noxtears:

 

     Hiding behind the man, and wrapping the coat tightly around her, she couldn’t help the want or desire to claw at her own skin till it was raw. To bathe in boiling water, just to feel remotely clean again. “Thanks.” She whispered as she gripped the coat tightly. Wanting nothing more than to vanish within it and hide forever.  

    She froze briefly. Reminding herself that this was Sam. He wouldn’t hurt her. He wouldn’t touch her like they would. He was safe. He was good. “O-okay.” She reached out and pulled at the ruined dress and slowly walked in front of him. She winced at the sudden change of light before she looked up at him as he spoke to her.

    “I’d rather not be alone tonight…strange as that might sound.” She felt herself bite inside her cheek before she lifted her eyes and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “Just don’t, Sam.” 

        <sub>He glanced back up as his cheeks flushed from her touch, gripping the handle to his room and pushing it open. He flicked on a couple lights before walking Melody over to the couch as a sign for her to sit. Before she could say anything, he fetched a clean blanket and set two mugs of water into the microwave to warm up. 

      “Here,” he said softly, shaking out the folds in the blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders. It was sky blue and lined with soft fake fur. It was his favorite blanket, but he didn’t mind letting her use it. “Oh,” he said suddenly, making a move to the door of his bedroom. “Would you like to use a shirt of mine? I bet I can find one small enough."</sub> 

         _{The timer beeped on the microwave, which startled Sam slightly. He prepared the two mugs (sleepy-time tea for Melody, and green for himself) before setting one down before her. To be honest, Sam was feeling slightly giddy on the inside, despite the situation. He could only deduce the reason was for Melody finding comfort in him, and wanting to be around him. The thought of him feeling like a save-haven for others warmed him.} 

noxtears:

 

     She fidgeted as he came closer, and let out a helpless yelp at his touch “Don’t.” She said in a low voice and then looked up at him through her lashes, fear in her eyes. “Please, don’t touch me Sam…” She couldn’t take it, she hated the fact that she had to do this. For the sake of everyone she loved. This was some sort of cruel joke.

     ”Help?”  She wanted help. But the Capitol wanted the smiling Melody. The girl that could charm like a mermaid and could smile at the camera. She learned from the best.  She learned from her mentor that this was survival. That the games would never end. She wrapped the jacket around her and shut her eyes slowly and took a deep breath. She wanted to die. It’d be much easier.

     ”Thanks…Sam.” She whispered in a low voice, broken and damaged from all the screaming. “You’re the best.” She leaned against the elevator and closed her eyes slowly.Images of their faces, the way they smiled at her and the way they kissed her. She wanted to throw up. “I’m going to be sick. “She said with a frown and balled her hands into fists.

     ”This is hell.” 

       _{The elevator came to a halt, which was soon followed by a muffled ding. Sam braced himself, for the second the doors opened, two people tried to push themselves inside. Yet Sam, afraid of Melody embarrassing herself, set two hands on each of their chests and pushed them back out of the doors. “Sorry, you’ll have to catch the next one!” He called after them while jamming at the ‘close doors’ button. 
           As soon as they were sealed back in the elevator together, Sam turned and gave the girl as sweet a smile as he could muster without it looking fake. “I’ll take you back to my room and make you some tea.” He said softly, being careful not to touch her after her outburst. 
      When the lift finally reached his floor, he motioned for her to exit the elevator, while keeping close behind her in case anything was to arise. Together, they padded down the stone hallways until they reached Sam’s room. He paused with his key in his hand, suddenly aware of the demanding tone he had thrown at her earlier. 
             "—-If you are more comfortable with going to your own place, you are welcome to.“ Sam looked at the ground, ashamed of his own actions. "But if you would like, I would be willing to make you some tea and talk. Only if you want to, though.”}

noxtears:

       Do it for the sponsors. Do it for chance to help the kids.  She repeated the mantra in her head as a trembling hand pressed the elevator button. Melody could still feel their hands on her. Slapping her, spitting on her face, the way their hands roamed across her bodies, telling her that she was worth every penny. Wrapping her arms around her body, each breath she took shallow. Not enough air, not enough.  She gripped the wall of the elevator and let out a scream, gripping at the ruined dress tightly and trying to catch her breath. 

Ding.

She looked up and felt her chest constrict again. “Sam?” It was more a question than a statement. “Did I miss my stop?” Melody tried to joke it off, but she couldn’t smile, she just felt dirty. 

   _{"M-Melody?“ Sam questioned, his brow raising in concern. Rushing into the elevator quickly, he touched her lightly on the elbow in hope to supply a small amount of comfort. Sea-green eyes searched her body frantically, as well as their surroundings. He cursed at his own awkwardness, for not knowing what to do in situations like these. 
               ”I’m, um, do you need help, Melody? I can get you some tea—-or something.“ The elevator door dinged behind him as it closed again, and began its decent to pick up the next wanderer. "Oh, here.” He drew his hand away and shrugged off his long black coat, then draped it over her shoulders to hide her ruined dress.}

     _{"You can keep that if you want,“ he said shyly while rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand. "Its fine, I have like ten more…."}