What better time to post a new chapter than on Katniss' birthday! I'm a bit nervous, but also excited for this one. As always, THANK YOU for reading and commenting... I love the enthusiasm! :)

This is my first shot at a FanFiction. I DO NOT own the Hunger Games Series. Some lines taken directly from Suzanne Collins' books.

I haven't read many FanFictions either so any theme resemblance to other Hunger Games FanFiction is entirely coincidental.

Chapter 36:

Just as suddenly as I was filled with hope, my heart plummets and an overwhelming wave of disappointment crashes over me. It's just Haymitch. Peeta must have realized who it was too because his posture has relaxed considerably.

As Haymitch approaches, I can feel the old anger and annoyance at him from months ago resurface.

"I thought I might find you two here," he says once he is close enough. "Why do you look so surprised? Who were you expecting?" No sooner does Haymitch ask then he realizes who we thought was walking towards us. "Oh. Sorry."

"I didn't expect to see you out and about, especially considering tomorrow and all." I cross my arms over my chest, trying to move on from my disappointment.

"Well here I am Sweetheart, and for once I think you are actually going to want to hear what I have to say."

"I find that unlikely," I snap.

"Come on Katniss, let's just hear him out," Peeta indicates towards Haymitch.

"Thank you," Haymitch replies pointedly. I don't like the two of them teaming up.

"Okay, what?" it takes every ounce of strength I can muster to not roll my eyes and appear interested in what Haymitch has to say. "Have you miraculously found a way to stop the games?"

"Look kid, if I could stop the games right now I would. But I can't, especially not by myself. That may be the one good thing about being shipped off to the Capitol- the other victors will be there and I know for a fact that they are all mad about going back into the arena."

I knew it was pointless to listen to him. I open my mouth to retort, but he silences me with the lift of a finger and continues to speak, "You need to embrace then inevitability of our situation: there will be a reaping tomorrow and there will be a Games. You should know however that this won't be like all the other ones, the victors will try to do everything they can to disrupt the games. They won't go down without a fight."

"They're through with being used," Peeta says understanding what Haymitch means. "If they have to go in they are going to do it their way."

"Exactly." Haymitch then shifts his gaze to me. Even though his eyes are the same colour grey they've always been they are less clouded and disturbed; he seems more present and aware. "The problem you face though is what will happen after the reaping. I can't say what will happen when they take us away to the Capitol. It could happen right away, they could wait a few days, weeks even... but whatever happens, you head for the woods."

"But-" I protest. How can that be our only option? What does he expect to happen?

"Do you understand me? Head for the woods, it will be your only chance. Someone will come for you." I have never heard Haymitch so serious. It frightens me a little. I was obviously wrong to assume Haymtich doesn't care about anything.

"Yeah the Capitol!" I can hear the fear creeping into Peeta's voice.

Peeta is right. However, I am still desperate for an alternate scenario. "Gale could still show up!" I refuse to accept that Gale has completely abandoned us. He is my oldest friend. He is my hunting partner. He is a part of me. Even though I am mad at him, I am not yet ready to think of him in past tense: was my friend, was my hunting partner and was a part of me. Because if that were true, I don't know if I could go on existing. I can't afford to turn into my mother right now.

Of course Haymitch's reply, though regretfully truthful, is devoid of all hope, "And what if he does turn up? It's not going to help you any. His name gets drawn at the reaping, he leaves and is back under Capitol control. Then there is the second and equally unappealing option, my name gets drawn and he still has to leave, this time as a mentor. Neither of those are very enticing reasons to return. Either way Snow has been made a fool of through this whole ordeal. The fate of the district has already been decided." He pauses for a moment, a sad look crossing over his face. "Trust me I know what it's like... to be personally punished by Snow. There's a reason I'm alone."

Neither one of us asks what Snow did to him. It must have been after his Games. Instead Peeta nods solemnly and asks, "So you think there is the chance that the people of District 12 could escape."

"It's a possibility. You'll just have to lead the way."

"How!?" The word bursts from my mouth, almost violently. I am also standing on the ground face to face with Haymitch. When did I do that? "You say go to the woods but how are we suppose to get them all to follow us? What if we can't get to them!? What if they won't come? Or have you forgotten that most people are afraid of the woods. They believe what the Capitol has told them about it being dangerous." Peeta did once, who knows maybe he still does. Fear grips me as I am hit with the reality of it all. It was difficult enough keeping my family alive, to have the fate of the whole district resting on my shoulders...I can't. I feel the fight drain out of me. I all of a sudden feel overwhelmingly exhausted at the notion of this impossible task laid before me.

"Katniss..." Peeta says my name in a low warning whisper. That's when I notice a pair of Peace Keepers across the square. They are far enough away to not have heard me, but the three of us have caught their attention. We are the only citizens outside.

"Quick, Peeta stand up." Haymitch whispers this command when the pair begins to move towards us- rifles at the ready. Wide eyed Peeta immediately hops off the porch, his feet stirring up a cloud of dirt. What happens next is so entirely unexpected I would never have believed it. Suddenly, Haymitch steps towards me and in one swift motion wraps his arms around me. I stand there stiffly for a few moments utterly dumbfounded. I catch Peeta's confused gaze for only a split second. Without even thinking, I find myself hugging him back, albeit awkwardly. It is not an overly long hug, but just before Haymitch lets me go he whispers in my ear, "Remember the woods." I make no attempt to show I heard or understood him, for the Peace Keepers are closing in on us. Instead I wrap my arms around myself for the appearance of comfort and huddle into Peeta's side. He immediately puts an arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him. Haymitch turns to him, extending a hand, which Peeta takes and shakes firmly. "Take care."

"State what are you doing there?" One of the Peace Keepers sternly asks, interrupting the moment. They are stopped a few feet away from where we are standing.

Though no real instructions were given, I know exactly what Haymitch wanted us to appear to be doing. It's strange to have the same thought process as Haymitch. "We're saying good-bye," I work a little bit of emotion into my voice. Not too much or else I would look weak. "Tomorrow is the reaping after all."

"Then you can do that tomorrow at the designated time," the same Peace Keeper says mechanically. His partner takes a step forward, roughly grabbing Haymitch by the arm.

Annoyed, Haymitch twist out of his grasp, "Okay, okay I'm going." He puts his hands out in front of him as if to calm a wild animal. "Her parents were old friends of mine from my days in the Seam. Just didn't feel the measly minute inside the Justice Building would be long enough to say all that I wanted to. My apologies. "

It's a lie, but a convincing one. The Peace Keepers lower their rifles. His sarcasm must have been lost on them for neither one moves to reprimand him for his insolence. We all watch as Haymitch swaggers back towards the Victors' Village. I can't help but stifle a laugh, He didn't even have a drink with him that whole time.

Once Haymitch is nothing more than a speck in the distance the Peacekeepers turn their attention back to Peeta and I. I respond to their suspicious glare by slipping my hand into his to show that I'm not going anywhere. We are united, and refuse to be intimidated.

The one who grabbed Haymitch lifts his visor and walks forward until his face is mere inches away from Peeta's. His eyes shift back and forth between us. "You two are lucky," he sneers. "If it weren't for tomorrow, you'd both be up against that whipping post right now for conspiring against the president. Too bad." With a cruel laugh he turns and both Peacekeepers walk away.

A chill runs up my spine. Why do I get the feeling he means something far more devastating than just the reaping?

"Welcome, welcome to the seventy-fifth annual Hunger Games and celebration of the third Quarter Quell," Effie's announcement echoes through the square. Without wasting much time Effie, who wears a wig of metallic gold and a coordinating outfit, manoeuvres herself towards the girl's reaping ball. "As always, ladies first." I can't help but notice her voice lacks it usual enthusiasm. It sounds less genuine this year. She lifts the one lone piece of paper out of the ball and reads sadly the name we all know to be there, "Madge Undersee."

I get this horrible case of déjà vu. Last year's reaping. Another hot day, the citizens of District 12 crowded into the dusty square, same name, but an almost entirely different girl. Madge is not the same meek, sheltered girl she was a year ago. Yes, her face pales and tears well up in her eyes- no one would blame her- but her chin is up as she steps forward out of her roped off pen. This time there is no pleading look; this is her fate, and no one can change that. It's such an unfair betrayal. My heart aches for her, just as it did last time. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment to keep my own tears for my friends at bay. This time I will go see her off, to say good-bye.

Now my eyes shift to the roped off area for the male victors. One person stands there, but there are two names in the bowl. Haymitch and I make eye contact and he ever so slightly shakes his head back and forth. No Gale. I can feel my heart fully break at this point. By now others have noticed that something is amiss, and I can hear the hushed whispers interrupting the silence around me. Looking around the square I can see the Peacekeepers who surround the crowd move into formation, rifles ready to take down any unruly people that may result in the next few moments. There are machine guns trained on us as well, with snipers on the roof of the Justice Building too. I don't like this feeling of being a criminal and claustrophobia is setting in. My pulse races with fear as Effie moves towards the boys' bowl; no matter whose name she draws we all could be obliterated within moments.

I grasp Prim's hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.

Effie reaches into the bowl.

On my other side, Peeta laces his fingers between mine, rubbing small circles with his thumb.

With no sort of flourish, Effie picks up one of the pieces of paper.

I hold my breath and resist the urge to shrink into a ball right here in the square. I feel so small and cowardly. My stomach is in knots and my panicked conversation with Peeta this morning replays in my head.

"I can't do it Peeta! Let's just leave now! Get Prim, my mother, the Hawthorne's, your family and get out of here." I had been shaking as we sat at the edge of a ditch in the Seam overlooking the Meadow. Until that moment I had never realized what a terribly selfish person I was.

"Katniss, you'd never forgive yourself if something happened to twelve and you weren't there to help." Was Peeta's reply. There was no judgement in his voice, while I despised myself for wanting to abandon everyone else. How did Peeta manage to ignore all that and only see the good in me?

"But- but what if I can't get everyone to the woods?"

"I wouldn't worry too much about that. Whether you believe it or not you're a leader-"

"I am not a leader."

"Yes, you are."

After a pause I get quiet. "That's not even my biggest worry. What if it happens when we are separated? What if they only attack the Seam? Or only the Town?" The thought of losing Peeta is incomprehensible. I don't want him to die. I can't do any of this without him, and more importantly I don't want to.

"We will find each other... I promise." That promise still rings in my ears. At least if they attack now, with us all in the square Peeta is already by my side. So is Prim, my mother and the Hawthorne's. If we have to start running towards the fence, hopefully others will follow.

"Gale Hawthorne." Effie announces, breaking me out of my own thoughts. There is no triumph or excitement in her voice. She scans the crowd, repeating his name again, just to make sure he is not just mixed in with everyone else. Even though Gale is not here, I am still jarred by the sound of his name being announced for the reaping- last time he volunteered. A loud murmur instantly sweeps through the crowd; it is the sound of confusion and concern. I know why we really should be concerned because we are all doomed now.

"Well...well this is a first," she says trying to sound enthusiastic, but I can hear her voice is choked up. She looks unsure about what to do next, eyeing the other dignitaries for an answer. Quickly, she regains her composure and out of formality reaches back into the bowl. "Haymitch Abbernathy." She sounds deflated- like it took every last bit of breath in her lungs to announce his name.

Without any hesitation Haymitch steps forward. The crowds' murmurings are getting louder. One shove or protest and the Peacekeepers will take matters into their own hands.

Before we know what's happening, a pair of Peacekeepers step forward, roughly ushering Madge, Haymitch and Effie into the Justice Building. Thread steps up to the microphone, announcing that there will be no visiting with the tributes and instructing everyone to return to their homes immediately.

"Not good," Peeta says, as the crowd breaks up and files out of the square. We stay firmly planted in place. My eyes are transfixed on the stage, where not moments ago Madge and Haymitch stood. I didn't get to say good-bye. All the things I would have said to them run through my head.

"Katniss," I can hear Prim's voice, but I don't acknowledge it. "It's time to go home Katniss."

"No."

"But they are packing up the square. It's all done for today."

They're packing up the square? I break out of my stare and look around. Prim is right. Crews are already in the process of disassembling the giant screens and the cameras are being packed away. Why would they do that if we are supposed to watch the rest of the Games? Surely with this being the Quarter Quell there will be even more mandatory viewings. Something is not right here; something is very wrong.

"Alright let's go." I grab her hand again and we cautiously make our way to the exit, where my mother and the Hawthorne's are standing. Hazelle gives me a hug.

"I'm sorry Hazelle," I mumble into her shoulder. She replies, "Me too."

We all begin to walk away from the square, but are halted by the shrill, harsh sound of Mrs. Mellark's voice. "Peeta! Peeta! You get here this instant!" She is standing on the bakery porch, arms crossed over her chest.

His flinch is so subtle that no one else would have noticed. He lifts his hand to acknowledge her, "I'll be there in a minute."

"Now!" she demands.

I begin to tremble at the thought of getting separated from Peeta. "Don't go."

Though he is clearly torn, he takes my hand, giving me one of those bright, reassuring smiles that make me want to believe anything he says, "I have to. Just for now. It'll be alright."

I nod numbly and give him a quick, hard hug, "Stay safe."

"You too. We'll find each other. I promise." A quick kiss to my forehead and he's gone, walking back to the bakery.

I try not to dwell on the fact that this could be the last time I see Peeta. And even though I tell myself we will find each other, there is a knot in the pit of my stomach that tells me differently.

"Let's get home." There is purpose to my voice. Being emotional isn't going to do us any good. We take off at a brisk clip back to the Seam, while I walk at the back of our group scanning all angles for any signs of threats. I only take one glance back towards the square. Everything is being packed up piece by piece, onto Capitol trucks. Just as we make it back to the Seam the train whistle blares in the distance, signalling that it is pulling out from the station. Safely inside are Haymitch and Madge, and even then they won't be safe for long.

"Hazelle, I need you to pack up some provisions and bring the kids to our house in five minutes. Understand?" I leave no room for questioning. She nods her head with confidence and ushers the kids quickly home.

As soon as we enter the house I get this sinking feeling. I rush to the television and find it won't turn on. Figures. The power's been cut. Under normal circumstances, we would be guaranteed to have power after the reaping to watch the recaps. Not this time.

With great purpose we all scurry around the house, packing a single bag each of only the things we absolutely need. My mother and Prim make sure that all the herbs and medical supplies are packed in our bags before anything else goes in. Then some meager food stuffs and that's about it. We don't own much of value, except maybe my parents wedding photo and our family's book of medicinal and edible plants, but even then those are more sentimental things. I quickly change out of my nicer, reaping dress and into my more practical hunting clothes. Even though it is warm out, I make sure to put on my father's hunting jacket. Now all that's left to do is wait.

When the Hawthornes arrive we all gather in the living room. For a long time we sit in utter silence, listening for anything unusual, but the world outside is eerily quiet. Eventually the kids play with the cat to keep themselves entertained, while my mother and Hazelle talk. I on the other hand sit staring out the window. Waiting. The only thing I do notice is a trailing dust cloud in the distance, which is no doubt the Capitol trucks pulling out. Slowly, the afternoon turns into evening and then a glorious sunset transitions day into night. My back aches from sitting on the floor for so long. I shouldn't really complain it was my own choice, wanting to leave the comfortable seating for everyone else. Prim, Posy and Vick are all piled onto the bed that Prim and I share; they are so still and quiet that they must have drifted off to sleep. It's a sweet sight to see Posy wrapped in my sister's comforting arms. It is also a scene I know well, for I have held Prim like this myself many times to chase away the sadness and the nightmares. She has grown up so much. Rory sits slouched in the arm chair he pulled over next to the bed, his feet propped on the mattress, his head lolling to the side every so often. I catch him startling himself awake. Those eyes that are so much like Gale's meet mine from across the room and despite the dark I can see his determination. Like me, he refuses to sleep, accepting the responsibility for his family's safety. Regardless, I struggle to keep my eyes open.

"Sing a song Katniss?" Prim's soft voice floats through the darkness, breaking the silence.

"Not tonight little duck," I say with a sad shake of my head.

"Please?"

Posy then echoes Prim's request with a, "Pleeeease?"

"Alright." I try to suppress my yawn. What harm could it do? It has always seemed so odd to sing in this house without my father and since it has been so long I have to dig far back in my memory for something. I glance out the window at the Meadow and an old lullaby comes to mind. I don't even have to think, the words just come. I expected my voice to be shaky but it comes out strong and clear, every word creating a calm that spreads throughout the room. The words are soothing and hopeful that in this moment even I feel safe- the way I felt every time my father sang this song to me. I just wish the words would remain true, but there is no guarantee that tomorrow will bring a better world for us.

The song ends and the only sound that can be heard is the calm, rhythmic breathing that tells me everyone else is asleep. I have no idea what time it is, but it's definitely late because it has been dark for hours. I readjust my position to get more comfortable, yet despite my best efforts to stay awake my eyes keep sliding shut. I don't know if it is the warm comfort I still feel from the song or if it's because I am so deliriously tired, but I allow myself- for just a moment-to forget about the danger brewing. That one moment of letting go is all it takes for sleep to overtake me and pull me down into sweet, peaceful oblivion.

I'm pulled from sleep by the light streaming through the widow, but it is the low rumble that jolts me awake. Even in my fog of confusion I can't ignore the sight of the room bathed in an orange glow. I jump up at the sound of another rumble- much closer this time. I brace myself for what I might see out the window. I immediately begin to shake at the sight of fire engulfing the world outside. The ground trembles under my feet as a new fire flares to life. The dishes in the hutch rattle and shake, and the others begin to stir.

All of a sudden my adrenaline kicks in. "Get up! Get up now! We have to move!" I yell, grabbing my game bag. I throw open the door and rush outside. The sight that awaits me is overwhelming. It is a one-hundred and eighty degree view of blazing flames, smoke and debris. There is nothing that the fire hasn't touched: the trees, the buildings, even the ground itself. Everything that burns crackles and snaps, and it is difficult to concentrate on anything else. It's like living in a nightmare.

I'm about to turn back to the house to make sure everyone is up and moving when in the distance a fire bomb falls from the sky. I feel the ground shake before I hear the blast. The sky alights anew in a beautiful blaze of reds and orange. The mines. The flames shoot up into the sky, along with a huge black cloud of smoke that mushrooms from the place of impact. The wave of heat reaches me in moments and I turn away quickly to shield myself. I can hear the mechanical whoosh of the hoverplanes as they close in on the Seam. Looking up I see my family and the Hawthorne's on the porch all staring in horror at the sight in front of them. That's when the thought hits me. The coal dust! Our district, especially the Seam, is covered in it. Every crevice is packed with years' worth of the stuff. No wonder everything is going up in flames so easily. The hoverplanes are getting closer- I can hear them. I have to get us away from the house!

"Quick! This way!" Lifting the collar of my shirt up over my nose, I guide everyone forward through the thick haze of smoke. A chorus of coughs follows behind me as our lungs fill with smoke. The air is so thick it threatens to suffocate us all.

As we hurry away from the house I realize I was so busy observing the physical disaster surrounding us that I hadn't even noticed the rest of the chaos ensuing in the Seam. There are people running in every direction, men yelling to one another attempting to put out the flames, and women calling to their crying children. The noise is deafening. Swarms of people have also begun to rush down the dirt road towards Town, only to be met by others running in the opposite direction, towards the Seam. The Town is merely a wall of fire, and I can't see the outline of the Justice Building anymore. Peeta! My heart drops.

Before I can form a further thought, another blast and wave of heat knocks me off my feet, and for a few moments the world stops. It could have been hours or it could have been seconds. There is no sound but the ringing in my own ears. Rubbing my stinging eyes with my sleeve to clear my vision I raise up on unsteady legs. I stumble towards the others, who are still on the ground. I reach Prim first.

"Prim," I give her a shake. "Come on we have to keep moving." She moans. Thank goodness. After more prodding she finally rolls over and sits up. Her knees and elbows are a bit scraped up. Rory has a teary eyed Posy wrapped in his arms, while Vick is picking gravel out of his hands. My mother and Hazelle are standing too, and are collecting the items dropped in the blast. I have to force myself to look back in the direction we came from. I wish I hadn't. Rows and rows of houses, including both of ours, are engulfed in angry flames. There are a few people limping out of the wreckage, while others who look far too still, are being dragged out.

The firebombs continue to rain down on the district. There is nowhere safe left to go. But then Haymitch's words fill my ears, whatever happens, you head for the woods.

Previously, I had imagined that at the moment when Haymitch's predicted impending doom occurred I would be too terrified to actually do anything. But right now I am the complete opposite. Yes the fear is still present, but anger overshadows that. Rage like I have never known before comes over me as I watch my home burn. My hatred for Snow has fuelled an inner fire of my own.

The ground shakes violently again as another fire bomb hits, I grab hold of Prim, tucking her head beneath my arms to protect her from the shards of debris pelting us. "We have to get to the fence!" I have to yell to be heard over the cacophony of sounds. I point in the direction of the Meadow to reinforce my words. My mother nods. We begin to run, just as another fire bomb whizzes overhead. The people around us are scattering like ants in all directions, pushing and shoving to get out of harm's way. I lose sight of Hazelle, then my mother. My view of Rory and Posy is blocked temporarily. Thankfully I have Prim's hand firmly in mine as I pull her along. I feel her stumble and slow my pace only long enough for her regain her footing. Finally we emerge in the Meadow, and even though the air is still polluted with ash and smoke I feel like I can breathe easier away from the claustrophobic chaos.

"Vick?!" Hazelle calls in a panic. I whip my head around quickly, searching. He had been with us when we started to run, but I don't remember losing sight of him. Hadn't he been with Rory? Or had he been further ahead with Hazelle? He must have gotten swept up in the current. "Vick!" This time his name is followed by a sob.

"Here Prim, take her." The next thing I know Rory is transferring Posy into Prim's waiting arms. He has to peel Posy's arms from his neck and when he finally releases himself from her grasp the little girl lets out a hysterical scream. "No!" Prim has to restrain Posy from crawling right out of her arms as Rory dashes away to find his brother. I find even I have to clench my muscles to stop myself from following after Rory, to protect him. I need to stop thinking of him as a child; he is older than I was when I became responsible for my family. He is doing what he has to.

There is no time to spare on standing and waiting for him to return, so I turn and run towards the fence with a "follow-me" gesture. I pause for only a second- long enough to confirm that the electric hum of the fence cannot be heard- before launching myself at it. Even though I know the power is cut, I still half expect to be thrown backwards with volts of electricity coursing through my body. Thankfully, all I feel is the dull ache of the impact with the chain link fence.

"Katniss? What on earth?" I hear my mother's question, yet I continue my assault on the fence- kicking and shaking it. Nothing happens.

"We have to get to the other side," I manage to say in between grunts. Thanks to Snow and the Peacekeepers, all the old holes and weaknesses I would have typically used to sneak through the fence have been repaired. Thank you so very much. "It's the only way we'll stand a chance."

The next time I push at the fence the impact is a little bit more forceful. Hazelle is next to me, following my movements. I can still see the tears in her eyes, but there is also a new determination in them as well. Despite our best efforts, the fence still does not budge. The heat is beginning to get to me, and my breathing is strained. I stop to try to catch my breath and see that my mother has disappeared. I finally locate her at the edge of the Meadow, supporting a woman, one hand around her waist, the other holding the woman's arm. As they get closer I realize its Greasy Sae. Gently my mother lowers her to the ground and grabs for her bag full of medical supplies. Immediately she begins to treat Greasy Sae's wounds.

"My granddaughter!" I have never seen Greasy Sae panicked, but the fear in her voice cannot be ignored. She even tries to get up but my mother restrains her.

"Where is she?" I rush forward asking. All Greasy Sae can manage to do is point a shaky finger in the direction of the road. There in the distance is her granddaughter sitting on a pile of debris, feet swinging back and forth, completely oblivious to the danger around her.

"I'll get her," I volunteer. Without a second thought I run towards her. It seems like an eternity before I reach her; I stumbled a few times and had to dodge flying debris caused by more blasts. When I finally reach her, the girl simply smiles and waves. She is too big for me to scoop up in my arms and carry so I hoist her onto my back. She makes no objections. I take off at a much slower pace than before due to my added cargo. I have barely started to run when I hear my name. I pull up short and whip my head around trying to find who is calling to me. Visibility is poor, between the dark night sky, the billowing smoke and the too bright flames. Somehow, I hear my name again through the screams and explosions, but still the owner of the voice doesn't appear. Then, above the heads of the crowd a hand shoots up, waving.

"Thom!" I call. Relief spreads through me.

"Where are you going?" He asks when he gets close enough. His face is covered in soot and his clothes bare many rips.

"To the fence," I rasp out. The smoke is irritating my throat. "We have to knock it down."

Without any further question Thom nods, "Alright lets go."

Together we hurry through the Meadow. At this point others have taken temporary refuge in the open field, so we have to dodge the added bodies. I cringe to think of how many of those on the ground right now won't ever get up again. That's when I see Rory, also running with Vick on his back. "Rory!" I yell as loudly as I can. He doesn't hear me. "Rory!" Thom keeps running towards the fence, while I veer off path towards Gale's brothers. Greasy Sae's granddaughter bounces around, adding to my strain, but thankfully she's holding on tight. Once I am close enough I yell again, "Rory!" This time he hears me. His face is red from the exertion, but his eyes light up in relief. "Follow me." And he does.

When we make it back, Thom has already started at the fence. I drop the girl next to Greasy Sae, then collapse on the ground next to her, my legs and arms turned to rubber. I barely manage to crawl away before the contents of my stomach come rolling out. I heave until there is nothing left to come up. I place a hand on my forehead to stop the dizziness. Rory too is on the ground, but he is sitting up and leaning his head forward onto his knees. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I will be," he replies.

Next to him is Vick, head in his mother's lap, wincing in pain as Prim examines his ankle. My mother has moved on to another patient, while at the same time instructing others with how to aid their injured loved ones. More men have joined Thom at the fence and there is a noticeable lean to the chain link now. Still not enough to get to the other side though. No one interferes with their actions, for there are no Peacekeepers left to stop them.

There are people scattered all over the Meadow but there are a few in particular who catch my attention. About two dozen people are hurrying directly towards us however it is the person leading the way that I can't take my eyes off of.

"Peeta?" I whisper to myself. It has to be him. I want it to be him so badly. The hair is not the same bright blonde due to the layer of grey soot masking it, but there is no mistaking those pure blue eyes.

I don't remember standing up, nor do I remember running towards him, but within moments I'm mere feet away from him. I use every last ounce of energy in me to close the distance between us, and launch myself into his arms. My feet lift from the ground.

"Katniss," he breathes a sigh of relief.

"Oh my gosh, Peeta. You're here. You're alive." I hold on tight, burying my face in his shoulder.

"I told you we'd find each other." I think he says this intending to lighten the mood, but there is no humour in his voice, just earnestly.

"When I saw Town... I was so worried." My words come out frantically and I can't stop my hands from moving over his head and shoulders. I can't believe he is really here in front of me in one piece.

Looking over his shoulder I see that Peeta's group is not only made up of people from Town, but it also includes his entire family. The sight of his mother is the biggest shock. Rather dishevelled, and still in her night clothes, she looks none too pleased to be here. But she is here. Somehow Peeta managed to convince the disagreeable woman to follow him to the Seam. His brothers also look out of their comfort zone, but they certainly don't have the same disapproving expression. Peeta notices my attention is elsewhere and, still with his arms around me, looks back.

"They took a bit of convincing," he says, sounding slightly exasperated. Turning back to me he elaborates, "Once the first bombs hit everyone started heading for the main road out of the district. Mom wanted to follow, but Dad backed me up when I explained why we had to get to the woods." He reaches up, tucking a loose strand of hair out of my face. For the first time I realize how utterly awful I must look, covered in ash, dirt and sweat. Peeta doesn't seem to notice; his eyes are permanently fixed on mine. "I also had to find you...there was no way I was leaving without you. I promised remember?"

I shake my head incredulously. This is not the time to get sentimental.

"Well unless we can break down the fence none of us are getting out of here," I say to redirect his train of thought. I can't afford to think like he is right now.

His eyes widen, "We better get to work then." Quickly he rallies his father and brothers, as well as a few of the other men and women who volunteer, and they run to join the crew at the fence. Those remaining follow me.

"Katniss, how can I help?" It's Delly.

"Why don't you go over and see if my sister needs any help with the wounded." I point her in the direction of Prim. Just as I am about to go to the fence, I hear a voice speak to me. It is so quiet that I could have imagined it.

"What can I do?" Peeta's mother stands there, almost meekly- unable to look me in the eye.

"Oh." I don't know what surprises me more: that she is offering to help or that she is speaking to me and it is not a form of yelling. "Over there. I'm sure my mother could use an extra set of hands."

Without another word Mrs. Mellark complies. By the time I make it to the fence it is almost down. So close. There is hope. Some have scrambled up the slope created by the leaning fence, and hoisted themselves to the other side. Peeta included. They are weighing the top down and pulling, while everyone else pushes. With one final shove the crew finally knocks over the section; a collective triumphant yell raises up in the air, temporarily drowning out the sounds of the fiery destruction around us. Within seconds swarms of people begin to file through the new opening, escaping to the other side. There is no hesitation from anyone, even though not that long ago most of them had had a crippling fear of these very woods. As people rush by I yell to anyone who will listen, "Get to the trees! Go past the tree line!" I can see Thom in the distance ushering everyone into the woods.

"Katniss!"

"Peeta!" I call when I finally see him pushing his way against the flow to get to me. The first thing I notice is the blood pouring out of his sliced open hand. "You're bleeding!" The sight of that much blood makes me uneasy and a bit dizzy. Yet I am somehow able to be level headed enough to reach into my bag for the strips of cloth we packed earlier. As I quickly wrap it around his hand to stanch the blood flow Peeta explains.

"My hand caught on the barbed top- I didn't even notice until after the fence came down." He winces when I pull the bandage tight. "Okay, that's good enough for now." Grabbing my hand with his good one, he starts pulling me back towards the road. I know exactly what he intends us to do.

"Want me to cover the Seam, and you take Town?"

"No. We are sticking together."

So together we run along the road, yelling to anyone we can to head to the woods, pointing each time towards the Meadow and the demolished section of the fence. Some immediately change their course while others require a bit more convincing. Frustratingly, there are those who ignore us outright. We keep going though. I try not to pay attention to the buildings engulfed in flames- if I really stopped to think about the fact that my home was systematically being obliterated I wouldn't be able to go on. In Town things are even more chaotic. Hundreds if not thousands of people are rushing for the main road and the crowd has bottlenecked and everyone is pushing and shoving. We have to elbow our way through.

"Please! Turn around!"

"Head for the Seam!"

"The fence is down!"

"The woods are your only chance!"

We get mixed reactions, but for every one person who follows our instructions our motivation doubles. A flash of orange catches my attention, as a fire bomb drops from the sky way off in the distance at the head of the road. About thirty seconds later, another one falls and hits, this time a little bit closer. To my horror, I know exactly what is going to happen.

"Peeta! We have to turn back." I yell to him. He doesn't even hesitate and begins running back the way we came. In my peripheral vision I see yet another fire bomb make its way down to the road. I continue to plead with people to follow us, pointing out the imminent danger they would otherwise be heading into. As the fire bombs work their way down the road, each hitting at various intervals more and more people turn around. Peeta and I break free from the crowd with a trail of people following behind us. I can hear the blasts getting closer and closer, the ground moving beneath our feet.

That's when the biggest one hits.

Even at our distance we are thrown by the blast. The heat is unbearable and I scream out in pain as a flaming piece of debris catches my arm. I immediately roll back and forth on the ground smothering the flames licking my jacket. My face is throbbing too, and I reach up finding blood. I hear Peeta's scream of agony too, but I can't see him through the wall of dust and smoke. I crawl forwards, having no idea in what direction I'm moving in. My hand brushes something, a body.

"Peeta?" I rasp. I take him by the shoulder, rolling him over. A scream escapes me and covering my mouth I scurry backwards. It's not Peeta, but it is a man badly burned, with his neck at an unnatural angle.

I'm shaking uncontrollably by the time I find Peeta.

"Are you okay?" He grabs my neck and brings my face close to his.

"Yeah. You?"

"My leg. I'll make it back though."

Helping each other up, we stumble along. I'm relieved to see a stream of people making their way through the fence and into the woods. My mother and Prim are still aiding the wounded in the Meadow. Why hadn't they gone to the woods?

One after the other the bombs hit, picking up in speed and frequency. STOP! There is nothing left for you to destroy!

"Mom! What are you doing? Get to the woods! Please!"

"What happened to you!" Her hand reaches for the cut on my face.

I move away from her touch. "I'm fine! Please go! Take them with you!" And she does. I scoop up a little girl, while my mother helps her father to his feet.

We are almost through the useless fence when another bomb hits the road. The little girl screams. The dirt road in the Seam is engulfed in flames. Stragglers hurry towards the fence. And Prim. My heart sinks. What is she doing up there?!

"Prim!" I stop in my tracks and lurch in her direction, only to be stopped by Peeta's strong grip. I struggle against him, trying to escape his grasp without dropping the little girl in my arms. "Prim! I have to get to her!"

"Go to the woods Katniss!"

"No, I can't!"

"I'll get her! The others need you!"

"She's my sister!"

"Trust me. Go!" Peeta yells, pushing me towards the hole in the fence. The landscape behind him is a blaze of orange. I remember him once telling me orange was his favourite colour; there are so many shades flickering by, such beauty causing such destruction.

Despite the fact that I'm protesting inside, I choose to trust Peeta and run towards the woods.