I didn't get the answer to my question throughout the rest of the week. I was hesitant to ask Haymitch anymore about the Mellark's, given his previous reluctance. I also didn't want to disclose I had been out on the beach at 4am with Peeta Mellark and get reprimanded any further. And besides, even if I wanted to ask him I could barely ever find him, and those times that I did he was already drunk, stumbling around the house. I imagined that if I told Effie, she would regale a tale of how I'd narrowly escaped the clutches of death by being out alone with Peeta. Another option I had would be to ask Madge. However, Rye Mellark's words stuck in my mind. Would I actually get a genuine answer from Madge? If her actions were influenced by the others in town she would feed me whatever story they wanted me to know. And I obviously couldn't just ask Rye Mellark straight out, hey who did you brother supposedly murder? And even if I was brash enough to do that, on the off chance he actually was a murderer, would that make me his next target?

I pondered the dilemma over the next few days. I also wondered how on earth I'd gotten tangled into this mess. I'd wandered into what seemed like some strange alternate universe. I was in a place of secrecy and mystery. I also had no idea who I could confide in or anyone I trusted completely. I felt torn.

I had considered calling Gale to discuss it, he I trusted. However, three days earlier when I'd been about to dial his number I ran through the conversation in my head. I knew he was already worried about me being here and for my mental health since the accident. I worried that he'd think I was crazy if I called him with what was beginning to sound like a cliché murder mystery. Or he'd demand that I leave, but I had nowhere else to go and no money. For now I worried about the issue on my own, hoping I'd figure out more as time went along.

Rye Mellark served that purpose for me, well sort of. He would pop up every other day, whether he was out the back of his house when I came back from a run or watering the plants at the front of his house when I walked to town. He always sustained the same affable nature and easy conversation. I found myself looking forward to those chats. He hadn't yet, however, given me any further insight into the mystery surrounding his family but I figured I could be patient.

I also saw Peeta a few more times. He had a fairly consistent routine, I realised. Nearly every day he exited his house and surfed the waves of our private back beach. Each morning he'd emerge, surfboard tucked under his tattooed arm, and make his way out to the water. His morning routine happened to coincide with my own internal body clock and I found myself observing him each day. After the fourth day of watching him, a thought struck me. He must be incredibly lonely. Day in day out, he surfed, alone with only the ocean's waves. Judging from the rumours I had heard about the Mellark's, I didn't expect he ever socialised with anyone from the town. While he may live with his brother, judging from what I knew of their personalities, I wondered if Rye Mellark's presence in Peeta's life was more of a nuisance than a comfort. A small pang of sadness hit me as I considered this. I still didn't know if Peeta Mellark was as dangerous as everyone said he was but despite that I was still human. I had empathy. And most importantly, I knew what that feeling felt like. Ever since the fire, the same feeling had dwelled in the depths of my soul. It pervaded my very sense of self, creating heaviness in my body, suffocating at times. I didn't know the sins that Peeta Mellark had committed in his life, but I wouldn't wish that feeling upon anyone.

I watched him this morning the same as every other day. He trudged out to the sea with his surfboard, wetsuit hanging around his waist, leaving his muscled chest bare in all its glory. He always stuck his surfboard in the sand in the exact same spot. He threw a water bottle onto the sand next to it. He would always spend a moment looking out at the waves, taking in the morning solace of the beach. Then he would zip up his wetsuit all the way and paddle his way out to the deeper seas. Sometimes I'd spend a while watching him surf the waves. He surfed with a calm ease, his surfboard riding the crest of the waves and then cutting sharply as he made turns. I'd yet to see him fall.

This morning, however, I didn't have the luxury of time to gaze out and watch him tear up the waves. Today was the BBQ at the mayor's house. I didn't know how to feel about it but I figured that I better go to it. If anything, I might be able to get a better understanding of this place and potentially the rumours about the Mellark's.

I turned toward my expansive closet, my body clad in a silk dressing gown. I knew what I wanted to wear: a plain t-shirt and jeans. However, my fingers brushed against a sundress. It was a simple design, a sleeveless shift dress with a high neck that fell to mid-thigh. It was made of a forest green linen, which I approved of. In a decision that was odd for me, I pulled the dress off the hanger. My reasoning was I was already so much of an outsider I didn't want to stick out even more with a poor fashion sense. While that had never mattered to me, I had the feeling it mattered to the kind of people I would be meeting today. I slid on the dress, looked in the mirror and noted that I didn't hate it.

Downstairs, Effie poured me a coffee accompanied by a bowl of nuts, yoghurt and fruit. I was never much of a breakfast person however she always insisted I eat something. She and I had also fallen into a fairly consistent routine this past week. She'd fix me something small in the morning as she cleaned the kitchen. She also washed my clothes, which I felt slightly awkward about. I'd never had anyone wait on me before. I wasn't sure I enjoyed it. She assured me it was no trouble, as she already was doing the same for Haymitch.

"You'll have such a wonderful time at the BBQ." Effie prattled on as she moved about the kitchen. "It'll be so lovely for you to become friends with the other young women in the town."

"Mhmm." I hummed as I took a sip of coffee.

Rye Mellark's previous words flashed through my mind again. Was there a bigger reason that Effie wanted me to be friends with these women? I didn't broach the topic though and finished my breakfast while she talked about a meal she'd had at one of the more upscale restaurants in town the other day.

I was out of the house within the hour. I walked down the drive car keys in hand, deciding how far I'd need to park away from Madge's house so that no one saw my car. A familiar face suddenly popped over the fence separating Haymitch's house from the Mellark's, nearly causing me to drop my keys in fright.

"Good morning neighbour!" He exclaimed obnoxiously. "And dare I say, you look mighty fine today."

"Good morning, Rye." I offered, trying not to let my lips crack a smile and indulge him any further. Despite all his grandiosity, there was something endearing about Rye.

"Let me guess, you're off to the Mayor's BBQ?"

"Mhmm, you know it. Tell me, why are you lurking by the fence?"

He holds a hand to his heart, in mock hurt. "Lurking? You make me sound like a stalker."

"Aren't you?"

He winked. "Only on the weekends."

I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I thought I'd say hello before the vultures sink their talons into you."

"You'll see me around after." I assured him.

"We'll see." He said. "Cheerio!"

000

While it was clear from Haymitch's house that he had too much money than what was good for him, the mayor's house screamed opulence and grandeur in a way that Haymitch's didn't. While Haymitch's house had expensive furniture that had clearly been picked out by an interior decorator, everything in his house had a purpose. Even those stupid electric glass windows that were in every room.

As I walked in the mayor's house, it opened to a large foyer. The room's only purpose was to present the grand double staircase that led up to the second floor of the mansion. It served no functionality other than to boast an impression. My eyes quickly surveyed the room. The foyer was stark and clean. Every surface gleaned, polished to perfection. As my eyes swept the staircase I realised that it was real marble. The cost of the material alone could have probably bought my family's entire house.

I didn't like the house. In fact, it baffled me. What was the point in all of this?

I didn't get long to mull over that question because Madge suddenly swept into the entryway.

"Katniss!" She looked as elegant and graceful as ever. "I'm so glad you could make it! I'll introduce you to everyone."

And like that, she took my hand and dragged me through the opulent house to the back garden. The event was set up as a garden party. Pretty white tables and chairs were scattered amongst well-maintained plants and hedges. A large fountain of what looked like an ethereal mermaid stood in the centre of the garden, water streaming from its mouth into the catchment below.

Madge led me towards a small group of girls, standing in a circle chatting with drinks in their hands. I tried not to notice how all the other eyes in the garden followed my movements towards the women. Defiantly, I kept my gaze on the three girls. I recognized Delly, bouncing on her heels in excitement, looking like a firecracker ready to take off. She stood in the middle, flanked by two other women. They all appeared a similar age to me, give or take a few years. Like both Delly and Madge, the one on the left had flowing blonde hair, pristine painted nails and makeup. The one on Delly's right, appeared the odd one out. She had dark hair, almost similar to mine, with bright sea-green eyes and a much more natural look.

"Ladies," Madge greeted them grandly, "this is Katniss. Katniss, this is Delly, Cashmere and Annie."

"Pleasure to meet you." Cashmere said.

"Hey, welcome." Annie smiled good-naturedly. "It's good to finally meet you, everyone's been talking about you."

My smile was a little strained. "News travels fast."

Madge left the group to tend to something the Mayor had asked for. The girls filled the time with idle chit chat. They asked what my home town was like, what places I'd visited on the Island so far and gave their recommendations of things I should try.

"It's a shame you're on the other side of town, not with the rest of us." Cashmere's tone was perfectly neutral however I was sure there were unspoken words underneath. This is what I wanted to get out of them, if anything came of today.

"What do you mean?" I asked casually.

"Oh you know you're so remote out there," she said, "those of us that live out here hang out all the time. We just have to walk across the road."

I didn't bother pointing out that Haymitch's house was in no way 'remote'. If only she'd seen my home. That wasn't the point of this conversation though. I could tell she was skirting around the topic, so I decided to just mention it and gauge her response.

"Well," I said lightly, "I hang out with Rye Mellark sometimes. He's my neighbour after all."

I kept my eyes on them as the words left my mouth. Delly made a face. Cashmere frowned. Surprisingly, Annie remained impassive.

"What?" I asked innocently, as if I hadn't heard part of the rumour.

Cashmere and Delly shared a glance. "Let's go talk over there." Cashmere said, pointing her chin to a secluded part of the garden. The girls picked up their champagne glasses and crossed over the grass where ornate garden chairs sat. They gestured for me to sit. We sat in an awkward silence for a few seconds.

"Katniss, I'm not sure if you've been told, but if I were you, I'd be careful of spending too much time with the Mellarks. I mean Rye, he's ok, but Peeta…" Delly trailed off and looked a little helpless.

I decided to be blunt. "Everyone keeps giving me these vague warnings. What happened to them?"

They shared an uneasy glance. "He murdered his mother. And possibly his girlfriend." There it was. Murdered. The same as what Peeta had said on the beach with scorn.

But murdered his mother? That shocked me. I'd never heard of anyone murdering their own mother.

If only they knew what you did, the intrusive voice in my mind said, which I quickly shut up.

"Supposedly murdered his mother." Annie said softly. "And Glimmer went missing."

Cashmere threw up her hands in a small gesture. "Everyone knows he did it. He always had anger issues, everyone saw it. Yet the whole family covered it up. The only saving grace for that family was that Mr Mellark moved out to above the bakery and left the boys to fend for themselves."

"Shouldn't he be in jail then?" Did the Island have its own jail? If it did, I couldn't imagine it being more than a small building with a few cells.

"Well that's the thing," Delly said, "the police could never prove it."

"What happened?"

"He had a really tough childhood." Annie began. "His mother…well, she was a difficult person to deal with. She would hit him and Rye, and she was incredibly harsh, it wasn't uncommon for them to have bruises at school."

"That doesn't excuse him killing her!" Cashmere interrupted Annie in outrage.

"I never said it did, I'm just explaining the situation."

Cashmere took this as an opportunity to take up the story telling. Apparently Annie wasn't doing it justice.

"His girlfriend went missing after swimming in the ocean when we were 16. He and Glimmer were 20. No one suspected Peeta at the time, although it was clear he had anger issues – he'd gotten into fights a lot at school - but that was kind of irrelevant at that point. It's not uncommon for people to go missing at sea, and Glimmer was a triathlete, she often swam alone. So no one thought much of it. Anyway, it was only a year or so later that his mother died. They called the ambulances to their house. They said she tripped and fell, hitting her head on the counter. The problem was, Peeta had a broken nose. They questioned him, but he said he broke his nose surfing. Finnick Odair, who was quite well respected at that point, said he was surfing with Peeta and saw him break it. They investigated the whole house but couldn't find any hard evidence."

"Doesn't…doesn't that mean he's innocent?"

Cashmere shook her head. "He's guilty. It's obvious to everyone. And I mean it makes sense. Annie's right, his mother was terrible but that doesn't excuse murder. And that also makes you question what the hell happened to Glimmer. Probably murdered her too and chucked her in the ocean." Cahsmere shook her head. "We all used to be friends with him and Finnick Odair too. I don't know how the hell Peeta managed to get Finnick on his side after all that."

"There used to be more people that lived on your part of the Island, "Delly said to me, "but they moved away after that. Apart from Haymitch."

"No one wanted to be cursed." Cashmere scoffed. "And no offence, but clearly Haymitch doesn't care how long he lives."

Despite it being an insult, I couldn't deny there was truth to that last past. "Cursed?" I asked.

"It's an old legend." Annie said. "The Island has a lot of old stories about curses. Some people believe it…some think it's a bit far fetched."

"Yet we've seen it play out. It might not all be crazy." Cashmere said.

"What's the legend?"

Annie looked slightly reluctant while Cashmere looked more than ready to head down this train of thought. She looked at the crowd and then summoned someone over.

"Katniss is asking about the old legends. You always tell it the best." Cashmere smiled. "This is Ceaser."

The man appeared like a male form of Effie. He dressed in a similarly flamboyant way, with bright colours and clashing patterns. He also had the biggest and whitest teeth I'd ever seen on anybody in my life.

He dragged a chair over, joining our little party.

"Ah, where do we start?" He mused, putting down his glass so he could speak with his hands. He greeted the group with a nod and a smile and he shook my hand. Then he dove into the story. "Back in our ancient history, our people were sailors. They originally came from these lands, but they sailed the seas wanting to discover what was beyond the Island. They were on a boat called the Aurora and would set sail for months, if not years, at a time.

One night, they returned to the Island after time at sea. No one really knows what happened but upon their return fights broke out. They said the captain went on a rampage, murdering many sailors and wives. It was a massacre. Their bodies were dumped on the sand to be swept out to the sea, staining the water red with blood. People said the captain had been possessed by evil spirits, brought back from the other lands. So the surviving sailors, in turn, murdered him.

They thought that would be the end of it. Life went on as normal until they decided to set sail again. Some of the men and women who had stayed back on land, reported strange occurrences that very night. They reported they heard screams from the horizon and could see the ship in the distance, lightning striking it. They also said they heard strange whispers drifting across the water. The next morning the ship was gone and never returned. They never found the wreckage either."

"What happened?"

Ceaser met my eyes. "We call them the Rusalka and Vodianoi. The names come from the ancient language. The Rusalka are a water nymph, female spirits that have died violently or by suicide. The Vodianoi are the male version, often married to the Rusalka. That night that the Aurora disappeared, it was the Rusalka and Vodianoi seeking revenge for their deaths. They exist out in the water and draw swimmers and sailors near before dragging them underwater and drowning them. Legend says that the Rusalka and Vodianoi prevent those that try to leave the Island or possess those that do as punishment for what happened those years ago. They prevent others from bringing evil spirits to the Island, like those sailors did."

Ceaser finished his story and for a moment I simply stared at him, not knowing what to say. What on earth? I'd heard ancient Greek mythology before but I'd never heard anything like this. Surely, they didn't believe this? I mean it was called mythology for a reason.

Yet as I thought through the short time that I'd been here, I'd heard multiple times that people didn't leave the Island. What had that old lady at the stall said? That people also went missing at sea? And apparently they were taken down by spirit water nymphs?

Seeing my face - I honestly had no clue of what it showed - Ceaser grinned. "Some people have moved away from the legends, but…time and time again strange things happen. I warn you to not just pay them off as old wives tales."

And with that he left, assuming his services were complete. Cashmere appeared pleased. "So there you go. The Islanders keep their distance from people like Peeta Mellark and Finnick Odair because they are worried they may be cursed. Or some believe that Mrs Mellark would be a Rusalka. Even if it's not true, no one wants to be around those types of people anyway. We don't want any more deaths around here. Oh look," Cashmere said, her eyes suddenly darting toward the crowd, her tone light, "they're handing out more champagne. Let's grab some more Del." She grabbed Delly's hand and towed her toward the waiters, leaving just me and Annie sitting on the garden chairs.

We were quiet for a moment. My brain was still trying to process the story I'd been told. I mulled over what they said about Peeta Mellark but there seemed to be one fact missing.

"Annie…what happened to Finnick Odair?"

Her lips formed a grim line. "Finnick Odair used to be like the 'golden boy' of the Island. Everyone loved him, he was the champion triathlete, he'd help out at the market stalls, he'd chat to anyone. He did everything. When he was 19, both his parents died at sea. The rumours began circulating. People began gossiping about what his parents had done to be taken by the forces out at sea. So people started to become wary of Finnick. And then once everything happened with Peeta, Finnick chose to back him, which was the last straw for everyone. He was ostracized, like Peeta, after what happened to Mrs Mellark. People rarely see him now."

"He…lost his whole family and his entire home town shunned him?"

I couldn't comprehend the concept. I thought of everything that I'd gone through in the past couple of weeks. The enormous burden of grief and pain. How could they all turn their backs on him at a time like that?

Her eyebrows drew close together. "People have strong beliefs." She supplied.

I studied Annie for a moment. She spoke in a matter of fact manner and she kept her expression calm. But I could tell she held back with these opinions, unlike Cashmere.

"Do you believe that Peeta Mellark killed his mother and girlfriend?" I finally asked.

She gave me a tight, sad smile before something in the crowd caught her attention. "Cashmere and Delly are coming back."

The other girls returned, along with Madge, shoving another glass of champagne into our hands. We spoke no more of mythology or the Mellark's for the rest of the BBQ. They introduced me to a handful of other friends across the afternoon, but soon the crowd began to wane and the guests began to peter out. Time for me to go. I'd gotten what I needed for today.

I wished the girls goodbye and began wandering back through the Mayor's mansion. I bumped into Madge's mother in the foyer. I was suddenly anxious, unsure of the proper etiquette, as I'd never been to an event like this.

"Thank you for having me Mrs Undersee." I said.

"Oh, you're more than welcome Katniss. Are you leaving? I actually wanted to find you to talk to you."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"Madge has been telling me about you and I have a gift for you."

Madge's mother presented me with a simple silver chain bracelet with a blue and white charm dangling from it. I recognised it as the evil eye, the same as I'd seen at the market. I paused for a second wondering why she would be giving it to me.

"Mrs Undersee, I can't accept that." I said politely.

"Of course you can. Everyone on the Island has one, it will help keep you safe." She touched my cheek in a motherly way. While I would normally shy away from physical contact, there was something good and steady about her nature. Her touch felt authentic, like she was actually concerned about me.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, honey. I'm glad you found your way here after what happened to your parents. This is where you should be."

She spoke with confidence that I didn't quite understand. Did she mean that I should be with my last remaining family a.k. drunk estranged uncle? As if that was better than my previous life? Or did she just mean it as a welcoming sentiment, that I was accepted by the Island?

She didn't elaborate any further and simply patted my hand and wished me well as I returned back home.

000

My head was spinning after the BBQ. This place was as bizarre as I had suspected. According to Madge's friends, I lived next to a serial killer. And people kept insinuating I needed protection from the 'forces' of the Island. Which I guess was the Rusalka and Vodianoi. What the hell was that about?

A flash of colour occurred in front of my eyes. Her cerulean blue eyes swam in my memories again. They shone as a perfect clear blue. Eyes that were innocent and hopeful. But now they were dead.

Why couldn't I escape death? It seemed to follow me wherever I went and there was something about the brutal mythology that was bothering me. This was supposed to be a fresh start and now I was supposedly living next to a criminal surrounded by an ocean possessed by unnatural undead creatures.

When I headed up the drive to Haymitch's house, I saw Rye Mellark out of my periphery watching me from his front yard. I gave him a small smile but the anxiety thrumming through my veins made it feel strained. I felt bad, but my head felt like an absolute mess and I only had so much energy left in me.

His lips twisted into a tight line. He knew, I knew.

I briefly touched the bracelet on my wrist and slipped inside to the house with no chit chat.

Effie was making a sandwich when I began walking through the kitchen. "Oh hello dear, how was the Mayor's BBQ?"

"It was fine. " I responded. "I met some of Madge's other friends which was good. And Mrs Undersee gave me this." I held up my wrist, with the evil eye bracelet now clasped to it. I didn't know how to feel about it yet, however I'd decided to wear it for the moment.

Effie nodded in approval. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. They're much better people to be spending your time with."

I tried not to grimace at her blatant discrimination and excused myself to my room. I shut the door and sat on my bed with a sigh, toying with the bracelet. A movement in my periphery made me turn my head. I peered out my window and saw Peeta Mellark was moving about and for once he wasn't shirtless or dressed in a wetsuit. I watched him for a moment, tidying the room he was in like any other normal person would. My mind went back over what I'd been told today.

There was a chance that Peeta Mellark had murdered his mother and girlfriend. But that also seemed too simple of an explanation, given the lack of hard evidence and the Islanders' love of gossip. And I was fairly confident that Haymitch also didn't believe that.

Just before I was about to get up, his eyes flicked up and met mine through the glass panes of the windows. This time I didn't flinch.

Who are you Peeta Mellark? I wondered.

000

A/N: Let me know what you think so far! The story is split up into about 9 chapters and I'll be updating weekly.