CHAPTER 21 - DEPARTURE

74TH ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES - LAUNCH DAY - CORNUCOPIA

The last face I see is Portia's as she smiles at me and mouths "Good luck" as my platform begins to rise. This is it, I say to myself. I make a conscious effort to control my breathing and my stomach feels tied up in knots. I clench my fists to keep my hands from trembling. Portia had just removed my bandages before I was sealed in the launch tube. All that's left of the small wounds on both hands are small pink marks. Healed on the outside, they both still hurt.

Portia disappears and for a few seconds I'm in total darkness, then blinding light as the platform emerges into daylight. I blink frantically to clear the spots in front of my eyes.

My eyes adjust to the sunlight and I glance around quickly at my surroundings. I can feel wind on my face and a scent of pine in my nose.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, let the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games begin!" The voice of Claudius Templesmith, the long time Hunger Games announcer, booms from all around me.

I'm to the right of the Cornucopia entrance. There seems to be nothing behind the Cornucopia. A lake lies to my right and trees to my left. I risk a quick glance behind me. More trees.

I take a quick inventory of the tributes that I can see. I spot Katniss, five tributes to my left. She's doing what I'm doing - looking around, taking inventory. Between Katniss and I is the redheaded girl from District Five. Her eyes meet mine for perhaps a second. She looks terrified. Of more immediate concern is another tribute I see between us. Clove. The District Two female tribute that's so deadly with knives. She, too, catches my eye but I see a cruel smile on her face. She's definitely NOT terrified. Past Katniss I see the boy from District Nine and, a little further on, Thresh from District Eleven.

I risk a glance to my right. The District Eight girl is right next to me. Beyond her I can see Marvel from District One and further on I see Rue from District Eleven.

My mind quickly tallies up my observations. Three credible threats: Clove, Thresh and Marvel. I'm going to have to contact one of the two Careers if I'm going to be able to put Haymitch's plan in action and actually join their pack.

First things first. The countdown is still going on. I look back at Katniss and see she is staring fixedly at something. I follow her gaze. Oh, no. Resting on top of a pile of blankets, gleaming in the sun, is a bow and a full quiver of arrows. I know she's gauging her chances of grabbing it...but it's almost to the Cornucopia entrance!

No! She'll be killed! I will her to look at me. Come on Katniss, look this way, come on, come on, come on, look this - yes! Her eyes meet mine and I quickly shake my head. I see confusion on her face and I shake my head again. Don't do it. Don't do it.

The gong sounds! Sixty seconds are up! I freeze for a split second while I regain my train of thought, then, without thinking, I'm off the platform and sprinting as fast as I can...toward the bow and arrows!

I catch just a quick glimpse of Katniss as she jumps off her platform and scoops up a couple of items from the ground. I'm still headed for the bow. If I can just get to it maybe -

A body slams into me from my right and behind me. I feel my wind knocked out in a rush of air as I hit the ground. My years of wrestling pay off as I instinctively roll and come up in a fighting crouch. I barely register my attacker - a girl - as she comes in low and fast. I shuffle back a few steps to position myself for her assault, while trying to regain my breath at the same time.

I'm dimly aware of shouts and screams from all around me as other kids scramble for weapons and supplies. My attacker closes with me striking out furiously. I'm completely defensive but then I see an opening. I duck a blow, grab the arm as the fist barely grazes my head, and sweep out with my back leg.

Off balance, she tumbles to the ground and I waste no time in putting her into a choke hold. She's still struggling mightily as I pull her backwards, keeping her off balance. She tries to head butt me, her blonde hair whipping me in the face and I suddenly realize who I'm holding on to.

Glimmer.

The District One girl is just what I need to get into the Career pack. I tighten my hold on her and hear her coughing and fighting for breath. I look around me quickly and I see the Careers are quickly consolidating their position. I see Clove pulling a knife from someone...the District Nine boy from the looks of him. Marvel has a bloody spear pointed at the small boy from District Three. I can see the kid talking to him rapidly, and Marvel's face is twisted in confusion.

There's Cato! He's the leader of this pack. I'm gonna have to convince him. If I can, the others will fall in step behind him. He's emerging from the Cornucopia with a bloody sword clenched in his hand. The coppery smell of blood is strong in the air and I fight down the sudden urge to gag.

Glimmers struggles weaken and I relax my hold on her a bit. She's no good to me dead.

Clove spots us first and quickly raises her arm to throw a knife. I twist around using Glimmer as a shield.

"Cato!" Clove shouts. Cato looks over at Clove and sees her threatening me with her knife. He quickly jogs over with an amused smile on his face as he stands next to Clove.

"Who do we have here?" He asks, "Is that...wait a minute...Lover Boy?" Out of the corner of my eye I see Marvel approaching, prodding the District Three boy ahead of him with his spear. He grabs the kid by the shoulder and they stop. I feel a brief flash of pity when I see that the District Three boy...who couldn't be older the fourteen...has wet his pants.

Glimmer is still struggling. I say nothing. The next move has to be Cato's.

"You're in a lose-lose situation here, Lover Boy," Cato says with a smirk. "You kill her...we kill you. You let her go...we still kill you. Guess you have a choice to make." He laughs and the others join him.

"Option number three," I say, trying to keep my voice from trembling, "I join you."

At this Cato roars with laughter. "Oh, that's a GOOD one, Lover Boy!" He says with a smirk. Another girl has joined them. District Four. "Please tell us what good exactly you would bring to our alliance here?"

This is it, I think. If they don't believe me, I'm dead. I say one word. "Katniss."

Cato eyes me suspiciously. "Say again?"

"Katniss," I repeat, then, "Katniss Everdeen? The Girl on Fire?"

"Yeah, yeah...Fire Bitch. I know her," Cato spits out. Good. He REALLY hates her.

"You want her. I can give her to you," I say simply.

Clove glances at Cato. "Don't trust him!" She hisses, but Cato waves her off.

"Sixty seconds, Lover Boy. One minute to convince me."

I take another deep breath. My next step involves me letting go of Glimmer. My insurance. But I have to show him my hands in order to sound convincing.

"One minute?" I ask. Cato nods. "I need to let Glimmer go to show you something. On your honor you'll give me the minute?"

"I'm District Two, Lover Boy," Cato snaps, "Honor is everything there. You have my word."

Without hesitation I let Glimmer go. She collapses to the ground, coughing and gagging and holding her throat. I approach Cato slowly and stretch my arms out.

"Look," I say. He examines my hands quickly.

"What happened?" He asks simply. I quickly explain Katniss's attack on me the night before, falling into the shattered remains of the urn after she attacked me, slicing up my hands just hours before the start of the Games.

"Looks like she doesn't quite return your affections," Cato says with a smirk. It's all I can do to not punch it off his face. Instead, I just nod quietly.

"No," I say with false anger, "She humiliated me. I want her dead."

"So, what can you bring to us?" Cato asks.

"I know her habits. I know how she moves in the woods. The places she'll try to hide in. I can give her to you wrapped in a bow," I knew nothing about her habits or how she moves in the woods. If Cato doesn't buy it, I'm dead where I stand..

He considers this for a moment. Finally he speaks.

"And after I kill her? You know then you won't be of any more use to me." He's almost gentle as he tells me this.

I think fast. Gotta give him something reasonable. "After she's dead, promise me, on your honor, that you'll give me a thirty minute head start. That's all I ask."

"Thirty minutes?" He looks around at the rest of his alliance. Marvel looks confused, Clove is glaring at me, the District Four girl looks bored, and if looks could kill, the one Glimmer was giving me would certainly drop me in my tracks. But none of them matter. It's Cato's decision. "Thirty minutes works. More 'sporting' that way," he murmurs to himself.

Finally, he nods and sticks out his hand. "Welcome to the Careers, Lover Boy."

PART I

Sunday morning. Another Parcel Day for District Twelve. The day that Doctor Galen Wellgood leaves for his new post with the Health Ministry in the Capitol. The Mine Company gets a new doctor. We lose a new friend.

I've been up for a while as usual. I sit at the kitchen table sipping a cup of tea. The events of the last couple of days really have me confused.

First, there's Madge. A girl that I've known...well, forever. After what happened two nights ago, however, I'll never look at her the same way again.

She's not just a girl. She's a very pretty...even beautiful...girl. One that's spent most of her life being incredibly lonely. I've had a little taste of that the last few months. Madge has been living it for YEARS. In spite of my own troubles, I can't help but feel sorry for her. I just wish I had been able to figure it out earlier.

Then there's this whole mysterious relationship with Haymitch. Madge and Haymitch have about as much in common as I do with Effie Trinket, yet they share this strange bond. And the whole panic over that picture I saw hanging on the wall in the Mayors house...I had put two and two together, and figured that Madge must have gone to see Katniss after the Reaping and had given her the pin at that time. No mystery there, just a strange coincidence. The questions are why did Madge give her that particular pin, and why did Haymitch react so strongly about the picture?

I shake my head and sigh. No matter. I have to get ready to go, and I'm not looking forward to a walk in the snow. Wearily I drag myself upstairs. I feel a little better after a shower, and get dressed quickly. I limp downstairs, grab my coat, hat and gloves, and head out the door. I've been limping more lately. I mentioned it to Galen and he suggested that the cold weather may be to blame.

I close my door behind me and turn the key in the lock. My breath hangs in white clouds around my head as I head down the walkway. I see Haymitch making his way up the street and hear a door slam directly across from me. Una and Prim walk carefully down their walkway to the street. Katniss is nowhere in sight.

We are all clutching bags. Going away gifts for the doctor. My bag contains a variety of breads and rolls that I made. Haymitch holds a bottle shaped bag...one guess as to what's inside. The gift that Una and Prim are bringing is a mystery.

Wordlessly we all fall in with each other and walk towards the Victors Village entrance. Prim finally breaks the silence.

"What are you giving him, Peeta?" She asks.

I smile at her. "Nothing special. Just some different types of breads," I say.

"Peeta, your bread IS special," Prim says earnestly. "It's even better than your families bakery bread!"

"Thank you, Prim," I say fondly, "What are you giving him?"

Una answers, "A sampling of every medicinal herb that grows in and around District Twelve. As fresh as possible. I've had Katniss collecting ever since we found out about Galen's leaving."

That surprises me that Katniss would go along just to give Galen a gift. For some reason, she almost openly despises the man, even after her bout with Typhoid Fever. She must not have known it was for a gift, I reason.

I point to the bottle shaped bag Haymitch was carrying. "I think I can guess your gift," I say with a smile.

Haymitch pulls the neck of the bottle out of the bag in response. "This is good brandy," he says, "It was hard to leave it alone!"

I laugh. It feels good to laugh. Lately there just hasn't been a lot in my life that made me feel all that good. We reach the entrance to the Village and turn towards town. I look around for Katniss. I had figured that she had probably risen early today...it's Sunday after all...to meet Gale so they could check his trap line together and get some hunting in. I had also figured that she would be back in time to see Galen off at the train station.

I look at Una. "No Katniss?" I ask. Una shrugs.

"She knew what time we were leaving," is all she says, but I can tell that she's bothered by Katniss's absence.

It would be just like her to skip this, I angrily say to myself. Una and Prim walk a little ways ahead as I drop back to walk with Haymitch.

"You'd think she would at least make an effort," I say through clenched teeth.

"Don't you go getting all upset over this, kid," Haymitch says, "If she's there, great. If not, well, there's nothing we can do about it."

"It doesn't bother you?" I say in amazement.

"Of course it bothers me!" Haymitch replies, "The way she's been acting lately, well, I'm tempted to build myself a woodshed just so I have a place to spank her in!"

Somehow, the idea of Haymitch holding down a struggling Katniss while trying to spank her is very amusing to me. I laugh so hard at the mental picture Una and Prim both turn around.

"It's nothing," I say, gasping. The just both shake their heads and keep walking.

"You okay, kid?" Haymitch asks.

"Haymitch, it's either laugh like a maniac or sob like a baby. And just between you and me, I'm tired of crying," I say bitterly.

He awkwardly pats me on the shoulder. "Wish I could tell you it's gonna get better, but.."

"It's not, Peeta. So just suck it up and take it like a man," I finish for him.

"You can't know that," Haymitch says doubtfully. I bark out a short laugh.

"Oh, can't I?" I say sarcastically, "And where is she this morning? Hmmmm? I'll tell you where...with GALE!"

Una and Prim choose this moment to drop back and join us...probably because they could hear every word I was saying.

Prim looks at me reproachfully. As close as we've become over the last few months, I know how protective she is of her sister.

However, it's Una who speaks. "Peeta...I know how hard it's been and I truly do feel bad for how she treats you and what you've had to put up with from her...but I'm really getting concerned that more and more lately you seem...angrier."

I look at Una and Prim and I feel myself soften. They've been so good to me. And Una's right. I have been angrier a lot more lately.

But all I can do now is mumble an apology. We're almost to the train station anyway.

Together we walk up the steps and into the dingy little station. We spot Galen sitting on a bench, alone, his bags and a couple of large trunks sitting at his feet. He brightens when he sees and stands to greet us as we walk up to him.

He hugs each of us in turn and we give him our gifts. He starts to get a little emotional and says something about "Never thought leaving this place would make me sad, but it is."

Even Haymitch is a little misty eyed. I know I am. Una and Prim each sport tear tracks running down their faces. Galen opens each of our gifts in turn and has a smile and a word of thanks for each one. He seems especially glad of the gift of medicinal herbs.

"Madam, I fully intend on demonstrating to my, ahem, 'learned colleagues' in the Health Ministry, of the effectiveness of what they term 'folk medicine' treatments and remedies!"

He and Prim are soon engaged in a lively conversation. Haymitch and Una are talking quietly off to one side. I notice Hadrian Clark talking to the station manager and walk up to say hello. He's here to pick up Galens replacement.

When I walk back to the group, Prim is absolutely brimming with excitement. "Peeta, Dr. Wellgood said that he'll sponsor me for attendance at the Capitol University College of Medicine once I'm eighteen! He says I have the aptitude and intelligence for it, and that my experience here as a healer will put me ahead of everyone else!"

"That's wonderful, Prim!" I say, smiling. But inwardly I was thinking, Of course, you need to survive your next six Reapings. Thinking that makes me ashamed...have I become so cynical that I can't share in a twelve year old girls excitement?

"I can't wait to call you 'Doctor' Everdeen," I tell her with a smile and a hug.

All too soon, the train is here. Even though today is a Parcel Day, there's none of the pomp surrounding the first Parcel Day. Those cars are lined up at the freight terminal where bored District Six cargo handlers quickly and efficiently distribute the parcels to the crowd waiting there. Even so, as people receive their parcels, when they see me they greet me warmly. I smile and spend a little time with them shaking hands and talking with them, all the while mindful of what Haymitch had told me about him being treated like the Angel of Death.

That's soon to be my role, I say to myself sadly. These people will avoid me like I'm a Typhoid carrier then. But for now, I enjoy the positive attention.

Baggage handlers come out and collect up Galens belongings, and all too soon, its time for him to board. We see Hadrian Clark collect up Galens replacement...this man is most definitely a Capitolite, right down to his sunset orange skin. If he didn't look so ludicrous I would admire the shade of orange that his skin has been dyed to...it's my favorite color.

Galen, too, is watching him with amusement. "Poor bastard," he says with a chuckle, "Wonder who he pissed off?"

Each of us spends a last minute or two with our new friend. Even Haymitch is teary eyed. When it comes my turn I tell him how much I'll miss him...then apologize for Katniss not being here.

"No matter, Peeta," Galen says with a smile, "Her mother already made her apologies for her. Besides, I don't think the young lady really cares for my company!"

"It's just not right that she's not here," I say stubbornly.

"Can you stand one last piece of advice from an old man?" He asks. I nod. "Of course."

"Don't ever give up on her," he says quietly. "Take it from me. That girl is in love with you. No, no...don't argue. And don't worry about the Hawthorne boy. In the long run, it's you she'll need to have around. Not him. Peeta, I've been watching people for some sixty odd years. She's remarkably easy to read. She loves you."

He pulls me in for one final hug, then boards the train. We stand and watch until the train disappears from view, then, in silence, we start the walk back home.

PART II

On the walk back to the Village, I decide to veer off. I'm going to visit the Hob instead. When Haymitch see where I'm going, he falls in step with me.

"Do you need anything at the Hob?" I ask him.

He shakes his head. "Not really," he replies, "But, you know, it's kind of a rough place, and..."

"So's the arena," I say bluntly. "I don't need a babysitter."

Haymitch stops abruptly. "Suit yourself," he says flatly, then turns towards the Village.

"Haymitch," I call out. He stops. "I appreciate the offer. Thanks," I say.

"Just make sure you know what you're doing, kid," he says, then continues his walk home.

No, I don't know what I'm doing, I say to myself. But, for better or worse, I've committed myself. There's only a few people out and about at this time. I mutter greetings to the ones I pass on the street. Soon the Hob looms in front of me.

I don't hesitate at the door as I arrive. I push the door open and take a few seconds to let my eyes adjust to the dim light inside. My nose is assailed by a dozen different odors. The Hob is always a buzz of activity, even in bad weather like this...or maybe because of bad weather like this.

I slowly stroll through the building, stopping and chatting with the various vendors. I notice that Valentine's stall is still conspicuously empty. Many consider it bad luck. I stop at Ripper's stall and buy a few bottles of white liquor for Haymitch's emergency stock. I see Darius, one of the local Peacekeepers, and stop to chat with him. A decent enough sort. I'm sure he joined the Peacekeepers in order to pay off a debt, rather than a feeling of "Duty" or "Honor."

My last stop is at Greasy Sae's stall. I buy a bowl of whatever stew she's making today. We chat for a few minutes while I eat. I guess Katniss isn't going to make an appearance today. I hand the bowl back to her after I finish, and I'm just about to leave, when I hear her voice behind me.

"What're you doing here, Peeta," Katniss says quietly. I turn to face her. She and Gale are standing there, full game bags dangling from their belts. Gale has a couple of rabbits hanging from his belt as well.

"Eating," I say calmly. "Looks like you two were successful today."

"Not too bad," Katniss says guardedly, then, "Why are you here?"

"I told you," I reply patiently, "I was on my way home from the station, and thought I'd swing through here and pick up some supplies." I hold up the bag with the liquor bottles.

"Station?" Katniss says, then understanding dawns in her eyes. She looks down.

"Yeah, the station. Dr. Wellgood left today. Remember? By the way, he was asking me where you were. Of course I didn't know," I say bluntly.

Gale finally chimes in. "Wellgood? The fat capitol doctor?" He snickers.

"That's the one," I say calmly, "Oh, and Gale, he asked me to relay something to you."

"Huh?" Gale says.

"Yeah. He told me to tell you, 'You're welcome.'" I say with a smile.

Gale looks confused. "I don't understand," he stammers out.

"That's what people say in response to someone saying 'Thank you.' Like you must have done...and you too, Katniss...you know, when you thanked him for SAVING YOUR LIFE!"

For once, Gale's at a loss for words. He just blushes and turns away. Katniss, on the other hand, has the opposite reaction.

"I already thanked him. AND said goodbye. The other night at the dinner. Remember the dinner, Peeta. The one you walked out on? And then went home to get drunk? That dinner?" Katniss is flushed, but with anger, not embarrassment. Hearing that I had gotten drunk, Gale perks up. I realize with surprise that this was the first he's heard of it.

"Mellark, YOU got drunk? Not good for your goody-goody reputation, not to mention that a boy like yourself can't hold liquor very well," Gale says with a laugh.

"Yeah, I got drunk, Gale. You want details, ask Katniss. She can tell you all about why I did it." With that, I grab my bag, turn, and start to walk out of the Hob.

"Peeta!" I hear Katniss calling after me. I ignore her. "Peeta!" More insistent this time. I keep walking and open the door to the outside. I step through and shut the door behind me.

"PEETA!" Katniss shouts. I stop. She'll keep this up until I let her have her say.

"What?" I say flatly as I turn to face her. She's immediately on me, pounding her fists in my chest.

"I was TALKING to you! Don't you EVER walk away from me like that!" She yells at me. She's running out of energy, though... her blows are coming weaker and weaker. I stand there while she beats her frustration out on my chest.

"Was it because of me?" I ask quietly.

"Huh? Was what because of you?" Katniss asks. She looks up at me, her face still flushed, and tears brimming in her eyes.

"Today. Did you stay away because you knew I was gonna go?"

I can see her chest heaving with her breathing. Twin columns of condensation erupt from her nose with each breath. She shakes her head firmly.

"No. Yes. It's just that...I dunno...why can't I ever think clearly when you're around?" She wails in frustration, then slams her small fists against my chest again. I become of another presence. Gale has left the Hob and is standing a short distance behind Katniss.

"Why can't I whenever you're around?" I ask quietly.

"We're such a horrible mess," she sobs, now crying openly. "I really, really want to hate you, Peeta. I really do!"

"Why don't you, then?" I ask gently. She looks up at me with her tear stained face and her nose running. Her cheeks are blotchy from crying and from the cold. Her eyes are red rimmed and her lower lip is quivering. Stray hair has escaped her braid and partly hangs in her face. Her face is a total mess...and so incredibly beautiful that my breath catches in my throat.

I glance over at Gale. He's standing there helplessly. I almost feel sorry for him.

"Why don't you?" I ask again. She just shakes her head and half laughs, half cries.

"I want to," she whispers. "I've tried. Thought about every bad thing I could remember about you. Tried to stay angry with you. But I can't. I can't and because I can't I get mad at myself!" Her resolve finally disappears and, with a sob, she buries her face in my chest. I feel a lump in my own throat as I clumsily put my arms around her shoulders. Her hands dig into my arms and I feel her body shaking as weeks of pent up emotion pour out of her.

"Can I tell you something?" I ask. "I've been trying to hate you, too. But then I remember how much I love you and I get mad at myself, too. You're right, Katniss. We are a horrible mess."

I feel the tension drain from her body slowly. Finally, she lifts her face from my chest. Her tears and runny nose have left a large wet spot in the middle of my coat. With the heel of her hand she clumsily wipes her eyes and nose.

"Can I walk you home?" I ask. She looks up at me, then, realizing, looks back at Gale, still standing there looking helpless.

"Uhh...no...thanks, Peeta. Gale and...well, we have to finish up in the Hob, and...there's a lot of stuff for his family...so I need to stop at his house before..." she stammers out.

I nod. "Okay," I say, "We should talk soon."

She quickly nods. "Yes. We should. Okay."

She bends down and picks up her game bag. "Well, guess I'll be going. Gale," I say as I nod in his direction. He says nothing but gives me a slow nod in return.

I turn and start my walk back to the Village. I take maybe three steps when I hear her voice.

"Peeta," she says softly. I stop. "Thanks," she says in a quivering voice, then, "I'm so sorry."

I turn around but she and Gale are already disappearing back into the Hob. Getting in with the Careers was easy compared to dealing with Katniss Everdeen, I say to myself. With that, I sigh, turn, and walk slowly back to Victors Village and my empty house.

The Victory Tour keeps getting closer and closer, and with that, will come the end to this story. I really love all the reviews and comments that everyone has made here, and I do try to respond to each and every one, if I can. At least Katniss finally apologized to Peeta! The next exciting chapter will be coming soon!