Stolen Dance by Milky Chance
I want you by my side
So that I never feel alone again
They've always been so kind
But now they've brought you away from here
I hope they didn't get your mind
Your heart is too strong anyway
We need to fetch back the time
They have stolen from us
Direct Quotes from Suzanne Collins' Catching Fire are in italics. Anything you recognize is basically hers.
Important Author's Note at end of chapter.
Chapter 25
District 13
November 1st
When Katniss was released from the medical wing the very next morning after Winnow's sudden arrival into District 13, the first place she headed was to see them. In between patients, Katniss's mother had come and told Katniss of all the latest gossip. That Winnow, Cato's mother and uncle had all arrived, unharmed. And that Winnow was pregnant.
Katniss didn't know how she really felt about the news. Part of her was jealous that Cato's family had returned to him, unharmed. But most of her was glad for Cato and Winnow both. After all they'd been through, they deserved this small measure in happiness. They all did.
Katniss struggled with guilt over Peeta, and also struggled with it over Winnow and Cato. She had quite literally murdered them – even though that felt like a lifetime ago. It was luck and the Capitol's cruelty that had brought them back to life. So after doing something so inherently unforgiveable to the pair, Katniss felt responsible for them. For their happiness, for their misfortunes – everything. Katniss felt a duty to Winnow and Cato Elestren.
It was just as Katniss reached the Elestrens' quarters that their door slid open. She could hear soft murmuring from inside the room- so soft they must have been standing just inside the door. Katniss took precisely three more steps and saw Cato and Winnow locked in what was quite obviously a passionate embrace.
It was nearly time for those with jobs to report to work, so Katniss could only imagine that the pair were about to part ways for the next few hours. She stayed quiet, not wishing to disturb them, and simply waited.
After a few moments, the couple finally parted. And noticed Katniss lurking in the hallway. She was rewarded with smiles from both Cato and Winnow. Winnow's was a little more hesitant, but no less genuine.
"Katniss," Cato greeted, arm relaxed around Winnow's waist.
"I just wanted to check in with both of you. And say congratulations," Katniss said, glancing towards Winnow's burgeoning belly.
"Thank you," Winnow said, smile growing brighter. To everyone's surprise, Winnow darted forward and embraced Katniss. Uncertain how to respond, Katniss merely remained stiff, tense, in the older girl's arms. After just a moment, Winnow stepped back, her cheeks a little red. "I'm sorry," she coughed. "I'm feeling a bit more affectionate than usual, lately," she said, gesturing to her stomach.
Katniss couldn't help but return the grin. "I'm glad you're here, Winnow. I don't think I've ever seen Cato so happy," she responded. The man in question beamed at them both before quickly saying his farewells and heading off to his workstation.
Winnow moved back into her quarters, gesturing for Katniss to follow her. "I'm glad," she began, sitting on the small bed in the middle of the quarters. With a little coaxing, Katniss sat beside her. "I didn't think he'd take to the idea of a baby so quickly, but he has," Winnow continued, smiling tightly. "Have you two been spending much time together?" she then asked, a hint of uncharacteristic concern creeping in to her tone.
Katniss nodded hesitantly. She took care with her words – she knew Winnow's hormones were running amuck because of her pregnancy. She doubted Winnow really suspected any such thing with her Cato. "He convinced me to embrace being the Mockingjay. He told me it was the only that our families would ever have a chance. He was right," Katniss explained.
A strange sort of smile curved Winnow's lips, her eyes peculiarly light. "Cato has even taken to help train me in hand to hand fighting. His job here is to train the refugees and soldiers," Katniss continued.
"Is he really?" Winnow asked in wonder.
"Did he not tell you that is his job now?" Katniss responded.
"Yes, but he wasn't very specific. We didn't spend much time…talking," Winnow answered, eyes distant.
Katniss blushed at her words. "Well, he's doing very well, Winnow. I have to say it is even giving some of the refugees hope. My sister, Prim, went to one of his training sessions once, and came away feeling quite empowered." She informed Winnow.
Winnow's smile broadened for a moment, but it dimmed after just a moment. "Do you understand now, Katniss? That there is not so much difference between you and I; and Peeta and Cato?" she asked out of curiosity.
Katniss took a deep breath, fingers twitching in nervousness. The subject change was unexpected. "I am beginning to, yes."
Winnow stroked her hands over her belly almost anxiously. "We just wanted to get out of there alive, Katniss. Neither of us have yours or Peeta's nobility…we just did what we thought we had to… and we failed. But people thought us monsters still,"
"I know," Katniss said weakly.
"No you don't, Katniss," Winnow corrected sharply. "The people of Panem adored you before the games, after the games, and even now, as the symbol of rebellion… Do you know what the Capitolians planned to do to us Rivals, if we managed to kill our Victor and survive the Quell?"
Katniss shook her head. "Theta Yule told me yesterday. They were going to kill us. They were going to give us what they promised, and allow a few months of us living in the public eye as symbols of redemption. Before poisoning us in order to prevent us from becoming liabilities," Winnow remarked.
"I'm sorry," Katniss simply said again. She didn't know what else she could say.
"I just want you to understand us. We aren't bad. We were just trying to survive. We still are," Winnow said earnestly, touching the other girl's hand hesitantly.
Katniss let Winnow clasp her hand, her guilt festering in her gut like an ulcer. "I honestly thought you wanted to kill me." She said, lifting her gaze to meet Winnow's.
Winnow's brows raised in surprise. "I did, for a time. Especially in the beginning, when Cato told me what you'd done to him. How you left him to suffer. You were cruel in the way you treated him." She said.
"But I was not cruel to you?" Katniss asked in confusion.
Winnow lowered her eyes to their clasped hands, brows furrowed and expression conflicted. "I was not the one who suffered." She responded finally, before making a chopping motion with her free hand. "Let us not talk about old hurts. They are over and done. Instead you can show me where to find Pyrrhus Reed." She requested.
"I can do that," Katniss said certainly, standing and using their clasped hands to help the other woman stand. They left the room, their hands still clasped in a strange, new sort of friendship.
It was as Cato and Winnow reunited for dinner in the cafeteria that evening that the TV screens lit up. Looking up from her dinner, Winnow was treated to a rude surprise. All the blood drained from Winnow's face at the sight of Peeta on the screen. "What's happened to him?" she asked, all breath rushing from her lips.
Cato wraps his arms around her, squeezing comfortingly. "He's captive of the Capitol," he answered lowly. Across the table, Finnick is doing his best to comfort and distract Katniss.
{{Everything within these brackets come directly from the book.}
Peeta began to speak in a frustrated tone about the need for the cease-fire. He highlights the damage done to key infrastructure in various districts, and as he speaks, parts of the maps light up, showing images of the destruction. A broken dam in 7. A derailed train with a pool of toxic waste spilling from the tank cars. A granary collapsing after a fire. All of these he attributes to rebel action.
Without warning, the screen shifts to a propo with Katniss standing in the rubble of a bakery. "He did it! Beetee broke in!" Plutarch shouts. The whole room is buzzing when Peeta comes back, distracted. He tries to pick up his speech by moving on to the bombing of a water purification plant, when another clip splices on. This continues on for a few minutes.
Then the Capitol seal reappears, accompanied by a flat audio tone. Snow plows forward, saying that the rebels were attempting to disrupt the dissemination of information they find incriminating, but both truth and justice will reign. The full broadcast will resume when security has been reinstated. He asks Peeta if, given tonight's demonstration, he has any parting thoughts for Katniss Everdeen.
At the mention of Katniss's name, Peeta's face contorts. "Katniss…how do you think this will end? What will be left? No one is safe. Not in the Capitol? Not in the districts. And you …in Thirteen…" He inhales sharply, as if fighting for air. "Dead by morning!"
Off camera, Snow orders, "End it!" Beetee throws the whole thing by flashing a still shot of Katniss standing in front of the hospital in three-second intervals. But between the images, they can still see the real-life action being played out on the set. Peeta's attempt to continue speaking. The camera knocked down to record the white tiled floor. The scuffle of boots. The impact of the blow that's inseparable from Peeta's cry of pain.
And his blood as it splatters the tiles.
}
That is when the entire cafeteria descends into chaos. A the mention of a level five security drill, Cato is the first out of his seat, pulling Winnow up after him. "Where are we going?!" she asked in confusion as her husband hustled her towards the lower levels.
"To the bunkers!" Cato said curtly, seeming unwilling to divulge anything else. As they descend, Julius and Servilia join them for the last flight of stairs. "We're in compartment E," Cato tells his mother.
"And we're in G, find us if you need us," Julius said, arm around his sister. With that, they parted ways.
Cato led his wife to their space, a little twelve-by-twelve section of stone floor. Two bunks are carved into the wall, and there is ground-level cube for storage. Cato guided Winnow directly to the bunk, forcing her to sit. "Stay right here. I'm going to grab our supplies quickly," he directed, already turning away towards the supply area.
Winnow jumped up, eyes wild. "Cato, let me come with you!" she said, raising her voice above all the surrounding din.
Cato turned back to her with a growl, expression equally harsh. "No, Winnow! You are pregnant! You and the baby are vulnerable! For once, just let me protect you! Let me take care of you!" he shouted at her.
In response, Winnow merely sat back down, face pale with shock. Cato moved back towards her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I love you," he said quickly before striding away.
Winnow drew herself back into the bunk, leaning her back against the wall. Her hands fell to her belly, as if they offered some sort of protection to the growing life inside her. Katniss whirled through their area with purpose – apparently she and her family had the space next to theirs. "Winnow! Have you seen my mother or sister?!" Katniss paused and asked.
Winnow shook her head. "No, I haven't. I'm sorry," she responded.
"Where's Cato?" Katniss then questioned, as if in concern for her.
"Getting supplies," Winnow answered.
"I might as well do that. Stay here," Katniss instructed, striding off.
"As if I was going to leave!" Winnow called after her indignantly. What, one heart to hear with this girl and she thought they were sisters?
Cato returned after a few more minutes. He took both mattresses from their supply bags and spread them over the one bunk, and then shoved the bags into their storage cube. Then he sat down beside Winnow on the bunk, holding out an arm to her.
Winnow needed no further invitation. She scooted across the bunk, curling up against her husband, settling her head on his chest. He wrapped the arm around her body, letting his hand rest on her belly protectively. "I'm sorry if I scared you," Cato said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You just never let me protect you. You're so very stubborn, Winnie,"
"I also couldn't bear to lose you, Cato. That is why I'm like this. I keep telling you there is no point in life for me without you," she responded, shifting to look up at him.
From those words, she expected warmth. It was something she had said to him before. But now, Cato's face tightened, his lips dipping further into a frown. "You have a point in life without me, Winnow. It's this child," Cato corrected her, his hand tightening slightly on her belly. "It's no longer just about us, it's about this baby,"
"I know that-"
"Then do not even say it. Do not say you can't live without me. I have no intention of going anywhere, Winnow, and neither do you. Loosen the reins, Winnow, and let me be in charge for now." Cato cut her off.
It was only his arms around her and the press of his lips against her head that told Winnow he wasn't truly angry with her, but simply concerned. It was her turn to let Cato be in charge and let him take care of her. He better not get used to it, Winnow thought, the idea bringing a smile to her lips.
The faint sound of sirens cut off suddenly. Coin's voice came over the audio system, thanking them for an exemplary evacuation of the upper levels. She stressed that this is not a drill, as Peeta Mellark, the District 12 victor, has possibly made a televised reference to an attack on District 13 tonight.
That was when the first bomb hit. There was an initial sense of impact followed by an explosion that resonated within the bunker. Cato's arms tightened around Winnow and tugged her deeper into the bunk, laying down so that she lay between him and the wall. The lights suddenly go out and the bunker was in total darkness. Winnow breathed sharply and clung to Cato tighter.
The bombs fell periodically for two days. 5 rounds in total, but thankfully the bunkers weren't permeated. The food was strictly rationed, but Cato insisted on giving most of his portions to Winnow. She hated it, but she wisely chose not to argue when she could see how her husband was ready to snap at her any time she opened her mouth to protest.
It wasn't until 24 hours had passed without a single bombing that they were allowed to leave the bunker. And it was with great relief that Winnow and Cato left that tiny bunk behind.
Sorry for the long delay. I, of course, could not write more than 5 words on my month long break from school. But as of now, I'm back in school and overflowing with ideas. Ironic, right?
FOLLOWING NOTE IS REPEAT - I WANT MORE INPUT FROM YOU!
BUT - HERE IS MY IMPORTANT NOTE - In the epilogue of this story, I have a few ideas of different shorts to include - but I'm curious as to what YOU want to see most! Please send me either a message or include this in your review! Of course, I will have a "Happily Ever After" for Winnow and Cato & their family in the epilogue, and Katniss & Peeta's family will also appear - but what ELSE would you like to see?
Thank you for all your support, please review.