Another chapter to start your week off with. Hope you enjoy it!


Chapter 29

When Katniss woke, she could hear the sound of clicking machines monitoring her vitals, and pumping oxygen to the tubes leading to her nose. She wasn't sure how much time had passed since she had that dream filled with her loved ones…at least she thought it was a dream. She still wasn't sure about it. All she knew is that she wanted to find Prim to make sure she was safe. She tried to sit up but she was once again restrained to her hospital bed. She jerked her limbs, seeing if she could free herself. Unfortunately, she was too weak to break free.

"Prim." she called out into the air. The room remained quiet. A sob raised from the back of her throat. "Prim!" she called out again, to no response. The tears rolled down the side of her face onto her pillow. She felt something released in her veins, most likely medicine, and she felt herself fall away from consciousness once again.


Katniss could feel the pressure on someone's hand squeezing her as the drugs wore off. She opened her eyes to find Prim watching over her with a worried expression. Prim collapsed on top of her whispering her name with relief.

"Prim, you're here; you're really here." she whispered back as she held onto her little sister.

"I missed you. I wasn't sure if you were going to make it." Prim said.

"It was that bad?" she asked.

"You hit your head very badly. You lost a lot of blood."

"I was looking for you and Finnick. Finnick." she said repeating his name as panic rushed through her. "What happened to Finnick? Did he make it?"

"He did. He's still in the intensive care unit but he's going to be alright."

"I need to see him." she said sitting up. She wouldn't truly believe he was all right until she saw him with her own eyes.

"You need to rest." Prim said, easing her back down to her bed.

"But I need to talk to him. I need to know what happened after he left me in the square."

"He rescued me…and the little boy I was helping. He carried us away before the second explosion."

"Prim, what were you doing there in the first place?" she asked.

"Coin found us…all of us. Mom and I sign a contract guaranteeing our safety if we served on the medic squad."

"And the Hawthornes?"

"I don't know what happened to them." she said with uncertainty.

"Prim, did Mom make it?" Katniss asked quietly. Prim shook her head as her eyes teared up. Katniss pulled her closer to comfort her sister. They remained silent for a few minutes as they cried and held each other. They were orphans now. Katniss swept that thought from her mind. It was too painful to think of right now. She wanted to know more about Finnick and how he became injured.

"Prim, why is Finnick in the ICU if he got you away from the explosion."

"He couldn't get us far enough away when the explosions went off. He used his body to shield us…took quite a bit of shrapnel to the back on him." Katniss thought back to the time she had shrapnel lodged in her leg after the attack on District 8. She only had a few little pieces and it hurt like hell. She could only imagine the pain Finnick must have felt.

"I need to see him." she insisted.

"He isn't awake. He's still getting a full body polish to erase the scars."

"Body polish?" she asked with confusion. "Rebel doctors don't know how to use that technology."

"It's the Capitol doctors. They were working on him…and you too. Coin granted them immunity if they helped care for the wounded." Katniss looked down to her arms and noticed her flawless skin for the first time since she had woken up. The Capitol had erased the scars and the burn marks once again. If only it could erase the emotional scars as well.

"Prim, have they found Gale?" she asked, playing with the fabric of the blanket that covered her.

"No." Prim said quietly. "At least, he hasn't come here yet. Maybe he's just waiting for the right time to show up." Prim was ever the optimist. Katniss on the other hand was sure she'd never see him again.

"What happens after this…after I get to leave here?" Katniss asked her sister.

"I don't know." Prim said with a pensive expression. This must have been the first time she thought about this. She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess we find out sooner or later. I have to go make my rounds now. You need to rest." she said easing Katniss to the back of the bed. They told each other they loved each other and then Prim left.

The next few days were a haze. Katniss drifted in and out of consciousness, never really feeling like herself. She was convinced she was once again being kept in this distended state for a reason. Perhaps Coin didn't want her too aware of what was occurring around her.

When she was released from the hospital, she was taken to the President's Mansion to a private room. She wasn't given much detail about what was to follow. She hated being in the dark about what was happening in the Capitol. She knew the rebels had won but that was it. Coin was most certainly going to be the new President of Panem…or whatever they were going to call it now.

She walked to the door to see if she could find someone to give her answers, only to find it locked. Great, now she was a prisoner too. Coin was probably still contemplating what to do with her. She then walked to her window to see if she could find some clues from the scene outside. Her room faced out of the front of the building, providing a view from the main square. She was surprised to see it restored to its previous grandeur. You couldn't even tell that bombs and gunfire had rained down just days ago. Banners with Coin's face hung from the buildings and a stage was being constructed in front of the stairs to the Mansion. It seemed as if a celebration was in order.

Katniss then thought about what would become of President Snow. She wondered if Coin would keep her promise and let her to be the one to send an arrow straight through his heart. Perhaps that would happen on the very stage below her. Katniss heard the lock to the door click open. She quickly ran to her bed and assumed her previous position beneath the covers.

"Soldier Everdeen, you are to come with us immediately." the District 13 guard said to her. She laid there motionless, her back turned to the guard.

"That's an order." the guard said. She still refused to move. She heard the stomps of the guard's boots as he made his way to her side of the bed. He took the butt of his machine gun and hit her right in the stomach. "To your feet, now!" he shouted. She rolled off the mattress, rubbing where he hit her. She glared at him as she passed by him, heading towards the door. Another guard was waiting for her. She was led down a hallway, to a boardroom with wood paneling. Only Haymitch occupied the room, at the head of the table. His face looked stern. His brow was furrowed and his lips were pursed. He was definitely sober. Bad news was sure to follow. She sat in a chair close to him and noticed a small stack of papers sitting in front of him.

"Why am I here?" she asked.

"To go over the terms." he said gruffly.

"What terms?"

"The terms of your contract." he said with anger in his eyes.

"What contract?" she asked more confused than ever. He picked up a packet of paper and threw it in front of her. She brought her hand to her mouth as she saw the legal document. She sat in silence, unsure of what to say.

"You look a little pale, sweetheart. Maybe some fresh air would help with that." he said looking upward.

'The roof.' she thought to herself. She understood what Haymitch was doing. The room was most likely bugged and Coin herself could be listening in. Katniss nodded her head in understanding. The two stood up and walked to the door. Haymitch did the talking, telling the guards that Katniss needed some fresh air and some sunlight after being trapped in that hospital for so long. Permission was granted but the guards stood by the entrance to the roof so they couldn't get away. Katniss picked up a small pebble from the rooftop garden and threw it off the edge of the building. It bounced back after hitting the invisible force field.

"Thinking about jumping?" Haymitch asked, slightly amused.

"Just curious." she replied. "So what are the terms?" Haymitch began reading the contract word for word but she stopped him. "Just tell me. I know you've read it and I can tell by the look on your face it's not good."

"You won't like it." Haymitch admitted.

"You telling me won't change the words on the paper." she replied.

"Ok, first, you are to stay in the Capitol and make public appearances whenever Coin sees fit." he said. Katniss leaned against the concrete ledge gripping on for support. Her freedom was being ripped away from her.

"And when do I get to return to District 12?" she asked.

"No plans have been made." Haymitch said.

"Prim…what happens to her?" she asked turning around to face him.

"I'm sure she can stay with you…seeing that you are now her guardian."

"What else is there?"

"You're required to give an interview at Coin's induction ceremony tomorrow night…talk about the infiltration of the Capitol from your point of view."

"Who's giving the interview?" she asked.

"Not sure."

"Tell her I'll only do it if it's Caesar Flickerman." she insisted. She'd wanted someone on her side, someone that wouldn't attack her or sway the story in a negative light.

"He's been arrested…taken to one of the prisons I'm sure." Haymitch said.

"Well then she better make arrangements soon." she said.

"You'll be happy to know that she's still going to let you kill Snow…as part of your agreement."

"That's a surprise."

"She figured you started this revolution. You might as well be the one to end it as well."

"Haymitch, she can't keep me here forever, can she?"

"I wouldn't hold your breath, sweetheart." he said with a grimace.

"I want to go home." she said quietly.

"I'll see what I can do…schedule a visit of something."

"What are you, my handler now?" she asked, her brows knitted close together.

"Could be in a lot worse hands." he said.

"No…I'm glad it's you…if it has to be this way. I know you'll fight for me." she said. He walked closer to her and gripped her shoulder with his hand.

"I'll always have your back, kid. That's what Victors do. We take care of each other." he said with determination. A beep sounded from his watch, indicating an alarm of some sort. "Our time is up. Time for me to meet with Mr. Odair."

"Let me come with you." she begged.

"No, this is supposed to be private."

"He's wouldn't mind if I was there."

"Not your call. These contracts are confidential." he said. "The guards will escort you back."

"At least arrange something afterwards. Send him to my room or something." she pleaded desperately. She needed someone to talk to, someone that would understand.

"I'll see what I can do." Haymitch said.

With that, Katniss left him, the guards making sure she got back to her room. She climbed into bed and just laid there, thinking about how this new information would affect her life. She felt trapped, unable to break free of the hold of the Capitol and those that controlled it. She felt so alone. She then thought about all the people she had lost in the past few days: Peeta, Johanna, her mother, and Gale. Gale. She'd do anything for him to walk through those doors right now.

Guilt spread through her as she thought about their last moments together. She left him in the hands of the Peacekeepers, not even trying to save him.

"This is ridiculous. He told me to run." she whispered, trying to defend her decision. It didn't erase the blame. She knew she was wrong to leave him. The old Katniss would never have left him. What was it about that moment that made her flee the scene? She cupped her hands over her face as the tears came, followed by the labored breaths.

"What have I done?" she gasped, the words barely breaking through the air. Panic spread through her. It was her fault he was not there. Oh, how she wished he was there at that moment. She needed to feel the warmth of his body as he held her. She wanted him to tell her that everything would be ok, that she would fulfill her duties and then be left alone to live the rest of her life in peace. Only he could make her actually believe that. He always took care of her, ever since they met that fateful day almost 6 years ago.

She continued to weep into her pillow, hoping the exhaustion that would come with it would knock her out. Sleep didn't come. Instead her mind raced, thinking of ways she could have saved them…all of them. She should have helped Peeta free Johanna's leg. Or she could have stopped him as he passed her, keeping him from closing the distance between him and the mutts. She could have at least saved him. That was no good though. Johanna still wouldn't have made it out.

She thought about ways to save her mother but there was absolutely nothing she could do. She had no idea her mother was even in the Capitol. She barely knew Prim was there…it could have only been a minute between when she saw Prim and when the second round of parachutes exploded.

She couldn't think of anything she could have done to save Gale…at least nothing practical. Instead, she laid there. She could feel herself shutting down again, just as she had after the first Games when she thought Gale to be dead. It was happening again. She would never see him again. She'd never get to stare into those intense gray eyes. She'll never experience the feeling of his lips on hers or the contours of his body as he lay next to her. She'll never hear him murmur sweet nothings to her before she falls asleep at night. She cried until no more tears would come. Then she just lay there, with an intense sadness taking over.

An hour later, she heard the door to her room click open. She didn't turn her body or even flinch. She was numb now, from everything. She could hear shoes treading on the stone floor, followed by the sound of someone fumbling them off. She felt the covers near her back lift and the bed shift as the person joined her. She didn't even have to look to see who it was. She knew it was Finnick just from the sound of him breathing. It's amazing how well she had gotten to know him in the 10 months since they met. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed his chest into her back. He placed his face in the space between her neck and shoulders. She closed her eyes and reveled in feeling of being held, the warmth of his body melting away her numbness. He pulled her even closer to him and let out an alarming croaking noise. She could feel the wetness of his tears against her skin. He was holding her too firmly for her to face him so she placed her arm on top of his and wove her fingers with his. She swept her thumb over the back of his hand, hoping the fluid motion would help soothe him.

Whatever it was that was making him so upset must have had to do with the contract. It couldn't have been that long since he had met with Haymitch. She had to know what Coin had said that that would make this strong, young man fall apart. She could tell that he wasn't ready to talk though, and she wasn't going to force it, so she let him hold onto her as she hummed a lullaby from District 12, hoping it would calm him down. Slowly, she could feel his muscles lose their stiffness. His crying ceased and his breathing was at a more even pace. It seemed as if she had calmed him so much that he drifted off, which was the point of a lullaby. It had even worked for her, for she could feel the lethargy creeping up. Sleep might be nice now and the new set of bad dreams that plagued her may stay away now that he was with her. She closed her eyes and let herself surrender to the exhaustion her body was experiencing.

Katniss woke to the whispering of her name. She let out a noise, letting him know her disapproval of him waking her. It took her a few minutes to fully wake herself. She then turned around, figuring his was ready to talk. Her eyes met his, which seemed to have lost that sparkle they most always had. She opened her mouth to start to talk but he placed his finger over his mouth, indicating for her to remain silent. He rolled onto his stomach and grabbed the remote that laid on the side table. He aimed it at the TV on the wall and turned up the volume enough to drown out their conversation so anyone listening wouldn't hear them. He laid down close to her, their faces just inches from each other's.

"What is she making you do?" Finnick asked.

"Stay here…continue to be the Mockingjay since so many people rely on me." she paused. "I just want to go home."

"We'll never go home." he said, his voice hopeless.

"She won't keeps us here…I won't let her." Katniss said refusing to accept his words.

"Will you just stop it? Don't you understand? We're trapped here!" he said shouting at her as he flung back the covers and stood from the bed. He walked over to the window, leaning against the frame. Katniss was baffled by this sudden outburst and also a little frightened. Finnick had never snapped at her like that. She climbed out of bed, quietly making her way to him. She didn't want to set him off again. She didn't like the Finnick she just saw. When she was near to him, she gently swirled her hand in counter clockwise circles on his back. She could hear his shortened breaths as he fought back the tears. She walked around him and nestled herself close to him.

"What is she making you do?" she whispered. Whatever it was, it had to be the reason for his behavior.

"Appointments." he said in a low voice. She pulled away from him and looked up in confusion.

"Why?" she demanded.

"She needs funding to rebuild." he said bluntly.

"There's no way that would put a dent in the budget she would need."

"Wrong. She showed me the projected numbers I could bring in. Turns out I'm more valuable than I thought." he said slipping a folded piece of paper from his pants. He passed it over to her. She quickly unfolded it and examined the paper, which included a lengthy list of sexual acts. Her mouth gaped as she read the list, surprised by available options. Some of the items she wasn't even familiar with but their high cost let her know that it couldn't be a common thing.

"She expects people to actually pay this?" she asked in shock.

"Dates have already been arranged…starting tomorrow night." he said upset.

"There has to be something we could do. No person should have to do this." she said shaking her head.

"I'm not a person…I'm a whore." he choked out.

"You're not." she said gently.

"Yes I am, Katniss. I have sex for money." he said leaning his forehead on her shoulder.

"No you aren't." she said stroking the hair on the back of his neck. He eased closer to her and wrapped his arms snuggly around her waist.

"Let's get some rest." she whispered before leading him towards her bed. She helped him get situated before joining him, laying on her side. He aimlessly stared off to space.

"Try to think of something happy." she said.

"Like what?" he asked, his gaze fixed.

"Sugar cubes." she said smiling weakly at him, hoping she might be able to cheer him up. His expression remained unchanged. "Finnick." she whispered, now worried. He closed his eyes, blocking her out as he inhaled and exhaled slowly.

"My life wasn't supposed to be like this." he murmured.

"What was it supposed to be like?" she asked, curious to hear more.

"Normal." he said in a comforting tone. She wondered what normal meant for the young man from District 4. After all, normal wasn't a very comforting thought for a girl from District 12. Normal for her was doing anything in your power to keep you and your family alive.

"What is normal like?" she asked.

"It's been so long, it's difficult to remember it all." he said, his eyes still closed. It had been almost 11 years since had won the Games at the young age of 14.

"Well, then tell me what you know." She remained silent as he tried to remember something…anything. She watched as the muscles in his face shift upward as a smile spread on his face.

"My little sister running into my room and waking me up early on Sunday mornings. Every Sunday." he said. "Riding the waves into shore using nothing but my body, talking with friends on the beach late at night while a fire kept us warm. I want that again…all of it."

"That does sound nice." Katniss remarked. It seemed like life was easier in District 4…and happier too. "Now let's get some rest."

Finnick turned on his side, moving his body closer to hers. He wrapped his arm around her waist. Maybe he wanted to feel her, to know he wasn't alone. Or maybe he was protecting her, making sure she couldn't be taken away during the night without him being woken to prevent it. She shut her eyes and surrendered to the darkness,

Katniss felt a jolt travel through her body as she woke up, waking her from her nightmare. The room was still dark and Finnick remained asleep. She couldn't help but notice the way their bodies were tangled together. She wondered how that had happened. She blushed when she thought about someone walking in on them like this, even though they were only friends. She then thought back to her mom's accusations about them being more than friends and how much she warned her about what could happen if they spent time together. With Gale now gone, she thought about what might happen between them. She wondered if she could ever feel the way she did about Gale with him and if Finnick would ever feel that way about her. She shook her head at the thought. She loved Gale. She'll always love him, even if he was gone.

Her eyes teared up again, as they always did when she thought about how he wasn't here anymore. She pressed her face into Finnick's chest, letting his shirt soak up her tears. She felt his hand moved down her hair as he held her close. She wasn't sure if she had waken him or if he had never really been sleeping.

"What is it?" he murmured.

"Gale." she said. He remained quiet for a few seconds, unsure of what to say. She then felt the warmth of his body leave her as he untangled himself from her.

"Sit up." he instructed her. She did as he said.

"He could still be alive you know."

"Finnick, I saw them take him."

"But he was still alive…the last time you saw him."

"That was days ago. They could have done anything to him by now."

"Don't count him as dead…not yet. You know resilient he is. He could have gotten away." he said. He sounded almost angry with her that she would write Gale off so easily. Maybe he was hoping just as much as she was that Gale was not dead.

"Let's get some sleep. We'll talk about this more in the morning." Finnick said, lying back down. Katniss did the same, wondering what was left to talk about. She guessed she'd find out in the morning.


Finnick and Prim are alive! YAY!

Let me know what you thought about this chapter in the reviews. Also, you will find out Gale's fate next chapter.