AN; I am so so so so so so sorry that I didn't update the last two time that I was suppose to. I have been dealing with a lot of family issues lately and I just haven't had the time or the motivation to write, but I'm back with regular updates and I promise, no more excuses. This chapter is dedicated to anyone who has reviewed at least one of my chapters.

Review responses:

the dark euphie & Nikkette~ Thanks for your awesome reviews. In my opinion Katniss' family was always too accepting of her. I'm not saying they should have hated her, but it was odd how they welcomed her with open arms after the games. (In case you're wondering why you have the same response, it's because your reviews were similar and I wanted to say the same thing to both of you.

LuckyJo2~ Thank you so much for you amazing review, I love writing and it is so nice to get compliments from people, I hope you enjoy this chapter.


"You killed Peeta."

"What are you talking-" I stopped myself mid-sentence as I remembered the recaps. the first scene was me, holding a knife along with my bow. the next scene was Peeta's body falling to the ground with a knife, the same knife, sticking out of his chest. I knew I hadn't killed Petta, but no one else did.

Before I could stop myself I was on my feet, making my way to the door.

"Where are you going?" Prime asked harshly. I turned back to her and with the last bit of resolve I could muster, I pointed to the door gesturing for her to leave. She got up slowly, but then after glancing at me for the second time, she scurried out of the room.

I sprinted, looking for one person. I ran through the house and out the front door. I felt the tears well up in my eyes and then run down my cheeks, like the first few raindrops to a rain storm.

Haymitch's house was almost directly across from mine, just one over. I'd never been in his house before, but I knew enough about Haymitch to know that it was probably filthy. The front door was already cracked open so I invited myself in, gaging as the potent air hit me.

My first thought was how could someome live like this. broken liquor bottles were strewn all over the floor, along with food in various states of decay, clothing, and mostly just unsorted loose garbage. I was still trying to find Haymitch, but the trash slowed my hunt down a bit. I cautiosly stepped over anything that could hurt me, I was regretting not slipping any shoes on before I came. After I made it through the living room injury-free I started to make my way upstairs.

"What are you doing here." I heard a slurred voice ask. I jumped but then started back down the stairs slowly. I peaked around the corner and into the kitchen and sure enough Haymitch was sitting at the oak table in the middle of yet another filthy room with a playful smirk on his lips. The tears continued to fall as I took a seat across from him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded.

"what?" He asked. His face was serious, with no sign of the smirk that was there a few seconds ago.

"That everyone thinks I killed him." I explained.

"Didn't you watch the recaps."

"Yes, but to me it looked innocent, I already knew I didn't kill Peeta so I wasn't looking out for anything unusual. I guess it didn't look very good to an outsider." I bit my bottom lip to keep from sobbing. "It's not over." I whispered to myself remembering when I thought those same words in the arena.

I let myself cry, which isn't something I usually do, but there wasn't anyone around to be strong for. I put my head in my hands and sobbed. Sometime in all of my crying, I noticed a hand stroking my hair. I looked up to see Haymitch sitting on the table looking kinder than he ever had. I stood up a wrapped my arms around him. He returned the hug standing in front of me so that his chin was resting on my head.

"I knew being a victor wouldn't be easy but how am I suppose to deal with this?" I asked the rhetorical question in hopes that he might actually answer.

"You can get through it, you're strong." He told me.

"Why did they do it anyway."

"They didn't want people to think that Peeta actually killed himself, it would have started one of the biggest uprisings in history, you were the obvious solution." I sank deeper into his arms, as if they could save me from the capital.

"But why didn't they tell me, I could've slipped up during the interview."

"I don't know, maybe they wanted to see you fail." He said.

"Thank you," I told him. "I know you get tired of being my mentor sometimes, but I'm Thankful that you're here for me."

"Katniss," He pulled out of the hug and placed his hands on my shoulders. "I care about you, and I will even when I'm not your mentor anymore. I know I don't show it but you are the most important person in my life. I don't have anyone but you."

"It feels like I don't have anyone but you," I told him. "Nobody understands."

"It won't get easier." He said.

"You keep telling me that." I stated.

"I just want you to be prepared, so you don't end up like this." He gestured to himself. I laughed, but I knew he was being serious.

We talked for hours before I left. As I walked out the door I felt the happiest I had since the games had started, because now I wasn't alone. I could truly call Haymitch a friend.