Sparks

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Word spread about our engagement fast. The people of Panem, now realizing that out 'marriage' announcement before on live t.v. was a lie. Some people suspected it, most were completely traumatized by the romance, and by most I mean the Capitol.

As I walk down the gravel pathway I take to the Hob, I glance at the woods, curious about what blood thirsty killer is in there. I've thought of several scenarios, a carnivorous mutation that was freed from the Capitol, a raged serial killer, a poisonous gas that was released from District 13, or the remains of bodies from the previous bombing at District 12. I didn't stay long enough to recognize any of the faces, and I'm glad I didn't, otherwise there might be someone important to me there.

Once I reach the remains of the Hob, I fight the tears. My feet crumble as I step on the debris of the burned down building. I kick a crisp black wooden box and it crashes into half a table with a big black puff of smoke and ashes. I kneel down and look for any treasures to recover. We send a few people every other week to recover any valuables from the bombed parts of District 12. Peeta is in the recovery group with me but I requested to be alone when I went to the Hob. Too many memories.

I stand up and my eyes are caught by a gleaming light. I look down at the light and see something gold. I bend down and move around some burnt pieces of wood. The wood reveals my mockingjay pin.

* * *

I pick up the pin, curious of how it got here. Last I remembered it was back at my house. Did Peeta bring it here? To play a sick joke? To remind me this is all my fault? I turn it over with my fingers and I notice it has the Capitol symbol on the back. So this isn't but pin, but who's is it? Who would make an exact replica of my mockingjay pin and imprint the Capitol symbol on the back. It makes no sense. I survey the area around me to make sure no ones watching, then I shove the pin in my pocket. We aren't allowed to take any recoveries for our self, but I need this.

I stand up and proceed to my search. Once I return to the house in the victors village, I walk in and notice a note on the table.

Out buying supplies. Be back soon.

-Peeta

I run upstairs to my bedroom and open the drawer next to my bed. I pick up the parachute that I recovered from the arena in the Quarter Quell. I unravel it to reveal the pearl Peeta gave, and my mockingjay pin. I pull out the pin from my pocket and compare to two. They both look identical in the front, but not in the back.

"Katniss?" Peetas voice travels up the stairs. The sound of the door closing is followed by footsteps coming up the stairs. I quickly throw the pins in the parachute and into the drawer. As soon as I shut the drawer, Peetas in the doorway.

"Katniss?" He says as he notices the expression on my face. I quickly change it to a face of relief that hes here. That what I just witnessed at the Hob was terrifying. I walk into his welcoming arms as he embraces me. "It's okay, Katniss. It's okay." He reassures me. If only he really knew what was going on.