Chapter Seven:
I fell down to the cold cavern floor, pulling my knees into my chest – which suddenly felt ten times tighter. I tried to keep my face emotionless, but I felt tears begin to pour down my cheeks.
"Lily? Lily! Why are you crying? This is a good thing! It's only us and Cato! Two against one! We're sure to win!" Peeta ran up to me, placing his good arm around my waist, and pulling me up.
"How is this good?" I shoved at his arm, tears still running down my cheeks. "How is any of this good? We're killing children, Peeta! This has never been good!" I knew that as soon as I shoved away from Peeta, the cameras were elsewhere.
"Lily…Sh. Calm down. I know it's not good. I know. I'm just saying – we have a better chance of getting home now." He said, pulling me back towards the other end of the cavern. There was no doubt he was worried Cato might find us. It's safer back there, with my bow and arrows, and the food.
He sat down, and pulled me into his arms, stroking my hair. "It's alright. Just…think of your father, and Mitchell. Think of how happy they'll be when you get back." I sat up, and moved a few inches away from him. I nodded, and wiped my tears on my sleeve.
I could see it clearer now. Peeta and I returning home; me, running right into my father's arms, and holding Mitchell against me, crying tears of joy. Our lives would be so much easier. Peeta would have Katniss, and he would be able to take care of her family, along with his, now that soon he'd be rich enough. I could be with Gale. I would be able to see him every day, be locked in his strong arms.
I couldn't help the smile that began to form on my lips. Peeta smiled, and dished out the rest of the stew. We had to get moving soon, or the Gamemakers would drive us together.
I wonder how Cato was doing. Did he have any food at all? Maybe he did, he was a Career after all. He would surely have gracious sponsors at this point in the Games.
After we finished eating, Peeta and I decided it'd be good to head out, and search for Cato. The quicker this whole thing was over, the quicker I could get home.
We start to head through the woods, and I hold my bow – loaded and ready in case I have to shoot quickly. Peeta has his knife in his holder that is on his belt, and we slowly make our way through the trees, being quiet and listening for footsteps.
"He's probably asleep at the cornucopia." Peeta suggests. I shake my head.
"Cato's not stupid. He probably knows we'd go after him there, so he's probably somewhere near the lake." I whisper, and listen for the sound of rushing water, but there's nothing. Only the sound of bugs and birds.
We were in the woods for about an hour, when I heard the birds go silent and quick footsteps. I readied my bow and arrow, and held it up, getting ready to shoot.
Cato came bursting through the bushes, shoving me away, causing me to fall, and hit my head on the stump of tree. It hurt, and I felt warm liquid trickling down the back of my head.
I instantly felt dizzy, and weak.
"Lily! We have to get out of here! NOW!" Peeta yelled, pulling me up. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me along as he ran, and following behind Cato.
My vision blurred, and the scenery changed from the arena, to blackness, back to the arena. Next thing I knew, Peeta was urging me to climb the cornucopia. I gained use of my arms back, and climbed as fast as I could.
I knew I could pass out any second from the head damage, but I kept going. I leaned over the edge, reaching for Peeta's bad arm. He held it up, I gripped it, and helped pull him up.
That's when I saw them. The mutations. The Gamemakers' creations. They looked like very large dogs, rabid dogs.
I didn't hear the scream escape my lips, until the mutts turned their attention away from Cato, towards Peeta and me.
"Climb!" I yelled towards Peeta.
"I'm trying!" He was almost to the top, when a mutt lunged for his leg. He jerked it away, the mutt smacking face first into the metal cornucopia.
Peeta was finally at the top, when I fell backwards, gasping, and breathing heavily. The heavy breathing didn't help my head. It made me feel even dizzier, and I was fighting to keep my eyes opened. I knew if I passed out, I may not wake up. I couldn't leave Peeta here. I couldn't leave Gale at home.
Peeta was pulled away, and Cato had him in a headlock, the muscles in his arms standing out, as he choked Peeta.
"No!" I shouted, reaching for my bow, and aiming at him.
"Go ahead. Shoot me. If I go down, so does the boy." He had a cut along his cheek, and dried blood on the side of his face.
Peeta's blue eyes widened. I didn't know what to do! If I shot Cato, he would take Peeta down. There was no way I'd be able to move to save him, I could barely lift my arms as it was.
So I did the only thing I could think of. I shot his hand, causing him to release Peeta, and clutch his hand to his chest. Right before he was about to reach for Peeta, Peeta lifted up his leg, and kicked Cato in the gut, knocking the breath out of him, and causing him to stumble backwards, falling off the cornucopia, into the pack of snarling mutts.
Peeta scrambled back towards me, pulling me with him up to the safest spot on the cornucopia, the tip.
I watched as the mutts tore Cato apart, limb by limb. I averted my eyes, hiding my face in Peeta's arm.
"Lily…your head." He gasped, soft poking a spot near my wound.
I winced, and felt dizzy again.
Cato began to scream, and I began to cry. I couldn't bear this. I couldn't bear to hear an innocent person – no not person, child – in pain, I couldn't bear being away from my family, or District Twelve, I couldn't bear the pain I was feeling right now.
I didn't know how long we sat there, Peeta holding me against him, trying to keep me awake. Cato's screams began to fade, and so did the sound of the mutt's growling.
The sun was coming back up, as we waited for something to happen. We knew Cato was dead…the cannon sounded, and his face appeared in the sky. But no air craft came.
"Do we have to move?" I asked, looking up at Peeta's fuzzy face.
"Most likely. Can you make it?" He asked. I shook my head.
"No. I can't move at all." I said, my voice hoarse. He sighed, and stood up, pulling me up along with him. I was able to slowly make my way down the cornucopia, and then Peeta wrapped his arm around my waist again, and we began to slowly make our way back towards the lake.
Before we were in the woods again, the trumpets began to play.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! We have a…slight rule change. The previous rule change has been revoked, and there will only be one victor crowned. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" The voice and trumpets cut off immediately.
I knew this would happen. Especially from how weak I've appeared the last few days. There was no way the Capitol would allow a victor that appeared weak throughout the last half of the games.
"What? They can't do this!" Peeta said, suddenly stopping.
"Yes they can. They have that kind of power." I said.
"Lily…you have to win." I shook my head.
"No. Peeta you have to win. You have more of a chance of being a good victor. They changed the rules because of me anyways. Because of how weak I've been." I say, looking down at the spinning ground.
Better to do something now, before I pass out from the head wound.
"No. I refuse to leave here without you." He said, throwing his knife in the other direction. I stare up at him.
"Peeta…the rules." He shakes his head. Suddenly, an idea comes to mind.
"Nightlock." I whisper. Peeta stares at me. "C'mon!" I say, and try to walk, and Peeta drags us along to the bush I point out. He picks off a few for himself, and then I pick a few.
"What are these?"
"Nightlock. Poisonous berries." His eyes widened in surprise and fear. And then he finally grasped what I was suggesting.
"If they can't have two victors…they won't have a victor at all."
"Are you sure?" He asks. I nod, and take a deep breath. Peeta helped me sit down on the ground, and then he kneeled in front of me.
"Ready?" I nod, and we both cup the berries in our hands, and look at each other.
"One…" I didn't even have a chance to say good-bye to my Father or Mitchell. I couldn't even see Gale one last time…
"Two…" Peeta would never see his mom, or dad, or brothers again. He'd never be able to hold Katniss in his arms, the way he did for me the past few days.
"Three." The berries barely touched our lips, when the trumpets blasted, and Claudius Templesmith's voice boomed loudly, and quickly.
"STOP! Stop! Ladies and Gentlemen! Our 74th annual Hunger Games victors! From District Twelve, Lily Waters and Peeta Mellark!"
"We did it!" Peeta shouted, throwing the berries onto the ground. I did the same, and Peeta lifted me up, and wrapped his arm around my waist again, holding me up.
A hovercraft appeared, and Peeta lifted me up onto it, and followed behind me. Both our bodies froze as soon as we touched the ladder.
When they pulled us into the hovercraft, I fell to the floor, blacking out.
When I woke up again, my head was still a little fuzzy, but I was in a completely unfamiliar room. The walls and floor were white, and I was on a hospital bed, my body completely clean, and cut free. There were no longer small cuts on my arms, or legs, all the dirt was gone, and my nails were polished.
What happened? Where was I?
The hospital, Lily, obviously.
I turned my head, and almost fell off the bed, when I saw Haymitch sitting in a chair, smiling at me.
"Well sweetheart, you did it. You actually lived…well sort of."
"What do you mean, sort of?" I asked, glaring at him.
"Your head injury was very serious. You're lucky you didn't die in the arena. I'm sure that would've hurt Peeta's feelings. With you two being in 'love' and all." He put quotations around the word 'love'. What did he know?
"Give it up sweetheart, you two aren't in love. Well, at least you're not." At least I'm not? Peeta loving me? That's ridiculous. Peeta loves Katniss!
"Stop calling me sweetheart." I said between clenched teeth. He laughed, and then stood up.
I wanted to get up so badly. I wanted to get into normal clothes, and go back home to District Twelve and be with Gale.
I sat up, the room spinning for a few seconds, before it settled. I stood up, and could miraculously walk without any problems.
I patted the back of my head where I was sure my head wound was, but felt nothing but a slight bump from a cut.
I walked out of the room, and looked down the hallway. We were back in the training center. Great. How much longer would I be in the Capitol?
"Lily?" I turned quickly, and saw Peeta, his face clean, and free of any cuts.
"Peeta!" I quickly walked towards him, and hugged him tightly. His arms wrapped around me, and squeezed me a little.
It seemed like he was gaining his strength back.
"You any better?" He asks. I nod, and rub my arm.
"Well, you better eat now, because we have our final interviews in an hour." Right after he said that, Effie came up behind him, shaking her head at me.
"You weren't supposed to be out of that room, Lily! But that doesn't matter anymore. I need you to eat so that you won't pass out during the interview!" She places her hands gently on my back, and pushes me ever so gently towards the dining hall.
I can only have soup and a few pieces of meat and bread, and a glass of water. I frown as I eat the yellow liquid in my bowl, and dip my bread in it.
After I eat, and am refused seconds, I am whisked into the large bathroom, where Cinna and the rest of my stylists are polishing me off, and painting my nails a soft purple.
Cinna dismisses the rest of them, and then pulls me into a hug. I return the hug, and bury my face in his arm.
"You did it." He whispers. I nod, and pull away, and look at his smiling face. He is definitely one of the only people in the Capitol I like. He's not weird looking like the others.
He opens up a black garment bag, and pulls out a long, soft purple dress with shimmers on it, and a matching purple tiger lily on the right shoulder.
"It's beautiful, as always." I gush, and he helps me into the dress. He hands me a pair of flats, and I am so thankful that I don't have to wear heels. I wouldn't be able to walk in them.
"Ready?" He asks. I nod, and he walks me out into the elevator. We meet up with Peeta and Portia, and then we're on the move to the stage.
I can hear Caesar's voice over the roar of the crowd, and I watch as he gets the crowd geared up for our appearance. He sits down, and the room goes dark, as a video is played for everybody to see. All of Panem to see.
It's both Peeta and I throughout the entire games. They play Peeta killing off Foxface, - which I was surprised he even did, though from the look on his face now, it looks like he didn't even remember he did that – me trying to save Rue, being tackled by Marvel, killing him off, singing to Rue, Thresh sparing me, Clove and I fighting. It's mostly revolved around me, until I find Peeta. Then it's both of us together.
The crowd goes nuts when Peeta comforts me, and kisses me. I roll my eyes, and my hands start to feel sweaty.
"…Peeta Mellark and Lily Waters!" Caesar shouts, pointing towards us. The crowd jumps to their feet, and applauds us. Peeta grips my hand as we walk out onto stage.
We sit down on a couch, and Peeta pulls me close to him, causing the crowd to clap louder.
As soon as the crowd quieted down, Caesar began.
"So, how do you two feel, knowing you can live and keep each other?" I looked up at Peeta, smiled, and then back at Caesar.
"I can't believe it. I didn't think I'd be able to see him again. It's…a miracle." I nuzzled my head closer to him, and saw some people in the audience dab their eyes, smiling.
"Peeta? Any thoughts?"
"The same goes for me." He said, nodding.
"How did you both feel, having your names pulled – Lily volunteering – at the reaping?"
Peeta began this time. "I didn't think something like that would ever happen. The odds were definitely not in our favor that day. I was...beyond shocked that I would eventually have to kill the girl I loved. Well, I had hoped I never would have."
Caesar nodded, and looked at me.
"I knew I was risking my life when I volunteered for my friend and her sister at the reaping. But, I never thought that I would be put up against the guy I loved. I couldn't think straight that entire week…" I said.
Peeta kissed the top of my head, and reached for my hand. The crowd went absolutely wild.
We were dismissed, and we hurried off stage. Effie was gushing about how perfect we were, and how the crowd absolutely loved us.
Haymitch just said "good job, sweetheart." And Peeta and he shook hands. I stared at Haymitch, confused, but then they told us we were heading onto the train to go back home.
Yes! Home! Finally!
I followed behind Effie, and noticed how she seemed to have more of a bounce in her step, as if she was excited that she actually had not only one, but two victors this year.
I hugged Cinna good-bye, and he promised he would see me soon. We had the Victory Tour in a few months before the Quarter Quell began.
We were pushed onto the train, the doors locking behind us, and we were instantly moving. Peeta and I stood still for a few minutes, before we turned and headed down the hallway, and into our own rooms.
I was tired, so I decided to try to fall asleep. I curled up under my blankets, and closed my eyes. I could feel myself drifting off, until I began to see pictures of Rue dying, and Cato being pulled apart by the mutts.
I sat up, sweating, and screaming. I yanked the covers off my body, and stood up, pacing the room for a few minutes, before climbing into the shower, and pressing the cold buttons.
The water helped a little, but it also woke me up. Good. I didn't want to sleep if I was going to have to finish that nightmare.
I climbed out of the shower, and pressed a few buttons that dried my hair and untangled it. I kept it down, tossing it over my shoulder, before I slipped back into my warm clothes. I didn't want to go back into my bed. I would have the nightmares again.
I slowly opened my door, and tiptoed across the hall into Peeta's room. He was sitting up against the wall, staring off out the window.
"Peeta?" I whispered. He turned his head towards me, and forced a smile. "Can't sleep?" I asked. He shakes his head, and I quickly climb in next to him, and he wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him.
We sat like this for a few hours, before we both finally drifted off to sleep, and didn't wake up screaming at all.
As soon as we woke up, Peeta and I ran to the window, and saw the woods of District Twelve. I took a deep breath, and then sighed, smiling. I was home.
I was alive, and home.
I got dressed into a pair of pants, a top, and my boots. Peeta and I were standing by the Justice Building as cameras took pictures of us. We had to kiss, and huge, and hold hands.
The entire time, I was searching the crowd. I was searching for my Father, Mitchell, and of course, Gale. I found my family instantly, but I could not find Gale. I looked for Katniss, and she turned towards the woods.
I felt my stomach sink. Did he not want to see me because of what Peeta and I did in the arena? Would he even talk to me again?
Thankfully, we were left alone for our reunions with our families. I ran straight into my Father's arms, and wrapped my arms tightly around him, tears staining his shirt.
"I love you, Daddy." I whispered. He smoothed my hair, and kissed the top of my head. I bent down, and hugged Mitchell tightly.
"I told you, you could do it." He said, smiling. I rolled my eyes, and hugged him.
"Oh, hello Katniss." My dad said, causing me to turn around.
Katniss was standing behind me. I smiled, and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Katniss. For everything." I said, letting go of her. She nodded, and turned to walk towards the meadow.
I was congratulated a few more times by some of the nicer residents in Twelve, before Peeta and I were allowed to go back to our houses, and begin to pack for the move into the Victor's Village.
As soon as I got back to my house, I sat in the kitchen for a few moments, before getting up and headed back towards the door.
"Where are you going?" My dad asked, holding some of his clothes.
"The woods." He nodded, and didn't say anything else.
I hurried past towards the meadow, and then ducked under the electrical fence. I walked slowly towards my normal spot where Gale was bound to be.
Why wasn't he in the center square waiting for me? Wasn't he glad I was home?
Why would he? He doesn't like you. You like him!
I sighed, but kept going.
"Lily?" I quickly turned towards the voice, and a wave of relief hit me when I saw Gale leaning up against a tall rock. "Welcome back." He said, smirking.
I smiled, and I was suddenly running towards him. I ran straight into his arms, and he welcomed me. I lost it. I began to cry, and sob, and I couldn't stop.
"I missed you so much Gale!" I cried. Gale sat down, pulling me down with him. He pulled me into his arms, and hugged me tightly, protectively.
"It's alright. You're home, you're safe." He whispered.
I lifted my head up, and wiped my tears, suddenly embarrassed by my outbreak.
Next thing I knew, Gale was pressing his lips to mine, his hand cupping the side of my face. I gasped, and then relaxed, melting against his hold.
This kiss felt…right. Not like my kisses with Peeta in the arena.
"You don't really love him, do you?" Gale asked, pulling away.
I shook my head, my face flushed. "No." I said, peering up at his face.
"He loves you, though. Peeta Mellark. He really does." I shook my head.
"It was an act, Gale." Before I finished, he was shaking his head.
"No, Lily, it wasn't. Not on his part anyways. If you could've seen how he acted, you'd be able to see it. He really does love you, Lily."
Oh my God. This was so much longer than I expected it to be!
I was planning for it to be normal length, but then I just couldn't stop, and I got a little carried away.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!
As always, leave a review please!
