Katniss POV
"Morning katniss" Peeta exclaimed, placing cheese buns on the counter, as i curled up small in my chair, sipping my steaming hot coffee. i nodded in greeting, but said nothing more.
"Sae left you a note" Peeta searched his pockets for a second, before he found it. And placed it next to me. i crinkled my eyes up.
"I'm not very good at reading them" I exclaimed quietly, My eyes flicking to the steadily growing pile in the corner.
Peeta followed my gaze before picking up the letter, and leaning against the counter.
Dear Katniss
i hope you're doing well. Peeta and Haymitch haven't came to get me get, so i think all is well. I am sad to say, that all is not well with myself im afraid. i've been called to look after my sister in 4, And she (sadly) needs me. As she will soon pass. So i shall not be back in 12 for at least a month. But if i am needed, just give me a call. Haymitch has my number. i do hope you are coping well Katniss, And remember to daily call Beetee!
Sae.
"Mmm" i took another sip
"What a shame about her sister." Peeta shook his head "Wonder why she's in four...That was fishing right?"
i froze. Please dont make me think about this..
"Yeah" i whispered,My eyes clouding with a few tears. "Yes it was" i gulped them down.
"Oh Katniss, Im sorry." Peeta's eye's widened "i didnt realise.."
"It's fine!" i tried the chirpy approach, but it died down slowly.
"So..How about a walk today?" peeta suggested wearily, after we had eaten his cheese buns.
"To town again?" i asked nervously. Peeta shrugged lightly, with a light smile. I bit my lip, before nodding.
i headed upstairs, and for the first time in a long time, i looked in my chest of drawers. I pulled out some black fitting pants, and put them on. They looked like leather, but they were made from a soft material, and were easy to run in. So bonus all round. i then proceeded to put on a burgundy top, with my father's hunting jacket, And my hunting boots. I braided my hair, and headed slowly downstairs.
"You look lovely Katniss" Peeta exclaimed from the bottom of the steps. i gave him a small smile, before grabbing the knife from the table. And we left. Without locking the door behind us.
"Should we get Haymitch?" I asked nervously, from the gate of victor village "Feels wrong, leaving him out all the time"
"Okay, But i'm not sure he will be sober.."
He was, surprisingly, up. And sober. And his house was...clean?
"Nice furniture, Didn't realise you had any" I told Haymitch lightly.
"Another joke sweetheart? careful, you might hurt yourself there" he chuckled "So a walk 'eh?, Why not." and he proceeded into the back room, where he grabbed his jacket, and my bow with its arrows.
"Told you i'd bring it back"
"To clarify, you said you'd drop it off"i corrected, swapping his knife for my bow. I easily slung the arrows over my shoulder, and my hand curled against the familiar wood.
We took a leisurely walk into town, with yet again more stares. But it was peaceful, and for once in a long time. i was almost content.
"Let's go shopping!" Haymitch said in the squeakiest voice i'd ever heard, and Peeta cracked up.i even managed a smile. We were like a family, a strange, dysfunctional family, but a family neither less.
The first shop we went to was a sweet shop. Where Haymitch bought jelly sweets in the shape of glass liquor bottles, Peeta bought cherry drops and wafer biscuits, and i bought fudge. lots of fudge.
We sat at the newly build park, nibbling our sweets.
"When was this built?" i asked confused, i dont recall 12 having a park..
"They built it over the ashes of our loved ones, they huddled them together before..." Peeta trailed off. and i gulped lowly.
"Oh" i curled up tighter on the bench.
I watched little children play around, catch and what not..Will they ever know the history?, will they ever understand that they are PLAYING on the ashes of their family? so many memories..
"Katniss?" Peeta touched the back of my hand lightly "you ok?"
"yeah..Yeah!i'm fine" i gave myself a mental shake. Not here.
"Fancy a drink?" Haymitch rubbed his throat "Getting a bit parched"
I coughed a laugh,whilst peeta was laughing hard.
"i bet you ten coins that you cant go the rest of the day without a drink" Peeta raised his eyebrows whilst laughing
"Bet you twenty i can"
"deal" they both shook hands, whilst i nibbled the edges of my fudge.
"Whats that?" peeta asked, pointing into the nearby small woodland area inside the 'district', I had my bow in my hands, and was crouched. ready, before it moved again. a rustle.
"A kid?" Haymitch looked at peeta, to my bow, back to him.
"No, far too small"
They kept making suggestions, but i didnt move. And as soon as i saw the ruffle of fur i shot. And i heard the impact, even far away. i ran, to go have a look.
"Katniss!" Peeta cried, running after me, as did haymitch. i crouched down next to the furry animal, and yanked it away from the bush it was hiding in.
"Squirrel" my lips tightened, as i quickly retreated, and walked in the opposite direction.
"straight in the eye again" peeta sounded proud. but inside i was shaking, badly. I had just KILLED another living thing. and the guilt was already eating me alive. I Sat on the bench, and held my head in my hands.
"Sweetheart, it was only a squirrel" haymitch tried to help but to no avail.
"What's wrong?, " Peeta asked, distressed and confused.
"That was my first kill" i told them through my shaking "since..since"
Haymitch squeezed my shoulder in affection, and peeta gently held my hand before the shaking stopped. After twenty minutes or so, i gained control again. and i stood.
"So shopping?" i gave them a watery smile.
After another few shops, we decided best to go home. And we took our time, with small laughs here and there.
"See you later guys" i waved to Peeta, and Haymitch, before heading inside. i dumped my shopping bags on the table.
And then i felt it.
Somebody was here.
I got my bow ready and quickly crouched, ready for the onslaught.
A/N' Hopefully going to have another chapter tonight/this morning. So then 3 in one day! phew! hope im forgiven because my fingers are sore haha!, Review, Favourite!xox