Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.

Review Reply to Rena Pudding - Thanks for the review.

Review reply to the person who didn't leave any form of ID when they reviewed (I assume you know who you are?) - Thanks for the review. Yep, that was the happy one. And yes, that was one of the points. Human nature doesn't generally change - just our perceptions of it - and that's what i wanted to get across by making the two societies similar.

A/n: Well, this is the last one. It's been a fun few months and i really enjoyed writing this. I only hope everyone who read it enjoyed it just as much. I just want to say thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited it, put it on alert or just read along. I may not have sounded like it but you definitely cheered me up, especially when i was stressing about various essays :) So, for the last time, I hope you enjoy.

44) Wiress – Rancid

"This meat has gone off."

"It 'asn't. 'S fresh as a daisy, that is."

"It's rancid. Here, Wiress – wouldn't you say it's rancid?"

There is a moment of calm in her mind. The meat could be poisoned so she should back away. That's obvious. And this could be a trap. What's behind her? She should always have her back to a wall in a situation like this. Carefully, draw her knife. Knife, knife ... where's the knife?

"Wiress! Wiress!"

A jolt back to her senses. Voices flood through her mind. This is the market square. Not an arena. No one is trying to kill her here.

"Yes, sorry." She walks over to the two women. "What was the question?"

"This meat. Rancid or not?"

Wiress looks at it. "It does look a bit gone off to me," she says hesitantly.

"'S fresh!" the seller shouts, exasperated.

She jumps back, calculating the odds. If she turns around, she could end up with a blade in her back. She has to keep her opponent talking and maybe get a hit in when she's relaxed her guard.

"Wiress ... Wiress..."

"Huh?" She looks up. Her opponent is now just a meat seller looking at her very concernedly. She smiles nervously. "Sorry, got lost in my own thoughts."

"Maybe you should go lie down. I don't think you're looking too good."

"Yes, take some of my mea-"

"Ignore her, dear, otherwise you'll be poisoned." The buyer smiles at her. "Just go lie down."

It suddenly hits Wiress as to how very loud it is in District 3. She can't hear anyone coming towards her and that's dangerous.

"Yes," she mutters, glancing around. "Yes, I think I'll do that. Thank you."

She walks away again. Automatically, her eyes scan every corner for a potential weapon-wielding tribute. She keeps listening, turning when she hears shouts or odd footsteps. People stare at her. She stares back out of the corner of her eye. If she's quick, she can get away...

She shakes her head again. Not the arena. This isn't the arena. This is District 3 where no one wants to kill her. She has to remember tha-

What was that noise?

She abandons all thought and simply runs into Victor's Village. Once in her house, she locks the door, panting.

"Wiress?" a voice shouts. "You home?"

"Yes."

"Did you get the lamb?"

"...No."

"Why not?"

She doesn't know what to say. "Sold out," she answers in the end.

"Oh." The voice sighs. "OK then. Maybe you can go tomorrow?"

"I'm busy tomorrow."

"OK. I guess I'll have to swing by on the way back from the factory."

She sits down, feeling disgusted with herself. She has survived the Hunger Games! Shopping shouldn't be a problem at all. She should go up to him and tell him that, actually, she will go and buy the lamb. Right now in fact.

She doesn't move. She can't move. She can't go back out there because they're out there. The people who will try to kill her. Even though she's perfectly safe. The whole idea is terrifying.

It's a good thing the cameras can't see her now, she thinks, because they wouldn't believe the state which shopping has reduced Panem's newest victor to. After all, she thinks sourly: she can barely believe it herself.

Fin