Chapter 10 – Change of Plans
AN: Thank you to those who left a review, alerted and favored the last chapter. A big thank you to everyone who has stuck with me in this journey. I'm still very busy in my RL but promise that this story will not be abandoned. I will however, let you know if the next update will take longer than usual.
I don't own THG. This chapter is rated R for strong language and is Peeta's POV. All mistakes found are mine.
Peeta POV –
As I slowly inhaled, the cool crisp morning air pierced my lungs. Every few minutes I looked back behind me. Finnick and Johanna flanked Bard with Shane behind them. As he trailed behind all of us, Shane pointed the scope of his rifle towards the tree above us, looking for more drones. Every once in a while, he swept his rifle side to side and behind him, making sure no one was following us.
Katniss and Maddy were up ahead while Prim was behind them. It was a strange formation but it worked. Prim was protected from every angle. Inhaling again, the cold prickled my ears and nose while sweat sheened my skin. Despite the tall trees around us, the sunshine seeped between the large trunks causing rays of light to illuminate the forest ground in a 45 degree angled pillars. In an ordinary day, the nature and beauty that surrounded us calmed me. But with Bard in our company, all my senses were alerted. Fear, anxiety and weariness crashed together in my chest feeling like a ball settled behind my rib cage. It was hard to breath at times.
Suddenly Katniss raised her hand and we automatically stopped in our place. She crouched to the forest floor palming the ground. "What is it, Katniss?" Maddy inquired. Because of our quick exit from our camp, we didn't have time for breakfast. We had been walking for at least two hours to give enough distance from where camped last night. We were all hungry and tense. My stomach grumbled in protest to attest the fact but I chose to ignore it. The familiar feeling of hunger reminded of those days back in 12 when food was scarce. Most people thought that owning and working in a bakery meant we ate all our wares. It was not so. Mother only afforded us the stalest and oldest bread that hadn't sold for us to eat.
While Katniss continued to peruse the floor under her, my eyes fell upon her dark, thick hair. It was braided but unkempt. On most morning, she and Prim fashioned a braid with each strand neat and in place. But not today. "Peeta?"
"Hm," I responded. Prim's face appeared obstructing my view of Katniss.
"Are you okay? I've been saying your name for the last two minutes." She had a smug and knowing look on her face. Caught in the act for staring at Katniss, I hoped my face wasn't pink from embarrassment. I ignored Prim's perusal of my behavior.
"What's going on, Katniss? Why did you stop?" I approached them from behind.
"Footprints," she responded as she stood up. One word, no sentences. I knew what she meant, but who did they belong to. She turned her head towards Bard. "I need to see your shoes."
Bard stared back at Katniss with a puzzled look on his face. "Huh?"
"Give me your shoe?"
"What? What for? No way?" He was cuffed on the wrist and ankles, barely able to walk long strides but given enough slack for mobility. "Why? I'm not walking without my boots—"
Suddenly, without a word from behind Johanna kicked his knees causing him to fall. With his hands cuffed and legs immobile, she easily took his boot off and handed it to Katniss. "Here, have at it." In the meantime, Finnick placed a firm boot onto Bard's lower back.
"Stay down," he directed while he pointed his trident at his chest right above his heart.
Katniss then walked over to where Maddy stood and placed Bard's boot on the ground. I stood next to Prim and searched our surrounding area. Birds and squirrels flitted from tree to tree. The wind howled in the air. It was start of Fall season. At District 12 had it still existed, school would have started. Katniss would have graduated from school and I would have started my last year. I also would have still been eligible for the lottery, my last reaping year.
"It fits," Katniss surmised. "These are his tracks." She pointed to a few footprints on the ground. Then it dawned on me.
"Let him up Finnick," I instructed. Bard stood up, one boot less but upright. Shane pointed his rifle to his back. Johanna twirled her machete in her hand. She was quite good at it too.
"What's up, Peeta?' Shane asked.
"How did you get here, Bard?"
"If that's his real name," Finnick chimed. "I bet you Bard is his professional name. His nickname as a bounty hunter."
"Why Bard?" Prim asked. "I mean what's a Bard?"
"Who cares," Johanna seethed.
"A bard is someone who recites poetry, I think," Maddy explained. "A poet."
"Right, he's a killer and poet." Johanna snorted. "He's still won't tell you anything so we're wasting our time."
I was optimistic, so I asked again. "Tell me how did you get here?"
"Answer him, Bard," Finnick demanded. "Or Johanna and I will make you." I didn't like that he threatened him but I knew it was necessary. There was a point I was making. That he was useful alive, not dead for now. I knew that Katniss had a point—that Bard was a liability.
The bounty hunter pressed his lips together. I could tell his mind was churning, debating whether to answer me. So I waited. Unfortunately someone else was impatient, Johanna pressed the tip of her machete to his neck. "Answer him. And don't lie."
A lump formed in Bard's throat as his Adams' apple bounced upward. "You might as well kill me because I'm not giving you shit." I shook my head. "My assignment was to capture you. You don't think that someone won't be looking for us? It's only a matter of time when someone else will find you."
"I doubt it," Finnick replied. "You're bounty hunters, you don't report to anyone. You don't come back empty or unless the bounty has been fulfilled. No one is looking for you."
I absorbed that information. "Makes sense," Shane said. "So no one would know what happened to you. That if you disappear no one would care."
"That maybe true," Bard responded. "You might as well kill me because given a chance all of you will be dead with the exception of Mellark and Everdeen. They are my bounty and with Prim Everdeen as a bonus."
"See, useless," Johanna snickered. "Told you we should have taken care of him earlier."
"No," I said, firm and hard. "I told you, we need him."
"What for? He's not going to give up any information and he just threatened us," Johanna said back in disgust. "I say we kill him now. He's a liability. We can't let him go, ever." I knew she was right but killing him in cold blood? Defenseless? Could I live with myself? But then, if we let him go, he would report to President Snow that Prim was alive. And that Finnick and Johanna was with us as well. So many lives in danger. I looked at Katniss, I could tell that she too was conflicted. And Prim, she was a witness to this, listening to conversations about killing a man in cold blood.
My mind spun for solutions. But Johanna was also right, Bard wouldn't talk. What else could I do to get him talking. A thought formulated in my head. "Prim, see that plant over there?" I pointed to a bush I knew she was familiar with. In our travels to pass time, she would tell me the names and properties of certain plants we encountered. Some useful, some harmless while certain plants though harmless but taken in great quantities were very dangerous. This particular plant was harmful when skin made contact. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Peeta? You don't mean the ones growing on that tree?" Her brows were furrowed. A look of horror and surprised surfaced on her face. "I told you about that one." I walked over to the tree, covered my hands with a pair of gloves and grabbed a few leaves.
"Peeta? What are you doing?" Johanna asked.
"See this?" I waved an array of green, yellow and red leaves in my hands. "This is sumac. It's not lethal but when the leaves gets in contact with your skin, it secretes an oil that causes intense itching and blisters. If not treated in time, it spreads all over your body. It doesn't spread fast but slow" I took a few steps toward Bard. "My friends have no compunction in wanting to kill you, but me? I don't...can't..." It was difficult to voice what others were easy to commit—murder. That Bard was better off dead to keep us safe, especially Prim.
Bard squirmed. His eyes bulged and mouth agaped. "Tell me how you got here? If you don't I will rub this plant all over your face first, then you neck and hands. The poison will take time to seep through your skin but once it does, it will spread and you will have an intense need to scratch the areas I infected. You're going to wish that Johanna or Finnick killed because the rash is slow to spread. But when it does?"
"I've been stabbed and shot at, kid," Bard bragged. "No rash is going to make me talk."
Prim left him to imagine what the result would be like. "You won't be able to help yourself, you will scratch the rash that will form. Without immediate treatment the rash will form into blisters. The rash will then intensify spreading every part of your body that you touch—your eyes, mouth and private areas when you need to relieve yourself." I felt a bit silly actually threatening a killer with the leaves in my hands. But it was a better alternative to Johanna suggestion. A second or two passed, Bard stood still and quiet. I had no choice but to go through my threat.
Bard stepped back but Finnick and Shane grabbed him by his arms. "Oh where do you think you're going, hm?" Finnick said to him. "I think Peeta asked you a question." I never could hurt anyone intentionally but we were wasting time and killing Bard was not a solution for me. Finnick kicked Bard behind his knee caps causing to land on his knees. "Last chance."
Just as I was about to wipe the leaves on his face... "Okay, okay, stop," he wheezed. "I'll tell you." I inwardly sighed in relief. Would I had infected in him like I said I would? Yes, for Prim and for Katniss's sake. I would do anything to protect them even if it meant killing Bard in the end. My fear was that I know I would have to. "I have a ship just twenty miles from here."
"Are there more hunters besides you looking for us in this area?" Shane inquired. Bard shook his head.
"Snow said he would pay us handsomely for the return of Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen," he explained to us. "My men and I were informed that you were hiding somewhere near District 8. But I thought that you would head home to 12. To join Everdeen's father, the Mockingjay. I was right." he turned his head towards Prim. "Imagine my surprise to find that Prim Everdeen is also alive." There was a gleam or predatory look I recognized, a look that sickened my stomach. Katniss saw it as well
She took a step towards him but Maddy stopped her by placing a firm hand on her forearm. "Listen, nothing personal, it's just my job," Bard stated.
"A job," Katniss screamed. "You hunt down people for a living. Your main profession is relied on sacrificing human beings that hasn't done any harm to you or anyone. For a reward, money. How can you say it's not personal?"
"I do my job and I do it well," he shrugged shoulders. There was no feeling of remorse. "Just like hunting for animals, there is no difference to me. I mean, I only kill if my target is a danger to me. I live for the hunt, the bounty is just a bonus. You as a hunter should understand that."
"I don't kill people or hunt them down for a living,"Katniss reiterated.
"Katniss is the best hunter I have ever met," I stated. "She hunts to eat, to survive and provide for her family. There is a big difference. She doesn't take lives, you may not pull the trigger but you are still complicit to the consequences of your profession. What do you think Snow will do to us, to Prim who is only 14?"
"Not my concern." My fingers fisted by my sides, causing the leaves between my hand to pulverize into a hundred pieces. Bard had no regard for human life, women or children for example-people who can't defend themselves. He hunted men who had no experience in fighting or defending themselves from people like him. "Besides, Snow doesn't know that Prim Everdeen is alive. No one would know she's dead, again. As a matter of fact, I know a lot of men who would pay good money for her." I knew what he implied.
Anger coursed through my body like electricity ruining through my veins. If I felt like this I knew what Katniss felt was beyond fury. Without thinking I raised my hand and rubbed the ash-like leaves that clung to my gloves onto his face. "Hmph," Bard muttered as Finnick and Shane held a tight grip on his arms. Infecting him with a poison that caused blisters and rashes wasn't enough. So I raised my arm and swung my fist to his face, connecting with his eye socket. Someone gasped behind me, it was either Katniss or Prim, I couldn't tell since all I saw was red. The pain in my knuckles and wrist didn't register not until hours later when my heart calmed, my mind cleared and the adrenaline subsided.
Bard fell backwards like a sack of flour. I leaned down and wrapped my hand around his throat, he struggled to breath. His eyes bulged in surprised. Even with my hands around his neck he taunted, me. "Pretty boys like you can't stomach of any form of violence. You're girlfriend can though because she's a killer like me. You? You can't kill me, you don't have the guts," he challenged.
My fingers tightened around his neck. "Just because I don't want to kill you doesn't mean I won't or can't." To prove a point, I squeezed harder causing his face and neck to turn red. Bard made choking noises, his tongue hung out of his mouth. Eye to eye, my only focus was him. The image of him hurting Prim and killing everyone I cared about swam in my head. Bard was closed to becoming unconscious when someones' voice burst through my angry haze.
"Peeta," Prim's soft voice startled me back to reality. Everyone else, Katniss, Maddy and Shane's voice sounded like I was underwater. I didn't know why Prim's voice was the voice of reason. "Peeta stop, you're killing him."
"Let him," Johanna's voice registered among the cacophony of sounds and voices in my head. "Kill him."
"Peeta, don't do it," Katniss added. Why? Wasn't this what she wanted?
Bard continued to choke and gasp for breath. At the moment, his life didn't matter to me, only Prim and Katniss. I was far from home and missed my family. I couldn't lose them. Suddenly, a small and familiar hand touched my forearm. Just her light touch and the haze of anger and fear dissipated. "Katniss?" I choked from shame and guilt. Her lips were slightly upturned but her eyes expressed her fear and concern.
"Hey," she said as she gently pulled my hand off Bard's throat. My knuckles on my right hand was raw and red. "Let Prim take a look at your hand. You might have dislocated a bone or two after hitting him so hard." I blinked. Did I punched him that hard? I didn't feel the contact at the time, but now pain radiated on my hand to the wrist.
"I...I'm..." To ashamed to continue a ball of vile gathered in my throat.
She cut me off, "Come on. Shane, Finnick? Take care of Bard." What did she mean? I didn't want to know or cared anymore. They picked him and situated him on a fallen tree. I had to get out, to not be around him. So I ran.
"Peeta, Peeta," Katniss and Prim screamed after me. I didn't get very far as I crashed onto the ground as a gnarled root jutted from the ground, tangling with my foot. Breathing heavily, Katniss and Prim sat beside me while I was sprawled on the forest floor.
"Peeta?" Prim's voice permeated my mind. "Just stay still and let me look at your hand." Her voice was soft and calm. I was speechless and disappointed with myself.
"Katniss, I'm sorry." Why was I apologizing? I meant to hurt Bard, really hurt him bad enough to the point of no return.
"Sh, just stay still. You're okay, Peeta," she soothed me. I knew I wasn't but I didn't have the energy to argue with her. My fear for Katniss and Prim was not the only thing that fueled my anger. For the first time I felt hatred, to a man who would kill without reservation and would have sold Prim to the highest bidder. That kind of hatred and anger scared me.
Once Prim was done fixing my hand, I thanked her, "Thank you, Prim." Despite everything that has happened to her, she was still sweet and innocent. But I wondered for how long.
"No fracture or dislocated bone. I'm surprised considering how hard you hit him," she informed me. "Looks like you're not going to be able knead any bread for a while."
"What? Just because I'm a baker doesn't mean I'm fragile." I fisted my cloth-wrapped hand, wincing as a sharp pain shot to my elbow.
"Here take this," she instructed as she placed a small white pill in my hand. I shook my head. "It's going to hurt for a while."
"No, no more drugs," I insisted. "I rather feel the pain than be drugged again." Katniss's brows were furrowed. She was worried about me. Hey, I was worried about me too, but I wasn't going to tell her that.
When we returned to the rest of the group, neither Bard, Johanna and Finnick were no where to be seen. I didn't ask where they were. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but my mouth was dry and chalky. My throat constricted. "Finnick said to go on ahead. They'll catch up to us," Shane said, his voice low but firm. Katniss and I looked at him skeptically. "What? They're victors. You don't think they know how to track people? They found you, didn't they?"
Ignoring the images that flashed in my head I asked, "What do we do now? Do we know where Bard landed his ship.?
"We just need to follow his tracks," Katniss said. "They made several impressions on the ground. I can easily track them. You're right, Peeta. They had to own a ship in order to get here,"
"I agree," Maddy chimed in. "There is no way they came on foot all the way from the Capitol."
In a single file, we followed Katniss. Once again, I looked behind us every few minutes but his time, hoping that Finnick and Johanna had caught up to us. In the meantime, Katniss hunted and Prim gathered berries along the way. It was close 2 hours later when we took a lunch break that they appeared. Disheveled, with dirt smeared on their clothes and embedded in their fingernails I knew what had happened. What they had done or needed to be done. "Oh, good you guys made lunch," Johanna exclaimed. "I'm starving." She sat next to Maddy.
"What took you guys so long," Maddy asked as she handed a stick with roasted pheasant meat and mushrooms to Johanna and Finnick. I cringed as I waited for one of them to respond.
"Do you know how long it takes to dig a hole—" Johanna stated nonchalantly, talking with her mouth full. Juice from the meat dribbled from her lips. Finnick punched her arm, preventing her from finishing her sentence. She scowled. "What the fuck, Finn." His eyes pointed to Prim who sat next to Katniss.
My stomach lurched, bile rose to my throat. I knew what they had done but to talk about it so casually. I rose to my feet and walked away.
"Katniss, leave him alone," Shane advised.
"He shouldn't be alone," she retorted. I kept walking but stopped at distance where I knew they could still see me, but not too far for Katniss because I knew she was worried.
"Just give him a few minutes, Katniss," Prim said. "Look, he didn't go far. He's okay where he is."
I wanted to be left alone for a few minutes to gather my thoughts with my back facing them. Tears brimmed my eyes but I kept them at bay with a swipe of the back of my hand. I didn't want any of them to see me like this—scared, worried and a coward. From a distance, I heard the beat of faint drums only to realize it was the cadence of my racing heart echoing in my ears.
"Peeta?" Prim approached me. Surprised that it was not the Everdeen I had expected. I turned to face her. "I know it stupid of me to ask, but...I'll ask anyway. Are you okay?" I shook my head. "It's all right, you know. To not be okay. I mean, I'm not stupid. I know why Johanna and Finnick stayed behind."
"I'm sorry you had to see all that," I confessed. "You shouldn't see things like that, Prim."
"It's not your fault," she interjected as she stood close to me. Her arm brushed mine. I was sort of relieved that it was Prim who approached me. Not that I didn't wanted or needed Katniss's comfort. I just couldn't face her right now. "I feel guilty somehow."
Surprised, I asked, "Why? Why should you feel guilty? You have nothing to be guilty about."
"Shouldn't I? I mean, he's dead because of me."
"What?" I shouted so loud, the sound alerted Katniss. Before she could approach us, Prim raised a hand.
"I know that you two were fighting."
"We weren't fighting, Prim. Just having a heated discussion."
"About Bard, what to do with him after he found out who I was," she guessed. Her head lowered as her eyes stared down to the floor. There was a patch of plants near her feet. I should have known that Prim figured it out, why Katniss and I were distressed. It wasn't as if we wanted to keep a secret from her. It was the thought of her finding out that we had no choice but to get rid of Bard to keep everyone safe, especially her. "And now, Johanna and Finnick are back and Bard isn't with them. I know they didn't let him go."
"Sorry," I said.
"Don't be sorry, Peeta," she returned. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She was so frail yet strong. She was mini Katniss without the scowl. I loved her like the little sister I never had. She was Katniss' world. "I just wished...that maybe I should have stayed behind with Mom. None of this would have happened."
"No, Prim," I tried to reassure her. "Snow send those men to hunt down your sister and me. People die or end up hurt because of us. Not you. You're innocent in all this..." I gestured to our surroundings. "Katniss may complain about you coming with us, but I will tell you a little secret." I leaned down to her. "She's scared for you, being with us. But at the same time, she's glad you're here with us. You know why?"
Prim shook her head. "Because no one can take care of you like she can, to keep you safe." She snorted. "Yeah, I know you almost been abducted a couple of time but you're still with us, right?"
I looked back to the others. Katniss was with the rest of the group, but she was looking at us with a worried expression on her face. I sighed and confessed, "I think sometimes that you're sister would be better off without me."
"No, no, Peeta." Prim's voice startled me. "Don't you ever say that." Fire filled her eyes. The same kind of fire in Katniss, strong willed and passionate. "Don't ever say that to Katniss."
"It's true." I hoped I didn't sound like I was whining or feeling sorry for myself. This was not how I wanted Prim to envision me. His sister's boyfriend who baked bread for a living and wasn't masculine enough like Shane and Finnick. Standing between the two of them would give any guy a complex. "She could do so much better than me." The image of Gale Hawthorne appeared in my mind. He was tall and handsome with his dark hair and steel gray eyes. Most girls I knew swooned over him. He was also a hunter that could provide for his family. Gale Hawthorne wouldn't have hesitated to kill Bard to protect Katniss and Prim.
"Who could be better for Katniss, Peeta?" She looked puzzled.
"Anyone, but me." I cringed, my mouth was dry and hands sweaty. How did we ended up with this topic and conversation? Oh, right. I was feeling sorry for myself. And whining. And having my own pity party.
"No, and if you even thing about Gale Hawthorne? I swear I will rub poison oak on you myself." I sighed.
"I'm not saying Gale." Liar. He was exactly who I thought Katniss deserved or someone like him. "Just someone who..."
"Who, what, Peeta?" If there was one thing that the two sisters did have in common, it was their lack of impatience. Mind you, Prim was methodical and patient when she was in healer mode but outside that, she was just like Katniss. I recalled her insistence of becoming her boyfriend after telling her she had to wait for an answer. She only lasted three days. I smiled at the memory.
"Never mind, Prim," I exhaled long and hard. That trip to memory lane reminded me of Rye, Delly and Tyler. I missed my Dad. "Just feeling sorry for myself. I admit it."
"You are an idiot. With a capital I."
"Prim?" She wasn't the kind of person who belittled anyone. Joking aside, I knew she was serious. She called me an idiot.
"Katniss would never want anyone but you." she stated. "She doesn't need anyone like Gale. She need and has you. I know my sister, Peeta. She never wanted a boyfriend, to get married and have children."
"Woah, wait a minute, you're getting ahead of yourself," I chuckled. In truth, I dreamt of Katniss falling in love with me, marrying me and having babies together, but we're in a middle of war. Snow has a target on our back, we were far from safe and everyone I love were in danger. Plus, there was no guarantee of a future. "Marriage, babies? Don't you think you're sister has a say first? She may not want to marry me. I don't know if I should ask." We're still young and still have years to figure if we wanted marriage.
"You can't fool me, Peeta Mellark," she snickered. "I know. Everyone knows you loved her since you were 5 and she was 7." I blushed, my skin felt hot. "You don't harbor a crush that long and not knowing if there was even a possibility Katniss would look your way. But you never gave up hope."
"I said should, Prim. Not that I didn't want to. I don't know if I should given our circumstance." I envisioned our toasting, Katniss in a new dress with her hair cascading down her shoulders. The bread for toasting would be baked fresh from that morning. Dad and Rye...
"You're a fucking idiot, Peeta Mellark." This time she had a big, toothy smile on her face. A smile so wide the apple on her cheeks were pink. There was laughter in her eyes.
"Prim, you swore." I gasped and chortled as I laid a hand over my chest, my mouth wide opened. "I'm going to tell your sister you said fuck." She snickered back.
"Close your mouth. You'll get flies in there if you keep your mouth open too long," she teased. Wanting to alleviate the heaviness in the air, I tickled Prim around her tiny waist. "No, Peeta stop." Giggling, she ran back to her sister with me racing after her. Prim hid behind Katniss bracketing her hands on Katniss' hips. "Katniss will protect me." That was true because she would protect her even from me.
Twelve grueling miles and six hours later, we set up camp. We hadn't found Bard's ship but Katniss was positive she would find it. We had to. It was a somber and uneventful evening. No strangers or wild animals to fend off. We ate and sat in silence. The only heaviness that hovered over us was the knowledge that Bard was dead. I didn't want to know the details of how Johanna and Finnick took care of him. Even hours later, both of them were subdued.
It was a fitful night and my watch was just as boring. Morning started with a cup of water and dried berries. I hoped that we find the hovercraft soon and head to District 12. The thought of reuniting with my Dad and Rye was one of the only things that kept me optimistic.
After lunch just as I thought finding the ship was a futile exercise. We came upon an large field. Right in the middle of it was a ship. It was large, a six-seater with gun turrets on each side of the craft. It wasn't like those fancy Capitol crafts—sleek, modern and well equipped with the newest technology. This ship looked at least 20 years old or older. A thought occurred to me. "Does anyone know how to fly a ship?" I asked with trepidation.
Johanna raised her hand. "Me, I have some experience," she boasted.
"How many hours have you clocked?" Shane inquired.
"Clock, smock," she muttered. "Enough to get that relic off the ground and to our destination." I wasn't confident of her experience but what choice did we have?
Shane took a step forward when Katniss started, "Wait." She borrowed his rife and looked through the scope. A few seconds later, she gasped. "We have company. I only see on man at the tail end of the ship."
Shane looked as well and confirmed Katniss' discovery. "Agree. One man." Without a single word both of them moved quietly as they positioned themselves behind a tree. Hunters stalking their prey, but this time their target was human. "Rifle or arrow?" Shane asked.
"I would have to move closer," Katniss advised. I didn't like the idea of her leaving our pack because with certainty she would not allow me to follow her. Katniss had claimed my footsteps could easily be heard as I walked too noisily.
"A rifle shot might attract attention," Shane added. "We don't know if anyone else is out there."
"Well, the ship is a six-seater. That means there might be two who stayed behind," Maddy stated. Great, more people to kill.
"Where's Finnick and Johanna?" I asked.
"I thought they were behind me," Prim said.
"Where the hell are they?" Shane asked. "Shit! Look," A few yards away and to our left was Finnick. He stood behind a tree closest to the ship. Johanna was no where to be seen.
"Damnit," Katniss cursed. "What are those two up to?"
Suddenly, Johanna appeared. She slowly approached the bounty hunter guarding the ship at the tail end. The hunter was busy taking a smoke, his rifle rested on the large tire of the craft not suspecting Johanna's presence. They were far away but not too far that you could see Johanna leaped from behind and slashed his throat with her machete. Prim grasped, her hand covered her mouth and her eyes bulged.
Finnick with his trident in his hand ran from his positioned and met Johanna just so the two of them could drag the hunter's body away from the ship and into the forest. It was done so fast that not even five minutes passed. They moved so quick and efficient. Watching the two Victors made me wonder how they were like during their own arenas. What did they do to survive? What inner turmoils did they face after surviving their Hunger Game.
A few minutes later, they reappeared and ran inside the ship. "Come on," Katniss ordered. "Let's go." I grabbed Prim's hand. With Katniss at lead, Shane and Maddy followed right behind her.
"Stay close to me," I told Prim. "Don't wander off, okay?"
Once we got close to the ship. Shane, Maddy and Katniss armed themselves with their rifle and bow. I clutched the handgun I removed from my waist. A machete was useless at this point. I was too scared and aware that if I I fought with a machete in close quarters, there was a high probability of me hurting someone I knew and loved. Just as we were to board the ship, a body flew out landing on the hard ground with a loud thud. "That's our pilot." Johanna announced as she step off the ship.
"Oh shit, did you kill him?" Maddy asked, horror and disbelief etched on her face.
"He's fine," Finnick harrumphed. He proudly raised his trident into the air. "We couldn't afford to fire a gun inside the ship, you know. So I gave a tap on the head. We didn't hurt him...much."
"Not enough to prevent him from flying this antique," Johanna quipped.
"We'll wake him up in a few minutes," Finnick continued. On his other hand, he raised a canteen. "Water anyone?"
Sighing in relief, we boarded the ship. The seating was tight but it accommodated all of us so no one complained. The corridor between seats were large enough that two people could pass each other. Above the seats were medium size compartments. I opened one to find several blankets while the other stored dried food and ammunition to supply a small army. At the end of the craft was a radio room. Panels with lights and buttons lit the compartment. Voices chimed in every few seconds. It was mostly garbled information about the districts. "Wakey, wakey," I heard Finnick as he slapped the pilot's cheek. Johanna emptied out his pockets and waist belt to make sure he wasn't armed.
My brows raised as I noticed of array of items—three small, foldable knives, a long double edged knife, four cartridges of bullets for a hand gun and rifle, two hand grenades, duct tape, and six feet of ¼ inch rope.
"Why did you take off his socks and shoes," Prim asked. She was seated at the front of the plane with a blanket wrapped around her. She looked small sitting on large buckets seats. For a bounty hunter plane it was comfortable with a lot of amenities I never expected, like a small bathroom with shower built for one person.
"Don't want him running off," Johanna shrugged. "You think twice to run away without your shoes off." Then she smiled. "I thought of taking off all his clothes but I think you're sister would object to that." Katniss sent her infamous scowl her way.
The pilot groaned and one eye opened. "Shit! Fucking shit," he cursed. Prim giggled. Katniss with arms folded at her chest scowled again.
"I've heard worst, Katniss," Prim chagrined.
"What?"
"I was with the rebels for close to a month by myself, you don't think I've heard how they talk? They didn't care how I old am." Prim anticipated her sister's reaction because guilt was riddled all over Katniss's face. "I was fine, you know. I mean the first couple of weeks I was scared but Shane was really nice. He took care of me." Katniss sat next to her sister and held her hand. "I'm not a kid anymore. I haven't been for a while now." Another reminder how Prim grew up without her.
The pilot sat up. "Who the hell are you guys?" Then his eyes grew large and pointed his finger at Katniss and me, recognizing us. "Shit, you're Mellark and Everdeen. Where are—"
"Sorry mate, if you're looking for your pals. They're all dead," Johanna announced. I sensed regret in her tone.
"Oh," he responded. That was not how I expected him to react. All his companions are dead and all he said was oh.
Finnick lowered his trident and nicked his neck. "Seeing that all your friends are dead. You might want to reevaluate your choice of friends."
"Wait, wait," the pilot raised his hands in surrender. "Listen, I'm just a pilot. Bard hired me, yes but I'm not part of his crew. Their own pilot was killed two weeks ago. I'm just a pilot, not a bounty hunter. I have no allegiance but to my own bank account."
"You take jobs from the highest bidder," Johanna added. "You must be some damn good pilot. These guys are top rate."
"One of the best pilots in Panem and I'm not bragging. Truthfully, I was scared of those guys but I needed the money. And now you tell me they're dead. Damn, I'm never getting the rest of my money, aren't I."
"I say you're full of bullshit," Johanna said. "But this is your lucky day, fly boy. You'd be dead by now but since we need you to fly this ship. There is always tomorrow."
"Please," he begged. "My name is Stu. I'm from District 5. I'm a pilot for hire. I'm not a killer. Just for a price I'd fly you anywhere you want."
"How's this for a price, your life," Maddy imparted. "You get to keep it. That's pretty priceless to me."
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Prim asked. I wished we had a stash of true serum but then realized that I would be as evil as Snow. He had drugged me so many times that I could never do that to another person. I knew what it felt like to be out of control. To be manipulated and toyed with.
"Go look at the ship's crew manifest," Stu implored. "You will see I was hired just a couple of weeks ago."
"That doesn't mean anything," Katniss asserted.
Shane who was at the back of the craft suddenly appeared. He wore earphones on, his eyes widened as he cupped one earphone pressing it closer to the side of his head. "Listen up, there's a transmission about a transfer being made."
"What kind of transfer?" Finnick asked.
"It's not a what but a who?" Shane supplied.
"Who?" Johanna asked just as Katniss and Maddy said the same.
"Where is the transmission coming from," Finnick fired off another question.
"Quiet," Shane bursted. "I can't hear. Wait." For a few seconds I held my breath.
"Four prisoners enroute to District 5. Two also enroute from the Capitol to the same destination. There is also—"
"Well that could be anybody," Johanna snickered. "Snow has lots of enemies. I'm surprised he hasn't build a whole stockade in some district to imprison them all."
"He did," the bounty pilot spoke. "It's in District 5, that is where all of Snow's prisoners are held. Not a lot of people know it exists. Snow had it built secretly at a remote area in District 5.."
"Shut up, everybody. Let Shane finish," Finnick returned. Why was he so tense? Did he know who was being transferred?
"They're asking for volunteers—all mercenaries and bounty hunters. To help escort...fuck," Shane said under his breath as he turned to Katniss and Prim. Oh no... "Prim?"
"What, Shane?" she inquired, her voice shook as Katniss grabbed her hand. My stomach dropped. A foreboding feeling hovered us like black clouds before a storm.
"It's in code...a Capitol ship intercepted an unidentified craft heading east. They were able to disable their on board weapons and communications." He paused as muffled voices seeped through the earphones that I barely heard it. "The message reads Nightingale captured and being escorted to District 5. All volunteers to intercept them while they are enroute through District 9 air space."
"Nightingale? Who's Nightingale?" Prim asked, confusion marred her face. Her expression mirrored Katniss.
"Oh for fuck's sake," Johanna barked. "Don't you even know your own mother's code name? She was dubbed that soon after Mockingjay revealed his identity." Both Katniss and Prim gasped. Prim's eyes brimmed with tears, her lower lip shook. As for Katniss, her reaction was completely the opposite, her eyes raged in fury.
"Mom," Prim sobbed, wrapping her arm around her older sister's waist.
"Johanna, the two other prisoners," Finnick started. "Do you think it might be..?"
Johanna's angry expression shifted, her upper teeth bit her lower lip. There was always a soft and gentle side of Johanna whenever she spoke to Finnick. A side she only exhibited that was just for him. Sure, she was abrasive and even abusive at times, but whenever he was distressed, she comforted him. It was a rarity to witness Johanna Mason as a person with feelings, not the brutal victor she displayed to the public. "You can't make that assumption. It could be anybody. I thought you said that Annie and Mags are in hiding."
"But what if something happened? We haven't heard from them in weeks."
"Don't buy trouble where there isn't any, Finnick," Johanna interspersed. "Mags and Annie are resourceful. They can take care of themselves. You know Mags won't let anything happen to her."
"Yes, but the last time we heard from them Annie was doing well—"
"Finnick, don't panic. You know how you get when you panic."
"Stu just said that all of Snow's prisoners are taken to District 5. Who else could it be?" Finnick's voice raised. I had never seen him vulnerable unless he was talking about Annie. "It's them, Johanna. My gut tells me it's them. Snow has them."
"I don't know Annie and why she's important but we need to intercept my Mom's transfer," Katniss said, the fire in her eyes didn't wane. "Do you get it, they have my Mom."
"We need to go to District 5," Finnick stated. "You can't rescue your Mom in mid flight. If you want to rescue her you need to let the take her to 5."
"Listen, I understand you need to save this Annie person, but they have my mother," Katniss demanded. "If she ends up in District 5, we don't even know how to get her out of there. We have no idea how well fortified this new prison compound Snow built. We need to figure out a way to intercept my Mom's ship."
"How, Katniss?" Shane queried. "You heard the transmission, her ship will be escorted with other ships to make sure she's is delivered to District 5."
"I want to know, how they found her," Maddy asked. "I mean was the rebel base up north attacked? Did they try to escape but found her?"
"It's a moot point," Katniss said. "Snow has her in his his clutches. We have to figure out a way to rescue her before she reaches District 5."
"So I guess, we're not going to District 12 anymore?" Maddy inquired. "Wouldn't Mockingjay know this is happening?"
"He placed District 12 on quarantine. He also declared Marshall Law with little or no communication outside the district. Besides," Finnick started. "He has been sending out orders to his rebels to attack certain districts."
"I don't understand," Stu interjected. "Why is Mockingjay in District 12, why is it in quarantine?"
"What do you mean?" Prim inquired. I would like to know myself for that matter.
"He may be quarantined, but he's still the leader of a revolution," Johanna explained. "Mockingjay has Snow thinking he has been attacking peacekeeper camps, Capitol installations and depleting resources from their surplus warehouses."
"But shouldn't he be told that his own wife has bee kidnapped?" Shane blurted.
"Slow down, can someone please tell me what's going on in District 12," Stu asked, confusion and anger in his tone of voice. "What quarantine, I thought Snow bombed 12, I didn't hear anything about a quarantine."
"Shut the fuck up," Johanna sneered. "We don't have to explain anything to you."
"It's his own orders that is preventing us from contacting him," Shane reminded us. "No communication is allowed in or out of District 12. At first, he communicate with the other camps. Not long transmission, short like at 5 minutes. But about two months ago, he stopped completely only sending our order to a few rebels on some missions." Stu scratched his head. I felt sorry for him.
"Like what?" Finnick asked.
"Well the last I heard, a group of rebels led by Mockingjay had destroyed a fabric warehouse in District 8," Stu described. Well, he got one part wrong, the fact Mockingjay was in District 8 was untrue. The real Mockingjay was stuck in District 12 after they were attacked. No one on Panem knew about it just like Stu.
"So who cares about a warehouse with bolts of cloths destroyed," Maddy snickered.
"It may not mean much, but can you imagine the Capitolites protesting that their silks, linen, wool and cloth supplies are not being delivered. They live for their luxuries," Stu explained. "Disrupting their way of life would guarantee trouble for Snow. We're talking about supply and demand. He has to keep them happy."
"Well Mockingjay is doing what he can. Then its up to us to do something," Katniss said. "We need to help my mom."
"Can you get District 13 to help?" Prim suggested.
"No, Coin won't expose District 13 existence, not even for Mockingjay let alone Mockingjay's wife," Finnick confessed. "As far as she's concern keeping 13 a secret is her priority." Yeah, but for how long? How does Coin expect to fight a war by staying hidden?
Throughout their exchange I remained quiet. My dream of reuniting with my family dashed. I knew I had no choice but to abandon the idea of going home to District 12. Dad and the rest of my family for all I knew were safe, but sick and infected. Mocking would make sure to protect them. I sighed. My mood was of course, noticed by Katniss. "Peeta? If you want to go ahead to District 12, I won't stop you. I know you want to see your family."
I didn't know why but Katniss' act of kindness irritated me. Did she not know me at all? Did she honestly think I'd let her go without me? But she continued, "If you go, you should take Prim with you. I'll go—"
"What? Hell, no Katniss," Prim protested. "If you think Peeta and I are going to District 12? What is wrong with you?"
"Prim, it's okay," I tried to soothe Prim's ire. "Katniss is just looking out for our best interest. She wants to keep you safe."
"Well, she needs to talk to me first before she starts to tell me what to do," Prim grumbled. "You're my sister, not my Mom and if you think you're leaving without me? Unbelievable."
"Prim, Katniss is right," Shane interrupted the two sisters. "Maddy and I will take you back to District 12."
"Shut up, Shane," Prim sneered, disbelief and angry directed at him. "I"m not going anywhere. If Katniss is going to rescue Mom, I want to help."
"Hey, I'm sorry," Katniss repented. "I'm...I don't want you both to feel that you—"
"We're both going to help rescue your Mom, Katniss," I interjected before she could finish. Katniss lacked the ability to express herself especially at stressful moments. I didn't want her to make things worse as I knew she stumbled for the right things to say. "And that's that. No point in arguing about this." There wasn't time to argue, but I knew in the near future, I needed to have a conversation with her. The fact that she wanted Prim and I to go to 12 while she rescued her mom? Something didn't settle well in my mind-her train of thought or process.
As a form or apology, she hugged Prim and grabbed my hand. She knew she couldn't dissuade us. What she couldn't say in words were always she expressed through her actions. I knew she meant well. I couldn't forgive myself if she went and something happened to her.
"So what's the plan?" Finnick asked. "I mean, we can't go to District 5 without a plan, right?"
"Do you think it's a good idea for you guys to be going to 5?" Shane inquired. He wasn't pleased with our decision but he wasn't going anywhere without us either. "I mean all five of you have got to be the most recognized people in Panem." Collectively, we were two famous victors from Districts 4 and 7 and with Katniss and myself for escaping the last arena. Prim was reaped and recognized as a tribute of 12 even if she died.
"Shane's right, you'd be recognized on the spot," Maddy added. "How can you show up in District 5 and not alert President Snow?"
"Can I make a suggestion," Stu imparted.
"No." Everyone except Prim and I yelled at him.
"Sheesh," he released a long sigh. He lowered his head and placed his hands on his waist.
"For all we know you could be setting us in a trap," Johanna spit. "We don't know you. Let alone trust you."
"I don't know you either for that matter," I addressed Johanna. "You and Finnick." It's true. We have never met Johanna and Finnick until a few weeks ago. Though I had seen him in the Capitol during one of my visits.
"I was going to make a suggestion and help you guys," Stu informed us. He looked sincere but could I trust him with Katniss, Prim and their mother's life. "I told you about the prison compound. I could have just kept quiet."
"Why would you want to help us?" Johanna asked.
"Listen, I told you, I'm not a bounty hunter but that doesn't mean I want to take part in Mockingjay's revolution. I don't want to get involved, but..." He hesitated as he cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable.
"But?" Finnick repeated. One hand held the shaft of his trident, knuckles white from gripping it so tight. He exuded impatience and annoyance.
"I hate Snow. I really want the guy dead but helping you guys would be worth it," he confessed, his eyes lost focus as if he was recollecting a memory. "I lost friends and family because of the Hunger Games. I have no family left."
"I don't know," Shane imparted. "It's too risky."
"Besides, I know someone who can help you. He knows how to get in and out of the compound," Stu pressed his case further. "Let me help you." Great, I said to myself. Another person to endanger.
"How would your friend know?" I asked. Things were looking optimistic. We had a pilot to take us to District 5 and someone who knew the layout to the compound where Mrs. Everdeen was being taken. Trying to intercept her ship would be dangerous and foolish. But sneaking into the compound with some assistance? We had to try, right?
"He's a construction worker. He helped to build that ugly monstrosity. I mean, its well guarded and fortified, but I think he can help you."
"Are we really going to do this?" Maddy asked. She too shared Shane's skepticism.
"Yes," Katniss answered without hesitation. "We are." Her lips formed a thin line, eyes hard and determined. No one challenged her resolve. It was foolish to try.
Finnick spoke, "What choice do we have? Mrs. Everdeen is being taken to 5 and my gut feeling tells me that Annie and Mags are there. Don't ask me how I know, I just do." I turned to Finnick watching his face, it was a face of a man in love. He was desperate for answers. But something inside told him that Annie was in danger. Mysterious Annie, a woman he barely talked about but one could tell she was very important to him. Like Finnick I trusted my gut instinct. If Katniss was in trouble, I would know it.
"So this is how it's going to work," Johanna started, her finger poked at Stu's chest. He flinched every time her nail made contact. "You will deliver us to District 5. Find us a place to hide out while we formulate a plan to get inside the compound and rescue Mrs. Everdeen."
"And Annie and Mags." Finnick inserted.
"This is insane," Shane uttered, soft but loud enough to be heard.
"Right, and Annie and Mags," Johanna added. "If they are there."
"Well, what are we waiting?" Finnick extolled. He quickly sat on a seat and buckled up in preparation for the flight. "Let's go."
Johanna volunteered to guard Stu as his co pilot. "Also to make sure he's not flying us back to the Capitol," she stated as she leveled her handgun at him. Shane helped Maddy fasten her belt as she sat beside him just as Katniss did the same for Prim. I had the honor to sit next to Finnick.
For a few minutes Stu stood at the front of the ship looking at his new passengers."Come on, flyboy time to fly this junk to District 5," she ordered him.
"Um.." he stuttered, looking down at Johanna. Stu was pretty tall, at least six feet, but even standing next to the victor from District 7, Johanna was quite intimidating.
"What?" she spat, clearly impatient at his hesitation. "What now?"
"I know you guys don't trust me. I get it. But if I'm going to fly this ship can I at least have my socks and shoes back?" Snickers and giggles filled the compartment. I hid my smile behind my hand. "The floor is cold in the cockpit," he whined. I shook my head. This was going to be a long flight.
AN: Thank you for taking time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed reading the latest adventure with Peeta and company. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts or comments. I'm hoping to post a new chapter by next week so be on the lookout for it. The next chapter might have two POVs depending on the edits. It's really long right now but I might need to cut it in half. Everyone do have a nice Valentines Day. Also have a great week for the rest of the world. Thanks again for your patience. Until the next update.