Blood started to pour out of his mouth and he gave me a sly smile. "We aren't in the Hunger Games anymore sweetie." I stepped back and gave Haymitch an apologetic look but just glared at Thomas. I see where he got his charm from. He smiled and said, "Didn't mean to make you that upset. Just saying." He shrugged and went into the kitchen to get a rag. Haymitch glared at me, "I tell you the one secret I have in the world and show you the boy, and you haul off and punch him! He's fifteen, he's going to say stupid stuff, Katniss." I shook my head and sat down. Prim was twelve and she knew when to talk and when to shut up or not say certain things. Thomas walked back in the room and sat down before addressing Haymitch. "Despite your victor", he said, glaring at me. "You finally came back with someone this time. I'm proud you… Haymitch." He nodded and said, "Well thank you, son. But usually you don't come here without warning, so what's up?" He looked at me as if what he was going to say, he didn't want an audience for but he just shrugged and said, "Mom sent me over here for more money, again." Haymitch rolled his eyes to the ceiling and rubbed his forehead. "Gosh, that woman always wants money. Did you explain to her that money doesn't grow on trees?" Thomas laughed and said, "Yes, I did. It grows on the fact you had to kill forty-seven other people so she could have a new dress every month." Haymitch snapped his fingers, "That's right." He went into a box and pulled out a wad of cash. I sat there astonished. After twenty-five years you'd think it would run out, but if you win the Games, the council will give more and more money. Until you die, as the mayor said earlier. Thomas nodded and said, "Sorry about this." Haymitch waved his hand, "It's fine, what she say she need it for anyway?" Thomas looked down at his feet and said, "She told me to tell you it was for some new shoes...though I bought these before the Games started." I looked at his feet and sure enough they were brand new shiny black shoes with fine laces. Haymitch rolled his eyes and said, "Well, still buy yourself some shoes anyway." Thomas nodded and said, "Well, I have to go. It was good seeing you Dad."

Weeks had passed and the nightmares still haunted my sleep. The deaths of Rue, Peeta, and even Cato haunt my sleep. I killed Glimmer, and the boy from District 1 and indirectly the girl from District 4 and Foxface. Their faces and souls still remain in my dreams. I wonder if they'll go away but Haymitch tells me he still screams at night. I hate sleeping and try to stay up as much as possible. With my newfound fortune I buy coffee and extreme amounts of creams and sugars to keep me awake. I've almost gotten the taste to what it was like in the Capitol but not yet. I spend my days, reading and hunting. I've bought my mother this building in town. It's her own little apothecary shop again. Prim works there when she's not at school. I sometimes go to school, but most of the time I think what's the point and go do something else. Sometimes I go visit with my new found time. I was never really much of people person, but now with my new found value for life, I really do try to put myself out there. I go see Madge almost every other day and I spend time with Gale as usual. I also see Thomas when I can. Despite, our first meeting not going extremely well, he really was a nice boy. I've convinced Haymitch that we could use our money for good and not just let it sit in boxes in our homes, so we've built another sector of the food bank and a recreational center so everyone doesn't spend there free time worrying about the horrors of District 12. I'm proud of my work and my new life. But that of course couldn't last forever.

Effie, Cinna and my prep team show up at my door, much too soon for my Victory Tour. Don't get me wrong Cinna is one of my best friends. Sometimes he even calls me and chats with me on my phone and gives me all the rave on what a big star he is and how he wants me to model more for him. And my prep team and Effie aren't all that bad, I just don't want to go back to the Capitol. Furthermore, being celebrated for the only person who didn't get killed. They rave all about my home and how gorgeous it is. Effie plopped on the couch and said, "This pink couch is just delightful!" My mom and Prim walk in and smile at their compliments. Who would've known they had such similar taste? Effie grabbed a long piece of paper with many instructions on it. "This is my first Victory Tour and everything has to be perfect with no mistakes." She explained to me that Districts 3,6,7,8,9, and 10 won't be bad because I didn't necessarily have anything to do with kids from those districts. However, Cato, Clove, Glimmer, (Districts 1 and 2), as well as District 4 and 5 (for Foxface and the other girl that died from the bees), would be slightly more difficult. District 11 will be hard because of Thresh and Rue and we'll end with District 12. Then we'll go to the Capitol for a final party where I'll meet everyone important, see President Snow again and see the Gamemaker. Effie says they're wondering about keeping Seneca Crane or bringing in someone else. I mostly tune out what she says, and they all stay for a couple of days in my house with way too many rooms. Then it's time for me to leave.

I go around to tell everyone goodbye, I see Thomas with Haymitch, and I see my friends from my school and down at the Hob. I go to see Madge as well, but I can't find her. I leave a note for her, she'll see it when she comes back. Lastly, I go to see Gale at his home. I know I'll only be gone for a thirteen days, but after dealing with the Capitol and reliving the Games, who knows what kind of shape I'll be in when I come back. Gale has really been my rock since I came back home. He doesn't ask about my feelings or my dreams. He just sits there and let's me rant or we can sit in silence while we hunt. I remember talking to my mother about Gale and she thinks that maybe one day we'll be together. I laughed at her and said, "Please Gale and I are best friends, nothing more." My mom nodded and smiled. "Your father was my best friend." And that was true, they were. I was thinking about my parents and what my mom had said when I got to Gale's place. The front door was already opened, which seemed strange to me. Robberies were rare in District 12, but not impossible. People got hungry, and since Gale hunts and works in mining factory, his house probably has food. At least that would be what a burglar would think. Not knowing Gale and his family struggle and starve just like everyone else. I slowly walked through house and I saw two figures shadows in a main room. I edged more closely and ran into the room, prepared to stop whoever was trying to rob my friend. And that's when I saw Gale and Madge, kissing on his couch.