NOTE: Chapter two has now been updated, and features a fight scene and new critical information that makes chapter four make sense. Please go back and read, or yours enjoyment for the rest of the story will be ruined.
Chapter Three
When I wake up, I'm alone. The area of mattress where Peeta would normally lay watching me, is bare. I stare at it, without him there the room feels a lot more empty that normal. I sit up, placing my feet onto the cold, wooden floor. Making my way to the mirror, I look into the grey eyes glaring back.
I quickly brush my hair, and braid it back. I decide not to shower till later. I go to Peeta's closet, there's not many items of clothing that belong to me here. They are all back at my house. I open a box labelled 'Cinna.' When the Capitol was defeated, I was called up and told that within the destruction they found what was left of 'my talent' which was supposedly fashion, but it was actually all Cinna's work. Obviously. Peeta and I caught the train there and collected them. I pick out a deep blue blouse with a collar, and a pair of dark blue jean type trousers from the box. Jeans were something unseen in District 12 until I started 'my' fashion designs.
I run down the stairs, sometimes missing a steps as I go. At the bottom, I see my Mother and Peeta having a private conversation. I sit behind the wall, I listen in.
"It's spreading fast…" I hear my Mother inform Peeta.
"I know, there's already been ten cases in District 12. We don't know how bad it might get?" Peeta replies.
"Well, we can always…" My Mother starts before I walk in.
"So, what's spreading fast? Were you thinking of telling me, whatever it is?" I yelled. Who did they think they were, communicating like this. "I deserve to know. You're the love of my life and she's my Mother!"
"Well Katniss…" my Mother begins. Peeta and her begin to explain about Posy, and how Hazelle has caught the illness she has. They tell me around eight or nine other people in District 12 have it, and that it's spreading fast. So that's why I haven't seen Hazelle? Some things begin to clear up with this news, then others blur over completely.
"It's a rare tropical disease, most of District 4 and District 5 have been wiped out. It's being spread throughout the districts. Nobody knows what it is." Peeta explains. I feel worry and rage fill up inside me at the same time. I can't believe they kept this from me!
"Well, what do we do?" I ask. "Are we going to tell people?"
"Not yet, your Mother might be able to find a cure. She's very talented…" Peeta says, staying in the calm voice he normally has.
"What? Fast spreading and we're not even going to tell people? What if I catch it? Or you? What if children catch it! People are going to realise sooner or later?" I scream.
"Katniss, not now. The worst thing to do now is scream at me… us." Peeta says, still staying completely calm and sedated.
"Jesus Christ." I scream. Before I can think, I begin to walk to the cupboard. I pull on my leather hunting boots, and run out the door. I make my way to the fence. Now we're allowed out, they've actually built gates in the fence, yet nearly nobody ventures outside still. The stories of those who've gone out and never came back still frighten them.
I reach a spot I found a couple of weeks ago. It's a beautiful place, many wild flowers grow here . Sitting down under a canopy of ferns and shrubs, I think things through. I think of this tropical illness. What if I have it? I could…? Then it hits me. Gale. Oh my god, Posy, Hazelle… now Gale has it. I can tell. It explains everything. Why Gales was so thin, so weak. He's starving too because he's too ill to hunt, what can I do? I can't go near him inc ase I catch it.
For the first time in ages, I break down. The tears start flowing and I feel my body begin to shake. What am I going to do? What if my Mother or Peeta has this illness? We have to leave.. We have to get away from District 12! Somewhere, anywhere.
When the crying fit ends, I make my way back through he meadow to Victors Village. Peeta sits out on the porch, I automatically hug him. He hugs me back, running his fingers through my hair. I let out a slight cry of pain, not from any throbbing or aching, but from my heart.
I whisper "Gale's got it." Peeta doesn't reply, but the look on his face says it all. "Peeta, we've got to go away. Get out of here, me, my Mother and you."
"And go where Katniss?" He replies.
"I don't know, somewhere. We'll work things out!" I'd move from his arms, and look to him.
"Oh yeah, some magical place in the forest." He'd mutter. He clears his throat now "Katniss, love, there's no where to go. And if we did look, we'd never make the winter."
"We might, you never know! And it's better leaving and fighting to live than sitting here, waiting for the disease to claim us, and waiting to die." I'd explain my view.
There would be a long pause, I'd sit with Peeta. His face, away in another world. He'd look into my eyes, grasp my hand. "Katniss, you're right. Pack, we're leaving. Today."
(Sorry if this chapter is not my best writing guys.)
