Hello everyone. I have decided to write another chapter on this topic. I have also decided to go off the original Hunger Games plot line for Madge, given that it is a Secret Life. And without further ado, enjoy

-Dn

Chapter 2

I reach the cold kitchen with the lights off. With the lights off and all of the dangerous appliances around me, It gives the room an eerie feel to it. Eeriness does not mean unforgivable, so I enter the room unfazed by my surroundings. I have always had an uncanny will to follow things that most people are afraid of. The forest, for instance. It seems everyone in the entire District is afraid of the woes that are held deep within its clutches, except for Katniss.

Katniss and Gale, Gale and Katniss. It seems that those two are inseparable. I know the story by how they came to be so close. It has never been truly told to anyone but by the way that they look and talk to each other you can tell the story behind them. The both lost their fathers in a mine explosion. That's common knowledge. They both went in the woods to support their families. They became close friends, hunting partners, and trading partners. They are not cousins, like everyone thinks. You just need to open your eyes and see what's blatantly right in front of you.

I put a piece of bread into the oven to warm it up for my parents. I choose not to indulge myself just because I have the means. If people around me are struggling, I choose to not make myself better than they are. I am no better than they are. After all, we are all district kids. Nothing more than animals sent for slaughter and entertainment for the Capitol. One of the topics I try to avoid more than anything. The Capitol and all of their greatness and power, would have the ability to bring peace and prosperity to the Districts and actually make them happy, eliminating a need for control, no reason for rebellion, no need for the Hunger Games.

I am not sure if there is any family across the entire nation who has not had to send a member to the Capitol out of its 73 years. I knew some tributes, some I didn't. But all I see is the same thing, walking corpses with no chance of survival. It isn't their fault of course, but the competition is just so great. The tributes from Districts 1,2 and 4 all training their kids to kill. Giving them the instincts and mind sets of a killer. It sickens me. No one should have to kill anyone in the world. No need for violence and blood to our out of the pumping hearts of innocent children.

And today, is the day we select our tributes. The last time 23 kids will see their parents, will ever have to worry about having their throat slit or getting a sword in the back.

I flush the painful memories of the games from my mind and try to live in the present and think optimistic. I walk back to the oven and take out the now warm loaf and start cutting it into reasonable portions. The thick fresh loaves from the Mellark family fill the room with the amazing smell of fresh bread. I take a slice of the bread and eat it, and then put the rest onto a plate and bring it up to my parent's room. I continue to walk down the ornate halls until I reach their door. I noticed the screaming has stopped for a few minutes now. I never know what she is screaming about. Is it her standing by the coalmines waiting for her parents who will never reemerge from the deaths, or her sister as she screams into the television to run as she gets skewered threw her neck during her games? I have never really asked her. They are her demons and are meant for her alone. I have seen the wrinkles and grey hair the stress has caused my father after all these years.

I knock on the door and slowly enter. I see my mother lying in bed with my father sitting on the side of the bed holding her hand. It's a picturesque scene, something that I shouldn't be ruining. But I am too late, and both of them look at me and give me a smile. "Good morning sweetheart," My mom says. Her voice sounds shrill and weak.

"Morning mom," I respond. I walk over and set the tray of warm bread on her lap. "You hungry?" I ask her. I try to connect with her, but it's just so difficult with her, condition.

"No, not right now, Madge, but thank you anyways." My father quickly intervenes. He picks up the tray and shuffles it back into my hands. His eyes say all he means. Go get ready for the reaping. Stop worrying your mother, now! I love my father, but he is sometimes a real pain.

"No honey its fine," mom says. "I actually am quite hungry. Just leave the tray on the table. Will you Madge?" I look at her. She is truly trying to help me in anyway she can.

"Sure mom," I say. I take the tray and put it on the far table opposite from her bed. I then quickly turn around and leave the room, closing the door behind me.

I hope that gave enough insight to Madge's parents. Next chapter has some Katniss and Gale moments in it. Please review, as comments always make my day!

-Dn