Chapter 21: Things To Do Before Returning "Home"
(MELODY POV)
The was shining through the window and showing off a beautiful sunset, or was it a sunrise? How long had I been out? The last thing I remember was Prim making me drink so horrible thing and that's it.
(CATO POV)
I was sitting with Katniss on the couch when our "check Melody" timer went off. I jumped up and quickly went to see if she was up. When I opened the door, I saw her looking out the window.
"Hey Mel," I said walking over. "How you feeling?"
"Tired," she said raspy, rolling her head over to look at me. "What time is it?"
"It's just about six," I said sitting on her bed. "Kat and I have been taking turns checking on you."
"Morning or night," She asked.
"Morning," I said getting up. "I have to go wake Mrs. Everdeen and tell her you're awake. I'll be right back."
(MELODY POV)
I didn't want him to go. He was answering my questions and I had a lot more to ask! He would be back soon, but I want my brother. I want Katniss. I want to go home.
(KATNISS POV)
Cato was taking a little longer than usual, so I went upstairs to check on him. I got up the stairs and saw my mother following him to the room Melody was staying in, mine. I quickly caught up with them and saw Melody. She looked like she was still sleeping until she turned her head and looked at us.
(MRS. EVERDEEN POV)
"How do you feel," I asked.
"Tired," Melody answered.
"Do you feel up to going home," I asked.
I wanted her to stay here a little longer, but she'll be in good hands either way. Katniss and Cato would take great care of her on the train ride back to the Capital, and Prim would be there too.
"Yeah," she said getting watery eyed. "I wanna go home."
(KATNISS POV)
"We'll leave later than," I said smiling at her. "I just have a couple things to do before we go."
Melody nodded and I walked out. I had to go to the bakery and talk to Mr. and Mrs. Mellark. I had to apologize for not saving their son. The had to know the truth, that I really did love him and shot my last arrow out of sympathy if he was still alive, which I know now that it was just a waste because he was already gone.
"Hello," I said opening the door to the bakery.
"How may I help you," Mr. Mellark said walking in from the back room. "Oh. Katniss. Hello."
"Look, I need to talk to you, your wife, and your other sons quickly," I said looking at him. "It's important and can't wait."
"Honey, kids, come out here," he called back. "Someone wants to talk to us."
"What do you want," Mrs. Mellark said when she saw me.
"I need to tell you guys that I'm sorry," I said looking at her, then Peeta's brothers. "I didn't want Peeta to die. When it was down to just me, Peeta and Cato, I smiled knowing that the two of us could return home together. I was terrified seeing Peeta in Cato's arms at the edge of the cornucopia. The only thing going through my mind was how do I kill Cato without killing Peeta too. By the time I realized Peeta was drawing an "X" on the back of Cato's hand, it was too late. When I saw Cato break Peeta's neck, I wanted to kill him, but I wanted to make sure Peeta was actually gone and not suffering by getting torn apart by those mutt dogs. I took the shot and hit him in the forehead to make sure that his body wouldn't be ruined when he returned home. When Peeta and I were talking about the burnt bread, we weren't lying and he really did give it to me. Saving him, or trying to save him so he could return home, was my way of paying him back for saving me. I'm sorry he couldn't have come home alive, but I TRIED and I wish he was here to say I'm sorry to. The kisses weren't fake. I really did love him."
"If you loved him, than why are you with Cato," one of Peeta's brothers asked.
"Because I love him too. I would have chosen Peeta over Cato because I never thought President Snow would let us be together since we're from two different districts," I said holding back tears. "I just never got the chance to actually be with him outside of the arena, here, back home."
All of a sudden, someone hugged me. I didn't want to see who. I liked the idea that it was Peeta. The idea that he was live and saying he understood, that he loved me too.
"I have to go," I said taking a deep breath as the hug ended. "Cato, Melody, Prim and I are going home, well back to the Capital, today."
I walked out without another word and tried to control my breathing. Peeta was gone and I was just going to have to learn to get over him. He was just another dead tribute from District Twelve.
(PRESIDENT SNOW POV)
"We need to think fast about what the next Hunger Games Quarter Quell will be. I liked the idea of one past victor, but not anymore. We need something better. Something like adding more tributes, except we double the tributes last Quarter Quell. Any ideas," I asked the Gamemakers. "I don't care what, just something. We have to make them think we really have planned these far in advance!"
"How about we have twelve more tributes, one extra male from six of the districts and six females from the other six."
"Or we could double the tributes, but after we pick one male and one female, we mix the rest of the names together and pick the other two that way.
"Or we could do both," smiled. "Double the tributes and half them. Instead of having twenty four tributes, we will have sixty, FIVE from each district!"
"How will we be doing that Sir?"
"Even districts will give us one extra boy and odd districts will give us one extra girl, then the names will all be mixed and two more will be drawn," I laughed. "Cato and Katniss might have made a fool of us, but WE are in control and must show them that WE are in control, not them. Now, someone write this down and put it in the envelope marked Third Quarter Quell!"
A/N: I've been writing as fast as I can because I owe you guys long chapters. The last 3 chapters in a row have been over 1100 words (according to Pages because fan fiction says there are less words than there are...) Anyway, hope you enjoyed it!
UNCLE UPDATE: Appointment tomorrow, which I'm driving him to, to get drained. He's getting worse and worse by the day. It's really hard. His children didn't give two shits about him when they were younger and drove him out if the house, one only cares now because he'll be alone without him. Litterally, all he'll have is his cat and his weed (which is illegal for him to have!). I am the only child (well, I'm an adult, but you all know what I mean) in his life that's actually given an shit about him and wants to help him. He's stubborn, but you can see he's grateful and feels LOVED and CARED ABOUT when I drive him to his appointments. I want him to know how much I love him, even if I don't say it everyday or wait on him hand and foot (which my cousin does and it drives my uncle crazy sometimes because he's overbearing!). Anyway, just letting you all know!