I felt bad about the shortness of the last chapter and decided to update twice in one day. A little treat for all my loyal readers. Enjoy!

Chapter 6:

The Visit

Two weeks have passed since Katniss returned home to us. We had spent that time moving into the Victors Village, located across the district and closer to the Merchants quarters. There was very little that our family needed from our old home in the Seam, a few keepsakes that some of us couldn't part with. Buttercup and Lady were two of them. I know Kit-Kat would have preferred to leave the mangy cat but it would have broken Prim's heart. Katniss never could stand to disappoint Prim. Neither could I.

Prim was beyond excited to have Katniss home. She spoke constantly of the happenings of the Seam and school. Her cheerful nature slowly dragged Katniss out of her sadness, returning her to the sister we all know and love. Prim did everything she could think of to get Katniss's mind off of the Games. She even bravely tried to get Buttercup to allow Katniss to pet him. This didn't quite work, only resulting in scratches on both parties and fur lying everywhere in the living area.

Her enthusiasm towards Katniss was infectious, bringing Mother out of her state quicker than expected. I was in awe at Mother's ability to adapt to any situation, already setting herself up as the homemaker of Katniss's cottage. She tried to cook in the kitchen and tidy the place up, utterly failing at both tasks. I banned her from the kitchen after nearly suffocating us with smoke. Prim tried her best to distract Mother with learning new herbs and healing balms instead of allowing her free reign within the home.

Katniss spent her days strolling throughout District 12, avoiding contact with almost everyone except us and Gale. I had yet to see her go beyond the fence to hunt, which worried me. My sister was drifting apart from us despite Prim's and my best efforts. It seemed like a lost cause to force her to be something she wasn't. Katniss had changed with the Games, becoming someone I scarcely recognized anymore. I feared the day at the train station was a fluke and the girl, no woman, I see now was taking my sister's place.

It was early afternoon when I came home to peacekeepers surrounding the cottage. I didn't recognize any of them as I passed through the entrance to the Victors Village. I was scrutinized, studied, and even winked at as I made my way to Katniss's cottage. Why were they all here? The first peacekeeper I knew met me at the door of the cottage. It was the peacekeeper from the reaping, the same one who glared at me for daring to interrupt his all-important marching of the tribute to the stage. I stifle my urge to laugh in his face as he gives me the same glare.

Bravely, I decide to test my luck and see if I can get a little information out of him. It was only a plus that I got to rile him up in the process. I stop in front of the door, staring up into the peacekeeper's stern face. "We must stop meeting like this." I smile cheekily at him, waiting for his reaction to my words. Prim would scold me right now about my manners.

If it was possible, his glare towards me became fiercer. "Watch your tongue, girlie." His rough tone makes it hard for me to not to laugh. If he was trying to sound menacing, he failed.

I take a second to study his appearance, trying to understand his character a bit better. He wasn't unfortunate looking, just the opposite. Green eyes peered down at me from a finely chiseled face with a strong chin. His brown hair fell over his eyes, causing the area to be shadowed. It gave him a threatening look as he glared viciously at me. It was hard to take him seriously I found. For what reason, I can't even comprehend.

"Don't call me Girlie!" I return his glare, not liking his tone with me. It wasn't my smartest idea to pick a fight with a peacekeeper but this one was different. He just rubbed me the wrong way. "Now will you please get out of my way."

He smirks, crossing his arms over his chest. "And why would I do that?"

"Because I live here!" The nerve of the idiot, thinking he owns the place. He knows exactly who I am and who lives here. Heck, he was the one who escorted her to the stage. "Now please move." I try my best to sound nice, resisting the urge to smack him. Jerk.

"Actually girlie, Victor Katniss Everdeen lives here. Not you." I can tell he is enjoying this. The gloating tone in his voice only fuels my anger.

"Who just happens to be my sister!" I reach up to push him out of the way, thinking that's the only way I can get inside. I have a bad feeling about this situation. Being denied access to the cottage could only mean one thing. Katniss is in trouble. "Now move."

He grabs my arm before I can touch him, holding it roughly above my head. He drags my body closer to him, using my arm as leverage. The force of his puIl yanks me into the air, my whole body now dangling off the ground. I can feel his breath on my face as he smirks triumphantly at me. "Now you were saying, girlie."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, not afraid of him at all. Ok, I was lying. I was a little afraid that I had just gotten myself into more trouble than I could handle. Katniss always did tell me I had to learn to keep my mouth shut. She would say I was a magnet for trouble, whatever that meant. "Is this supposed to scare me?" I want to kick myself, knowing that I should think before I speak. Nope. Not going to happen.

"Maybe I should teach you a lesson." His grip on my wrist strengthens, making a small cry of pain escape me.

"Peacekeeper Pierce, put that girl down now!" My savior's voice came from my right. I turn to stare into the face of another Peacekeeper, probably around Haymitch's age. Who was he?

"But sir-"

"Now Peacekeeper!" I smile thankfully in his direction, knowing he was sticking out his neck to rescue me. I know none of the other Peacekeepers would, so why did he. I look at him confused, trying to figure out why he was helping me.

Pierce placed me down roughly, almost causing me to lose my balance. I catch myself at the last second, having no desire to fall in front of him. Peacekeeper Pierce as the other Peacekeeper called him looked pissed. I smirked up at him, knowing that I won this round. So I didn't exactly win. A girl can dream. "Can I go inside now?" I rub my wrist, hoping it wouldn't bruise.

Peacekeeper Pierce looks like he is about to protest when I hear the other Peacekeeper speak. "Let her in, Pierce! The President is almost done anyways." I wonder if this other Peacekeeper is Pierce's boss. He had to be if this brute was listening to him.

"Yes, Peacekeeper Rune!"

I try my best not to laugh at his constipated face. I can't help it. He looks so sullen at the moment that a giggle escapes me. This brute needs to learn not to mess with Nightlock Everdeen. Ok, now I know the pain from before is going to my head. I flex my wrist, wincing at the twinge of pain at the movement. Definitely sprained it.

I study Peacekeeper Rune, trying to figure out why Peacekeeper Pierce listened to him so easily. I was trying to find something special about him but nothing really stood out. He had graying brown hair, shaved close to his head, with brown eyes. He was taller than me, at least 6'0. He wasn't that physically imposing, so my only guess was that he must be a tough individual. Shaking my head, I realize this is none of my concern. I had to get to Katniss.

With one last glance in Peacekeeper Rune's direction, I open the door and enter the cottage. I am assaulted by the smell of roses, which sickens my stomach. Why am I smelling roses inside Katniss's house? I step inside, looking to my left. It is hard for me to believe the scene in front of me. This should not be possible but it is. President. Snow. Is. Having. Tea. With. My. Sister. In. Her. Cottage. In. Victors. Village. In. District. 12.

I stare open mouthed at President Snow, trying to wrap my thoughts around what is happening in front of me. Why is President Snow here? I clench my fists, shutting my mouth quickly. How dare he come here! Hasn't he tortured my family enough? I glance at Katniss, shocked to see her head down. Why isn't she talking? What has been happening in here while I was stuck outside dealing with Peacekeeper Pierce?

"Ahh, you must be Katniss's sister. Nightlock, I assume?" His smile is friendly, despite the coldness I can see in his eyes. I am not so easily deceived.

I nod my head, trying my best to seem sincere. I keep my voice quiet, trying not to let my anger at seeing him here get to me. "Yes, sir. May I ask why you are here?" My fists clench again, hating myself for having to pretend to be friendly to the bastard. I have little to no respect for the man responsible for the reaping of our District's children.

He just continues to smile at me as he stands. "I was just leaving, Nightlock." He holds out his hand for me to shake. Against my better judgment, I take the hand offered. His grip on my hand tightens within seconds as he pulls me closer to him. The scent of roses envelops me, laced with blood. I try not to gag as he speaks once more. "It was a pleasure to meet you." His tone is menacing as he releases my hand, quickly walking around me to exit the cottage.

I fall to my knees in shock, not believing what just occurred. Gathering my wits as the door slams, I run over to Katniss. I shake her, trying to get her attention. She looks up at me, her eyes blank like the first day of her return. I gasp, tears threatening to fall as I whisper. "Katniss, whats going on?"

Her voice is barely above a whisper, frightening me. "He came to talk to me." She pauses, licking her lips before continuing. "He wanted to offer congratulations to me for winning and to remind me that the capitol is always watching."

I cover my mouth with my hand, gasping. "What else did he say, Kit-Kat?"

Katniss stares at me, her eyes tearing as she speaks. "He threatened Prim, Lock…"

I shake my head, not wanting to believe it. How dare he drag out little sister into this. I take her hand in mine, giving it a comforting squeeze. "I promise you, Katniss. I won't let anything happen to Prim."

She nods, her bottom lip trembling. This is unlike any behavior I had ever seen Katniss exhibit. She was always so strong, so stubborn. When did my sister ever become so fearful and compliant? "He threatened you too, Nightlock." Her voice trails off, her eyes squeezed shut as she fights the sob in her throat.

I smile sadly, hugging her tightly. "You are no longer alone in this. I will be by your side every step of the way. We will fight to get through this. Together." Tears streak my cheeks at the end of my short speech, not able to hold in my sadness any longer.

Katniss returns the hug, whispering in my ear. "You got it, little sister." I smile despite my own tears, knowing we can get through anything. We were Everdeens. Nothing could stop us. Plus my sister, Kit-Kat, Katniss Everdeen was back.