Hi All, this is a totally new chapter. CH 4 is not an Everlark Chapter but it is a big Plot Point ;).

Delly, as you saw in the last chapter, is poor, working in the Hob, and is an expert with shoes. We also saw the way, Darius stirred the pot. But we need to delve into whats going on in the district, why all of the security -

PS...I do not own the Hunger Games

The business at the Hob was brisk today. With winter approaching people were starting to get ready for its long harsh grip.

"Delly, that Hawthorne boy was very pleased with the boots. You did a great job." Jeb put his hand on her back.

"Thank you, Jeb." Delly could feel her cheeks growing red. She once had a little girl who cried when she discovered that the boots she was getting belonged once to her brothers. Her mother dyed the leather to make them look girly. Delly had never forgotten that lesson.

When Jeb told her the boots were Posy, even though Delly didn't know her, she could just imagine that poor little girl crying because she had to wear her brother's old boots. Delly found scraps of leather around the shop and reconstructed the boots and embroidered little pink flowers to give them some color. It had taken all week to fix. She was glad that Gale Hawthorne found the job satisfying.

"You're a real asset, Delly."

"Thank you, Jeb, for giving me a chance." Delly smiled. Her father didn't have the confidence in her yet. He father gave her simple things to do, but he didn't let her do any complicated repairs, unlike Jeb. Her father never let her make a shoe. The only thing she was allowed to do was take the measurements and take the customers money.

"Delly, you don't have to be so humble. You're good and you've shown me a few things about shoe repairs." Jeb sat down next to her.

"It ain't nothing, really." Delly stopped sanding down the leather on a shoe. "I guess it's in my blood, really."

"You're a good worker, Delly." Jeb rubbed the back of his head. "I know you got a lot on your shoulders, but you just have to learn how to get to work on time."

"I'll work on that, Jeb." Delly swallowed. She needed the extra income to help her family. Things were tight for them.

"You do that." Jeb stood up and addressed the next customer. "Mrs. Porath, how are you?'

"I came to pick up my son's shoes." Mrs. Porath was a tall woman with a long nose. Delly noticed how beautiful she was with her long dark hair that fell past her shoulders. She was also Jeb's pickiest customer.

"Mrs. Porath here they are." Jeb pushed the box at her.

Discreetly, Delly turned slightly in her chair so that she could watch the transaction in the small mirror on the desk. Mrs. Porath's face was blank as she stared at him. Delly supposed Mrs. Porath was expecting to be disappointed. Delly held her breath as the woman opened the box to examine the shoes. Her face showed surprise.

She picked up one shoe and examined it closely. Her dark eyes inspecting each nook and crevice, no doubt looking for a defect, something she could complain about. She put the one she had in her hand down and picked up the other. The same meticulous attention was paid to the other half.

Her lips pursed, and she raised an eyebrow. "This is flawless work, Jeb. I must commend you for your craftsmanship." She looked over Jeb's shoulders. "I must say, young lady, you are quite good."

Delly sunk lower in her chair.

"Delly is the best repairer I've ever had. She helps her father run the Cobbler's shop in town. She works with me on Sunday because she is that dedicated to her craft," Jeb proudly boasted.

"Young lady, if more people were as dedicated as you, we would live in a different world." She turned to face Jeb. "Now, how much do I owe you?"

Delly could feel the warmth on her cheeks. Working in the Hob was so different. People were very appreciative of the job she did for them. Not that the people in town didn't like the work, it was just to them she was the clumsy, chatty, plain, overweight daughter of the Cobbler. No one took her seriously.

She was the girl everyone felt they could pick on. Delly sighed and closed her eyes. Today was not the day to rehash that tired script.

"Jeb," Darius, the Ex-Peacekeeper greeted.

"Darius, how is the civilian life treating you?"

"Well, Jeb, it is definitely interesting. Civilian life is precarious."

"What can I do you for today?"

"I know you work hard at your craft, and I know how hard Delly works for you, and how your business has picked up ever since you hired Delly."

"It has. Delly is a true gem."

From her mirror, Delly saw the way Darius scratched his chin. "Did you give any thought to what we were talking about the other day?"

"Darius, I know you are trying to help us folk here in the Hob, but what if it doesn't happen? What if the new Peacekeepers do nothing?"

"Jeb, we've spoken about this. We had a meeting with all of the Hob vendors. I know you don't think things can get worse, or that things may get better." Darius put his hands on the table and leaned forward to make his point. "They are not going to get better. They just replaced all of the old guys with Peacekeepers who have initials for names. Those guys are the next step up. The Capitol is scared and they are preparing themselves for something. I don't know what it is, but we have to be ready."

"Yeah," Jeb crossed his arms and stood with his feet braced wide. "I understand that is what you feel is going to happen, but they've made their switching and still things are same. Now I got to run my business and I can't afford to shut down."

"Okay, Jeb, I understand. Just give it some time. Think about it. Think about walking away for your own safety. And if not for you, for your employee, Delly. She is a sweet girl, and she can get hurt if you insist on doing business."

Jeb looked behind him, and Delly continued to sand the shoe. It was a surprise to her that things might get worse. She supposed if they switched the squad that was stationed here for another, then things were worse than she had thought.

Delly also had noticed the size of the force had increased in their sleepy district. District Twelve was not known for their ruckus and attention-getting. They were just miners and plain folk trying to make it through the day.

"Darius," Jeb sat down next to Delly. "For her sake, I'll think about shutting down. I wouldn't want anything to befall her."

"That's all I am asking, Jeb."

Darius walked away, but the impression that things were not right settled in the pit of Delly's stomach. Harder times were coming.