Dear Lovelies (or Loafies, cause of Peeta and all),
I'm dearly sorry for not posting in a while, but I think this chapter might make up for it. You've been rewarded for you patience, and hopefully you'll let me know if it was worth the wait or not by reviewing! As always, sorry for grammar or misspelled words, etc. Please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Hunger Games, that belongs to Suzanne Collins.
And now, without further ado...chapter 14!
I swim through a body of water, unsure how I managed to appear here. Breathing is not an issue, instantly alerting me that something weird is going on. I keep swimming, pushing all thoughts out of my head. There are no fish here, only me. Eventually, I reach an exotic island. Standing upon its shores is none other than Mr. Finnick Odair.
"Katniss, I'm so glad you could join me." He begins. I nod numbly. "As I was saying," He continues, "There's something you need to know. Prim sent me here." At the sound of my sister's name I jerk my head up to meet his gaze.
"That's right, Primrose Everdeen. I'm with her now, away from the ones I love." His eyes glaze over as he looks off into the unknown.
"Where?" I shout at Finnick hopelessly. He shakes his head sadly, and a new form of emptiness begins in my chest. I continue to shout at the sad face of Finnick, but he doesn't respond. At some point, he even begins to fade, and I'm left on the island alone.
I lurch up, panting, sweating, only to find that I'm alone in an unfamiliarly familiar room. It was a dream, nothing more. It wasn't real. I repeat this out loud to myself again and again, but the thought continues not to register. I slip out of bed, quietly even though it is solely I occupying this room. My breathing remains off tempo, and hot frustrated tears begin to fall down my face. Every time I get close to an answer, it scurries away from me leaving me empty. I'm a disappointment, a failure.
I need to get out of here. I need to leave.
Soundlessly, I sneak out of my room and drift into the elevator, slowly traveling downwards. The soft humming emitted from the elevator calms me, and by the time I've reached the lobby my breathing is practically back to normal. I exit the elevator, noting the streaks of purple and pink bursting from the sky. It's nearly dawn; no one should be up. Yet, as I continue my walk through the lobby I hear voices softly coming from around the corner. Swiftly, I hide in the shadows, just being able to faintly hear two familiar male voices.
"They can't know yet. We've only just recently discovered this information from Blake. He knows Finnick, and Prim, even though he's never seen a Games in his life. That's not just a coincidence, Haymitch! There are people somewhere who are like Madge and Blake. People who need our help!" The first voice hisses.
"Exactly, Gale! That's why they need to know. Katniss is going crazy over her sister, and Peeta is following her lead. Every ounce of information we have, they should know." Haymitch responds while trying to control his temper.
"And they will find out, just not yet. We've searched the Capitol a thousand times, and still there's no sign of them. We recovered multiple DNA samples and intend on running a few tests, but until then you will remain silent about this. Are we clear?" Gale whispers back sternly. I see Haymitch's shadow nod, and they begin to make there way toward me. I push myself further into the shadows, and hold my breath while they pass. Gale turns his head in my direction, allowing our eyes to lock. He squints slightly, as though he sees me but can't quite detect who or what I am; if anything. Haymitch walks over and gives a light tap to Gale's head, knocking him out of his trance.
"What's wrong with you, boy?" Haymitch inquires earnestly.
"Nothing, I just thought…I thought I saw Katniss." Haymitch gives Gale a quizzical look before responding, "She's in her room sleeping I presume. That's what you told me before I arrived at least. We can go check on her if you'd like. Prove I'm right about all this Capitol stuff making you insane. Plus, I'd like to see those crazy kids." Haymitch's face erupts with a goofy grin, as Gale strides purposely to the elevator.
"And I might just prove you wrong, Mr. 'I'm so great and smart'." Gale replies with a smirk. They enter the elevator, and the door closes behind them. I bolt to the stairs, and begin to run up the twelve flights, taking two or three steps at a time. My legs ache, my eyes strain to stay open, but I persevere. As I reach the last flight of stairs, I stumble on the penultimate step. The crack of my right ankle alerts me, but I just keep going. As I crawl up the last step, I hear the barely audible ding of the elevator arriving. My eyes widen as I see Haymitch and Gale exit the doors and head towards my room. Without making a sound, I follow behind them, mimicking their every move, wincing at my ankle. When I reach the door to Peeta's room, my hand grips and turns the handle just as Gale and Haymitch reach my room. I slide inside, closing my eyes as I close the door softly. I reopen my eyes, and begin to scan the room. The bed is empty; the bathroom door open, and a blonde haired blue-eyed boy sits at an easel painting. Only he's no longer painting, but rather staring curiously into my eyes.
Peeta raises an eyebrow, questionably. I respond by moving a finger to my lips and whispering, "I've been here the whole time." He nods, and resumes painting. As if on cue, I hear Gale murmur, "See, I told you she wasn't here." My hunter's extinct kicks in immediately, and I pounce onto Peeta's bed. My body becomes entangled within his sheets, giving the impression I've been here the whole night. I close my eyes and slow my breathing down just as there's a knock on the door.
"Come in." Peeta answers, his voice slightly husky from the morning. I hear the door open and then close as footsteps tread into the room.
"She's sleeping, so I'd appreciate it if you kept your voices down." Peeta remarks. "Is there something you needed?"
"No, we were just…erm…looking for Katniss." Gale replies sheepishly.
"As you can see, she's righter over there. Anything else? A message you want me to give her when she wakes up, perhaps?" Peeta asks.
"No, I think we're done here." Haymitch grunts irritably. "It's good to see you again though, Peeta." The footsteps begin again, and moments later I hear the door of Peeta's room open and close. I remain still; waiting cautiously to be sure they're gone. Peeta puts down his paintbrush and walks over to the bed, plops down beside me, and begins to draw circles on the small of my back.
"They're gone, Katniss. It's just me." I let my whole body breath a sigh of relief, as I open my eyes. I remain where I am, allowing the warmth from Peeta's hands envelope me.
"You've been doing something you weren't supposed to be doing, real or not real?" Peeta asks sweetly. I smile to myself, and without hesitating reply, "Real." Peeta's hands reach for my abdomen and turn me over so I'm facing him. He shares my smile, and then continues his interrogation.
"What did you do this time?"
"I spied and eavesdropped on Haymitch and Gale. They were transmitting information on the current situation with the 'thought to be dead people' and the bracelets. Apparently, Blake knows who Prim and Finnick are. They might be alive, Peeta! My Prim; she might be with me again someday. And it might not be too far away either."
"Hold your horses, cowgirl. We aren't there yet. But, that's great news. Have they confirmed that Prim and Finnick are alive?"
"No, at least not according to Gale. I'm not really supposed to know anyways. Remember, I was eavesdropping."
"Speaking of which, why were you there in the first place? Who's up at this hour?"
"Apparently only crazy people." I reply, motioning to him and me. "And if you must know, I had a nightmare and I went downstairs to clear my head. I didn't mean to spy. Now what's your excuse? Why are you up so early?" I question while attempting to raise an eyebrow. Peeta's face suddenly turns a bit grim, turning my playfulness into worry.
"I, I uh…I had and episode about an hour and a half ago. It wasn't too bad, but it was dangerous. That's why I'm painting; to calm me down and make me feel less sick. It's not finished yet, but it's going to be you walking in the sunset." He smiles again, lifting the sadness that had been growing within me. It isn't fair that Peeta is stuck with such monstrosities. He deserves better.
"Speaking of my episodes," He continues, "I've been meaning to tell you something. I'm going back to district four, after tomorrow. While I was on my last visit for bread, I met with Dr. Aurelius. He thinks he may be able to help me with my episodes. After he left district thirteen, he moved to four to begin to work on some serums. I might be able to get better. I might be able to stop hurting people. I need this, Katniss, because I can't keep having these hallucinations. Tonight's was dreadful!" I see the fear in his eyes, and the sorrow returns.
"I'm sorry. I wish I had known…" I add glumly.
"It isn't your fault, Katniss."
"I know I just wish I could help you get through it. Be the one who you go to when you need someone."
"Well, if you're volunteering to help me, I could take you up on that offer right now." Before I can blink, Peeta's lips are pressed firmly against my own. His lips are sweet, tasting a bit like cinnamon. He moves his hand so it rests on my waist, and pulls me close. His lips brush against my own before sliding down to my jaw, and then my cheek, my forehead, my nose, and finally finding their way back to my lips. Slowly, his tongue slithers into my mouth, exploring what's inside. I move my own tongue into his mouth, sharing the passion of our kiss. He moves his hands from my waist, sliding them up my back, and hugging me closer. Although there's barely any space between us, I need to be closer. The hunger within me is rising; it's only request: Peeta. I begin by moving my hands to his shoulders, and pressing my own body into his. Peeta exhales sharply, but doesn't break our kiss. I smile against his lips, which he returns gladly before deepening the kiss. His warm hands on my back feel so good, especially after having such cold nightmares earlier. I move my own hands to cup his face, using my thumb to circle his cheeks. My right leg wraps around Peeta, and I hit my ankle against his knee. I wince at the pain from my forgotten ankle, and choke down a shout. Still, Peeta feels my flinch, and pulls back immediately.
"I'm sorry, that was probably too much. I shouldn't have, without making sure you wanted to als-" He beings before I cut him off by pushing my fingers to his lips.
"It was amazing, divine, heavenly, all of it." I grimace at my throbbing ankle, and let a tear fall from my eye before continuing, "It's my ankle. I tripped running up the stairs. It's nothing, really." Peeta looks questionably at me, before removing the covers to reveal my ankle. It's swollen to the size of a tracker jacker hive, and as red as a tomato. He frowns at it, and reaches out to touch it. I exhale sharply from the pain, and Peeta removes his hands instantly.
"You're strong, Katniss, that's for sure." He replies. "But you need help." He saunters into the bathroom and begins rummaging around the cabinets until he returns with a first aid kit and two washcloths. Inside the first washcloth is a bag of ice, which stings when it touches my ankle. The second is soaked with cold water, and Peeta uses it to dab my forehead. After every few dabs, he kisses my lips gently before continuing. The swelling goes down, but Peeta isn't fully convinced and insists that I keep it above the covers in order to watch it. I turn my attention to his painting, and marvel at its brilliance. The sunset is the perfect shade, and although my features haven't been painted completely, I can recognize its genius. He notices me staring, and quickly rolls onto me, showering me with kisses and being cautious of my ankle. I kiss him fiercely, intending not to be cock-blocked by my ankle this time. He brushes his lips against mine, and pulls back a minuscule amount. I look into his eyes, awaiting his next move. I can see the happiness and hunger in his eyes, and something else that I can't quite put my finger on.
"Katniss," He begins, "I love you."
That's what it was; it's love in his eyes. I open my mouth to respond, but am interrupted by the three rat-a-tat-tats on the door and the voice of the final member of our 'dream team' calling, "Up and at 'em. It's going to be a big, big day!" Effie Trinket has arrived.
Peeta starts to get up, but I pull him close to me leaving us nose to nose. I close my eyes, breath a sigh, before gaining enough courage to say it.
"I love you too, Peeta Mellark."