A/N: Again, thank you so much for those of you who have followed/favorited/reviewed, it keeps me writing this story. I decided to try to update every Wednesday and Saturday night. As always, I have no Beta so all mistakes are mine, but I diligently try to catch them all. Thank you again to everyone who believes in this little story of mine :)
KATNISS POV
I was still rattled even after hearing the distant sound of cars exiting the parking lot in front of our complex. I brought a shaky hand to my face and wiped my cheek which felt brittle from the excessive amount of tears dried there. I looked around our once-comfortable apartment and shuddered. It felt different now, like too many secrets had escaped from the walls leaving an ugly film in their wake. Everything had been touched, everything a reminder of what had happened just hours ago. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I knew one thing for certain: I couldn't stay here any longer.
I hustled to my room, hauling my suitcase from under my bed and throwing piles of clothes inside it. I was thankful I didn't own much, all my belongings practically fit inside my one piece of luggage. When it was at it's bursting point, I made my way to the kitchen to grab a trash bag to throw the rest of my things in. Annie was still sitting on the couch; I figured after all the events from today, she was in her "special place." It surprised me when she turned my direction, a somber look in her eyes.
"I was just going to throw the rest of my things in this bag." I said as I shook the bag in my hand. "Did you want me to start helping you pack once I'm done? I don't know what we'll do with these pictures and trinkets around the house, I was only going to pack the essentials you know? Maybe we can come back for…"
"Katniss, I'm not moving." She spoke evenly.
Shock quickly morphed to anger. "You're kidding, right? They lied to us Annie! They used us to get information! How can you be so calm about this? How can you not be fucking irate?" I spat. I was losing count of how many people betrayed me today.
"I know you're upset, I am too, really I am. It's just - I'm tired. I've had enough hurt and anger to last a lifetime, it's just not something I'm interested in feeling again. Yes, they both lied to us, but if you put things in perspective, was it really that unforgivable? Look at everything they gave us, they love us both, with their whole hearts. To me, that means so much more. Plus, I never got to hear Finnick's side of the story. I at least owe him the opportunity to explain himself." Though quiet, her voice was unyielding.
"I…I can't believe what I'm hearing! After everything we've been through you're choosing a guy over me…a guy who lied and deceived not only you, but me as well. What is it about me? What is it that makes people want to desert me?" My voice quivered with sorrow but I was determined to not cry any more today. "First my dad, then Gale, now Peeta and you." I sniffled, then chewed the side of my tongue to force the ball of emotion in my throat to stay down.
"Katniss, I'm not deserting you, not at all." She made her way across the room then hugged me tightly. The simple act caused the tears to run down my face. "You don't have to leave. Stay here with me, we can figure this whole thing out. I know you will reconcile with Peeta, and maybe your dad too? It will be ok, just don't run away…nothing can be resolved if you run away. Please listen to me, you're my best friend and you've helped me through so much, now it's my turn to help you." She ran her hand over my back in reassuring circles.
"I just can't. Maybe you can forgive and forget but it's not something I can easily do. I really thought he loved me Annie." I wiped my nose as it had started to run and meld with the tears. I was sure my face was a hot mess. "Maybe I could forgive him if I knew what I was forgiving him for. What part was real? What part was fake? It's all so fucked up and confusing. And what about my dad? I mean, I guess I can see why he had to disappear, but how do I treat him now? He still looks and acts like my father, but he's practically a stranger."
"But you have the opportunity now to get to know him again…Peeta too. Any idiot could tell he really does love you Katniss, he wasn't that great of an actor." She smiled at me as she wiped my tears away with the pad of her thumb. "Let's get you cleaned up and off to bed. I think if you sleep on it, you'll feel the same as me in the light of day." I gave her a nod as we made our way to my room.
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That night I tossed and turned, letting what Annie had said churn in my head until everything felt like mush. Had my room always felt so…empty? I absently rubbed the spot that Peeta usually slept in, longing for the heat he emanated. The quiet night was almost obtrusive - what I would give to hear Peeta's stupid snoring right now. I let out a forceful groan and hastily kicked the sheets off of me. Maybe a glass of water would help.
I grabbed my phone as I got up, and noticed it was almost two A.M. I tossed my phone back on the bed and rubbed the heels of my palm into my eyes…this was going to be a long night.
I tip-toed down our hallway, careful not to wake Annie. About halfway down the hall my hunter ears perked up - did I just hear something? I froze and shallowed my breathing but I could only hear my heart beating. Great, now I was being paranoid on top of everything else. I continued my short journey to our kitchen, letting all of my problems settle on me like a warm winter coat. I had just gotten my glass from the cupboard when I heard it again, a muffled creak.
I slowly set the glass on the counter and swung around but there was nothing behind me. I was letting the stress and lack of sleep play tricks on me. I snatched the glass off the counter angrily and let the tap water fill it to the top. I headed back to my room, suddenly noticing a dark shadow in my peripheral. Just as I turned my head, the brooding shape came towards me. I sucked in breath as I heard my glass shatter in front of me. My mind kept yelling at me to run, but I was glued to my spot in fear. And then, almost as soon as I saw it, it was there, grabbing me tightly and putting a callused dry hand over my mouth.
"Don't say anything, you hear?" A deep voice growled at me. I nodded my compliance, my eyes as big as saucers, looking for anything I could use to get out of this predicament. I cursed Annie's style of soft and comfortable decor - there was nothing, and his grasp was so firm that I could barely struggle against him. I tried anyway, letting my feet flare and kick while I pushed my arms against his biceps.
"Settle down, girl! If I have to fight you, your precious roommate will suffer." That got my attention; I instantly went limp against him and he cackled with amusement. He roughly carried me to our front door, opening it without a sound. Once outside, the brisk night air sent a shiver down my body, or maybe it was dread. Countless thoughts swirled around me, I tried to settle on just one. I was being taken away, against my will, from my own apartment. Would anyone know I was gone? Where were they taking me? More importantly…who would want to take me?
The reality of the situation sent a shock wave of panic through me, my heart rate accelerated while my body went rigid. I could feel a cold sheen of sweat cover every inch of exposed skin - then suddenly, everything went fuzzy. The last thing I saw was a syringe being removed from my arm. I knew I was in a shitload of trouble.
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PEETA'S POV
I was in that horrible half asleep, half awake state when I heard my phone buzzing on my nightstand. The caller ID said it was Katniss, was I dreaming? I answered without hesitation.
"Hello? Katniss? I'm so sorry…please-"
"Peeta? It's not Katniss, it's Annie." Her usual timid voice was flustered bordering on hysterical. "I knew your number was in Katniss's phone. I think something's happened…to Katniss - I mean, something bad."
I pushed down the overwhelming feeling of alarm and willed myself to be calm. "What makes you think something bad happened to her?"
"She's not in her room, or anywhere in the apartment…" I stopped listening. Just as I thought, she ran. My fingers combed through my hair as I tried to think of my next step. Where would she go? Who would she stay with? "…broken glass all over and her truck's still parked out front…"
"Wait, what?! Broken glass?" Now I could feel the panic rise to the surface.
"Yes, when I got up this morning I stepped in it. Everything else looks relatively untouched, but I just have this bad feeling Peeta. She wouldn't leave without her truck or her phone if she left willingly. Please come here as fast as you can." I heard the line go dead, she was probably calling Finnick now.
I jolted out of bed, getting ready in record time. The drive over was the longest of my life, despite how fast I was going, My imagination ran wild with any repugnant scenario it could dream up. I don't even remember if I shut off my car before running into the apartment.
Annie was right, it was mostly the same, but there was something off…I couldn't put my finger on it. I went to Katniss's room and other than her sheets strewn about, it looked as it always had. I walked back down the hallway to study the glass, Annie hadn't cleaned it up yet. I could only assume not to 'disturb the evidence.' I was at a loss; there was something obviously awry but there was no glaring suggestion as to who might have taken her or why. I struggled with the idea that she would flee and leave everything behind, simply to get away from me. I realized I wasn't sure which of the two scenarios playing out in my mind was worse; if she had run away, it was something I had caused, but if somebody had taken her...
Finnick burst through the front door just as I was making my way over to Annie, to get any additional information she might have. He was at her side in a second, rubbing her back and whispering in her ear. I carefully approached her, seeing the look of utter terror shining in her eyes. "Did you hear anything last night? Anything else seem out of place?" She shook her head in dismay and started to sniffle. I couldn't blame her, I could feel myself losing control of the placid demeanor I was trying to portray as well
My hands itched for something to keep them busy while internally I fell to pieces. What if something had happened to her? She would forever think I was a piece of shit that lied to her. Would she truly know how much I loved her? I chewed at my nails and started a vicious cycle of sitting down and standing up - anything to feel like I was doing something.
"Should we call the cops?" I stammered. Both Annie and Finnick just shrugged, wearing identical looks of defeat across their faces. "I'm going to call the cops then, maybe someone took her?"
"But who would take her Peet? That doesn't make sense. Maybe we should be real about this - she probably took off. She seemed pretty upset yesterday and that is her M-O…to run when things get hard." Finnick was careful with his words, but they still stung nonetheless.
Annie stood there shaking her head. "No, I don't think she would have left without telling me. I mean, she did pack some bags last night saying she was going to leave, but I talked her out of it. She promised me she would at least sleep on it before doing anything rash."
Just then there was a loud thud at the door and the sound off screeching tires in the distance. I sprinted to the door and swung it open. Laying on the ground in front of the door was a rock with a piece of crumpled paper wrapped around it. I knelt down slowly while searching the surrounding area; no one was around. I brought the rock inside and both Annie and Finnick's eyes grew large with concern and anticipation. I slowly unwrapped the rock and studied the piece of paper. The rock tumbled to the floor as I felt my arms go limp at my side.
I swallowed thickly as I felt a new set of tears cascade down my face. "Finn…ge-get ahold of Katniss's D-dad right n-now." I managed to say between the hot tears. He looked more frightened than I'd ever seen him.
"What is it Peet?" He said in almost a whisper.
"Snow has Katniss."