AN: Wow I can't believe that I got even 1 favourite, let alone 3! Thank you to all the reviewers and followers, you really make my day There probably won't be an update till the weekend as I have exams *yawn*
I awake multiple times in the night. My sleep is as restless as usual, but my mind is not full of the same scorpions as before. I don't know what's going on right now. I spend the day in this boring military bunker trying to do anything but tie knots with a rope I found in my pack. I eventually use up all of our batteries playing a game with Buttercup. All the younger citizens come to watch. We spend the greater part of the day watching the cat chase torch light, only to be interrupted by occasional missiles.
Down here minutes turn to hours and hours turn to days. I decide to pass my time by inventing methods of torture for Snow.
Soon enough however we are told that it is now the night and the lights dim. I try to sleep but the attempt is next to pointless. I know that I want to do two things, but I cannot do either. I want to break down and cry, which is definitely not an option. I want to talk to Finnick again. I receive a strange comfort when we talk. I can't face him after yesterday. What would have happened if that explosion hadn't made us snap out of it? I am glad it did.
I haven't the slightest idea what time it is. I think I drifted into an uneasy sleep. I still have my rope and try and fail to tie a miniature noose. It is so quiet I can hear my own heartbeat. With every part of the steady rhythm I feel his name, like it's engraved into me. I rise to my feet before I lose what little nerve I have.
"It keeps going wrong." I say, presenting my very nonexistent noose. For the first time in months he produces an actual laugh and gestures for me to sit down.
"You seriously don't remember much do you?" he chuckles and repeats the instructions over and over until he is satisfied that my noose is perfect.
"Now, what are you going to use that noose for?" He says and before I can attack him with it he senses my plan and dodges. We get into a really stupid play fight/wrestling match. This is not a fair match and I easily lose.
"Ladies and Gentlemen the winner of the 76th Hunger Games, Finnick Odair! And the crowd goes wild!" he whispers, whilst flexing his muscles on his free arm. I giggle and take my chance, pushing him off the bunk, only to be pulled with him. We end up in a pile on the floor, trying desperately not to laugh. What this must look like! But there is something about Finnick that makes me forget all the pain and suffering. I give him a faint smile.
"You're kind of squishing me though. Gosh Katniss, you need to lay off the squirrels!" He teases. I give him a shove and stand up, only to be tripped back onto the bed. We continue to laugh. Miraculously nobody seems to have woken up from the sounds we are making. The laughter ends though and we are looking at each other in silence.
This time it is Finnick who strokes a strand of my hair which has come loose from my braid. Somebody walks past where we are half sitting and half lying, but he is too late to startle us. For the first time in what feels like years, I feel peaceful. We must have fallen asleep huddled together like that. My previous actions dwell on me and I get up and walk across to the bathroom, I need to gather some air. I splash my face with cold water. A little water clears us of anything.
"Katniss..." He says gently from behind me. Before I can object he closes the door and pulls my lips to his.
The Next Morning…
I wake up from a calm night's sleep. Last night was either the best or worst night of my life, but I can't decide which. I rub my eyes trying to piece together what happened, but it's all a blur. President Coin's voice bellows through the speakers, startling everyone in the room. She announces that the attack has finished and we are assigned new living quarters. I do not have much time to settle in as I already have MockingJay duties. I have to go outside and film yet another propo.
I get fed my lines, but I cannot complete them. My mind has been turned to Greasy Sae's surprise soup and it's no use trying to use it. What have I done? I have somehow completely forgotten about Peeta. Peeta, who is being tortured right now because he was sacrificed for my own safety. I show him no thanks for all he has done for me. He even saved my life just a few days ago. And Gale. I haven't even talked to him. I can't take this anymore. I can't be here and not worry about Peeta and rescuing him isn't exactly an option. Is it? I am the world's worst human being. I cannot hold it in and break down next to a missile hole, mid sentence.
"I can't do this" I say, but it's barely audible. Haymitch is at my side and does the only thing he can do by nodding and telling me what I've been waiting to hear.
"I know. We're going to get them out."
