I'm Only Human [Katniss]

Peeta raised his arms in defense as his mother swung at him. He had accidentally set some bread on fire. This wasn’t the first time but this time it was truly an accident. He had done it before for a girl in the district who was in dire straights. Happening many moons ago but it didn’t matter. In his mother eyes he was a failure for a Merchant. Being to caring about the people who actually needed help. That was a big disgrace to his mother telling him to stick to him self. All he needed was the bakery and a fine wife one day who might take his pathetic self in. He had met most merchant girls before but they were all shallow. Seeing right through them before they even let a word drop from their mouths. He could see the hunger in there eyes knowing what he could provide. It was like he was just a commodity something they could brag about to friends. Peeta wasn’t one to be toted around like some fancy sack. As a rolling pin came in contact with his face eyes widening. Although it was no surprise to be beaten with things around the bakery. They were in the back but he was sure her screams resonated around the district.

Taking steps backwards he had almost made it to the door. Before he felt his cheek swell up his right eye almost being affected. Thankfully he back himself out of the bakery and began to run. He could heard her saying things like don’t come back. I hope the seam eats you alive! Letting him self run he never felt his feet so quick before. Peeta knew every twig he came in contact with made a loud crunch under his feet. It wasn’t until he was a great way in to the seam he slowed down. Letting his breath taking great gulps of air. His whole body seemed to thank him as he did this. Now his jog became a walk but he didn’t slow his pace. It was quick although he wasn’t sure where he was going. Cradling his cheek as he walked not wanting others to see him. Not that anyone here would most were off working or doing a daily task. It was such a revelation to him to see people here working hard. Just to end up dead well most here suffered from starvation. It was no secret to him or the Capitol but they just stood idly by. Why would they want to help people who were in need when they had all the luxuries in the world?

Nearing the fence he let him self hunker down in the meadow. Not having been here for quite some time. When he was a child he’d find him self here a lot just playing with the wilderness. Almost as if it were an adventure the grass being much taller than him at the time. Wishing he had a mirror he wanted to see his cheek. At how bad his mother had caught him off guard this time. He knew sometimes she’d give him black eyes that he’d tote to school. People staring at him like he was some sort of foreign object. His friends would ask what happened and he’d come up with a clever lie about falling. Or rough housing with his brothers getting the damn thing. He could almost feel water well up but nothing dropped. No, he couldn’t let his mother get to him and change him forever. It would have been easy to though he could go rogue and be a wild kid but that wasn’t his nature. Taking his hand away he felt a dull ache and hoped it was just red. But nothing could be determined till he got a good look at it. For now he’d sit in the meadow and sort out his feelings.

Looking up he saw the fence that kept the animals out. What a laugh, the Capitol weaving lies trying to act like they cared. Standing up he let his shaky feet take him over to look past it. As he did he almost fell grabbing to the fence. He waited for the electricity to run through him but nothing. That fence was dead and it was no surprise half the district never had electricity. Why would he think this fence would? No one really dared to go beyond unless they didn’t care about consequences. That was something most of the people did care about. If they got caught what would happen to their families? Everyone knew of course not that the peacekeepers here really cared. They all traded for meat and such at the hob a secret black market Peeta would never be able to go in to even if he dared. Taking his hand off the fence he backed up to for good measure. He didn’t know if the fence would jump to life at any minute.