The Broken Pieces (Skinny Love Sequel)

Chapter One

Chapter One

~Katniss's POV~

It's been a year since The Hunger Games. Since all of the destruction. Arabella is doing fine, along with the other few I have left. The second year of The Hunger Games is coming up which I have to mentor District 12's tributes. It's the absolute last thing I want to do. This year it will only be a girl and a boy that are ages 12-16 instead of 12 and up with two of each gender.

Whenever I hear someone call Arabella; Ari, it makes me want to burst into sobs. Peeta had made up that nickname for her. Nowadays everyone is careful when they speak to me as I'm fragile with anything that reminds me of Peeta. I've begged the Capitol's doctors to find someway to bring my beloved back to life. President Snow was outraged at my request but I fought my way through. They are researching day and night.

It gives me a sense of hope but I know that it's practically impossible to Frankenstein someone back to life.

I miss him every moment that passes by. He was my everything and now my only purpose in life is to take care of Arabella. Hopefully, I can help this year's tributes to survive. But I have to watch the games and it will haunt me as I will have to watch them for the rest of my life. The Capitol keeps a record of the tapes as well.

"Mummy." I hear a wail come from my baby girl's mouth.

I sit up in my queen sized bed and throw the covers off to walk over to Arabella's cradle. She is standing up, leaning against the pole. No, she can not walk but 13 month old babies can pull up to a stand and sit for a long time by themselves. I've been working with her though.

"Is that my baby?" I smile widely as she giggles and I pick her up, tickling her.

Bella bursts out in giggles that make my heart leap. "Mummy!" She squeals as I stop and kiss her forehead.

"Are you hungry?" I ask her as she makes a sound of happiness with a nod.

As I take her into the kitchen, there is a bang. I tense before tip toeing inside to only see Haymitch.

He gives a crooked smile towards Bella and I.

"Hello Sweetheart." Haymitch promised me that he would become sober for Arabella and I. In the state that we are in. Him and Effie had hit it off as well.

"Hello." I croak out from my scratchy throat. It's been a while since I've actually held a conversation with someone. It's usually just someone just ordering ms to do something then I nod along with it.

"How are you?" He asks.

"Decent." I honestly answer to him before grabbing some baby food.

Setting Arabella in her high chair, I start to feed her the food.

"Good. What about this one?" He kisses the top of my baby girl's head.

"The same as me," I reply. "How's Effie?"

"Well. I've been thinking about proposing to her. She always have this loving sigh whenever she passes by families." I smile widely, I haven't smiled in a long time but this is amazing.

"You should, there is no doubt she will agree to." He reaches over to give me a hug and I bury my head into his shoulder.

Haymitch is the father figure I never really had since mine passed on.

"Where is Annie and Finnick or Johanna?" He lets go and sits across from me.

"Annie is at home resting with Finn. Johanna is most likely wondering. She is quite to herself lately. Maybe that's just her way of coping." I shrug as he nods at my words.