Chapter 4 is up! So far this is the longest chapter I had ever written cuz I just totally got hooked. This chapter contains multiple POV's. Sorry I took longer to update but i had to finish the story and writer's block wasn't helping. I would like to thank am12325, Dramione-Fan 17, Awesomeness-.-18 for their reviews!
-stephanie
chapter 4 Glimpses
Gale's POV
My vision was hazy when I slowly opened my droopy eyes. I lay on a parchment of green grass as a lone ray of sunshine hit my face. It took me a few minutes to fully recover my vision. As soon as I can see clearly I quickly scan my surroundings. I realized I'm still at the meadow. My body ached so much, so I couldn't get up. My head was spinning and I felt my body slump down again on the grassy ground. Then thoughts played around in my head. The aweful memories hit me like lightning.
"Oh shit Katniss!" I shouted, my voice in hysterics.
I slowly got up even though my body disagreed with me. I managed to get into a sitting position and tried to remember the events as they took place. I remembered Katniss and I sitting here at the meadow when a hovercraft landed in front of us then 4 men came out of it. They were restraining me and Katniss and the last thing I remember was the excruciating pain I felt when they tazed me. I looked around the meadow hoping I would spot her but to my disappointment, she wasn't there.
"Don't tell me they took her," I thought to myself in dismay.
I tried to stand up but my legs felt like jelly. Even so, I managed to get up on my feet. I started my way back with each wobbly step. I planned to tell Prim and Mrs. Everdeen first so I headed to the Victor's Village. Once I arrived there, I immediately approached Katniss' house. I see Prim milking her goat, Lady, while Mrs. Everdeen was knitting at the porch. I called out for help.
"Prim, Mrs. Everdeen Help!" I managed to say before falling down on my knees because of exhaustion.
I see them turn and look at me with worried eyes and as soon as they realized I needed their help they approached me with grim faces.
"Gale what happened? Are you okay?" Prim asked with a nervous tone.
"I'm feeling kinda sore but I have some bad news," I said while catching my breath.
"Let's talk inside, I'll make you some herbal tea to ease the pain and then you can rest," Mrs. Everdeen said with such tenderness.
"Thanks," I muttered.
They both helped me get on my feet and led me inside the house. Prim helped me get on the couch while Mrs. Everdeen went to the kitchen to make the tea. I waited for Mrs. Everdeen to return before I could spill about what happened to Katniss, so for the meanwhile I lied down.
'What could they possibly want from her?" I asked myself.
I felt a pang of guilt and disbelief just thinking about it. I shouldn't have let them take her. I should have fought harder.
"Your so stupid and weak Gale, a complete idiot," I hear my conscience scream at me.
While I was in disagreement with myself I saw Mrs. Everdeen enter the living room with a tray of herbal tea and cookies. I slowly sat up as she placed the tray on the center table.
"Here you go Gale, this will make you feel better," said.
"Thanks," I said while taking the tea.
A held the cup in my hands and took a sip. As soon as I swallowed the drink I felt a little better. I placed the cup back into the tray and anticipated the questions they were about to ask me.
"So what did you wanted to tell us?" Prim said with a concerned tone.
"I'm not sure how I'm gonna say this but while Katniss and I were hunting, we encountered a hovercraft that landed just a few feet from us," I said.
"Why would a hovercraft come here anyway," Prim remarked.
"I don't know but as soon as we went near it 4 men came out and fought us. They tazed me and I was knocked unconscious. And the next thing I knew Katniss was gone," I said while holding back the anger and sadness inside of me.
"Oh my goodness, my poor daughter," I heard Mrs. Everdeen say as tears fall down her face.
"Katniss," I heard Prim whisper as she was wiping tears on her face.
"It was all my fault, I should have fought harder and defended her," I said while fighting back my tears but they still managed to escape my eyes.
"It's not your fault Gale, and I'm sure we'll find her somehow," Prim said reassuring me.
"But in order to do that we need help," she continued.
Peeta's POV
I was decorating some cakes in my kitchen when I saw from the window, Gale slowly limping towards Katniss' house. I was curious as to why he was badly hurt when I saw Prim and Mrs. Everdeen approach him. I immediately made my way to the front door so I could hear their conversation. As soon as I heard the words "Bad News" my curiosity flew sky high. Before I knew it I was snooping around outside Katniss' house. I managed to overhear their conversation from the living room window. But I got to make sure they don't spot me or I'll me accused of interfering with privacy. Good thing my specialty is camouflage and I managed to hide in some bushes near the window. From this distance I was able to hear every word they had to say. At first I hear Gale explaining that he and Katniss went hunting.
"So that's why she was gone this afternoon," I thought to myself.
Then I heard the conversation shift into something more dark and serious. Once Gale mentioned the hovercraft I knew it had to involve the Capitol. But I didn't expect the next thing he had to say. I felt the blood drain from my face once I heard the news about Katniss.
I sneaked out of the bushes and went closer to the window. I peeked through the glass pane only to see Mrs. Everdeen in tears. Then I heard Gale said she was taken away and that he should have fought harder to defend her.
"So she's gone! and more importantly kidnapped?" I muttered to myself astonished by the new discovery.
Then I heard Prim said that they needed help in order to find her so I decided to come out from my hiding place and help them. I was just about to get out when I heard the door open and Prim appeared. She immediately saw me coming out of the bushes and gave me a questioning look.
"Um... Peeta what are you doing there?" she asked confused.
"I was just..um.. Oh who am I kidding I was eavesdropping on your conversation okay," I said out of explanations.
"So I guess you heard everything huh?" she continued.
"Sadly yes, and I want to help," I replied.
"Sure you can come in," she said as she ushered me inside.
"Thanks," I replied.
Once I got inside I immediately saw Mrs. Everdeen and Gale look at me with grave expressions.
'Peeta dear have a seat," Mrs. Everdeen said.
"Sure," I muttered while finding a seat on the other end of the couch where Gale was sitting.
"So I assume you already know what happened to Katniss," Gale said sarcastically.
"Yes, so do you have a plan?" I replied.
"Well, I'm still figuring it out," he said sadly.
"Let me help, I've got a feeling that Katniss is at the Capitol," I said.
"That was my idea too, I suppose were on the same page," he replied.
"How are we gonna save her? any ideas?" he asked.
"Well I was thinking we should contact someone from the Capitol," I suggested.
"That could work, and if does we'll have a clue to where Katniss is," he replied.
"Guys, maybe Haymitch could help us," I heard Prim say.
"haha yeah if he's not drunk all the time," I joked.
"Seriously, he knows a lot of people from the Capitol maybe he could contact someone who could help us," she continued
"Wait that could work! He can call Effie she could help us," I replied.
"well let's go get him," Gale muttered.
We excused ourselves from Mrs. Everdeen then headed to Haymitch's house just a few blocks away. I needed to help Gale walk there so it took us a little longer than usual. Once we got their I quickly knocked on the door. We waited for someone to open it but as expected from Haymitch the door remained closed.
"Well I guess we should let ourselves in, what you think?" I said to Gale.
"I'm already on it," Gale said while opening the door. As we entered, the awful smell of liquor and vomit filled our nostrils.
"Man, this place is nasty," I remarked.
"You got that right," Gale replied.
We searched for Haymitch and found him slumped on the living room sofa.
"Haymitch wake up," I said while shrugging his shoulders.
I heard him moan and then he turn to his side still snugly asleep.
"Come on, this is important Wake Up!" I yelled at him.
"Hold your babbling, can a guy get some peace and quiet around here," he replied annoyed.
"I didn't want to do this but you leave me with no choice," I said while signalling Gale to get a bucket full of water.
Once I got the bucket full of water from Gale, I immediately poured it over Haymitch's head. He screamed in surprised and bashed around like crazy.
"What was that for?" he yelled angrily.
I tried to wake you up but you were hesitant so I decided to try a different approach," I calmly replied.
"Okay I'm up so what do you want?" he asked.
"We need your help Haymitch, you see Katniss has been kidnapped and we suspect she's at the Capitol," Gale said.
"Kidnapped? well that's unusual, what do you want me to do?" Haymitch said.
"Well, you could call someone you know from the Capitol like Effie maybe and find out if they can help," I suggested.
"Ookaay..sure," Haymitch replied.
We followed Haymitch to his room and he immediately got hold on the telephone. He dialled the numbers needed and after a few rings someone picked up.
"Haymitch put it on speaker," I suggested.
He pressed a red button then started speaking.
"Hello Effie, I've got some news for you," Haymitch said.
"News? Is there something wrong?" Effie asked.
"Promise me you won't go into hysterics, it gets me annoyed all the time," Haymitch demanded.
"Is it really that bad, okay I'll try," Effie replied.
"Katniss has been kidnapped and we suspect she's there at the Capitol," Haymitch continued.
"k-kidnapped! Oh dear," Effie said in a shrieking voice.
"Hold it together Effie, now can you find someone who could help us," Haymitch said.
"I guess I could try, Um can you wait a second my cellphone's ringing," Effie replied.
We hear Effie talk to someone on her phone and a gasp escaped her lips.
"Effie who was that?" Haymitch asked.
"It was Cato Avel, he said he knows where Katniss is but he needs your help," she replied.
Once I heard his name my blood boils and I don't know why.
"he said he wants to meet you at the Capitol as soon as possible," she continued.
"How do you know it's not a trap?" Haymitch replied.
"I don't think he's a threat besides he claims he knows where Katniss is, that's the best help we could get," Effie said.
"Oh I don't know I have a bad feeling about this," I muttered.
'Not to be rude but who is this Cato Avel anyway?" Gale asked.
"It's a long and weird story," I remarked.
"Well that's all we need to know thanks for your help Effie," Haymitch said before hanging up.
There's a look on his face that tells me his thinking up a plan.
"Well looks like we need to go to the Capitol," he said.
"And how in the world are we gonna do that?" I asked sarcastically.
"Simple we'll take the Capitol train," he continued.
"Is that kinda illegal," Gale remarked.
"Not if nobody knows, see I have a plan that just might work," Haymitch said with a grin on his face.
"Well I guess we'll leave it all to you Haymitch," I remarked.
"Trust me this is the perfect plan and it will take place tomorrow," he continued.
Cato's POV
I paced back and forth in my bedroom waiting for that damn Lilith to call. Once my cellphone rang I immediately answered it.
"Lilith! If ever dare to hurt Katniss I swear you'll have the most brutal death ever," I barked into the phone.
"Oh please, Cato relax I'm not gonna torture her yet, not until you see it," she said in a devilish tone.
"Damn it what do you want!" I yelled.
"I want you to come here at 4pm tomorrow," she continued.
"Yeah and what if I don't?" I replied.
"Aw that's too bad because if you don't show tomorrow she'll be dead," she hissed.
Those words rang again and again in my head and I have no choice but to succumb to her evil wishes.
"Fine but if you don't keep your word I'll be the one who'll break your neck and write your name on a gravestone," I replied.
"Don't worry I always keep my word," she said before hanging up.
My blood boiled in frustration and before I new it I was already shoving things around my bedroom. The shrieking voice of my sister brought me back to my senses. I saw her standing by the door.
"Cato what are you doing? You destroyed this place," she yelled while staring at me.
"Sorry Clera, my temper got the better of me," I replied.
"Okay what happened?" she demanded.
"That bitch Lilith called and her voice just ticks me off," I replied.
"It's about that girl Katniss isn't it." she said while entering the room.
"Of course it is and now I'm afraid she's gonna get hurt and it's all my fault," I replied while sitting down on my bed.
"Hey, it's not your fault that your girlfriend is a total psycho besides I'm here to help you out," she said.
"I just wish there is some way I could put an end to this," I said in dismay.
"And I'm sure you'll figure it out, your smarter than you think," she reassured me.
At the same time my phone rang again and this time it was Haymitch who was calling. I immediately answered it.
"Hello," I muttered.
"Cato, Effie told us that you knew where Katniss is and you wanted to meet us," he replied.
"Yeah so do you agree?" I asked.
"Well we thought about it and we'll be there at around 2pm tomorrow," he answered.
"Good, I'll meet you at the train station then we can talk," I said.
"Great, well I guess we'll see you then," he said before hanging up.
"Who was that?" my sister asked.
"Haymitch, Katniss' mentor," I answered.
"well looks like you two came to an agreement," she continued.
"Yeah, I didn't expect that but I'm glad their willing to help me out,"
"see, now that you got some accomplices I'm sure you'll think of a plan," she said.
I looked at her and returned my gratitude with a smile.
"Well, I guess I better go it's getting late and I'm tired," she said while heading out of the door.
"Night sis," I replied.
The following afternoon I arrived at the train station 15 minutes early. The station was pretty much deserted and only a couple of guards and janitors remain. I sat on a bench and looked at my watch, it was already 1:55 pm. Then after a while I heard the distinct chugging of a capitol train. It pulled up just in front of me. Then the doors opened and a sea of reporters and photographers came out. I searched the crowd for the people I was expecting and along the way I saw Haymitch together with two guys, that blond victor and a brunette. I quickly approached them.
"Haymitch over here," I called out.
They quickly turned their gaze towards me and headed to my direction.
"Cato Avel, nice to see you," Haymitch said as we shook hands.
"So you managed to sneak into the train?" I said.
"nah, it was simple we just disguised ourselves as reporters and everyone bought it," Haymitch exclaimed.
"Are we gonna chit chat or are we gonna save Katniss? the blond boy said, I guess his name was Peeta.
"Follow me," I said while I glared at him.
I led them to a limo. We headed back to the mansion and I was already entertaining questions.
"So Cato how did you know where Katniss is?" the brunette which I came to know as Gale said.
'Well it's a long story but to make it short, my girlfriend is behind all this,"I replied.
"What? Your girlfriend then I guess your involved to," Peeta yelled accusingly.
'No don't view it like that, you see I don't even love her, I was forced to be her boyfriend and here's the bad part, she's in link with president snow," I replied seriously.
"man, that's so cruel well looks like this mission is gonna be dangerous," Gale said.
"That's why we need to formulate a well thought out plan," Haymitch said.
We arrived at the mansion moments later and I ushered them to the living room. I assembled everyone needed in order to save Katniss, 10 of our best guards, my sister, Haymitch, Peeta, Gale and I assembled at the living room. We started on our plan.
"So we got an hour to get this right so we better start," I said.
"Cato you know the area right? did you already planned out an escape route?" Peeta asked.
"well I have the blueprint of the area right here and Katniss is in this room," I replied.
"That's good, now that we know about the location we better think about the security," Gale said.
"I've got that covered. The Avel family elite guards can handle it besides their skilled with weaponry and martial arts," I replied.
"Now we just need to discuss how were gonna get Katniss out," I said.
"How about if Gale and I sneak in wearing the guards' uniforms while you entertain Lilith, that way we can get to Katniss," Peeta said.
"Hm.. that could work. Then we'll meet up outside while the guards handle the security," I replied.
"What if Lilith sends her men to follow Katniss, that could mean trouble," Clera said.
"Looks like we need a decoy," Gale said.
"I know, I'll get a wig similar to Katniss' hair then pose as her decoy," Clera suggested,
"That's brilliant then one of us can drive Katniss to safety while the other group distract Lilith's henchmen," Gale said.
"But who we'll go with her?" I asked.
"Hmm.. You can go with her Cato besides I'll go with Peeta and Gale and be the decoy so that the Lilith's men will follow us," Clera suggested.
"That could work," Haymitch said.
"But if they follow our car then we'll be in trouble," Peeta said.
"Don't worry we'll meet at a location where the police will be waiting for them," I said. "And Katniss and I will take a different route and meet you there," I continued.
"Sounds like a plausible plan but what am I supposed to do?" Haymitch asked.
"We do need someone at the checkpoint who we can contact I guess that should be you Haymitch, you can contact the police from there and if you want, you can call Effie to come with you," Peeta said.
"Fine, though it looks like a pretty boring job," he said grumpily.
"Oh and I just remembered take these phones we'll use it to contact each other," I said while handling them the phones.
"Looks like we're set let's do this," Peeta said.
"Agreed," everyone in the room unanimously remarked.
Katniss' POV
I was in dark room, my hands and feet tied to chair and a piece of duct tape was placed on my mouth. I was constantly shifting from unconsciousness to consciousness and my head hurt like crazy. I see Lilith evilly smiling at me while sitting on a sofa. Her guards surrounded me, making escape impossible. Momentarily I see Cato enter the room. Lilith approached him and I quickly realize the smirk on his face. They entered a booth surrounded by glass walls and had a long conversation. While they were talking, the guards who were right beside me fell down. I looked around to know what happened when I realized someone shot them with some kind of tranquilizer. Moments later the same happened to the others. I was starting to feel nervous and frightened when I heard a familiar voice.
"Katniss are you okay?"he asked while removing the duct tape out of my mouth.
"Peeta is that you?" I asked.
"Yeah and were here to rescue you," He replied.
"I never thought you'd come to me, I thought I was a goner," I said.
"Come on Catnip, we'll always save you no matter what happens," Gale said.
"Gale your here too how did you get here?" I asked.
"Well look at what were wearing, nobody recognized us so we just slipped right in," he explained.
Gale immediately released me from the chair and moments later I saw Lilith head out the booth followed by Cato. Once she saw me untied, her expression change into something that gave me chills. Then moments later she called her guards. Gale and Peeta led me running into a hallway. Cato was just right behind us.
"Guys hurry the guards are coming," Cato yelled.
We ran until we reached the entrance of the place.
"Time for the switch, Clera you can come out now," Gale said.
Out of the corner I see I girl come out then she approached us.
"What's with this switch your talking about?" I asked.
"Long story, it's part of our plan just go with it," Peeta replied.
"Katniss you need to go with Cato now I'll act as if I'm you so that we can fool the guards," Clera said.
Cato immediately took my hands and led me out to a forest. There I saw a car parked just behind a tree. Out of the corner of my eye I see Gale, Peeta and Clera rush into another vehicle as Lilith's henchmen followed them.
"looks like they fell for it," Cato said as we entered the vehicle.
"So this is your plan? Who's Clera?" I asked.
"Oh she's my sister, this was her idea actually," He said while starting the engine.
"Where are we going?" I said.
"To the designated checkpoint, we'll meet the others there," he replied.
Then I heard a cellphone ring. Cato checked his left pocket and got the phone out, he answered it. I notice his face turn extremely pale as he heard the news from the other line.
"What was it?' I asked.
"No time to explain we got to go now!" he yelled as he stepped into the accelerator pedal.
"Cato slow down!" I screamed.
"I can't their following us, Peeta just called and he said two of the cars noticed it was a trap and headed in our direction." he replied.
Moments later two black cars speedily approached us as we zoomed into the Capitol streets. One of the cars managed to bump us but Cato quickly managed to pull ahead.
"Shit, their getting closer we need to lose them," I heard him say.
We entered an alley leading to another road, and as we got out we realized only one car continued to follow us.
"Looks like the other one crashed," I muttered.
"That's good now we just need to avoid the other one," he said.
"Why did Lilith kidnap me anyway what did I do?" I asked him.
"I'm sorry Katniss, it was my fault, do you remember the time when I told you that I was forced to be in love with someone?" he muttered.
"Yeah back when we met up at the forest," I said.
"Well you see Lilith is that someone and it turns out she's a complete psycho who's totally obsessed with me," He continued.
"So that's why she hates me," I replied.
"I should never have brought you into this, I'm so stupid," He remarked.
"Don't say that besides if you never approached me at the victory ball, I would never have met you," I said.
"I'm glad you said that," he said with a smirk.
"Well looks like were almost there," he said.
I looked forward and saw from a distance a building where Gale and Peeta were waving at us.
"Looks like this plan is a success," Cato said.
But before we could reach the place our car was violently bumped by the other car who'm we thought wasn't pursuing us.
"Katniss look out!" Cato yelled while shifting his body over me as if he was shielding me.
That's when I realized a truck was heading our way and I could only close my eyes before the impact came. Our car was sent tumbling a few times and I could feel Cato holding on to me. When we finally stopped tumbling I felt a searing pain in my right leg. I carefully opened my eyes and my vision was hazy. I looked over at Cato and saw him lying beside me.
"Cato," I said.
I received no response. His eyes remained closed and when my vision cleared, that's the only time I realized his wounds. Tears were starting to fall down my face when I looked at him. Blood was everywhere. He had a huge gash on his forehead where the red liquid freely flowed out. Then I realized a shard of glass was deeply pierced into his left side and a pool of blood flooded the area where he lay. I tried to move my hands but they seemed to remain paralyzed.
"Cato please wake up..." I said while choking back my tears. He remained unmoving and the blood kept flowing.
I called out for help and from a distance I heard ambulances wailing. I just lied their hoping they weren't to late.
Moments later a man with a flashlight crept under the wreckage and started to check at us.
"Please help," I managed to whisper.
"We're gonna get you out okay just stay still." he said in a calm voice.
"P-please h-hurry he's losing a lot of blood," I chocked.
"Okay we just need to cut this door open and we'll get you out," he said.
I waited for what seemed like eternity. I managed to move my left hand and touched Cato's cheeks. My heart froze when I touched it, it was ice cold. His lips were starting to turn blue and a fresh batch of tears started to fall down my face. The only thing the reassured me that he was still alive is the slow heaving of his chest. I was petrified of the fact that he could stop breathing at any moment. My mind played games with me and visions of Cato's funeral played inside my head.
"Stop thinking about it Katniss! He's gonna live," My conscience yelled at me.
At the same time I heard noises from outside. I realize they were welding the door to cut it open. Moments later rescuers managed to get to us. They got Cato out and a spark of hope enlightened me. After a few minutes they were trying to get me out.
"It's okay honey were gonna get you out, now tell us where you hurt," a woman rescuer asked.
"My right leg seems broken but nothing fatal," I said.
"Okay just leave it to us," she answered.
They quickly got me out of the wreckage and placed me on a stretcher. They made me wear a neck brace just for safety precautions. I see Gale and Peeta running towards me but my mind is set on finding out Cato's condition. Before I was placed into an ambulance I caught a glimpse of Cato. He was being wheeled into an ambulance. His forehead was bandaged as well as his abdomen but the blood still managed to seep through. A paramedic placed an oxygen mask on his face and pumped air into his lungs. The thought of him not breathing sends chills down my spine.
"Cato, don't leave me," I managed to say before being wheeled into the ambulance.
Peeta and Gale accompanied me in the ambulance. The whole trip was agonizing and even though they both tell me it was gonna be okay my mind was occupied with Cato's condition.
As we arrived at the hospital I was immediately wheeled into the emergency room. We were about to go into the operating room when I suddenly caught a glimpse of doctors working on Cato. Machines were blaring and different wires were attached to him. A long tube runs through his mouth and I suppose it helps him breath. The doctors where frantically moving around and the room was full of chaos.
"Hurry up were losing him," I heard one doctor say and my heart sank in sorrow.
I choked out sobs as I cried for him to wake up. The paramedics who were wheeling me into the operating room had to restrain me because I was starting to get delirious.
"Come on kid stay with me," I heard a doctor yell as he frantically revives Cato. I shrieked at the thought of him dying and my screams filled the entire ER. When the paramedics started to wheel me into the OR I was starting to lose my sanity.
"Please let me stay with him, I need to be with him," I shouted as I choked in my tears.
"Calm down honey we need to operate on your leg now," The lady said while trying to restrain me.
I wanted to fight back but their strengths overpowered mine. They successfully led me in to the OR but my eyes never left Cato's direction. I looked as the doors swing back and forth giving me glimpses of him lying their dying. There were so many things I wanted to say but the sorrow blurred my mind. And the only thing I could say before passing out due to the anaesthesia was "Cato, I love you."
So there yah go! I feel kinda guilty writing this chapter cuz i didn't want to hurt Cato but it had to be done. And as always Leave a Review!