I crouched down and looked at the peaceful early morning lake. The sun just started to rise over the hilltops. I rubbed my hands together to create some warmth. It's so cold. Sparkly snow laid all around me. It's been 7 months since i lost newt. 7 months since I've been back at Panem. Panem somehow survived the virus. No one has contracted the virus or anything. However the sun did scorch the Earth all around Panem. I was really happy to see my family again. But I didn't tell them about my confrontation with dad. I didn't tell them that he's gone for good. Some things are better left untold. President Snow was not happy about my return. I could see his face turn to disgust when he saw me step out of that helicopter 7 months ago. But nothing has happened. He didn't kill me. In fact the Hunger Games haven't continued since I've been kidnapped. I wonder if it's gone for good too. I hope so. I heard a twig snap behind me. I drew back my bow and turned around.
"Woah. Easy." Gale said putting his hands up in defense. I lowered my bow. I gave him an apologetic look. I've been so on edge after WCKD. It got worse since I've been back. I always feel like someone will come up behind me and kill me.
"Saw some turkeys on the way here. Crossed right in front of me like I wasn't even there." Gale said.
"How rude of them." I said smiling.
"That's what happens when you spend 6 days a week working in the mines. The stupid birds start to think they own these woods." Gale said. I chuckled.
"When's the tour leave?" Gale asked. The tour. The Capitol wants me and Peeta to go on a tour around the districts. I guess to preach about the Hunger Games just like all the other Victors did.
"Couple hours." I said. I was really dreading it. I don't want to bring back up memories.
"Well let's go." Gale said. We walked though the woods looking for the turkeys Gale was talking about. When we found them I crouched behind a rock and pulled out my bow. I quietly drew my arrow back and aimed at a turkey. I released. I watched the arrow rip into newt's chest. I gasped and started screaming. Gale took my hands and calmed me down.
"Woah it's ok. You're safe. It's okay. You're safe. You're with me." Gale repeated. I looked back and newt was gone. All there was was just a bunch of turkeys scattering now because of my freak out. I took a deep shaky breath and calmed down.
"I'm sorry." I panted. I got up to my feet.
"We should.....we should go." I said. I hid my bow in a tree and we walked out of the woods.
***
Me and Gale stood together in an alley way.
"Are you coming to the train station?" I asked.
"I think you have enough people saying goodbye without me there." Gale said.
"Only a few I actually care about." I said.
"It might be easier if I didn't." Gale said.
"It's only a few weeks. I'll be back before the snow melts." I said.
"Yeah a lot can happen in a few weeks." Gale said. I keep forgetting Gale liked me. He was still really hurt about me kissing Peeta in the Games. and then the whole wckd thing happened. I didnt tell Gale about Newt. i didn't tell anyone in fact.
"Are we gonna do this again? Gale it was an act." I said.
"Yeah and it was a good one." Gale said looking down at his feet.
"I did what I had to do to survive. If I didn't I'd be dead." I said. Then something happened. Gale cupped my face and suddenly kissed me. I was shocked. That was my first kiss with someone else since Newt. But this kiss with Gale just didn't feel right. I could feel Gale's passion but I couldn't feel mine.
"I had to do that. At least once." Gale whispered. Then he let go of me and walked away. I stood there frozen. After a few minutes I gathered up enough courage to walk back to my house. I walked into a tiny neighborhood. Victors village. Where the victors of district 12 live. peeta shared a house with Haymitch. I lived in the house across with my family. I walked up to peeta and Haymitch's house and banged on the door.
"Haymitch!" I called out. No one opened the door so I turned the knob and walked in. I walked into the dining room and saw Haymitch passed out on the table with empty drinks surrounding him.
"Haymitch. Wake up. It's Tour Day." I said. I shook him but he didn't stir. I sighed. I grabbed a glass full of something. I hesitated. Then I dumped the liquid onto him. Haymitch roared awake.
"What are you doing?!" He yelled angrily.
"Cameras are gonna be here in an hour." I said dryly. Haymitch drunkly walked towards me. I grabbed him by the throat and pushed him back into the chair.
"If you wanted to be babied, you should've asked peeta." I said.
"Asked me what?" A voice asked. peeta walked into the room.
"Asked you to wake me without giving me pneumonia." Haymitch said. Haymitch stared me dead in the eye.
"You are a strangely dislikable person." Haymitch said. I put two bottles of alcohol on the table.
"But you do have your virtues." Haymitch quickly added.
"Would you like some bread Maddie?" peeta asked.
"No I already ate but thank you." I said.
"You're welcome." peeta said. He started cutting the bread. I could feel the tension. after peeta's memories came back he's been so frustrated with me. about everything really. the games and then not restoring his memories sooner. i think i liked him better without his memories.
"Brr. You two have a lot of warming up to do before showtime." Haymitch said.
"Which is in an hour so take a bath Haymitch." I said walking out of the house.
"I just did." Haymitch called out. I ignored him and slammed the door behind me.
YOU ARE READING
Part 5: The Girl On Fire
FanfictionWell guys, we are almost done with this series. There's just two more parts after this. Again thanks for reading and feel free to comment anything. Hope you like Part 5! Plot: In the aftermath of WCKD and losing newt, Maddie says goodbye to the Glad...