Chapter 9: Horror.
"Alright, let's check up on your little nameless baby, shall we?" Doctor Howdon sends a cheeky grin my way which causes his warm brown eyes to crinkle. Rolling my shirt up the older man squirts the usual gel onto my stomach. I use my arm to prop my head up to get a better look at the screen. My other hand cards through Gale's hair, lightly playing with the strands from where he sits next to me, his gaze also on the monitor as he absentmindedly traces random patterns across my ribcage.
A small smile instantly graces my lips as our baby appears. Doctor Howdon moves the transducer across my stomach, allowing us a few minutes to enjoy the view, occasionally pointing out some limbs and positions she's in.
Gale abruptly stands after a while, leaning over and peppering light kisses across my face causing me to laugh at the sensation. He pulls back, resting his forehead against mine.
"What was that for?"
"Nothing." He places a hand across my stomach, giving me a chaste kiss. "I'm just happy. I have you. We have her..."
Beaming I roll my eyes playfully, whispering a small 'me too' before pushing him back to his rightful seat, a stupid, boyish grin spread across his lips.
Doctor Howdon redirects his attention to us, having turned away to gift us some privacy during our abrupt show of affection. Normally I don't like PDA but at this moment I can't bring myself to care.
After listening to her heartbeat on request for what seems to be the thousandth time Howdon asks me some routine questions before looking over my information from the physical exam he did earlier.
A frown etches his features, automatically doing the same to mine and Gale's.
Our hands tighten around one another's as my boyfriend speaks up. "What's wrong? Is everything okay?"
"Well…Katniss your weight isn't up to where I want it to be which is understandable considering how you grew up without much food but I hoped with the diet we put you on it would help. Seems I was wrong. You're still too unweight in my standards for me not to have concerns. We'll need to up your proportions. I'll get into contact with the kitchen right away. Make sure you're eating everything on your tray." He emphasizes with a stern expression to which I nod.
"Your blood pressure is also a little low but we can easily take care of that. I fear though that you're under too much pressure, stressed really. I know you're our Mockingjay with a rebellion on your hands but more downtime would be good for you. If you could find a relaxing activity you could do daily it would help tremendously. You're still exercising to be in better shape so you can go out into the field more after you have your baby, yes? Well I don't want you doing that anymore. No more straining your body unless necessary which means District missions will need to come to halt until you give birth and then some. I'm assuming the training is under President Coin's orders so I'll talk to her to get things sorted out."
"But what about Katniss' visit home? We could be leaving at any time. We're just waiting for the call."
"Yeah," I agree. "I have to see my family. Not going isn't an option."
It's been an ongoing waiting game since Coin told me I was going to be going home. Apparently it's too dangerous to bring my family back to 13 at the moment-as that was in my conditions-but the least they could offer for me was a short, few hour, visit to 12 before returning here. At this point I'll take what I can get.
How are they pulling this off even though President Snow is watching my family like a hawk?
Well the blockage within the Capital's system has suddenly fallen allowing Beetee enough time to hack into their data base and plant a seed that will feed us information involving their plans for eliminating the rebellion. Fortunately since this happened then that means Wiress has stopped operating their system because she's the one that put a shield up in the first place, against her will of course but still. This means they're probably holding her off for something more important or she's fighting back (there's no way in hell they've killed her, we've scratched that off the list, she's too valuable to them) except now that we've hacked back into their system they have nothing to hide, including Wiress' location.
To make sure they don't use her again 13 is sending a rescue mission to the Capital in order to obtain the Victor and bring her back here. This acts as a distraction to give me time in seeing my family. It's killing two birds with one stone.
District 13 has decided to send their best soldiers for this rescue mission which included Gale who would end up leading the operation. I was terrified when I heard but seconds later relief was all I could feel when he refused, claiming it was too close to my due date for him to be running off and may not be making it back. If he was going to die for the rebellion or anything of the sort he "wants to see his baby girl at least once". Completely his words. I'm not going to say I didn't melt a little bit inside upon hearing it.
After a lot of auguring Coin finally agreed. Now instead the head of the mission was handed to Boggs with Gale doing the planning for the operation.
We're still waiting on news about my departure. It could come at any time. It just depends on when they send the rescue team out and how it goes in the beginning to determine if it'll be successful enough to get Wiress and act as a distraction in order for me to go, if not, then I'm not seeing my family.
Doctor Howdon sighs. "Then it would have to be now. You're five weeks away from your due date Miss Everdeen. After this week, maybe next I'd feel more comfortable not risking it. You'll have to pray you go sometime very soon or after she's born but even then I'm not sure you'll go. It'll be too dangerous to bring her to 12 and I know the both of you don't want to be separated from her unless absolutely necessary."
As if on some miracle Gale's communicuff beeps loudly. He peers down at it, quickly scanning the message. "Looks like we don't need to pray." He meets my eye. "It's time to go home Catnip."
The hovercraft's walls whirl with astounding noise as we come to an abrupt halt just mere inches from the ground. My hands tighten on the armrest, knuckles seeing white as anxiousness washes over me.
Gale notices, walking over to where I sit, still strapped into the seat and bending down to his knees. "Catnip," he calls lightly, grasping my hand. "You okay? Are you sure you can do this?"
We both know the answer to that but I nod firmly nonetheless. "Yes. Of course. Just…nervous. If something goes wrong-"
"Then I'll be right here." He taps the comm in my ear. "I'm with you the whole way. I'm above so I'll be able to tell you where all the peacekeepers are and what to avoid. We're also monitoring the rescue mission for Wiress right now. Everything is going smoothly so there shouldn't be any problems. President Snow will never know you even left 13."
Johanna rounds to my side. "You ready Everdeen? We need to do this now. We can't stay too low to the ground for long."
"Yes. Yes, of course."
Gale helps me to my feet, leading the way to the already open ramp which just barely touches the forest ground.
Before he can react I pull him in close, hugging him for dear life. "I love you," I whisper against his neck.
He plants a lingering kiss to my forehead, replying, "I love you too, Catnip. Stay safe, alright?"
We break. I give him the brightest smile I can muster despite the nerves. "Always."
When I was told District 12 had joined the rebellion I was in disbelief for multiple reasons. Ever after I still had my doubts but that's all out the window as I walk the streets of my home
There was just something in the air. Tension maybe, causal but with a fire only fighters could hold. It was still my district, it appeared the same with the same feel except this time there's an underling brewing. As if any minute we're going to explode into an uprising. At this point I wouldn't be surprised.
The few people who were out on this dreary day also seemed to walk with a bit more confidence instead of hunched over, eyes darting every which way to make sure no peacekeepers were around.
I didn't mind the shift. It gives me a sense of hope, reassurance for my home. It eases my mind to know they're willing to fight back while I'm stuck in 13 for now.
"You're almost there Catnip," Gale says, speaking through my earpiece. "There's a Peacekeeper on duty two streets over. Looks like he's heading your way. You'll have to turn left at the next corner and round about a bit before getting back on track."
"Got it," I reply doing as told until I have the Victors Village in sight.
The only problem is that I'll be in plain sight until I'm behind the gates surrounding the houses.
"Alright, when I say go, walk. Be causal, not too fast, not too slow. You might want to pull your hood up."
I nod before feeling stupid because Gale can only see a red dot on a monitor in the hovercraft that reveals my location, not my actual body.
Pulling Gale's old hoodie over my face I rumple my clothes a bit to look more like the other people in 12.
Luckily Plutarch had some of our old clothes. It was a relief when I finally got my normal jeans and fraying shirt back no matter the condition they're in. I feel safe in them, normal. Unlike being in 13's stiff uniforms that's required to be worn.
"Go."
I take off instantly, shoving my hands into my pockets and keeping my head bowed. In a matter of seconds I'm behind the gates, releasing a relieved sigh.
This time I jog as fast as my body will allow with my bulging stomach. I round around the house to enter through the back door, walking through the house as I would while hunting. Careful, aware of my surroundings in silent steps.
It isn't until I enter through kitchen that I allow sound to be made as pure joy rushes against my chest. Prim and my mother's head instantly snap my way.
A full blown beam overcomes my little sister's face and I know I look the same.
"Katniss!" she practically screams causing me to let out a choked laugh, holding back the tears that sting my eyes.
"Prim!"
She sprints to me. I begin to open my arms but my body suddenly goes rigid, expression morphing into one of horror. Prim catches my sudden change, halting in her steps now wearing a concerned frown.
"Katniss," she calls lightly, as if speaking in a way like she thinks I'm going to run out any second and she has to be careful with her words so I won't be startled. "A-are you okay? What's wrong? Katniss. Katniss! What's wrong!? What's going on!?."
I meet her eye, body buzzes with a never-ending panic.
"My water just broke."
Ahhhhh she's FINALLY having her baby!
Just wanted to let you guys know that I have finals next week so I probably won't be doing a lot of writing but I have half of the next chapter done already. I actually started writing it before this one because I was just so excited! The next chapter will probably be up next Sunday!
I also wanted to thank everyone who's reviewed, followed, etc. it means a lot to me especially since you've all stuck with the series because I know a lot of people won't follow to the second book if there is one and it baffles me that so many of you have. So just thank you for everything!
