Poison & Punishment

                                    

                                          
After breakfast, we got on the train that would take us back to our districts. We sat down in the sitting room. "We'll be arriving in District 1 in about three hours," said Violet, my escort. I had three hours to spend with Glimmer. Then I wouldn't see her until I got approved for a district transfer. I'm sure I'd be approved, especially since my district had a good relationship with the Capitol.
                          
We left the sitting room to be alone. We went into my room and lay across the bed, holding each other. Glimmer turned her head to face me. "Why'd Gloss and the other mentors say that President Snow was mad about all of us winning? He didn't do anything."
                          
"Of course he didn't do anything," I said. "He wouldn't do anything... Not in front of all those people. He'd be more discreet if he was planning something.
                          
"I just wonder when he's going to make his move."
                          
"I don't know. That's why I have to get this district transfer. So I can be with you in District 1, in case anything happens." I yawned and soon fell asleep. I was woken by Glimmer, who shook me violently.
                          
"What's all that for?" I complained, letting out a yawn.
                          
"We'll be in my district in a few minutes," she said frowning. I sat up and moved closer to her.
                          
"Don't be sad. I'll call you every day. I'll get the transfer as soon as I can," I said before planting a kiss on her cheek, then her lips. "I'll see you soon, baby. I love you."
                          
"I love you too," she said. The train came to a stop. Then she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a hug.
                          
"Don't do anything stupid," I said. "Not until I'm there."
                          
"I won't," she said before leaving me alone in the room. I watched out the window as Gloss led her off into the Justice Building. Then the train took off again.
                          
"It was, uh... nice meeting you," said Peeta as the train stopped in District 2.
                          
"I'm glad we didn't have to kill you... or vice versa," said Katniss with a faint smile.
                          
I nodded. "I'll see you in six months... for the Victory Tour." I stepped off of the train with Brutus. It felt somewhat calming to be back home, even though I'd be leaving soon. I wonder how my parents would take it. It's not like I wouldn't be able to visit. I was 17 now, old enough to make my own decisions.
                          
Brutus led me into the Justice Building, where I was congratulated by the mayor. Before I knew it, I was standing before my whole district. They cheered and screamed as I waved out to them. I scanned the crowd looking for my parents. I found my friend Leonis instead. I smiled before stepping off of the platform. The mayor led me to the Victor's Village, where my new house was. My old house couldn't compare to this. The mayor gave me the key and left me.
                          
As I explored, there was a knock at the door. I went to open it and Leonis came inside and hugged me. "I knew you'd win," he said.
                          
"Katniss is the only reason I won," I said truthfully. "Have you seen my parents? I didn't see them in the crowd."
                          
"They're probably out there somewhere... Come to think of it, I haven't seen 'em in a few days. I guess they've been busy."
                          
That was weird. If anything, my father was always out and about. He was the social type. "I'll go check at the old house. You coming, Leo?"
                          
"Not like I have anything else better to do," Leonis said, following me out of the house. We walked for a few minutes, past shrieking girls around our age and huge crowds, until we got to my house. I didn't see any movement through the windows. I tried the door, but it was locked. I rang the doorbell, but no one answered.
                          
I sucked my teeth and went to my bedroom window. I opened it and climbed inside, then helped Leonis into my room. "Ouch," he said as he landed on the floor. I checked their bedroom. The bed was made, but the tv was still on. I turned it off and went into the kitchen. They weren't there so I looked in the dining room. My parents bodies lay across the mahogany table. I gasped. Leonis' mouth dropped. "What... happened?" he said aloud.
                          
I walked up to the table. There was no blood or anything. Instead there were two cups of tea and a basket of muffins. I dipped my finger into one of the cups of tea. It was cold, frozen almost. They must've been dead for over a while. A muffin lay inches from my mother's hand. I picked up the muffin, examining it. The berries in them resembled blueberries, but they were nightlock. My parents wouldn't have known that. A note on a small white card stuck out from the basket. It read: Congratulations, President Snow.
                          
I clenched my teeth. He'd already punished me for winning the Games. But was it just me? Or were the others in trouble too? "These muffins have berries in them," I told Leonis. "They look like blueberries, but they're nightlock. They kill in an instant."
                          
Leonis stared in horror at the muffin that still sat in my hand. "Where'd they get the basket from?"
                          
I looked him in the eye, rage building up in my veins. "President Snow sent them. He's not pleased with us... the four victors. We've defeated him, in a way. We undermined the rules of the Games. There's only supposed to be one winner. So now he's punishing me."
                          
"What about the other victors?"
                          
"Katniss and Peeta aren't in District 12 yet. Glimmer? I'll call her now." Leonis and I raced back to the Victor's Village and I snatched the phone off of the hook. Glimmer's number was already programmed into the phone, so I pressed call.
                          
"Hello?" she said.
                          
"Glimmer! Did you see your parents yet?" I asked frantically.
                          
"No. I haven't seen them yet. I'm about to go to my old house and find them."
                          
"They might be dead, Glim."
                          
"What are you talking about?" I heard the fear in her voice.
                          
"My parents are dead. President Snow sent them nightlock muffins. He's punishing us."
                          
"I'm going to go," she said. I could almost see the tears in her eyes. I heard the phone click off and I hung it up on the receiver.
                          
"I guess we should go to the Peacekeepers," I said.
                          
"Yeah," Leonis said quietly.
                          
The Peacekeepers asked us a million questions, then took the bodies away to be cremated. I didn't want a funeral or anything. It would be less painful this way. I hadn't cried yet. I supposed I was still in shock. It was almost unreal.
                          
Leonis offered to keep me company, but I wanted to be alone. He and the Peacekeepers left me in the house by myself. I sat there, staring at the wall for a long time. Then I left and headed for my new house. "Cato?" called a voice. I looked up to find one of my other friends, Thalia. I looked into her stormy grey eyes. "I heard about what happened. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your loss."
                          
"Thank you," I said.
                          
"If you need to talk to someone, just call me."
                          
"Do you want to come over?"
                          
Ugh, sorry it's so short. I just thought that I should stop there. What do you think of Thalia and Leonis? What's going to happen next? Oooh, suspense! Major cliffhanger! Okay, I'll shutup now lol. Hope you enjoyed this new chapter :)
                          
~Lola Estheim