Chapter 18: Shock
The three of them remained up in that tree for hours. The haunting sound of mutts chomping down on their friend would forever be itched into their memories. Night soon came and not long after did the mutts leave. The only sound for miles was their heavy breathing. When Panem's Anthem began to play, more canons were fired. Johanna closed her eyes, that meant only eight of them left.
The Final Eight.
Johanna sighed thinking of her family back home. They would be interviewed but she would never see that interview. Even if she made it out, she wouldn't want to see the fake happiness on her parents faces. Johanna knew they wished she would die in the games, after all it was a more comfortable fate than knowing your child survived by killing other children. At least then she would die having fought for her life instead of being known for taking them. If she won, they would be set for life, her district for a year.
She wondered if winning was worth the cost. Looking down at Sean who had clung to her as soon as Madeline's eyes closed. She did not have the heart to push the younger boy away. He was closer to his district partner than she had been with hers. Madeline's words came back to her causing anger to push through her ending in an unfortunate moment of weakness of punching a tree.
"Still he was your district partner…"
No one said anything as the list of tributes unfolded across the sky. Days were spent walking to safer areas. They came across no one and they did not go after the remaining tributes. Gracelessly granted two days of quiet before the Capitol gave them something to do to cure their boredom. They had almost reached what Johanna thought would be shelter when they were ambushed, immediately started running from the large amount of fire balls shooting out. Let it be known that fire balls were scorching. The bastards aimed perfectly. All they could smell was burning bark and feel an extreme
amount of heat. Sean was the first to fall having tripped over a branch.
Cursing their luck Johanna helped grab the younger boy up just as another fire ball stopped at the trunk of the tree they just passed. The small group watched as the invisible wall between them. Each breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "Well fuck them! They are actually trying to kill us themselves now!" Johanna yelled.
"Johanna relax, we must have gotten to close to the edge" Dave sighed instinctively knowing her tantrum would only cause more trouble.
"Damn it! We didn't do anything! I refuse to become the literal Girl on Fire!" Johanna seethed kicking a stick. Sean who had remained quite finally spoke, "They want us in a fight."
The two older tributes shook their head out neither said anything. After all things were about to get a lot worse. Who were they to lie to him?
"Don't worry Sean" Dave pat his shoulder in an attempt to reassure the younger boy.
"Don't lie things are going to get worse. The Capitol will start to get bored something that they cannot have."
"Damn it kid! This situation sucks we know! Doesn't mean you need to let it change you so much" Johanna growled.
The trio remained quiet as they made their way back toward the center. This lasted for one day, a day filled with canons. Canons signaling the push of the remaining tributes into battle by the capitol. Before the end of the day they knew only four tributes remained. As the time passed causing the sky to blacken and the latest causalities on display. As the trio camped out hidden behind the trees and bushes slowly closing in on the cornucopia.
"Where do you think…?" Sean asked quietly.
"The guy from District 1, he would be lurking around here somewhere" Dave shrugged.
"Probably questioning why, we have not split up yet" Johanna murmured.
"Why haven't we?" Sean whispered. Johanna shivered at the empty look in his eyes.
"Because the capitol cannot control this aspect of us. We control this" Johanna whispered uncharacteristically grabbing the young boy's hand.
He smiled weakly at her attempt to comfort. Johanna took first watch as the boys' slept. Her fingers lightly tapping her weapon of choice, her axe. Wounded eyes scanned the quiet landscape. Her body in a constant state of alertness. The past few days of constant worry was starting to wear her down. Silently she cursed Snow for being the corrupted snake the country was too afraid of. Even Katniss for piquing her curiosity and her damn tributes for causing instincts to rise inside her. Instincts that Johanna never thought she even had. She hated that she now had made connections, connections she would be forced to cut in order to survive. Despised that her family had to watch her kill. She inwardly wept for the loss of her previous relationship with them. They'd never look at her the same way if she made it back.
She waited until she could barely keep her eyes open before giving her watch duty over to Dave. Johanna closed her eyes as flashed of blood, mutts and screams took over her dreams. The girl shook and cried within her sleep. Dave watched her out of the corner of his eye. He sighed wondering if he should shake her awake. Knowing that there was one tribute left out there made him uneasy. Dave knew he would not make it out of the arena. Sean would never be the same if he did make it out, Johanna however was a fighter. It would be merciful if Sean died in here, surviving the games would leave him like Cresta. Snow would never allow that to happen again, the aftermath was far
more difficult than usual least year.
So, he waited knowing it was only a matter of time before the capitol pushed all the tributes together. The lazy capitol citizens were bound to be bored by now. The sun was barely rising when Dave heard the sounds of something coming their way. He barely ducked in time to avoid the sword thrown at his head.
"Lost something?" Dave taunted.
The last remaining tribute growled circling him like a lion cornering his prey. Dave twirled his opponent's weapon in his hand gracefully his face void of any emotion.
"Tsk tsk didn't your mentors teach you any manners Diamond boy?"
With that he tossed the sword back to the other tribute who looked back at him in shock. "Taking out someone defenseless has no honor" Dave spat.
The other boy nodded stiffly the two coming to a silent understanding. It was around this time the others woke up. Sean looked on helplessly unsure whether he'd be helpful or a deadly distraction. Johanna looked as if she would trip them a new one any second.
"Don't interfere" Dave growled.
Johanna's eye twitched but sighed quickly putting a slightly comforting hand on Sean's shoulder. The two watched as the boys danced around each other, as if they were dueling rather than being forced into guerrilla warfare by a bunch of overdressed ignorant souls following Satan himself.
The tribute from one made the first move. He stepped his dominant foot out and aimed for Dave's weapon holding arm. Dave leaped back two steps at a time his eyes scanning the area. Luckily his team was just out of range. Barely but it would have to do. He grabbed a couple of rocks and his opponent laughed.
"Rocks? What are you going to do to me with rocks?"
Dave shook his head throwing them in seemingly strange positions, yet Johana was sure they were specifically made to go around them. Creating an invisible barrier that Johanna noticed immediately. Quickly she whispered to Sean, "Did you see where he threw the rocks?"
Sean nodded silently.
"Don't pass them. We are in a safety zone they won't go past it" She muttered.
The two opponents seemed to be in no hurry. Johanna thought they looked like puppets dancing around each other. Neither making a real deadly move. This lasted a while before the tributes got to close and Dave's arm was cut. Johanna barely saw him wince as right before he tried to stab him with his sword. Dave leaped back and gutted him with the triton.
It was silent as they quickly backed away. It was only the three of them now. The Capitol would expect them to start fighting each other. However, Johanna did not have to worry as before the canon fired that damned tribute managed to crawl his way close enough in order to stab Dave in the heart. Sean cried out it was only Johana's quick reflexes that was able to stop him from getting rammed into the sword as well.
"Damn even I didn't see that coming" Dave smirked before slumping to the ground his canon firing.
Johanna did not know whether to cry or laugh at the idiot. Sean looked up at her his eyes filled with acceptance. Johana felt the bile rising in her throat as she knew Sean simply accepted the events that happened, his eyes were already lifeless.
"It's between us now"
Johanna snorted, "Yeah I guess so."
"Are we going to fight?"
"No kid we are not."
"You're barely older than I am" Sean muttered.
Johanna smirked flicking his forehead, "Still older twerp."
Sean grumbled ribbing the spot she had touched. Gently she pushed him closer to her making sure they made it as far away from the carnage as possible.
"Johanna?"
"Yeah?"
"You know we can't ignore this forever?"
Johanna sighed grabbing his shoulders making sure his eyes met hers.
"I am not going to kill you. You want to kill me?"
Sean shook his head, "No."
Johanna nodded smiling at him softly before turning her attention upward. "YOU HEAR THAT? WE ARE NOT GOING TO FIGHT."
As she suspected for a few moments everything was silent. The two remaining tributes looked at each other before Sean noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Johanna watched as the younger boy picked something off the bush.
"What are those?" She whispered as he came back.
"It's from District Twelve. It's Night lock, poisonous if you swallow."
"Then why the fuck do you have it?"
He gave her half of the berries, "They need a victor."
Understanding flooded her, the boy was smart, not a fighter but smart. Too bad they never have a chance to put their plan into action. A mutt attacked before they could react. It jumped Sean causing Johanna to react furiously as she was forced backward. She was forced to watch the mutt bite into the boy's neck. She felt blood splatter as the damned creature killed the remaining tribute as she fought them off to the best of her ability using her feet to push some back attempting to reach a weapon. All feeling in her body left her the only emotion she could detect was anger. Quickly she grabbed her axe
and threw her whole body into it as she threw herself into the vile creature.
Slam
Slam
Slam
She could only see the vile creature before her. She refused to stop not even when last canon fired or as the Head Game Master declared her the winner. She battered the mutt into pieces not caring when the Peacekeepers attempted to pull her away. The last thing she saw was Sean's wide eyes glazed over when she felt a needle in her neck.
Johanna Mason's body slumped into the arms of the peacekeeper behind her. The soldier hauled her up onto his shoulder as all the peacekeepers stormed onto the ship and the healers took the newly made victor off and into their hands.
XXXXX
Panem Capital
President Snow sat leaned back in the comfort of his own personalized chair, sitting in the pitch-black starring at the lighted up hologram above his immaculate desk. His eyes never left the screen at he watched the violence before him.
The District 7 female won after all, despite seeming so meek and inept during the week before the games. Snow allowed a soft grin to emerge on his aging face as his softly used a napkin on his mouth watching as blood leaked into the white cloth. The girl would fetch a nice price to his more, excitable citizens, her actions of protecting other tributes for so long was unexpected….
Snow's eyes hardened; Johana's steak of violence was in rage at the loss of the District 12 tribute. Her closeness with District 12 could be problematic, but not out of his control just yet. Perhaps this growing friendship would be exactly what he needed to make sure the growing Everdeen girl followed in line with her other victors.
When the program turned toward Caesar, the white-haired president waved off the hologram with a smirk.
"Only one shall survive. Now they will remember that. "
XXXX
When Johanna finally woke, the newest victor found herself in a huge bed surrounded by plane white walls clearly still within the walls of the tribute center. Rather than reacting she kept to staring blankly at the empty space in front of her. Her mentor had long sense gone preferring to let the other mentors handle her.
"See you soon" He had muttered before leaving with a wave after several longs' minutes of awkward silence.
It was Katniss who stood quietly next to her sitting on a chair next to the bed. In fact, she was there now being handed a cup by Finnick who Johanna in one of her moments of clarity had dubbed him, pretty boy.
"So…" He smirked at her causing the familiar emotion of irritation to fill up her otherwise numb brain. It was a relief that few people were actually going to treat her as they did before the games. Even if it meant getting irritated by every breath Finnick Odair took.
"Pretty boy" She greeted causing Katniss to look up in surprise. The newest victor had hardly said a word since getting out of the arena. It seems Finnick was able to wake her out of her stupor today.
"She speaks" Katniss's voice carried her usual bluntness with a touch of warmth that very few people got out of her. Johanna was one person Katniss would willingly admit to being… a comrade.
"Is this some welcome to the club shit fest?" Johanna growled watching the corner of her eye was more Capitol healers circled around as if waiting for her to start decomposing. The brunette forced herself to not visibly flinch when one got to close to comfort.
"No that would be a waste on you Sunshine" Finnick gave her a wide toothy grin, keeping an eye on the width separating Johanna from her healers. Johanna grinned back as she stole a piece of food of the plate he held in his hands. She was pleased at the glare she was rewarded with.
"That was mine kid."
"You are what two years older than me? Tough luck Pretty boy" The newest victor chuckled as he rolled his eyes, the other victors in the room watching them carefully.
"Anyone care to explain what the fuck is happening?" Johanna looked around her, the nerves in her body never leaving. The two mentors sighed as Katniss lowered her cup and Finnick seemed to shrink and turn grave.
"You've been here in the hospital healing from your injuries."
Johanna nodded slightly irritated as she had figured this out already. Katniss rolled her eyes spotting the signs of irritation immediately.
"Well aren't you the detective. No shit I feel like a fucking bomb went off."
"Now that your awake you will have your interview with Caesar then you can be sent home for six months before your Victory Tour begins" Katniss finished, her voice firm, sympathetic but firm allowing Johanna no reprieve to even think she has a choice. After all, if she fought it at least as the moment it would only hurt her.
"Victory Tour" Johanna repeated, her voice only slightly below average a sure sign of inner rage.
"Then another break before the next games" Finnick cheered.
The stares he received let him know his comment was not appreciated. He shrugged before giving the newest victor a smile.
"Now welcome to the club."
XXXXXX
Katniss stood outside the trains door impatiently tapping her hand against her leg. Finnick was supposed to be there five minutes ago. A crumpled piece of paper was trapped in her grip. She could barely believe that they approached Haymitch already. He was given time to think but Katniss knew what this was really about. They wanted to test Haymitch's dedication to the cause, she also knew they would not let him get away with saying no.
District 13 was not ready to rage war against the Capitol. This meant that they found something Haymitch had that was worth using one of their only connections into the capitol to obtain it. Katniss growled, the rebels wanted something that only Haymitch could have that would serve a purpose, the only connection Haymitch honestly had that would be worth anything to Snow or the capitol anymore was her.
It meant that whatever was happening in the districts was attracting attention, bad attention. This meant their ability at least to keep the cries of those districts down was gaining attention. If people who had been rebelling were listening to someone, that person would be on the watch list for both Snow and Coin.
Haymitch for all his sobriety kept up a cheery drunken personality. Perhaps all the alcohol turned his brain to mush, however it could be the only trait of his that kept Snow off their radar. If a 13-year-old was being watched by a capitol loving citizen and a drunken victor, what could said girl do?
"Sweetheart calm down even I can read your thoughts," Haymitch coughed. Katniss elbowed him in the ribs and the older man glared at her. The brunette shrugged as her gaze returned to searching for signs.
"Katnip?"
Turning she found the man she was waiting for strolling along up to her minutes before they both had to be on separate trains headed toward their districts. Before she could open her mouth to speak, she closed it changing her mind. Grey eyes narrowed in on the tense muscles, a pronounced locked jaw and clenched fists hidden in his pant pockets.
"Appointments," He answered before she could speak a word.
Katniss kept her mouth shut as the muscles of her own jaw locked tight. Much to her surprise Finnick grabbed her arm pulling her toward her train. Katniss never thought she would be more grateful for mentors having private train entrances. Once they were safely inside of the District 12 trains, he could see Finnick visibly relax.
"I decided to take a needed visit to District 12" Finnick said casually. He almost fooled her, almost, but they were far more alike than either of them would ever be comfortable enough to admit.
"Fin…" She started.
"Not now Girl on Fire not now" He sighed sitting on her bed in her compartment. Katniss watches as he lays down closing his eyes. She easily curled up to him her chin laying on his chest her ear pressed to his heart. Taking more comfort than she should from hearing the heavy thump caused by his beating heart. She surprised herself when she didn't flinch as his warm arm wrapped lazily around her waist. No one interrupted them and soon both lost themselves to slumber.
XXXXXX
The train was still moving when Katniss woke to stirring underneath her. Groaning she buried her head into something firm and warm. It was only the sound of chuckling that caused her to realize her surroundings.
"Comfortable?"
"You're passable" Her reply caused more chuckles.
"Whatever you say Everdeen."
Haymitch did not comment when they walked into the dining compartment. Effie smiled widely at the two victors pushing for them to sit and eat.
"I hear District Twelve will be graced with your presence for a few weeks" Haymitch greeted.
"It seems that way. I'll have to make a few trips outside, but I'll be there for a while."
"More appointments?" Katniss asked unable to keep out the anger in her voice.
Finnick's eyes pierced into hers, "That's the way it is Katniss. Let's not anger anyone yet."
Katniss looked down silently finishing the plate Effie shoved in her direction. She hid her surprise as Finnick squeezed her hand.
"I'll be fine" He mouthed to her.
As usual her perception of time differed on the train. The roughly two-day trip always felt like one as she felt her body go from the numb, she felt while at the capitol to the slow awakening she felt as she got closer to District Twelve. Between herself and her fellow victors no one spoke of any communication from District Thirteen. Bile rose in her throat as Coin flashed through her mind. The women were just as vile as President Snow. At least Snow rarely acted as if he wasn't the poisonous snake.
When they reached their destination there was no crowd waiting for them. Haymitch smirked at the relief that crossed over her features.
"You alright, sweetheart?"
"Don't bother Haymitch you're free to get drunk" Katniss muttered releasing him. He rolled his eyes slapping Finnick on the back on his way out. She watched as Prim greeted him enthusiastically while her eyes scanned the area behind him. She felt his warmth before his hand touched her shoulder.
"Ready?"
"Do I have a choice?"
Prim's smile at the sight of them broke down the last few mountains of her shell. Katniss was finally home, she knelt down as Prim tackled her.
"Your back!"
"Yes, Little Duck. I told you this time was different," Katniss fought a smile as Prim held her tighter. Keeping her grip tight she carried Prim along with her as Prim gently talked with Finnick.
"Where's Annie?" Her tiny voice asked.
"She couldn't visit yet. She'll be here for Christmas I think" Finnick answered with his wide smile, the true one. Mrs. Everdeen hugged her daughter tight while softly greeting their guest. No one else was there explaining that it was probably for the best.
Three weeks was all she got. Three weeks of peace of pushing herself to go back to normal. Finnick was able to stay two weeks before his appointments started to come in. He had been gone a week when her phone rang. The noise shook through the whole house as no one they knew really had a phone. The victors' they knew rarely rang something that never bothered Katniss. She rather they all allowed themselves to be free from the games the best they could.
Not using the phone was one way. Katniss allowed herself a moment to gain her awareness as she grabbed the contraption.
"Hello?"
"They did it"
"Johanna" Katniss breathed a sigh of relief at hearing the newest victor's voice.
"They fucking did it!" A smash was heard along with a long list of profanities. Katniss only ever heard out of one mouth.
"They did what Johanna?" Katniss asked focusing on her own breathing as immediately the feeling of dread overwhelmed her. Her name was Katniss Everdeen. Her home was District Twelve.
Truth.
"They killed my family."
"Who Johanna?" Her breathing went shallow her mind refusing to attempt her game of sanity.
"The Capitol! They wanted…"
"I know Jo"
"Fuck them! You knew!"
"Finnick. They haven't introduced me yet it's only a matter of time I assume" Katniss reminded her gently
"Finnick?"
"Yes, Finnick Odair. I'd call him"
"Hell No"
"You will call him"
"Fuck you little girl"
"He understands" Katniss replied numbly focusing on the task getting Johanna to call Finnick.
"I know" was her grudging reply.
"You'll call"
"Fuck it. Yes, I'll call" Johanna grumbled.
"Good. Goodbye Johanna"
"Done with me already?"
"You need Finnick"
"Alright! Goodbye Girl on Fire."
The line clicked dead and Katniss stared at the wall. How could she have forgotten this? She could have prevented more death. Some Mockingjay she was. Angrily Katniss hooked the phone back up to its resting place. She pulled on her father's jacket grabbed her bow and arrow leaving the house.
The path to the district fence was deserted no one being around their homes during working hours. She stopped and listened for the sound of high-powered electricity. When she could hear nothing, she slipped through the fence. The forest surrounding District Twelve was quiet. Katniss stalked through the forest silent quietly waiting for something to hunt. She stayed out there for hours bagging a pouch full of squirrels to sell. After slipping back through the fence she went straight toward the bakers.
By the time Katniss came home night had fallen. She sold most of the squirrels. She had just closed the door when the phone began to ring again. "Hello?" She answered
"Little Flame"
"Finnick! Where are you?" She couldn't keep the relief out of her voice even if she tried.
"Spending some quality time with our newest victor"
"How is she?" Katniss asked grimly.
"Eh… Pissed?"
Katniss laughed softly the answer for a reason she could not grasp made her happy. She could easily see them together both completely as ease with each other. If only things would ever be that simple.
"Finnick, what deal did you make?"
"I don't know what you mean, Everdeen."
"To be able to visit me again, even with appointments. To visit Johanna…"
"Snow wanted to make sure a victor as young as you were integrated fully. Katniss, he wanted me to visit you once you won your games, with Anne it made it seem like…"
"He was benevolent, that the victors were a family. When really travel for us is even more restricted" Katniss growled remembering how Haymitch looked so troubled when Finnick was visiting once again, the old man admitting that travel between districts was frowned upon that the only reason he was around the first time meant Snow wanted to use Finnick.
"Katniss?"
"Yes, Finnick?"
"She's agreed to their terms"
Her heart turned to ice, "Of course"
"We've been granted some leave however"
"And what shall you do with all that free time"
He took a few minutes to answer instantly alerting her to the fact he indeed had something up his sleeve. "Finnick" Her voice was light, a severe warning.
"Spend it with you of course. We will be there tomorrow."