave her the news. Cinna and Effie were discussing what Katniss should wear; Cressida went to alert Messalla and the rest of her team. Haymitch lost his appetite and poured three fingers of fine cognac into a coffee cup, topping it off with a somewhat smaller serving of coffee.
Cinna finally decided on dressing Katniss in a conservative forest-green skirt and matching blazer, her gold Mockingjay pin adorning her left lapel. Her hair was done in a single simple braid. Cinna was pleased with the result. She looked like a successful, intelligent university student. Effie asked Haymitch what he thought of Katniss's sophisticated new look.
Haymitch's response was to excuse himself, go into the nearest lavatory, and vomit violently.
Effie insisted on leaving promptly at eleven. At ten-thirty she called Hunger Games Central and requested that a car be sent to the train station for them. What they got was a car from the Presidential Fleet.
The black-clad driver and the taciturn man riding with him both insisted on searching both Effie and Katniss before allowing them into the limousine. They were searched again before more black-clad guards would allow them to drive through the West Gate, and yet again before being ushered into the Palace.
Katniss was separated from Effie as soon as both were in the Palace. Katniss was ushered into what she overheard the black-clad guard call the South Wing and into this outer office where, after being searched yet again, she was directed to sit...and wait.
It was almost one in the afternoon when the woman at the desk pressed her hand to her ear, nodded slightly, and then looked up at Katniss.
"Miss Everdeen?" Katniss jumped slightly at the sound of her name as she looked up at the woman. The woman inclined her head toward the ornate double doors. "The President will see you now."
Katniss merely nodded, not trusting herself to speak as she stands on trembling legs and forces herself to walk slowly toward the doors. The guards each pull a door open as she approaches, and then shuts them firmly behind her as Katniss steps through. The sound of the doors closing causes Katniss to freeze in her tracks. Only a well-modulated voice emanating from behind an enormous desk spurs her to move once again.
"Miss Everdeen," President Coriolanus Snow says cordially, slowly rising from his chair. He indicates a single, high-backed chair placed in front of his desk. "Do come in, my dear, and have a seat."
Slowly, Katniss walks into the richly appointed room toward the proffered chair. "Thank you, sir," she quietly says, waiting for the President to sit before lowering herself into the chair. Katniss is suddenly struck by an almost overpowering, cloying odor...the mingled scents of roses and blood, and has to fight a sudden gag reflex.
"You were quite prompt today," President Snow observes. "And you present yourself well," he adds, fixing his gaze momentarily on her Mockingjay pin.
Katniss shifts uncomfortably in her chair. "Thank you, sir," she again says. Now I know what a squirrel feels like when confronted by a snake, she says to herself.
"I, on the other hand, was somewhat less than prompt," Snow continues. "Sometimes, however, matters of state must take precedence. No matter." Snow steeples his fingers, placing his fingertips against his full, almost puffy, lips.
"Yes, sir," is all Katniss could think to say in response.
"Are you enjoying your Victory Tour, Miss Everdeen?" Snow asks, resting his gaze on her face.
Katniss hesitates for a moment before replying. "It's been...very interesting, visiting the different districts."
Snow reaches forward and picks up a PADD from the corner of his desk. "In District Eleven, immediately following your address to the assembly, my Peacekeepers were forced to publicly and punitively execute an agitator. In District Eight, the day after your visit there, a demonstration, orchestrated by organized agitators, erupted in the Main Square. You were involved in a verbal altercation with several girls in District Five. Reports indicate that not a day has passed that you haven't quarreled with your Escort, your Mentor, or both." Snow pauses as regards Katniss intently. "Miss Everdeen. As a Victor, you are supposed to represent Panem, and, more importantly, the Capitol. I daresay I am...disappointed...in your performance thus far."
Katniss looks down at her hands, clenched tightly together in her lap. "I...I didn't know what was going to happen in District Eleven until it did, sir. And I didn't know about District Eight, or that my speaking with Finch's sisters in District Five was wrong. I -"
Snow holds up one hand, palm out. "Nevertheless, these events occurred. And they all lead me to believe that there may be a problem. Specifically, with you."
"I didn't mean to cause any problems," Katniss says softly.
Snow looks at Katniss for a moment before speaking. "Oddly enough, I believe you. Miss Everdeen...the instant that you put an arrow into the District Two female Tribute; you stopped being a simple Seam brat from District Twelve. You became a Victor. And, above all else, a Victor represents Panem. A Victor represents the Capitol. And, perhaps the most important...a Victor represents me. To that end, Victors must be controlled. Do you follow me so far?"
Katniss can feel a cold knot of fear growing in her belly as President Snow speaks, and now glances up at him, her mouth suddenly dry. "I...yes, sir. I think so," she manages to croak.
"Did you know," Snow continues, almost conversationally, "That you are the most popular Victor since Finnick Odair won his Games, ten years ago? Perhaps even more popular?"
"No, sir," Katniss replies truthfully. "I didn't know."
"You've generated a great deal of...interest...here in the Capitol," Snow says. "Stand up."
Katniss stands on shaky legs. Snow nods thoughtfully. "You are quite an attractive young woman, Miss Everdeen. Turn around."
"Sir?" Katniss asks in confusion.
"Spin, like you did in your interview with Caesar Flickerman," Snow explains irritably. "But only once."
Slow Katniss pivots around one time. Snow smiles, nodding his head again.
"Yes," he says, "Very nice indeed. Sit."
Katniss sits.
"Miss Everdeen," Snow continues, "You present me with a conundrum. Do you know what that is?"
"No, sir," Katniss replies.
"A conundrum, Miss Everdeen, is a problem," Snow explains. "More specifically, a difficult problem. And it began the instant you volunteered for your pretty little sister."
Katniss feels a chill run up her spine at Snow's mention of Prim. It's all she can do to suppress a shudder at his vaguely menacing tone.
"I'm well aware of your motivation, Miss Everdeen," Snow continues. "You were not thinking past your desire to save your sister. Quite admirable, I must admit. However, others chose to interpret your selfless act in another way. Others choose to see your actions as overt defiance of the Capitol."
"I just wanted to save Prim," Katniss says quietly.
"And, in doing so," Snow replies, "You demonstrated loyalty, devotion, and love...to someone, or something, other than the Capitol. Oh, I admit, I wasn't too concerned at the time...in truth, I figured you and young Hawthorne to be little more than cannon bait. But now...Miss Everdeen, would it surprise you to learn that I favored one of the so-called 'Career' Tributes to win? A Cato, a Clove, or a Glimmer as Victor would pose no problems for me. I knew exactly where their loyalties lay. They could be easily controlled."
Snow sighs deeply. "Alas, here you are, Miss Everdeen. Our newest Victor. Tell me, what would you be willing to do in order to continue to protect your sister?"
That knot of fear in Katniss's belly gives a sudden lurch. "I think you already know the answer, President Snow."
Snow's eyebrows arch as he says, "And that answer would be?"
Katniss stares at her lap. "Anything," she says in a trembling voice. "I would do anything to keep Prim safe."
Snow smiles. Once again, Katniss is assailed by the smell of roses and blood. "That, Miss Everdeen, is the answer that I was hoping for." Snow opens a desk drawer, removes a sealed envelope, and reaches across the desk, handing the envelope to Katniss.
Slowly, reluctantly, Katniss takes the envelope from Snow. "Sir, what is this?"
Snow leans back in his chair. "The means by which you can, once and for all, demonstrate your undying loyalty to Panem, the Capitol...and me."
Katniss's fingers tremble slightly as she opens the envelope. She pulls out an embossed card from the envelope. It reads:
CASSIUS HAMMERSMITH
TONIGHT, 11 PM
ANTONINUS ROOM
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, THIRD FLOOR
Katniss read the card, her brow furrowed in confusion, then looks up at Snow. "Sir?"
"Is there a problem, Miss Everdeen?" Snow asks irritably.
"I...I don't understand this," Katniss stammers. "Cassius Hammersmith?"
Snow waves his hand dismissively. "A long-time...ally of mine," he explains. "And the highest bidder."
"Bidder?" Katniss asks. "Bidder for what, President Snow?"
"Why, for your pearl of great price, Miss Everdeen." Snow replies with a smile.
"My -" Katniss begins, her eyes widening as Snow's words sink in.
"Your virginity, Miss Everdeen," Snow explains. "Cassius has purchased your virginity...or, to be more specific, the right to take your virginity. He's actually quite...excited by the prospect."
"I can't," Katniss whispers miserably.
"Tonight," Snow says, ignoring her, "You will present yourself in the Antoninus Room...it's a suite of rooms, actually - my security staff will escort you there...after, of course, excusing yourself from your Victory celebration. You will be prompt. Suitable attire will be provided for you, of course. Cassius will be waiting for you there. Do not disappoint him, Miss Everdeen."
"I can't," Katniss says again. "I can't do this." Tears roll down her cheeks as she digs her nails into the palms of her hands.
"You can, and you will, Miss Everdeen," Snow says coldly, "Or you will discover that your noble sacrifice on Reaping Day was all for naught. Do I make myself clear?"
Katniss wanted to scream. Instead, she nods her head up and down, once.
"Good," Snow says. "You fought very hard in the Games, Miss Everdeen. Do be careful that your efforts do not go to waste." Snow presses a button on the edge of his desk. The double doors immediately swing open, revealing the same pair of black-clad bodyguards.
"I will see you at the reception this evening, Miss Everdeen," Snow says, as he turns his attention to a bundle of papers on his desk. Without looking up, he adds, "Escort Miss Everdeen back to her car."
"Yes, sir," one of the guard says. "Miss Everdeen? This way, please."
Katniss numbly hauls herself to her feet and follows the bodyguard out of the office. As the double doors slam shut behind her she gulps, a stricken look crossing her face.
The woman at the desk barely glances up as she says, "Out the door, to your left, second door on the right."
Katniss barely makes it into the bathroom before she vomits loudly and violently into the sink.
PART II
Katniss doesn't speak on the ride back to the Victory Tour Train. Effie tries in vain to get Katniss to tell her about her private meeting with President Snow. She may as well have been talking to a brick wall.
It was all Katniss could do, of course, to control herself and keep her emotions in check. So, she sits in the car, staring blankly out the window as Effie prattles on, all the while exerting a phenomenal effort to not scream, burst out in hysterical sobbing, or both.
Upon arrival back at the train, Katniss went immediately to her private suite, ignoring the questions from Cinna and Cressida. Only Haymitch refrains from badgering her with a barrage of questions regarding her audience with President Snow. Instead, he just watches from the background, fresh drink in hand, and a look of infinite sadness on his face.
Katniss manages to make it all the way into her suite before losing control. She sags against the door, fumbling behind her for the lock as the tears finally begin to flow freely. Her face contorts as her body shakes with violent sobs. Her support team stands on the other side of the door, knocking insistently, asking to be let in. Katniss finally says her first words since her meeting with President Coriolanus Snow.
"Go AWAY! Leave me ALONE!"
It was Haymitch that manages to herd Effie, Cinna, and Cressida away from Katniss's door, and into the lounge car. Once in the lounge, the three turn to Haymitch for answers.
"Haymitch," Effie says, "If you have any idea of why Katniss is behaving in this manner, then please share!"
Cinna nods in agreement. "Anything you can tell us would be helpful, Haymitch," the soft-spoken Stylist says, concern tingeing his voice. "I don't have much time before the Prep Team and myself have to start working on her."
"Please, Haymitch," Cressida entreats, "I think you do know why Katniss is so upset...and, if so, you need to share with us."
Haymitch looks at each of the three in turn before speaking. "You all...you all really do...care for her, don't you?"
Effie looks at Haymitch in amazement. "Well, of course we do, Haymitch!" Cinna and Cressida nod in agreement. Haymitch takes a deep breath before replying.
"I can't say for sure," he slowly says. "But I think I do know what may have happened. And that's all that I will say to any of you about this. If Katniss wants you to know...and I doubt that she will, if what I think happened actually did happen...she needs to be the one to tell you, not me."
"Oh, Haymitch," Effie says softly. "You...you make it sound as if it may be bad. Is it?"
"Princess," Haymitch says wearily, gulping down his drink, "You have no idea."
Katniss is curled up on her bed, emotionally drained, clutching a pillow to her chest, when she hears a soft knock on her door. She ignores it.
A second gentle knock a moment or two later, this one accompanied by, "Katniss? Sweetheart? Can we talk?"
Katniss sighs and rolls off of the bed, shuffling to the door listlessly, and throwing the bolt back. She's shuffling back to her bed even as she hears the door open, then close behind her. She flops down on the bed, clutching the pillow once again, staring blankly at the far wall. She lays like that for several minutes, aware of another presence in her room...and not caring.
The sound of Haymitch's voice finally snaps her out of her self-imposed trance. "Katniss," he softly says. "I'm...I'm sorry."
Katniss rolls over on the bed and regards Haymitch with narrowed eyes. "You knew?" she hisses.
"No," Haymitch replies truthfully, then adds, "But I suspected."
Katniss, moving faster than Haymitch thought possible, rolls off the bed and is standing toe to toe with him, her eyes blazing with fury. "You 'suspected?'" She shouts, her hand lashing out, striking Haymitch across his stubbled cheek. "You 'suspected,' and decided not to say anything? You son of a bitch!" Twice more Katniss strikes out at her Mentor, who makes no move to stop her. "You mother fucker! You said nothing, when you could have -"
"Could have what?" Haymitch says in a pained voice, his cheeks red from her blows. "Told you? Warned you? And if it didn't happen, then you would have gone days...or even weeks...worrying about it. Thinking about it. This trip's been challenging enough, Sweetheart. It would have been ten times worse if I had planted that seed in your head."
Katniss, her fury diminishing with each passing second, sinks wearily down onto the edge of the bed. "He...he said that if I...didn't...that Prim would...Prim would..."
Haymitch sits next to Katniss on the bed. "Trust me. If you don't...he will. And he won't hesitate. Not one second."
Katniss looks down at the floor. "I...I don't know if I can."
Haymitch turns and grabs Katniss firmly by her shoulders, turning her to face him. "Katniss. Listen to me. If you don't...if you refuse...your sister and mother will be dead before we get back to Twelve."
Katniss shakes her head. "No! You don't know that! You can't be sure!"
"I do know, and I am sure." Haymitch's voice is infinitely sad. "And if you need proof...just look at me. Ever notice that I live alone, and have for years? Ever wonder why I don't have any family?"
Katniss lifts her tear-streaked face, her eyes meeting Haymitch's. "You...it happened to you?"
Haymitch nods. "Mine was a different situation...but the outcome would be the same. Think about it."
Katniss says nothing and begins to cry softly. Haymitch wraps one arm around her slender shoulders and pulls her close to him. Katniss buries her face in his chest and sobs quietly.
"I want to go home," she whispers plaintively, and, for a moment, she's not Katniss Everdeen, resourceful Seam girl, or Katniss Everdeen, Hunger Games Victor...but Katniss Everdeen, scared sixteen-year-old girl.
"I know, Sweetheart," is all Haymitch can think to say. "I know."
The Presidential Victory Celebration and Reception - Main Ballroom, the Presidential Palace - Ten Forty P.M.
Slowly, her legs weak and trembling, Katniss Everdeen approaches a black-clad guard, reaching into her clutch and extracting a small, embossed card. The man, his face expressionless, watches her approach. Katniss, desperately trying to control her breathing, stops a step in front of the man.
"How may I help you, Miss Everdeen?" The man asks.
Wordlessly, Katniss extends her hand, handing the small card to the guard. The man takes it, examines it quickly, and then holds one arm out, indicating an elevator door set discreetly down a short hallway. Katniss nods once and follows the guard down the hallway to the closed elevator door. Once at the door, the guard presses the call button. The elevator doors immediately slide open. Another gesture by the guard and Katniss steps into the elevator, immediately followed by the guard, who presses a button marked with the number 3, causing the doors to slide shut immediately. Katniss feels the elevator begin to move upwards.
The elevator sighs to a smooth stop and the door slides open. The guard points to a door at the end of a short hallway. "The Antoninus Room, Miss Everdeen," he says. "When you are...finished...just press the call button here." The guard indicates a button on the wall next to the elevator door. " Good evening."
The elevator door slides shut. Katniss turns and walks slowly down the hallway to the door. As she raises her hand to knock, she murmurs, "For Prim." She then raps softly, three times.
The door swings open, revealing a woman dressed in the garb of a member of the Presidential household staff. "Miss Everdeen," the woman says, "come in, please."
Katniss steps into the room, and can see immediately that she's in some sort of outer chamber, with a vanity, mirrors, chairs, a couch, a wardrobe...but no bed. Two more women, younger than the first, stand quietly off to one side.
"These Avox," the woman explains, "are here to assist you, both now and...afterward. There's a house phone on the vanity. If you require anything other than what is provided here, simply pick up that phone and I will see to any other need that may arise. Do you have any questions?"
Katniss swallows heavily. "Where's...where's..."
"Mister Hammersmith is in there," the woman says, indicating a door on the far wall. "Oh! I almost forgot. Extend your arm, please." The woman produces a syringe from a pocket in her smock.
Katniss extends her arm, clenching her fist to hide her trembling fingers. "What is it?"
The woman places the end of the syringe against Katniss's forearm and depresses the plunger. There's a quick, faint hiss and just the barest of pinpricks.
"It's a time-release contraceptive," the woman explains, withdrawing the syringe.
"Oh," is all Katniss could say, trying, and failing, to bite back the new tears brimming in the corners of her eyes. It's really happening, she says to herself, then, I have to. For Prim.
"I'll leave you to get ready now," the woman says, then leans forward to whisper, "Don't worry. He's gentle. You could do a lot worse."
The woman turns and leaves the room without another word, or a backward glance. Katniss turns to the pair of Avox waiting patiently. "Okay," is all she says.
The Avox pair work quickly and efficiently, carefully stripping off Katniss's Victory Reception gown (a sleeveless, low-cut, floor-length black dress, artfully decorated with Mockingjay feathers), hanging it just as carefully, removing her shoes, and then stepping forward with a white, sleeveless, diaphanous floor-length robe, fastened in the front with a single tie. The Avox help Katniss into the robe, then turn her to face the full-length mirror as they make final adjustments to her hair.
I can see everything, Katniss says to herself, feeling a blush creep over her shoulders, neck, and face. She feels a soft touch at her shoulder and glances at the Avox standing next to her. The mute gives her a small smile, and then inclines her head toward the door. The other Avox is standing by the door patiently, her hand on the door handle.
Katniss takes a final deep breath, nods at the Avox standing at her side, murmurs "For Prim," one last time, and slowly walks toward the door. The Avox standing at the door opens it in a single smooth motion. Katniss steps through the door, hearing it shut firmly behind her, and faces Cassius Hammersmith.
The room is illuminated by nothing but a half-dozen strategically placed candles. Katniss strains her eyes in the dim light, able to just make out the shape of a man reclined on a massive bed in the center of the room.
"Come in, child," a deep, richly toned voice says from the bed. Katniss steps forward on shaking legs, stopping a good three paces from the bed. For the first time she can clearly see the figure lying on the huge bed.
Katniss's first impression was one of size. Cassius Hammersmith was a large man, with a full head of iron gray hair. In contrast to her white, diaphanous robe, his had full sleeves, was black, and was completely opaque. She could feel his eyes flicker over her body and had to fight a reflex to cover her breasts and groin with her hands and arms.
"Lovely," Hammersmith breathes. "Truly beautiful. You are a prize, my little Victor. I was one of your most ardent supporters in your Games, you know...as well as one of your most generous Sponsors."
"Thank you, sir," Katniss murmurs softly, even while thinking; He's old enough to be my grandfather! She could feel herself shiver again, and hope that he didn't notice.
He did notice. "Don't fear me, child," he says soothingly, even as he rises from the bed to stand before her. Katniss, her head lowered, couldn't help but notice that the front of Hammersmith's robe was tenting out prominently, and she could feel herself blush again as she realized exactly what it was that was causing the bulge in his robe.
"I shan't hurt you, Katniss," Hammersmith murmurs gently, stepping ever closer to her. Reflexively, Katniss can feel herself take a step backwards, only to catch herself and stop.
"Sorry," Katniss gasps, thinking, I have to do better...for Prim. Hammersmith puts his hands gently on her shoulders, effectively preventing her from retreating.
"Beautiful girl," he murmurs, cupping one hand under her chin and raising her face up to his. Katniss squeezes her eyes shut as she feels his lips press down on her own, and feels an involuntary shudder of revulsion as his tongue wetly invades her mouth.
"Mmmmm," Hammersmith moans as he passionately kisses Katniss. He slips his hands down to her buttocks, cupping the firm cheeks and pulling her body close to his. Katniss shudders again as she feels Hammersmith's firm shaft press urgently against her belly.
For Prim, she says to herself again as she clumsily attempts to return his kiss. She can feel his hands slide around to the front of her body, moving up to cup her breasts through her thin robe. In spite of her fear and revulsion, Katniss can feel her nipples respond to Hammersmith's caresses, and feels him moan into her mouth.
For Prim. Hammersmith is pulling at the tie to her robe now, and then sliding his hands underneath to eagerly caress her bare flesh. His fingers race over her body, caressing her buttocks, her bared nipples, her belly, her thighs, and finally slipping between her legs to gently fondle her warming center, his fingers combing through the sparse patch of black hair nestled on her lower belly. Another shudder passes through her body as she feels Hammersmith's urgent mouth on her throat...Katniss biting her lip to prevent the scream from escaping and fighting down the bile rising in her throat.
For Prim. Hammersmith is guiding her hands to his robe tie. Reluctantly, Katniss pulls at the silken cord, even as he brushes his hands over her shoulders, pushing the robe off of her body. Katniss is only barely aware of the fact that she's now completely naked in front of this man, as he eagerly shrugs his own shoulders, his black robe falling in a heap at his feet. Hammersmith gently takes her hand in his own, guiding it to his jutting shaft.
For Prim. Hammersmith closes Katniss's hand around his pulsing organ, and guides her in stroking his aroused sex. His own fingers return to her moistening cleft and he moans in pleasure at the feel of her clumsy caresses, even as he sucks each of her nipples into his mouth in turn.
For Prim. Hammersmith is guiding her back onto the bed, gently but firmly pushing her down, parting her thighs, then standing up, looming over her. "Oh, my beautiful little Victor," he breathes, staring down at Katniss's naked body sprawled out on the bed beneath him, her thighs parted, her sparsely furred cleft glistening. Katniss can feel her heart pounding and her mouth going dry as she stares fearfully back up at the huge man. Unbidden, she reaches out to grasp Hammersmith's throbbing erection, stroking it as he showed her. Maybe, if I can get him excited enough, he will...finish...without doing...that, she says to herself.
For Prim. Hammersmith climbs onto the bed, gasping with excitement, his organ swaying as he positions himself between her parted thighs. I can't, Katniss says to herself, as she pushes her buttocks into the mattress, away from the older man's questing shaft. I can't...he's too big...I can't. Katniss puts her hand to her mouth and bites down on the heel as Hammersmith runs the head of his leaking shaft up and down the moistened lips of her pink cleft, then aims carefully and pushes downward.
For Prim. Katniss tries, and fails, to stifle a scream as Hammersmith's pulsing staff penetrates her tight body, filling her with pressure and heat. Again, she almost gags as his lips press down on hers and his tongue invades her mouth. Katniss groans involuntarily as Hammersmith's heavy body settles down on her own slender form. The sensation of blood trickling down her inner thighs is matched by the sensation of her tears trickling down the sides of her face as Hammersmith raises himself up over her supine body and his hips begin to thrust rhythmically.
Katniss remembers to gasp and moan every so often as Hammersmith relentlessly continues his thrusts. As he continues to impale the slight girl beneath him, Katniss finds herself repeating an almost soothing mantra in time to his thrusts.
For Prim. For Prim. For Prim. For Prim. For Prim. For Prim. For Prim. For Prim.
PART III
Dawn was three hours away when the car pulled up to the Victory Tour Train and discharged Katniss Everdeen.
Her entire support crew was wide-awake, sitting in the lounge car, when she returned. Even though Haymitch had told them all to go to bed..."There's nothing you can do, anyway," he had said to them...they all insisted on remaining up.
Only Haymitch knew the real reason why Katniss had excused herself from the Reception...and, in spite of their best efforts, he steadfastly refused to divulge why. But as the hours passed, each of them in turn...Effie, Cinna, and Cressida...all realized that, whatever the reason...it was not good for Katniss.
Still, the hour was late, and it had been an exhausting two weeks. All four were dozing fitfully in chairs or on couches in the lounge car (Cressida had sent her crew to bed hours before) when the car pulled up on the gravel siding.
Cinna heard the slam of the car door and was instantly awake. Quickly, he rouses Effie, Cressida, and Haymitch. Haymitch, bottle nestled firmly in his lap, was the most difficult to wake, but Cinna's urgent whisper of "Haymitch! She's back!" was enough to penetrate the alcohol-induced fog that surrounded his brain.
The door to the lounge car hisses open and Katniss steps through wearily, dressed in her magnificent Reception gown. She stops suddenly when she realizes that Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, and Cressida are all awake and standing in the lounge car. For a moment she stares at them, her face an expressionless mask.
Effie breaks the silence. "Katniss, dear, are you -"
"I'm fine," Katniss snaps. "Just wonderful! Can't you tell?"
Cinna steps forward. "Katniss, you know that we're -"
"Save it!" Katniss spits. She glares at each one in turn, and then says dully, "I'm going to take a shower and go to bed."
Katniss abruptly turns to leave. Cressida steps forward. "Katniss, whatever it is -"
"Fuck you," Katniss says in a flat voice, then turns and looks first at Cinna, then and Effie. "Fuck you both as well."
The foursome stares in shock as Katniss turns and disappears down the corridor. Effie turns and faces the rest of the group. "Well, what prompted that? And why just the three of us, and not you, Haymitch?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Cinna replies calmly. "Haymitch is from home. District Twelve. We're all from the Capitol."
"Give the man the prize," Haymitch says cynically. He slumps back into his chair, taking a pull from his bottle. Cressida looks stricken. Effie just looks confused. Just then they can all hear the sounds of a shower being run.
"Well, I for one am totally confused by all this," Effie says. "I mean, whatever did we do -"
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, Princess," Haymitch snorts. "I can guarantee it's not personal."
"What do you know, Haymitch?" Cressida asks quietly.
Haymitch just shakes his head and takes another pull from the bottle. "Ask her," he mumbles. "But not tonight. And probably not tomorrow, either." He looks up at the trio surrounding him...the Escort, the Stylist, and the Resident Director. "You should all get some sleep." He chuckles humorlessly. "Another big, big, big day ahead!"
"That's not funny, Haymitch!" Effie snaps. "And what about you? Are you just going to sit there all night? Don't you need sleep also?"
"I'm good," Haymitch says, hefting his bottle. "He'll keep me company. I don't sleep well, anyway. You know that, Princess. Now, go to bed. All of you."
Wordlessly, the three depart. Haymitch slumps in his chair and listens as the shower sounds cease. Twenty minutes later, the shower sounds start up again. Haymitch sits, staring into the darkness, occasionally pulling on his bottle, as the shower sounds cease once again. He catches himself dozing off as the shower sounds begin once again, this time lasting for a good twenty minutes. A moment after they stop again Haymitch hears the door at the end of the lounge car hiss open.
"Haymitch," Cressida says softly. "Have you been sitting here this whole time?"
"Never left," Haymitch replies, holding up the bottle. "Care for a drink?"
Cressida surprises him by grabbing a glass and holding it out for him to fill. Haymitch doesn't hesitate. He pours a healthy drink into her glass, and then raises his bottle in salute.
"A toast," he says mockingly, "To Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire, Victor of the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games." Haymitch pulls deeply from his bottle, then pulls the bottle away from his mouth and looks at Cressida.
"What's the matter?" He asks crossly. "Not drinking to our Victor?" At that moment, the sounds of a running shower start up again.
"That's the fourth one," Cressida says worriedly.
"And she can count, too," Haymitch replies sarcastically.
"Fuck off, Haymitch!" Cressida snaps. "What she said to me earlier...that hurt. I thought we had become friends."
Haymitch laughs. "Katniss Everdeen had one...one...friend, and he's been busy rotting away in a simple pine box since last summer."
Cressida is silent for a moment. She stares into her drink, and then finally looks up. "She was raped, wasn't she?"
"No," Haymitch says sadly. "She wasn't raped. What happened to her was worse than rape."
"Worse than rape?" Cressida frowns. "What could possibly be...oh. Great Snow. You're right. She wasn't raped."
Haymitch nods. "Right."
"She was sold." Cressida whispers in horror.
Haymitch nods. "Right."
"Sold," Cressida says again. "By...oh, no. Her meeting earlier today. Her mood this afternoon. Disappearing during the Reception. Her hostility towards Effie, Cinna, and I. It all makes sense, now."
In response, Haymitch takes a deep drink from his bottle.
"But why?" Cressida asks. "What could possibly motivate her to go along with it? She's a Victor, dammit!"
"Don't ask me what her motivation was," Haymitch says. "You should ask Johanna Mason instead. Or, better yet, ask Johanna's family."
"Not funny, Haymitch!" Cressida snaps. "Johanna doesn't have a family. They're all -"
"Dead," Haymitch finishes. "Yes. I know."
Cressida sits clutching her drink, then she suddenly tosses it back all at once, coughs, and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. The sound of the running shower stops again, and Cressida jumps to her feet, turns, and walks toward the lounge car exits.
"Going someplace?" Haymitch asks sarcastically.
"I'm going to talk to her," Cressida replies flatly.
"Girl, you do have a death wish," Haymitch says. "What makes you think she'll talk to you?"
"I don't know," Cressida says firmly, "but I have to try." With that, she turns and walks out of the lounge car. Haymitch raises his bottle to her as he hears the sound of the door hissing shut.
"Good luck. And may the odds be ever in your favor."
Cressida stops outside Katniss's door, listening intently, and hearing nothing. She raps softly on the door.
"Katniss? It's Cressida."
"Go away." Katniss's muffled voice comes through the door.
"Katniss?" Cressida calls out. "Come on, honey. Open then door."
Suddenly the door flies open. Katniss's hand shoots out, gripping Cressida by her throat. Katniss pushes her way out of her room, backing Cressida into the far wall. Cressida's eyes widen when she sees the knife clenched in Katniss's free hand.
"You don't fucking listen, do you?" Katniss snaps. "Leave. Me. The. Fuck. ALONE!"
"I was raped," Cressida manages to gasp.
Katniss's eyes narrow. "What did you say?"
"When I was fourteen," Cressida continues, feeling Katniss's grip lessen ever so slightly.
Katniss lowers the knife. "Come on in," she says resignedly, removing her hand from Cressida's throat. She turns and slumps back into her room, with Cressida following close behind. Cressida carefully closes and locks the door behind her, then pulls up a chair as Katniss sinks on to her bed, laying in a fetal position on her side, clutching a pillow to her chest. She looks like a lost little girl, Cressida says to herself, as she looks at Katniss, now wearing a long-sleeved flannel nightgown. Cressida notes that it's forest green...what Katniss had told her is her favorite color.
"Haymitch told you, didn't he?" Katniss asks quietly. "That son of a bitch."
"No one told me, Katniss," Cressida says gently. Katniss frowns.
"Then how -" Katniss begins.
"I figured it out," Cressida replies. "I'm a reporter, remember?"
"So you know," Katniss says listlessly, then, "I feel dirty. No matter how many showers I take. I feel so dirty."
Tears begin to well up in Katniss's eyes as Cressida shifts to the bed, laying her hand gently on Katniss's shoulder.
"I know," Cressida says softly. "I did too."
"What happened?" Katniss asks, her voice catching slightly.
Cressida sighs deeply. "It was a friend of my father's," she says painfully. "It happened at his summer house in the mountains outside the Capitol. He went out one night with my mother and father. I stayed back...I hadn't been feeling well. He came home early and...went to my bedroom. And no one believed me."
"No one?" Katniss asks. "Not even your parents?"
Cressida laughs bitterly. "Especially not my parents. The man was a business partner of my father's. My father was afraid of losing the money that he put into the business. And the man laughed about it when I confronted him...he said that if I knew what was good for me that I would just forget it. And I did...I was afraid my father would lose all his money if I didn't...and that he would end up in debtor's prison. So I did. I never spoke of it ever again." Cressida looks down at Katniss, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks as she says, "Until just now."
Katniss props herself up on one elbow. "I'm sorry, Cressida," she says softly. "I...well, I'm just sorry. For what I said earlier."
"Forget it," Cressida says, sniffing back new tears. "I know why you said it. Katniss, we're all on your side. Remember that."
Katniss is silent for a moment before she speaks again. "Did you...did you feel...dirty afterwards also?"
Cressida smiles sadly at the younger girl. "How did you think I figured out what happened to you?"
"It was awful," Katniss whispers. "He...he was too big." Katniss blushes at the memory. "And...it hurt me. And it still hurts."
"Do you want me to get someone from medical?" Cressida asks.
"No!" Katniss replies, then, softer, "No...I mean, I'll be fine." Katniss pauses for a moment. "There was a lady there. She gave me a shot. So I wouldn't get pregnant."
"That...that's good, honey," Cressida says. "Did he...I mean, when he finished..."
Katniss chokes back a sob. "In...inside. He...inside me. And he made me get a damp cloth and...wash him off."
"We don't have to talk about this, Katniss," Cressida says softly. Katniss ignores her.
"He...he put his...in my mouth," Katniss gags slightly at the memory. "He was moaning and holding my...head...down there...and then he...he...in my mouth..."
Katniss suddenly lurches off the bed and stumbles into the bathroom, with Cressida right behind her. Katniss hunches over the toilet and vomits as Cressida kneels beside her, holding her hair and gently patting her back.
"Here," Cressida says, holding a glass of water out to Katniss. "Rinse your mouth."
Katniss gratefully accepts the glass, rinsing her mouth, and then spitting the water into the sink. She shakily gets to her feet, assisted all the way by Cressida, and makes her way back to her bed.
Cressida sits next to her, cradling her gently. "I want to go home, Cressida," Katniss says plaintively. "The whole time in the Games, I never once said that. Not one time. But now I want to go home more than anything."
"I know, honey," Cressida says, gently rocking the younger woman. "I know."
PART IV
I wait at the train station, shivering in the frigid air. For the last two weeks, I've watched, along with the rest of Panem, every stop on Katniss's Victory Tour. Mandatory Viewing, which had been so difficult during the Games, had actually become a festive occasion, with me watching with Mrs. Everdeen and Prim just about every night.
Together, we watched stop after stop, as Katniss addressed each district in turn. We watched as Katniss went to party after party in her honor. We watched as Katniss made her appearance on Caesar Flickerman's show, and Prim ooohed and aaahed at the incredible gown that Katniss had worn to the Presidential Reception. Mrs. Everdeen was just anxious to get Katniss back home.
For the most part, my days were filled primarily with avoiding Hazelle Hawthorne and spending a lot of time with Goat Man, practicing knife-fighting techniques. One big advantage to living near the east mine entrance slagheap was privacy. Hardly anyone, including Peacekeepers, went down that way. I threw knives until I thought that my arm was going to fall off. With sheathed knives, Goat Man and I practiced both offensive and defensive knife fighting techniques. I only asked him one time where he picked up his expertise in knives.
"Kid, trust me, you don't want to know."
I let it drop after that.
Tonight, there was supposed to be a big celebration to commemorate Katniss's return. Officially, we were the last stop on her Victory Tour, so there was supposed to be a huge assembly in front of the Justice Building, like in other districts, with Katniss delivering her last speech of the Tour, but the weather decided not to cooperate.
Three days earlier, a blizzard blew in from the north, dumping over two meters of snow on the ground. It was all that emergency crews could do to keep main roads and the train tracks cleared. The Square was still buried, except for paths that Merchants had dug themselves to the different shops.
A compromise was reached. Tonight, Katniss would deliver her last speech live, from the interior of the Justice Building, with only a select few in attendance. This would be followed by a dinner in her honor. After that, things would return to normal in District Twelve...at least until the next Reaping.
So now I stand, shivering, waiting for the train. Only a few others are here...the Everdeens, a few people from the Capitol Liaison office, and the Mayor with his family. I say hello to Madge and make a little small talk with her as we both try to stay warm. Madge and Delly both have returned to their old ways with me, even if most of the school hasn't. Still, it's nice to have my friends back.
There's stirring on the platform as the train finally comes into sight. We all watch impatiently, shivering and stamping our feet, as the train slowly comes to a stop. I step to one side, allowing the Everdeens through. I'm only here for Haymitch, after all.
The door to the big glass-covered lounge car flies open before the train has even fully stopped and a small, fur clad figure charges out into the arms of Mrs. Everdeen and Prim. I smile at the obviously emotional reunion until I catch sight of Katniss's eyes. Even from a distance, I can tell that she's...changed somehow. That there's something different about her.
Katniss stares back at me for a moment, then pointedly looks away, leaving me to wonder what happened to her on the Tour. It was while I was musing about Katniss that Haymitch appears by my side.
" - gonna help me or what?" Haymitch is saying.
"What?" I ask, tearing my gaze away from Katniss and looking guiltily at Haymitch.
Haymitch chuckles and says, "I said, 'are you gonna help me or what?'"
"Shit," I mutter. "I'm sorry, Haymitch. I got...distracted."
Instead of Haymitch giving me his usual sarcastic response, he just looks over at the Everdeens and quietly says, "Yeah. I hear you." Then he turns back to me and says, "I hope you've been keeping up on your training!"
"Faithfully," I reply.
"Hmmph," Haymitch grunts. "We'll see. I plan on getting a complete report tomorrow."
I look around, expecting to see others getting off the train. "Just you and Katniss?" I ask.
"Expecting someone else, kid?" Haymitch asks, as I pick up his shoulder bag and sling it over my right shoulder. As I do, I'm grateful for the fact that, during the Victory Tour, the Stylist dresses the Mentor as well as the Victor. All Haymitch had to pack were a few personal effects. "Don't forget, Effie, Cinna and Cressida all live in the Capitol. And, with the blizzard here, there was no need for Cressida and her crew to come out and cover the last stop on the Tour. They'll just use local talent to cover the shindig tonight...which, by the way, you are not invited to. Sorry. Officials and immediate family only. So you get to watch it on Holo-TV."
We walk out into the frigid air, and I listen to Haymitch curse fluently at the lack of transportation back to the Village. With a grumble, we start walking.
I wait until we are out of town proper to ask the question that's been burning in my mind ever since I caught that brief glimpse of Katniss.
"Haymitch?" I ask.
"Hmmm?" Haymitch is breathing heavily as he trudges through the snow.
"What happened? On the Tour, I mean." I ask.
Haymitch is suddenly guarded. "What do you mean?"
"It's Katniss," I blurt. "I mean, when I saw her at the station today. She looked...different. Her eyes especially."
Haymitch stops suddenly and grabs me by the shoulder. "I'm only going to say this one time," he hisses, "so pay attention. Do not...I repeat, do not...treat Katniss Everdeen any differently than you normally would." He looks at me intently. "You know, kid, sometimes you're too smart for your own good. Treat her the same way that you normally would...which, for you, means hardly speaking to her and staying out of her way. Got it?"
"Got it," I reply.
The rest of the walk to the Village is made in silence. When we get there, Haymitch has me dump his bag on his bed. By the time I get back downstairs, he's slumped in a chair in the living room, open bottle in hand. He sees me and beckons me into the room.
"Peeta," he says, slurring slightly. "Come here. Listen, I didn't sleep very well last night. I'm gonna take a nap. Do me a favor, lay out my gray suit...you know the one. Lay it out for me and don't let me sleep past three. Got it?"
I nod. "Gray suit. Wake you at three."
"Good boy," he mumbles. "Now get outta here."
I go upstairs and lay out his gray suit. By the time I get back downstairs Haymitch is snoring. I pull a comforter over him and gently remove the bottle from his hand.
As I walk back to the front of the house I glance out the big front window and see the Everdeens walking up to their front door. Prim sees me, smiles, and waves. I grin and wave back. Katniss barely glances up and looks away quickly.
I see that same look in her eyes when our eyes meet. And, for some reason, I feel a chill run up my spine...and not because of the freezing weather outside.
I saw something in Katniss's eyes that I've come to recognize in some of the animals that I've trapped. A haunted, resigned look from those animals that the trap doesn't kill outright.
A look of fear...and of total defeat. I've never seen that look in Katniss's eyes before.
And it scares the hell out of me.