*Trumpet call*

Greetings! Citizens of fanfiction!

I am here with a new chapter, and hope that you all enjoy it!

In this chapter the identity of Mags' mystery nightmare dude will be revealed! (finally!)

Any guesses on who Cedric is before I tell all of you? No? Okay well then I'll let you get to reading the big reveal :)

Chapter Five: Cedric.

My father stares at me in shock. Felix's arm have tightened around me, and gradually his strength and security seep into my skin, and I stop shaking. I keep a death grip on my father's hand though, and stare demanding into his eyes. Repeating the name.

"Cedric."

My father shakes his head slowly.

"How do you know that name?"

I am too confused and frightened to cry, but I feel my body start to tremble again as I explain in an almost hysterical voice.

"I have nightmares. Not about the games I mean, I've had these nightmares long before the games. There's this little fishing shack on the beach. And this...this voice."

I shudder and Felix rubs my arm soothingly.

"It doesn't seem like a dream though, it's like...a memory. This last one, I saw him...and his name pushed out of my memory."

My father looks distressed, and I feel awful for adding to his worry, but I have to know.

"Who is Cedric?"

My father lets out a sigh, and pinches the bridge of his nose, shutting his eyes as he releases my hand.

"I hoped you would have forgotten him...I thought you had."

"Who is he?!"

My voice is demanding, and it came out much harsher than I wanted it to. He looks at me and says very quietly.

"He's your uncle."

The silence is so complete, that you can almost feel it. After a long moment, I finally find my voice again.

"What? You're an only child...mom had one sister who died when she was little...how can we have an uncle?"

"He's your mother's younger brother, well half-brother. We had thought he drowned years ago, but one day he showed up at our door like nothing had ever happened. I was still in training, but it didn't take an expert to see that he was crazy. He acted fairly normal, but there was something in his eyes..."

My father trails off, and I feel my body give out from stress, and I go limp in Felix's arms. He pulls me onto his lap and holds me tightly, sitting back against the headboard, he lets me lean back on him.

"What happened to him?"

Leroy asks in a hushed voice. My father shrugs.

"Your mother's sister was the baby of the family, and Cedric adored her. About a month after she died was when Cedric disappeared over the side of his ship. He was only eighteen. We all assumed he had drowned, but what I think happened is that he was driven mad at losing his little sister and he jumped overboard. Somehow he survived and when he remembered your mother he found us. You were only three years old when he came back."

Three years old? I know it's possible to retain memories at that age, but I didn't think I had any.

"What happened?"

"I tried to warn your mother, but she was so happy that he was still alive she didn't listen to me. When he first saw you Magarida, he stared in shock and called you by your name."

I interrupt briefly.
"But how could he know my name if he didn't even know I existed?"

"You were named after your aunt."

My eyes widen in realization.

"He thought I was his little sister."

My father nods.

"His crazed mind told itself that you were his little sister, and he couldn't understand that you were our daughter. It only confused things more that you had the same name as your aunt."

I sit up slightly.

"But something must have happened, why am I afraid of him?"

My father holds his head in his hands and says painfully.

"He took you."

I feel the breath catch in my throat, and I feel Felix stiffen. I manage to lower my hand onto his arm and I feel him relax slightly.

"He took me?"

My father nods.
"In the middle of the night he broke into your nursery and took you away from us. The peacekeepers refused to do anything about it, claiming that it was a domestic matter and it didn't concern them. It took us weeks to find you. He had taken you to the house your mother lived in when she was little. He had taken good care of you, but you were terrified of him."

"With good reason!"
Leroy blurts out angrily. I give him a small smile, amused at how protective he is.

"Yes, well, he refused to give you up, so I had to take you by force."

He shakes his head and lets out a burdened sigh.
"Your mother forgave me, only because she saw that he was insane, and she was so relieved to have you back."

Felix shifted me on his lap and said bluntly.

"So he's gone then?"

My father nods.
"He suffered a severe head injury and fell into the ocean. I searched for him but he had been taken by the waves, dragged into the depths and lost forever."

I shiver and curl closer to Felix. He wraps his arms around me and kisses my head.

"He can't hurt you anymore Mags."

"Except in my dreams."
I say in a voice so low that he barely hears me.

The rest of the day goes by smoothly. I convinced Leroy to get out of the house and go to a beach party that Becky is throwing, he deserves to have some fun and be distracted for a while. Father was very reluctant but I finally convinced him to go and do his rounds for the outlying villages, arguing that there were sick and injured people that needed him far more than I did at the moment. He finally agreed, and now it's only Felix and I in the house. I know that I would never be able to convince him to leave and get some rest, so I don't even try.

We spend most of the day in my room, just lying together and talking. He tells me about his new promotion, he's been made second mate aboard his ship, and while that is better work for him, it means he has more responsibilities and he has to work slightly longer days. He tells me it's worth it, and I know that he's very happy about it. I talk to him a little about the victory tour, confessing my apprehension at having to go. I don't tell him about the Capitol's dirty secrets that I might be dragged into, there are some things, he can't know. To keep him safe, I must bear this burden alone.

I'm lying on my back staring at the ceiling. He's lying beside me in similar fashion, and there is a lull in our conversation. I take a deep breath and let it out in a sigh.

"It feels so good to be with you again."

He turns his head and looks at me.

"You've been back for four months."

I roll onto my side and prop my head up with one elbow, my other hand held in his. My eyes trace every detail of his face as I answer.
"I know, its just...after the games...its good to be around the people I love again."

He pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head.

"I know."

We lie like that for a while, just content to be in each others arms. I let his warmth and quiet strength wash over me, pushing away all fear and worry. I close my eyes and listen to his heart beat in sync with mine, and I'm reminded why I won the games. To be with him. To be with my family. He starts to play with my hair, and I can't help giggling.

"What's so funny?"

He asks, his voice rumbling deep in his chest. I cross my arms on his chest and rest my chin on them, gazing at him for a long moment.

"You."

He tries to sound offended, but fails miserably due to the fact that he's grinning.
"What did I do that amuses you so?"

"Playing with my hair."

He raises his eyebrow.
"That's funny?"

I shake my head.

"No, it's cute."

"Cute?"

I laugh at his hurt tone of voice and I give him a quick kiss.

"Don't worry hon, it's a good thing."

He smiles and pulls me back for a real kiss. We break apart after a minute, and I trace small circles on his chest.

"You know...we're in the house...alone."

He doesn't say anything for a moment, then he says questioningly.
"Yes, we are."

"No one will be back until late."

He puts his hand over mine, halting the movement.

"Are you implying what I think you are?"

I meet his gaze and bite my bottom lip. He sits up, pulling me with him.

"Mags, I thought we agreed a long time ago that we would wait until we were married. That's what I believe in, and that's what you believe."

I shrug.

"I know."

He tilts my chin up and looks at me gently, his brown eyes soft.

"Has something changed?"

I shrug again.
"Not between us..."

"What then?"

I hold his hand and trace the lines in his palm distractedly.

"Just...after the games...Its...its so hard to be away from you."

He pulls me into his arms and holds me tightly.

"Mags, I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you. We have the rest of our lives to be together."

A tear silently runs down my cheek and I nod slowly.

"It's just so hard. The games make you cling to whatever you hold dear, and you can't let go, because if you do it might be taken away from you forever."

My voice chokes up on the last word, and two more tears slide down my face. He pulls back slightly and placing his hands on either side of my face, he brushes the tears away with his thumbs, continuing to softly stroke my cheeks as he says.

"You can't lose me Mags. No matter what happens. And you haven't lost Will either. The ones you love will always be with you, and we will all see them again."

I close my eyes as a fresh flood of tears streams down my cheeks. His last phrase is exactly what I told him after his sister died. He tilts my head forward slightly, and presses his lips to my forehead. Then he rests his forehead against mine and says quietly.
"I'll always be with you."

I wrap my arms around his neck and he lets me cry on his shoulder for a little while. After I've calmed down, he kisses my temple and asks gently.
"Are you hungry?"

I laugh and nod, wiping all traces of tears from my face.
"Starving actually."

He smiles and pats my shoulder.
"That's what I thought. Shall I run and get us some food?"

I nod and sit up quickly.

"Would you mind running down to the seafood market and get us sushi?"

He grins and stands up.

"I was hoping you would ask. I'll be back soon."

He gives me a kiss before walking out. I call after him as I remember something.

"Don't forget to grab some money from the downstairs safe!"

He shouts something in reply that I can't make out, but it sounded like he was agreeing with me. I flop back onto the bed and let out a sigh. I haven't gotten dressed all day, as I saw no point in it. So I'm still wearing my blue sleep shorts and a white tank top. I was just about to doze off, I hear the front door open. My eyes open and I sit up quickly with a frown. Leroy's party will most likely go on until the wee hours of the morning, Father won't be home until late, since he has so far to travel. Felix just left a few minutes ago, there's no way he made it all the way to the market, bought our food and returned in such short a time. So who was in my house?

I quickly grab the long knife I keep hidden between the mattress and headboard and run behind the door. I hear whoever is in my house, walk up the stairs and towards my room. They're trying to be quiet, but there is absolutely no sound in the house so I can still hear them. Plus all my senses have been heightened by being in the arena. I feel adrenaline and arena instincts kicking in, and I brace myself as the knob turns and the door opens.

Letting instinct and training take over, I slam the door in the intruders face, pull it open quickly and pin the intruder to the wall, my knife pressed to their throat. Before I have time to see who it is or react further, my legs are kicked out from underneath me and I land on my back hard, knocking the air from my lungs. Before I can regain my breath a weight lands on my stomach and I feel the cold metal knife blade pressed against my throat.

"Mags?"

The confused voice brings my head up and I frown.

"Dash?"

He drops the knife and stands up in record time, pulling me to my feet as he says quickly.

"I didn't hurt you did I?"

I shake my head.

"Did I hurt you?"

He shakes his head and then I narrow my eyes at him.
"Don't scare me like that again!"

He looks at me surprised.
"Me, scare you?"

I retrieve the knife and return it behind the headboard as I say.
"Yes, there's this thing called knocking to let people know you aren't a murderer or thief."

He scratches the back of his head in disbelief.
"Well they wouldn't have had a chance anyway."

I scoff and rub my back.

"I'm the one who almost got killed."

He crosses his arms and says defensively.
"Hey! I would not have killed you. Plus you were the one who attacked me, I was merely defending myself."

I roll my eyes and wince slightly as I feel a bruise beginning to form on my back.

"Whatever, knock in the future okay? Or shout and let me know it's you."

He shrugs.
"I thought you might be asleep. Are you sure you're alright?"

He adds concerned. I nod and drop my hand.

"Yeah I'm fine. I thought you of all people would understand, it's better to wake me up and let me know that I'm safe than to do what you did."

He sticks his hands in his pockets and looks guiltily at the floor.
"I'm sorry. Won't happen again."

I nod and take a deep breath.
"Good."

Then a thought dawns on me and I narrow my eyes at him.
"What are you doing here in the first place?"

He perks up a little and says quickly.

"Felix popped in and asked if I would drop by and...keep you company while he was out."

My eyes narrow further at the hesitation in his voice.

"You mean he sent you over here to babysit me."

Dash is looking decidedly uncomfortable and he lets out a nervous cough.
"Not...babysit..."

I growl in frustration and flop onto the bed, my legs hanging over the edge. I cross my arms and glare at the ceiling.
"I don't need a babysitter."

Dash chuckles.
"As made obvious by the greeting I received."

He walks over and sits beside me.
"Felix is just worried about you, and I don't blame him."

I huff and remain silent. He doesn't say anything for a moment, then he just says quietly.

"Mags, the people who love you are going to worry, and that's just something you're going to have to get used to."

I sit up and let out a sigh.
"I know. I just wish he wouldn't worry."

Dash chuckles and bumps shoulders with me.
"Try not worrying about him for just a moment and you'll see where he is."

I rub my forehead.

"Yeah, I get it."

I stare at the floor and let my thoughts wander. After a moment I remember Dash is still sitting next to me and another thought hits me.
"Wait, Felix came by your house and asked you to come keep an eye on me?"

He shrugs.
"Yeah, why shouldn't he?"

I frown.

"Um, I don't know. I didn't think you two knew each other, and I would think he would be slightly protective over me."

Dash chuckles.
"A handsome victor named Dashing who spent a lot of quality time with his girlfriend and got to know her rather well, and is known for being a grade A flirt and playboy, why would he be protective?"

I smile, but then flush dark red as he leans towards me and drops his voice to a whisper.
"Besides, it's not like he knows about those lonely nights and stolen kisses."

I clear my throat and try not to sound affected.
"Most of those kisses were stolen by you if I remember correctly."

He nods.
"True, but you don't remember that one night where things almost went a lot further than a kiss."

Here he leans in close and I feel his breath on my neck.
"And if I remember correctly, that was all you."

I cross my arms and say defensively.

"I was on drugs. I don't even remember that night."

He chuckles and straightens up.
"Pity, I'll have to treasure those memories all on my own. Almost makes me wish I hadn't stopped you."

I blush and shove him lightly.
"Hey, it's not nice to bring that up. Especially not when my boyfriend asked you to come over and keep an eye on me. That means he trusts you."

Dash shakes his head and grins.
"That means he trusts you. And he should, the only time you returned my advances was when you felt sorry for me or were pumped full of drugs."

He says it lightheartedly, but I can see the pain in his eyes. I put my hand on his arm and say gently.

"Dash that's not true...if...if things were different..."

He nods and lets out a sigh.

"Yeah, if things were different. Well at least you don't treat me like the plague like most people."

I give him a smile and kiss his cheek.

"Never. And you've got a friend for life. You'll always be there for me right?"

He nods and I ruffle his hair and giggle as he scrunched his face up in protest.
"Well I'll always be here for you too."

He tries to return some form of style to his hair as he shoots me a glare and says sarcastically.
"Oh goody, at least I have you to rely on."

I giggle again and help him fix his hair.
"There you go, your hair is returned to its majestic tousled look."

He chuckles at my dramatic declaration and gives me a quick hug.

"You have far too much fun teasing me."

I poke him in the ribs until he releases me and I look at him seriously.
"I have just enough fun teasing you. And it's not like you never tease me."

He nods.
"Very true. So where did Felix go anyway?"

I put my hand on my stomach as it growls loudly.

"To get food."

"What's on the menu for tonight?"

I let out a sigh as I say longingly.

"Sushi."

He chuckles and pokes my stomach.

"Sounds like you're hungry."

I cross my arms defensively over my stomach and glare at him.
"Yes, I am hungry. Shouldn't you be eating dinner?"

He flops back onto the bed and puts his hands behind his head.
"You're not getting rid of me Mags. I'll eat after Felix gets back."

I let out a huff and cross my legs.
"Fine, he probably won't be back for another twenty minutes, so what do you want to do?"

He shrugs, peeking one eye open and looking at me.

"What do you want to do?"

I roll my eyes at him and make an exasperated sound.
"You're a pain in my-"

Before I can finish the sentence he jumps up and interrupts.

"I have an idea!"

I raise my hands questioningly.
"I'm all ears."

He grabs my hands and pulls me up.

"Why don't we go to the beach?"

I glance out the window hesitantly. He tilts me head up and searches my face concerned.

"Mags?"

I don't meet his eyes as I nod.
"Yeah, we can go to the beach."

He keeps a firm hold on my hands as he continues to look concerned.
"You don't want to."

I finally meet his gaze and say quickly.
"Yes I do."

He stares intently into my eyes, and I know he can see more than I want him to, so I drop my gaze.

"Mags, I promise I'm not going to let you out of my sight. You'll be safe."

I hate myself for being afraid, and I hate myself for giving in to the fear, but I can't help it. You can only handle so much fear and stress before it breaks you.
"I...I know you'll keep me safe...it's just..."

He nods and wraps his arms around me.

"It's too soon. We'll stay inside alright?"

I nod and wipe my eyes to keep the tears from overflowing.
"I feel so weak, and I hate it."

He tightens his grip on me slightly before releasing me.
"No, you are not weak Mags. You are one of the strongest people I know. Any normal person who went through what you've been through wouldn't be able to function at all."

I take a deep breath and give him a small smile.
"Thanks."

He gives me a genuine smile and nods.
"You're welcome."

Suddenly he grows serious.

"But now we have a problem."

I frown.
"We do?"

He nods. I look at him questioningly.
"Now we don't have anything to do."

I shrug.

"Do we have to do anything?"

He nods again.

"Why?"

He sticks his bottom lip out, widens his gray eyes and says in a whiny voice.

"Because I'm boooooored!"

I burst out laughing and by the time I stop my stomach is sore. Dash grins and pokes my shoulder.

"Seriously though, we should do something. I'm a complete pest when I'm bored."

I widen my eyes and say sarcastically.
"You mean even more than usual?"

He looks at me in surprised amusement and says in a mock hurt voice.
"Ouch. Yes, even more than usual."

He pokes me repeatedly saying.

"Come on, please. Please. Please. Please."

I swat his hand away and say quickly.
"Fine! What do you want to do?"

He thinks for a moment and then shrugs.

"I don't know."

I roll my eyes at him and say.

"You're bored, so you want to do something, but you don't know what that something is?"

He nods.
"Why don't you come up with something smarty pants, it's your house after all."

I sigh and shrug.
"There really isn't that much to do in here."

He narrows his eyes at me.
"Well it doesn't matter anyway."

I raise my eyebrows.
"Why not?"

"Cause Felix is back."

As if on cue the door opens and Felix walks in carrying a tray laden with sushi rolls.

"My hero!"

I cry out as I run towards him and give him a hug. He chuckles and gives me a quick kiss before turning to Dash.
"Good to see you're still alive, Mags can get pretty aggressive about her independence."

Dash and I exchange a knowing look as he says.
"Well I almost had my throat cut when I first arrived, but I think she saw reason."

I giggle and then pat Felix on the shoulder.
"I'll tell you later, but right now I am starving!"

I seize the tray from him and walk it over to the bed, investigating the selection of rolls hungrily. I set the tray down on the nightstand and then plop onto my bed. I turn back towards the door to see the two of them just standing side by side staring at me.

Dash has his hands in his pockets, his light brown hair tousled in usual fashion, and his gray eyes dancing with amusement. He is tan, but not quite as dark as Felix, who is standing with his arms crossed casually across his chest. His black hair hanging around his ears curlier than it usually is, his big brown eyes mirror the slight smile he has hovering on his lips. They're both about the same height and both equally muscular, but they're so different from each other. Lover and best friend. Could this be weirder?

I clear my throat and shift awkwardly on the bed.

"It's kind of creepy that you two are just staring at me."

Dash chuckles and Felix's slight smile turns into a wide grin.
"Sorry darling, you're just so beautiful we can't help it."

I roll my eyes and scoff. He turns to Dash and shakes his hand.

"Hey, thanks a lot for babysitting my girlfriend."

They both ignore my indignant cry and Dash just nods seriously.
"Any time Felix. Although I don't think she is too happy with me."

Felix gestures to the side table as he says.
"She'll live. Why don't you join us? I got enough for three."

Dash scratches the back of his head as he thinks.
"I don't know if the missus would like that, figured this was your date night."

I have had enough of them acting like I'm not in the room, and purposely teasing me. I cross my arms and fix them both with my hardest glare.

"Hey!"

They both turn and look at me, trying to hide smiles.

"I don't like being talked about when I'm in the room."

My voice is so cold and harsh that I see both of them get genuine concern and apprehension in their eyes. I fight the urge to laugh, and keep up the act.

"I might just kick both of you out for treating me like a possession."

Oh they're worried now, they think I'm serious. I am bursting on the inside but I want to see how long I can push them.
"I might be more forgiving if you both apologize."

They exchange a quick glance and then Dash says.
"We're sorry."

Felix chimes in quickly.
"We didn't mean to hurt your feelings Mags."

I try to hold out, but I can't any longer and I burst into laughter. They both look relieved and frustrated at the same time. I hold my sides as I point at them and gasp out.

"You...should have seen...your faces!"

Dash goes back into pout mode, and Felix crosses his arms, raising one eyebrow as he looks at me sternly.
"That wasn't very nice Mags."

I get my laughter under control and take a deep breath, sitting up and shaking my head.

"Well now you know how it feels. Dash, why don't you stay for dinner?"

He grins and shrugs.
"Why not?"

We all pile on the bed and eat sushi, talking and laughing and having a good time in general. Its weird, but surprisingly nice to see Dash and Felix interacting like brothers. I don't know why I was afraid they wouldn't get along, but I'm glad that they do. We've finished all the sushi, cleaned up, and moved downstairs to the living room. Dash is sprawled on one of the armchairs, while Felix and I take the couch. I'm sitting in the corner on the end and Felix is stretched out along the length of the couch with his head in my lap. He's telling Dash about his work, while I play with his hair.

"So did we eat the fish you caught tonight?"

He chuckles and shrugs.
"I don't know, it's possible."

We all jump slightly as someone pounds on the front door. Dash and Felix are up in an instant, but I'm the first one to the door. I swing it open, feeling Dash and Felix standing behind me protectively. The door swings open and I stare in shock.

Leroy is on his knees in front of the door, soaking wet, his eyes wide in fear, tear streaks evident on his face. He's holding up Becky, who is also soaked, and unconscious.

"Help me!"

He says desperately, Dash quickly takes Becky's small frame from Leroy and takes her into the house. Felix is at Leroy's side, supporting him and helping him into the house. I'm torn between him and Becky and I ask quickly.
"What happened?"

His voice chokes but he manages to say.

"Someone spiked the drinks, I noticed she was acting funny but I didn't do anything."

He shakes his head and tears stream down his face as he breaks into sobs.
"I...I found her on the beach, half in the water...I didn't know what to do Mags."

I stare at him in shock, unable to process anything. My brother is standing in front of me, broken, feeling pain I never wanted him to feel, pain that I know all too well. Leroy drops his head and puts his hands over his face, his voice breaking my heart as he says quietly.
"She's dead."

Sooooo! I know another cliffhanger? Really Wendy? Well it wasn't originally planned but there you have it :P

I would have posted yesterday, but my brother made my computer crash and delete all that I had written X( so yeah...I rewrote it today, and here it is! (slightly different but hopefully improved!)

Let me know what you guys think! You know what to do ;)

Oh and real quick! If you like Annie and Finnick, you should check out "ShiningInShadows" story titled "Annie Cresta, trapped inside" and her other stuff too :) She's a young writer who is looking for more reviewers and support. I know I really wanted that when I first started out (still do!) So if you do check out her stories, be sure to leave a review giving your advice, thoughts, and helpful critic! I'm sure she'll appreciate it a ton!

Later Hamiltons! ;)