"Saleah Barnette, winner of the 72nd Hunger Games,.known as the Butterfly in the Capitol for her gentleness, and her love for the winged creatures. She won her games at 18 and then proceeded to live in both the Capitol and District 11."
"She doesn't...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
SALEAH HAD NOT SLEPT AT ALL. She knew she looked like a mad woman. She spent all night tossing and turning in bed.
When Orna woke her up, she did not say anything about Saleah's frightening appearance. Though Saleah wished she would have.
A gasp came out of her mouth when she looked in the mirror. Her eyes were tired and red from lack of sleep, she also had drooping bags underneath them. Her face looked strange. She didn't even look like herself. She didn't feel like herself.
She was certain though, that she had looked worse than this when she left the arena, but she had not looked in a mirror the night she got back from the games, she only looked at herself after Laycey had glammed her up.
She leaned over the sink, her hands gripping the porcelain edge as she looked up at herself again. The one thing she hated, was her scar. It started at the corner of her left eyebrow, cut across her eyelid, and ended just before it hit her nose.
Faye had given it to her the first day of the games about forty minutes after the bloodbath.
The Capitol's doctors had patched her up after the games, helping her regain full sight in the eye, but they didn't erase the mark. They could have if they wanted to, Saleah knew that.
Her stomach churned as she traced the scar with her fingertip. It felt rough, like a seam that didn't belong. She hated how everyone could see it and immediately know where it came from. She hated how it reminded her of the games, she would never truly be free from her time in the arena.
She turned away, unable to look at herself for any longer.
Saleah decided to freshen up. She showered, washed her face, and brushed her teeth. When she was done, she felt a little better, physically, at least.
Laycey had not come along with Saleah and Orna to return the Victor to her home, but she did leave some outfits for the girl in the closet of the train.
Saleah rummaged through the clothing, trying to settle on something to wear, but Laycey didn't exactly have the same style as Saleah.
Eventually she settled on a pair of soft, White, linen pants and a sleeveless vest.
"You look nice." Orna smiled at the girl.
"Thanks, can you help me take these out?" Saleah asked as she started to unbraid her hair.
Orna sat next to her and began helping unbraid Saleah's hair, "Why take these out so soon? They're nice."
"They are, but I was missing my curls." Saleah explained.
The two conversed about random things as they worked on Saleah's hair, by the time they were done, they had reached District Eleven.
"Just a heads up, you're family isn't waiting outside." Orna chuckled as she took in Saleah's tense demeanor.
"What? Why?"
"We were afraid that it might take up too much attention, plus we want your reunion to be private." Orna explained.
"So they're at home?'
Orna nodded as the two made their way off the train and into a smaller carriage.
During the ride, Saleah noticed that they were headed in the wrong direction.
"This isn't the way home." She pointed out.
"Oh, we're not going there Saleah. You're in the Victor's Village now, remember?"
Saleah pursed her lips as she came to remember that she would now be living in an entirely different home.
Orna noticed the look on Saleah's face and grabbed her hand, "It's beautiful, I promise." She reassured her.
Saleah nodded.
A few minutes later they pulled up outside the gate of the Victors Village. Both Orna and Saleah stepped out and into the village.
"Wow." Saleah breathed out. This was definitely nicer than her old home. It was nice, even though the homes were all the same.
"This ones yours." Orna led the girl to one of the homes.
As Saleah opened the door, she took a deep breath. Inside was beautiful, more spacious than any other home Saleah had seen in Eleven.
"Saleah?" A small voice called out.
Saleah turned her head to see Rue standing there, eyes wide.
"Rue.." Saleah stood there for a moment. She didn't know what her baby sister thought about her at the moment. Had she seen the games? Was she scared of her?
All those questions were answered as Rue ran into Saleah's arms, A sob escaping her lips as she hung onto her older sister as tightly as she could.
"What's going on? Rue, what's-" Mist stopped as she saw Saleah. Her face scrunched up as tears began to fall.
Saleah let go of Rue before standing in front of her best friend.
Mist immediately embraced Saleah, burying her head into her shoulder.
One by one, Saleah's family entered the foyer, immediately throwing themselves at the girl as soon as they saw her.
"I can't believe you're here." Her father took her face in his hands. "You did it baby. You're safe." He said as Saleah broke down in his arms.
