The Search For Home

by Maleficent-darkgoodwitch2416

Two months after leaving Nanthia, Cinderella enters the Hunger Games. She returns to Nanthia five years later, a changed woman—emotionally and psychologically scarred from what she endured—as a tribute and rebel. Will she be able to recover from the traumatic events of the arena and fight her past? Or will Lady Tremaine prevent a full recovery for her former stepdaughter and maid?

3. Day 1 in Nanthia

The very first day after arriving, Rella took her family on a tour of her favorite places as a child. Lily and Mary quickly loved the idea of the grass against their bare feet and Rella smiled.

"The fresh air will do wonders for them, Samar," she murmured.

He grinned and said, "You're probably right, Firefly."

She giggled and, grabbing his hands, wrestled him down the hill. Lily and Mary quickly tackled their parents. Soon, the four were all laughing. The family mockingjay, Emmaline, had come along as well and imitated the four laughs. Rella smiled again and then the family went to the bakery.

Lily and Mary both asked, "Momma, can we get a special treat here?"

Rella nodded and led her family to the shop. A dog began barking and a bloodhound ran out to the family. Rella froze and then cried out, "Bruno!"

She knelt down and immediately began petting her old dog. "Samar. Lily. Mary. This is Bruno," she smiled.

The girls grinned and then Lily asked, "Momma, can we take Bruno with us?"

Rella sighed and said, "I wish we could, girls, but we can barely afford to keep you two in school—including you working during harvest time in District 11."

The two girls nodded sadly—even though she lived there, Rella often compared the Victor's Village in District 8 to the Seam in District 12. That was how poor District 8 was. Rella needed to get the girls out of Panem—to protect them and ensure them a better future. She secretly wondered if she could convince her former stepmother—Lady Tremaine—to take the girls in—all she'd have to do would be teach the older woman the family lullaby.

Rella worked two jobs—a triple shift as a tailor and then another triple shift as a dressmaker. Samar worked two jobs as well—he worked a triple shift as a weaver and then a double shift as a teacher. Lily and Mary were born during Rella's victory tour. They were born in District 11, and every harvest season, the girls had to go to District 11 and harvest the crops—they would be paid, but even with four salaries they still struggled to make ends meet. Thankfully, for this trip, they'd each get paid triple what they make at their regular jobs.