Rated Adult for Language, Violence, and Sexual Content

007A

Brenton

The halls of the corridors beyond the competitor quarters are covered with deep red carpeting, while orange and purple tapestries hang on the walls. My footsteps are barely audible as my boots, tread the soft thick carpet. I'm on guard and I position my fists at my sides, prepared to take on an attack if need be.

I'm not familiar with this part of the compound, which initially raises my suspicions. After Daria had left, Haymitch emerged instructing me to make my way up towards the farthest part of the training facility. I tried to question him, but he waved my questions away, muttering about being accosted by a green dyed crazy woman, who wouldn't stop clucking about fabrics and the way certain feathers were hard to care for.

My brow had furrowed and he had explained since I was a high profiled competitor, I was to be dressed and guided by a stylist. When I had inquired about what this exactly meant he narrowed his eyes at me, mumbling something about clothes before he took a long lingering drink of a brown liquid held in a glass bottle.

Blindly he pointed to the door, telling me to get a move on, because if he had to talk to the irritating prep team again he was surely going to knock himself over the head with the glass bottle. I snickered, telling him I was more than willing to lend him a hand if need be, earning me a glare but I could see the start of a smile forming behind the rim of the bottle.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets, my shoulders slightly hunched over as I made my way to the door. I was almost to the exit when I could hear Haymitch mutter something, causing me to turn towards him, my brow raised in curiosity.

Haymitch met my stare, pounding his chest with his fist, a wet cough coming from his mouth, I tried to hide my disgust, as he cleared his throat after a few tries.

"Cinna's the stylist you'll be working with. Be nice to him, he's the few Capitol people around here who won't make you want to stick a pencil in your ear."

"Thanks for the visual, Haymitch."

He waves me off annoyed by my presence and more interested by the honey colored liquid sloshing in the bottle. I kept walking north passing what I assumed were the competitor quarters, before the walls and floors blended into deep oranges and reds instead of the cold grays of the training center.

I keep my guard up and I tense when I can hear voices a few yards ahead. I even more surprised when a line of young women, from what I can gather ranging from the ages of twelve to eighteen emerge from a door to my left. Each of them are dressed cleanly, their hair coiffed securely with pins while curls fall down their backs, as makeup gives the impression their skin is shining.

They're an upfront contrast to the female codes I've come in contact with, and I can't but stare either from their appearance or that each of them walks by me without a second glance. I've been so used to everyone staring at me or talking about me secretively, I'm taken aback by being a normal person for a change.

However, it's short lived when a blonde girl about twelve glances at me before focusing on me again. Her cheeks are rosy, with blush shining off her cheekbones. Her lashes curl upward with dark extensions attached, her gloved hand goes to her mouth which is covered in deep red lipstick, and a small squeak comes out of her mouth.

I stuck staring at her as she looks me up and down. I feel self conscious under her stare and I'm tempted to cross my arms over my chest.

Her voice is younger than I would have guessed by her appearance," I saw you on the broadcast. Everyone in the Capitol can't stop talking about you."

She giggles behind her gloved hand, as an older girl, the one leading the line, walks up grabbing the smaller girls' arms roughly.

"What are you doing talking to him? You know what will happen if you talk to a man who isn't sanctioned! Besides, he's has district coding."

I try to hide how uncomfortable I am," I'm Brenton Everde-… um Mellark."

The older girl turns to me glaring, her face is also heavily painted," We all know who you are," she yanks on the girls arm harder," Do you want to end up like her? There are worse places you can find yourself."

With no regard she flings the younger girl into the line of the others who try to hide their fascination with me, as the older girl snaps her fingers making them all face forward quickly. Her red hair flies in front of her as she turns back to me.

Her posture is perfect; the purple wrap on her shoulders falls down her right arm, as she reaches for it, placing it firmly back in place. She keeps her head high, her gaze over my left shoulder.

"I would hope you to have more of a sense of propriety next time, before you try to engage any other courtesan in conversation."

I can't help how defensive my voice comes out," She was talking to me."

"Then simply ignore her."

"Does the same apply to you?"

She glances to me and I smile positive I've gotten a rise out of her," Courtesan's are not allowed to have any contact with a male who isn't Capitol born or otherwise approved by the council or Elective Snow himself."

I motion in front of me tightly," So if what you say is correct, you're breaking the rules right now?"

Her mouth opens in horror," I-"

"So what would happen if you talked to a man who wasn't sanctioned?"

She grits her teeth before answering me," Whipping most likely, or worse."

"Like death?"

She looks to me fully for the first time," There are worse things than death."

I nod," So has there been a courtesan you dares to be an actual person? And not a dolled up play thing for the Capitol?"

She points her nose upward," Only one. She's not someone we hold in high regard."

"She sounds important to me."

The girl lets out an annoyed breathe as she heads to the head of the line, the others look to me when she passes them, the blonde girl from before gives me a weak wave, I wave back to her. I lean on my toes as the girls head down the hall.

"Don't worry sweetie, I won't tell anyone you're human!"

I can see her shoulders tense, as she rounds the corner, the rest of the girl's following. The blonde hangs by the corner for a second before disappearing around the hall. I turn to face forward to walk down the hall further, when I jump back slightly, surprised by a tall man dressed entirely in black.

My mouth hangs open, not sure as what to say. He's watching me intently and I have to assume he witnessed my conversation with the red headed girl. I hitch my thumb in the direction she had walked, but I keep my attention on the man.

"It wasn't her fault. I was talking to her, so there's no need to report it to anyone."

I'm taken aback when he begins to laugh, his arms shaking against his chest," You are an enigma. The girl insults you with no regard, yet you still put your neck out for her. You don't disappoint, Mr. Mellark."

I motion to him, before crossing my own arms over my chest," Cinna, I presume?"

The man unfolds his arms to place is hands gently into each other," Yes. And you are Brenton Mellark."

"Yes."

"It wasn't hard for me to assume so. You look-"

"Yes, I know exactly like him. To be honest being reminded every second I look like a man I've never met is more than unnerving."

Cinna grins softly," Actually, I was going to comment on how accurate my friend was on your appearance," he points to my face," she even described the small freckle you have to the left of your nose."

"She?"

Cinna nods," 128."

My brow furrows," 128? You mean Daria."

Cinna seems perplexed," Yes. She told you her given name?"

I nod," Yes, she did."

He smiles," Then she must be very taken with you. I can't say I blame her," I can't help my shock at his comment, he turns waving me on to follow him," Daria is very particular with the company she keeps. You should be honored you were able to get more than one sentence out of her."

I follow him into a massive room with deep purple carpeting and blue curtains everywhere. Colors are vibrant, as paintings and sketches litter the walls. I'm taken in by the room and I almost miss what he's saying to me. I turn back to him, as he moves around the room searching for something.

"It took me a year to even have her voluntarily speak to me."

I shrug," Well mostly she just yells at me. Sometimes she punches."

A grin comes over me, but I'm surprised when he looks to me, his attention taken from his task," Daria, yelling? You must have really gotten under her skin."

"She's not like that with everyone?"

"No, she's not. She hasn't been that way for a very long time," he pointed to me" you must be special."

"How do you know Daria? If it's ok for me to ask?"

Cinna stands up, a stack of papers in his hands resting against his chest," We work closely together. Business with the Capitol."

I nod walking around the room studying the walls, admiring his rough sketches," Those girls from before, the one said they were courtesans. They're prostitutes for the Capitol aren't they?"

"Yes."

I nod turning on him," So, what your job is to make them all pretty? Put some paint on the tarnish district tramps? So the Capitol doesn't feel horrible about raping little girls?"

"You could say I help alter perceptions."

I walk to him closing the gap between us," Is this what you're to do with me? Make me into something special, something the Capitol will want to keep around."

Cinna leans his head to the side," You're already special Mr. Mellark. You do this on your own. I'm here to make them take notice. For you to make an impression."

"Isn't the name Mellark enough?"

"You're more than your name Brenton. But it is also a part of you."

"What do you mean?"

"Brenton means fire."

I nod," Yes. What does that have to do with anything?"

Cinna moves to the table across the room, a stray piece of paper in his hand. He nearly knocks a stack of books over as he searches for a pencil. I watch him warily as he marks on the paper quickly, his shoulders hunched over. After a few minutes he stands up turning to me, the paper held out towards me. On the paper is a rough sketch of me with fire rising up around me, I'm in awe of the clean lines, and how the flames seem to be a part of me an extension of my own body.

"I shall make you your name, Mr. Mellark. You will be the Boy on fire."

I lean back slightly, but I'm amazed by how comfortable I feel in this room, and I can't help but think of him as a kindred spirit.

007B.

The hall was cooler than she had remembered and she assumed it was because of the ventilation system going offline for a few minutes. The familiar hum was gone, but it still rang in her ears, as it did all night when she attempted to get some rest.

However, she couldn't bring herself to fully relax, as she sat on the shaky cot with her head against the wall. She tried to close her eyes, but every time she did so, she could picture her son's lifeless body on display for all of the Capitol to leer at. However, if it wasn't the image of her son it was the memories of Peeta Mellark's body pressed up against hers, neither scenario was helpful to her current mental state. She had wanted to kiss him, but his intoxication was a definite turn off, and she didn't want him to get the impression it was suitable for him to put her in that kind of position.

But she couldn't get the sound of his voice out of her head, the way he had been so vulnerable about the photos. He had a constant reminder of what he had lost, she had at least had their son and the gift of space, her memories were painful enough, but Peeta hadn't let go, and Katniss was afraid it had eaten away at him.

Katniss raised her hand to push the door forward, but she withdrew it quickly when the door came flying open. She stood there frozen as Peeta nearly ran into her knocking her back a bit, his hands catching her by the biceps. Her hair flew into her face as he pulled her forward, saving her from falling backwards.

His hands were warm on her flesh where her shirt left naked. Peeta held tight, before gently letting go as she righted her footing. They stood there in silence, barely making eye contact, before Peeta reached up to her face, moving the hair from her eye line to rest behind her ear, his hand lingered there for a few seconds before he cleared his throat, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his worn jeans.

She watched him for a few seconds, grinning at his boyish nerves, in those few seconds she was watching the boy she had found dying the forest. He ducked his head for a minute before straightening his back again, and she could physically see the walls being erected.

Katniss moved her hand behind her ear where his hand had been, she could feel his phantom touch and she wanted to reach out to him. He was watching her, as he scratched the stubble at his chin. She reached out lightly scratching at the side of his jaw, a grin on her face.

"You should shave."

He nodded," I thought about it when I was showering but I didn't think showing up to an important briefing with razor cuts would help my authority."

They both began to laugh in the doorway of his quarters, and Katniss was surprised by how familiar and safe it felt. Peeta ran his hand through his wet hair, droplets sprung out, and landing at his shoulders. Peeta sighed as he watched her and he had the urge to try to kiss her again but decided against it, based on the events of the night before.

He hadn't wanted her to see him in such a state, but she had a way of finding him at his weakness and making him feel whole again. Katniss filled the emptiness in side of him, and he wanted nothing more than to hold onto her. Katniss began to fidget with her hands and he smiled at her nervousness, she always was self conscious when he watched her.

Peeta cleared his throat loudly, causing her to be startled. He rubbed at his chin, as he ducked around her making room between their two bodies. Being in close proximity to her was starting to drive him crazy and he was becoming more option to the idea of pulling her to his body, and allowing his hands to freely roam. Katniss looked confused as he leaned against the far wall, rubbing the back of his neck.

"We should get started to make our way down below. Everyone's probably waiting for us."

Katniss turned towards his voice," Who is everyone?"

"The people who are involved in helping us get our son back."

She tilted her head to the side, her hair dropping to her shoulders as she watched him;" You didn't sleep did you?"

Peeta shook his head," No."

He didn't give her an opportunity to comment before he began to walk forward, stopping midway down the hall to call after her, his body still facing forward.

"Are you coming?"

Katniss ran her fingers through her thick dark hair, as she made her way beside Peeta. He gave her a sideways glance before he proceeded down the brightly lit hallways. Katniss recognized most of them from her walk the night before.

He kept silent; ignoring any attempt she made at trying to relieve some of the tension. She wrung her hands, the joints occasionally popping, as they made their way to the locked door with the control panel beside it. Peeta punched a few keys, his movement faster than Katniss could analyze, which gave her the assumption this was something he did regularly.

The door gave a loud popping sound before it sprung open, the hall inside was dark with only a few overhead lights for illumination. Peeta stepped inside walking a few feet before he stopped and turned to Katniss, making eye contact with her.

"This way," Katniss raised her eye brow at him and he grinned," I promise this isn't the part where I murder you and hide the body."

Katniss gave off a quick laugh," Ha! Like you would be any match for me."

Peeta lowered his head shaking it," True," he waved her on," Let's go. There are people waiting on us."

Katniss stepped through pulling the door behind her, as she looked up studying her new surroundings," So you keep saying."

Peeta ignore her retort, as he led her down the dark corridor. It was difficult for Katniss to see a few inches in front of her even with the overhead lighting. Peeta's footsteps were heavy, even more than she remembered seeming almost symbolic to her, as she used them as an indication of where he was heading.

She nearly crashed into his side as he stopped at a door, her hands were placed on his arm and the warmth of his body sent shivers through her. Peeta looked down to her, his face half lit by the muted green lights above.

Katniss withdrew her hands quickly, a blush covering her face and spreading to her chest. She was thankful for the darkness, not wanting Peeta to see the effect her had on her. Peeta watched her for a beat before pushing the door open, as he walked through. Katniss hung onto the door frame before inching herself forward to peer into the room.

She had to hold her gasp, as bright silver walls lined with screens made up the room. In the middle a large table was placed, as it beeped loudly. Katniss walked in cautiously, watching the many screens as some listed different names, slipping to another screen completely, while others had maps and coordinates flashing.

Peeta was in front of her, seeming unaffected by the whole experience as a tall blonde man approached them. Peeta kept his pace up passing the man as he spoke.

"You look like shit. Did you even sleep?"

Peeta's shoulder tensed," Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

The blonde man shrugged," Maybe because you look like shit."

The man stopped abruptly when he noticed Katniss, he looked her up and down, causing her to fidget under his stare, the floor beginning to fascinate her. She looked up watching him as he began to grin. He was handsome with golden skin and deep green eyes.

He was more kept than Peeta, his hair was cut short but seemed to be styled, and he didn't sport the same kind of scruff Peeta did. His eyes were playful but he seemed to hold some pain there.

"And who may you be?"

Katniss pushed her hair behind her," I'm Katniss."

The man shrugged," Oh," suddenly his eyes lit up and his expression turned from indifference to realization," Oh. I've heard a lot about you. So you're the reason he didn't sleep?"

Katniss shook her head quickly," Oh no!"

"I'm sorry to hear it; he could use some," the man motioned his side turned fist forward," release."

Katniss is caught off guard, before she can reply she sees Peeta walk up behind the blonde man. Peeta looks annoyed as he holds his left fist in the palm of his right.

"Finnick, let's not let the lady know how perverse you are right away."

"I'm just making a friend, plus she doesn't look like she scares easily."

Peeta rolled his eyes nodding towards Katniss," Excuse us," before Katniss can utter a word Peeta takes Finnick by the arm pulling him to the side," Do you think you can flirt with her after we rescue my son?"

Finnick furrowed his brow," Do you really think so little of me?"

"I-"

"I'm trying to help you out. I know you, especially when it comes to that woman. You're going to push her away when now of all times you two need to be a united front."

Peeta hangs his head down," It's difficult to even be in the same room with her. She's a reminder of everything I regret. A reminder of how I was never worthy of someone like her, and our son is where he is because he's mine."

"At least you have her here to serve as a reminder. I would give anything to have Annie standing across the room from me."

Peeta nodded looking over to a curious Katniss who began to study the changing screens above her," I know," Peeta ran his hands over his face quickly," Enough of this, we need to get started."

Peeta turned on his heel walking towards the large silver table, passing Katniss without giving her a glance. Finnick followed him, nodding for Katniss to follow as well. Katniss kept her hands firmly placed together as she took in her surroundings once more.

As she walked further into the room she could see a crowd of people working near computer terminals, with the screens floating in the air in front of them. Peeta took his place on the far side, as Katniss joined Finnick on the opposite.

She tried to catch his eye but he was stubborn to avoid her at the moment. She watched as he placed his fingers on the table top, a low beeping sounded, as bright blue lights started emanate from the table. Quickly words and maps which she recognized from the screens she had been watching earlier were now flashing in front of her.

She wanted to almost knock herself upside her skull for assuming it was an ordinary piece of furniture. She had to smile to herself when she recognized the workmanship, which led her to wonder if Beetee was another person Peeta had lost to the war.

She was shaken out of her reverie when Finnick elbowed her in the side gently. Katniss glanced up to me as he gave her a small smile; she looked up across from her where Peeta was standing to find him staring at her.

She cleared her throat, tucking her hair behind her ear, her eyes roaming the open space between the two men. Peeta rubbed the middle of his forehead, his lips tight, as he motioned towards Finnick.

"Finn was saying he gained intel regarding the reapings. Snow has suspended all impending ceremonies."

Katniss' eyes shifted between each man," What does this mean."

Finnick lowered his head as he cleared his throat," It means he's wanting to close the means of entry inside and out of the compounds," Finnick waves his right hand over the large screen brining up an aerial map of the camps," All of the camps are connected with the arena directly in the middle. There's tunnels leading beneath the arena, which makes it convient to transport the competitors to and from the arena. The problem is without a way in, there's no way of entering any of the entry points without tipping someone off."

Peeta tapped his own fingers onto the lighted screen, papers came up with names, Katniss assumed were manifests," In the past we used our own people to blend in with the reaped children from the districts. We have a few informants inside the camps, so it was easy to sneak thirty maybe forty codes out on a good day."

Katniss looks up from the screen, to Peeta slowly," Informant? Like Gale?"

Peeta met her eyes, his were dark and firm," Yes. But we're not going to lose them."

Katniss nodded, averting her eyes from his," So what's the course of action now?"

Peeta rubbed the back of his neck with his hand," We're still working on it."

Katniss rose her hands her palms showing," I don't want to be pushy, but now you know what," Katniss leaned forward her dark hair almost touching the screen below," I do mean to be pushy, because my son is there, and I came here to bring him home not to concoct plans and theory."

Peeta opened his mouth to speak as a voice came from the side of the room," I wouldn't worry about the kid too much, he's got a smart mouth but he can wield his bow pretty impressively not to mention the skill he has with knives."

Peeta busied himself with the screen before him as Katniss' mouth fell open as the wide shoulders of Haymitch Abernathy pushed off of the far wall, walking towards the others. Katniss glanced to Peeta who seemed unaffected by her surprise; she looked over to Finnick who looked just as shocked as she did.

Finnick crossed his arms over his wide chest," If it isn't Haymitch Abernathy. Perhaps it's a good thing I didn't shower yet seeing you'll most likely puke on me."

Haymitch scratched the side of his face," I only did it once."

Finnick glared at him but a smile began to emerge," Well the memory of a grown man vomiting on you is a lasting memory."

Peeta's head shot up annoyed," Can we move past this, it happened five years ago."

Finnick tilted his head to one side," Did it happen to you? No, it didn't. Let me own my own pain."

Haymitch ignored the spat between the two younger men as he tipped his head to the dark haired woman across the board from him," Katniss. I wish this wasn't a working visit, but it's always a pleasure to see you, sweetheart. Even if the whole reason we're in this is because you and the boy over there had no self control around seventeen years ago."

Katniss rolled her eyes," Hello, Haymitch. It's nice to see you walking on your own. What, did you run out of liquor?"

"Never," Haymitch hooks his thumb towards Peeta," The boy said no drinking while I was looking after the kid."

Peeta raised an eyebrow," You haven't been drinking, at all?"

Haymitch scrunched his face," No. I interpreted no drinking as not as much as you normally drink."

Finnick shook his head trying to stifle a laugh, as Katniss covered her face. Peeta cleared his throat as Haymitch leaned on the side of the screen, hunching over to study the flashing images.

"The kid's more skilled than I would have assumed," Haymitch turns his head towards Katniss," You did a damn good job with him, but he's afraid to take the attack, he's constantly taking on defense and I'm afraid if he can't make himself to strike someone else with a killing blow in mind, he'll get himself killed."

"He was afraid to hunt at first-" Katniss shakes her head as she holds up her hands," Wait! You're sending him into the arena to compete? I thought we were going to get him out before it could happen?"

Haymitch straightens his back as Finnick lowers his head. Katniss turns to Peeta who is already looking towards her.

"It was the plan initially, but with the grounds so locked down, there's no way of reaching him, let alone getting him out in a day."

Katniss kept her gaze on Peeta as he too was unable to break the contact, she could see the pain in his eyes and she assumed hers matched the turmoil swelling inside his. Her chest began to heave with tears threatening to spill out as Peeta gritted his teeth, causing his square jaw jut out.

"It'll be the only way to ensure your son's safety."

Everyone turned toward the voice coming from the same position Haymitch's had been before joining the others. A slender man with dark hair slicked back, wearing a deep purple suit walked towards them, his shoulders back with his arms at his sides. Katniss was curious about the way he carried himself, clearly he was someone of Capitol birth. Haymitch groaned loudly, as Finnick looked uncomfortable; Peeta seemed to be the only one unaffected by his presence.

Peeta's brow rose," Plutarch?"

Plutarch straightened his suit jacket as he joined Peeta at the north point of the screen," The boy is the key to any resolve we may reach where the resistance is concerned."

Katniss shook her head," I'm confused. What does that mean?"

Haymitch leaned back, narrowing his eyes at Plutarch," You set the kid up."

Peeta looked to the distinguished man," Plutarch?"

Haymitch rounded the table ending up behind Peeta," See I thought it was ass backwards when the Keeper on shift said that when the kid arrived you had been waiting by the front gate. That it seemed you knew of his arrival before anyone."

Plutarch turned his body to face Haymitch while Peeta still faced Katniss," It was necessary."

Katniss let out a shuddering breathe as she kept eye contact with Peeta, she could see he was beginning to unravel. His jaw was bleach white and she could see his square jaw flexing uncontrollably.

"You've been watching us."

Plutarch broke his stare with Haymitch to glance at Katniss," Yes. I needed to know his whereabouts if the time came where he could be useful."

Peeta slammed his hand down onto the screen, causing a long crack to form; the action caused Katniss to jump while everyone else in the room turned to him. He was gripping the sides tightly, and Katniss could see blood rushing over the broken glass. The bandage on Peeta's stitched hand was now becoming soaked in his blood; she assumed his stitches had broken open.

"My son is not some damn piece in your games!"

Plutarch looked to Peeta as he hunched over the table, his shoulders tense and Katniss could see him shudder. Katniss rounded the table, passing Finnick who kept his place, to stand at Peeta's side. She nearly knocked Haymitch over as she made her way beside Peeta reaching for his injured hand. He drew his hand away, ignoring her concerned as he turned his fury to Plutarch.

Plutarch held his hand up before Peeta was able to speak," The resistance is losing; we haven't had a clear view of when the end will come for some time now. Both you and Snow have collectively confused and divided the districts, as well as the Capitol. For most there's no real symbol to cling to, Snow has made you into this rogue killer who's is just as dangerous to the district as you are to the Capitol. There needed to be a tipping point and your son is the one to facilitate a victory. He is the symbol we have needed."

Peeta gritted his teeth," I trusted you because of your ties to my father, but all you are is a damn politician."

"You can think of me what you will, but I am unblended by sentimental views."

Finnick spoke for the first time since Plutarch arrived," How does that make you better than the ones we fight against?"

Plutarch shrugged," I suppose it doesn't, but I am willing to live with the consequences of my actions. There needs to be an end in sight or we all destroyed."

Peeta began to shake with anger as he reached for Plutarch, grabbing him by the lapels," You son of a bitch you sacrificed my son."

Both Haymitch and Katniss pulled him back away from the man; Peeta shook Haymitch off as he made no movement to move Katniss' hand from his body. Katniss looked to Peeta, her cheek resting on his bicep.

Plutarch straightens his suit jacket holding out his arms to smooth down the material there," Your child isn't the only one at risk."

"I know about the code children."

Plutarch straightened his back," I wasn't being general. I was referring to how you two aren't the only parents in this room of children who Snow has a special interest in."

Plutarch looked over to Finnick who stood frozen as the other eyes followed," Your daughter is someone Elective Snow is keeping a close eye on."

Finnick shook his head," That's impossible. I don't have a child, or at least one who's alive," Finnick motioned to Peeta where he stood with Katniss holding onto him," Peeta you were with me we found two graves in district four."

Plutarch nodded," Your wife Annie is deceased but your child is alive."

Finnick lowered his head as a wave of sickened washed over him, Haymitch's voice broke through his nausea," I've seen her."

Finnick looked to Haymitch his face washed in confusion," What?"

"I didn't know she was yours until a day ago. I'm keeping a close eye on her," Haymitch looked down before looking to Finnick," There's something you should know. She's being used as a courtesan; she has for a few years now."

Finnick shut his eyes, gripping his fists to his sides, his eyes opened to reveal bright green," You're full of all kinds of secrets aren't you Plutarch?"

Peeta closed his eyes as he gripped his bloody hand tight," Oh spirits."

Finnick looked to his friend," What?"

"My contact inside the courtesan establishment-"

"Yes, the stylist?"

Peeta nodded," He uses one of the courtesan's he styles for to gain intel on high ranking Capitol citizens and council members. He can gain access to certain documents when their otherwise engaged."

"So we've been prostituting my child for information?"

"I didn't know it was her."

Finnick's face became red;" You knew it was someone's child."

"Don't get sanctimonious on me. They're all someone's child."

Finnick shook his head," I guess Plutarch's not the only one in the room who's not any better than Snow and the Capitol."

Peeta opened his mouth to speak, as Finnick turned on his heel walking out of operations. Peeta rushed around the table, pulling away from Katniss. His hand hung at his side, the blood dripping onto his pants, some soaking into the fabric of his shirt. Katniss made it to his side as he stood watching the door Finnick had left out of, she grabbed for his hand.

"We need to take care of this."

Peeta pulled from her grasp, leaving her behind," Leave it! It doesn't matter!"

Katniss laid her left hand over her face, defeat washing over her, she turned to the remaining men in the room," What do we do now?"

Plutarch rounded the table stopping in front of her," Katniss, I-"

Katniss held up her hands," I don't want to hear anything from you either wise it has to do with getting my son back."

Plutarch nodded, as Haymitch walked to stand in front of him," What do you need us to do sweetheart?"

"I need you to keep the lines of communication open, and keep my son breathing."

Haymitch nodded as he slumped over making his way out the way he had came in. She stood there in awkward silence with Plutarch, she felt she was about to suffocate with anger and grief before he opened his mouth to speak.

"You've raised a remarkable son. He is quite extraordinary with the bravery and kindness I have witnessed already."

Katniss nodded," Thank you."

"I know I seem cold to you, but sometimes it's needed to achieve a goal."

"I don't care what you do as long as you make sure my son survives."

Plutarch nods as he turns around to follow the path Haymitch had taken moments ago. Katniss stood watching his fleeting back; the crowd of analysts across the room seemed unaffected by the entire situation. Katniss felt utterly alone, and she wanted to feel close to the one man she knew would push her away.

007C.

Katniss had roamed the compound after she had left operations, although she had sat down in the dark hallway outside of the door pulled her knees to her chest and cried. She assumed crying in a dark hallway was more suitable than having the entire resistance watching you have a breakdown.

She grieved for her son, for herself and the heart breaking need she felt to be close to Peeta Mellark. He had never left her mind, and having him so close was torturous. Her emotions were surging through her body and she prayed to the sprits for some guidance, for a phrase or sign to have her believe everything was set on a course of action where she could be able to be happy and feel safe.

She had to laugh at her naïve need, because she knew more than most that when you loved fiercely you were also setting yourself up to lose. Katniss sat in the dark hallway feeling sad for herself for a few minutes before standing up, her back sliding up the cold brick.

She knew her son needed her to be strong, because without her strength it would be difficult to bring him back to her. She had ran her hands through her thick dark hair before walking down the dark hallway towards the exit.

She had leaned against the wall watching a few children play when she had entered the populace. More than once she had to shut her eyes tight to stop the tears from rushing out. She had earned the stares and whispers much like before, but this time she was preoccupied.

Everything blended together, Peeta's warm skin against hers, the revelation her son had been chosen to represent a symbol for the resistance, the fact Brenton was to compete in the arena in less than a day. Katniss shook her head violently trying to clear it, she knew she needed to try to calm herself down.

Katniss rounded one of the many corners in the compound, as she did what she saw stopped her in her tracks. He was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, as his hands kept place in his pockets. She had to admit he was handsome, and he may have been someone she would find attractive if her heart didn't belong to Peeta.

Katniss debated on disturbing him or not as she watched him, but decided some company may help the both of them. She cleared her throat signaling to him she was present, it was successful as he opened his eyes turning to where she stood.

It seemed to take a few seconds before it fully registered for him who she was, until a small smile came over his face. Katniss returned the jester as she closed the gap between them. Finnick laid his head back once again, as Katniss leaned her own back against the bright sheeting of the wall.

Katniss sighed softly," I figured you could use some company," she looked up to him as he was quite a bit taller than she was," I know I can."

Finnick kept his eyes closed as he grinned," I don't doubt your need for company," he opened his eyes looking down to her," but I doubt I'm the one you want next to you."

Katniss breathed in deeply her shoulders slumping," It's so obvious isn't it?"

Finnick chuckled lightly," A little," Katniss nodded defeated," but you have a disadvantage against me. I know how much he loves you."

Katniss lowered her head, her hair falling around her face," Love was never the problem with Peeta and I, our timing was always the thing we needed help with," Katniss kept her head down as she wiped the tears running down her face," but lately I've been doubting he loves me anymore."

Finnick tried to duck down watching her," Why?"

"I found him drunk last night, it was hard to watch."

"Are you sure?"

Katniss nodded," Yes," she looked up her hair falling behind her," Why?"

"Because the only day of the year I've ever seen him drink is on Brenton's birthday."

"You know him well don't you?"

Finnick nodded," He's my best friend. He saved me, he gave me a purpose."

"I'm sorry to hear about your daughter."

"Thank you," Finnick gave out a strangled laugh," it's so funny to hear I have a daughter."

"You didn't know about her."

"No."

"You mentioned her mother, Annie. And that you lost her."

"I met Annie when we were seven; she caught me stealing from her father's shop. There was this silver spear and I would walk into town to just stare at it for hours, until one day I couldn't take it anymore and I reached up and took it from its hook on the wall. I didn't know she had been watching me the whole time, when I noticed her I dropped the spear on the ground and ran out.

After that I never went back, I think I was ashamed of what I was trying to do, but the way she watched me scared me, it wasn't through a little girls eyes but someone much older. When we were twelve she would follow me everywhere, at first it irritated me, she was so shy and pure, and I was something of a flirt with the other girls in the district, but when we were fourteen she kissed me one time when we were swimming, I was shocked I almost forgot to stop swimming," Finnick laughed shaking his head before he sighed and went on," I think I fell for her in that moment but about a month later I was reaped and sent to the farm.

I assumed with how skilled I was with the trident my father had left me after he dies, I would be sent to the arena, but I blessed with good looks and the ones making the decisions thought I would better serve the Capitol as a courtesan, a prostitute. I served my years, and while I was used by Capitol citizens I picked up a few secrets, things Snow wouldn't want others to know, but I kept my mouth shut and went back home to the woman I loved.

We got married, but somehow I called back, we weren't married more than three months before I was taken back to the Capitol by a pair of Keepers, I never knew she was pregnant."

Katniss let Finnick's story soak in," How did you meet, Peeta?"

"He and a group of resistance fighters had crashed a huge party the council members were throwing. They had gotten some bad intel about a location, and it wasn't long before the entire place was in chaos. Peeta was clearing the room when a Keeper had come up behind him and I threw a paring knife which lodged into the Keepers throat. After that Peeta allowed me to help out when I could but I left for a bit to find Annie. Peeta was with me when we found the graves."

"So you saved each other's lives?"

Finnick nodded," I guess so," Finnick sighed," I know he can be stubborn, but I also know he needs you more than ever, and you need him."

Katniss leaned her head back sighing;" I think I'm more afraid of him loving me back than I am of him rejecting me."

Finnick nodded as he snaked his arm around her shoulder allowing her to lean against his side. Katniss closed her eyes, terrified of becoming closer to Peeta and having him realize he never needed her at all.

007D.

Daria

The room is smoky and crowded, causing me to find a far wall where I can hang back and hopefully fly under the radar. Glasses clink from around the room as laughter drowns out any semblance of silence. I try to hide my disgust, as many of the party patrons ingest a medicinal concoction which makes you regurgitate any remnants of food, so the drinker may be able to consume more than their body would allow.

My own stomach has turned and groaned this evening as I passed the long tables of food, but as normal I refuse to make myself comfortable to pretend peddling flesh is an acceptable pastime. The fact that I am of the few courtesans who feels this way is not lost on me as my fellow sisters join in the celebrations and joy.

I arch my back slightly, the ache in my shoulders is starting to weigh me down, and I reach to my chest adjusting the sides of the deep scarlet dress Cinna made for me, I can feel it sliding down, revealing more of my cleavage. I glance over to a mirror against the wall, and I stare at myself closely.

My eyes are shadowed by smoky coloring, causing my green eyes to shine more than usual, and my lips are dark red, only intensified by the golden hue of my skin.

My dark hair is brought back tight, twisted in a bun midway but allowing my hair to spill out down my back, as curls of brown brush against the skin of my bare back. I sigh as I try to kick the long train of my dress from under my feet, I had questioned the extravagance of my look to Cinna, but he assured me the event was special, something about yet another council member celebrating a birthday.

I scoffed and retorted with something snide which earned and small laugh and smile from Cinna as he pinned the dress around my body.

I was shocked by his reaction, although he seemed to not be effected by my indignance. When I questioned him about his reaction he merely shook his head and replied something about seeing through the cracks of the wall.

I scrunched my face confused which only caused him to laugh a little more. I sighed when thinking of how I felt useless standing in a room full of people who had more than they could handle when I instead could be back at the compound taking care of the younger girls.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling when I remember the twelve year old with dark curly hair who every night will crawl up on my bunk and have me tell her stories about the ocean. I would tell her the yarns the way my mother had for me, about princesses who lived in the sea and fell for their handsome hero from afar. Her eyes would light up as she listened intently, before snuggling into my side to fall asleep.

I wanted to keep things such as love and hope alive for the younger girls even if I had abandoned them long ago. I sigh, hoping no one in the room has noticed my absence as I mutter to myself slightly.

"Maybe being in love isn't what I'm meant for?"

"You don't really believe such a thing do you?"

I spin around to my side quickly frightened someone from the Capitol has notice my behavior, fearing some sort of punishment, I face the origin of the voice, I try to keep the anxiety from my face but I'm afraid I've failed miserably. I have to gasp when his bright blue eyes connect with my green ones, as his are creased from a deep grin. I can feel the panic raise in my body as I grasp his arm firmly.

"What are you doing here? You can't be here? How did you get out of the camp?"

He tilted his head as a part of his bangs fell into his eyes," You're asking the wrong questions."

I shake my head clearly confused," What are talking about?"

"Would it be realistic for me to show up here?"

I open my mouth to speak but close it instead. I feel dizzy and confused as I search my mind for answers, he hasn't stopped watching me. I'm beginning to panic for his safety when suddenly it all becomes clear.

I turn to him," You're in my head?"

"Yes," he placed his hands on his chest," well I am but the real Brenton Mellark is back at the camp."

I turn from him nodding as tears start to fill my eyes," So, I'm finally going crazy?"

My head is down when suddenly I feel a warm hand on my cheek turning my head towards him," No, not at all. This is just like when you go to a certain place in your head when you have to perform."

"So, of all the things to hallucinate about I pick Brenton Mellark?"

He smiles as he continues to stroke my cheek," Is it so hard to believe you would want to see me…him?"

"I-"

"He means something to you. Makes you feel safe, which is why of all the memories and faces you could have picked, he was the one you chose."

"How are you so sure?"

"I'm in your head remember? It's all coming from you."

I nod," So I'm not really talking to you right now am I?"

He shook his head, causing the rest of the dark hair to fall around his face," No, you're not. You're watching the crowd right now waiting for when you have to go upstairs with council man Crane. He almost beat you to death about two years ago. He was aroused by the pain he inflicted upon you. You kept crying out for your mother when the pain set into delirium," I can feel the tears stinging my warm skin, "You were in medical for about a week, and you've been standing here for the past hour dreading having to endure his body on top of yours."

"So, I thought of Brenton?"

"Yes."

The tears have started to fall free as his blue eyes search mine," You won't leave me will you?"

"Never. I'm always here."

I start to speak when I feel a grip on my right hand, my head turns forward quickly and I'm looking at council man Crane. I look over to my side but my image of Brenton is gone, I reach up to my face but it's dry without a tear. Crane leads me through the crowd of drunken socialites, as most have already passed out and in the process of their own crude acts of intimacy.

He drags me through the thick of it and I try not to trip on the long train of my dress. We reach the long winding stair case of the suit which leads up to the bed room and my stomach drops. I feel close to becoming sick, and I debate if I should try to fight back much like Brenton suggested I should but I decide against it.

The bed room is open to the stairs without a door and even though I've had to engage with other Capitol citizens in the open of a crowded room, I can feel the blush rising up my body. We reach the top of the landing and he pushes me up the last few steps but my body doesn't stop falling forward until I reach the bed. My hands fall flat onto the silk comforter, as my back hunches over.

The thick of my dark hair falls onto my chest as my breathing threatens to split the threads holding my breasts in. I breathe in deeply willing myself to calm down, but the impending pain is on the forefront of my mind. I can hear him walk into the connecting bathroom, most likely to change out of his clothes.

I stand up slowly my legs shake as I sit down on the side of the bed slowly. I reach to the side of my dress pulling the zipper down, allowing the top half of the dress to loosen its pressure against my skin. I almost want to burst into tears as the air hits my bear skin.

I lift my bottom up to slip the rest of the scarlet dress from body; my toes linger in the fabric before slip it off fully holding the top of it by my finger tips. I lay it down beside the bed slowly careful not to snag the fabric on anything. I return my arm to my side as I sit on the bed in only my lace under clothing.

The underwire of the strapless bra is digging into my skin and I use the inside of my biceps to move it around a bit. I can hear him moving around in the next room and I pray to the spirits to have me pass out before the brunt of the pain sets in. I glance to my side and I almost shriek when I see him sitting next to me. He seems amused by my reaction and I instinctively cover my body with my arms and pull my knees to my chest.

My voice is small and ashamed by how it begins to break," I thought you had gone."

"I told you I wouldn't."

"I don't want to be with him."

"You don't have to."

I turn on him furious," Yes, I do!"

Brenton nods," Yes, physically but not mentally or emotionally," he reaches up placing his hand against my ear and I can't help but lean into his touch," You can imagine it's me with you."

I close my eyes," I've imagined being with you…him more than once."

He begins to talk when I can hear the door open; it feels as though it so far away like part of a dream or after thought. I begin to panic and I feel my heart beating faster.

"He's coming!"

Brenton stands from the bed to kneel in front of me, his hands gently holding onto my biceps, his voice is calm and kind," So me how you imagined it."

"What?"

"Show me. Make you and me the reality, everything else will just be a dream far off. The mind is very powerful, and I know you're strong enough to do so."

I nod as I pull my legs from my body," Ok, come here."

He stands up midway lowering his face to mine, my breathe is caught in my throat as he becomes closer and his lips are inches from mine.

"I've never been kissed before."

He smiles against my lips," I know."

My muscles freeze when his lips crush against mine, and I can feel tears fall into the edges of lips which aren't touching. I'm lost in him and the pressure of his lips as he pushes his tongue against my lips asking for entry. I comply and moan as the heat of his mouth meets mine.

I can feel his hands moving from my arms to my back as he strokes my spine with his fingers and I shiver underneath the soft calluses of his fingers, just how they felt from when we were sparing. He traces the curve of my spine as he finds the dainty lace of my bra, unhooking the garment easily.

The piece of clothing falls between up and I sigh at the cool hair hitting chest, my skin is warm and I'm buzzing all over. His hands are flat against my back, and I move my own hands to his chest where I find his heart beating fast. I smile into his mouth, as he kisses me back.

"I can feel your heart beat."

He stops kissing me to rest his forehead against mine," You excite me. You make me happy."

I shut my eyes tight;" I wish it was true."

He pulls back slightly, to look at me; he places his hand on my chin pulling my face up to his, as I open my eyes to look into his.

"How can it not be?"

"Because you're not really him. This is all in my head. The real Brenton could never feel those things about me."

"Do you remember when Thread was about shoot you and how I was beside you and I only agreed to compete when you were in danger?"

"Yes."

"I didn't want you to get hurt," he places both of his hands on my face," I… he cares about you. How can he not?"

The tears begin to rush down my face washing over his own hands," I think… I think I lo-"

He leans forward pressing his mouth to mine, it's deep and unrelenting, and I make myself drown in it. He pulls back from me slightly, but his lips are still up against mine.

"Make love to me, Daria."

I open my eyes, to search his as I nod slowly. He closes the gap between our lips as I toss the bra in my lap to the ground. I grab hold of his dark t-shirt, balling the material in my hands. I lean back pulling him down with me; he glides over my half naked body as we scoot further onto the bed angling our bodies to rest straight.

He lets go of my face to reach behind me to collect my hair fanning it above my head, as I settle into the pillows. His clothed chest presses into my bare one, I can feel his heart beat slamming into mine. I let go of his shirt as I continue to kiss him, my hands travel down to the hem of his shirt pulling it over his head, our lips part for a few seconds before he finds mine again.

I toss the shirt to the side, my hands travel down to the fasten on his pants unbuttoning it slowly. His warm mouth moves down to my jawbone to proceed down to my neck, sucking at the skin there lightly, as I push his pants down as far as my reach will allow.

He lets go off me to push his pants down enough so that he can use his feet to do the rest until the article of clothing is off entirely. He's not wearing any under clothing and I can feel his erection push against the thin lace of my panties.

He stops kissing me to look into my face as he studies me, his strong hands travel down the skin between up to stop at my hips, his fingers hook into the fabric there as he pushes them past my core and down past our adjoin skin where out thighs meet.

Now there's nothing between us and I can feel him breathe in deeply as I thrust my own hips up as he watches me. I move my hands up to his shoulders as he enters me, and I can't stop the guttural moan which escapes my throat. All of me is warm and I feel dizzy and almost giddy as he moves inside of me. I part my lips as the moans escape even more, as sweat has begun to bead on my chest and face. He thrusts into me gently but with pressure and I'm lost in the feel of him as I ride the wave of passion. He continues to push, our skin causing friction, as he kisses me gently on the nose to rest his forehead against mine. I look into his blue eyes, and I can't help but smile.

My voice is raw and hoarse;" I think I love you, Brenton."

He smiles back at me, and I continue to imagine it's the man I care for making love to me instead of the vicious creature who in reality is raping a vulnerable girl.

007E.

She stood in the brightly lit hallway staring at the door to his quarters the same action she had been doing for the past few minutes. She had lifted her arm to knock on his door at least half a dozen times, but each time when she was about ready to actually meet her hand to the metal, she would decide against it and return her hand to her side. Katniss ran her hands through her hair frustrated as she soon left her strands and flexed her fingers in front of her letting out a low sound of disgust.

"Uhh."

She knew she was psyching herself out; she was behaving like a moronic teenager when she was in fact a grown woman. She turned to the side to leave but then as she had for the past few minutes turned back to the door. She sighed as she lifted her hand to knock once again. She nearly jumped out of her skin when the door flew open. Katniss' mouth opened as she searched for something to say as Peeta's blue eyes watched her intently.

He leaned against the door frame, his bandaged hand hanging into the hallway, as the other was hooked into the loops of his jeans by the thumb. Katniss' eyes fell on the bare skin of his chest and she was happily surprised of how fit he was after all these years. The scar from before she marred his chest, the skin there still a beautiful pale ivory as it always was, but she could see the remnants of a tan. She looked back up to his face where he was now grinning; she assumed he had caught her examining his chest. Katniss cleared her throat trying to relieve some of the tension.

"Were you going somewhere? If you were I can go."

Peeta rose his wounded hand up," No. I just noticed the shadow of someone standing outside my door for the past ten minutes and thought I would check it out."

Katniss shut her eyes tight, embarrassed," You saw me?"

Peeta nodded as he laughed a wide smile on his face," Yes, I did!"

Katniss extended her hand pushing against his chest lightly," Stop it! It's not funny!"

Peeta laughed even harder," Oh, yes it is!," he tried to slow his breathing as his chest shook with laughter," I love seeing you nervous, you're cheeks get all red and your voice goes up a decimal."

She shook her head joining him in his laughter, as she glanced to his bandaged hand. She noticed the white bandage was now dark with dried blood and she reached out to his hand, grasping his fingers lightly as she turned the hand over to have the palm facing towards her.

He watched her as she unwrapped the bandage from his hand careful not to catch the material in the still threaded sutures. Katniss finally was able to uncover the wound to examine the damage. A few stitches had broken as she suspected, and she feared it wouldn't heal properly if she didn't correct matters. She tilted her head studying the injury.

"You popped more than one stitch."

"Yh, that's what happens when you slam your injured hand against a glass top."

Katniss nodded," It would appear so."

Peeta curled his fingers onto hers, holding her hand as well as he could," Do you mind fixing it up for me?"

Katniss ducked her head slightly before squeezing his fingers back gently," No, not at all."

Peeta broke out into another grin," Good because I already set everything out, while I waited for to come back."

Katniss' head sprung up looking him in the eye," You knew I would come back?"

"Of course, we always manage to find our way back to each other one way or another."

Katniss searches his eyes for a few seconds before he pulls his arm back wrapping his fingers tighter around hers.

"Let's go restitch my hand before start to bleed again."

Katniss nodded as small smile came over her lips," Ok."

Peeta led her into the room as she followed him keeping his hand elevated as he shut the door behind them. The metal of the door shutting echoed through the room, as she pulled him towards his bed to sit down. She looked over to a small table where he had set everything out for her to work with just as he had said.

Peeta sat down as Katniss let go off his hand tossing the dirty bandage she still held in her hand over to the side. She reached for the silver scissors, handling them firmly as she cut the remaining thread free from his skin. Peeta hissed as Katniss pulled the thread free.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it.," he tilted his head to the side a glint in his eyes," I like it when you're rough with me."

Katniss laughed as she pulled the last remaining threads free," Nice."

Peeta watched as she wove the new stitches through his hand, she tried not to wince when the needle pierced his skin.

"This was so much easier when I was drunk."

Katniss shook her head as she continued her work. Peeta couldn't help but watch her as she worked; she would occasionally bite the outside of her lip, a concentrated look on her face. When she finished stitching his hand back up and the clean bandage was in place, she let go of his hand and Peeta already could feel her pull away.

He needed for her to be close again and he knew it was up to him to make something happen. When she began to turn away he reached out with his well hand grabbing the material of her shirt pulling her forward until his fingers could spread over her hips. She looked surprised for a minute, as he began to speak.

"I…I still love you, Katniss. I never stopped," Katniss opened her mouth to speak but he continued before she could," and the photographs…I wasn't trying to be selfish I just couldn't let go. And every second I don't have you next to me has been tearing me up. I am in love with you, and I didn't tell you this to pressure you into anything, but I just needed you to know."

Peeta lowered his head; slowly he could feel her warm hand make contact with his skin. He looked up as her face was inches from his. Peeta began to question her as her lips connected with his. The kiss was gentle and cautious at first until Katniss pushed forward, the pressure intensifying.

Peeta was lost in her as she parted her lips pushing her tongue against his lips demanding entry. Peeta obliged as his tongue met hers in a fury of heat and years of unrequited sexual tension. Katniss' other hand found the other side of his face, as his fingers gripped onto her side tightly, he laid his wounded hand against her side as their lips and tongues fought for dominance. The room was beginning to become warm, and Katniss was finally feeling alive for the first time a very long time.

007F.

Brenton

The wall of the training center is hard as I continuously knock my head against it. Everything feel so utterly control and I figured having my brain register some subtle pain may help me think more clearly. When I returned from seeing Cinna, who had measured every inch of my body, Haymitch was waiting as he drank from his silver bottle. He was sitting on a metal bench and his head was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. I was half attempted to blow him off and make my way back to my cell when he looked over at me.

"Took you long enough."

I pulled at the collar of my black t-shirt," Yh, well the man is committed to his work."

Haymitch brushed the front of his pants off as he stood," Sounds like fun," he sighs as he turns to me," You're to compete tomorrow."

My shock is clear," What? I…I just started training. Every new competitor gets at least a week to train."

"You're not just any competitor, kid."

He walked past me patting my shoulder, as he glanced at me, his eyes were fallen and I could sense his own dread. I had trained off and on for about two hours before I decided to lean against the wall and pout. I traced the tip of the blade I held against the matted floor of the training area.

My mind kept going to many things, I would think of Daria and the way I had wanted to kiss her before she turned me down, but mostly I thought of my mother and the things she had taught me and it had become clear she had been preparing me for this moment, the one where I would be expected to fight for my life.

However the memory I kept flashing back to was the one where I found out a truth which would change the course of my life and the reason why I was here in this particular situation.

I had been thirteen and my mother and I were living outside of district 7, the forests were thick and they reminded my mother of her childhood. I had been searching for a particular knife I liked to use when I went hunting, and I assumed she had hid it, since the last time she caught me using it as I practice my knife throwing.

I started to rifle through her things when I found a canvas bag filled with sketches, books, and photographs. I admired the clean lines of the drawings and the words in the books were some my mother had made me memorize. But it wasn't until I started looking through the photographs that I was truly curious. Some were of my mother lying next to a garden, her stomach swelled I assumed it when she was pregnant with me.

But the one's which caught my attention the most were the one's of a blonde man with blue eyes. It took me a few minutes studying his face before I recognized who he was, it taken me a bit to place him but his face was unmistakable. I clutched the photo in my hand and ran to the front room where I knew my mother would be, creating more arrows.

True enough she was rocking in her chair humming to herself, she looked up smiling at me, but her face changed when she saw how serious I appeared.

She stood up placing the feathers in the chair as she walked over to me, tilting her head in curiosity.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing I was curious why my mother would have a photograph of a known murder and thief?"

She shook her head," What?"

I held the picture out for her to see," Why do you have a picture of Peeta Mellark? I recognized his face from some of the posters through the districts"

"Brenton-"

"Why mom?"

"It's very difficult to understand-"

"Is he why we've never lived anywhere longer than six months, or why I don't go to school like normal kids? Why I can't have any friends? Why I spend my time combative training, or why we run escape drills? What's your connection to him?"

She held out her hand," It's not about my connection, not entirely."

I searched the space around us," Me? Is he my father?"

She closed her eyes," Yes."

I shook my head violently," No! No! My father was a war hero, he died as a hero!"

"Gale did die, and he was a good man who loved you as his own but he wasn't your real father."

"How could you lie to me?"

"I didn't want you to get hurt."

I looked up at her angrily," I already am, mother."

She had walked into the other room, we didn't speak to each other for three days. I had been angry with her, but I think even then I could understand why she had seen the need to lie to me. Since then I had been determined to find out as much as I could about the man who was my father, I would leave the house in search for any information I had heard about him. It just so happened I had a way with people, to make them trust me so I could manipulate information from them. The latest information I had heard was something about him having family who had once lived in district twelve, although all I found was a burnt down building. The district was more than not barren, and I didn't see a Keeper presence until I was ambushed a few yards outside what I assumed was the square.

I knocked my head against the wall once more as the knife fell to the floor my grip lose. I knew what was in store for me the next day and I needed to be prepared for anything.

A/N: The Arena is coming up! Review!

-Stace