sɪx ʏᴇᴀʀs ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ

IF IT WEREN'T for the sound of the Capitol's television theme song playing loudly through her dimly lit bedroom Aella Barnes would've spent her whole day sleeping. Instead, she was rudely awakened by the chirpy tune of melodic trumpets blowing together in harmony to signal Caesar Flickerman's arrival on to her obnoxiously large television that had been mounted to her black painted bedroom wall.

Aella had never been one for television. Prior to her Games she rarely watched the small one she and her family had in the living room of her family home. Now, in her overly sized house within the Victors Village she had a flatscreen in every bedroom and a hologram in both her living room and drawing room.

Unnecessary, she always thought, but she always found herself reaching for the small remote, putting it on every night so she could fall asleep to distract her from the silence. She hated the sound of silence, it had haunted her after her Games. It reminded her of the night time where she pulled her injured and tired body into the highest buildings and hid there, straining desperately to hear any sound of movement. Now, the silence made her panic as if her throat was closing and she was choking on her own air.

She remembered someone once telling her that not being able to fall asleep without background noise was exceptionally common—that it was a trauma response to abandonment issues. She didn't have abandonment issues, she just didn't have anyone around her and the Games had scarred her so significantly she needed the white noise to help her brain shut down.

The young woman groaned in exhaustion, digging her head further into her soft pillow as she cradled it in her arms while the theme continued on. She barely paid any heed to Caesar's words, his voice was nothing but an echo in her mind while she slowly woke up. After some time, she pulled her head out of her pillow and looked to the digital alarm clock on her bedside cabinet, eyes dancing lazily over the time as it read 16:01.

The time didn't surprise her, not like it used to when she first emerged from the Games. It was insomnia until it wasn't, until she recovered and reality kicked in that it had been hardwired into her brain that she needed to stay awake through the night to keep watch for anyone coming. It was rare if she did sleep through the night, the darkness had left her scarred—physically and mentally. Her eyes liked to play tricks on her when she tried to sleep at night. She would see their faces... hear their whispers as they hunted her.

The lamp situated on the bedside table at the other side of the bed was switched on, a dim glow pooling across the room. She glanced outside through her parted curtains to see the sun had set and a deep purple swirled to mix with dark blues in the sky. For the fifth day running she had missed the sun and the daylight it provided, the winter months shortening the days significantly.

She noticed the phone wired into the wall on her bedside was sitting on the pillow next to her and she wondered at what time she had fallen asleep. There was no one else she would've been on the phone to at that time of night apart from him. He was home, much to her surprise, but they still weren't safe to speak freely. They had figured out years ago that their telephone conversations were never private but either way it was nice to hear his comforting voice when her nightmares were chasing her.

She hoped she hadn't fallen asleep during the midst of one of their late night confessions they liked to partake in—god, she'd feel awful if she'd fallen asleep during that. He wouldn't ever let her hear the end of it.

Aella released a heavy sigh and rolled on to her back, resting her head against her pillows she rubbed her eyes and tried to focus on the bright television screen. Caesar was still talking but it was not he who was on her screen. Instead, she recognised snow coated grounds within the centre of a Victors Village. She didn't have to wonder for long, however, as she saw the newly crowned Hunger Games Victors curled up on the ground together engaged in what seemed to be a heated kiss.

She groaned in displeasure, pulling the pillow out from underneath her head and throwing it towards the television aimlessly.

Aella was a Victor, she was smart and she most certainly was not naive—not anymore, anyways. She saw straight through Katniss Everdeen's façade. Peeta, she reckoned wasn't pretending or if he was she couldn't tell. He seemed smitten with his counterpart in the way he looked at her, the way he behaved toward her in the Games... She felt sorry for him to be honest for it was obvious he held some sort of feeling for the Girl on Fire but she didn't seem to care much for him.

That was why Aella detested them as a couple. She saw through their facade. None of it was real. It was fake and it was cringe worthy—made worse by watching them snogging on the floor in the snow. It was touching, however, that they would've rather died in the Games together than fought one another to the death.

A shudder ran down her spine as she dared to look at her television again. They were still on the floor and she dropped her head back against her mattress, staring at her ceiling. Caesar Flickerman's awkward tone echoed as he cleared his throat, calling out to the two Victors.

'Anyone at home? Should we come back later?' Caesar's amused chuckled echoed.

'Sorry, Caesar.'

'Oh, please. It's all right. It's your day.' The host responded.

Aella dared to take a third peak where thankfully the two Victors were now planted firmly on their feet though they were still sickeningly close to one another.

'So, how's it going?'

At that point, Aella sat herself up and she stretched her body in all the unusual ways listening to the way her bones cracked and joints popped. Her right shoulder was sore—as it was and had been when she woke up every morning, or evening, for the last six years and she rolled it out, flexing her fingers as they tingled. She watched the screen with a keen eye, looking at the way Peeta nodded bashfully.

'We're good.'

'That's it?' Caesar asked and Aella wondered the same, 'That's all we get? 'We're good'? So taciturn all of a sudden. Peeta, give me some details!'

The young man hesitated before he eventually said, 'Yeah, things are, uh... Things are great here in Twelve.'

"Oh, god." Aella mumbled in sheer disdain.

'Thanks to the generosity of the Capitol we've never been closer.' Katniss aided.

That made Aella chuckle to herself and she snorted quietly, "Generosity." She repeated, "That's rich."

'25 yards to be exact.' Peeta quipped and an abundance of fake laughter followed.

'Fantastic!' Caesar beamed, 'We'll be checking in with both of you throughout the Victory Tour. Thank you so much, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!'

The Victory Tour? Aella nearly choked in surprise. She knew it was approaching, she didn't realise it was starting today. It forced her mind back to her Victory Tour and how she sobbed at the train station when she had to leave her family's side again. She remembered the way Clio held her by her shoulders as the train doors closed on her mother, father and brother and how she sat with her the entire journey. She remembered reaching District Twelve and seeing the families of their Tributes, of the boy—Crass—whom she'd stabbed in the chest with a short dragger in pure self defence as he pinned her down against the sand and tried to strangle her.

She remembered Clio standing backstage with her in the Capitol after she had won, holding to her hands while telling her she shouldn't be silenced—that she had a voice and that she should use it. She remembered stepping out on to that stage, with the whole of the Capitol on their feet swooning and cheering for her, tossing flowers on to the stage and she froze. She couldn't tell them, no matter how much she wanted to.

The Capitol's 'Golden Girl' and within seconds she had reverted back to the scared little girl she was before she went into the arena.

She shook her head free from the awful memories and instead pulled her sheets back and swung her legs over to the edge of her bed, resting there for a moment while staring at the ground. She wasn't sure she was prepared for the Victory Tour to commence, not after the whispers of riots had recently ensued around the District.

The sheer thought of riots rattled her for an unknown reason. Perhaps because she knew all it would result in was death. No District would ever be strong enough to riot against the Peacekeepers and the Capitol—against President Snow. She knew it wouldn't stop the resistance groups from trying.

A gut feeling told her that if it were to ever occur, it would be over these coming three weeks. The Districts always hated the Victory Tour—they were never a positive experience for anyone, especially when you were forced to stare at the families of the people you had killed. It would only spur the resistance groups on further, they would rebel and hell would break loose...

She shook her head, she couldn't think about that. Just because words flittered through the winds didn't mean it was actually going to happen. The chances were slim.

Aella turned her television off and stood up, taking her dressing gown off the hook on the back of her bedroom door and she wrapped it around her as the cold chill of her empty house kissed her skin. She headed down the black staircase, her fingers grazing the smooth black painted banister to the bottom of the stairs. She turned into the hallway and moved down it slowly, halting by the closed door on her left by the chest of drawers like she did every single time.

She glanced at the painted wood with a hesitant breath as grief rippled through her like a tidal wave. She went through the motions like a ghost, until her fingers gazed across the chilling bite of the brass handle and she pulled away like she did every day. It had been three years and yet that day was no different. Nothing had changed within her to allow her to open that door. It had remained closed since it had happened and it would probably never be re-opened again. The small amount of people who rarely came into her house knew it and she knew it too.

That drawing room would forever haunt her.

She dropped her hand and it returned to her side where she pushed herself to continue her journey into her open plan kitchen and living room. Heading for the kitchen, she reached for her kettle and filled it before lighting the stove and placing the item on top for the water to boil.

While she waited she leaned forward against her kitchen island, hands clasped together in front of her as she thought. The tour kicked off today meaning Katniss and Peeta would present themselves to District Eleven at some point tomorrow and thus they would then travel to District Ten overnight and so on and so forth. The tour would follow in succession given that they were from District Twelve. Eleven Districts in eleven days. She could expect them to arrive in District Five in eight days.

The Mayor would be giving a speech the day prior to their arrival within the town square that would be mandatory to attend. The television crews that worked for the Capitol would be arriving to set up the town square and prepare the stage, change the flags and such. She wasn't sure she was prepared for it. She liked to keep to herself, to spend her days in her house with the occasional trip out to the market every other week when she ran out of food or to collect the occasional bottle of whiskey to help her sleep at night.

Whiskey...

No, it's too early for that, she told herself while shaking her head.

She checked her supply anyway just to be certain, less than a quarter of a bottle left. She'd probably have to venture out the day after next for another. A tired yawn rippled through her as she grabbed the now squealing kettle from the stove and proceeded to make herself a cup of tea, leaning on the bench while rubbing her face.

Aella glanced around her empty house again and sighed...

Another day of doing nothing.

•  •  •

Aella was quite fond of the colder seasons so long as she was wrapped up. The snow that had fallen to the ground and covered it like a blanket had started to melt over the hours of the day but it didn't stop her from admiring what it was. It was beautifully picturesque. The way the colour somehow brightened the world remained a mystery to her. It made the air seem lighter and although it was wicked cold she didn't mind as she walked through the village.

Her cheeks and nose were tinged red, the blood rising to her skin to keep her warm as the cool air kissed her face. She ducked her chin deeper into the black knitted scarf around her neck as the matching hat sat on her head. Winter had always been her favourite season when she was a child. She and her brother would spend hours outside playing in the snow together from the moment they finished school up until they had to go inside for a bath and then go to bed. They weren't blessed with the snow often but when they were, the Barnes duo could always be found outside.

The fond memories swirled in the forefront of her mind as she headed to her desired place. A ghost of a smile tugged on her lips while she walked. She passed people on the streets, meeting their gazes and offering the occasional smile. Some spoke in greeting and she responded politely though it was still easy to read their thoughts. To many, Aella would always be a tragic case. Not many of them ever looked past everything she had endured. Very few actually looked at her.

When she reached the marketplace she wove through the crowds until she found the shop she wanted and when she saw the shopkeeper a smile tugged on her lips. The older woman moved around obliviously, re-stocking her shelves until she saw Aella. A smile stretched over her thin, aging, lips as she looked at the young woman. The bottle in her hand was forgotten about as she walked over to her and pulled her into a brief embrace.

"My best customer." The woman said, "I've been expecting you."

"Yeah, well, I ran out last night. Daniel is over tonight. He'll kill me if he has to supply both food and alcohol." Aella replied, rolling her eyes.

She rose her brow, "Like he did last week?"

"Yeah." She grumbled, watching as the older woman chuckled in amusement.

"How are you my dear? How's that boy you speak of."

Aella's heart always stilled whenever anyone ever mentioned him. Complete and utter fear gripped every inch of her body and paralysed her. Very few knew of the true nature of their relationship—of what thoughts and feelings existed. They knew it wasn't as innocent and friendly on the inside as it was on the outside. She told her closest companions in confidence but she was still terrified that anyone ever overheard them.

"He's returned to the Capitol for now." She replied after a beat. Her lips pursed, "I expect it shouldn't be too long before we see one another again."

"Hmmm." The woman nodded, "Hopefully not. Are you leaving next weekend for the Capitol?"

Aella shook her head and averted her eyes, "You and I both know I'm not welcome in the Capitol unless it's to mentor, Maggie, and even then Snow begrudges having me on his territory."

The woman, Maggie, nodded her head in agreement. For as much as President Snow had tortured Aella he still liked to keep her where he could see her. Many had thought he'd of sentenced her to a life in exile, confined her to the four walls of her house. Instead, he saw to it that she was dragged from her home year after year to mentor children through the Games. The skeptics claimed he did it on purpose—a way of continuing her punishment.

The older woman frowned at Aella sorrowfully. She knew her history, remembered her face when her name had been pulled out of that reaping bowl. She always used to accompany her mother whenever she was in the market when she was younger, always used to wear a bright and innocent smile and talk to anyone. She had been a ball of light as a child. The Games had destroyed her.

Aella Barnes was a tragedy of the Hunger Games, everyone knew it and everyone and everyone sympathised for her.

"What do you need?" Maggie changed the subject with a pressed smile.

"Hard liquor." Aella replied with a heavy puff, "And lots of it, especially in these weeks coming."

"Yes," Maggie nodded, "The reinforcements arrived early this morning. They've already been in here once today searching everyone's properties. Unlucky for them, I keep my good stuff well hidden."

Aella frowned and nodded, "I saw them on my walk over. Seems a lot more than last year."

"Maybe they're scared we'll fight back." Maggie suggested nonchalantly before she turned her back to Aella, walking through her shop to where she kept her extra stock. Aella didn't miss the wiggle of Maggie's brows, nor did she miss the way her eyes glinted. Like she was hinting at something.

A rebellion... the whispers of it had been running like wildfire over the passing weeks. Small rebel groups were forming, people in the less fortunate Districts were fighting back. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear any more of it.

Maggie returned with Aella's goods already wrapped discreetly and she handed them over for her to put them inside her bag. The elder shop vendor was always discreet with her packaging, always wrapped in thick plastic so they didn't clink together. Aella appreciated it, especially in times like these when Peacekeepers were on every corner of every street.

"I hope he doesn't get you too drunk." Maggie teased with a gleaming smile on her face.

Aella huffed a laugh and responded, "Other way around I think."

Maggie in return laughed heartily and waved Aella goodbye with a lasting smile on her face, "I'll see you next week, dear."

Already walking away, Aella turned on her heel and waved back, "Perhaps even sooner!"

Aella felt the liquor hanging in her bag between her body and her arm and frowned to herself as she stepped out of the market and into the square. Peacekeepers loitered everywhere hanging up Panem's flags from the scaffolding that was being raised for the Victory Tour. She sighed through her nose and looked at the old and decaying justice building. Only six more days until Everdeen and Mellark arrived....

Yes, she would see Maggie sooner rather than later. The two bottles under her arm weren't going to be nearly as enough liquor to get her through these upcoming few days.

• • •

A/N; The next chapter will be posted tomorrow! I hope you guys liked the introductory chapters and such & like Aella and her character!