Chapter 10
Peeta
I wake with an incredibly warm feeling in my chest. I am already smiling as I open my eyes and catch a glimpse of the sleeping girl beside me. Sunlight streams through the thin drapes, casting a golden glow around Katniss' head and making her even more beautiful.
As I wake today, I realise there is no use denying it any longer. I'm in love with her.
But Prim is still my main priority at the moment. From the stories we've heard, Prim has serious issues and just removing her from Cray isn't going to solve things. She's going to need a lot of support, encouragement and love to get better again. I'm not going to have time for anything else. I love Katniss too much for her to always be my second priority.
My mood slightly drops at the thought of explaining this all to her but I allow myself to bask in the afterglow of last night for just a moment longer. Reality can wait for a few seconds. I lie staring at her with a stupid grin on my face.
"You've been staring at me for ten minutes. It's kind of creeping me out," Katniss suddenly says.
Her eyes remain closed but I notice a subtle shift in her body position as she begins to wake fully.
I grin as I prop my head up on my elbow and look down at her.
"You should take it as a compliment. You don't scowl in your sleep. It improves your looks a lot," I tease.
Katniss' eyes immediately snap open and, as if to emphasis my point, she scowls at me. I laugh as I roll onto my back and look up at the ceiling.
"You're so easy to wind up at times," I chuckle.
Katniss scowls again as she also turns on to her back and crosses her arms defensively against her chest.
"You and Uncle Haymitch seem to be making a habit of it," she huffs.
I grin as I turn my head to the side to look at her.
"It all comes from a place of love. And Haymitch makes fun of me just as much," I reply.
Katniss shakes her head before turning to face me.
"No. He definitely picks on me more. You're his favourite. The fact we're blood related only seems to go against me," Katniss replies.
Her scowl has gone and her arms have relaxed against her chest. I grin at her again as a moment of silence fall between us. This interaction feels totally normal for us. Like nothing has changed.
"So, last night…"I begin.
I trail off at the end as I look at Katniss nervously. I chew on my bottom lip as I look deep into her eyes. Katniss can be difficult to read at times and I'm not one hundred per cent sure how she is feeling this morning. I just hope it is something similar to me.
A shy smile spreads across Katniss' face and she ducks her head down to avoid looking directly at me. She begins fiddling with the tail ends of her hair.
"It was good. I really enjoyed myself," she replies.
"No regrets?" I ask.
Katniss looks back up at me as she shakes her head fiercely. She reaches a hand out to gently place it on my arm.
"No. I wanted it. You mean a lot to me," she replies.
I let out a sigh of relief. It's not a declaration of love but it is enough to let me know that she cares about me. That I am not alone in my feelings.
I take a deep breath as I run a hand through my tangled curls.
"You mean everything to me. You don't even know all the ways you've supported me. I only wish I was in a better place for you. Because there is nothing more that I want than to be with you. To love you the way you deserved to be love. But I need to help Prim first. I can't be with you until then," I say.
Katniss smiles at me and nods her head in understanding.
"I know. And I'll help you with Prim in any way you need me. I've got issues of my own. It still scares me to think about committing myself to someone who isn't Gale. We just have to be patient," she says.
I let out my second sigh of relief. We can put a pin in this for now and concentrate on our other issues. But it will still be there to come back to. When we are both ready.
"Thank God you understand. I really didn't want to give the 'It's not you, it's me speech'," I say.
Katniss chuckles and the sound sends tingles up my spine.
"Damn. I would have liked to see you bumble your way through that," Katniss replies.
A grin spreads across my face as I shake my head. Katniss continues staring at me with a smile.
"Come on. We've got a sister of yours to find. I've got a feeling today is going to be the day," Katniss says.
And just like that my thoughts switch to the other important girl in my life. Prim is so close to me now. I can't let her slip through my fingers again. I only hope we can get her away safely.
Katniss and I rise separately as we take turns to shower and prepare for the day. We are both sticky and sweaty from last night and it is a relief to feel the cool jets of water against my back. We have a quick breakfast before hopping back in the car and driving the last six hours towards Meadowview.
We don't mention last night again and we spend the remainder of the car journey how we did yesterday, playing car games and swapping stories about our families, but we both seem lighter today. Our smiles are freer and laughs more frequent. For someone who was so reluctant at first to play car games, Katniss is now a full on pro. She is the first to suggest one and gets very competitive as we play.
It is as we are driving along that I notice her bare ring finger resting against the steering wheel.
"You're not wearing your engagement ring," I state.
I don't even remember seeing it as we came together in a tangle of limbs last night. How long has she not been wearing it? Katniss glances down at her finger and flexes it out in front of her. She nonchalantly shrugs her shoulders as she puts her eyes back on the road.
"I forgot to put it on yesterday. I didn't realise until the end of the day. I don't think I'll be wearing it again," she says.
I'm surprised by her response. I thought she would have been distraught at the thought of not wearing it again. I mean she was so upset when we almost kissed the first time that she began wearing it again. I just assumed she would be feeling a little guilty about Gale after what we did last night. But I now realise that she is closer to letting her fiancé go than I originally thought.
It just makes me even more determined to find and help Prim. I don't want Katniss left waiting for me. I am desperate to be in the right place for her.
Meadowview is one of the larger towns in District 12. However, as it is on the outskirts, it is often forgotten about and wealth has never really made it here. It is a warren of lacklustre concrete grey buildings, many with missing windows and derogatory graffiti sprawled across the sides. It is like the sun decides to hide as soon as we approach the town and all the light and life seems to be sucked out the place.
Katniss drives along the gloomy streets carefully. We pass burnt out cars and a group of kids hurling tins cans into an abandoned building. Both of us dart our eyes nervously around, hoping that nothing troublesome comes our way.
It doesn't surprise me that Cray ended up in a place like this. He fits right in with all the drug dazed people and petty criminals. I only wish he hadn't taken my sister along with him.
There are many people out on the streets but they all move lethargically and with no real purpose. I see some shaking in doorways as the withdrawals take hold of their bodies and spot one suspicious looking meeting in an alleyway. As Katniss continues to manoeuvre the traffic, I search the sea of sunken faces and grey skin, almost dreading actually catching sight of my little sister. I don't want to have to admit she has fallen so deeply.
After a demoralising twenty minute drive through the town, we eventually make it to the police station where Darius' old mentor works. I gulp as I step outside the car and look up at the thick concrete walls with barbed wire at the top. The words "Fucking Cops!" are sprawled across the walls and I am a little intimidated by the obvious hatred for the people who are trying to keep this town safe.
Katniss sees my nervousness and slips her hand easily into mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Remember I'm right here beside you. We're in this together," she states.
I turn to give her a weak smile in gratitude but the butterflies in my stomach don't disappear. This is not a good place and the thought of Prim living here makes me nauseous. And then there are the nerves that this is just another dead end. It takes a lot of my courage to put my foot forward and climb up the steps to the cop station.
Inside is chaotic. There are people everywhere. Some are angry relatives demanding to see their spouses or children. Others are bedraggled drugged up people curled up on benches or swaying dangerously on their chairs. Most disturbingly is the ten year old boy who is being dragged into an office, arms failing in the air and loud curse words leaving his lips as he proclaims his innocence. Katniss and I stand stunned for a moment before Katniss regains her senses first and pushes us towards the front desk.
"Hi. I'm Peeta Mellark. I have a meeting with a Detective Castor," I announce once we have reached the desk.
The harassed young cop managing the desk looks up at me and shakes his head.
"No one is taking meetings today. There was a brawl in the town centre today. As you can see, we're having trouble processing it all. Come back tomorrow," he replies.
I didn't come all this way just to be turned away again. A little angrily, I take a step towards the desk and slam my hand down against the top of it.
"I'm sure if I come back tomorrow that there will have been some other major incident and you'll turn me away again. Detective Castor is expecting us and I'm not leaving until we see him," I say determinedly.
Katniss looks at me a little impressed. The young cop looks up at me stunned. Clearly with all the high and abusive people around he thought I would be a pushover. But I am not going to be pushed around again. I've let too many people do that to me in the past.
The cop looks to Katniss and she nods her head in confirmation. There's a line of angry people forming behind us and they are getting impatient as we hold them up. Sensing another riot will break out if he doesn't deal with us quickly, the young cop lets out a defeated sigh and pushes his chair back.
"Come on. This way. I'll get Castor for you," he says.
I smile in triumph as Katniss and I follow the cop through to an office in the back. He leaves us sitting there while he goes to find Detective Castor.
The name plate on the detective's desk is the only thing distinguishable among the pile of papers that fill his desk. Katniss takes a seat on one of the chairs but I am too nervous to sit still. I pace the room looking at the police journals that fill the shelves and admiring the achievements the detective has on his wall.
"I've never been so glad that Seam is a boring town where nothing happens. I couldn't handle dealing with this every day," Katniss states.
I nod my head in agreement. Seam is definitely quiet and the highlight of the week is the quiz we host in the bar on a Thursday but it at least means there is not much crime. Most people leave their doors unlocked and the biggest scandal that happened since I arrived was the accusation of cheating in the annual miners versus merchants town baseball game.
The door opens a moment later and a smiling detective with cropped brown hair and a full beard walks in. He looks to be in his early forties and smiles at us warmly as he strides towards me and offers me his hand.
"Detective Castor. You must be Peeta Mellark. Darius has told me good things about you. Apparently you make the best pulled pork sandwiches," the detective says.
I smile at him as I take his hand and shake it firmly.
"I'm not sure they're the best but I would say definitely in the World's top three," I reply.
Detective Castor laughs before turning round to face Katniss.
"And you must be Katniss Everdeen. Darius tells me you were one of his partners in crime when you were all teenagers," Detective Castor says.
Katniss smiles and shakes his hand.
"I was the one that kept him out of trouble," she replies.
The detective laughs again as he takes a seat behind his desk. Katniss and I both follow suit and sit opposite him.
"That I can believe. Darius was always up to the most mischief at the police academy. I had a hard time reigning him in," the detective says.
There is a sort pause as he arranges some papers on his desk and I wait with bated breath to find out what information he has on Prim.
"I'm sorry we are not meeting in better circumstances but I believe you are related to a young Miss Primrose Mellark. Unfortunately she has been on our radar for a while now," he says.
I nod my head as I lean forward to listen to him.
"That doesn't surprise me. She's got herself into some bad company. She's been missing for over a year. I've already heard horrible stories about her," I say.
Detective Castor looks at me sympathetically.
"Well, I'm not going to tell you anything that contradicts that. She came to Meadowview about three months ago with her boyfriend, Owen Cray. Even in this town, where crime happens on every street corner, they soon made a name for themselves. Drugs, burglary and disturbing the peace. They've racked up a long list of misdemeanours," Detective Castor says.
I nod again as I hang my head down. Katniss reaches out to put a comforting hand on my arm, keeping her eyes on the detective.
"We heard she got arrested a couple of days ago. Can you tell us more about that?" she asks.
The detective nods his head as he flicks through his papers and shows us the picture of Prim that had already been faxed through.
"We got a call from a man early in the morning stating he had been robbed by the girl he took home the night before. A Primrose Mellark. His wallet, car keys and his $1000 watch were all missing. He claimed that she took it all while he was sleeping. I think it was pretty obvious that she did but when we searched her premises none of the items were in her possession. My guess is that she had already sold them onto a third party. There was a wad of cash in her wardrobe but she claimed it came from selling some jewellery. We didn't have evidence so we had to let her go," he says.
"Where is she now? Is she still with Cray?" I ask.
Surprisingly the detective shakes his head.
"Cray disappeared two weeks ago. He's wanted for armed robbery and we have a great shot of his face on CCTV to put him away for a while. He fled soon after, leaving your sister behind, but we are pretty sure he is going to come back for her. We're monitoring her movements in case he does come back and he we are hopeful about intercepting him," the detective says.
There's relief to find out Cray has gone. It should make getting Prim easier. He's not going to put up a fight for her.
"We've come to take her away. Far away from Cray," I state.
Detective Castor shakes his head.
"That might not be enough. And she might not want to come with you. I think the only reason she hasn't taken off is because she is waiting for him. It's not going to be easy to convince her to leave him," he says.
I let out a loud sigh as I lean back in my chair. I haven't factored in that Prim may not want to come with me. She shouted some pretty vile and only slightly untrue things about me the last time we saw each other. Getting her back is not going to be as easy as I thought.
"Can we see her? Where is she staying?" I ask.
"She's staying at this abandoned house on Victor Street. It's a notorious hideout for Meadowview's petty criminals. Full of drugs and young girls who are desperate for the next hit," Detective Castor replies.
The bile rises up in my throat. The look on the detective's face tells me that these girls go to any lengths to get their latest fix. It sounds like Prim has been selling herself again.
Katniss sees me go pale and gives my arm a tight squeeze.
"We're not going to let anyone take advantage of Prim any longer. We are going to get her the help she needs," she says determinedly.
I smile up at her gratefully and she gives my arm another reassuring squeeze. She then turns back round to face Detective Castor.
"Thank you so much for your help. We've been looking for Prim for a long time," Katniss says.
The detective smiles at us and folds his hands in front of him.
"It's no problem. I only wish I had better news. I really do hope you are able to help your sister," he says.
He seems genuine about this and I realise that he is not desperate to put every troubled young girl behind bars. He knows that many of them are just lost young things that need the appropriate type of love and support.
Detective Castor gets up to stand and I thank him as I shake his hand. Katniss disappears to go and get the car as the detective gives me a card with his number on it.
"If you need any more help just give me a call," he says as he hands it to me.
I smile at him gratefully before stuffing the card in my pocket and turning to look at Katniss disappearing down the corridor. Detective Castor follows my gaze and smiles when he spots who I am looking at.
"You're a lucky man. You've got a very supportive and determined girlfriend. You must love her a lot," he says.
I blush a little at his misinterpretation of our relationship. Detective Castor chuckles lightly when he sees the blush rise on my cheek and heartily slaps me on the back.
"Don't be embarrassed. I was young and in love once too. Make sure you treasure what you have. Girls like that don't come along very often," he says.
I smile awkwardly at him but don't correct him of his mistake. I turn back round to just catch sight of Katniss' braid whipping and disappearing round the corner. I can't believe how obvious my feelings for her are. I only wish things were better to allow my dreams to become a reality.
Detective Castor gives me one last pat on the back before he turns to deal with all the other drug raids and shootings in the town. I pause for only a moment before regathering my senses and following Katniss out to the car.
We follow the detective's directions to the abandoned house that Prim is staying in. The house is slightly further past the town centre and away from the hubbub of daily life but still close enough for people to get to easily.
The streets around the house are quiet. Only a stray cat crosses our path as we approach. The house itself is huge. It obviously used to be some kind of manor house. It's three stories high with large bay windows, although these are all boarded up so no natural sunlight can get into the house. Knotted weeds push through the cracks in the path and a pile of garbage sits smouldering by the door. Heavy bass music pumps from within the house, making the ground vibrate. As we approach the entrance, rats run across our toes.
Katniss and I jump back and stand staring at the rodents that have just run across us. Slowly we turn to look up apprehensively at the house.
"I can't believe Prim is living here. I can smell the decay and weed from here. No one should live like this," I say.
Katniss grips onto my hand tightly.
"We've nearly found her. We're going to take her away from places like this," she replies.
I shake my head in disbelief.
"For the first time in my life I think living with our mother would be more preferable to here," I state.
Katniss gives me a sad smile before encouraging me to knock on the door. I take a deep breath as I step forward and raise my hand to knock. I rapt a few times before stepping back and waiting for someone to answer.
Nothing happens for a long moment and I wonder if anyone heard us. I look back to Katniss and she shrugs her shoulders in confusion. I am about to step forward to knock again when the door is wrenched open, leaving my raised fist in mid-air. I immediately drop it to my side and look up nervously at the fierce looking man in the doorway.
The man is older. Maybe early fifties and has a closely shaved head and ice cold eyes. He may be old but he is strong with muscles that even Thom would be jealous of. He wears a greasy vest and has large gold rings on his fingers. He chews on the end of a roll up cigarette as he looks down at us fiercely.
I tuck Katniss behind me, wanting to shield her form this man. The man narrows his eyes as he spits his cigarette to the ground and stamps it out with his boot.
"What do you want?" he growls.
I take a deep breath and reach for Prim's marble in my pocket as I prepare myself to speak to him.
The music is louder now that the door is open and I can see several people moving through the darkness behind him. Many of them seem to be young females and, if their giggles and shrieks are anything to go by, they are high on some concoction of drugs. I spy one slip and stumble on a chair and she laughs as some burly man picks her up and presses her against his crotch. He's soon dragging her off to some dark corner to finish what he started.
I look away from the girl to look back at the man. Prim could be in there right now, throwing herself at some guy all she can pay for the next fix.
"I'm here to see Primrose Mellark," I state.
I try to sound confident but inside I am trembling. This guy could crush me like a bug if he wants to. And I am so close to Prim. I can almost feel her. This guy is the only thing stopping me from finding her.
The man eyes us suspiciously. Already I wish that Katniss and I had chosen to wear some tattier looking clothes. We look too clean and healthy to be around here.
"Who's asking?" the man asks as he squares his feet at us and crosses his arms across his chest.
My heart is hammering in my chest. I don't think I have met a more intimidating man. I look back nervously to Katniss for support. She squeezes my hand again for reassurance.
"We're friends of hers. She's expecting us," I say, trying to sound calm.
The man narrows his eyes at me as he looks at me for a long moment. I hold my breath waiting to see if he will let us in but after a long moment he shakes his head and moves his hand to close the door.
"Sorry. No visitors allowed," he states.
He begins closing the door and I begin to panic. This can't be it. My heart begins to beat faster and I lurch forward to wedge my body between the door and the frame.
"Stop! I need to see Primrose Mellark," I state.
The man stops closing the door to look at me with a glare but I don't notice him because suddenly I catch sight of a blonde head of hair. She stumbles out a room holding a plastic cup and she has to rest all her weight against the door frame as she stops to down the contents of the drink. She drops the cup carelessly on the ground before she stumbles towards the stairs.
She's so much skinnier since the last time I saw her. Her collarbones protrude out her skin and there are bruises all over her arms but it's her. It's Prim. I'm finally looking at my baby sister again.
"Prim! Prim! It's me! Peeta!" I shout.
She turns, confused, towards the sound of my voice but her eyes struggle to zone in on my features. She wobbles as she stands and I shout her name again. I shout at the top of my voice, desperate for her to recognise me.
But it's no use. She's too high to focus on and recognise who I am. After a few more moments of my yelling she turns away and stumbles into some dark room. My heart plummets in my chest as I watch her go again.
The big guy is still holding the door but with Prim's departure he puts his hand on my chest and shoves me out the door.
"Time for you to go, buddy. You won't come back if you know what's good for you," he states.
He then slams the door in my face and I am left looking at the only bit of wood that separates me from my sister.
A/N: So we've finally had our first sighting of Prim! And she's not in a good place. Getting her away from here is not going to be easy.
Thanks to everyone who continues to read and enjoy. And thanks to my beta, Lavendervanilla, who although works crazy awards still manages to squeeze in betaing my chapters for me. This story is better because of her.