Candor or Dauntless: Truth or Dare (Watty Awards 2013)

Part 17: Katniss and Primroses

He turns me around and smiles a cheek stretching grin at me. I frown.
"What's wrong, Trissy?" He asks, pouting for a second. It's like babysitting a child!
"You stay here. I'm going for a walk." I say, trying not to sound angry.
He shakes his head, "I'm coming with you." He says, slightly less happy.
I roll my eyes, "No, you stay. I go." I command. He plops down on the floor.
"I'll be back soon. I promise." I tell him. I take the key and leave. I wander outside and into the rows of trees. I pull a fresh apple off of a low branch. I jump and just barely grab it. I feeling of success overwhelms me. I walk into a large greenhouse full of plants and a large tree. The tree is centered in the middle of the room and it's roots stretch and touch the walls on either side. It's warm and humid. I hobble over the roots and to a row of flowers in the back.

The flowers are a beautiful yellow, not fluorescent but calming. I pick up a pot of them and smell them. They smell like the Amity compound. There's a tag in the dirt, I pick it up and read it, "Evening Primrose". I smile, such a pretty name. I pluck two flowers from the pot and turn around.

Along a small stream next to the Primroses, are little tubes. They have arrow shaped heads, and are plain green. I pick up the laminated tag and it says, 'Katniss, better known as Arrow-Head' I nod slowly. Below it, it reads, "Edible." I pick up a tube out of the water and sniff it.

It smells like fresh water and something distinct, like the earth. I place it on my tongue and chew. The flavor is intense but calming. I grab a few more shoots and climb my way back over the roots. I leave the greenhouse and head for room '123.' I open the door with my key.

Tobias is sitting on the floor where I left him. I roll my eyes, even on Peace Serum he's stubborn. I walk to the front of him and smile. I hand him a Primrose and some shoots. He looks at me, confused.
"The flower is for you and the shoots you can eat." I clarify. He puts the flower on his lap and puts one shoot on his tongue.
He chews and smiles, "These are...good." He says, the happiness much less noticeable.
"How are you feeling, Tobias?" I ask him.
He looks at me, stuffing more shoots into his mouth, "I'm feeling pissed and happy at the same time." He says. I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding. It's wearing off. He finishes off the shoots and examines the flower.
"What are they called?" He asks.
"The shoots are Katniss plants and the flowers are Evening Primroses." I tell him.
He nods silently, "Beautiful names. Where'd you find them?" He asks, the cheerfulness still in his voice.
"In a greenhouse. When the serum wears off, I'll take you." I tell him.
He frowns, "Take me. Now."
I shake my head, "Nope, I'm not very nice, am I? That must be why you like me!" I ask him. He raises his eyebrows but backs down soon after. I stand and lay down on the bed. It's been a long day, I set the clock I brought with me for 20 minutes. I'll take a short nap and maybe he'll be normal when I wake up. I roll over and fall into a dreamless sleep.