A/N - Howdy all! Chapter 29 is HERE with only a day delay. I know I just posted on the Facebook page I would have it up like, really late but I ended up finishing early! Yay! Now, again, This Chapter didn't go quite as planned, not that I don't like it though. I have kind of been in a writers 'funk', not block, but funk this week. I still think the Chapter turned out pretty good but I wish and I know I could have done better. I'm excited to write the next though at where I left this one off... read and find out! ;)
I would like to thank Ephesians613, WeInHere, Firework7, Swifty22 and MadHatter0542 for reviewing Chapter 28! They mean SO much to me! I know I replied to alot of you personally, including Firework7 and MadHatter0542. WeInHere- Don't worry, The 'baby' Chapter is COMING and Katniss' emotions are going to run higher than ever and you'll figure out her nervous and unsettling nerves about the baby. I've had a plan from the beginning.. you'll have to wait and see ;). Ephesians613- Thank you so much for you kind review! You reviews (as well as all the others) bring such a smile to my face. But keep working if you don't think your a good writer! Go back to the 1st Chpt. of Finding The Time and than look at this Chapt.. you always start somewhere!
Anyways, Again, I like this Chapter it just isn't my favorite? I had a hard time imagining the Capitol some, even though it has been shown through the movie and described in the books... so feel free to let YOUR imagination run wild there for me;). Chapter 30 will REALLY begin to pick some time up, I'm going to wrap the Capitol visit up pretty quickly but still give you all a hefty dose of it and than... BABY! I'm not saying if she's going to have it, I think that will be Chapter 31 as it looks right now, but I mean preparing for the baby big time! Anyway, Chapter 30 will be up like our normal schedule.. SATURDAY OR SUNDAY(Most likely Sunday honestly as I will be at Disney World that friday night late). PLEASE feel free to review this Chapter, tell me what you think as I did not think I did very well:(((((. Reviews mean alot not just to me, but to ANY person who writes, they keep me going... BELIEVE ME, THEY DO! Tell me what you think of the ending? Anywho, It's a long one again (WOOHOO!). Happy reading everyone and much love - Macayla
I unofficially call this chapter: "Shaking Hands".
I'm startled awake in the middle of the night by the same nightmare I have been having for the past three nights since our visit with Principle Maddox.
Prim. Being tortured in the Capitol while I'm forced to watch. But it's odd. My baby is in it, being indeed just a newborn baby. It's the same in every nightmare. I lie there, with my legs spread open wide, sweat and tears on my face with Prim being drowned in the background, the vision of my baby being stabbed over and over by brightly colored Capitol people.
I begin to cry but I do my best to quiet my sobs in hopes of not waking the slumbering Gale next to me. He doesn't move, so I assume it's working. However, the baby does move… reminding me of the vision of him being stabbed, blood gushing from his little chest. I rub my hand over my belly, not thinking of the vision that best I can while I wipe the tears on my face with my other hand. The rubbing does nothing to sooth the kicking and I'm near a mental breakdown. I sit up (however I'm already are, since the bump has got in the way of my comfort), slowly easing the blanket off of me and swinging my legs on the ground. I hold the bottom of my large belly as I begin to pad to the stairs, but before my free hand touches the rail-
"Katniss?" I hear Gale's groggy voice. "What's wrong? What do you need?" He asks me, squinting through the dimly lit room.
"I'm fine." I lie. "Just getting some water." I lie yet again. My destination wasn't… isn't the kitchen. It's the Nursery.
"Lie back down, I'll bring it to you." He replies, getting up himself.
I instantly huff in protest, louder then I intended to it be. He stops just before he's before me, eyebrows ceased.
"Did you want to do it yourself?" He asks me, a bit coldly and harsh for doing nothing to him.
"No." I reply sheepishly, barley even a whisper. I hang my head low and the sight before Gale of me must look pathetic.
I obey what he says though when he doesn't reply to me, determined to not let me go downstairs, wanting me to continue resting. The baby still kicks violently. Right before Gale starts down the stairs, and I'm halfway to the bed, he says-
"I know something's bothering you. We'll talk when I get back."
And with that he's down the stairs. I'm yet again an open book to Gale, which isn't completely a 'downer' but it is in this case… to me. It's not that I don't want to tell Gale of this nightmare, of this newfound fear of bringing not just my sister to the Capitol but our child, I honestly do but I don't want to ruin this small excitement he has for this trip. Gale hasn't stopped talking about it since it was official that we were going a few days ago. He's literally excited for it and I don't really know why? Sometimes I think maybe he was meant to live in the Capitol, among those people but than I don't. Gale hates and disagrees with the games just as much as I do. But that's what shocks me, that he's so excited to visit there?
Gale comes back up quickly as I just began to get the most comfortable I can. The bump has finally consumed me to my near breaking point. I can't sleep without every damn pillow in the house behind my back, forcing me in more of an upright position than a laying down one. Gale hands me the small glass of water, giving me a sleeping pill which I almost don't accept. I take it though, forcing myself to drink the water as I really wasn't thirsty.
"Talk, Katniss." He takes me, taking a seat next to me on the bed, not his sleeping side though. He eyes my protruding belly.
"There's nothing to talk about." I say, still in hopes of not crushing his excitement.
"You're lying and I know it. About the water too." He speaks, taking the glass from my hand even though I wasn't offering back to him. "Please, Katniss. I hate when you bubble your emotions inside of you like this and not talk to me." He says, surprisingly calm for the look of anger written across his face.
I feel myself tense up, unsure of what to do at this moment. Do I tell Gale about this fear and the nightmare, in hopes it won't change his happy spirit about the trip? Or do I hold it in, for the sake of peace (for him)?
"Gale…" I begin, not knowing my next words as I reach out, rubbing his arm lightly. "I just want to go back to sleep." I pause for a second. "Please."
I fall back sleep that night, listening to the screams of Prim and the painful wails of my child.
XX
"Don't forget to pack everything you'll need." Gale tells me the next morning, as we begin packing for the trip.
Prim was overly excited the other day when we told her Gale and I would be coming, she said she told her friends that we are coming, they responded 'Cool'. I dread this very moment (thankfully Mrs. Mildred is teaching the students for me for the week, keeping me somewhat sane), packing in my mothers old, rusted, light blue suitcase she used to move her few belongs when she married my father. She only packed her clothes in this as she took the move from the Town to the Seam nearly eighteen years ago. The sound of clanking pots downstairs remind me she's here, making breakfast for Gale and I as we pack. Gale's using his father's old suitcase, a large, black, rusted thing… twice the size of mine. I end up squeezing several outfits of my pregnancy clothes in there, throwing a few extra things into Gale's since he has room left. I'm attempting at closing the old, completely rusted snaps on my mothers suitcase when Gale speaks again, being revelatory quiet this morning-
"Katniss?" He says.
"Hmm?" I reply simply, almost sing-song.
He walks around the bed to where I stand and I realize my hands are shaking, badly. He takes them into his own, my gaze falling heavy on his.
"You're scared." Gale says, more of a sentence than asking me. I pull my hands back immediately, nearly hitting my bump with the rapid speed.
"I am not!" I snap back sarcastically, but I'm yet again lying. Yes, I'm scared of taking the three people I love the most, my husband my sister and yes, my baby to the Capitol.
"That's what you wouldn't tell me last night." He speaks, ignoring my comment. "Katniss, I thought we had a better relationship than this. You know you can talk to me, Katniss. About anything!" Hurt and pain clearly show in his tone and to be honest to myself, I don't blame him.
"I wasn't keeping this from you, Gale-"
"Yes you were… are!" He shouts, cutting me off. I feel guilt and I hate it.
"For your own good." I reply simply, avoiding eye contact.
"For my own good, Katniss? Really?" He questions, speaking so coldly. "How, Katniss? How?"
I finally stop staring at the floor and allow my eyes to travel upward, staring into Gale's eyes. They reflect so much pain and hurt, so much that I'm not sure if I've ever seen this on Gale like it is right now. I step forward a bit, sideways in a way so the bump doesn't get in the way, and place my hands on his chest.
"Gale, my whole goal in this is to keep you happy. I love you, and I don't want to see you hurting from my own pain." I say, nearly falling with shock and my own words that I didn't even know existed.
"But that's the point of marriage, Katniss. Were here for each other, no matter how painful or hurting it is for the other. I'm always here for you." He speaks, leaning down and giving me a light kiss.
The what was still baby gives me the tiniest of kicks, noting that he's awake now at my new founded, somewhat peace about the situation and knowing Gale isn't holding this against me. Gale felt the kick though, my bump being pressed against his body some. The kick makes him draw back from the kiss, far to soon for my liking but his grin makes up for it. He bends down, getting his face even with it.
"I'm always here for you too, little one."
XX
I rub my shaking hand across the backside of the gold, metal hand mirror my father gave to me, on my fifth birthday. It resides on my dresser, like always. I pick it up, allowing the vision of my face to come into view. I do this only every so often, being that this mirror holds so many painful memories of my father. The vision has changed over the years, changed drastically. What use to be the little, small, frail girl, taking a peek at herself dressed as a princess, her father smiling in the background, changed to bit of an older girl, making stupid, silly faces into it with her father, never wishing for anyone to see her do it, than changed into a broken, hurting, crying, lost young girl, missing the sight of those silly faces but most of all, missing the sight of her father, but than changed into a very young woman, with hopes. Hopes for a better tomorrow, a better life for the remaining of her family. But certainly one of the most shocking visions I've ever seen through this mirror is the one now. The vision of an older, younger woman, face filled out more from the effects of pregnancy, small, barley noticeable bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. I'm not sure why I decided to spend this quiet, peaceful moment I currently have before we depart for the Capitol in just an hour, to spend it wishing my father was here, reflecting on his memories that this mirror holds for me. Maybe it's the reason that my father always had a way about him, being able to calm my fears when I was younger. To the time I scraped my knee while riding the old rusted bike he brought home, to the time I shot my first bow, piercing my finger all the way through with the head of the arrow. I miss those soothing, calming voice he would use-
"It's okay, darling. A scrape never hurts a beautiful soul."
I find myself holding in tears as I move from the dresser, the mirror in hand as I seek out my suitcase, easing the mirror into it, snapping the snaps back into place quietly. The only wish I wish I could have right now would be for my father to say everything is going to be okay, this Capitol trip will be nothing. But he isn't here, he isn't saying this to me.
I shake my head of my oh so heavy thoughts and proceed with changing into my pajamas and into my clothes that I'll be traveling in all day. I decide on, of course, my most comfortable pregnancy jeans and a white tank top, throwing a dark blue jacket over it. I'm unable to fasten all the buttons and I settle with just fastening the one right above my belly. The baby gives me a quick kick in either protest or liking. But this is the child's most peaceful part of the day, in the early, barley lit morning. Therefore, it's my favorite part of the day. If only I didn't have this fear I could enjoy it right now, the beautiful, almost cold breeze blowing my hair through the opened window. I'm braiding it though when Gale comes up the stairs-
"Are you almost ready?" He asks me, stepping behind me and wrapping his arms around my still growing waist.
"Yes, I need help with my boots though." I respond, tying my braid off with the rubber band I always use.
Several minutes later my dark brown, leather boots are on me, both with help from Gale and Prim this time. My mother has joined us, insisting she sees us off as we depart. We grab out suitcases (Prim declared she had to pack two) and we start the walk to the Train Station. It gets rare use, only either one when the Capitol sends shipments of whatever they feel like being generous to us or two, when of course, they have a new shipment of children to be slaughtered, aka, Tributes. My breathing picks up heavily enough to where I stop and I'm forced to lean against Gale for support. Gale of course starts to panic just a little but I'm forced to calm him too.
"I'm fine, Gale. Just winded, that's all." It's true… even though it's not all of the truth.
A minute later we continue our walk, coming quickly up on the Station. It's an old, wooden building with of course, the main train track in the back. The inside is close though, although it didn't always use to be. Before the Dark Days, when traveling was permitted without permission (like now), there use to be a man or woman, standing behind a desk in there, giving the people their tickets and times for their trains and when they depart. At least… That's what they taught us in school. Now though the two wooden doors are plastered with 'Do Not Enter' signs and 'Trespassing Is Punishable By Death.'. Although people don't listen, I'm almost certain a few homeless people most likely live in there. We walk around to the back, like everyone else where a large over hang hangs from the building but stops before it reaches the track. We are not the only people here, nearly all of the two dozen or so children have already gathered. Saying their quiet goodbyes to their parents and grandparents. A middle aged father with his young son give up their bench for me. I smile politely as I take a seat, thankful that they were willing to do so. The man smiles back, noticing Prim who takes the seat beside me-
"Is she your daughter?" He asks me but someone nearly cuts him off-
"Ewe! Dad, she's my music teacher!" The little boy pipes up, making a scowling face.
A vision of him strikes me, the day he gave up his seat in Music class for a girl who had a broken leg. He couldn't be more like his father, in looks too. His light brown hair matches his fathers identical and his bright blue eyes too. Clearly Merchant people. I hear Gale laugh from the boys comment.
"I'm her mother." My mother speaks, stepping out from behind Gale. I had almost forgotten she was there.
"The healer." The father speaks, extending a hand to my mother. "Dawson." He introduces himself.
My mother introduces herself, despite that he already knows, shaking his hand politely.
"Looks like Homer's going to be our new brother." Prim leans in and whispers to me. I assume that's the boys name and it would make sense that Prim knows, looking to be in the same year. I can't help the laugh that escapes me.
"What?" My mother says, both her and the man eyeing us intently. I see Gale step off a few paces, no doubt laughing.
"Nothing." Prim and I say in complete unison. Now I can hear Gale's laugh, despite the several feet distance. The boy mummers something that only makes Gale laugh more-
"Girl's are weird."
XX
We Wait. Prim on one side of me(with Homer on her other) and Gale on my other. We sit on the bench, waiting for the delayed train to come. The station is alive with people, including my mother and Dawson off to the side, still talking. I try to refrain from thinking like Prim right now and focus on the surprisingly still baby this morning and the smell of burning wood. After a few minutes pass we realize the train is nearly an hour late. Right as Gale goes to try to find out information, Principle Maddox walks over to us, frenzy and panic written across her face.
"It's Airgusta. They did this last time." She speaks, frantically tapping on something she holds.
"What?"
"What do you mean?" Both Gale and I speak at the same time. She looks up from the device finally and at us.
"Airgusta." She says like were dumb. "A group of school kids from seven visited the Capitol last month and they did this same thing." She answers, going pack to frantically tapping away at the strange, bright green device. It makes odd beeping sounds.
"What 'thing'?" Gale questions, stealing it from my own mouth. She looks up again, huffing.
"Putting threats under the train station in the Capitol." She answers.
Instantly I feel myself tense up, being that I feel like my fear is coming true. She comes to my rescue, somewhat-
"Don't worry, Katniss. They did this to the children in seven and they were perfectly safe. We just of course, have to put safety first. But please, Katniss, trust me this one time." She speaks winded.
Even though I don't, and have never cared or liked Principle Maddox, I seem to find just an ounce of assurance from her. But do I trust her? No, I will never trust her.
The very next second, after her words, the ground begins to shake… just slightly and the sound of a loud but distant roar/whistle rings through the air.
"Katniss, it will be okay." I hear Gale whisper to me. I was unaware that I was clutching his hand so tightly.
"About damn time!" Principle Maddox shouts in anger, staggering off to where the train will soon be, standing over it to get a better look at the approaching train.
Children begin to pick up their bags and suitcases, parents folding their children into long, over drawn out hugs and kisses on the cheeks. Gale begins to pick up our bags and so does Prim and Homer. The kid seems to be sticking around with us but I don't mind, he seems to know Prim pretty well.
"Come on! Come on!" Principle Maddox shouts just as the train is beginning to come into the station. It's surprisingly quiet for just being loud not even a minute ago. It comes in, slow and steady. It's grey, metal surface acts as a mirror. It's pointed down at the front, like a sideways cone and has a large, completely blacked out window to which I assume the conductor looks out. It has windows lining every cart that is attached. It's looks exactly like the train they collect the Tributes on but not quit.
"Line up!" Principle Maddox shouts, all of the children begin to but the people like Gale and I don't.
I begin to look at the line of the two dozen or so children. Prim told me they added a few new people to the trip since the last meeting I was at. And they have indeed. Most of the children are still all around Prim's age but I take note to two little children, maybe around six or seven and a few older kids, around my age. I look into their faces, trying to see if I know them. All the children before me look familiar of course, but only none of them sticks out besides Prim and Homer. I can't see a few others though.
"You guys too!" Principle Maddox shouts at us, indicating to Gale and I and the few other teachers that are coming along.
"Enjoy this, Katniss." My mother speaks quickly. "You need to spend this time with Gale before the baby comes and the mines reopen next month." She wraps her arms around me, the best she can. "I love you, baby girl. Take care of your sister…"
I almost feel myself scowling at her last words. Who was the one that's been taking care of her for the past five, six years? It was me, not her.
"… like you always do." She adds quickly, no doubt realizing my hesitation with both returning the hug and words.
I return the hug but no words.
We pull away from our embrace and Gale shares one with my mother, meanwhile Dawson has asked me to look after his son.
"… He…" The man hesitates for a second. "… he's a little nervous about this whole thing. But he'd not admit it to anyone but me. Just keep an eye out on him, if you would please." He speaks, winking.
"Of course." I speak, honestly.
A few minutes later Gale and I find ourselves at the back of the line with the other children. A brightly colored Capitol man stands at the train entrance, assisting the children with the small stairs. Gale has our suitcases in each of his hands and I begin to feel the baby waking more. I can admit that I'm a little nervous, with traveling and being twenty eight weeks pregnant and just entering my third and final trimester, but my mother said I would be fine. My pregnancy is healthy and I shouldn't have him prematurely. My only new symptom is my weird and strange urge to move or kick my legs when I sleep or relax…? The baby begins to kick fast and hard as I think all this.
"Ladies first."
I snap out of my temporary haze to find a boy about my age standing in front of me, letting me board the train before him. I know immediately who this boy is. The way his messy blond hair falls around his forehead and the bright, piercing blue eyes staring back at me.
Peeta Mellark.
In a split second the image of him throwing the bread to me, the sight of him the next morning on the playground, the bit of hope this boy delivered to me. He most likely doesn't remember it I'm sure, he probably doesn't even know who I am, besides the Music Teacher and the girl he occasionally runs in to. I watch now has he eyes my large bump intently, smiling just slightly.
"T… thank you." I only stutter for a second as I reach my hand out to the small rail. It takes both Gale and this bright, colored Capitol man to help me up the stairs, but I get up them pretty fast.
The sight before me isn't what I quite expected as I move to board the train more. I'm now sure what I expected though. Maybe something just a little more lavish for the Capitol. The train however, is lavish, compared to most things here in twelve. I move out of the entrance cabin and into the second one where rows of brightly colored red seats line the extremely long cabin. It has three rows, two on each side by the windows and one in the middle of the cabin. Each row has three chairs contacted to each other. The cabin is already buzzing and nearly halfway full with excited children. All talking and trading seats with each other loudly. I frantically search for Prim and find her sitting with Homer and another dark haired girl by the window, a wide smile written across her face. When she see's us, she waves Gale and I over.
"Come sit with us!" She says giddy. It's been a long time since I've seen Prim this excited.
Gale and I do as she says, taking the row in front of her and her friends. Their laughing and giggling soon ignore me as we wait for the train to depart and the remaining few stragglers to board.
"How long will it be to the Capit-" Just as I'm asking Gale how much time it will take to arrive in the Capitol, a charm sound echoes and a cracking sound appears.
"Good morning, passengers…" The voice comes from the tall roof. "Our next stop is District 10. That should take around three hours. Than we will be off to the Capitol. Thank you." And the charm sound comes on once more.
"District 10?" I look to Gale, knowing this wasn't anything that Principle Maddox told us.
"It will be okay. Probably just dropping off a shipment of something." He says, resting his head on my shoulder and yawning.
"Yeah." Is on the only words I can find, I believe Gale is right though.
Only a minute later the train engines begin to fire up, just as Principle Maddox takes the seat closest to us in the middle aisle, and just as we hear that, we begin to move. Very slowly at first. I watch through my window I am by as the train station begins to leave my view. The sight of parents waving to their children. I spot my own mother, still standing with Homer's father as she wears a large smile, waving to us proudly.
After that, we pick some speed as District 12 begins to whiz by us now. I can spot the Hob in the old, abandoned warehouse, the Justice Building and finally, the Mines that have large cranes and construction crew working to reopen them. I begin to feel as though I'm trapped. Being escorted to the games, my baby kicking away inside of me. The sound of Prim's laughter behind me soon sounds like screams, drowning, watery screams that appear in my nightmares. I try to refrain from thinking and listening to it but I can't. It's like a video, being replayed over and over again in my head. The volume turned all the way up. As we exit District 12, passing the large opening in the fence and I nearly scream myself, matching Prim's. I shove the sleeping Gale off of my shoulders.
"Gale I can't do this! I don't want to go!" I say, tears beginning to pool down my cheeks.
For the first time in a while I see Gale out of words, he knows what I'm talking about, for the most part. Maybe by the straight look on his face he's just as scared as I am? I'm not sure but he folds me into his arms, letting me sob into his shirt as he rubs my back.
Soon darkness plunges me. I'm not sure if I'm sleep or dead.
But I don't care.
XX
"Hey, wake up."
I hear through my darkness. Maybe I'm not dead? Maybe I am though? The violent kick I finally feel in my stomach is what does me in. My eyes fly open, dark green material obstructing my view. My head is still buried into Gale's shirt and I feel both of his arms still wrapped around me, his hands resting on my bump. I'm not sure how long I've been out, but by the surprisingly quiet cabin full of children, I'm sure a few hours.
"Hey." Gale says to me as I lift my head up, allowing his lips to touch mine gently. "Nice nap?" He asks calmly, tip toeing around to see if I'm still upset. I am.
"I guess." I choke out, my voice heavy with sleep.
"We'll be in ten in a few minutes, I thought you would want to see." He speaks, lowing his lips to mine in a quick kiss.
Gale thought wrong. I don't want to see how much of a low life the other Districts share with us in twelve. I sit up though, forcing myself to look sane as I see one of the youngest children eyeing me from the row beside us. I turn to the window a little bit, causing Gale to withdraw one of his hands from my belly, the other one stays tightly on it though.
"She's been asleep. Since you fell asleep and all." Gale says to me as I watch the view of large fields with people working on the knees in. District 11. Agriculture. I'm not sure how to respond, so Gale picks up on the silence. "I think she likes it, when your calm. She was kicking hard, before you fell asleep, or right as you did."
I nod my head to let Gale know I heard him, although I'm lost with any type of answer or comment. 'Cool' would sound like I don't care. But do I care? Yes. The answer comes overly easily to me and I begin to think that I may have already developed the best motherly instincts that I can conquer up. I do honestly care about my child, more than I knew myself. I only have three months to go and that scares me.
I don't turn my body but I turn my head to Gale, resting my hand on top of his that rest nicely on my round belly and I send a warm, welcoming, continent smile at Gale and of course, he returns it, kissing my forehead. I start to nervously shake as I turn my attention back to the window, letting the soft, light movements of my child actually (and to my utter, complete surprise) calm me of sorts. But I feel myself slip when I see little children, no older than five or six, being yelled out for watching our train pass through and not working on the crops in front of them. Gale picks up on this and begins talking about our baby. It calms me.
It works for now.
XX
"I told you I was right."
I hear from the millionth and one time from Gale beside me. I rest my head back on the seat, arms crossed above my belly and eyes closed.
"I told you I was right. Just admit it." He says softly, a grin evident in his voice, even with my eyes closed tightly.
"Gale I swear-" I say through gritted teeth.
When we arrived in District 10, half an hour ago Gale was right. It was to drop off a shipment of boxes, although I'm not sure what was in them. But either way, Gale was right when he told me not to worry about it. Me, being my stubborn self didn't listen and continued to be frightened. But now… he's not letting me live this down that for once I was wrong and he was right.
"I'm just making a point." He jokes, no doubt bugging the adult teachers sitting in the row in front of us with his constant nagging about the topic.
A few hours of pure silence go by and after a short lunch from the train (of roasted nuts and grains), I begin to feel myself slip with sleep, both from the rocking of the train and the complete, soft hush that has over come the cabin. I'm almost there when-
"I told you I was right." Is spoken loud in my ear from Gale, scaring me badly and causing me to jump.
"Damn it, Gale!" I shout, shooting up in a more sitting position. The pure look of success and the sound of his 'cracking-up' laughter makes me furious. "You scared the shit out me!" I shout again, loud enough that I hear both Prim and her friends laughter from behind us and the stern look from Principle Maddox a few rows over.
My remark only makes Gale laugh harder, leaning over on the empty chair next to him and letting every ounce of laughter out. Minutes go by and I wonder if he's ever going to stop laughing. I would nearly find myself laughing, finding it amusing that he has managed to make nearly all the children in the cabin begin laughing, at him, if it wasn't for the announcement that comes from the speaker in the roof-
"Welcome to the Capitol."
XX
The mans voice from the roof causes us all to hush. After his words, all the children scramble to their windows, even getting up from their seats to look out the windows of the empty rows. I find myself swallowing hard and loudly as I slowly begin to turn my gaze to the window. Nervous enough that the baby begins to kick, violently at my unsettling nerves. Maybe I expected to see decapitated children, blood, President Snow tying a noose around a child's head out my window. But I find none. Instead a large water basin or lake like below the tracks. The large city and mountains in the distance where the track curves to follow.
I feel as though I'm in another life, where I've been reaped. I'm not married to Gale. I'm not pregnant. Prim is only eleven and its her first reaping. Things don't go right… and I end up in the games. But it's not real.
Not real.
The city is overly large as I turn my attention back to it, trying to focus off of the negative, although everything in Panem is negative. The buildings are large though, stretching far into the sky. They remind of the tall oak and pine trees that grow in the woods back home. But these aren't my woods and this isn't home. Tall mountains are set in the very far background of the city, missing the usual green color our mountains are home produce. Instead the mountains are dark browns and almost white and grey are certain parts. The city grows bigger and bigger as we approach more, but suddenly the windows go black, causing the cabin to go dark. Not complete, but a little. Everyone looks around… confused.
"Just the tunnel to get to the station." Principle Maddox informs loudly so we can all here.
Not a minute later the what was black windows turn to solid white, only for a few seconds before it turns into a roaring crowd of people, being hustled and bustled with their daily activities and waiting for their trains.
These aren't the people that I know. These are those freakishly dressed Capitol people, only stopping and looking for a second to see our train roll in. Their not like the Capitol Crowds they show on the television during the games, these people care less about us right now. Were not here to entertain them.
And that though relieves me some.
Some wear tight scowls, others rolls their eyes, do doubt a bit upset that the low-life District 12 children are coming to the high-class and mannered Capitol.
Our train whistles loudly as it begins to slow on the rails, coming to a quick stop. Some of the Capitol people hang around, to see us when we get off but most just carry own, mouthing to the people next to them. After the voice tells us from the roof that it's safe to depart the train, we all stand and begin gathering our bags. Several and most of the children are giddy with excitement, including both Prim and Homer but a few of them, including the two or three youngest ones wear straight faces, ignoring the soothing voices of the teachers helping. I feel guiltily as Gale, Prim, Homer and I make our way down the aisle, passing a little six or seven year old girl near the brink of crying.
"I miss my mommy." I hear the girl say as we pass. Gale keeps a steady hand on my back, forcing me to walk forward.
We depart the train, the grey and white, tall train station making me slightly dizzy with the tall roofs and the busy crowds of brightly colored people, talking in their high accents that make me sick. Once all the children have exited the train, Principle Maddox, with a few Capitol Peacekeeper's, lead us to a building that is attached to the station. Gale and I follow behind Prim and Homer toward the back of the group. The large, glass doors that we come up on lead us to a large lobby like that is air conditioned, something I've never had back home. The ceiling must be ten stories high and hallways line the walls. In the middle of this 'lobby' is several different seating areas, accompanied by soft looking couches and chairs. A large fireplace is in one corner, a warm fire lit inside. The place amazes me with the large, glass and crystal chandeliers hanging from the tall ceilings. So unlike home. We are all shoveled into this area searing area by several Peacekeeper's. We wait. And wait. And wait. Meanwhile my shaking resumes and I find myself wondering just how fast my heart is truly beating at this moment. The baby begins kicking violently again, sensing my unease.
Those brightly colored people come in and out of this place, scowling as we sit on their nice, velvet couches in our dirty, coal infested clothes. I begin to realize this is a hotel, the way they carry their luggage just like us.
A few minutes later Principle Maddox returns, giving the rooming assignments. All the rooms are on the second floor, Gale and I to ourselves. Once were in the rooms, I notice how small, simple and not… Capitol looking they are. The small bathroom, small closet and large bed reminds me nothing of the Capitol. The colors are still bright but not eye popping. The dark blues and wood colors remind me far to much of home and not reflecting this evil place. Gale informs me this is old for the Capitol, being that they haven't updated it in some time. But I don't ask how he knows that.
Gale sets are bags down on the large, odd shaped chair in the corner of the room as I survey are surroundings. The woodsy colors and vibe comfort me to a level I didn't think I would be able to find being here, but I still find myself shaking and not hearing Gale-
"Katniss?" He shouts, trying to get my fazed attention.
"Hmm?" I reply quietly, looking around the room still.
"Don't be nervous." He tells me soft, wrapping his arms around me the best he can, burying his head in my neck. "It's only three days, Katniss." He adds.
I repeat those words to myself.
Only three days.
XX
Some things in life amaze me.
Like time.
At certain events in life it can seem to drag on so slowly, amidst when you find yourself in some kind of life trial or dangerous, life altering event. But other times it can seem to fly, like the witness of a child growing older and older, like Prim did before my eyes, or when your excited about something and than is passes so quickly. Maybe I expected this Capitol visit to be one of the two, but I find it not… although I'm not sure how that is possible.
I slept surprisingly well that night, minus my back ache from the baby and a new, non-use-to-it soft bed. The baby barley kicked though, liking the new bed.
We wake early the next morning, ushered to eat a small breakfast of toast and jam from the hotel cafeteria. I'm not sure what I anticipated being fed on this trip, maybe something a little bit more filling? We are in the Capitol, but they don't be generous like I thought they might be. But were from District 12, we don't complain. I keep a careful eye on Prim, who sits with her friends, while we eat this small breakfast in the small cafeteria in the hotel. The nice peaceful, woodsy, claming colors have been completely erased here, no doubt reminding us all we are in the Capitol. The odd and colored tables and chairs, the bright wall window looking over the city, the brightly colored people serving us and the few other guests.
Gale and I sit at the end of one table, sitting closely to another couple, no doubt Capitol people by the way the woman's brightly colored, green wig sticks up and the mans bright orange mustache. She looks to me, eyeing the raise on my abdomen, then back to the man in front of her, talking quietly in her annoying Capitol accent-
"I don't know why people so low as them would want to have children!" I hear her whisper, I'm confused at that she knows I can hear or if she really thinks I can't. "I would be mortified living in that scum bag twelve and having to raise a child there."
The man laughs, shaking his head in agreement.
"Don't people in the Districts know about birth control?" I hear her joke but somehow be serious at the same time.
I find myself mentally scratching my chin and looking to Gale, he seems oblivious to the conversation, laughing as he watches Homer stuff his toast into his mouth, and I ask myself why would someone, from the Capitol, be so upset about us having children? It's our children that give them their entertainment? Maybe she's one of the few that doesn't care for the games. I nearly laugh at my own words and I feel instantly dumb. It's because, us, our children, don't grow up with food and high end clothing at our fingertips. I shake my head but zone back into their conversation as I hear the man laugh again and the woman continue-
"I would be mortified!" Her accent getting even higher. "She should be so ashamed with herself! Letting her own blustering sexual needs cause so much hurt to come for that poor, poor child in her!"
With that I instantly push my chair out from underneath me, hearing gasps from the children and others. I'm close enough that I don't have to move much to be within inches of her. I only turn her way, letting the tears fall before I can stop them.
What I do next is out of my control. . . . .
Chapter 30 Preview: What will Katniss say and/or do to this Capitol woman? Will she regret snapping or will the womans words sting far too much? How will the rest of the Capitol visit go, when something unexpected arises, will Katniss remain calm or be forced into yet more hardship, straining emotion? How will Mrs. Everdeen deal with the emotionally distressed Katniss as she returns from the Capitol and trying to prepare her daughter for the challenge of delivering her baby? How will Katniss feel as Gale returns to the Mines and she begins to feel distant from her Husband? Katniss is a master of unexpected occurences, but what will happen when Katniss figures out that 'soon' can sometimes be sooner than planned? Nothing goes quite as planned for the Hawthornes and Everdeens, Find it all out Sunday!
UPDATE 9-8-13 - Chapter 30 will NOT be up today, Sunday but INSTEAD either this TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY! Sorry for the delay!
REMINDER: My Chapter Previews are only rough drafts/outlines of what I think/believe the next Chapter will hold. I never know until I write.
