The Price of Champions and Crowns (Hunger Games)

12

As soon as I entered the justice building I'm met with a seething Johanna Mason marching up to me. Her heels clicking furiously in her wake and I gulped, my eyes flickering to her hands just incase she'd managed to smuggle her axe from home. No axe, but no less intimidating.

I was pinned to the wall in seconds, I gasped in shock and stared into her pretty face. "Love!?!...And bringing up their games?!?. Do you a fucking death wish, Victroia?. I have one godamn job, and its keeping your sorry ass alive!. You cried...".

She shriecked the word in my face causing me to flinch. I take it all back, silence is better than this.

She grunted and let me go while running a hand down her face. "Its too late now, Snow will have the footage soon. Pray they cut it out in time otherwise, you'll go and theres nothing I or those two Shits..". She angrily pointed at Blight and Clement. Both in a state of shock and fear, much like myself. "..can do to help you".

I gulped and tried not to shake in fear from the words that's just left her mouth. "Go...?".

She cackled manically. "Do you really need me to spell it out for you, Sweetheart?..."

False and degrading is how she used the pet name. I shook my head. No, I've got it. I fucked up. 

I took a shaky breath. "I-I forgot my speech".

I should've just filled the gap with awkward silence instead. Johanna's eye twitched and she turned to me with a look that made me fear her befor-

"Johanna, that's enough".

There's many people here who I expected to come to my aid. The main two being Blight and Clement. But the last person I expected in this entire district to help me is surprisingly the one who did.

Katniss Mellark shot her a pointed look. A look that caused Johanna to huff and shake her head mockingly at Katniss.

A sickness built up in my stomach. The three victors and Mayor of Twelve had joined us and I paled. How long have they been here?...or more importantly, how much did they hear?.

What's even more sickening is the look Katniss and Johanna give eachother. Its more than friendship. And in that second I've decided that I hate them both.

Even though she's embrassed me and I cried on a stage full of strangers, I still keep my head high.  I take a small step away from my mother while casting my eyes on the wooden floor. Not at all intrested in this forced brunch we're all about to par-take in.

The mayor clears his throat and hands his hand out. I'm so shocked from Joahnna's outbrust that it takes me a second to realise I'm supposed to shake it. So I do.

He smiles curtly. "I'm Mr Undersee, Mayor of District Twelve".

Right. I smile back but I'm sure its fake as hell. "I'm Victoria".

He smiles and gives me a small wink. "I know."

It's a kind, understanding tone.  Almost nurturing. I realised then he was talking to me as if I'm a skittish animal that needs cooing out of their shell. But the many victors and Clement didn't seem to comment on it. 

He patted my shoulder and started walking which I gathered was my cue to follow after him. "Now, from what I've been told you like climbing trees. How about I give you a tour of the district. Our trees I'm sure aren't what your used to but they have their charm".

Confusion washed over me. "You want me to climb trees, Sir?".

Strange man.

Abernathy snorted behid me and Mr Undersee shot him a pointed look before smiling at me. "Only if you want to girl. Wouldn't deny a Victor is they wanted to climb them". I picked up a bit of sarcasm there but didn't call him out on it. "No, we just think that you'd feel more at home in a meadow surrouned by trees instead of a tour of the coal mines".

Oh...that makes sense. I nodded and thus presented the most awkward tour of District Twelve I'm sure anyones ever had. Afterall, one normally has the tour with the Mayor and Victors. Not the Mayor and the parents of the fallen tributes that you killed. 

By the time brunch came around I was ready to go crawl in a hole and never come out. I was placed inbetween the Mayor and Johanna, directly across from Katniss and Peeta. With Haymitch and Blight taking up the ends of the table. Clement, supposedly is 'benath the clientele' or whatever his excuse is. I just think he's had enough of Johanna for the day. And honestly I can't blame him.

Katniss clicked her tongue and I met her eye, that was my mistake. "So, Victroia. If it would've been such an hounor to join our children in the arena. Why, didn't you?".

Crap.

It was like a pin dropped. Johanna smirked and turned to me inquizzedly. I think she gets off from any form of tourture directed at me. But Katniss saw Johanna's reaction as nothing but approval that its fine to interrogate me as much she wants.

Peeta had kind and pained eyes. I could tell, even though he patted Katniss' arm in a clear 'settle down' he wants to know. And Haymitch rose his eyebrows above his glass in an obvious 'ooft' expression while Blight gurlgled to himself.

The Mayor stayed silent as its clear this 'brunch' is for the victor's benefit and not his own. So its a bit of a tough crowd at the moment. 

I bit my lip and stared on Katniss Mellark. "Well, they were brother and sister".

Without missing a beat Katniss rose and eyebrow. "So?, Didn't you refer to Trent as a brother?".

I visibly shuddered and I watched the smirk of satisfaction it caused in Katniss. Toche Katniss. I tusked in fake sympathy. "I'm sorry I hacked your child to death Katniss. But I assure you it was quick and painless. He could've expirenced worse in there, infact, he did worse in there".

Haymitch whistled lowly. "Not the daughter of Johanna Mason for nothing, huh?".

Johanna smirked at that and smiled brightly at Katniss. "Any more questions Love-Bird?. Its better not to hold onto these things".

I know Johanna's having a whale of a time. She's a bit psychotic like that.

Katniss exhaled and looked at me pointedly. "They could've joined you two and they'd still be here!. You ruined everything".

What does that even mean?!?. If they joined Liam and I , they'd still be here?...

That doesn't make any sense!. Especially when only one ever makes it out alive. The confusion showed on my face and from the small intake of breath across the table, I think Katniss thought I actually know whats she's talking about.

Johanna's smirk instantly left her face as she shot Katniss a warning look. "Don't say anything you'll regret."

It held so much to it. I could tell by the minor fear that flashed behind her eyes. The fact that Peeta grew tense, and the way in which Haymitch shot her a 'shut up' look.

The Victors are hiding something.

And by the end of this tour I'm going to find out what that is,

Even if it kills me.