Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

A/N: I am here with an early update of a chapter (it is edited right at the end). It is slightly shorter than my most recent chapters but I thought I could treat my readers with a quick update. Here is chapter 28...read and enjoy!


Changes

Wearily, I walk across the square from the Hob. Jesse and I traded three rabbits and two squirrels there and after a lot of insisting I handed over all the food we got from the trade to Jesse. With three Victors and three monthly allowances, I have way more money than I need or use. Even with two Victors, we had more than enough. Jesse needs the food. Which is why, I go hunting with him, so he can catch something for his family. However I cannot deny that the woods is my only place of solitude, especially after the Games. The place makes me feel free and alive and not just some caged prized possession of the Capitol, something that everyone dies to see but no one cares about later on.

After two weeks of being back home from the Capitol, today was the first time I was actually able to escape the confinement of the District. A district that used to smell of freedom, now reeks of hostility. The cameras and reporters left yesterday after their set of interviews and photographs were taken. I know this isn't the last of them, but at least they've gone for the time being.

I was itching to go to the woods for the whole two weeks, mainly because I wanted to actually breathe without it being filmed, but also because I needed to talk to Jesse and it wasn't going to be possible with cameras everywhere. But today, now that I have met him, I know exactly what went on when I was away.

After the tribute parades, Maynard, our old Mayor of 12 was dragged off the stage and brought to the square and was shot by a Peacekeeper in public. People were outraged and began to attack the Peacekeepers but everything stopped after a few shots of the gun. The next morning it was declared that Mayor Langston would be in charge. I know the Langston family very well. They owned the jewellery store and were the second richest people in 12, not including us, with the first being the Mayor. Now they are the wealthiest in our District.

I am in fact friends with his son, Aiden Langston. He is my age was in the same class as me at school. We used to get along pretty well and sometimes we used to team up on projects when Jesse and Amethyst would partner up. He is a blond haired guy, with hazel-brown eyes. He is quite optimistic and funny, but is a good friend and can always give advice when needed.

But I don't think I will be taking advice from him. I don't think we will be friends, especially after the fact that his family ordered for the medicine factories to close down and was replaced by the mines. He also ordered for all shops and businesses that aren't creating much profit to shut down, which included Jesse's antique shop.

All the people that didn't own businesses had their homes demolished, and new battered homes were built. Like the ones that used to be in the Seam, with only few rooms and few hours of electricity. People who do no own businesses, which is everyone who had their house demolished, was forced to go work in the mines if they are over the age of 18, which meant Jesse's father (a rebel who fought in the war) had to go work there too, soon joined by Jesse in over a year.

Hatred and bitterness spread across the people who now live in the Seam, at the sight of the Mayor and every other person in the "Merchant" section of town (people who kept their businesses.) Amethyst Marchand was lucky as the Langston family decided to hand over their business to the Marchand family, consisting of her mother and Amethyst, which meant avoiding working in the mines. Amethyst's father was rebel during the war and even survived by sustained an injury, which pro-longed, causing him to pass away. Amethyst was about 10 years old during that time. That is the only thing I respect the Langston family for. When I utter the family name for my mouth, hatred boils through me, especially because after two weeks of coming home I have witnessed massive changes, especially in atmosphere. The current atmosphere is sullen and pessimistic, when it used to be cheery.

While the camera crew were here, we had to go for dinner at the Mayor's house along with our mentors. I didn't get a chance to talk to Aiden then, due to the cameras, but today we have a dinner that will not be televised. This is my chance.

In my journey through the square towards the Victors Village, I notice many people staring at me. I have been stared at a lot since I have come home, and I have heard it is about me supposedly kissing Mason. I have also heard that Keeth has been getting quite a bit of stares too, for obvious reasons.

As I enter the Victors' Village as strange chill flows through me, something that never existed before the takeover. The village is emptier than before, will all the ordinary residents kicked out of their houses. I have now been given a house next to Haymitch, which is on the other side of where my house is. It used to be my Dad's but now he doesn't own it. Victors are meant to live in the house given to them and all my clothes were moved in my new house before I even got home.

I am told to live in the house given, but since when do I follow what people say. I sleep, eat and practically spend a lot of my time at my old home, only coming back to the house given when I need clothes. Keeth's house is next door to my family home. All the houses, except for mine and Haymitch, give off a warm feeling, with smoke escaping chimneys and smell of food being cooked. My house is dull and honestly it seems like no one lives there, which is quite true. However I do take care of my house, occasionally gardening and cleaning up. Haymitch on the other hand, still attempts to keep his house looking like garbage. But I go to his house every other day to clean up and make sure he is living properly.

Haymitch comes over to our house for meals, if he is awake, and Keeth comes for dinner mostly every day, to my dismay. Dad tells me that he is already living all by himself and deserves some company, to help him cope with all the traumas of the Games. Something that I have been experiencing too. I haven't really talked to Keeth, except during interviews which is needed if I want to show that we are friends. I do not intend on talking to Keeth either.

I open my unlocked door and run upstairs to get ready for the dinner. I pick out a nice pink top and comfortable pants to go along with it. Since this isn't televised, the dresses stay inside my cupboard, leaving me to choose between clothes I actually like. Once I have braided my hair and I walk out of my house to go to my home, because home is where my family is. The place given by the Capitol is just a house, nowhere near my home.

Dinner at the Mayor's house is quite awkward with all the silence between us. The whole Langston family is present, except for Mrs Langston. Apparently, she had to go to the Capitol to attend some important business. The rest of the family are Mr Langston and Aiden. He is an only child. Keeth and I are made to sit next to each other and I am stuck sitting opposite Aiden too. The dining room in the Mayor's house is quite extravagant with a lot of antique items of showcase, probably bought by Maynard from Jesse's antique store. I just play around with my food, as does everyone else until Mayor Langston begins to speak.

"You're Games were quite popular, Miss Mellark and Mr Ambertson. I enjoyed them too, if I do say so myself." Mr Langston says, with the poshest tone he could possibly pull off. Why couldn't he have let us eat in silence?

"Thank you. And call me Ashlyn." I reply and put my head down again and play with my food, until I remember something.

"Mr Langston." I say. Aiden." I say and he looks up from his plate. "Thank you for handing the jewellery store to Amethyst. Her family really needed that."

"It was our pleasure. We were absolutely certain that they would be able to handle the shop very well." Mr Langston says. I cringe at his tone. It reminds me so much of Aquilo. The torture soon ends as everyone finishes off their desert and In Haymitch's case his bottle of drink and we are soon led to the door. We walk halfway to the Victors Village when I urge my parents and Haymitch to go home along with Keeth and tell them I will be at the Mayor's house as I forgot something there. Reluctant at first, they soon agree and I head back off to the Mayor's house. I walk to their back door to try to call Aiden, but instead I find him sitting on the swing of his porch. He looks up when he hears my footsteps and there is a glimpse of shock and surprise in his face. I walk up to him and take a seat on the swing next to him.

"Why're you back?" Aiden asks in a harsh tone.

"Do you have a problem?" I ask, mimicking his tone.

"No." He says quietly. "I was just asking."

"I didn't expect this from you or your family, Aiden. Something tells me that it isn't what it seems, but I don't want to take the chance of trusting." I say, looking down at my hands.

"You're hurting." I look up at him. "I know. You were never like this before. You were so positive and had faith in everyone. You've changed."

"At least you admit it." I say.

"I don't see the point in hiding it." He says and I nod. "I saw what happened in the Games. I don't know who's right or who's wrong, and I don't think I could ever say, but please don't change yourself Ashlyn. Don't give them what you want." His words surprise me. I thought that he would favour the Capitol with every step he takes.

"What? Why are-."I begin questioning but I am interrupted.

"A lot of things have happened when you were away. Things people could see. And things people couldn't." He begins.

"But peop-." I begin.

"We were forced. Forced by Aquilo to take power of 12. Every decision made since then has been made by Aquilo. Not us. This isn't what we want."

"You could've refused." I blatantly say.

"You think it's that easy." He scoffs. "We were threatened. Aquilo would kill all of us. That's why we didn't refuse." He say and I sigh. He isn't bad, just another victim of Aquilo. Just like every other person in this country.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry. You're not the only one."

"At school?" I ask and he simply nods.

"It's everywhere. And who can blame them? We took away everything we earned from the war. It is just like it was before. Like a war never happened." He says. We fall into a strange silence.

"If you ever feel lonely, you know you could always come to the Victors Village. There are quite a lot of people to keep you company. Like me." I suggest.

"I wouldn't do that to you people. You wouldn't want to be associated with me." He says.

"You're acting like everyone in the District loves me. I get stared at quite a lot for the drama in the Games. I don't think I'm their favourite either." I say and he bursts out into a laughter and I soon join him.

"But I don't think I can put you and your family in this situation. You've been through a lot." He says.

"Well, a little more can't harm me then?" I say and we both smile.

"It's nice to see you smile. Haven't seen you do that in a while." He comments.

"Same. Seems like were are good for each other. To get over this." I say.

"Maybe we are." He says and extends his hand. "Friends?" He asks. I look at his hand for a long time.

"Maybe." I say and laugh. I get off the swing and begin to walk home but stop and turn around.

"See you tomorrow?" I ask.

"We'll see."


I enter the house and flick the lights on only to find a white envelope on the coffee table with a red stamp on it. Gently, I open the envelope and take out the crisp white paper from inside it.

Dear, Ashlyn Mellark.

Congratulations on your extraordinary win. The Capitol people are so delighted about your victory, not to mention the Districts. I, especially, am quite pleased, knowing that you did follow my advice I gave you before the Games. And you survived.

Your survival indeed, along with Keeth Ambertson's, brings up a sign of unity for the Districts. Something they once saw in your mother can now be seen in you. You're their strength and power to push them ahead towards peace. I advise you continue bringing up that sign, for the Districts to get a sense of hope that they aren't abandoned. You have that fire that they need to survive.

This letter is also a warning. The coming Games will have a special twist to it, seeing as it would be the 100th Games if the war never occurred. There will be quite a few stakes and risks with this, but we need to ensure your safety. I only have one thing that I need to say to you.

Your escape is through District 12…

PU – Anonymous


A/N: I know this chapter did not have a lot in it but it was a filler chapter so that you know what has happened during the Games. I know there isn't a lot of drama and some of you may even think it is quite boring but we need these kind of chapters if we want something interesting in the future. I thought I should clear that up.

And I also want to know about your views on Aiden Langston. I would really appreciate it.


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