Chapter Text
District 12: The Homecoming
Katniss steps off of the train, satchel in hand, and takes a deep breath. After 5 years in District 10, she is finally home.
She thinks of another time she arrived in 12 on a train. There was cheering and celebration. She and Peeta had just won the 74th Games and they were the newest Victor's in the District. It was quite the homecoming. Today's was the exact opposite. There are no speeches, no cheering crowds. Just people going about their daily labors.
The morning rush has just begun and people are hustling to and fro on their way to their work and their daily routines. She finds herself jostled by other passengers disembarking and realizes she needs to move on. She waits to be instructed in what to do next, then remembers. Her guards stayed on the train as she departed. With a welcoming smile on their faces, they delivered their charge. She is finally free, well sort of. Finally able to come and go as she pleased, within limits. Her debt to society has been paid off not only by the sweat of her brow, but by the muscles on her back.
For the umpteenth time since leaving District 10, she looks at the terms of her release:
-She is to live in District 12 for the rest of her days.
-She may not leave the District without special permission from the ruling bodies of both District 12 and the Capitol.
-She is not allowed to work within the District for at least 1 year, although she is allowed to keep her earnings as a Victor.
-She is not allowed any weapons, therefore she is not allowed to hunt.
-While she is allowed access to the forest surrounding the District, she must report to her parole officer whenever she leaves.
-Her parole officer must know her whereabouts at all times.
-Any violation of these terms would have her sent back to the Capitol permanently.
She takes another quick look around. Not wanting to make eye contact with anyone, she lowers her gaze, and heads to her home in Victors Village.
It doesn't take long for her house to come in to view. It looks the same, but still different. She can't place why. In her absence, the property has been kept neat and tidy. The color is still the same. It doesn't look like it's been abandoned, it looks just like it has been patiently waiting for her to return.
As she stares, she sees a flash of orange out of the corner of her eye. Buttercup? Yes, definitely Buttercup, only a shinier, cleaner version. The cat comes up to her, sniffs, then turns around and walks away without even a hiss to greet her. "Well, that's one introduction over with," she thinks.
As she steps up on to the porch, she looks over to the side of the house, noticing some flowers blowing in the breeze. "Roses? Who would have the nerve? Were they still following her? Where is he? I thought he was dead? Did they leave me here at Snow's mercy?" Panic spreads through her. She begins to sweat, her heart pounds, and her breath comes out in short puffs. Then she remembers. "No, Snow was gone. It's a new world. No one will bother her like that again."
She takes several deep breaths, wipes her hands on her jeans, and focuses on the door in front of her until she feels her heart slowing down. So, what kind of flowers? She looks at the flowers again. Not roses. Primroses. Someone planted primroses on the side of her house. But why? It seems to be a while ago by the looks of them. They are healthy, and definitely well established.
A sad, bittersweet smile spreads across her face. Primrose. Had it been 5 years? Oh, how she had missed her sister. How she misses her still. The ache wasn't as constant. But every so often, the truth of it all hits her. There were times, early on in her sentence, that she would imagine conversations with Prim. "You did the right thing, Katniss. It's just a little while and you'll be going home." Those were the thoughts that kept her going. Maybe they didn't keep her completely sane, but at least they kept her functioning.
She wondered who planted the flowers. Her mother? No, certainly not her. Last she knew, her mother was living in 4, working at the hospital there. She knew her mother had checked up on her, but as part of her sentence, she wasn't allowed contact with family or friends. She wonders if anyone else ever asked about her. Or did they just get on with their own lives, grateful to be relieved of the duty of taking care of the Mockingjay?
Should she call her mother now? Was it too late? Would it ever be the right time? She couldn't think about that now. That was for later. Right now, she needs to get inside and get settled. It was time to begin the rest of her life, such as it was.
As she steps into her house and drops her satchel, she notices that it has been kept neat and clean. Everything is still in its place. There are pictures on the mantle, flowers on the table, it looks lived in and loved.
She smells something, like a stew simmering on the stove. Following the scent, she steps into the kitchen, and automatically realizes that she has made a mistake. She notices someone standing over a pot. "Maybe I shouldn't be here. Maybe this isn't my house anymore? Maybe I was wrong. Dammit!" She really had no clue what she was doing anymore. Panic began to set in. She needs to get it together, and quick.
Greasy Sae turned around, looks her up and down, "Welcome home girl! We've missed you!" And for the first time in 5 years, Katniss allowed herself to feel. As the tears rolled down her cheeks, as the sobs wracked her body, Katniss falls to the ground, overcome by the enormity of all that had happened.