Thank you for your support with this. It has been a while since I updated but I am back now. I plan on updating the rest of the chapters that need it before continuing on with the story. I am going to switch a few things around, make it a little more unique. Hopefully you all won't hate me for these changes. Please continue to review and let me know what you think.

Chapter 4:

The 72nd Annual Hunger Games

Part 2

Day 4

"Katniss!"

Prim's scream shook me to the core, rousing me from my deep sleep within seconds. I sit up, whipping around to shake her shoulders. "Prim. Prim. It's a dream. Prim!" My pleas awaken her, tears streaking her cheeks as I pull her to me. She sobs into my nightgown, muffled screams escaping her every few minutes. I whisper to her, trying to comfort her to the best of my ability, "It's ok, Prim. It was just a dream. Dreams can't hurt us Prim. It's ok, Prim."

Like a broken record, I repeat the same mantra, trying my best to reassure my little sister. Unlike Katniss, who can soothe Prim with just a few words, I am hopeless at it. Comforting my sister from nightmares, is not a strength I possess. I am horrible with words, much like my older sister, except Katniss can force the words out when it matters most. My case is completely different, constantly fumbling over them and making a fool of myself without even trying. Just like I must be doing right now.

"Nightlock…"

I pull back from Primrose's tight embrace, looking down into her red rimmed eyes and watery smile. "Yes, Prim?" I try to keep my voice quiet, not wishing to awaken Mother. The last thing I wish to deal with is her attitude towards me. She has been vigilantly watching the games from dawn to dusk, sleep depriving herself without a care towards Prim. My loathing of her lack of care towards Prim has caused our already rocky relationship to become strained. She has done nothing to help us cook, clean, or put food on the table. I have been spending my nights hunting with Gale, the only time both of us could get away. To say that I am furious with her, is sugar coating it.

"Do you think Katniss is ok?"

Her question catches me by surprise. "What do you mean Prim? Was that what your dream was about? Did Katniss get hurt in it?" She nods her head in answer to my question, making me chew my lip in worry. How did Prim find out about the rockslide? I made sure she was distracted at the time when it came on screen. It would have destroyed her to watch Katniss be buried alive beneath all those rocks. I lick my lips before whispering, "What was the dream about, Prim?"

Prim whimpers, hiding her head in my nightgown. I smooth down her hair, waiting patiently for her answer. "She was running from people, trying to get away. Then there was a loud noise. She was buried Lock! She was buried beneath all those rocks…" She mumbles, refusing to look at me.

I hug her tightly, biting my lip to keep my gasp from being heard. Oh god, she saw it. She saw what happened to Katniss on the screen. Everything I did to try to protect her had failed. I failed to protect her. Oh Katniss, I'm sorry. I failed you. I force my voice to remain steady as I reply, "It's just a dream, Prim." I rest my chin on her head, whispering the last bit. "Kit-Kat is a fighter. She is fine. No rocks can keep our Katniss down."

Day 7

I glare at Gale, knowing he is just being a jerk at this point. "They meant nothing by it. Just ignore Caesar. It is a risk that every tribute takes in the games." I state, lying without blinking an eye. If it will shut Gale up about the assault we saw on the screen earlier that day, I will be happy.

"Goldilocks, I am telling you. They have it in for her." He looks frustrated, as if trying to find the right words to express his feelings. "After the careers finding her by the cliffs, chasing her down like prey. Then the rockslide, nearly burying her alive. How can you defend them!" Gale yells and throws down the knife he had been twirling in his hands, nearly missing my foot in the process.

"I'm not defending them!" I call out while standing, accidently dropping the rabbit I had been skinning on the blood matted fur pile below it. "If you happen to forget, Katniss can take care of herself. She shot the Trackerjack nest through the hole in the rocks, killing the District 1 girl Flicker and District 2 boy Cole. Then she managed to survive the hallucinations from the stray Trackerjackers, while scaling a tree through the tiny rear entrance of the cave she was trapped in." I reply before reaching down to grab the rabbit I had dropped, not wanting to let the meat go to waste.

Gale grabs my arm, preventing me from reaching the rabbit. He grips my arm tightly, holding it above my head and forcing me to look at him. "Don't forget, Nightlock. She had help both times. If it weren't for that District 11 girl Rue, she would never have seen the Trackerjacker nest above the sleeping careers or know about the rear exit of the cave." He explains calmly before releasing my arm. He leans against a tree, studying me and waiting to see my reaction.

I rub my arm, grabbing the bow and arrows lying next to the half-skinned rabbit. I notch the arrow and pull back the string before he can stop me. I train it on his heart, glaring at him viciously before threatening, "Don't forget Gale, I am Katniss's sister. If you ever manhandle me like that again, I will kill you." How dare he touch me! I will not let him use me to take his frustration out on.

My reaction seems to surprise him, as if he didn't suspect that I would fight back. "Now, Goldilocks. Put that down." He asks and gives me a friendly smile, trying his best to look harmless. He puts his arms up in the air, showing he had no weapons on him. "Remember we are friends. Katniss did make me promise to teach you how to hunt."

I frown, knowing he is correct on this assumption. Still, I have no desire to drop my weapon. With one last glare in his direction, I change my aim and let the arrow loose. A loud "thwack!" reaches my ears as it buries itself in the bark of the tree to his left. A warning shot should do it. Nodding in satisfaction, I put down my bow, ignoring Gale's look of disbelief. I sit back on the log, grabbing the half skinned rabbit and continue my task from before.

"You missed me, Lock!" I ignore him as he continues, angry at myself for my immature behavior. "If I didn't know better, I would say you did that on purpose." Out of the corner of my eye, I see him return the arrow to the container to my right. I am thankful he had the decency to return it. "I'm impressed, Goldilocks. Your aim has improved."

I smirk, still refusing to look up at him as I whisper, "Who says I missed?"

Day 11

The news is all over the Hob. I have just come back from the bakery from selling Mr. Mellark two squirrels for a loaf of their cheapest bread. I believe he got the better end of the deal, but who am I to judge. I take what I can get to feed us. I did promise Katniss I wouldn't let the family starve. I believe I have succeeded without too much difficulty. With help from Gale, of course.

Capitol reporters are lurking around the area, looking for anyone to interview about Katniss Everdeen. Katniss has reached the final eight, along with the girl from District 11 and the remaining two careers from District 1 and 2. Thankfully, I have kept them away from Primrose for the most part. They caught us by surprise on the first day, getting a few words out of Prim. I told them we had to get back to work, closing the door in their face. I suspect they knew I was lying.

If anyone liked me before the reaping, they definitely didn't like me now. I am developing quite a bad image with the press, snapping at them anytime they come near me or Prim. I am very defensive of my family, especially from any people from the capitol. I don't like that they want the dirt on Katniss. I know it would be better for Katniss if we cooperate but I can't stand the reporters. Every time I see one, I have to resist the urge to hit them or threaten them with bodily harm. They seem like such weak creatures.

On the other hand, Gale is eating the attention up. Not! I think he is more annoyed then me about the reporters questioning him. The running joke among District 12 is that Gale is our cousin. I know Katniss and Gale look alike with their Seam looks, but come on. All you have to do is watch Gale watching the screen and know he has feelings beyond brotherly affection for Katniss. I have noticed this when out hunting with him. I catch him a few times referring to me as Katniss, but I am kind enough not to correct him.

As I dart over to the door hoping to make a quick exit, I catch sight of Gale cornered by reporters. I sigh, noticing him looking around frantically for someone to pin the pests on. I glare at him, daring him to even try to pin them on me. He knows how I feel about the capitol buzzards. He gives me an apologizing smile, though I can tell he doesn't feel sorry at all for what he is about to do.

"If you have any more questions, feel free to ask Katniss's sister, Nightlock Everdeen." He states and points in my general direction, much to my dismay.

That jerk! I am so getting him for this next time we go hunting. I try to hide in the shadows, hoping they won't notice me. I am sadly mistaken. Within minutes, I am surrounded by a rainbow sea of capitol reporters, all shouting out questions to me. I clench my fists, resisting the urge to scream at them. For the first time since they came here, I decide to play nice. Wonder how long that is going to last?

"Nightlock! Nightlock! How do you feel about your sister making the final eight?" A woman with a green mop for hair and whiskers looks at me inquisitively.

"I'm ecstatic that Katniss is doing so well. I know everyone in 12 is cheering for her to win." I state and plaster a happy smile on my face, despite wanting to punch the whiskered woman.

"Nightlock, how do you feel about your sister's alliance with the District 11 tribute Rue?" This time a man with flaming orange hair with red freckles speaks, holding a microphone to my face. He hits my nose in his earnestness.

I resist the urge to rub my nose as I reply, "I think it greatly benefits both parties. Rue has been a great asset to Katniss and it saddens me that only one of them can win." Hopefully, that will satisfy their questions for a while.

"Nightlock, is it true that you were going to volunteer to take Katniss's place in the games?" It's the whiskered woman again who speaks.

Why did they have to ask that question? I force my lips to maintain the smile while I answer her, "Yes. Katniss and I made a pact to volunteer for each other if we were chosen." I lick my lips, choosing my next words carefully. "I was going to volunteer as she was walking up but Katniss told me not to." I didn't say how I knew this.

"Oh how brave! You two must be so close!" It's a woman with brighter pink hair then the reaping woman who states this. She looks ready to burst with joy, for a reason I can't even begin to comprehend.

Dear god, were all capitol residents this weird or just stupid? I nod, not wishing to add to this statement. Let them believe what they wish. If this helps Katniss gain more sponsors in order to survive the games, I will let them spin whatever tales they wish.

"Ms. Everdeen, Katniss has killed three people already in these Hunger Games. The girl from District 1 Flicker, the boy from District 2 Cole, and the boy from District 7. She killed the first two with the Trackerjacker nest and the other when destroying the remaining careers food stockpile with one of her arrows and some mines. How do you feel about this?" A blue haired man waits patiently for me to answer, gold swirls lining every part of his face.

I contain my horrified expression at his question. How can someone ask such a question? I might not be happy that these games are forcing Katniss to kill others but she has a good reason for it. It is either kill or be killed. Katniss knows her survival is paramount if she wants to return home to us. I swallow, making sure to speak slowly so my words aren't misinterpreted. "It is the Hunger Games. Many believe that it is either to kill or be killed. All I can ask of Katniss is to survive. Survive and come home to us."

I smile sadly, not caring if they have any more questions. I push through the crowd of reporters, exiting the Hob before they can stop me. Damn you Gale.

Day 12

My interview is being plastered all over the screen during the downtime of the Games. Apparently, I made Katniss and myself very popular with my brief words. I could care less what those idiotic capitol reporters think of me. As long as it helps Katniss in some way, I would do it again. Well, maybe not. If Gale hadn't pawned them off on me, I probably wouldn't have ever talked to the sea of capitol idiots.

On the screen at the moment was Katniss, cutting flowers from wherever she found them. She was cutting them for Rue. The district 11 tribute had been captured by the remaining careers and shot through the stomach with a javelin, I believe, while Katniss was off hunting. Katniss had held her as she died, singing to Rue in her final moments.

I cried when I realized what song she was singing. I had heard it many times in my childhood. Father would sing it to us before we went to sleep. I remember Mother mentioning it during one of her more lucid and welcoming stages towards me. She talked about how the Mockingjays would quiet whenever Father would sing, listening in to his voice as if to catch the melody perfectly. Katniss has the same effect on them when she sings, whether she realizes it or not. I have never tried, thinking it is something sacred to be shared between Father and Katniss.

She finishes placing the flowers around Rue, giving me enough time to compose myself. Prim and Mother were at the square at the moment watching. They had gone out to sell some of Prim's goat Lady's cheese for food or money. I remember when Katniss brought the goat home for Prim. It was for her tenth birthday that Katniss had carried home a half-dead goat with an infected wound for Prim. I knew she had gotten the better end of the trade if the goat survived. Prim had hugged her and named the goat Lady. With Mother's helping hand, Lady made a full recovery and is now one of Primrose's most prized possessions along with Buttercup.

Speaking of Buttercup, I hear a hiss near the door. Mangy cat. Probably saw Katniss on the screen and decided to let me know his opinion about her. I roll my eyes, knowing it was hopeless to get Buttercup to like Kit-Kat. The hatred between them was mutual. I look in the direction of the door, noticing two cat eyes studying me warily. "Prim isn't here, you silly cat. " He meows cutely at hearing Prim's name, making me laugh. "You mangy cat. No wonder Katniss always threatens to cook you." I receive a hiss and tail flick in response.

I glance back at the screen, noticing Katniss has walked away from Rue. She turns, looking up at the camera focusing in on her. I am unsure whether she knows it is there or not. She holds three fingers up, giving the District 12 sign for Goodbye. It is the goodbye we use for loved ones. I last saw it done on the day of my father's death. I gasp, not believing that Katniss could be so stupid. Does she realize what she has done?

Day 15

There are only two tributes left.

Katniss is standing at the edge of the highest cliff, the boy from District 1 glowering at her. His face is dirty, covered in mud and blood from a blow to the head. Katniss is favoring her uninjured leg, hobbling to keep balance after her nasty fall from the day before.

I clutch Prim's hand, whose eyes seem glued to the screen. I gasp, realizing this is it. Only one of them can win. It is up to Katniss now.

"Any last words District 12?" His tone is cocky, despite the pain we can hear in his voice. I realize he must be in a great deal of pain from the wound the other career had given him before he killed her. I don't feel sorry for him at all.

Katniss doesn't reply, instead seeming to take in all the scenery around her. What is she doing? Doesn't she see that this is the end. She has to focus!

He grips the knife in his hand, smirking. "Goodbye District 12!" He runs at her, clutching the knife tightly in his right hand. He goes to swipe at her throat, a crazy glint in his eyes.

Katniss ducks, almost losing her balance in the process. She steps away from the edge, trying to maneuver herself away from the blade. The boy has gotten cocky and rushes her, tripping over a rock and falling on top of her. They struggle, the boy trying to cut her while Katniss tries to get the blade away from him.

My heart is in my throat, my body frozen in fear as I yell, "Come on Katniss. You can do this!" It feels like years have passed as I watch them struggle. There is a cry of pain and then silence. The boom of a cannon cuts through the silence. Oh god. Is Katniss alive?

I watch Katniss push the boy's body off of her, rolling the body over for all to see. The knife had pierced straight through his heart. She sits up breathing hard, staring blankly into the distance. The announcer's voice can be heard in the background. "I give you Katniss Everdeen! Victor of the 72nd Annual Hunger Games!"

"She did it!" Prim's shout makes me smile. Yes, Katniss did do it but at what cost?

Updated 6/14/15