"What happened? You were badly injured at the Feast." Peeta said.
"No, not that. How are you still alive?" Katniss asked.
Peeta didn't say anything. He reached for the message that came with the medicine, and handed it to Katniss. "What's this?" she asked.
"Read it." he said.
Katniss looked at the message. Keep my brother safe-K. Katniss had to read the message over and over again. Who could possibly call Peeta his, or her brother? Katniss thought, and then she saw the initial on the page: K. It took her a moment to realize that K was for Kai, and when she did she broke down and began to cry.
"What's wrong?" Peeta asked overcome with fear that the might have been another injury that he had missed.
"Our brother is looking out for us." Katniss choked out.
Peeta smiled, and then leaned in and kissed Katniss on the lips. The kiss had left Katniss lightheaded, and we could see her become white as a sheet. As the couple crawled into the sleeping bag to stay warm the camera cut to Thresh and Cato crashing through the woods. Thresh had stayed a step of Cato the entire time since the Feast, and it was driving Cato up a wall. It was kind of amazing considering that Thresh had gained weight since entering the arena. Thresh had escaped Cato again, and the camera feed had cut and went to another tribute.
It was the girl from District 5. She had disappeared into the woods, but she had made her way quietly after Katniss. She was able to feed herself off of some of the berries that were nearby, but she needs more than berries. She needs a complex protein source, and she figure that if anybody had a chance to get more food that it would be Katniss and Peeta.
"What is the girl doing?" Etain asked.
"Why is she shadowing Katniss and Peeta?" Bardan asked.
"Of the four people left that have a chance of getting food from a sympathetic sponsor, Katniss and Peeta are her best hope. And if you had been watching the entire time, that girl's strategy has been to hide and evade. She never went toe to toe with anybody, if she could help it." I said.
A day passes, both in the arena and in the real world, and not much has happened. The Gamemakers cause a rainstorm, which forces Peeta and Katniss to share the sleeping bag again. Thresh and Cato are still chasing each other, and the District 5 girl is still waiting for Katniss and Peeta to exit their cave from the safety of another cave. At this very moment the camera cut to the interior of the cave as Katniss started speaking.
"Peeta you said during the interviews that you had been in love with me forever. When did forever begin?" she asked, turning to face.
Etain started to ask me a question, but I waved it off. This line of questioning is something I wanted to hear. Katniss asking when Peeta fell in love with her, even though they grew up together is a little strange.
"Seriously, Katniss?" Peeta asked.
"I know we grew up together, but when did you realize that it was something more than a schoolyard crush?" she asked.
Do tell. I thought.
Bardan and Etain were staring between me and the television waiting for an explanation. Sometime after we entered the house Cross had left. Back on the screen Peeta had thought about his answer, and judging by the look of pleasure on Peeta's face when he recalled the memory, it was one of his favorites. Just as Peeta was about to explain the moment he knew that his love for Katniss something more the phone rang. Bardan picked up the phone, and then hung up. "We need to move." He said.
Etain shut the television off, and then we went out the back door I tell them to head to the next house, while I buy them some time. I'm run away to draw the guards off of Bardan and Etain, but in my head I'm thirteen again and I'm trying to escape the Capitol.
I head north for three blocks, and then I double back. As I'm heading south I was going to activate my belt, but then I remembered I didn't wear when it I went to the bar a few days ago. I creep through the shadows, making my way to Cinna's house. I was in sight of Cinna's house when I saw a patrol of Peacekeepers on the street. I duck into the alley closes to me, and jump a fence. I pick the lock, and then shut the door behind me. I get down on the floor hiding behind the island.
I heard movement coming from upstairs, and realize that the occupant is home. The one thing I didn't get a chance to do when I was breaking in was check for the owners of the house. I duck into the pantry on the far side of the kitchen. Before I entered the pantry I made an attempt to remember how much of the door was opened, and to my great surprise it was three quarters shut. I get in, shut the door, and peek out of the crack. I heard the person come down the stairs, but they didn't get to search the kitchen because there was a knock at the door. What blew my mind was the owner of the voice.
It's Effie. This is rich. I think
I can hear Effie telling the Peacekeepers that she hasn't seen anyone, but she would keep an eye out for any questionable people. I hear the door shut, and then Effie makes her way into the kitchen to check on the noise. She was in the kitchen for a moment, and then head back upstairs. I give it twenty minutes before I exit out the back. I make my way back to where I left my belt. I had crossed the city in record time, or they had lost interest in me. My bracelet starts to vibrate when I was a block from the where I left my gear. I ducked into an alley to read the message: Head to Cinna's place as soon as you get this- Cross.
I head around to the back of the house entering through the back door. I leave the lights off just in case there are people watching the front. I get my gear, buckling my belt on and activating the invisibility function. As I was making my way out the back, people were coming in the front door. I was shutting the back door as the front door was opening. I send a message to Cross asking where I should me Cinna, and while I wait for a response I head back towards the Silver Falcon. Cinna had a house north of the bar if I remember correctly. It didn't take long for Cross to respond back, and as I thought it was the place he took me to when I revealed my true identity. The house was thirty blocks north of the bar.
I was relieved to find out that the Peacekeepers either gave up looking for me, or went looking for me in another part of the city. It takes me twenty minutes to get to Cinna's home, and that was only because I was being careful not to attract any unneeded attention to myself. I approach the back door, and knock twice. I deactivate the invisibility function as Cinna is opening the door. I step into the kitchen, and Cinna shuts the door behind me. We don't say anything, we just head to the living room and get back into the Games. Except the television was off.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"We are going to be heading to the Remake Center. The Peacekeepers are going to be making their way to this section of the city any minute now. Nobody will think to look for you there." Cinna said.
"I have a special belt that will allow us to move without drawing any attention." I said.
I turn invisible, and we move from Cinna's house to the car. Cinna opens the door behind the driver and acts like he is loading the back seat, which buys me time to get in. Cinna shuts the door, and then gets in. We get to the Remake Center in record time, but with the citizens partying it wasn't that hard. Cinna signals for me to be quiet before we reach the door, and then we enter. We make our way into the bowels of the building, and find a room to continue watching the Games.
When Cinna turned the monitor on Katniss and Peeta were exiting the cave. On the other side of the arena, Cato was slowly making his way towards the Cornucopia. Katniss and Peeta also made their way towards the Cornucopia, and I saw the sword that Peeta stole in his possession. I raise my eyebrows at the weapon, but we both keep silent. I know these halls have camera, so I remain silent. By the time Katniss and Peeta got to the Cornucopia it was about noon in the arena. On the outskirts, Cato was hiding in the tree line, biding his time. Katniss and Peeta made their way to the pond, but their world was about to be shattered by one last monstrosity.
Katniss started to sing with the mockingjays, and Peeta was enjoying it. Without warning, the mockingjays began making sounds of distress and started fleeing the area. The pair turned and looked behind them, and saw a twisted looking dog that was not natural. They took off running in the direction of the Cornucopia. When Katniss had reached the Cornucopia she remembered that she wasn't the only one, and turned to see Peeta hobbling ten yards behind her, the dogs gaining on him. Katniss picked off a couple dogs, but they were quickly replaced by other. Peeta wave Katniss off, tell her to get to higher ground and then give him cover. Katniss didn't hesitate, and scrambled up the landmark in record time. Just as Katniss was prepping an arrow Peeta had started to climb up. Katniss starts picking the dogs off to buy Peeta sometime to get up, but someone had other plans.
Just as Peeta was pulling himself onto the top of the Cornucopia, Cato had struck. He attempted to sucker punch Katniss, but all he did was daze her. Peeta got back to his feet and drew his sword. Cato gave Peeta and once over, and laugh out loud. Cato swung his club, but Peeta had blocked the attack. Cato wasn't even phased by Peeta's answer, but for every move Cato made Peeta had an answer. Katniss hung back with an arrow trained on Cato in case he got the upper hand. I could see the frustration in Cato's eye, and could tell that he wasn't expecting Peeta to hold his own. Cato threw his strength into his next attack, and knocked Peeta to the ground while disarming him. Katniss reacted by dropping the bow, and rushed to pick up the sword. Cato was about to swing on Peeta, but he saw Katniss moving in his direction. Just as Cato was beginning to face Katniss, Peeta had kicked Cato's knee damaging it. Cato, distracted by his busted knee, was not able to block Katniss' incoming strike, which was aimed for his heart. The blade pierced Cato's heart, killing him instantly. His body fell over backwards, and the sword fell over next to him. Katniss helped Peeta to his feet, and they walked over to the edge.
At that moment the dogs had disappeared, and then pair had climbed down off the Cornucopia. As they started to walk back the pond where they left the gear, a hovercraft had appeared to collect Cato's body. As they were approaching the pond trumpets had begun to sound causing Katniss and Peeta to pause. Claudius Templesmith came over the loud speaker about saying that the earlier rule change is being revoked. Instead of two victors this year, there will be only one victor.
The moment of truth. I thought.
I could see Cinna getting antsy about the announcement. He didn't foresee the rule change being a trick, but I did and most likely Haymitch. We watch as Katniss collapses to the ground as if she had been punched in the gut. Peeta started talking about how Katniss should be the one to be the champion, and how his life would mean nothing without her being there. I can see the tears in Katniss' eyes, and I can see the emotions beginning to reach a critical mass. On the one hand she's happy that Peeta is happy to sacrifice himself and allow to live. But on the flip side Katniss pissed that Peeta was going sacrificing himself, and leave her alone. Katniss was about to respond, but then she remembered my words. Cinna and I watch as Katniss reaches behind her to the pouch on her hip.
"No, don't." Peeta said reaching for Katniss' arm.
"Trust me," Katniss says sternly.
Peeta glared at Katniss for a moment, and then turn his hand over cupping it. Katniss poured a handful of berries into his hand, and then a handful in hers. "On a count of three."
"Hold out your hand, and let everybody see." Peeta said
The couple held their hands out, showing the entire country that they were going to commit suicide to punish the Capitol. They both count down from three. I taught my siblings well. I thought.
Cinna cleared his throat. I look at him, but he was pointing to a door across the room from us. I enter the room, and he enters behind me. "The science team has been working on disguises. It's basic, but it will allow you to move freely." Cinna said, and then left.
I change quickly, and amazingly enough, my belt matches the outfit that Cinna gave me. I put the mask on, and to my great pleasure the face is simple with a one alteration, which was black eyeliner. I step out of the room, and Cinna was waiting for me. "You look like a normal citizen of the Capitol, now." he said.
I looked at the screen, and I see the same banner that decorates the screen whenever they announce a winner. Cinna and I left the room to go find Haymitch and Peeta's stylist. It doesn't take for us long to find Haymitch and Peeta's stylist, but Haymitch was in the middle of an argument with a member of Capitol leadership. And from the sounds of the argument Katniss decision to use the berries has angered the Capitol leadership. Haymitch was able to stem the tide, but they said that they going to keep an eye on her. As the leadership was leaving, Cinna and I approached.
"It seems that our girl has poked a bear." I said.
"Who are you?" Peeta's stylist asked.
"This is a friend of mine that is trying to get into the styling business, Portia." Cinna said.
"That she has. We're going to have to make sure that Katniss doesn't rubbed it in the Capitol's faces." Haymitch said.
While Haymitch and Portia were talking about how they were going to play the next few days, Cinna waved me over. "Don't go back to Cross and the twins. I'll give them a message from you, and then have you come back when we're ready." Cinna whispered.
"You want me to warn Peeta?" I asked, and Cinna nodded.
I shrugged my shoulders, and the four of us move to get our tributes out of this alive. I tell Cinna to tell Cross and the Twins to head back to the base, and then head to the new house that he told me to go to. The week to repair the tributes is long, slow, and trying. The Peacekeepers weren't looking for me, but I wouldn't put it past the Capitol to have spies out looking for me. The week had ended, and Cinna told me where I should enter the Remake Center. I went back into the bowels of the Remake Center, and waited in an area where I would be able to see Katniss and Peeta. It was seven o'clock at night when the elevators opened, and it was Peeta group that stepped off first.
I watched, and followed the group to the elevator that was going to lift Peeta up onto the stage. After the stylist and her assistants left I turned visible and addressed him.
"Peeta." I said.
"Ho, crap. Kai you have to stop doing that. Nice mask by the way." he said.
"Time is short, so shut up and listen. Katniss is in some serious trouble for pulling out the berries." I said.
"What are we going to do?" Peeta asked.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"Really sell the Star Crossed Lovers? Wait a minute, why tell me about Katniss being in trouble if you know I would answer as I did?" he asked.
"Because we are a team, and a team is only as strong as its capable members. How would you feel if you weren't informed that she was in trouble and she would have used your faithfulness to get out of trouble?" I asked.
"I know she would have been hurting, and if I was being honest it would have hurt me deeply." he said.
"Well the next time you see Haymitch you can blame him." I said, and then left.
Peeta was about to call out to me, but the plate was beginning to raise him up onto the stage. I know that the interview will take about three hours to through. They have to show the highlight reel of the Games. Katniss will be happy Peeta was warned about the Capitol's anger.
The crew is boarding the train the next day, and I can see from Katniss face that she is still struggling with lying to Peeta, but Peeta was happy as usual. The train pulls out of the station, and the team heads to the dining car to eat. I had already stolen some food to feed myself, so I just sit back and wait. Before getting on the train I left the mask with Cinna, and a note asking him to get a few more masks for when I return.
An hour after the train left the Capitol, it was pulling up to a refueling station and Katniss had exited first. Peeta had exited the train not long after. Haymitch followed about ten minutes later with me hot on his tail. "Great job, you two. Just keep it up in the district until the cameras are gone. We should be okay." Haymitch said, and then walked away.
"What? Keep what up?" Peeta asks.
"The Capitol was unhappy about our trick with the berries." Katniss said.
"Oh, okay." Peeta said nonchalantly and shrugged his shoulders
"What, how did," Katniss said, which got Haymitch's attention. It took her a few moments, and then she realized that Peeta had been tipped off, but who had told him. She reach the conclusion when Peeta smiled at her. "You can come out now."
"What?" Haymitch asked.
"What gave it away?" I asked, appearing behind Peeta.
"How did you know?" Katniss asked.
"He had been given a free pass by Cinna. But I want to know why you interfered by telling Peeta?" Haymitch asked.
"Because we need them to be operate as one. We all know that the Capitol is extremely pissed at Katniss. If Katniss would have lied to Peeta, this conversation would have played out much differently. The Capitol will be watching these two for the next six months for any sign that the whole thing was a ploy. I know that there are spies in the district, and we will have to stoop to Capitol's tactics." I said.
"What's that?" the three of them asked.
"I will have to talk to your mom when we get back." I said, looking at Katniss
"Are suggesting that these two live together as soon as they move into Victor's Village?" Haymitch asked.
"Yeah." I said flatly.
"My mom will never go for it." Katniss said.
"That's an even more dangerous game." Haymitch said.
"No it's not." I said.
"Hey, that's fine with me." Peeta said shamelessly.
Katniss swatted Peeta's arm, but we had to head back because the train horn sounded off. We all got back on the train, and then the train head east. Taking us back home.