I woke up with a startled gasp, there were tubes in my arm hooked up to a wall. My scars were lest prominent, I went to brush my hair back only to freeze in shock. I did it again, my hearing was back! A Avox came in and gave me dinner then left, I slowly ate the broth but nothing else. I looked around for Peeta. I began to struggle to get out of the bed to go find Peeta and then Cinna, but a cold liquid is shot into my vein and I black out. This happens multiple times even though I don't attempt to leave the bed again. When I semi-entered the land of the living, I swear I could hear a man yelling. 'Haymitch?' I thought before going back under again. Then, finally I wake up fully. Free of tubes and restraints, I look down at the bed to see my arena outfit. I glared at it for a moment before getting dress and headed out into a empty hallway filled with closed doors. I started walking down the hallway, looking at every door willing them to open and show Peeta. I started to shake with anxiousness.
"Peeta!" I called. I turned when I heard my name be called but not by the person I wanted to hear. In front of me in one of the rooms was Effie, Haymitch and Cinna. I stared at them for a moment before letting out a sob and ran to them. Surprising us all, I launched myself into Haymitch's arms first letting out whole body wreaking sobs. Haymitch held on to me tight while placing a kiss to the top of my head.
"Nice job, sweetheart." He whispered, for once not being sarcastic. Effie was teary as she petted my hair when I hugged her next. I turned to Cinna and he pulled me into a tight embrace, not saying a word.
"Peeta? Where's Peeta?" I asked them. "He's alive, right?" I asked, scared out of my wit.
"He's fine." Haymitch told me. I nodded and let Cinna walk me out of the room with a protective arm around my shoulders. We headed to the elevator and went all the way up to the floor that Peeta and I stayed at. Flavius, Venia, Octavia greeted us with excitement and brought me into a group hug. I laughed slightly as they talked way to fast for me to understand. We had dinner then they took me to my old room.
"They did a whole body polish on you." I turned to Flavius, "Not a flaw left." I looked back into the mirror. It was true, all of my scars were gone but I was skinny, so skinny I could count my ribs. They helped me with the shower then did my hair, nails, and makeup. Soon, Cinna came back in with a yellow dress.
"What, no 'Girl on Fire' today?" I asked him.
"No." He smiled and helped me into the dress. I frown as I noticed padding around the breast and hip area. "Now before you get mad, they wanted to surgically add that padding. But Haymitch fought with them and this was the compromise." I sighed and nodded. He handed me some white heels and I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress looked like a glowing candlelit; bright, girly, and innocent. Three things, I didn't feel, three things I wasn't anymore. I was beginning to realize that we were in trouble with the Capitol higher powers. I turned when there was a knock at the door, Haymitch was motioning for me to follow him. He led me to the roof where we wouldn't be heard.
"They're not happy with you." He told me first thing.
"Why?" I asked him.
"Because you showed them up." I turned to him. "Calla Lily, this is serious. Not just for you. They don't take these things lightly."
"I need him, Haymitch. I need Peeta." My eyes water. "Living a life without him is unthinkable for me. I would rather be dead then live without him." He pulled me into another hug.
"I know. Tell them that if they ask, do you understand?" I nodded. He takes me to the stage where we'll have our interview with Caesar. I was left by myself in a circle metal holding area while, both of our styling teams were introduced, then Cinna and Portia, next was Effie and lastly, Haymitch. I was raised up and onto the stage, the crowd cheering loudly. I looked at them for a moment then looked to the left side of the stage.
"Peeta." I thought I had whispered but Peeta's head snapped towards me. I took a few steps before launching myself into his arms. "Peeta!" I cried. He hobbled for a second, almost losing his balance. I saw that he had a metal like cane in his hand. I looked up at him confused but he just gave me that handsome smile of his. I placed a hand on his cheek as he leant down and pressed our lips together. I let out a sigh as my eyes fluttered shut. We did this for almost ten minutes until Caesar tapped Peeta on the shoulder, only to be pushed away making the crowd go wild. When we finally separated, Peeta stared at me for a minute.
"I never got to tell you." I raised an eyebrow.
"What?" I asked.
"I love you too." My eyes widen before a bright smiled took over my face. I pulled him into another kiss that had the crowd wolf whistle and cat call. We went to the small love seat they provided after we were gently shoved by Haymitch. Once Peeta was seated, I tossed my legs over the top of his and placed my head on his shoulder, his arms wrapped around me holding me tight. We reviewed the Games, watching the other twenty-two tributes deaths again. When it got to Rue's death, they skipped me putting flowers around her and straight to me torturing Marvel. I felt myself grow stiff as I watched myself become a monster. Peeta's arms tighten around me when I shook slightly.
"Calla Lily, how did you feel at this moment?" Caesar asked me, pausing when I was about to slice Marvel's throat open.
"Anger," I started while staring at the screen, "hurt, and sorrow. So much sorrow." He nodded and played it again.
"How did you feel when you found Peeta by that river?" I looked at Peeta for moment.
"Like the happiest person in the world." I said honestly, "I couldn't imagine my life without him." Peeta gave me a smile.
"And what about you, Peeta?"
"She saved my life." He told Caesar.
"No, we saved each other." I moved my legs and we stood up with Caesar.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the star-crossed lovers, from District Twelve. This year's victors, of the 74th annual Hunger Games!" The crowd went insane as President Snow came onto the stage with our crowns. He picked up a crown and walked over to me, placing it on my head.
"Congratulations." he said.
"Thank you." He glances down and see's my Mockingjay pin.
"What a lovely pin."
"Thank you. It's from my District." I told him.
"They must be very proud of you." I gave him a confused look as he crowned Peeta and then left. We were rushed back to our floor and fed again. While we were eating, a Peacekeeper came and asked for me. Peeta and Haymitch began to rise from their seat but stopped when the Peacekeeper told them that President Snow wanted to see me alone. I nodded and got up, placing a loving hand on Peeta's shoulder before stepping into the elevator. I followed the Peacekeeper until he stopped at a double door. He opened the door and I stepped inside to find Snow waiting for me on the other side.
"You must be wondering why I asked for you?" He asked me.
"Yes, sir." I said politely. He moved to stand right in front of me.
"I have an offer for you, but if you refuse it the consequences would be deadly." My eyes widen slightly at the threat.
"What is your offer, sir?" I asked him with a slight wave in my voice.
"For you to offer yourself and time when you are in the Capitol to any citizen that wishes for your presence." I went rigid. He wanted me to whore myself out to the Capitol, if I didn't something worse could happen. He stared at me as he waited for me to answer.
"I accept." He gave me a snake like smile and sent me back to the Peacekeeper, who took me back to my friends. I walked out of the elevator in a state of shock, only snapping out of it when Peeta called my name. They were all still in the dinning room but I wasn't hungry anymore.
"What did he want, sweetheart?" Haymitch asked.
"For me to . . . to prostitute myself whenever we're in the Capitol." They all stared at me in horror before Haymitch threw a plate and stormed out of the room. I watched him go with tears running down my cheeks.
"Callie." Peeta called, his voice full of pain. I went straight to him. He took me into his arms and held onto me tight.
"I couldn't say no, Peeta. He could of killed you or our families if I refused. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." I cried into his chest. That night, I went to bed with Peeta for comfort and protection. When he showed me his metal and plastic leg, I went into another round of tears before calming down enough to get to sleep. In the morning, we got ready for the train and went home. Holding hands, Peeta and I stepped off the train watching the crowd welcome us home. I found my family in the back of the crowd, even though they smiled at me, I couldn't smile back.
My world had change the moment I took that first step on that train. I went to a place where they got off from children killing other children. Something had to change, this life we all lived couldn't continue any longer.
They said I'm on fire. So, it's time I set the world aflame.