I lay once again in the same cushy bed I had laid in three lifetimes ago, with the same soft, silky sheets pulled right up to my chin. I curl up and picture Buttercup snuggled against my legs, protecting me not from what's to come, but what has passed, the vivid alarming memories of many of my worst fears.

"I'm coming home," I mumble into my pillow. "I'm finally coming home."

I fall into an uneasy sleep of graphic, lifelike nightmares that match the ones I've been suffering from for the past week. I've had dreams of flashbacks like running away from the squids again, re-watching Rue's death, or re-living having to kill Cato over and over; I can't get over the sickening feeling of the spear in my hands sinking deep into his flesh. I've also dreamt of what could've happened in the games, like myself getting captured and tortured by the Careers, or watching the wolf mutations feasting on Peeta instead of Cato. The absolute worst are the ones that can possibly happen in the future, like the Gamemakers deciding for some reason it wasn't fair that I won so they execute me, or I go home to find that my mom and Katniss think I'm independent enough that I don't need them anymore, and they leave me to live alone in the Victor's Village. What if their opinions have been changed on me after watching the games, after watching me kill someone? What if they don't love me as much anymore because I'm not as sweet, young, and innocent as I used to be?

Tonight I dream the most atrocious dream I've had in my life. Instead of me getting reaped, Katniss does. I cry and scream helplessly, but I'm held back by my mom who reminds me we'll only get her in more trouble if we fight the rules. I'm horrified by the consideration of losing her forever, never getting to talk to her again, hug her again, or see her again. My life without my sister would feel so empty and pointless. But the dream feels so real, having her pulled away from me, having to watch her starve, hunt people, and be hunted by people. I just can't stand such a thought…

I wake up with a sore head, a sore jaw, and covered in cold sticky sweat. I push the sheets off me and go to freshen myself up in the shower. After brushing my teeth and hair and dressing in a comfortable sweater and track pants, I head for breakfast. I lean on my hand as I slowly chew food, not even paying attention to what I'm eating nor what it tastes like. I try to think of nice things, like arriving back to District 12, but my mind keeps returning to last night's dream, and all the other memories engraved into my head. I wish I could pour bleach into my ear and burn them all away for good. I can't believe I have to wait another entire day before I can go home. I want to stay there forever and ever, never leave again. The more I think about home, the less I can tolerate the idea of having to leave again for the victory tour. I consider faking a serious illness so I don't have to go. Then again, the Capitol would probably have something to treat it; they have everything there, all kinds of stuff us outlying districts don't have access to. Except for the victors, which today includes me.

I spend the rest of the day lounging around in my room, lying in bed and doing nothing, just waiting to get home. If anyone attempts to talk to me I tell them I don't feel like talking. I'll occasionally get worried stares and hear worried whispers concerning my mental state when I arrive for meals. I refuse to watch the recap of my interview. I just lay, waiting…

And then it's the day. I wake up, again sore and sweating and haunted from another dream, reminding myself this is the day, it's here at last. I don't let my hopes get too high. I won't until I'm actually at the train station. I'm afraid of being let down because of a delay or some other kind of interference. But all day I sit at the window, staring outside, and we ultimately make it into District 12 around lunchtime. As soon as I recognize the landscape that fleets by I begin bouncing in my seat with excitement and impatience. My heart flutters swiftly, anticipating the halt of the train. I'm breathing quickly and pacing fast when the train begins to slow. When we enter the station, I fly out of my room to meet Effie and Haymitch behind the doors. My legs are numb and shaky, and all they want to do is carry me to my family.

"You ready? Remember cameras will be outside," Haymitch reminds me.

I shake my head. "I don't care about the cameras. Open doors, open!" I lightly kick the doors, and the train comes to a complete stop. I can see all the people of District 12 and the camera crews scattered around the platform, but right there, in the middle, stands my mom and Katniss. I bounce up and down on my toes, then the doors slide open and I dash out as fast as I possibly can. I sprint across the platform with my arms wide, not even thinking about the cameras at all. Within seconds I'm in my mom's arms again, squeezing her tight, feeling her secure arms around me, and I feel like I'll never let go. My head leans on her chest and I close my eyes and listen to her heart, which beats at the same pace as mine. My face breaks into a real smile, realer than it's been in a very, very long time.

"I missed you," I say.

"So did I, sweetie. I love you very, very much."

"I love you too, mom," I say, my voice cracking, and a few tears slide down my cheeks. She gives me a squeeze then lets go to give me the chance to reunite with Katniss. I'm dizzy with all the excitement when I throw my arms around my sister, and she squeezes me tight, rubbing my back and leaning her cheek on my head.

"I'm so glad you're safe," she whispers to me. "You were phenomenal out there. You're so strong."

I laugh shakily whilst still crying. I'm overcome with a mixture of contrasting emotions. "Whatever you say."

We hug silently for another minute, then it's time to go home. None of us acknowledge the Capitol cameras as District 12 cheers when we leave the station, and we begin to walk back home. I hold Katniss' hand in my left, and my mom's in my right. Neither of us say a word the entire way. We head into the Seam, for I don't officially move into my new victor's home until tomorrow. I gratefully inhale the smell of home when I walk back through the door. It's weird thinking the last time I've walked through this door had been after milking Lady before the reaping.

We get inside and eat a meal Katniss and Gale had assembled specially for my return home; fish stew with bread, cheese, strawberries, and katniss roots. Primroses have been gathered in a small bouquet for me. For the rest of the day we talk about several things unrelated to the Hunger Games. I catch up on what I've missed, and I'm assured Lady and Buttercup have been treated well. Buttercup sits on my lap whenever I'm sitting, and stays close by my ankle whenever I'm up, never letting me stray more than three feet out of her range. ("Wouldn't stop crying when you didn't come back," Katniss had said).

I milk Lady in the early evening, then we have her milk with an honorable supper of even higher value than lunch. It only occurs to me now that we're eating the baker's bread, Peeta's bread. I try to forget about it, but then it won't leave my mind after that which spoils the meal, so I don't eat the rest of my bread and claim I'm full.

"The Capitol gives you a lot of rich food," I say as an excuse.

I have a relaxing, hot bath then dress back into my normal bed clothes. Katniss assembles my hair into my two French braids. Then we curl up in our bed, the covers pulled tight and our mom not far by our sides, and Buttercup curls up at my feet, for real this time. Then just like back when we were young kids, our mom tells us one of her old bedtime stories, my favourite one. It's about a young woman who has a sick baby. She's poor and lost and alone, and she doesn't know what to do, but she's willing to do anything to heal her baby and keep it happy. All she could eat and feed it was leftover scraps she'd retrieve from trash cans, and when her cranky baby would cry at night, she'd sing it to sleep.

"Let's sing it together," I say, and we do. Our voices blend together softly and brings me back in time.

Deep in the meadow

Under the willow

A bed of grass

A soft green pillow

Lay down your head

And close your sleepy eyes

And when they open

The sun will rise

Here it's safe

And here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet

And tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

The story ends with the mom being spiritually led to a fountain that heals her baby back to health when she dips it in its divine water. She brings a wealthy man to the fountain and shows him of its use, and the man ends up selling it and giving her half of his earned money. For the rest of her life she raises her child and together they help the poor by growing fruit and vegetables and trading them for milk, bread, sugar, and other things. Some days she'll even give food away for free because she remembers what it's like to struggle, and she likes to show that being wealthy hasn't caused her to forget her dark days. I try not to relate this section of the story to myself; I want more than anything to forget my dark days. But I agree that being wealthy won't change the way I think or feel about things, it won't desensitize me nor give me a big head. I'll always think of myself as that little poor girl from the Seam, I won't lose who I used to be.

The story's finished, and Katniss rolls onto her side to face me.

"Hey Prim," she whispers as our mom leaves to prepare herself for bed.

"Yeah?" I whisper back.

"Don't tell mom, but I bought this the day after the reaping. I'd found it at the Hob and had to get it for you, I had this feeling that I had to have it, that it'd keep you safe. Mom won't be happy, though, if she knows I'd been trading valuable stuff for this thing, so don't let her see it. But here, it's for you."

She shifts around a bit, then she grabs my hand out from under the warm sheets and gently opens my fingers. I stare curiously, waiting to see what it'll be. Then she drops it into my hand. It's small, light, round, and is hard like metal. I hold it up a little, into the light, to examine it. It's a shiny mockingjay pin. I immediately think of Rue whistling to the mockingjays, and smile. I whistle her tune aloud, and remember the sounds of the mockingjays calling it back to me. Somehow this doesn't make me sad. I bet Rue's looking down on me right now, and she's happy I've received it. This pin brings back the good memories of Rue, her kindness, bravery, and innocence. It reminds me that she's safe and happy now, safe and sound in heaven. I knew all along it wasn't me, it was this pin that kept me safe. If I ever feel sad, lonely, vulnerable, or if I simply have a nightmare or find myself grieving over Rue, I can look at this pin and renew a feeling of security. It also reminds me that I've successfully survived the games, and that Katniss is safe now from ever having to be reaped. For once I actually think going into the games was really worth something.

"Thank you," I say, not sure whether Katniss really understands the value this pin has for me, all that it really means. "Thank you so much. I love you!" I pull myself close to her and bury my face into her chest. She holds me tight and strokes my hair for a minute. Our mom comes back in and gives us each a kiss goodnight, and then I fall into a peaceful, dreamless sleep, surrounded by all I'd ever need to live happily. Who needs a big house, a ton of rich food and technology, and a giant closet of stylish clothes? All I'll ever need to make me smile is right here.

The End

*Thank you to everyone who's taken their time to read this story, it means a lot to me. There won't be a sequel, however more stuff will be coming including a short story in Katniss' perspective of Prim returning home. Please comment and let me know what you thought of the story, I really appreciate the reviews. Thanks! *