A/N - Hello readers! Chapter 25 is up! Meaning that the next chapter will be the last, and the Epilogue. But I'm not sad, because... I'm going to start immediately on the sequel! Did everyone check out the cover and quick preview of it on the fb page? I'm pretty sure it's still visible even if your not a 'liker' on it. Link's on my profile on here. Let me know what you thought of it please?!
This chapter is the longest I think I've written, not sure though. HOC97- Hopefully this will be the drama without Gale your were talking about. It's got a huge fight, but has nothing to do with Gale. It's Katniss and someone else :O! Occy3- Where are you!? :( Miss ya review(s).
I got this chapter up a bit early as I'm leaving the house for the afternoon and evening. But Chapter 26 will be up tomorrow(friday) afternoon(U.S. EST), and the epilogue will be up saturday afternoon! But until then, enjoy this chapter! And PLEASE review. Much love - Macayla
Prim immediately jumps up from her seat, running towards the door.
"Stop!" Gale and I yell in unison. She does stop, turn around, and gives us a look as though were completely stupid.
Prim continues to run to the door anyway. Gale practically throws the chair behind him as he try's to stop Prim. But it's to late. She already opened the door. But instead of a Peacekeeper barging through the door, it's Thom. He run's over to my mother, who's still at the stove, the glass bottles in his hands clanking together. He throws them onto the counter, almost shattering them.
"There you go, Mrs. Everdeen. Is two enough?" He asks her. I have no idea what he's talking about, but the bottles look to contain alcohol. Then I remember, 'Posy's worse..'.
"Yes, I only needed one." She replies to Thom.
"Mom, is Posy ok?" I ask. A bit scared for the answer. Before she does answer, Gale's already running into the living room to see her.
"Sort of." She replies, still fixated over the stove. "After you both left, she woke and she could barley breath she has so much… junk in her chest." She adds.
"Why the alcohol?" I question. My mother turns around to meet my eyes, just slightly, and gives me the same look Prim just gave me, stupid.
"I add a little to the tea, it's vodka so it's extremely strong." She replies, she must see my shocked face. "It doesn't make her drunk, Katniss. Just enough to loosen some of the cold in her chest." She tells me, as though I'm… stupid.
I may question her when it's anything but this, but she's the healer. She knows what she's doing. I just nod my head. Just then Gale reappears. Sadness written across his face.
"What's going on?" He asks. And my mother repeats everything she just told me. But Gale doesn't ask her one question. Trusting her.
Gale goes back to be with Posy, but I stay. Watching my mother. Still resenting her for leaving Prim and I to die while she mourned the lost of her husband. Did she not think I was mourning the lose of my father? That Prim was? When we needed her the most, she shut down. Locking herself in her bedroom. Only coming out to use the bathroom. She didn't eat. But neither did Prim or myself. She didn't talk either. I begged her, pleaded with her, yelled at her to come back. To help me take care of Prim. But she would say nothing. She would fix her eyes on a wall, or the ceiling. I remember one night, when Prim was crying because she was so hungry, I went into the kitchen and retrieved a knife. Walking back into my mother's room, I threatened to kill myself in front of her. Of course, I wasn't going to, but I was despite to get her attention. It didn't work any way's. I cut myself a bit, just enough to draw blood, and I dripped in onto the sheets in front of her, tearing streaming down my face, doing absolutely anything to get her to come back. To keep us from dying. But still… nothing. I followed her gaze to where she was looking, to the exact spot on the wall, throwing the knife across the room, and onto the spot. She shifted her gaze over a little, but that's it. Slowly she started to come back to us, but it was to late. Ever since then, I have no respect for her. But I watch her, as she finishes brewing the tea, pouring it into a mug. Then reaching for one of the bottles. Dripping just a touch into the tea, and stirring it with a spoon. She picks it up and turns around. To get to the living room, she'll have to pass me. I never speak to her, the questions I asked her a minute ago was probably the most I spoken to her all month. She comes over to me, giving me a warm smile. Which of course, I don't return. I just give her my usual look to her. Emotionless.
"Button your shirt more, please." She says before going around me and into the living room. Since she said that, I don't.
I don't listen to a woman that left her two children to die. Why should I? I follow her into the living room, to see Gale sitting on the floor, holding Posy's hand. She's still sprawled at on the couch. She looks paler then last night, and her eye's drupe a bit. But when she see's me she smiles. I walk over to her and Gale scoots over a bit, so I can get to her.
"Hey, Princess. How ya feeling?" I ask, while bending over a bit so I'm more leveled with her face.
"Better." She replies, but both Gale and I, and even my mother, let's out a little of a laugh. She's clearly worse.
I back up and Gale sit's her more upright at my mother takes a seat. She instructs her to drank the tea. She takes one sip before she says 'no more'.
"I'm sorry, baby. But you have to. Just a few more sips and then you don't have to have anymore." My mother says.
Posy nods her head, taking one, two and almost a third before she warns us she feels like 'bomiting'. I would laugh at her mistaken word, but the hurt written across her face out weighs it. Gale doesn't even smile. He looks just as much hurt as her, if not worse. He speaks to her this time,
"Hey, I know it doesn't feel to well in your little tummy.." He says, poking her stomach. "… but it's going to make you feel better. Surprisingly."
"You promise?" She asks, almost crying.
"Pinky promise." He replies, smiling.
She nods, takes a deep breath, and my mother moves to mug back to her lips. She takes several sips, almost emptying the half filled mug before my mother quits giving it to her.
"Good news, your all done!" She says cheerfully to her. Posy grins, almost laughing.
I can tell, she already looks to be better. But I know were not out of the woods yet. And just because she looks better, doesn't mean it's gone. I remember a patient coming to my mother a few months ago, with something very similar. After giving him a similar treatment, my mother thought he was better, and he did, too. But the next day, his wife found him dead. An uncomfortable chill runs through me. I watch as my mother moves from the couch, to back in the kitchen. I can hear her start to wash the dishes she used. Gale gives me a stern looking, gesturing with his head toward the kitchen. He's always trying to get me to talk to her, why I don't know. I guess because he cares about me. After I don't move he mouths the word 'now' while taking a seat back by the couch where Posy is. I finally comply and walk into the kitchen, to find my mother scrubbing one of the pots she used. I have nothing to say. But I walk up beside her and grab the kitchen towel, waiting to dry the pot she is cleaning. She only glances at me slightly, at my shirt.
"Katniss, I asked you to button that more. Please." She says, in a calm and almost whisper voice. But she always talks like that.
"No." I reply. She stops cleaning the pot and meets my gaze. I look over to see Gale taking a seat at the table.
"Katniss, I am your mother and I asked you to butt-"
"Then you should've acted like one." I say back, cocky and sarcastically. I never talk to her about that much, and I wish I hadn't said it.
"I made a mistake, Kat. Mistakes happen. I didn't have the medicine like I have now. " She says, still in a clam voice. But slightly irritated.
"Oh. I didn't know a mother needs medicine to make her care rather or not her children die." My voice rising. I try to ignore the fact Gale is here. Watching us. Listening to every word.
"That's not what I mean, Katniss. I'm talking about depression. When the body has to deal with grief and-"
"Don't start with that damn medical crap with me." I spit out in anger. She drops the pot into the soapy water, turning toward me.
"You don't talk to me in that way, Katniss." She says to me, a little sternly.
"I can talk to you how ever I please. If your not going to act like a mother, I'm not going to treat you like one." I reply. Crossing my arms.
"Katniss, your punished." She says, pointing her finger at me. I laugh.
"Go ahead, punish the person that kept you and your daughter alive while you didn't give a shit!" I yell at her. "But go ahead! What's there to take away from me? The woods?" I laugh. "You'll starve again!" I realize the last time I was titled 'punished' was before my fathers death, when being punished meant I couldn't play with my dolls.
"You do not talk to me like that, Katniss! I don't care what you say, I am you mother and I always will be!" She says, now starting to raise her voice.
"Really?" I say sarcastically. "I wish you never became a mother! That's why I don't want to be one! I refuse to be a shitty one like you! Not giving a damn that your daughters are crying because their starving to their own death! Do you remember, when I almost killed myself in front of you?! Having a knife at my wrist?!" I don't add that, of course I wasn't going to acutely hurt myself. But I see Gale in the corner of my eye sit up straighter. I never told him I did that.
"I did, but-"
"That just shows are pathetically heartless and cold you are!" I say, moving closer toward her. This time, pointing my finger at her.
" I couldn't control myself, Katniss. I was scared to go on without your father." She says, surprisingly calm again.
"Scared? Don't you think I was scared to go into the woods by myself, without dad!" I yell at her. "But I did, mom! I did because I had people to take care of!" I start to cry. "Because I loved Prim, and I loved you, enough to push away my damn feelings, and sadness and grief away! So we didn't end up like dad… DEAD!" I scream at her.
I'm full blown crying now. But I don't care. I see Prim and Vick make their way out of his room, but they quickly go back when they see what's going on. Gale still sits there, watching us. My mother starts to cry, and she holds out her arms toward me.
"Don't." I say. My crying subsiding. The least thing I want is her. "And don't cry. You hypocrite."
And with that I retreat to the front porch, slamming the door behind me, and taking a seat on one of the rockers. I lean my head back on the head rest, closing my eyes. Fire. That's what anger is. And it burns brighter in the darkness. But I keep them closed. Father wouldn't be proud. That's what keep's repeating in my head. But I let it, it felt good to yell at her. Even if it wasn't the right choice. I hold back another round of tears when I hear the front door opening. I leave my eyes closed though, I don't feel like talking to Gale. He didn't even speak up for me. He did nothing but be an intruder to a private conversation. I hear him take the seat next to me.
"Catnip?" He says to me, softly. But I don't open my eyes, I don't respond. Just like mother.
We sit there, for how long, I'm not sure. But at least thirty minutes go by when Prim comes to ask us if we want lunch that mother made. But Gale says no, and I shake my head. Not opening my eyes once. Concentrating on the fire that's burning with in the darkness. We sit there, for at least another hour, if not more when Gale speaks again.
"Catnip?" He repeats. But again, I don't open my eyes, I don't respond.
He gets up, going back in the house. But only to come back out five minutes later, with a plate of food. He sets the plate on the large arm of the rocking chair.
"Eat." He says. Almost in a whisper. I wait a good ten minutes before I open my eyes, looking straight into his when I do.
"How did that feel?" I ask, angrily. Not anger towards him, but anger towards my mother.
"What?" He asks in confusion.
"How. Did that feel? For me not to answer you?" I ask. Trying to get my purpose through. Gale pauses, for a long time before he speaks.
"It hurt." He says flatly. Starring at the ground.
"Point made." I say flatly as well, before reclosing my eyes. But I open them quickly again, looking at the food. "And I'm not hungry.." I realize I shouldn't be taking my anger out on him. "… but thank you." I say, a bit harsh
"You have to eat, Katniss." He plea's. But I'm lying to him, I am hungry.
I angrily snatch the plate from where it sits on the arm of the chair, and I stuff my mouth with the food. I can't disagree that it doesn't taste good, but knowing that my mother made it makes my stomach churn, but I manage. Gale and I continue in silence as I eat, until we see Madge coming down the seam road. Toward us. I mentally roll my eyes. It's not that I don't like her, but right now, I'm not in a particular mood to socialize. Not that I'm ever in much of one, anyways. She comes up the front steps, looking between Gale and I-
"Hello, Katniss." She says cheerfully. Ugh.
"Hi." I manage through my mouth full of food. Not looking up from my plate.
"I was wondering if you want to come with me to watch the wrestling team practice at school?" She asks. That's actually one thing I enjoy, for some odd reason. But I'm not in the mood for that either. I notice her glance at my shirt, that's still cutting low.
"No." Is all I get out.
"Well, If you change your mind som-" Gale cuts her off.
"Catnip, you should go. Get your mind off of things." He says. But I just shake my head. Madge continues-
"If you change your mind some of the girls and I will be up there for a bit." She says cheerfully.
I contemplate for a second, but decide no. I finally meet her gaze and shoot her a smile. She returns it before turning around and heading back down the seam road, to the town. I see Gale in the corner of my eye shake his head.
"You can't let your little fight between you and your mom get in the way of your friends." He says. I meet his gaze.
"She's not my friend, Gale." I reply. But in a way, she is.
"Well she treats you like one, Katniss." He says. He's right.
But I don't say anything but take a deep breath and place the empty plate on the floor. Folding my hands over my stomach and leaning my head back on the chair.
"Full?" He asks. And I shake my head yes, I'm as full as a District 12 person can be. "Good." He replies.
I watch him move closer to me in his chair, leaning into me. Obviously to kiss me. And when he does, I gladly accept it. It's soft and warm. Comforting. Just then the front door quietly swings open.
And It's my mother.
She look's upset, but for a totally different reason. Gale has his back slightly turned, so he doesn't know its her. He removes his lips from mine, but doesn't lean back from me.
"I need to talk to you… both of you." She says. As soon as Gale hears this he springs back from me. And from his chair.
She gestures with her head inside and we both follow her into the kitchen.
"I have to go check on some patients in town this afternoon. Posy's asleep but I'm taking Prim and Vick with me." She says. Mostly looking at Gale, but at me, too. "You said Rory will be home later right?" She asks Gale. He nods. "Good. When Posy wakes she's going to need another cup of tea. I already brewed it. You'll just have to reheat it and put a splash of the vodka into the mug. No more. No less. Ok?" She asks us both. We nod in unison.
She shouts for Prim and Vick and they hurry from his room. Ready to go. Prim comes over to me to say goodbye and I notice she's still in her nightclothes, which manages a smile from me.
"Make sure mom takes you home to change, my Little Duck!" I say to her as I wrap my arms around her.
"She already said we are." She replies.
After a quick embrace. The three of them are out the door. Leaving Gale and I in the kitchen, and a snoring Posy in the living room. I turn around from the door and notice Gale standing over the counter, looking at the vodka bottles. I hold in my laugh as I make my way over to stand next to him. He laugh's when my arm bumps into his.
"Ever had any?" He asks me. Grinning like a bobcat. I don't lie to him.
"Yeah." I answer. He starts laughing. "It was just a sip once. My mother had gotten some for a patient." I add. Knowing he would want to know more and why.
"Oh… You like it?" He asks me. I winkle my nose in disgust.
"Gross, no! It stung and made my head completely dizzy." I reply. He just shakes his head and smiles. "You?" I ask. Curious to know his answer.
"Yeah, a few times." He says shrugging. "Some of the girls would bring it to the slag heap. They would steal it from their parents if they had any." He adds.
I don't know why, but in a way it shocks me. Gale has never been the… most well behaved person to say the least, in that area. But getting drunk and making love to girls isn't a picture I ever had of him. And it's not one I like.
I shake my head and make my way into the living room to check on Posy. She's still snoring with the covers tucked in at her waist. Her little arms laying flat on each side of her. I feel her forehead and realize she's barley warm, and she's sweating a little. I try to think what that means, and I'm pretty sure sweat means the fever is breaking. I lean down and give her a soft kiss on the forehead before making my way back into the kitchen. I see Gale has pored a little of the alcohol into a glass, and is moving the liquid around in it. I run up beside him-
"Don't you dare drink that, Gale!" I say sternly. I try to fight back the grin, but I can't.
"Oh, it's not for me. It's for you." He says, setting the glass down and sliding it over to me. I feel my mouth drop. "Prove it to me that you had it once." He adds. Grinning still.
"Sorry, but no!" I take the glass and walk over to the sink. Watching as it moves around in the glass.
I dump it into the sink. Watching it as it slides down the drain. I hear Gale laughing behind me. But I ignore it. I turn around and Gale immediately wraps his arms around me. Burying his head into my neck. We stay like that for several minutes until we hear the front door open. Gale looks up be leaves his arms around me. I look to see Rory, slamming the door behind him. Glancing at us and rolling his eyes, and then marching off to his room. Slamming that door, too.
"Pistol, huh?" Gale says to me, turning his face to meet mine.
I give a quick laugh before his lips meet mine.
As he kisses me, I stand there amazed at how happy Gale can make me. . . . .