It is night shift, and so Darius and I stand guard outside of the Communications Center. While normally a shift to be avoided, this does give me a much-needed occasion to ask Darius for advice.
The Communications Center is an ugly structure of bare concrete, much like the District 12 Justice Building. Worse yet, if you turn the corner you can see the burned rubble where The Hob used to be. Very different than the finely crafted stone buildings of District 2, the rustic brick structures of District 11, or the fortress-like building that is Fort Centurian. But this building does its job well enough, and I guess that is enough.
Plus the security cameras here have not yet been upgraded to audio, so I can talk to Darius without fear of being recorded.
When I walk over to the checkpoint, Darius is already waiting there. He is happy to see me, and I can tell he is smiling underneath his black visor. "Peeta! It's a good thing you're on the night shift too, or else it would have been a boring night."
I can not help but smile and shake my head, "It is good to see you too."
"So Peeta, how've things been going for you?"
This was a simple question, and the answer should have been simple as well. After all, What more could I want?
I am reunited with my father and my brothers, and they still love me as much as they did before I was a peacekeeper. In fact, I sometimes sneak into the bakery while on patrol and help them make bread and cakes. Nobody caught me neglecting my duties, but I have heard rumors around the barracks that The Mellark Bakery has inexplicably started making the best cakes in the District. Whether this is because of my help, or because my father is no longer depressed, is anyone's guess.
My friends are all doing well; Conner has made it to three weeks sober, Gregory got promoted to Corporal, Nero got transferred to District 1, Major Campbell is still alive and well back in District 2, and Headpeacekeeper Dorrien found Leo a cozy post patrolling the anti-aircraft guns. If someone had told me a few years ago that my closest friends in the world would be peacekeepers, I would have called them crazy.
And then there is Katniss Everdeen; if I was in love with her when I first laid eyes on her, then there is no word in any language that could possibly describe what feelings she evokes in me now. We have been dating ever since the night we both surrendered our virginity to each other, and I find both her body and her soul irresistible. That a rule exists to prevent me from marrying her fills me with rage, but I should enjoy my time with her rather than worry of the future.
But not everything has been going good for me. All through my happiness is a feeling of guilt, shame, and constant worsening and lingering and I know well enough the cause of it.
"Actually, I am in a dilemma."
I see Darius tense up a bit, and so clarify. "Before you ask: none of the other peacekeepers saw me with Katniss."
Darius breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, you had me worried there. If they had seen you, you might have been transferred to another district. So what is the problem?"
Well, might as well go out and say it.
"My mother used to beat me when I was younger, and now she's in charge of The Community Home. I just know she's mistreating the children there; people don't change on their own."
This darkened Darius's mood quickly; his usual snarky demeanor turning solumn.
"I am sorry you had to go through that."
I know rumors were going around, but I am sure having it confirmed is much more difficult.
"I can not let her harm anyone else, but can I really arrest my own mother?"
Darius placed his hands on both of my shoulders to get my attention.
"Listen very carefully: She. Is. Not. Your. Mother. Nobody who would abuse their own child has the right to call themselves that."
I breathe in softly, as I know Darius speaks the truth. I have seen how Mrs. Everdeen interacts with Katniss and Prim; I know how a mother is supposed to act. Mine did not act that way, and I can not let her hurt others.
"I know what must be done."
Darius simply nods, "I can cover your shift for you."
With that, I walk to The Headpeacekeepers Office to file a report.
When I enter the office of Romulus Thread, his desk is surrounded by paperwork. I can only assume he has been ever since he arrived at my home district.
He may be an over-authoritative hardass who fails to understand how flawed the system, but by virtue of not being a pedophile he is an improvement on Cray.
"Come in. You have something to report?"
There is no turning back now ...
"Yes sir. I have reason to believe that the Matron of the Community Home is abusing the children there."
"I see, and what evidence do you have of this? I ask because when she applied for the job she claimed to have been a mother of three and experienced with child rearing. "
She used to beat me, whip me, call me worthless, and tell me she wishes I miscarried. That's my evidence.
"One of the children under her care asked that I report this. The child in question chose to remain anonymous."
Thread seemed to accept this easily enough.
"Alright, you and Major Nicolai Licinius can go in to investigate it tomorrow morning while she is picking up the days supplies. You have authorization to arrest her should"
He should see what has happened and- wait, what?
"Me, sir?"
"Yes you. Now go to your bunk and get some rest. You'll need to be awake next morning."
With that, Romulus Thread waves me off.
Well fuck.
