Chapter 16 Johanna's Games
Katniss woke up before her alarm quickly shutting off the buzz before it could start, silently pulled on her dark black pants, a dark green long sleeved shirt and her leather jacket quickly pulling her hair into a long braid. The sun had yet to rise and already the brunette 13-year-old could feel the usual dread appear. This would be the first-time Katniss herself would not be actively participating. Opening the door of her room her grey eyes met with Haymitch's as he pointed towards the doors of the tributes.
"Too late to back out now," Katniss thought as she opened the door to Madeline's room. They woke Madeline and Sean up allowing them the small luxury of getting ready in private, their last chance for any amount of privacy. This year the tributes were to wear waterproof pants and a winter worthy jackets. Upon seeing her tributes, Katniss immediately noticed the looks of defeat in their eyes. Katniss lowered her eyes to save them some pride they were soldiers after all. Barely trained and far too young to know what it felt like to kill another human being but soldiers none the less. Yet here they were about to enter an unknown arena with the knowledge that only one will leave.
It took all her strength to keep her hands in a tight fist instead of creating a rebellion four years to early. Katniss chose to say goodbye to Sean first. She walked him to where he would enter the hovercraft. Hugging him tightly to her she bit back her tears as she felt him tremble. Pulling his chin up to meet hers, "Sean you need to fight. Fight for how you want your life to be. Don't let them control your actions."
The confusion in his eyes made her heart ache, "Promise."
"I promise Katniss."
"Good. Be safe" With one last hug she sent him off with the Peacekeeper. She then found herself being taken to the launching pad for Madeline. Haymitch sent her off with a wave as she steadied herself for Madeline. The young woman looked terrified as she silently walked into her room.
"Katniss" Madeline whispered in surprise.
"Hello Madeline don't you look like a fighter," Katniss mocked gently only to get a scoff from her female tribute.
"I don't feel like one."
"You'll force yourself to become one. Or don't you want to protect Sean?" Katniss forced her voice to be cold.
"Of course, I do!" Madeline cried out indigently.
Katniss grinned at her, "You feel that? Use that in the arena, Survive."
Carefully she tucked a stray hair out of Madeline's face. Kissing her forehead in a motherly manner despite the height difference she sent her on her way. That was the hardest thing Katniss thought she would have to do. Harder than anything she had done, nothing compared to sending a kid out to die. She stayed in the room unsure of how to react going out there and watching kids she trained, fight to their death.
"I'm sorry."
XX
She heard the launch pad in her ears even as she made her way back. Eventually she found herself in the small heard of mentors with Haymitch. When she did not return right away her mentor went straight to her, finding her upon the rooftop. He took her to the computer room where she met Cashmere's brother Glass and the rest of the victor's personally. Finnick gave her a smirk as Haymitch showed her their station. Soon the TV was on announcing the beginning of the games. The terrain was a forest and must have been hot because have tributes were obviously sweating and it was not due to the stress of their predicament.
Snow was trying to kill them with weather, how simple. Quickly Katniss found her own tributes on opposite ends of the circle of tributes. She felt the familiar tingle of nerves returning. Up in the sky the clock appeared to start the countdown to the start of that years Hunger Games. She watched as the camera zeroed in on Johanna. If she did not know any better she would have thought that the girl was actually scared. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Haymitch sighed.
"This is going to be a bloody year."
The clock finally rang to zero when Katniss had to force herself to remain silent as Johanna immediately grabbed her tributes from District 12. Haymitch shook his head as Johanna pushed their tributes out of the immediate area into relative safety. What was the most surprising was the knife aimed at them was knocked off its course. Katniss nearly broke her chair by kicking it in when they found the District 4 tributes protecting the trio.
"Finnick did you…" The youngest mentor turned to face him. The bronze haired man shook his head, "No that was all them."
Turning back to the screen they caught he male tribute from District 1 pulling his knife out of the back of a young female from District 11. Hearing the familiar canon tore Katniss apart inside as her memories took her back to her original games. The memory of Rue's sad face accepting death was far too real inside her mind.
"One down, twenty-two to go," She whispered.
Rue's eyes were closed as her breathing came to a terribly slow stop. Laying in the middle of a small meadow, surrounded by the trees of the arena Rue's head settled comfortably in the older girl's lap. So, focused on the girl before her Katniss could hardly feel the tingle of her legs go numb from sitting with all her weight pressed against them.
She gently pats the other girl's hair the only sound around was Katniss's quiet singing. Turning her head softly to the side she saw beautiful flowers perfect for Rue. Slowly gathering the flowers and putting them surrounding Rue in a cloud of them. She stood before the young girl's body, now perfectly still. She could feel the numbness setting o her heart, Katniss had to force herself to remember, all the reasons she had to keep going. She couldn't have saved Rue but she could save Peeta.
"Katniss?"
Peeta? Katniss turned around only to see no one around.
"Sweetheart?"
Katniss turned to see Haymitch and Finnick starring at her while the rest of the mentors stood to the sides at their stations but their stares felt like steel. Katniss shrugged the when like pair off, sitting up straight in her chair.
"Where'd you go?" Finnick whispered by her side, as they turned back toward the continuing bloodbath.
"My first games," She would never admit how calm she felt when his hand grasped hers in silent reassurance.
"Where are they?" Haymitch growled her eyes scanning both the giant screen and the computer screen at their station. Turning her attention to their station the cameras showed their tributes seeking shelter.
XXX
Meanwhile back in the arena Johanna was cursing herself. Why did she save these two brainless tributes?
"Damn that Everdeen."
"Johanna?"
The female tribute from District 7 turned toward her female tribute raising an eyebrow. "Thank you, I know you didn't have to" Madeline smiled.
Johanna shrugged, "Seriously don't mention it. But eventually all bets are off."
The two tributes from twelve looked at each other nervously. Madeline while having
struck up conversations with the tribute had no idea what to think about her.
"So what's the plan?" Sean asked once they started walking again.
"Shelter would be beneficial" Madeline spoke out.
"No shit" Johanna snorted.
"Now that's no way for a lady to talk."
On their heels within seconds they turned toward a sudden noise breaking through the silence of the arena. A few feet away they found the two tributes from District 4. Sighing Johanna lowered her axe as she glared at the other tributes.
"What are you doing here?"
"You mean after saving your asses?" The boy tribute quipped smirking.
"Um… Guys it would be better if we had more people" Sean murmured before Johanna could open her mouth.
Johanna shrugged muttering under her breath as she stalked off. The two sets of tributes looked at each other before following her a few steps behind her. They finally agreed on a spot where three trees stood together tall and strong enough to hold them up.
"Up you go Sean" Madeline encouraged her fellow tribute. The female from District 4 was next then Madeline and the remaining tribute from 4. Johanna took first watch. She leaned against the tree as the final cannons fired. Then Panem's anthem started to play and pictures of the fallen tributes shown through the sky. The list of dead lit up the sky.
Both tributes from 8
Girl from 11
Boy from 7
Both from 6
Both from 3
Johanna sighed, "At least I didn't have to kill him."
"Still he was from your district" Madeline's voice filtered through. Johanna sighed, "I guess."
"16 of us left" Sean whispered.
"Shit's going to hit the fan" The boy from 4 sighed exasperatedly.
Johanna groaned, "And I'm stuck babysitting you all."
XXX
"Rag tag bunch of idiot" Haymitch grumbled. Finnick yawned leaning back and winked at Katniss causing her to roll her eyes.
"Aw Haymitch don't be like that or else people will think you care."
"Fish boy those were your tributes what did you do?"
"I told you nothing. Your girl over here is the reason" Finnick nudged said girl teasingly. Katniss turned on him and held back a scowl, "Now what did I do?"
Chaff having heard chuckled as commercials covered the screens.
"That's because Girl on Fire keeps things interesting."
The other victor's kept silent as the games came back on. Their little band of misfits finally settled on a spot to rest. Overall, they looked good for a bunch of kids fighting for their lives. The mentors shared looking around the room. They could breathe for the night the only thing their tributes had to worry about until morning was getting along. Finnick sighed as it was decided that Johanna was going to take first watch. He looked over to the youngest in the room. This was a far cry from what he was told would happen during this year's games.
"Kit Kat."
A steel grey eyes narrowed in on him was his reply.
"Let's go eat."
He tried to hold a smirk as she glared right back at him over what he was told was his ''order'' tone. The older mentors sniggered at the exchange. They all had amused expressions as Katniss Everdeen walked passed the trident king before turning to say.
"Are you coming?"
They were able to hold in their laughs until the door closed behind Finnick. Chaff was the first to regain some composer.
"Haymitch my friend I do not envy you."
His oldest friend shrugged before replying in his typical drawl.
"I take no responsibility. I'm too old for this shit."
They shared another amused chuckle as Seeder quietly muttered their silent concern. "Their group is to large," a familiar woman's quiet voice spoke up, from her seat close to the small group. Haymitch grunted as the tension began to build in the room again. Wiress who normally stayed quiet began to mumble to herself let her voice get higher.
"Burn, all will Burn. Mock, Mock we all go."
The others looked at her as she mumbled.
"What the hell does that mean? One minute she is sane the next she speaks riddles!" Gloss grunted.
"It means she sees things we cannot" Beetee said quietly.
"But what?" Cashmere questioned.
"Who knows?" Haymitch sighed, his mind quickly deciding not to give away his thoughts just yet. After that they all went into different conversations and soon Haymitch was the last one in the room. Just as he opened the door to step out he ran into his tribute holding his favorite drink and chocolate.
"I thought you wanted me sober?" He chuckled.
"Things are changing I figured let's get drunk before we can't," Haymitch grabbed the bottle and tugged her to his side as they walked.
"Now that's my girl."
Katniss snorted pushing the elevator door to their floor. The comfortable silence lasted until they grabbed glasses and poured the drink into each glass sitting across from each other.
"Your move Sweetheart," Haymitch tipped his glass.
Katniss stared down at the drink in front of her unsure of how to say what they both already knew had to be within their gut. She looked him in the eye giving him a rare true smile.
"Johanna has allies. That never happened or so I was told."
Haymitch nodded, "You think we won't have our victor?"
Katniss snorted, "No she is still the best in the arena. She'll just…"
Both victors sighed already knowing the word she was going to use…
"She'll be even more damaged."
XXX
Madeline yawned softly opening her eyes quickly spotting Sean waking up. Turning carefully making sure not to fall she found Johanna asleep as the male from four stood guard.
"Mornin" He called gruffly looking over at her quickly before turning his gaze back to the landscape surrounding them.
"Morning" She replied weakly, unsure of how to interact with a Career. He shook his head before going to wake up his partner.
"Sarah wake up" He whispered shaking her from Madeline's old spot in the tree. A chuckle informed Madeline that Johanna was the only one still fast asleep and that Sarah was soon to be awake if her stirring was anything to go by.
"Have we heard his name yet?"
"No but it only makes me wish I paid more attention earlier" Madeline groaned softly, what was she supposed to do if she needed to talk to the guy? Hey, watch out Tribute from Four was hardly easy on the tongue.
"Hey idiots time to move" Johanna called out as she finished packing what little they had. Apparently, they missed her waking up. Sarah wiped the sleep out of her eyes while her counterpart turned to her softly asking, "Who made you leader?" his voice filled with aggravation.
Johanna gave an ice-cold glare snapping, "Someone has to step up and I don't see any of you doing it".
That seemed to drain the fight out of him. Within minutes their rag-tag team was once again on the move. They made their way making sure to keep the cornucopia directly behind them. It stayed silent most of the day. It wasn't until noon that anything remotely exciting happened. They were walking trying to find clues to where clean water was waiting when they heard it. The growls could be heard and it was Sarah who announced it. The group let out a curse turning to their right to find a capitol creation waiting to pounce.
"I thought we'd have more time" Sarah who announced it. The group let out a curse turning to their right to find a capitol creation waiting to pounce.
"I thought we'd have more time" Sarah whispered.
Her district partner tucked her behind himself protectively. He pulled out a knife preparing to attack when Madeline shot her arm out in front of him.
"Wait!"
"What you want us a wait? Are you kidding me?" He snarled at her.
"Climb."
Sarah and Johanna looked at her with questions clear on their faces. "Do it!" She whispered as they all shrugged and climbed up as high as they could. Johanna was the last to climb up when the creature attacked jumping in an attempt to reach the tributes. Sean grabbed the knife out of Finnick's tributes hands throwing it hard toward Johanna who just caught it barely.
"Thanks Idiot" She grinned.
Madeline and Sarah reached to grab her as she used the knife to hold herself up. Using all their strength the girls pulled Johanna out of the path of the blood thirsty creature.
"Shit" Johanna cursed as her food hit the trunk of the tree.
"What's wrong?" Sean cried fearfully.
"Damn thing bite my freaking foot!"
The male from four shook his head before muttering softly.
"Too quiet pretty boy number two," Johanna growled.
He looked over to her his annoyance clear on his face.
"Take your shoe off."
"Hell, no dipshit."
Sarah sighed, "Dave is actually good with first aid and wounds. Let him take a look."
"Oh, so that's his name" Madeline thought absentmindedly, subconsciously pulling her district partner closer.
Johanna clearly did not want to do as they asked. It was then when they noticed a small parachute with an equally small package.
"Oh, goody the cavalry has arrived" Johanna mocked.
Dave glared at her as he grabbed the package careful to avoid falling into the growling creatures below. He pulled out a note, reading aloud.
Hey Idiots!
Try to keep the sexual tension to a minimum okay? We thought you could use these.
-H
"Haymitch" Sean chuckled.
"Annoying drunk," Johanna muttered.
"How'd you know?" Madeline asked skeptically.
"Just seems the type."
"Got that right" Sarah chuckled nervously, "So what did we get?"
"Bandages."
"Perfect" Sarah smiled before turning to the injured party.
"So, will you do it yourself? Or do we have to force you?"
The look Sarah was given would have scared any normal person. But Johanna still took off her shoe wincing as her foot stayed in a terrible angle.
"You're definitely going to be taking a back seat for a while" Dave muttered as he set about resetting her foot. Her scream they were sure just informed every one of their location.
"Shit Mason" Dave cursed as he quickly finished wrapping her foot.
"That'll have to do" Sarah smiled down at her partner's handiwork.
The sound of canons boomed quickly one after another.
"How many?" Sean whispered.
"Three" Madeline replied grimly.
"Alright we better get going. Dave carry Johanna" Sarah ordered.
"What!" The other girl rebelled.
"We are not leaving you and your scream probably alerted the others to where we are. And you cannot walk right now" Madeline sighed.
Dave bent down allowing Johanna to use his frame to climb on herself. Cursing under her breath Johanna grabbed onto him tightly, making sure to keep her weight as much in the center as possible. The group managed to pick up their pace, having only been on the move for maybe ten minutes it did not surprise them when they heard a mixture of growling and laughter gradually become louder. Madeline cursed as Sean seemed to freeze. They ran into the opposite direction, Johanna was surprised that Dave not once jostled her. But the laughter was soon followed by a yell.
"Found them! Plan B!"
Madeline quickly searched the area seeing they were surrounded by almost all sides. Inwardly she cursed they were far to close for all of them to run for it. Someone would have to stay and fight them off for as long as they could. Dave was the only one capable of holding Johanna up and being able to run. Sean was far too young to fight alone. Obviously, Johanna was in no position to fight. That left Sarah and her. Sensing what the other girl was thinking they shared an understanding look followed by a nod. They only had one option.
"Run!" Sarah screamed as she pushed the shocked other girl into her place and took out what seemed to be a dagger. Dave looked pained but determined shaking the others out of it as he told them to run and not look back. Leaving Sarah to fight alone.
They did not stop running for what seemed like forever. However, once they hit a lake they were forced to stop. The group fell to the ground gasping for all the air their lungs could gather without choking. No one dared to say anything. They would have to wait to see if Sarah's canon was the one of those they heard. Without looking at anyone Madeline quickly gathered some edible fruit and a leaf that might be able to hold some water.
"Here drink."
Johanna considered the sad eyes of Madeline and cringed. Obviously all but one was going to die it was the Hunger Games. But that didn't stop the wretched feeling Johanna was sure they were all feeling. How else can one feel knowing people are dead?
"Thanks" was all she could mutter to the sky thinking of Sarah. Sneaking a glance at the last surviving member of District 4 tributes. She noticed he had yet to move. He barely even breathed but Johanna let him be. After all this she doubted they actively volunteered for this. Johanna sighed, she'd let him stew for a while soon they'd find Sarah's fate soon.
Two more canons were heard before the day was out. Half of the tributes were dead in two days. Johanna was sure that had to be a new record of some kind. "How many does that make?" Sean asked quietly.
"Half of us are gone. Twelve left" Dave muttered.
"This won't last, long will it?" Madeline raised her voice softly.
"Who knows?" Johanna shrugged.
Sean looked over a large stick and the one dagger they had left. He grabbed the bandages and used it to wrap the two objects together. "Sean?" Madeline asked once she noticed him moving about.
"I saw movement into water. I thought Dave could show us how to fish."
Said boy looked over at the makeshift weapon Sean made.
Smirking, "That'll do. Come on Sean."
Madeline and Johanna watched as the boys got knee deep in the water. They watched quietly as Dave showed Sean different ways to fish and told him stories of how he learned himself.
"How long are we going to keep this up?" Madeline asked her companion.
"Technically only one of us can survive."
"But Katniss…"
"Made sure to save a mad girl. Anyone else would have caused one of them to die or if it was someone else other than Annie they would have killed each other. That is something the Capitol will not let happen again" Johanna rebutted before Madeline could finish.
Madeline closed her mouth as Johanna's face turned into a tight grimace. "We have another day or two at most" Johanna answered her original question.
"There has to be a way…"
"Enough. Do you want to get yourself killed faster" Johanna shushed the other girl, Johanna's anger rising with every word.
It was then when the boys came back with a fish for everyone. Sean started a small fire that would barely be noticeable as it was still daylight to cook the fish distinguishing it as soon as they finished. Night fell as they ate quietly and Panem's anthem started to play across the arena. No one spoke a word as Sarah's picture was shown across sky or the tribute she had taken out.
Madeline closed her eyes as she prayed silently. Prayed for a quick end to this nightmare. Despite what everyone was telling her she still hoped that somehow two could survive for a second time. Soon it was quietly agreed upon that Dave would take first watch. After quickly making sure Sean was fast and asleep, she soon followed.
It felt like she barely got any sleep when she was shaken awake. Opening her eyes, she saw the look on Sean's face. Jumping up quickly she grabbed his hand as they followed Dave with Johanna on his back. Black smoke filled the air as they ran for from their haven by the water. The sky was still dark and they ran never stopping until the fire stopped, clearly encompassing the water so no one would get to it.
"Damn Capitol" Sean cursed, trying to catch his breath.
They barely had time to rest before growling could be heard behind them. And so they ran again. Madeleine pushing Sean in front of her protecting him. She cursed internally as she saw them all slowing down.
"Get into the trees!" She cried.
Quickly they found the largest trees they could find to climb. After making sure the others were safe, she began to climb when pain shot through to her whole body. Crying out in pain she looked down to find the wolf like creature had its mouth on her.
"Madeline" Sean cried out trying to lean forward and pull her up. But she was not high enough for them to reach. She smiled at him holding in her screams as the wolfish thing pulled her down.
"Don't cry Sean. It's okay I'll be okay" She assured him.
It was then that her hands finally gave out and all she saw was black. Sean's cries for help would be the last things she heard. Dave pulled the young boy to him as they turned away cringing as all they heard was the wolf's growls and crunching on a body. Johanna closed her eyes and filled her thoughts with that she wanted to remember. Madeline standing protectively over Sean, Sarah's quiet presence rather than what had become of them.
"Goodbye" She whispered