Chapter Fourteen: Josh Found at Last

Katniss Pov

I stand there in utter shock. Peeta was dead. It was still at Thatcher's hands, but this time it was done by a Mutt. I was going to make him pay for everything he has done to me and to my family. I feel Gale's hands on my shoulders. I shake them off of me.

"Catnip, I'm sorry about Peeta, but we can't stay here. We have to keep moving if we are to have any chance to save Josh from Thatcher."

"I know that Gale, but I don't want to leave him like this."

"All right, I'll help you get him down. Then we have to keep moving, and I promise Thatcher will pay for this."

"I'll make sure of it."

Pulling Peeta off the cage rips at my heart. I know he can't feel anything anymore, but I can. Once he's on the ground, I push his bangs out of his face. I know we have to leave him, but I will take him back to Twelve as soon as I had Josh in my arms.

"We have to go, Katniss."

"All right, let's go."

We head up the stairs as quietly as we can. It appears like nothing much has changed since my last visit. But what I do find concerning is the fact there are no Peacekeepers around. Knowing Thatcher he should have this place crawling with them or Mutts. I load an arrow and see Gale follow my lead.

"I don't like this. It's too quiet in here. There should be people everywhere. Where are they?"

"Maybe Thatcher thinks his Mutt killed us?"

"No, he's smarter than that. He knows it might have gotten one of us but not all of us. He's hiding somewhere waiting for us. He's had this planned from the beginning."

"Then lets find Josh and get out of here."

I nod my head hearing a baby cry from the next room. Gale reaches for the door and I grab his hand. He looks at me then nods his head understanding my silent warning. The door swings open to an empty room all except for a television monitor showing Thatcher's smug face.

"Katniss, I'm so glad to see you survived my little surprise, but I don't see Peeta. He must not have been as lucky as you."

"Thatcher, you're a sick son..."

"Katniss, I wouldn't finish that sentence. At least not in front of the baby."

"Why don't you let Josh go. This has always been between you and me. Let Gale take my baby home."

"I don't know, Katniss. I've grown quite attached to him. But I'll let him go if you meet me alone in the west wing of the mansion."

"Katniss, you can't agree to that."

"But I'm going to, Gale. Promise me you'll get Josh and Peeta home."

"I promise."

"Thank you, Gale. Where does he need to go, Thatcher?"

"The train station. I've lifted the force field. I was only using it to try and keep you out. I promise no harm will come to him or your son."

"You know I don't trust you, Thatcher. Once they are safely away, then i'll meet you in the west wing."

"Fair enough, I'll wait for you. But I warn you, Katniss if you try to escape me..."

"I'm not leaving until you pay for all you've done, Thatcher."

"We shall see," Thatcher said before the television shut itself off.

"Katniss, don't do this. Come back with us."

"I can't, Gale. If I try he'll make our lives a living hell. All I care about is knowing my children and family are safe. I leave that to you if I don't make it back."

"Don't talk like I'm never going to see you again."

"Lets get Peeta and meet Josh at the train station."

"You aren't coming back are you?"

"I hope so, but I don't know. Just keep your promise."

"I will."

We grab Peeta's body and carry him to the train station. I can see many worried faces watching us. I don't show any emotion. These people have nothing to fear while they are the darlings of the Capitol. They aren't the ones starving day by day wondering where their next meal will come from. We reach the station and there stands several Peacekeepers, and one is holding Josh.

"Only the baby and your companion may board the train."

"Then help him carry my husband's body aboard and give me my son."

"Very well, take the boy, and you take the body," the Peacekeeper ordered another Peacekeeper before handing Josh to me.

"Hi, baby boy, Mommy has missed you so much. But guess what you're going to be reunited with your sister. I know she misses you too. You be a good boy for Uncle Gale."

"Katniss..."

"Take him Gale and get out of here."

"I promised..."

"I know and I'm releasing you from that promise. Take my son and leave please, Gale."

"All right, come here big boy."

I watch Gale and Josh board the train. I could tell they were both as upset as I was. But at least they would be safe now. I was giving Thatcher exactly what he wanted...me. No one else had to get hurt or die protecting me. I stand there until the train is out of sight, and remain until I'm sure they're out of the Capitol. At least Thatcher was being honest about the force field being turned off.

"Lets go, Miss Everdeen..."

"That's Mellark not Everdeen," I corrected.

"My apologies Mrs. Mellark, President Thatcher is waiting for you."

"So it's President now is it? My he moves fast. First he kills Paylor then my husband. I guess I'm next on the list."

"I don't know the President's plans. All I was told was to bring you to the west wing of the mansion."

"And you do as your told."

"Yes, I do."

"Then lets get this over with."

I follow the Peacekeeper after he removed my bow and arrows to the west wing of the mansion. He stopped just outside the door ushering me inside. It appeared I was to go on alone from here. That was fine with me. I had no issues with facing Thatcher alone. I've done it before, and I could do it again.

I step inside the room to find it empty. Thatcher wasn't here. That was odd. I expected him to be waiting for me. Perhaps he was making final preparations for my final Hunger Game. If he did plan to put me back in an arena I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of watching me play.

I walk farther into the room stoping at the large desk. Nothing sat on the desktop but a shiny object did catch my attention from the open center drawer. Stepping around the desk, I pull open the drawer and gasp. A dagger sat on top of several documents. But this was no ordinary dagger. It was the dagger Rue used to get to Peeta and me.

Had Thatcher turned it into a weapon capable of transcending time? The only way I was going to find out was to survive this latest encounter with the man. I slid the dagger into one of my many secret compartments on my suite and close the drawer. I move back around the desk as the door behind me opens.

"Well, I wasn't expecting you to be waiting for me, Katniss. Sit down." Thatcher stepped around me to stand behind his desk.

"I'd rather stand, Thatcher. You want me dead, but I want you dead too."

"Yes, well, only one of us will get what we want today."

"And you think that's going to be you?" I slowly reach into another compartment pulling out a small knife.

"I don't see why not."

"You have everything you want right here in front of you, Thatcher." I casually walk around the desk smiling up at him. "Why are you going to throw it all away?" Without a second thought, I slam my hand with the knife into his chest. He gasps looking down at the knife then at me groaning as I push it in farther.

"That's for Peeta!"

I watch him collapse to the ground. I know he's dead before he lands on his back. With my bloody hand, I pull out the dagger I hid. Looking over it trying to remember how Peeta activated it the last time. It seems so long ago. I remember he slammed the dagger into the ground right before the portal opened, but I'm not outside.

I could try to sneak out, but then Thatcher would be discovered. No, that wouldn't work. There had to be another way to make it work... A loud swirling sound catches my attention. It couldn't be that simple could it? It was controlled by thought? I take a deep breath and allow the portal to pull me toward it. I had no idea when it was taking me, but I would follow it if it could help me save my family.