Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games, I just don't lol.

CHAPTER 7: LAST WORDS

Stepping around the crystalizing blood I slowly step towards my mother. She was still. There was no breath, no gasps for air, no struggle to survive. I knew then she'd been gone, for quite some time but how, but why? The closer I get, the heavier my footsteps become, and the slower time passes almost as if she was becoming further despite me closing the gap.

"Mom?" I call hoping her lifeless form would hear me and bring her back and look for a small glimmer of hope that she may yet still be alive, only just. "m… mo… mom…? Wake up! Wake up please…" My voice is weak. I collapse on the ground near her, tears are forming in my eyes. I look up to her from the ground as I try to support myself. I reach out to her shoulder and I'm stop by a gasp when now that I can examine her. Blood has been soaked in her clothes and I can see that she was shot multiple times in the chest. The remains of this sunlight enter through the door. I want to hold her but I can't. The sight of her so lifeless freezes me and tears fall and my cries are silent.

Outside, the silence was broken by a pack of Peacekeepers once more patrolling the area and I hear them on my porch and enter into my home. "Step away from her Miss Tinder." I'm still frozen and I cannot bring myself to move focused on her.

Having made no response I am pulled by a guard against the wall and restrained. I watch as two others collect her in a bag. I begin to move frantically. "Let me go please… LET ME GO!" I cry out and manage to break free and holding my mother in my arms for what would be the last time. I savor this moment. Her warmth had yet faded and her blood staining my clothes. "Mom… don't…don't le… don't leave me… not you too…" My tears flow only to be stopped by the same guard who separates me from my mom and throws me at the wall and she is collected before my eyes. Emotionlessly dumped in a black bag and carried away.

"Wait! Wait! WHY?" I scream at the guard, and he turns to face be before he leaves. I cannot see who he is as they are masked by black glass and helmets.
"Why did this happen? Please… please tell me what happened!" I cry for answers.
Wh…why… please!"

"Ashe Tinder." He replies robotically. "Your mother was executed because of your actions." My eyes widen. "You have interfered with the lives of Victors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark for the last time. Your compliance would be much desired." He finishes as he leaves my home leaving the door open.

"WAIT! WHAT DID I DO? PLEASE WHY! WHAT DID I DO WRONG?" I scream as I cry. "GIVE HER BACK TO ME! SHE IS THE ONLY FAMILY I'VE GOT PLEASE!" The guard doesn't return and I'm left as the suns light fades behind the homes I see outside my door. I crawl hands dipped in blood to my door as I quietly shut it and lean against it from the inside. Curled up against the door I stare into the darkness just being able to make out where she lay.

I sit for hours as the night goes on, tears falling silently. I was alone. I felt alone but this loneliness was real. It was loneliness in it's ultimate form. My mothers room is closer to our front entrance than my room is so I begin to crawl to her slightly open door and feel around the darkness as I make my way to her bed and without changing, tears continue to fall as I drift into sleep.

I do not know what I have done. The words "You have interfered with the lives of Victors, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark" replay in my head and I do not understand what I have done enough them to execute my mother. My father was the first to leave, perhaps before I was born as he didn't want to have me to begin with. Friend's of Peeta and I drifted from me, Peeta was the most consistent and only person that stuck by me, but even He left eventually. Off to the Hunger Games and by dumb luck return with the girl of his dreams and my relationship is forever stunted by this occurrence. My mom, the last person in my life, she left sooner than I knew, murdered because of me… I don't know what I had done, but because of my actions, she paid the ultimate price. What was it about me that caused all of this to happen to me?

The morning comes and light's soft touch opens my eyes. I remember that I'm in my mothers room but it was not nearly as neat at she kept it, must have been raided by the Peacekeepers. I look to her head desk where a melted candle stood but underneath was an envelope, curious my weary form reached for it as I remembered I was alone in this house. I examined the envelope only to find that it was addressed to me. I open the letter and pull out the folded parchment, along with it falls a picture of a handsome man I'd guess to be in his early to mid 20's. I'd never seen this man before, I turned it over and all that was written was "Thomas Cole." I have no idea who this man is and I'm sure it's not just because I just woke up. I put down the image and focus attention on this folded letter and I proceed to unravel it's contents.

To my Dear Ashe,

If you are reading this, then I am most likely already dead. I have so much to explain and I apologize for not telling you in person, even make the effort to and make it seem like I was pushing you away at times. It was not my intention, and everything I did was for us… was for you.

Life for us has never been easy, I had no way of getting us out of District 12 but still we managed to get this far, but not without a little help. Peeta was kind enough to us and even before – your father helped me survive. By now you have seen the picture I have placed in the envelope of Thomas Cole. Ashe, he is your father, handsome he was and a gentleman, even if being with me was a mistake. You are not an accident. I still decided to raise you. Your dad left because of his family, he couldn't risk them finding out about you. Now that you know the slightest of him, Ashe, promise me you won't go looking for him, he doesn't want to see you or hear from you. I know that that will be difficult especially with what you must be feeling at the moment but it will be for the better.

You might be wondering why what happened to me did happen. Don't blame yourself I did this for you too. I know that you have felt a lot for Peeta, I could see it in your eyes for so long, you love him more than anything. After he returned from the Hunger Games, I knew that it meant so much for you to be able to see him again. I watched you watch the games hoping he would survive. The conditions of his return were also not as you expected and this is where it does become complicated. As victors their lives are important to the capitol and so it was they remain with each other. I was visited by Peacekeepers to issue a warning to you for your interaction with them, particularly Peeta; they will not risk a disturbance in a peace that could cause an outbreak. I don't think they believe their love story, but for you, it is plain to see that they are very much in love. So if I am killed, they didn't like what you are doing but don't blame yourself, I did this for you. It would be too much to ask for you to not see Peeta anymore and watch him grow closer to someone he loves the way you crave someone to love you. I cannot give you hope with Peeta considering I too… was left behind, but if you love him – let him live his life.

I was told to notify you to stay away and keep your distance, but all I managed to do was push you away and treat you like dirt. I'm sorry I didn't mean what I said. They didn't threaten to kill you, only me. I couldn't blackmail you to sacrifice time with Peeta who made you feel at home for my life to be safe, I've lived my life long enough, so don't feel bad I would be in a better place. My only hope Ashe, is that you do find peace and that you continue to live for as long as you can. Smile my dear.
I love you.

- Mom.

By the end the tears were beyond my control, I didn't know where to go from here. I felt relieved that I had closure on a few parts of my life but at the same time there was a boundless opening in my heart that couldn't be filled. I was helpless. Where would my life go from here? I realize that home will only have one occupant from now on, no one to greet me when I open the door. Peeta, no Peeta to visit me, I don't know how to tell him… I don't know if I can tell him. Dad, Thomas Cole… I have a name and face to put to the man I call my father, I know he doesn't want to see me, but he might be the only family I have left, but I don't know where to start looking, is he even still in District 12? I've never seen his face before. My thoughts begin to race, the only way to shut them out is to fall back to sleep.

The next few days I spent scrubbing my floor of the blood of my mother, it was the last traces of her, I don't know what they did with her after they took her away, it's felt so lonely here at home, I longed for someone to talk to, someone to talk to me, comfort me. The thought alone of not having anyone was enough to make the tears fall. There was one person that I had left, even if I had already lost everyone, Peeta was still around. I have nothing to lose now… if I could talk to him one last time, even if they end me… I have nothing else anyway.

I'm fearful to talk to him, I'm sure I shouldn't and I don't know if by now I'm nothing but a nuisance to Katniss and Peeta. With the cover of nightfall I decided to make my way to the Victors' Village. Having taken the longer way around and lots of stealth I found myself by Peeta's doorstep. I sat on the steps catching my breath, even if it was slightly cold out here, Peeta might have been asleep and I'd only be disturbing him at this time. Leaning my head on the door, I hear movement inside and chatter, I can't make out the words but Peeta is talking to Katniss and a light in the kitchen opens. I peer through a window still masked by darkness. Katniss was crying and shaking while Peeta sits her on a stool and comforts her, holding her close and kissing her forehead. I wrap my arms around myself as I watch and try to keep warm, he even prepares are cup of what I guess to be hot chocolate and I realize I haven't had much to eat or drink the passed few days. They are both sitting there talking he has managed to make her smile now bringing her closer. I wanted that, and I couldn't have come at a better time. This was no place for a mere peasant like me.

Minutes later they decide it's time to go back to sleep and while I found some comfort in watching them I hide behind the door and impulsively knock on Peeta's door. I knock again and I get a reaction and it sounded alarmed and a little frustrated. As Peeta opens the door I hide my face under my hood and brace myself.

"I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry…" I repeat like a crazy lady.

"Ashe?" Peeta guesses. "What are you doing here? It's late!" Oh no, I've upset him.

"I'm sorry, I w…was watching…"

"Watching? What? Do you do this often?!" He questions, looking back at Katniss who looks startled. I've ruined the moment haven't I.

"NO!" I shout. "I mean… I'm sorry… Peeta… It's mom…" I look him in the eye and my eyes begin to flood. "Peeta… she's dead!" I lose my grip on myself and I try holding myself together and I'm shrieking.

"Whoa, wait calm down!" Peeta grabs me and takes me inside with Katniss shutting the door behind us. I'm breathing heavily not knowing what to expect next. Katniss runs upstairs. "Calm down, calm down." Peeta's voice becomes soothing. "Look at me, what happened?" He looks worried, but I can't catch my breath. My vision becomes blurry. "Ashe? Ashe?... Ashe!" I blacked out.

I wake up snuggled up in a very comfortable bed, I have never felt such comfort in my life. It was warm and soft, I almost didn't want to get up, my eyes scan the room and assume this room isn't often used. I begin to look for this home's occupants, as I can't hear a sound. I see a half open door at the end of the hall way , that must be Peeta's room I guess as I approach and I see that both Katniss and Peeta have been sharing the room but neither of them are in sight. I stare at the sheets and bed, unmade. I wonder what it would be like with to sleep with someone you are terrified to lose, knowing that they would be close by, so close that if you were to awake from your slumber the other would be alerted to it. How it would feel to be safe at night in case your dreams weren't pleasant and to be grounded by someone's arms. To be loved and safe those were luxuries I have only dreamt about. My thoughts were interrupted by A key opening the door and Peeta bidding farewell to Katniss and saying he will see her for supper, it was so quiet I could hear the kiss they shared from downstairs. Still sleepy I make my way to the stairs.

"Ashe?" Peeta calls out as I reach the bottom. "Afternoon." He greets with a gentle smile and embrace.

"I'm sorry for dropping by Peeta… I didn't know what I was doing"

"It's okay… I know what happened now, I'm sorry about mom, Come here." He pulls me in for a tighter embrace. For the first time in days I felt like I wasn't alone. "Let's get you something to eat, and you can rest some more okay?" I simply nod at his suggestion.

What was hours later, Peeta had once again put up with me and listened to me. I apologized to him about Katniss, the last thing I want to do is get in the way of their romance. Peeta comforted me about what happened with mom and dad. He also urged me not to go looking for him, in case I don't like what I'd find.

"Ashe, I know you want to stay, but after what happened, I don't think it would be a good idea, they are serious, and this is dangerous for all of us, it would be best if I never see you again." He grimaces.

"Peeta? Not now… not when I need you most… I have nothing else to lose now!" I protest out of desperation. Why is he suggesting this now?

"Katniss, and I, what about us? We have family that we need to protect… we don't know who they will shoot next. I know it's what you need but it is too risky at this stage."

"Peeta please… not yet… I don't want to lose you forever now… I just lost mom…"

"I'm doing this because I care about you, you want me to love you but I can't, You know that…" He looks away. "I want to be there for you but I can't. I can't risk anything anymore... what's done is done… we need to live our lives now."

"You don't want to see me anymore? You are telling me to leave aren't you?" I look at him and his eyes find mine.

"Yes." His voice now cold and void of any trace of the Peeta that I know; hearing him answer me brought something that was worse than death, it didn't hurt, in fact I became numb.

"No, no, you don't mean that" I hold his face in my hands. "Peeta, please… no, you don't mean that" I pull him in for an embrace, only he doesn't return my affection but he doesn't fight me either. "Peeta?"

"Ashe, just go, you are making this harder for the both of… yourself… you are making things harder for yourself" I can feel his breath by my neck "I can't love you… I don't love you. I love Katniss." I push back, unaware of the tears that have been unleashed. "You need to go before Katniss gets back here…" He returns eye contact. "Goodbye Ashe… I'm sorry"

"No…no… no Peeta…" I turn at the open door behind me and I see Katniss making her way here to Peeta's home and I look at Peeta again. Absorbing the moment, seeing him this close, I quickly hug him tight. "Peeta… please…" I let go and run. I don't stop running as I leave the Village. When I'm sure I'm out of sight from either of them… I collapse on the ground, catching my breath. My hands grasping my face, constantly going through my hair, grabbing my arms I can't keep still, I'm in a frenzy, scanning the space around me.

Nowhere. Nothing. No one.

I can explain myself, SORRY FOR NOT UPLOADING FOR SOOOO LONG, this was a difficult chapter to write even though I had it all planned and then unforeseen circumstances! I really appreciate anyone keeping up with the story though! I will have Chapter 8 up in the next few days! Please drop me a comment in the reviews if you liked it or not?! Till next time! Thank you and thank you again for being patient with me!