Chapter 22: Think of Home
Katniss sat up straighter pulling the blanket up further staring at the man before her leaning against the wall as if nothing could possibly go wrong. "Finnick!" She hissed quieter her grey eyes narrowing at the messiness of his features.
"Girl on Fire is that anyway to talk to your future loving husband" His voice sounded harsh, not quite slurred but Katniss smelled alcohol on his breath anyway.
"How much did you have to drink? And just what are you doing here?" Katniss asked her lips thinning in displeasure at the thought of a drunk Finnick in her room.
"Still sober, after our 'date' I had some appointments and its hardly hard to sneak in milady."
Her eyes narrowed, "That's Haymitch's band-aid not yours. I ran away with you where is my punishment?"
"As the older of the two of us, Snow will allow me to take your punishments for you. For now, anyway the bastard."
Flinching at the coldness of his tone had the female moving closer grabbing his wrist and pulling hard so he hunched over her. Katniss could feel his eyes staring down at their joined hands as she moved so he was forced to look in her eyes.
"Finnick why the hell did you try and take both of our punishments?"
"Do you really think I would for one second let you take a punishment? If I could take it for you?"
Finnick's eyes narrowed at the now retreating gaze of the girl on fire, "Katniss I would do that for every friend of mine if I could. The only reason Snow even allowed it is because our date was a rather huge success, the people loved it."
If there was an underlying reason neither victor voiced its existence. Katniss kept eye contact with Finnick, looking straight into his green eyes. The amount of emotion in them enough to bring her to her knees if she were to stand. The victor's heart was swelling at the ferocity of his words.
Finnick didn't stop there, "What's the real damn reason you're afraid Katniss? The other Victors could care less what we do, your family wants to see you happy and you don't have to do any of this alone. You have to let someone in Katniss, not just enough to work alongside in the rebellion but really let them in."
At first Katniss did not answer grey eyes starred into green with what seemed like no emotion in them. It was ironic really Finnick mused that someone who seemed so tough, so immovable had eyes that emotions could not easily penetrate actually had more emotion storming through said eyes that anyone else. When she finally answered, Finnick felt his breath escape him as the words echoed in
his ears.
"The mission…"
Katniss felt his arms slip around her causing her to move before her brain could register what was happening. The moment she blinked Finnick had her pinned to her bed his legs on either side of her his elbows holding him up as his head dipped into her shoulder.
"Idiot."
Katniss felt the spark of annoyance as his voice choked out his response. "Kat…" Finnick started before sighing pulling her face closer toward his so their foreheads touched. Closing her eyes, the girl underneath him just waited patiently.
"Trust me."
Finnick then pulled away after pulling a runaway hair out of her face, "We will do this your way Katniss. But you know this is more than just a band aid."
XXXXX
Haymitch Abernathy considered himself an intelligent man. A man of logic and reason at least when it suited him particularly when he was sober. When the dark-haired man woke to Effie's hysterical cries he assumed it was something ridiculous. He did not expect to find her outside of Katniss's room pointing with a shaking finger as if President Snow was eating a human hand in front of her.
Curiosity got the best of him as Haymitch peaked into the room. Inside much to his amusement was a sleeping Finnick Odair and Katniss Everdeen. The covers kicked to the bottom Katniss was pressed against a shirtless Odair sleeping on his chest. Odair was strewn out as if it were his room an arm wrapped around the girl's waist.
Turning toward Effie annoyance clearly written across his face, "They are not naked. What's the problem?"
"It's indecent!" She shrieked.
Haymitch grimaced as he felt a migraine coming on. At the moment he did not remind her that they usually did end up sharing a bed at night. No that would lead to more shrieking.
"That won't end well" He mused to himself.
So instead the victor shook his head grabbing the upset woman by her shoulders and led her away from the slumbering couple. As soon as they were out of ear shot he let go slumping over onto a couch. "We have to…" Haymitch quickly interrupted her.
"Effie they were not going anything. Even if they were it is none of our business." Effie sniffed muttering quietly to herself about how improper it was. Haymitch snorted wondering how on earth he get stuck with an escort like Effie. Things were going to get rougher before it got any better. Grabbing a glass, he poured the strongest non-alcoholic substance he could find.
Drowning himself with the liquid he inspected the now empty glass. The lovebirds would no doubt return from their slumber soon. He'd then have to force them to discuss the various unpleasant things they needed to do. Today's paper was laid out onto the table. Haymitch assumed curtesy of Effie. Front page was a rather endearing photo. Haymitch could practically see Katniss narrow her eyes in quiet fury. Luckily for him her mental age seemed to bring maturity to the young warrior.
"Haymitch."
He raised his glass in greeting offering his former tribute the paper with an amused
smirk, raising an eyebrow she muttered," Now is the time I should be worrying" as she took
the offending article.
Scanning the page momentarily she froze. Haymitch mentally checked off each movement as if she were an equation. It was Finnick who broke the silence.
"At least I look good ouch!" He rubbed his arm grumbling about abuse from tiny women. Katniss rolled her eyes as she turned her attention toward her mentor.
"They do like their fairytales" Haymitch chuckled, "It's your job to make them forget. Your succeeding just be thankful that it gives us more time."
Her fists unclenched at Finnick's touch his eyes warning her. Her gaze returned toward the older man sighing, "Anything new?"
Haymitch shook his head, "Nothing. You want to send a message?"
The look in her eyes made Haymitch nervous. Uneasily the man sat straighter looking the young mentor in the eye, "What are you planning?"
"If District 13 wants to play then we will. They obviously doubt us so it's up to us to show them."
Finnick groaned causing Katniss to look his way. The bronze haired man grinned weakly, "Just practicing my shock at your soon to fail plan."
"It won't."
"Didn't we keep you out for a reason?"
"And look how that turned out! Finnick do…"
His lips on hers shut down whatever she was going to say, Katniss stared at him in annoyance. Haymitch's low catcall shook her back to reality as she shoved him away. "My new favorite way to shut you up."
Finnick suddenly found himself fearing an arrow would soon be pointed at him. "Done?" Katniss growled mostly out of slight annoyance than out of any real anger. Ironically she sounded just like she did before the rebellion. She released her glare at seeing Finnick nod. Katniss Everdeen walked out the door without a single mention of her plan.
"Should we be worried?" Finnick wondered out loud.
Haymitch let out an irritated grumble, "I'd be far more concerned if she was actually 14." The day soon came for all the tributes to gather together as they were called one by one to show off their skill. Katniss watched the tributes stare each other down, like a bunch of baby lions trying to be king. Her own tributes seemed small compared to the rest. Katniss idly wondered what life would be like if she did not have to send tributes off to slaughter. A much brighter one was her conclusion.
"Quite sad really" A female voice floated behind her.
Katniss solemnly greeted Cashmere as the older mentor came to stand beside her. "Be thankful most will not know a life of a Victor" The blonde commented.
If what she said was shocking Katniss never let it show. She learned to hide everything from an early age after all.
"You sound as if you were not happy."
Cashmere let out a hollow laugh, Katniss was sure no victor truly laughed while in the
capitol. "Everdeen more people are behind you than you think."
With that Katniss was left alone. The conversation struck Katniss as odd. Dinner that night started off as the same Katniss had witnessed for years now. As Effie rambled off the latest gossip from her capitol friends. It was unnerving how the glares had no effect on her. The female tribute's aggravation was palpable until Katniss turned to attention toward her.
"This is bullshit" She finally spoke as Haymitch started on the interview process.
"Bullshit?" Haymitch repeated, Katniss clearly seeing the amusement behind his grey eyes.
"Yes bullshit. Our mentors are not even mentoring! Katniss has probably yet to learn our
names!" The female tribute growled back slamming her plate down. The scene reminded Katniss of her own games. The girl, Isabella, was right about one thing. Katniss had been half-assing her duties this year. She had to or else she might change this year's results. She had to force them to become sacrifices. The bitter truth tasted awful in her mouth.
"Well…" Haymitch drawled as the boy followed after his sister.
"We can't lie to them Haymitch."
"No we can't. Looks like you mastered the game" His eyes were dull with a touch of understanding.
"How else are we going to win?"
Effie watched the two of them with keen eyes. She couldn't help but feel dread flow over her. She knew the two well by now whatever they were planning it was not going to end well. The woman also knew that her input at this moment would be unwelcome. Effie was blessed with decent relations to her victors, she knew their temperaments and their vices.
It was why Effie did not truly worry over how the two would handle this latest batch of tributes. Almost as if the universe was setting out to prove her right…
"I'll talk to her" Katniss muttered following the twins only moments behind. It did not take long for Katniss to find her charges. The thirteen-year-old 's went straight to the roof. Katniss found them starring at the night sky.
"Nice show back there" Katniss spoke letting her presence be known, " definitely caught our attention."
"I'm not apologizing" Isabella replied anger rolling off of her in waves.
Katniss showed no reaction as she replied with a nonchalant, "I did not expect you to."
Sitting down next to her tributes the victor catalogued the changes she found in her young charge. First the lack of sleep was obvious, her will to live was thriving but she was angry. Her emotions would more than likely be the end of her.
"Your right about one thing" She told Isabella.
"What was that?"
"This entire situation is bullshit. I know your name by the way, Isabella" Katniss teased butting the girl's shoulder. Her male tributes managed to crack a grin.
"That's a surprise" The tribute muttered.
"Believe it or not I remember all of my fallen tributes. As a mentor you carry every death."
Katniss waited as she watched the anger fade turning into curiosity, the victor knew that many wishes to question her, yet no one had dared. Between her status as victor and a hunter that gave the seam extra food and her families healing occupations, Katniss assumed most were too afraid to risk the Everdeen's wrath.
Not that they would ever deny someone help, just because they pissed Katniss off. Not even the victor would do that, even if the thought would cross her mind, repeatedly.
"You remember them?" This time her male tribute, Thomas who spoke.
"Names, personalities and I try for a personal thing but as Haymitch knows time is not our friend. If you ask him he will deny knowing even the most memorable. He knows them all."
"We are going to die, there is no way we can win" Isabella wallowed in despair, fear reeking from her every pore. Katniss leaned over taking the girl by the hand. She could not protect her as much as she wished out in the arena. But she would be damned if she did not offer them a bit of comfort.
"We can't make you any promises Isabella. There are going to be twenty-four tributes in that arena and the capital refuses to allow for what happened in mine to occur again."
"I don't want to live in a world where my brother is not in it" She cried her brother pulling her into a hug, Thomas kissing his sister on the forehead as Katniss watched from beside them.
It was Katniss turn to snort softly, "Welcome to the games."
"Some game " Isabella muttered earning a small grin from Katniss.
Katniss stayed silent for a moment before speaking, "When you are in the arena, after all the fighting is done for the day. When you are sitting whether you have an ally or are alone. Think of home."
"Home is the seam, a place where we are lucky to even still be alive. Now we are being sent out to kill other kids. To avoid the thought of death you want us to think about the place where we almost starved to death" Thomas shook his head.
"It's also the place we learned about the Girl on Fire. Where we learned how to walk, what not to eat when we were starving, where we learned to rely on each other" Isabella replied tucking her head in his shoulder.
Katniss smiled, "It's where I met my first real friends, like Peeta."
"The baker's son" Thomas nodded, "he is always handing out the day-old bread to those of us in the seam. He has to do it late or his parents would never let him out of the house he says."
Katniss laughed, "that's putting it nicely actually."
The victor turned her head towards where she sensed eyes on them, she saw the flash of long hair and internally rolled her eyes. That softy. "Show yourself Haymitch" Katniss called out causing a chuckle to escape from the shadows.
"You had to ruin my fun" Haymitch sighed strolling out of his hiding place.
"No, I was stopping you from gaining a reputation for creepy pedophile. I figure you would appreciate it" The two tributes watched their mentors in pure fascination as the two dueled each other verbally. It was shocking to know how close these two actually were.
"Katniss…" Thomas mumbled so low she almost missed it.
"Yes?"
"What do you do to remember home?"
Katniss was silent for a moment looking toward Haymitch who shrugged slugging back a liquor bottle refilled with water. Haymitch said he enjoyed the confusing looks he received. Katniss knew the man just really enjoyed annoying the hell out of people, and this was indeed his favorite way to do it.
"I sing a lullaby" At the confused looks Katniss started to hum softly.
"Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree.
The siblings leaned back into each other, as the words flowed through them. The lyrics of the song filling them with a sense of calm. Lyrics whispered in hush tones at bedtime as capital soldiers stalked the streets. A lullaby that every child in twelve knew by heart, yet only ever heard in whispers. Even Haymitch managed to close his eyes. Katniss kept her gaze on her tributes, watching as the tense muscles began to relax.
Are you, are you
"Coming to the tree
Where dead man called out
For his love to flee.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run,
So we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree
"Should we be worried that the song we sing to babies is about lovers hanging in a damn tree?" Isabella asked quietly as she allowed her head to lean on her brother's shoulder. Barely managing to keep her eyes open. Thomas chuckled whispering that what else in their lives was not a little messed up?
Are you
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run,
So we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of hope,
Side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree
Are you (You)
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where dead man called out
For his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree."
XXXXX
Back in the President's office Snow starred down at his newly appointed Gamemaker Seneca Crane stood before President Snow nervously waiting for his leader to speak. The newly elevated man kept his face neutral, as inwardly the man feared what his first task would indeed be.
"Is it done?" The president asked.
"Yes Sir, the arena has been finished. The tributes will never again get the upper hand" Crane was happy to report the progress of the arena he designed. Seeing the mostly disinterested look in the president's eye, Crane kept it simple and straight to the point.
"Good. I'd hate to have to replace you so soon."
Seneca Crane knew the hidden threat behind the comment. He nodded bowing before turning to leave. Before he could make it out the door Snow had spoken again.
"Oh Mr. Crane. Remember I want this year to go smoothly. I hope you do not disappoint me."
"Of course, Sir, Goodnight Sir."
Closing the office door Seneca Crane let out a heavy sigh. He was going to have his work cut out for him. He checked his pad for the daily intel on the districts, he saw the increasing evidence of dissent. Crane ground into his teeth, it was his job to ensure an active and exciting game not to ensure no riots broke out. If any protests did occur Seneca Crane would make sure their precious tributes paid the price. That would smash down the more radical movements quickly. Seneca Crane sighed, "Riots? I'll be lucky if all I have to worry about were small riots."
One thing was for certain this year had to be perfect. No tribute will have a chance, after all who can outsmart the capitol.