Author's Note: This chapter is only told through Katniss' POV, because the next chapter will be told through just Peeta's POV. Plus, this chapter only revolves around Katniss. The next one revolves around mainly Peeta.
(Katniss' POV.)
I should have known that the kids spending time with Effie would turn out disastrous. I hardly recognized them when they first came to the front door, their faces twisted into excited smiles.
"I want more clothes like this!" Rose exclaims loudly, the purple wig on top of her head bouncing up and down.
I study them closely as they step in, both of them dressed in similar clothing. Finnius' usual plain shirt and jeans have been replaced with a purple suit, the tie a bright orange color. He also sports a purple wig, his much smaller than Rose's.
She wears a large purple dress that is way too big for her, her face caked in thick makeup. I almost throw up at the sight of it, memories of the Capitol coming back. Their bright and crazy clothing choices were hard to miss, considering how ridiculous they looked. They obviously didn't think so.
"Come on guys, I need to get you cleaned up." I order them, my hands directing them both to the bathroom. Deep sighs escape their lips at the same time, moans of annoyance following. I ignore it, snatching a rag from the sink and soaking it with water.
"Why can't we keep it on, mommy?" Rose asks as I begin to wipe away the thick layer of makeup from her cheeks, moving up to her eyelids. I begin to scrub faster, my adrenaline shooting up. She squirms under my grip, tears beginning to spill down her face.
"That hurts!" Rose yells out, shoving me away.
Images of President Snow blur my thoughts, everything around me beginning to spin. Something inside of me is triggered, causing my blood to boil in rage. Words are now spilling out of my mouth, unable to stop.
"You can't wear those clothes ever again!" I hiss under my breath, running my fingers through my hair anxiously.
Finnius bursts into tears next to me, ripping the tie free from his neck in anger. I watch from the corner of my eye as the tie hits the floor, the door slamming behind him.
A jolt of emotions sends me falling to the ground, water running down my arms as I latch onto the rag, my fingers digging deep into the fabric.
My breathing grows fast and short, small black dots filling my vision. Rose is at my side now, her arms wrapping tightly around my waist. She nuzzles her head into my back, tears now soaking my shirt.
I twist around so I face her, pulling her into a tight hug. She cries into my shoulder, sucking in air to regain her breath.
"I'm so sorry…" I whisper.
"Dad!" Rose yells out, her eyes now wide with fear. It hardly even takes a second for Peeta to burst through the bathroom door, ready for whatever she may be calling him for.
He doesn't even have to ask; immediately lifting me up in his arms. My head bobs to the side, resting on his shoulder tiredly. I'm soon laid down onto our bed, his lips pressing against mine.
Something inside me clicks, all the pain flushed away. Warmth spreads through my veins, my heart beat beginning to slow to normal. Peeta is the only person able to do that to me.
His gentle hands pull the blanket up over my legs, warming me even more. He plants one last kiss on my lips, his now moving up to my ear, the touch giving me a tickling sensation.
"I love you," Peeta whispers, the lights now dimming. He's out of the room before I even have time to respond, my body now limp with tiredness. Then I black out.
My hands dig deep into the box, a familiar object suddenly making contact with the tips of my fingers. I'm anxiously clawing it out before I even realize it.
I wipe off the layer of dust with my shirt sleeve, immediately beginning to flip through the pages with caution. Each page nearly brings me to tears, the pictures drawn by Peeta almost feeling real.
As I continue to flip through the book, the drawings and photographs bring me back; the victim's eyes feeling as if they're looking into mine. Almost as if they're still here; Rue, Prim, Finnick, Boggs. Those innocent eyes now closed, never to open up again.
I trace my fingers along the edge of the photograph of Prim, the touch sending a horrible feeling to my stomach. Why do I do this to myself?
I drop the book into the box again, forcing it closed. I can't keep doing this. My emotions are growing too strong, them now coming out at my children. I need to relax, and only one thing sounds like the perfect way to do that right now.
I carefully slip on my father's hunting coat, my pants and boots following. The feeling of wearing the coat again is hard to explain. It's definitely painful, memories of hunting with Gale coming back. But, knowing that it belonged to my father definitely makes me feel better. It's a reminder that he's always with me, dead or alive.
I make my way to the kitchen, trying my best to be quiet. Peeta notices immediately, his head twisting around to face me. He's now at my side, his hands cupping my chin in worry.
"I'm going hunting," I whisper, my eyes staring deep into his. He presses his forehead to mine, a kiss following.
"Be safe, Katniss." Peeta whispers, his lips moving to my cheek. I'm finally released, Rose and Finnius' eyes now trained intently on me. This hits me deep. Their faces reflect pain; both of their cheeks still caked in dry tears.
I slowly make my way over to them, tears welling up in my eyes. "You guys look adorable in you outfits," I whisper, my fingers tracing along the sleeve of Finnius' suit. He flinches, his cold eyes now warming up.
"R-really?" he whispers up at me, his lower lip trembling. I nod, my lips curling into a reassuring smile.
"Really."
The hot sun beats down on the back of my neck, sweat beginning to roll down my forehead. Ignoring it seems almost impossible, but I force myself to continue on, my bow drawn and ready.
I cautiously step over fallen tree trunks, the sound of mockingjays surrounding me. As I step further in, their singing only grows louder; Rue's face now burning into my thoughts.
I think back to the Games; her four-note tune being our signal to tell each other that we were safe and would be back soon…except Rue didn't come back. She never came back.
The tune slowly escapes my lips, the sound barely audible. All of the mockingjays briefly quiet down, the quiet sound dazing them slightly. I turn to face the one perched on a branch near me, its tiny eyes staring into mine with curiosity.
The tune spills out of my mouth once more, this time much louder. All of a sudden, the entire forest has the tune ringing around it, their tiny voices chirping it louder and louder each time.
My heart warms at the sound, a smile spreading across my face in amusement. I find myself taking a seat on a nearby log, my bow resting on the ground beside me.
I heave in deep breath, the mockingjays growing quiet once again.
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow. A bed of grass, a soft green pillow," I start to sing, tears beginning to roll down my cheeks as I picture Rue again; her limp body resting in my arms.
"Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes." Just as I drift off on the final word, an eerily familiar voice suddenly comes from behind me. A voice belonging to a person I never expected to see again.
I turn to face him, his thinning dark hair brushed just above his eyebrows. He stares coldly into my eyes, his lips curling into a half amused smile.
"Hey, Catnip." Gale whispers.