Chapter 3 – May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor
"Mom?" The kids both ask in unison, "What did that weird lady mean by you get to be mentors?" I can barely speak so again Peeta, my wonderful husband comes to my rescue. He walks over to them and guides them to the couch where I currently reside. I knew that we had to tell our kids about the Hunger Games but I never in a million years would've thought it would've been in this fashion. He sits facing not sure what to say or how to start so now it's my turn to save him.
"Kids, you've heard of the Hunger Games before right?" I ask out of nowhere. I look over to meet Peetas glance and he nods so I take that as approval so I continue, "You know how your father and I were in them… Two times actually." I end there for now to see what the kids have to say about this. There's a dead awkward silence until my brave little warrior decides to speak up.
"We learned that they used to take a boy and a girl from each district and put them in an arena to battle until only one was left alive." He finished off.
"Okay and do you know why they used to do that?" I ask him hoping that he would know the answer; after all he is a bright guy just like his father. He doesn't speak up but Klarissa does.
"It was to show that the capitol had control of everything that happens in Panem after district 13 had rebelled… then they were destroyed…" She answers quickly but quietly and not looking at anything but her shoes. Right now I am at a loss for words so Peeta picks up right where I had left off.
"And how did you find that out?" He asks trying to be gentle as if she were a crystal.
"I hear you and mommy talking about it after you put us to bed sometimes…" She confesses, "Are you mad at me?" It sounds as if she's about to cry!
"No sweetheart." Peeta says sympathetically hugging her. Yeah, he is way better with words than I am, but a question still lingers in my head. Why has Klarissa been listening to what Peeta and I talk about after we put them to sleep?
"Klarissa." I say gently, "You probably have heard about the other rebellion that involved your father and I and that is why the Hunger Games don't exist anymore… or did…" And suddenly I regret saying that because my son looks at me now with intensity in his eyes. My daughter with a feeling of hopeless in her eyes. And of course my husband, Peeta, he looks like he wishes he could take back what I just said.
"And after the rebellion they decided to take the Hunger Games away, but now the capitol and government feel like the districts are going to rebel again so they are re-enforcing the Hunger Games." I polish off quickly so the kids have time for it to sink into their little genius brains of theirs.
"And the reaping is this Friday…" Peeta adds on to my final comment. I watch as my children's eyes start filling up with tears. That makes me cry and I guess seeing all three of us crying makes Peeta cry too. We all sit there holding each other for comfort until dinner.
"So Teagan and I are pretty much already reserved a spot in the games?" Klarissa asks.
"Well not really Klarissa. You have to be between the ages twelve and eighteen and your brother is only eleven." I reply.
"Honey… Teagans birthday is Friday." Peeta whispers into my ear. I look into my bedroom to see him playing with his action figures. Those bastards I think to myself. They want me to lose both of my children so they have the reaping on my son's birthday.
"Teagan." I say as I put out dinner on the table. Peeta and Klarissa both sit there like vultures looking for their pray. I sit down and Teagan joins us.
"Tomorrow is the day before the reaping…" Klarissa states. I look at her and she looks zoned out. I can tell she's worried. After all this will be her first reaping. But then I realize it. That was the same look that Prim had on her face the moment Effie called her name for the 74th Hunger Games. Terror of the fellow tributes. Terror of never coming home. Terror of death. We all eat in silence and once we're done Peeta sends the kids off to take a bath and he helps me clear the table and do the dishes.
"You're breaking down inside, aren't you?" Peeta asks me as he comes up next to me handing me a plate.
"Kind of. I mean we are sending our girl into the Hunger Games…" I say and it comes out a little meaner than I wanted it to.
"Katn-." I cut him off before he can finish my name.
"Peeta I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way!" I apologize as I realize that Klarissa has been standing there the whole time.
"Peeta." I say to him, "Turn around." As he does Klarissa takes off. She runs out the door and down the street. Peeta does his best to chase her down with his fake leg. I can't just leave Teagan here but I do anyways. I chase after both of them. They've both really got some distance on me. Once I finally catch up to Peeta we run into Haymitch.
"I saw Klarissa running that way, what'd you do to her now?" Haymitch manages to stutter out. We can both tell he's been drinking because of his breath and he stumbles everywhere. Around the kids though it seems as if he's a whole new person actually. He loves them.
"Peeta go find Klarissa please." I say in a loving voice.
"Okay, I'll see you at home." He says to me after he steals a kiss from me. I watch him walk off to find Klarissa as Haymitche's breath suddenly brings my attention away from my husband.
"I hear their playing The Hunger Games again!" He exclaims.
"Haymitch that's nothing to be excited about." I try to explain but then I realized I'm arguing with a drunken crank, which will get me nowhere, "Actually Haymitch we want you to mentor with us." I say before I can stop the words from coming out of my mouth. I can't believe I just said that.
"Why?" He says suddenly standing up straight and his words coming out right.
"Because you helped Peeta and I and you were a really big help." I lie to him. He actually was help but I'm also thinking if I can get him to help mentor I can also keep him sober and help get him away from drinking.
"Alright." He agrees taking me away from my train of thought. I'm a tad shocked but happy inside, but then a moment takes that all away. I think of Cinna and how much I miss him.
"Katniss! Katniss!" I hear as I finish talking to Haymitch. It's Peeta but he doesn't have Klarissa with him.
"Where is she?" I ask. He's sensing I'm worried because he kisses the top of my head and we walk home. When we open the door I find her and Teagan sitting there… with Gale? Why is he here again I ask myself. After that night when he told us about the Hunger Games coming back I thought he left to go back to the capitol. Apparently Peeta isn't too happy to see him either. His jaw tightens and his eyes again fill with anger.
"Okay before I leave this house anymore I'm locking that door and every other way of getting into this house." He says angrily.
"Sorry I got worried about Klarissa and must have rushed out the door without a second thought." I answer quickly, trying to save Gale here which I'm surprised I am doing. There's a long dead silence and then Gale speaks up.
"I saw her running and I brought her back… I know how much she means to you." He says and with that he gets up and leaves.
"Thank you Gale." We both say. He turns around and walks back to us.
"You see Prim in her, don't you Katniss?" Gale asks probably not meaning to bring back bad memories.
"She does." I reply. A smile comes across my face and with that satisfaction Gale gives me a hug and leaves. Peeta just stands there, his eyes soft matching his smile.
"Lets put the kids to bed and then head to bed ourselves. We have a big day tomorrow." He says as he grabs my hand and we walk upstairs. We both say goodnight and put our little ones to sleep. In our room Peeta goes to take a quick shower while I instantly change and curl up in bed. I can't keep from thinking about the reaping tomorrow but then I feel the warmth from Peeta's body next to me and I'm feeling a lot better and maybe the odds will be in our favor…