I get up after Prim leaves for work. Then I get dressed and head down the hall to get my schedule printed on my arm. It is almost time to hunt. I look forward to being out in nature.
When I get to the outside door, Boggs stops me to ask, "Why did they need you in the hospital?"
"Peeta got beat up pretty bad and was taken there."
"How is he?"
"Not so good. He has a cracked rib, black eye, and a lot of bruises."
"Who beat him up?"
"Some of the guys from his training group."
"He must be in Butch's group. He has some tough guys."
"Maybe. I don't know who his captain is."
"Well, I hope he gets better soon. I'm sure they will move him to a new group."
"That would be good, but I think those guys need to be punished also."
"Did anyone else see it happen?"
"Yes, but I don't know if he will tell on who did it. He seemed pretty scared of getting beat up too."
"I don't think anything will happen to them then."
"Something needs to happen," I snap at Boggs.
"If we have no proof, then we can't punish them."
"Look at Peeta. He's the proof."
"But Soldier Everdeen, it does not prove who did it."
I can feel the heat rising in my blood so I just grab my bag and storm off. If Boggs won't help I will have to find my own way to punish them. I stomp through the gate and into the forest. As I walk I grumble to myself.
Finally I flop my bag down and sit with my back against a large tree. I close my eyes and try to focus on my breathing. I am so angry right now I feel like I could explode. My mind keeps thinking of Peeta in his hospital bed and then imagining when he was getting beat up.
Suddenly I hear, "Katniss, are you alright?"
I slowly open my eyes to see Gale standing in front to me. "I'm fine, Gale. Just peachy." I look down at the ground as I pull my knees up to my chest.
Gale looks at me a little longer then sits down next to me. "It doesn't take years of hunting with you to tell that something is wrong. What happened?" Gale puts a strong arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer. I just lean against him and take several deep breaths then look up to see Gale's gray eyes staring back down at me.
"It's Peeta. Some of the guys he trains with really messed him up."
"So tell Boggs."
"I did, but he says without proof that they did it they won't be punished."
Gale huffs, "Well, that doesn't seem right."
"I know. Maybe I should just hunt them down and beat them up."
"Yah, that's the thing to do," Gale says sarcastically. "Then you'll get punished, and won't get to fight the capitol. You know President Coin already has a chip on her shoulder against you since you won't just obey her every command."
"But we have to do something. We can't just let them get away with it."
"Well, surely we can get them without getting in trouble."
"Like how?"
"I don't know. Let me think." We both sit and ponder the situation. Gale begins to mumble, "What if we…Maybe we could…I got it!"
"What?"
"Tray, my commander, said something about all trainees playing paintball tonight."
"Yeah, how is that going to help us?"
"Well, you know what it feels like to get hit by a paintball close up."
"Yeah, I had bruises for a week the last time I played."
"If we know who to get we could really hit them hard. Then it would just look like we played a fierce game."
"I get it," I smile and begin to slowly nod my head. "We just have to know who to hit."
"But do you know who these guys are?"
"No, but Cheth does."
"Who's Cheth?"
"He's the kid on Peeta's team that went and got help."
"Good, get him to mark them somehow."
"How?"
"Maybe he can 'accidentally' shoot them with their own color. Then when we see someone shot with the wrong color we will know whom to hit. Even if we are on the same team I could still get them a few times."
Gale and I shoot a few rabbits then head back. When we drop off our bags all the ladies in the kitchen want to know where Peeta is. I tell them what happened and they all are very upset. I tell them that I am going to check on Peeta so they send some rolls with me.
When I get to Peeta's room at the hospital, I find Cheth there. He and Peeta are talking. I knock a little and then walk in. Peeta smiles at me and waves me over.
"How are you feeling?" I say as I walk over to his bed.
"Better I think."
Each breath is still shallow but he doesn't have the oxygen mask anymore. And the fact that he is sitting up and talking some with Cheth is a good sign.
"Here you can have my seat. I better get going. I have class soon." Cheth stands to leave. "I hope you get better soon, Peeta. Maybe I'll stop by again tomorrow."
"Sounds good." Peeta smiles and pats Cheth's arm as he walks past.
Suddenly I decide this would be a good time to talk to Cheth. "I'll be right back, Peeta," I say as I dash out the door. "Cheth, wait a second. I need to talk to you."
Cheth turns around and looks at me questioningly. "I need you to help me get back at the guys that beat up Peeta."
"I don't think I can," he replies a little learily.
"You don't have to do much." I quickly explain the plan to him. "All you have to do is somehow let me know who I should aim for."
"How am I supposed to do that without them knowing?"
"Just pretend to accidentally shoot them. Then when we see them we will know who to shoot."
"I guess that could work."
"If you can't, find some other way to mark them."
"I'll try."
"Good, let me know for sure how they are marked. See you tonight."
Cheth walks down the hall and I go back into Peeta's room. I find Peeta sleeping, but I sit on the edge of his bed for a while to see if he will wake up. I don't want to leave without saying "Goodbye" first.
As I reach up to brush the hair from his face, a nurse walks in. "He'll probably sleep for a while. Talking to people takes a lot out of him."
I nod. "Can you tell him I'll be back later?"
"Sure, Miss Everdeen."
I squeeze his hand and lightly kiss him on the cheek as I leave.
I meet up with everyone at lunch. They all want to know where Peeta is as he was not in the kitchen and did not come to lunch with us. When I tell them what happened everyone is shocked.
"What are they going to do about it?" asks Prim.
"There's nothing they can do without proof of who did it, and no one is going to admit to it." Everyone is pretty quiet for the rest of the meal.
Once mom and Prim leave to go back to the hospital I tell Johanna and Finnick our plan. They both want in. "Good, I'll tell you how to know who they are when Cheth let's me know."
After lunch I get corralled into the kitchen to help with the dishes. All the ladies are worried about Peeta. I tell them how he does not need the oxygen anymore. They want to know if he ate the bread. I just tell them that he was asleep when I brought it to him.
When I leave the kitchen, I try to visit Peeta again, but the nurse tells I can't go in because the doctors are in there checking his wounds. It is getting late so I decide to just wait till after training.
We are all starting right after supper because they want us inside before it gets dark. We all must check in with our commander and get all our equipment. There are two teams: green and yellow. We are each given a gray suit, an armband to show our team color, and finally we are issued a paint gun. We all meet with our teams and go over the rules, where we are told at the end of the game the commanders will count up how many times we each have been hit, and the team that hits the other team the most will win.
Our plan should work out perfectly because both Gale and Finnick's groups are on the yellow team with me.
We are told we have five minutes to spread out and when we hear the bullhorn then the game will begin.
As I am walking away to hide, I catch sight of Cheth. He is with his teammates and does exactly as we planned. He acts like he is practicing to use the scope in his gun and "accidentally" pulls the trigger. I hear several of his group either laugh or start yelling at him. I look to see that he has hit four guys. The biggest guy who I assume is Sythe goes up and knocks Cheth down before one of the commanders can say anything. The commander shakes his head and points for them to hide.
When Cheth gets up and looks over to see me watching, I give him a thumbs up. He gives me a thumbs up back, and then I hurry to find the rest of my group and tell them whom to shoot. Several of my other teammates heard about Peeta and want to join in.
As soon as the bullhorn sounds I begin to look for the bullies. I shoot a few other green people as I go. All of my hunting experience pays off, as I am able to move through the bushes without being heard.
After a half hour I finally spot my first victim. It is Sythe. He is standing out in an open area as if almost daring someone to find him. I hide behind a tree and take careful aim. I shoot several times and hit him in the arm and chest. He glares in my direction but before he has a chance to come look for me, Gale shoots him on the other side. Sythe immediately runs for cover in the bushes. I make eye contact with Gale before I slink off into the woods to find my next victim.
The game goes smoothly. I was able to hit all of the bullies several times, but I don't think they knew it was me.
The bullhorn signals that the game is over and we are to head back to our team meeting spot so the hits can be counted. I walk past the green team and see Sythe and his friends are so covered with paint you can hardly tell how many times they were hit.
After I am counted, I stand with the rest of my team. I glance over to see Sythe stripping out of his suit. His arms are covered with welts that are starting to bruise already. Soon the rest of his guys join him and they too are covered with welts.
"I think our plan was a success," I say to Gale, Finnick, and Johanna as I point out Sythe and his group.
"That was the best training session ever," says Johanna as she shows Finnick a big welt she has on her arm. "I like it when I have permission to beat up on someone."
"I just hope I am never on the opposite team as you. I saw how merciless you were," Finnick says as he unzips his suit. Johanna sneers and steps out of her suit as well.
"See you guys later. I need to go see Peeta," I say as I head over to turn in all my equipment.
"See ya," I hear from the three.
As I pass the kitchen Greasy Sae hollers my name. I look in. "What do you want? I'm heading up to see Peeta."
"Perfect! Take this soup that I made. Peeta told me it's his favorite. You can return the bowl in the morning."
"Sure," I nod as she hands me the covered bowl.
When I walk into Peeta's room, a nurse is hooking him up to a machine that will check his vitals, and Haymitch is slumped over taking a nap in the corner.
"Katniss, where did you go after you talked with Cheth?"
"Sorry I didn't stay, but when I came back in you were asleep. I figured you needed the sleep to heal." I walk over to the bed. "To make up for it I brought you something from the kitchen." I open the bowl and steam wafts into the air. I hear Peeta's stomach gurgle.
"Smells good but I will have to wait until she unhooks the machine from my arm. I can't use my other arm because of my ribs."
"Here, I'll feed you until the nurse is done."
I sit on the edge of the bed as I spoon the soup for Peeta. After a few bites I laugh a bit and Peeta raises an eyebrow. "It reminds me of our first games when I had to force you to eat."
Peeta nods, "But this soup is much better then the dried fruit."
"The situation is a lot better too. I'm not the one caring for your wounds."
Peeta smiles, "I remember how green you turned when you looked at my leg after it was washed off."
"Don't remind me," I grimace as I stick out my tongue.
By now the nurse is finished and unhooks Peeta's arm. We continue to talk about the games and I continue to feed Peeta the soup.
"You don't have to keep feeding me. I can use my arm now," Peeta holds up his arm and laughs a bit. "But you're more than welcome to continue if you like." I can feel the blush in my checks as I smile sheepishly at Peeta and hand him the soup and spoon.
When he is finished he sets the dishes on the tray next to the bed and slowly leans back to rest only wincing a little.
"Thanks for the soup. It is much better than the stuff they serve here."
"You can thank Greasy Sae when you get out. She's the one that sent it with me. Oh, here, I almost forgot." I stand and pull the rolls out of my pocket.
Peeta looks at the lump in my hand. "What is it?"
"They're rolls the kitchen ladies sent you this morning but they have been in my pocket all day."
Peeta takes the bag and opens it. Then he pulls a piece off the lump and sticks it in his mouth. "Still good I think. Just a little crumbly."
"I'll make sure they know you got it, but I'm not going to mention the crumbly part." I say lightly hitting him on his arm.
"What's that yellow stuff in your hair?" Peeta leans forward a bit and reaches for the hair just above my ear. Our hands touch as I reach up too. We both pull away quickly.
"Oh, it must be from training. We all played paint ball."
"I wish I could have been there. Who won?"
"My team by a land slide."
All of a sudden Peeta's eyes get very large as he stares past me. I see his hand next to my leg begin to tremble. "What is that?" I turn to see the nurse with a syringe in her hand.
"It's morphling, Mr. Mellark. It will help the pain."
"I…I…I don't want any. I'm not in any pain."
I look at Peeta and can see the fear growing in his eyes. "Peeta, it's okay," I place my hand on his. "They gave me morphling when I was hurt. It really does help with the pain."
Peeta doesn't take his eyes off the nurse. He begins to shake his head. "I don't need any, Katniss. I'm... I'm fine."
"I really need to give you this, Mr. Mellark. Doctor's orders." The nurse takes a few steps closer.
"No!" Peeta yells.
This makes me stand up and the nurse stop dead in her tracks. "How…how do I know it's not tracker venom?" Peeta continues. I can see the panic more and more in his eyes.
"Peeta, it's not venom. They're not going to hurt you." I try to touch his hand but he jerks it away.
"How do you know?" he asks looking up at me with a tinge of anger and distrust. "You didn't see what they put in there."
"Please, Mr. Mellark, it will only take a second. I promise it won't hurt," the nurse nervously insists as she cautiously takes a step closer.
"I DON'T WANT IT!" Peeta yells making the nurse back into the corner.
Haymitch jerks awake in his chair. "What's all the noise for?"
"Peeta thinks the nurse is trying to inject him with tracker venom." I look at Haymitch with helpless eyes.
"Calm down, lover boy," Haymitch says as he crosses his arms.
Peeta closes his eyes to try to regain his composure. When he opens them he looks at me. "Katniss, I…I want to leave. I want to go back to my room." Peeta clenches his teeth as he slowly lowers his legs off the bed. I can see the intense pain in his eyes.
"Peeta, why don't you lay back down?" Haymitch says as he stands up from his chair.
"No…I want…to leave," Peeta manages through clenched teeth as he slowly stands with one hand gripping the bed and the other holding his ribs. He takes a few unsteady steps away from the bed. "Katniss, please," he says softly. His eyes are begging me to come with him as he holds out a very shaky hand.
I shake my head slowly as I bite my lower lip. "Peeta, they're not going to let you leave," I answer in a quiet voice.
He closes his eyes as he takes a few more shaky steps still holding his side. He opens his eyes and stares at me as if being betrayed. "If you aren't coming…I'll go myself."
"Wait, Peeta," Haymitch says as he puts his hand on Peeta's shoulder. "Let me talk to Katniss before you leave." Peeta nods his head a bit and looks with pained eyes up at Haymitch.
Haymitch takes my arm and pulls me out in the hall and closes the door. We both glance in at the nurse standing in the corner with the syringe looking at Peeta who is bent over holding his side. "Katniss, you need to convince him to lay back down," Haymitch says a little harshly.
"I'm trying, but he clearly is not listening to me."
Suddenly we hear a crash. Both of us run back into the room to find Peeta on his knees with his head down holding his ribs with both arms. The tray next to the bed has been knocked over and the bowl is upside down on the floor. The nurse is just staring with wide eyes.
"Peeta!" I fall to the floor next to him. I can see tears squeezing out from his tightly closed eyes. "Peeta, what's wrong?"
"Can't…breathe," he manages to whisper.
"His rib is broken. It's probably pushing against his lung," Haymitch says. "We need to lay him back down."
"I'll go get the doctors," the nurse quickly says as she rushes out of the room.
"Help me get him up," Haymitch tells me as he kneels down on Peeta's other side. "We are going to lift you, Peeta." Peeta nods his head just a little as Haymitch pulls Peeta's arm over his shoulder. "Let's do it." I use all my strength as we left him off the floor but almost let go when Peeta yells in pain. We carefully set him on the bed and Haymitch guides him to lie back down as I lift his feet. Then Haymitch rights the tray and picks up the bowl. I sit on the edge of the bed and run my fingers down the side of Peeta's face. He slowly opens his eyes and looks at me as he takes a few ragged breaths.
Just then the doctors come in followed by the nurse. "What happened?" one demands.
"Peeta is afraid of the syringe. He thought it was tracker venom like what the capitol gave him."
"Mr. Mellark, we need to give you this shot."
Peeta closes his eyes and shakes his head as a tear slides down his cheek. "I don't want it," he says in a shaky voice turning his head away from the doctors. They look at me.
"Just give him a minute. Let me talk to him." The doctor backs up a bit as I wipe Peeta's cheek. "Peeta, you really need this shot."
He looks into my eyes and pleadingly shakes his head. "Please, no. You don't know what it felt like." A few more tears slide down his cheeks.
"Do you trust me?" I ask as I gently wipe them away. He slowly nods. "Then you're going to have to trust me about the shot. Just focus on me." I look at the doctor and nod my head. I see him motion to the nurse. Peeta looks at me until his eyes dart over to the nurse who is coming closer. "Peeta, look at me." I lean over and put my hands around his eyes like blinders and stare into his blue eyes. He reaches up with shaky hands and holds onto my wrists.
I can tell he is trying, but his fear gets the better of him every time he hears the nurse move. I lean a little closer and softly begin to sing the valley song. This keeps his focus and he slowly begins to relax slightly and closes his eyes. I can feel his hold loosening around my wrists.
I glace sideways to see the nurse standing right next to me. I nod to let her know she can give him the shot. She slowly pushes the needle in his arm. Peeta's eyes fly open and he tightens his grip on my wrists instantly. Before he can jerk away like I'm afraid he might, I quickly lean down and kiss his lips gently as I see the nurse push down on the syringe.
When she pulls the needle out I pull away slowly. "See, I told you it would be okay," I say softly as I smile at Peeta. His eyes almost instantly begin to glaze over as the morphling quickly spreads through his body. His hands drop from my wrists and slowly fall to his side. I sit up and gently stroke his cheek. "It's okay. You can go to sleep." I slowly begin to stand up as his eyes begin to bob shut.
Peeta forces his eyes open and reaches unsuccessfully for my arm. He uses one leg to push against the bed as he slowly scoots his body over. Then he sleepily pats the space he made on the bed. "Please don't go," he whispers as he fights to stay awake. I nod and carefully climb onto the bed.
"She can't stay with him. It's against hospital rules," I hear a doctor protest as I slowly begin to lower myself in the crook of Peeta's arm and lay my head on his shoulder.
As I gently rest my hand on his chest I hear Haymitch say to the doctor, "Let her stay. The poor boy needs some comfort with all he's gone through."
I feel Peeta's arm come to rest on my waist. His other hand moves from his ribs to entwine his fingers with mine. I look up to see his eyes finally close and his head fall to the side. I carefully rest my head back on his shoulder and listen to his soft heartbeat.