[Flowers] • The Hunger Games

Twenty Two

Weeks passed.

District 12 welcomed their new victors with open arms. Their smiles remained for the weeks to come, and the victor's new wealth circulated more money that trickled down throughout the whole district. Kids waved whenever they saw Asteria, instead of lowering their gaze and trying to act like she wasn't there. She wasn't the scorned victor who'd brutally killed her opponents, she wasn't the town crazy who thought everyone was out to get her. She was the successful mentor who'd brought home two of their tributes.

Life, for her, was easier.

She knew Madge and Gale had it harder. Madge lived alone in victor's village, her father had opted to stay in his own house in the town center. He had his duties as Mayor to attend to. Gale had brought his whole family to the village, and he no longer needed to hunt, but his wandering mind led him out past the fences most days anyway.

They never filled Madge in on what was happening. Asteria ushered Gale to pretend to be in love with her in public. He complained, a lot, but if a simple Peacekeeper could account for their fake relationship, maybe Snow would believe it, too.

Asteria woke up one morning in early summer. Sunlight streamed through her windows, and for the first time in a while, she hadn't woken up from a nightmare. The orange stray that had found a home with her laid curled on top of her, purring softly as it slept.

She smiled to herself. For no reason, for the first time in a long time. She wondered if this was what healing felt like. She wouldn't know, she'd been reserved to just get worse and worse over the years.

Eventually, the cat decided to move and start her own day. Asteria wasn't too far behind. She woke up and made herself an actual breakfast. She baked pastries for Haymitch, Gale and Madge. She delivered them in wicker baskets with freshly picked wildflowers and a smile. Madge gave her a hug, Haymitch had been passed out drunk but she'd left it anyway, and Gale accepted it gratefully and handed it to his mother, before shutting the door in her face anyway. She didn't take it to heart. Their relationship was...complicated. But not entirely cold, as she thought it might become.

She found herself outside more days than not. The summer was beautiful. Bees collected honey on the edges of the district, and she knew where a few of the more tame hives were. Perhaps she could go and collect some today? Or, maybe, she'd spend money at the hob. The people who sold there needed the money more than the richer shops that were set up over by victor's village. But, it was a pretty far walk. It might give her some time to think.

She decided on the latter. She passed by the florist's shop, and even the scent of roses didn't do much to disturb her attitude.

The Mellark bakery was doing better these days than it usually did. With people in better moods, and generally happier, they would occasionally spend money they otherwise wouldn't by treating themselves or the people they cared about. The shop filled the streets with the scent of bread and jams as she walked.

"Miss Adler."

She stopped at once. Hardly anyone referred to her in such a sure, harsh tone. Her smile faltered as she turned around.

It was a faceless peacekeeper. His mask was down, and he stood at the edge of an alleyway. She looked around, a bit confused, before crossing over to him as they dipped inside an alleyway.

"Can I help you?" She asked, tilting her head.

He reached behind an old crate and pulled out a bag. It was something inconspicuous, something anyone on the street who had a bit of money might be carrying. He shoved the bag towards her.

"What...is this?" She asked.

"Special delivery from a friend. Paid in full. You didn't see me here, and if you speak a word of this, you won't like what happens to you." He said in a low tone. Just as mysteriously as he'd appeared, he walked down the alley and was gone.