Peeta's POV

We manage to leave Twelve in the early morning. Nobody thought it safe or wise to attempt it at any other time, especially not at night with the strict curfew. In pairs of threes and fours, we trudge over the brown, muddy Meadow, leaving a space of thirty minutes between each group. A thick, bluish fog has engulfed everything around us with a light spray of rain. Even in three layers, I feel a shiver that zig zags down my spine.

Katniss and I silently creep up the small hill, Prim between us (cradling Buttercup after heavily persuading Katniss to let him come). We're careful to only step on patches of grass so to avoid footprints. Mrs. Everdeen, Haymitch, and the second Hawthorne boy trail behind us, followed by Gale, Mrs. Hawthorne, and the younger two children. It's an interesting band, but at least everyone is conforming to the plan.

The peak of the hill overlooks the main section of the Merchant's Village. Through the wet mist, I can barely see the right gable of the Bakery. I force myself to suppress the dull pain of sadness I feel. In a mile, we approach the wet, drooping willow tree. Yesterday evening, Gale damaged this part of the fence, using some expensive tools he traded for in the Merchant's Village.

Katniss, Haymitch, and I were in charge of distraction that day. We decided to host a baby shower for Katniss, inviting practically everyone in the district, including some peacekeepers we knew were on duty near the Meadow. It was an extravagant party, especially for Twelve. I think it was a nice change for people. My father was even generous enough to bake three large cakes for the occasion.

The fence began sparking violently once Gale created a large hole. In the middle of the night, the peacekeepers were resolved to temporarily turn off the power. Of course, suspicion has already begun to arise, which is why we are departing as soon as possible. The moment we carefully crawl over the fence and travel about 20 yards into the forest, the several groups become one and we drastically pick up speed.

My throat tightens, and I suddenly feel the weight of our decisions crashing down upon us should we get caught.

No, no it can't happen.

"We must put as much distance as possible between us and that fence," Katniss announces to the group, as her and Gale take the lead. They know these woods best and both have a keen sense of direction. We roam for what seems like hours. I kindly offer to carry little Posy on my shoulders for Mrs. Hawthorne.

I lift the thin four-year old over my head, and she holds onto my chin tightly.

"You okay up there?" I call up to her. Her tiny hand pats my chin.

"Yep!"

I grin at her sweetness.

We approach a slender stream, which rushes downward into a small pond. Momentarily, we pause and quench our thirst with the freezing water. The drizzle of rain has stopped, but the fog remains. I'm grateful for the protection it offers us. Surely, it must have made it difficult for the peacekeepers to have spotted us.

A little after mid-day, Katniss finally allows us to rest. I've been observing her as we've walked. She hardly stopped once, except for our short break for water. She practically bounded through the forest, intuitively knowing exactly where to go. We sink under an oak tree looming over us. I gently lift Posy off of my shoulders, but instead of retreating back to her mother, she decides to sit on my knee.

"Are you warm enough?" I ask her, eyeing her tattered coat. Even through she answers yes, her teeth audibly chatter. I grab my bag and take out a sleeping bag. Folding it in two, I wrap it tightly around her.

Everyone decides to hold out on eating until dinner to preserve our small supply before we'll have to begin hunting. After a few more minutes of rest, Katniss shoots up and informs us that we should get moving.

Posy decides to follow her mother, and I end up walking beside Haymitch, who looks slightly gray in the face.

"Are you okay?" I ask him. He wipes his brow.

"I'm trying to hold off until this evening... haven't drunk anything since breakfast," he grumbles. By that he means he hasn't had a good beer since this morning. I can tell by the clanging in his bag that he's brought a decent supply. I should be angry at his foolishness in taking up valuable space with his liquor, but instead I can't help but snicker at him.

Dusk approaches and we find a cluster of trees to rest under for the night. Everyone removes their own sleeping bag from their small pack. I hand over the bag to Katniss so she can disperse food for dinner.

"I think we're about seven miles out," Katniss tells us as we munch away on the nut bread I baked earlier. Gale nods in agreement.

"How is everyone feeling?" Gale asks, the question more directed towards the younger ones of our group, who already seem heavily fatigued. Prim and Rory try to remain strong and insist that they're fine, while Vick and Posy are already dozing in their sleeping bags.

"How are you doing, Katniss?" Prim turns to her sister with a caring expression. Katniss leans against the trunk of the tree.

"Fine, why?" She replies with a confused look. Her eyes then flicker to me and suddenly she realizes what Prim meant. She was really referring to the baby.

"Oh, uh... well," Katniss sighs. "I'm sorry, Prim... I'm not pregnant," she confesses, awaiting everyone's reaction. Mrs. Hawthorne emits a little laugh, breaking the silence.

"I think we knew," she smiles, glancing over at Mrs. Everdeen. "At least-I did."

"What?"

Mrs. Everdeen nods knowingly, touching Katniss's arm.

"I'm sorry, Katniss, but after a few weeks it became clear to me that you weren't expecting a baby," she explains.

"We, as mothers, can tell," Mrs. Hawthorne adds. Katniss gnaws at her lip, soon forcing a nervous laugh.

"Well, we really thought we were fooling people," I admit.

"I'm glad you're not gonna have a baby, it would've been kinda weird," Rory speaks up, scrunching his nose. We laugh at his comment, but it's true. Our relationship definitely seemed to escalate fast.

I eye Gale remaining quiet, twisting some grass between his fingers. I forget this must seem awkward for him...

"Well, I'll take first watch," Katniss offers.

"No-"

"Katniss-"

Gale and I both begin, but we abruptly stop when we realize our minds have the same train of thought. Katniss's silver gaze flickers from Gale to me. I clear my throat unsteadily, deciding to be polite and let Gale speak even though it annoys me.

"No, I think I should keep watch first. You should rest for now because you led us to this point. Peeta can go after me, then you, then Haymitch, and so on," Gale decides. Katniss nearly rolls her eyes, but eventually agrees and slips down into her bag. Prim curls up beside Katniss with their mother close by. The Hawthornes also create a sleeping nest for themselves, except Gale who settles against a tree to take watch.

I try to lay out my sleeping bag a good deal away from everyone. Suddenly, I feel as if I'm invading an intimate moment between these two families. I sense Haymitch feels the same way. He groans, slumping down beside me and quietly extracting a liquor bottle from his bag.

"So, we're the loners," he mumbles after taking a swig. I lay down on my back, resting my arms behind my head.

"I guess so," I reply indifferently, already picturing my family in my head. I glance up at Haymitch, who is wiping the alcohol dripping down his chin.

"Don't get drunk. It would be very stupid right now."

He gives me a look, but then shrugs it off.

"I'll be careful," he mutters. I turn my face towards the sky. The fog has finally lifted, and I admire billions of scattered stars. Even in Twelve, light pollution would prevent me from witnessing this sight.

"Once we get far away enough, I'll contact Thirteen," Haymitch says after a moment. I sit up.

"How would you do that?" I wonder aloud. Haymitch scoops into his bag and pulls out the tiny black device from before.

"These little things do more than just screw with Capitol surveillance systems. This button here-" he taps at a gray square at the corner "-instantly notifies someone in the rebellion. It then turns into a tracking device where they can pick us up should we need their help." He explains.

"But we have to be well beyond of District Twelve's borders for them to safely rescue us," he continues. "I should say roughly within three miles of Thirteen would be best. Remember that map I gave Katniss?"

I nod. On Saturday, Haymitch entrusted Katniss to carry a map with a detailed route to Thirteen. The map is practically ancient, dating back to before the first rebellion. Somehow, Haymitch got a hold of it.

I begin wondering how long Haymitch has been working with the rebels... did he know about the possible revolution before Katniss and I were even reaped? He must have. Looking back, I should have given him more credit than just assuming he was a depressed drunkard with no ambition to save his mentees anymore.

Maybe he was just that, but I think the rebellion converted him into something better. Maybe it gave him something worth fighting for that overcame his hopelessness and despair.

I try to settle in and sleep for a few hours. After dozing (not fully asleep), Gale nudges my shoulder and I take second watch.

A/N: Hey, hope you're enjoying the story so far! In a few chapters, I might do a few POVs from Finnick's perspective and explain how he ties into the rebellion during this time. I'm planning on having Katniss and Peeta meet the other victors later on, so I thought it would be interesting to give some context for Finnick, in particular. Let me know what you think in the reviews!