A/N: Yay update time! I am completely despicable, as this story is now over a year old and I have posted 13 chapters. So, to celebrate an update, everyone gets... A FREE INVISIBLE YEAR SUPPLY OF NUTELLA! Oh, and I have a plan to keep me writing: If I don't update within three weeks of this update, please send me PMs, and maybe spam me, until I update. Please? I really wanna update a lot more, so that would help. Oh, and I haven't done a disclaimer before, so, I guess I should do one now:

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games, or any characters named in the trilogy, however I do own my own created characters.

For now, I bid you adeu. Enjoy the chapter!


It's silent soon after his name is called, and I can hear Prim taking deep breaths to calm herself. She's pained; knowing my daughter, she has to be. And almost any person in that situation would feel pain, no matter the age. But, as Dillon nervously walks onstage, I notice that Prim is almost shaking from holding in tears.

"And now," Cornelia announces, "Give it up for this year's tributes from District 12!" She applauds excitedly as Prim and Dillon shake hands, expecting everyone else to do the same.

Instead, they put the three middle fingers of their left hands to their mouths, raise them and whistle Rue and I's four-note tune. I instinctively cover my head with my hands, and prepare myself for the gunshots. But they don't come.

Snow declared that action illegal immediately after the rebellion. Everyone who commit the "crime" should be shot by Peacekeepers at once. The fact that they aren't scares me. But, I suppose if Snow was to do that, he'd kill practically the whole district.

Prim and Dillon walk off the stage, escorted by Peacekeepers. They head towards the Justice Building, where they'll be left to say their goodbyes. As the families of the children who weren't reaped disperse, Peeta, Finnick and I head towards the Justice Building, to speak with Prim and Dillon.

The Peacekeeper at the door doesn't dare to ask who we are, or to give us condolences for our misfortunes. He just stares ahead, showing no emotion; no sympathy or cruelness, just a blank gaze.

However, when we're inside and ask to see Prim, the Peacekeeper inside isn't as complying.

"Excuse me, can we see Primrose Mellark?" Peeta asks politely.

"And who would you be?" The Peacekeeper asks, quite rudely.

"Oh, as if you wouldn't know!" I retort angrily. "But if you must be told, I am Katniss Everdeen; the Girl on Fire. And with me are my husband, Peeta and son, Finnick." I explain, fighting the rage building up inside me. She angrily stares at me, and I can tell she's not a fan of mine.

"Okay... and who are you here to see today?" She asks, clearly irritated by my cheek.

"Oh, well I decided that I would stroll by and visit the frickin' President!" I retort sarcastically. "Who the heck do you think I'm here to see? For goodness sake!" I'm trembling slightly with anger, and I have a feeling that she's enjoying my rage. I take deep, steady breaths to calm myself and not act violently towards her. After a minute she says, "Okay, Mr. Mellark and Ms. Everdeen, your daughter is right this way."

She leads us to the room where Prim is situated. The boys thank her, and I grumble an annoyed "about time", mainly to myself. Once she starts walking away, we open the door. Prim looks towards the door expectantly, and smiles with sad eyes as she sees us. Her eyes are gleaming with stifled tears, and it helps me feel that she's being strong.

I wordlessly pull her in for a consoling hug. She is trembling with either fear, held-in tears or a mix of both. I whisper sweet nothings to her, attempting to calm her down.

"Primrose Rue Mellark. What a wonderful little girl. So strong, and so very brave. I know you're worried, but you and Dillon will protect each other, and we'll try to protect you. Maybe, you could even come home as victors..." I try to reassure her. She knows I can't promise her victory, but I can Influence it. She nods, without letting go of me.

A Peacekeeper, the one I spoke rudely to, enters the room to tell us that we must leave. I send a death stare her way. She gets the message, and exits. Finnick lets out a small chuckle at the Peacekeeper.

Prim releases her grasp on me, telling herself "It's okay. Don't worry. Everything's gonna be just fine." However, her voice still trembles with terror and anxiety. I kiss her head gently. I don't want this to end; all of the serenity in here, but I know that it must. We need to go talk to Dillon next. I give Peeta an inquisitive look, and he nods to me before saying, "Prim, we're gonna go now. We have to go talk with Dillon too. Okay, sweetie?"

She sighs before saying "Okay... Tell Dillon I said I'm sorry for how it worked out. I love you guys!"

"We love you too. Stay strong, little squirrel!" I tell her, trying to sound positive. We turn to the door and leave. Just as I close the door, I hear Prim taking more deep breaths. We just left our daughter for the last time before the Games start changing her.

As we head back to the main hall, we pass some of Prim's friends from school going to wish her good luck and bid her farewell. One of them, a Seam girl called Sarah waves and smiles sadly at us. I nod at her in acknowledgment. Another girl from the merchant side of the District, Hannah I think she's called, is carrying with her a simple chain necklace with a ring hanging off it. The gemstone is beautiful; a multi-colored opal, ranging from reds to purples to blues. The sight takes my breath away. The girl also smiles at me.

When we enter the entrance hall, the same Peacekeeper is there. She looks more calm now. She eyes us, obviously hoping that we're leaving.

"Will that be all?" She asks expectantly. I compliment her enthusiasm in my head.

"Erm, no, actually. Can we speak to Dillon Cartwright too?" I ask surprisingly mannerly. She sighs in exasperation, over-dramatically, before leading us to the door behind which Dillon is situated. It's not too far from Prim's.

This won't be easy, I think, for what must be the thousandth time in my life, as Peeta opens the door.

Dillon looks surprised when he first sees us. His parents must have just visited him. He's almost rubbed his eyes raw and struggles holding back tears. There's a depressed environment about the room. He doesn't ask why we're here, though. Its so quiet that we can hear one another's breaths. Other than that, there's an awkward silence.

"Dillon, just because you were reaped alongside Prim doesn't mean we'll ignore you or leave you to die in the arena. You're like family to us. Prim wouldn't let us ignore you in the arena. She'd disown us. You're strong, from what I've gathered from Katniss and Prim when you went out together..." Peeta reassures, hinting about the hunting. "Just because you're twelve doesn't mean that you're out for the count. You've got good odds, what with Prim being our daughter. You'll be sure to get decent sponsorship. And, we're here for you over the next week, for more than ever." Dillon nods in understanding, and an awkward silence soon follows. I pick at my fingernails as distraction.

Thankfully Dillon breaks the silence, "Okay, I got one question: What will the sponsors think about me? Honestly."

"Honesty, they'll focus more on Prim." I tell start, without consideration. He wants honesty... "As for you, they'll probably either not pay a lot of attention to you, or regard you as, well, just some twelve year old with bad odds..."

He fails to stifle a sigh, and I rub his shoulder sympathetically.

"Hey, don't worry though. We'll prove 'em wrong!" Peeta tries cheering him up. He smiles, but it comes of as more of a sad one. The awkward tense silence is killing me. I need to leave.

"Well... um... I guess we better go... We have stuff to do, so... Dillon, don't cry 'til we're on the train... stay strong... Okay?" I eventually finish. He nods to me, and I try smile at him. Then we leave the suspense-filled room.

We leave the Justice Building, much to the delight of the Peacekeeper inside.

I suddenly realise that Finnick hasn't spoke a word since the reaping, and even look to make sure he's still with us. He is, and I can see he's also stifling tears.

"Finnick, come here." I pull him in for a well-needed hug. He starts sobbing in my shoulder, and I rub his back soothingly. His salty tears on my dress remind me of why we rebelled. I make a mental note to take it out on the next Peacekeepers I encounter.

After he finishes crying he starts shouting "It's not fair! Why Prim!?"

"I know, sweetie. But that's the Games. And we have to deal with it, honey." I console. My motherly instincts tell me to murder Snow next chance I get, but I need to stay peaceful, what with Finnick to worry about - he's already done almost all he can with Prim...

*"^"*

Peeta speaks to Dillon's parents, and I think he just consoles them and explains that we'll look after Dillon. I don't pay attention though, so I'm not completely sure. They give us a chain for Dillon, for his token, I guess. We thank them, wish them farewell, and head to our house in Victor's Village.

I ask Peeta to make cheese buns, and head to Prim's room and get her books. I know she'll need a distraction on the train ride. I read some of her writing to pass time, and am entranced by her writing talent. As much as I would like to just get Prim and stay here forever, I know it's impossible. Instead, I take the cheese buns that Peeta has ready and we leave to the Square.

We reach the Town Square with ten minutes before Prim and Dillon have to come with us to the train station. We meet Cornelia, and she starts babbling on about how sorry she is and other nonsense. I fade out again, and start singing in my head. Or at least I think I am, until I realise everything has gone silent, and Cornelia is gawking at me.

I stop immediately, and Cornelia and Finnick pout at me. I shrug, and stay silent.

"Oh Katniss, I do wish I had a singing voice as beautiful as yours. But I guess not all wishes come true..." Cornelia complains. I don't pity her. Quite frankly, I don't necessarily want my singing voice. It seems I'm the only one who thinks that...

*"^"*

Prim and Dillon are escorted out of the Justice Building to the same car that Cornelia ushers us towards. It's a black limousine, with black leather seats. Its quite comfortable, besides for the whole Hunger Games business. Cornelia has her yearly babble that I know almost by-heart. The three children listen, while I resume singing. I sing quieter, though. More aware of my company.

The escort finishes earlier than usual, and the ten minutes left of the journey is filled with yet another awkward silence. No-one tries to break it with useless mumbled conversation though, which I'm grateful for. We all sit there, thinking our separate thoughts.

After what seems like a lifetime, the journey to the train station ends. When we get out, there's Capitol paparazzi waiting for us, as per usual. We all give our most winning smiles for the camera, before boarding the train. All I can see are camera flashes, and then the train begins its over 24-hour long trip to the Capitol.


A/N (Again) : So yeah, that just happened... Anyways, remember to PM after two weeks, spam by three :) Thanks for reading!

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