A/N: well, this is the final chapter of the first part of this story (those of you who read 74th know what's going on, maybe). Thanks to HopeNeverDies, Anonymus (lol, Anonymous was on the national news Tuesday), and ForeverInTime. Also, I am having a poem I wrote get published on Pink Eye Lemonade's online magazine for the spring (which comes out on the 13th of this month). That and another one of my poems is on my profile.
Oh, and if you ever find a 'cruel judge', make sure to tell him that 74th wasn't supposed to be a retelling of the Hunger Games. Anonymous fool…
Chapter 8
A number of Peacekeepers walk around Peeta and myself as the surrounding crowd shouts out questions and other various comments. I try not to cringe when I hear about some "Peeta and I are already married rumor" and to the rest of the comments, I try not to show any emotion.
They eat up emotions quickly here in the Capitol.
The Peacekeepers here still fire their rifles when the people get rowdy, but unlike in the Districts, the shots are fired into the air, not into rioters. Multiple cracks eventually get the people to scatter and I finally feel like I can breathe. They continue to lead us through the multi-colored streets of the Capitol, the bright colors becoming almost on the near side of blinding. Eventually we reach one of the drabber buildings: the building we stayed in during our first trip to this place. We exchange nervous looks before being led inside.
Time passes slowly before we reach our old floor: the 12th floor. I finally give myself a chance to really take in the décor of the building. As I look around, I can't help but imagine that whoever designed this floor must've lived in the Seam for a couple of years; it feels like we're back in District 12 now.
"Well, I guess we haven't messed up too badly yet. The only problems we've caused are Gale's kidnapping and that messy incident on the train." I glare over at Peeta. I'm sure he's trying to lighten the mood, but I'm not taking it well to joking about my best friend being forcefully taken and that butchering on the train. I'm sure that will join Rue and Cato in my nightmares.
"I guess so. I wonder what plans Haymitch has underneath his sleeve, or is he just going to let us wing this bit?" The warmth of Peeta's laugh is reassuring. It seems like so long ago since I was able to actually just enjoy life.
"We can never know. He isn't too open about whatever thoughts that may float around in his head. If there are any." We both start laughing at the expense of our mentor as another elevator reaches this floor. Quieting down, we move towards the lobby to see Effie and Haymitch walk out of the elevator car, arguing.
"I'm telling you, Haymitch. I don't know why you're so worried now? It's not like they've done anything wrong. I'll never understand why David snapped the way he did, but I just don't understand your paranoia." Some grumbling and cursing follow Effie's comments.
"The problem is that with what they did with those berries, they've incited a small rebellion, as of now. Depending on what they do, they'll either send Panem deep into the fires of revolt or the whole mess with sizzle out. They just need someone with experience in these sorts of problems guiding them." We continue to move away from them, remaining out of sight, but within range of their conversation.
"And how do you know you're the right man, Haymitch?" I want to laugh at Effie's question.
"Because after what I did to win my games, everyone I cared for was killed by President Snow. None of them had the sort of impact that Prim has had for them. They weren't remarkable."
"What about a girlfriend?" I move so I can see them, just to spot his face scrunch up in remembrance.
"It was tough watching those pink birds chop through her neck." I couldn't believe it. My mother's best friend, the one that had died in the arena, was Haymitch's girlfriend. If things could've gone differently, like how they did for Peeta and myself, she'd be alive. Apparently Effie is as surprised as me.
"I never knew!"
"Of course you didn't. I didn't want to tell anyone. That's also why when Peeta told me he loved Katniss; I had to help him tell everyone. I couldn't let him make the same mistake I did." He looks down to his feet and I nudge Peeta, motioning that we should go back into the open.
The surprised look on their faces is one of those things that'll stick with me for my entire life. "So…you were in love with my mother's best friend. Why did I never know?" Haymitch sneers at me, angry with us for eavesdropping.
"Yes I was." He takes a few seconds to breathe in. "I was hoping you'd have enough sense to know when not to listen on others. I was sure you were different from the other girls, with their gossip…but I guess I was wrong." Our mentor storms past us and heads into the dining room. I'm pretty sure he has a stash of alcohol in there.
Effie glowers at us. "Well, I think you two should start figuring out what you'll do for the interview. Don't need you two looking like fools at this point." She walks off, smiling.
I turn to Peeta. "Is it me, or do they both try their hardest to make my life worse that President Snow can?" He looks down, pondering my question before he breaks out in a laugh. "What's so funny, Peeta?" He shakes his head.
"Nothing Katniss. Absolutely nothing." I groan as he walks away.
I just hope he never does that in reality.
We're there, once again with Caesar Flickerman. The cameras are about to start rolling when Peeta turns to me. "You worried?" I give him a brief smile.
"Not right now." I kiss him right as the cameras start. I hope Panem likes its first glimpse of us today.
Caesar asks his first question as we break away. "So, Peeta, Katniss. What plans for the future do you have?"
I look over to Peeta. He continues to look at the cameras. "Well, I've been thinking about doing something…" the way he cuts off frightens me; when Peeta comes up with something himself, it seems to be a big surprise.
Caesar just stares at him intrigued and pulled into Peeta's game. "So what is it?" Peeta starts to shift away from me and before I know it, he's on his knee, opening up a box I've never seen before. At this time I mentally thank him for reminding me to remove the ring I have.
"I'm probably not worthy of this, but Katniss," his eyes come up to find mine and I suddenly know what he's doing. "Will you marry me?" I burst into surprise, an act for the people of Panem. I pull him from the floor and kiss him. As we break apart, the words come out.
"Of course, Peeta." The audience made out of people from the Capitol all burst into cheers and a door opens. We turn around to see President Snow. My eyebrow rises as if I'm asking him if we've done what's needed.
Smiling, he shakes his head. I now expect Gale to be dead within the day.
The world has become a single, drawn out pain for Gale. He hangs from thick ropes used in District 3 for fishing. The men surrounding him shine lights in his eyes, adding to his torture. One of them speaks, his low voice echoing.
"So what is District 13 up to? You claim you know they're still around, so I assume you know what they're up to."
Coughing up blood, Gale tries to reply. "I…I've never…been there." He continues to hack up the copper-ish tasting liquid that keeps him alive. "I…just…assume…they're still…around." The men laugh.
"You've never seen videos of that place, have you? The Capitol took it out with some toxic bombs. The entire place is inhabitable. Not even a goddamn cockroach could survive there." Drawing back a crowbar, the questioner swings it right into Gale's midsection, causing him to double over in the air. The witnesses start to laugh.
"What…have…I done?" Slips out of Gale's mouth. Rolling his eyes, the man laughs.
"He says 'what have I done?' is he a fool? He's been planning something against the Capitol, that's for sure. And reading all of that material on 'America'? You've gotten lucky boy. You could've been handed over to the Gamemakers to become a muttation." Gale's face blanches and a musky scent overcomes him. His puffy eyes just open so he can see the outline of the man's face.
"You just wait boy. Sooner or later, you'll tell us everything you know. Coin will be interested in what you have to say." Gale wanted to ask whom Coin was, but his head was swimming in a dark sea.
A dark sea in which he was drowning.
A/N: things are getting messier and part one of this story is done! So yeah…have fun.
