Chapter Text
As soon as the pain in her leg died down, Katniss decided to investigate the funny buildings. Annie and Finnick had taken the kids to the markets for the day. They’d tried to convince her to go with them as well, but she claimed she didn’t feel up to it. In reality, she was almost dying of curiosity. What were those buildings?
So, as soon as they left, she headed out the back door and started to make her way down towards the back fence. As she got closer, she realised they weren’t as far away as she originally thought. They just looked far away because of how small they were. Too small to be nearby buildings, but actually quite large for what they really were. Headstones. Who the hell has their own personal graveyard?
Even after working out what they actually were, Katniss continued on until she reached them. Sae had mentioned multiple people in her story, all of whom were dead. Katniss wanted to see if this little cemetery would support the story. Because, clearly, the whole ghost thing was true.
She reached the first one. Weeds were covering the inscription, so she tore them away and read what was written on the headstone.
‘Charles Mellark – 19 February 1798 to 27 October 1862 – Age 64 years – Beloved husband and father’
That was the name from the story. The man who Sae said had built the mansion.
Katniss moved onto the next headstone and pulled the weeds away.
‘Judith Mellark – 17 May 1799 to 3 June 1871 – Age 72 years – Beloved mother reunited in heaven with her beloved husband’
Charles Mellark’s wife from Sae’s story. She moved on to clear and read the next headstone.
‘Edward Mellark – 25 January 1875 to 29 January 1880 – Age 5 years – Beloved son of Harland and Judith Mellark. Gone too soon.’
That was the first of the children to die in suspicious circumstances. The little boy who was strangled. It was beginning to seem like the story held more truth than Katniss originally thought. She moved on to the next head stone.
‘Rye Mellark – 30 June 1881 to 30 June 1883 – Age 2 years – Beloved son of Harland and Judith Mellark. Little angel returned to Heaven,’
A lump formed in Katniss’ throat. The little boy, Rye, who was beaten to death died on his second birthday.
She went from grave to grave, clearing away the weeds and reading the words. Linking each one back to Sae’s story.
‘Judith Mellark – 19 September 1849 to 23 August 1887 – Age 38 years – Beloved wife and mother. Joining her angels Edward and Rye in heaven, leaving behind her baby Peeta.’
The rumoured child killer killed by her toddler.
‘Hailey Mellark – 23 April 1846 to 31 December 1888 – Age 42 years – Beloved wife of Harland Mellark.’
This must’ve been the second wife of Harland, killed by the same child who murdered his own mother the year before.
‘Mary Mellark – 6 November 1869 to 19 November 1890 – Age 21 years – Beloved wife of Harland Mellark.’
Harland’s third wife, again killed by the little boy.
‘Violetta Mellark – 24 December 1861 to 2 February 1892 – Age 31 years – Beloved wife of Harland Mellark.’
The fourth wife of Harland Mellark – were they all really beloved? Assumed to have been the last of the young boy’s victims.
‘Harland Mellark – 12 July 1824 to 19 September 1903 – Age 79 years – Beloved father.’
The man who had outlive two children and four wives.
And, finally, the last headstone.
‘Peeta Mellark – 19 May 1885 to 23 August 1915 – Age 30 years.’
The one belonging to the ghost. No personal message because there was no one left to care about him.
When Katniss straighten up, she almost jumped out of her skin at the sight in front of her. Peet was leaning casually against his own head stone. The smirk on his face alone enough to send a chill down her spine.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” He drawled. “Haven’t you ever heard the saying about the curious cat?”