A/N

Okay, so I made a few changes that you've probably noticed... hopefully for the better. I was beginning to get annoyed with the title, so I changed that, along with the summary and cover image. Added titles of the chapters to the selection drop box too. Some small changes, some big changes. In my opinion, it looks a lot better.

So, for this chapter we're looking more into what Lover Boy is up to. Haven't paid too much attention to him during this story, so I thought I'd be nice and dedicate a whole chapter just to him. To make up for my short, crappy chapters and extremely long hiatus, I am lengthening this chapter for you all. Okay then... enjoy.

Chapter Fourteen: Drums of War

Peeta POV

So, this wasn't going as well as I had hoped. With Rue dead, our strategy had been torn to shreds. Of course, we all knew that this day would come, when we began to lose the tributes in our alliance. It was only a matter of time. However, we had all hoped that Rue wouldn't be the first to go. If anything, she was the one that I wanted to get to the finish line, and the others agreed, for the most part. There was no doubt that we all wanted to win, to survive. But when it came down to it, if I had the decision for either Rue to live or me, I would pick Rue. She was far too young to be removed from this earth.

Then again, what kind of life is this anyways? Sure, the victor of the Games will no longer go hungry, but they will still be under the control of a government so very possessive. And even more so as a victor. Just look at Finnick Odair. A victor morphed into a sex icon to entertain the Capitol. It wasn't the least bit surprising, but even still. The idea of such a thing brought me to shiver.

Often I think about what it would be like if I won these Games. To emerge victorious in something so ruthless and bloody. Would I be the same exiting as I was entering? Would my parents recognize my beaten and worn features? Would the Capitol see me as their toy just as every other victor? Thinking about the after effects of the Games, the one victor that comes to mind is Annie Cresta. The poor girl went completely mad. I wonder if I would too..

"Hey, Peeta?" Foxface's voice broke through the barrier of my thoughts, bringing me to lift my gaze to the red-haired female. At one point she had told me her name, though I don't really remember now to be frank.

She was sorting through the food and supplies she had discovered throughout that day, siphoning them out into three distinct piles. Her own emerald irises flitted back and forth from the items, occasionally looking up towards me. "You really shouldn't think about it too much."

Foxface's voice was soft and kind, the kind of voice I had nearly forgotten had existed since entering these Games. And as a bonus, she was just as kind. Along with being nimble and brilliant, the girl was wonderful company whenever we met up like this. Our meetings were slim to none, as she preferred to keep in hiding, though it was nice whenever she came out.

A low exhale slipped from my brims as I nodded in response. "I know, I know. I just can't help it. Society is screwed, Fox. Thinking about what happened to Rue-"

"It's happened a hundred times before, Peeta," Foxface interjected, cutting me off. "That's just how it is now, and there's nothing we can do about it. It sucks that she died, okay? She was a sweet kid. The best of us. But she's gone. Forget about her and focus on surviving. You won't last much longer dwelling on the past."

She was right, as always. I knew that. But even still I was stuck on the idea of the injustices of our society. I wanted so badly to leave it. "Do you think you'll make it?"

Foxface only shrugs, focused on packing her supplies into her own bag then moving on to do the same for mine and Thresh's bags. "I think I have a chance. Made it this far, didn't I?"

Just as she finished her sentence, Thresh sauntered through the brush, his facade as void as it was when Rue died. His massive structure moved to sit directly beside me on the ground, his fists clenching repeatedly in his lap. I had always feared Thresh, though he had been a good ally. His build suggested that just stepping on me would end my life. I suppose now I'm an easy target anyways, what with all whose left being the Career pack and us. Not that we'll be quick to go, of course. We've lasted pretty long, and having Thresh on our side seemed to be a good tactic.

Thresh picks up an orange from his pile, eliciting a low breath as he begins to peel off the rough exterior. His dark eyes shifted towards me for a moment prior to returning to his food, speaking as though he were talking to it. "Career pack is down to three. The tributes from Two and Katniss. Just have to pick them off one by one. The last shouldn't be difficult to handle from there."

My own gaze had dropped to my hands at the mention of Katniss, teeth gnawing at the inside of my cheek. She had chosen the Careers over her own. She wasn't one of us anymore, and I had to accept that. But I couldn't give up on her, not yet. There had to be something else going on. A plan or something. This wasn't her. Was it?

"Twelve." Thresh nudged his shoulder, his brows furrowing curiously.

"What- huh?"

Foxface offers him a sympathetic smile, her nimble fingers tying off each bag as she finished. "Peeta, Katniss is a Career now. She's with the most bloodthirsty tributes in the arena. It's time for you to let her go."

"You'd have to anyways, dude. One or both of you are going to die either way. Forget about it." The male tribute from Eleven adjusts his positioning so that his elbows rested on his knees as he threw a orange slice into his mouth. "'Sides, doesn't seem like she likes you very much."

They were right about it all. There was no way I'd ever be with Katniss now that we were in the arena, and she isn't here. She's with the Careers. They're probably plotting my death right now, to be frank. One way or the other, I lost any chance I had. But then again, did I even have a chance to begin with?

Nodding, I push myself to my feet, determined to change the subject. Time spent as a group was about up anyways. Thresh would soon return to his fields and Foxface would disappear into the shadows. Then I'd be out here all alone, left to fend for myself. "I'll check the area before you all head off."

Swiping my spear off the ground, I swivel on my heels and tune into my surroundings as I looked and listened for anything out of the ordinary. I had become rather good at scoping others out after having done so for weeks. Though just as I was perhaps a few yards from where we had been conversing, loud footsteps approached from behind me. Coming to a halt, I glance over my shoulder as both Thresh and Foxface slow from their light jog whilst pulling up next to me, a soft smile upon Foxface's features. Thresh clapped his hand over my shoulder as he played with his sword in he other, twisting it this way and that.

"Look man," he began, an airy sigh releasing from his margins, "I think now's a good time for us to be sticking together. It's coming down to the wire, and the Careers are excellent trackers. It would be too easy or them to find us each individually. We're staying."

Foxface nods in agreement with her ally, though her bright green hues remained trapped on my own facade. "We're stronger together. On our own we're easy targets."

We had always been easy targets. Well, maybe not Thresh. But Foxface, Rue, and I? All we were were targets. It was a miracle that we had made it this far, and even then Rue was gone. Now was the beginning of a ripple effect, tearing our alliance apart death by death... and Rue was the first to go.

My brows furrow in questioning, a slight tilt of my cranium indicating an oncoming inquiry. "So you're staying then?"

Neither of them said anything, instead offering me a brief nod or a pat on my back. We didn't talk much of our plans for survival until later that night when we knew for sure than the Careers would be out and about. They had been resting all day according to Foxface, who had voluntarily spied on their campsite not soon after we had discussed our new arrangement. If they were doing as Foxface said, that could only mean that they planned on hunting during the hours of the night. After learning of this, we ultimately decided that we would do the same, though of course not hunting. We would hunker down in the most remote spot we could find and keep a close eye out for the Careers.

It didn't take Foxface long to return with a spot for us, immediately helping us pack up our supplies and get moving. For what seems like hours we hiked through the woods, not saying much of anything to each other as we do so. It didn't really seem like the time for chit chat. After all, the sun seemed to be melting in the sky, bringing with it the artificial light blue and replacing it with navy.

No music blared or seal was shown in the sky, signifying that no tributes had died today. It was truly just down to us and the Careers. Man, did we have a long and bloody day ahead of us tomorrow. That is, of course, if we make it through tonight. There was no guaranteeing that the Careers wouldn't find us, and quite frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if they did. Katniss was an expert tracker. She can find anything and everything if she set her mind to it. And by now she was bound to have lost any soul she had at the hands of those barbarians.

Foxface led us to a spot so remote I would have trouble finding it again. The trees were drawn in much closer to each other, allowing the branches to form a tent over them which prevented the artificial moonlight from seeping in. It must have been at the very edge of the arena.

We set out our sleeping bags and blankets and formed a small flame using a strange type of wood I had never seen before that Foxface had found in one of the packs of a now dead tribute. According to the redhead, it didn't give off any smoke when lit. I was wide awake, having taken a decent nap earlier in the day. Actually, I was not sure I would ever be able to sleep again. Thoughts of all the deaths that I had seen continued to trickle through my mind as the weeks passed. I wasn't sure how much more I could handle.

"Peeta?" Foxface spoke lowly from the opposite side of the fire, her palms extended towards it in attempt to warm them. Worry laced her voice, glimmering in her soft green eyes. After having been her ally for a while, I had grown close to her. Well... closer than I am with Thresh at least. She was easier to talk to, I guess.

My eyes flitted from her to the apple that I rolled between my hands, debating whether or not to eat it. Hunger burned within me, so it was apparent that I needed to eat, however I couldn't bring myself to do so. Though I'm not quite sure what held me back. Setting the crimson colored fruit on the ground beside me, my attention shifted back towards Five. "Hmm?"

The redhead rubbed her hands together, her eyes remaining locked on me as she does so. "What's your family like?"

For a moment all I could bring myself to do was shrug, not really having much to say about my family. They were cruel people. Not necessarily to me the entire time, though it was obvious that we weren't everyone's favorite people. My mother especially was perhaps a little jagged around the edges. I distinctly remember being hit by her, much harder than my father ever had. My brothers and I never really seemed to catch a break with her. No, my family wasn't at all what many would expect from a family of bakers.

"There's nothing really for me to go back to."

"I'm sure that's not true." Before I knew it, Foxface was beside me, her arms wrapped tight around her knees. "They came to say goodbye, didn't they? That's something."

My digits comb through my hair, a low sigh emitting from my brims. "No, no they didn't. You'd think they would. But they didn't."

"Maybe they just didn't know what to say." Her features contorted into a look of sympathy, brows furrowing as she devoted her attention specifically towards me.

Shaking my head, I turn so as to see her better. The light from the fire cast a strange orange glow upon her fair skin and ignited her mossy hues with a brilliance was unavoidable. There was no mistaking her beauty, however she was nothing compared to that of Katniss. Oh, how I wished she was here. That she was on my side. If only she was who I thought she was.

I rub my eyes, forgetting about replying to Foxface at all. There wasn't much more I could say about it, let alone want to say. So I simply lay back on the cold ground, eyelids sliding closed. "I'm- uh... I'm tired now. I think I'll rest for a little."

In all reality, I wasn't the least bit tired. Or I thought I wasn't. As I lay back, my mind ran wild, throwing new terrifying thoughts my way every few seconds. Though I didn't feel the least bit of fatigue, my body began tugging me towards the lull of sleep, drowning out words exchanged by Foxface and Thresh. I almost felt as though an anvil was set on my chest, pulling me deeper and deeper into this new bliss. Though, as most things don't, it didn't last long. For as soon as I truly felt relaxed, a earth shattering voice broke through my barriers, launching me back into the arena which I was trapped in.

The voice was icy and thick, devilish laughter surrounding each word. It was unmistakeable one. My eyes flicked open to reveal Cato, leader of the Career pack, with a horrifying smirk etched into his skin.

"Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty." He spoke in a sing-song voice, chuckling maniacally as he lifted up and away from me. I shifted my weight so as to get a better look at my surroundings. It was still dark, the only light being the embers of the fire that perhaps Thresh or Foxface had put out. On one side of the clearing was Cato's district partner, Clove, who had Foxface latched tight within her arms, a knife at her neck. On the other was Katniss, her hair tied into a messy bun rather than in her signature braid, an arrow drawn and pointed directly at Thresh's head.

Cato's sword swings to a point right in front of my face, his smirk remaining plastered upon his smug features. "Aren't you glad we found you?"

I slowly brought myself to my feet, caution reflecting in my own warm blue irises. Looking from Cato to Katniss, my brows furrowed in both confusion and awe, examining the way she held the bow with such confidence that she looked to be the most deadly out of the three of them. Quite frankly, she probably was.

A cool, sharp metal pressed just underneath my chin brought me to shift my gaze back to the alpha of the pack, his own chin jerking towards Katniss. "You still like her, don't you? Oh, that's cute. It really is."

My features contorted into that of annoyance as he laughs, though I am quick to catch Katniss' quick eye roll at his comment. She looks to Clove, who simply shrugs, chuckling herself at her district partner's fun.

"See, the thing is, though... she doesn't really like you, Romeo." The tip of Cato's sword presses into my skin a little harder, drawing blood. A soft gasp leaps from Foxface, struggling in Clove's grasp. As for Thresh, he remains stoic, knowing well that if he were to try anything Katniss would loose the arrow. She was undoubtedly serious about her current standing amongst the tributes. What had happened to her?

I couldn't help but elicit a low snarl, not really up for chit chat. If they came her to kill us, which they did, then they should just commence with the slaughtering. Though, of course, all of Panem knows how the Careers like to play with their food. It really became obnoxious fast. If they thought that by giving us this time to monologue would make us beg for mercy then they are utterly mistaken. I don't intend on boosting their egos any higher than they already are.

Cato's cranium tilts as he leans in closer, his smug façade only increasing. "Cat got your tongue, Lover Boy?" He chuckles maniacally prior to lifting his sword from my throat and swivels it around, bringing the handle back down to slam into my skull. Pain erupts within my head as I'm knocked backwards, a sharp cry escaping my throat. As I hit the ground I curl in a protective shell, my hands clutching at my hair as I attempt to protect it. My vision is clouded now, though I can still see the shadow of Cato lurking towards me seemingly in slow motion.

"Get up!" A quick blow to my back worsened the pain as Cato kicked me mercilessly, obviously pining for a fight. Though I couldn't quite find the will to pull myself up. In the distance I could hear Foxface crying out for me, obviously tortured by the sight of my brutal beating. I didn't want her to see this.

Groaning, I attempted to push myself up, only to have Cato grab at my hair, yanking me to my feet. I wasn't even permitted time to stabilize myself before a thick fist rammed into my jaw, sending me spiraling backwards. Rather than dwelling on the pain which dappled my vision, I pressed to fight back, grabbing at the spear which lay not far from where I lay. Getting a good grip on it, I swung it in Cato's direction without letting loose of it, a hiss from my assailant signifying that I had gotten a good cut in. Without wasting any time, I scrambled to my feet and shook my head in order to get some of the clarity back. Though the pain ravaged on in my head, there was no time to be a baby. Not if I was going to outlast this brute.

As I launched towards him, dodging hits as well as taking a few, I noticed the others had leapt into action as well. Thresh had yanked the bow from Katniss' hands swiftly, reeling back and swinging the bow back to collide with her face. She stumbled back a few steps, fear and anger swirling around within her gray hues, not sure how to react to her only real skill being taken from her. Across the clearing, Foxface had skillfully evaded Clove's threatening knife, snatching it from her grip in order to acquire her own weapon.

Refocusing on Cato, I used the stick of my spear to block his blows, which seem to be mostly shots in the dark. It was terrifying yet exhilarating to be in combat such as this, I felt powerful as I swiped multiple cuts in Cato's skin with the tip of my spear. The fight seemed to last forever as I gained multiple gashes in my own skin as well as bruises from punches. By the end, I was nearing the edge of death just by the few scrapes on my legs. Blood seeped through my shirt relentlessly, from every angle it was pouring, as though the one thing it strived for above all was to escape my being. And though I may have gotten a few hits in, I knew I was no match of Cato. He was all but untouched aside from the cuts on his biceps and abdomen which were hardly deep enough to be deadly.

Cato kneed me in the stomach, and before I knew it I was on the ground, my throat raw from my heavy breaths and my body screaming in pain. The corners of my eyes had grown fuzzy, my head feeling as though it were on the verge of imploding. And though I could see my death coming, all I could focus on was the two girls who lay dead on the ground across from me. Tears welled up in my eyes as numbness set over my entire being as they fell upon a limp Katniss falling from the hands of Thresh, who no sooner disappeared into the tree line. The sword in my abdomen was hardly noticeable as I watch my one love hit the ground in a heart wrenching thud, gray eyes lifeless.

Oh God, no. Anyone but her. Anyone but Katniss.

I thought nothing of being lulled into an eternal slumber as I watched Cato run to her, his own cries leaving him in a painful way. He dropped to his knees, gathering her in his arms as a wetness dwelled within his previously bloodthirsty blue eyes. "Please, no. Katniss... come back to me. Please come back to me."

It was strange to see such a sight, the brutal Career who melted instantly at the death of his ally. All we had ever known about the Careers is their longing to win. Their eternal hatred for the other tributes. They aren't supposed to care. But here he is, clutching her lifeless body, his head tucked into her shoulder as he sobbed. Clove stepped over Foxface's body, which had a thick knife protruding from her neck, and moved over to where Cato sat with Katniss. A bloody palm lay on his shoulder as she said something to him that was barely audible as everything blurred.

I was dying. But I couldn't think about that. Cause all I could think about it Katniss. She was gone. Katniss was dead. She wasn't supposed to die.

The last thing I heard were the cannons.

One - Foxface

Two - Katniss

Thr-

A/N

And then there were three. So sorry about that. You're probably confused about a lot, but don't worry, I'm going to fill in the gaps in the next chapter. Thanks for reading, sorry this had to be that chapter but...

~ Charlotte :)