PROLOGUE.

REVENGE.

THERE HAD ONCE BEEN A MOMENT WHERE SHE WAS TRULY HAPPY AFTER HER GAMES. She remembers the smile that adorned the face of her older brother as she stepped off the train, his arms encasing her body to him tightly. He was so proud of her, so happy that his little sister had managed to survive such a vicious and cruel games. She remembers him telling her that he was so incredibly grateful that she'd found her way home, that he wouldn't be able to live without her by his side because it would be much too painful.

That night they'd moved into the Victor home that she was granted, the house so large that neither of them really knew what to do with it. From the moment they stepped in, it was so full of life. Laughter echoed through the halls and it smelt of cookies, ones that she'd been able to prepare herself in her brand new kitchen. It was so bright and bubbly despite what she'd been through, Cato helped, he was always there.

Now it's bland and lifeless. The flowers had wilted, the laughter was gone and now there is only one person living in it. The house is always so silent, other victors pass by and hear not even a creak coming from within the home's walls. There was never any smoke leaking from the chimney, no windows open to let the light in and most certainly no quiet humming which they used to hear when she was cooking — people often wonder if the girl is even alive.

In a way, she no longer is. It's as if grief has etched away at her once inflamed heart and cursed her with a darkness that has broken it. At times it's like it's not even beating, the life drained from her features and her skin a sickly pale colour. The way her eyes are constantly red from the tears, she's sure one day she'll just run out. There has to be a day where the tears just stop coming, just stop taunting her. When they stop, she has too much to think and they start up again.

Like most days, the blonde is curled up in her bed with a pillow in her arms for comfort. It's surface is drenched in the salty substance that continues to drip from her eyes and down the sides of her face. It's hard to stop them, she has no idea how to do it. So instead, she lets them fall free and drench almost every inch of her pillow — day after day it's the same narrative.

Nobody comes to check on her often, why would they? The only person in this town that truly cared for her was her brother. Sure the other victors were friendly enough to her, but she wasn't their responsibility and she completely understands why they choose to stay away.

Therefore she has grown progressively more lonely. The bed has become her safe haven, the place where she can be away from the outside world. Here she can keep herself hidden and comfortable, as comfortable as she can be anyway.

Her eye stray to the clock on the wall, the hands moving agonisingly slow. It's taunting her, making the days seem slower and more drawn out, more suffering to fit into the twenty four hours. She's aware of what the day is, the day that the victors of the previous year's games would be coming around to her District. She would have to stand up on a small stage with the face of her brother in the background. She would have to see his face again, relive the terrible memories as his murder's got to bathe in riches and live to see another day.

Katniss Everdeen. Even just the sound of her name makes her want to rage, in fact it often does. Having to be present in the Capitol, as her and her 'boyfriend' were on stage and talking about their victory, was something that made her so incredibly angry. Having been a mentor for her brother and Clove meant she was there, she was in the Capitol when he was murdered. She had to listen to the cheers of the people in the city as they celebrated their new victors. As they celebrated the death of her big brother.

The idea of having to see their faces again, having to watch as the two teenagers boast about their victory in the least obvious, makes her physically sick. She expected that when this tour got here, she'd be standing in the crowd and watching her brother celebrate. The district would be proud of their victor, proud of the man who they all knew would win. That's obviously not the case, the boy is gone now, maybe even in a better place entirely. That's all she can really hope for him, that wherever he is, that he's happier than what she is.

A loud knock on the front door echoes throughout the house. She knows that it is more than likely somebody to come and fetch her for the events that are about to take place. Emori cannot bring herself to move from her comfort zone, wanting nothing more than to stay here for the rest of her days. Perhaps if she did, she'd be with her family again soon.

"Emori! The Mayor is awaiting your arrival, you must go. It is compulsory," A voice calls from behind the door.

The blonde doesn't answer, continuing to stare at the clock as it ticks away. The front door opens and soon enough, Enobaria is standing beside her bed. She seems somewhat full of sorrow but Emori is aware that she has no clue what she's feeling and doesn't really feel much emotion at all really.

"Let's go kid," Enobaria says as she grabs the girl's arm. Enobaria had been Emori's mentor in her games and therefore she started to care a bit for the girl. Guilt has built up inside her, seeing the girl in such a state is confronting.

The teenager is pulled off the bed and out the door. The clothes she is wearing are not any that stand out all that much, if anything they make her look as if she hadn't changed in weeks when in reality she did just that morning. At the beginning of the day, she'd begun to feel a little better and then she saw one of his old jackets in the corner of the room and broke down again.

Enobaria tries to be gentle as she guides the young woman out of the home. The sunlight practically burns her eyes due to the fact she has not been outside in days, weeks even. She takes to the square and helps her onto the small platform as the people of her district watch on, some in pity and others in anger.

"Introducing the victors of the seventy fourth annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!"

Emori glares at the brunette as she walks out onto the stage. She can see the flickering image out of the corner of her eye, but she avoids looking because she knows what she will see if she turns. As the girl begins to speak upon the stage, Emori tunes it out. She cannot even handle the sound of her voice let alone the contents of what she is saying. Her brother's name does bring in her attention for a little bit — his killer talking about how he was a formidable opponent and offering her condolences to his family.

As she speaks the last part, both of the victors look towards the blonde who stands on her lonesome. The look on her face is enough to scare them slightly, even Katniss who seems as if the glare is enough to kill her.

"Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem forever," Katniss speaks and when she turns around to walk away, Emori leaves the platform. She doesn't wish to stay any longer than she has to.

—–

The following few days she spent it in her room. Just having that stupid girl enter her District was enough to send her over the edge. To have her fake eulogy to her big brother — it's sickening. However, she couldn't stay hidden away for too long and now she's sitting in front of the projector in her living room awaiting the announcement of the Quarter Quell.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 75th year of the Hunger Games," President Snow exclaims and receives cheers from the people of the Capitol.

"It was written in the charter of the games that every twenty-five years there will be a Quarter Quell. Now, on this the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion we celebrate the third Quarter Quell. As a reminder, that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol. On this, the third Quarter Quell game, the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of Victors in each district," he continues.

Unlike most who heard the announcement, the small blonde doesn't go into shock at the words. Instead, she finds a small smile lifting her at her lips. She knows that District Twelve only has one female victor.

Katniss Everdeen.

She can finally get her REVENGE.

Made by @/caradunes