Ok So i didn't expect my co worker to quit (ok i kinda did), I wasn't expecting my sister to move across the country (Ok I knew it was possible), and I didn't expect to take this long in updating (true) but I am so sorry for the long wait and I hope it was worth it.

Chapter 20 Allies

Gale's anger raged as he pounded into the punching bag, he was in training and the rest of the people in the large room were either smart enough or scared enough not to bother him. He showed no signs of stopping even though his body was covered in sweat and he had obviously been there for hours. Instead of calming him down each punch increased his rage, a small part of his brain knew that his fist would hurt later but he didn't care at the moment. He was so focused on the punching bag that he didn't notice someone behind him until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He was so shocked to be brought out of his rampage that he had been bent on for several hours, that he turned without thinking, ready to take a swing at whoever had snuck up on him.

But he didn't, he froze as soon as he saw that it had been Johanna who had approached him. In only the few days since he had last seen her she had gone from a healthy young woman to what he could only describe as broken. Her face was gaunt and pale, dark circles under her eyes gave away how tired she was. But when she spotted his fist still ready to strike she raised hers to match his, resuming a fighters stance "Go ahead" she said it as if it was a dare. He remembered several years ago when the exact same person that was in front of him pulled a similar ploy: looking hopeless, but ready to fight, broken, but not yet beaten.

He lowered his fist, anger was still raging throughout his body but he was unwilling to take it out on Johanna, no matter how much he wanted to. It wasn't Johanna's fault that... whatever happened, happened. However, he was not ready to give up on his anger, he turned back to his punching bag and continued to take his rage out on it until it separated from the chain from it hung. This only fueled Gale's temper as he turned to the wall, kicking as well as punching it as he had done to the punching bag, it took several minutes and bleeding hands before he realized that the wall was harder than the punching bag.

"Well that was productive" said Johanna leaning against the wall, eyebrows raised "not that I care or anything Hawthorne, but whats got you so worked up?"

Gale glared at her before looking at his hands again, he was trying to stop the bleeding when he answered "I can't see why it would matter to you"

He heard her walk away but didn't look up to see where she had gone, a few moments later she heard her return and the next thing he knew someone was holding a clean cloth to his bleeding hands. He looked up to see unbreakable Johanna Mason, eyes guarded but softer and kinder than he had ever seen them "Try me"

Their faces were mere inches from each other, so close, Gale knew that if he wanted to kiss her that she wouldn't push him away. In that moment everything could change and he had the power to change it, take charge, decide his own fate, but he let that moment pass. Nothing good could come from a moment of mutual need. He lowered his head as he watched Johanna carefully wrap his hand, she didn't say anything but he could tell that she was still waiting for his answer. So Gale told her of District 12, of the mines, his family, his past, his fathers death, his illegal hunting. He told her everything he could think to tell, when he finished she was unusually silent. Her eyes stared at the bandage on his hand without seeing it, she was quiet for several moments before she began to speak.

"Before I was a victor, I was a tribute" she said her voice catching in her throat "and before that I was a person. Remember Hawthorne, all of us, victors, killers, murderers, whatever you want to call us, we were innocent once, we were someone's child. But the moment we were reaped we were doomed, we would either die or be destroyed in whatever arena they stuck us in. The whole world thinks we are the lucky ones, we made it out of the arena to be bathed in riches and glory, but those who died, they are the lucky ones" she stood, tears leaking out of her eyes and down her face "If dying is the worst thing that could ever happen to us than it mush be pretty damn bad. Losing everyone I cared about, living with the constant nightmares, being haunted because I escaped the arena, its a wonder why i didn't die years ago. It destroyed me, I was strong enough and smart enough to get out of the arena but weak and stupid enough to never consider what would happen after I did"

She met his eyes, anger shining through her tears for the life she could have had. Gale wondered what sort of life she could have had if she would have stayed in District 7 for the rest of her life. Would she have a family by now? Children? He knew the she couldn't be that much older than him but at the current moment she looked years older than she could possible be "All of us are screwed up Hawthorne" Johanna said walking toward the door "no matter what we do, no matter what happens in this country we never have a chance at a normal or peaceful life. Maybe if we win this thing, children will never fear the reaping, your children will never fear the reaping" She turned back to smile at him, a true smile showed the young girl she once was "because lets face it, Handsome you will have yourself a family one day, You're too pretty not to. But if a few of us die to get that, is that really to much of a cost?"

"What are we?" Gale asked

Johanna looked at him for a few moments before shrugging her shoulders "We're allies"