Here is the next chapter and the aftermath of Gale's death. Everyone starts to get suspscious about Gale's death and the cause for it. Hope you enjoy it...
Chapter 7 - Metal and Dust.
"Look, Peeta we both know that this wasnt by accident." Haymitch says to me as we sit in the sitting room of the Bakery. Everyone is working and its my break so its just me and Haymitch. It has been 2 days now since Gale died and everyone is still in mounring. They found some remains in the mines that they are sure are Gale's and buried them in the hallowed ground behind the Justice Building and I went to visit them yesterday to find Delly standing there crying. Delly hasnt left her house either. Her parents have given her as much time as she needs off from work.
"Yeh, but why, what did he do other than the arena?" I ask. We all know that he defied the Capitol when he was in the arena by what he did for Rue and the end when he told Delly to let him die. Normally you wouldnt think that they would see that as a rebellious act but this time they did and none of us are sure why but the Capitol have their eyes on Gale and Delly and even Katniss just because they think that Gale loves her instead of Delly.
"Well... I found him about 2 or maybe 3 weeks ago, he was on the phone when I walked past his open window. He was shouting. I eventually got that it was President Snow on the other line and he was telling him that he couldnt deal with the whole Delly/Gale love because he was in love with Katniss..." Haymitch says and I nod. We all knew that he was in love with Katniss but we didnt think they would kill him unless he acted on that love.
"Well what can we do now?" I ask him.
"I'm not sure Peeta, there isnt much we can do but we have to look after Katniss and make sure that he doesnt get to her. I know he's been watching her. He should leave Delly alone for now because he has hurt her by killing Gale so Katniss is our main worry now." He says. I know he is worried about Katniss. Obviously, she is his niece after all.
"Ok. Can I talk to you about something? I want to talk to Rye about it but I dont want to worry him and I'm not quite sure where their relationship is at the moment so I was wondering if I could tell you?" I ask and he nods, leaning in. "Its Katniss, she's been acting strange. Before Gale's death she was ill quite a few times and I've hardly ever known Katniss to be ill. Plus she always seemed to be tired and she is crying a lot and Katniss never cries. I'm just worried about her, I dont know what it is but I know that something is wrong with her." He starts to run his fingers along his chin whilst thinking and I wait for an answer that he doesnt give straight away.
"I'm not sure actually. I could talk to Evelyn about it if you want? She always payed more attention to our mother than I did. She probably knows more than Mother did." He laughs slightly which I return. "I'll talk to her later."
"Good thanks." I say with a smile.
"So why do you think that Rye never noticed?" Haymitch asks.
"I dont know, I dont think he notices anything anymore. He isnt here much and when he is, Katniss doesnt really talk to him. I know it sounds bad but I think their relationship is failing. Katniss still loves him but Rye is acting like an asshole, I think thats part of the reason why she is acting strange." I say.
"Yeh maybe... Anyway... I have something that I need to give to Katniss and Rye. Its something from Gale and The Mayor says that we need to clean out his house soon so that we can sort it all out. I was wondering if you wouldnt mind helping. I was going to ask Delly and Katniss but I dont know if they would want to help." He asks.
"Yeh of course I'll help." I reply.
KATNISS POV
"Katniss I have a letter for you. Its from Gale. He wrote you a letter the night before he went into the arena." Uncle Haymitch says pulling a couple envelopes from his pocket. We have all finished our day of work now and where sitting silently in the sitting room until Uncle Haymitch started talking now we are all looking towards him. "I have never read it because I wasnt allowed but I kept it incase something happened. I guess that was a pretty good idea but here you go." He hands it to me and I look at the name scribbled along the envelope in Gale's scruffy handwriting. 'Catnip'. "He wrote you one Rye aswell."
I rip mine open using my finger and unfold the paper, beginning to read the scruffy handwriting. I find myself already crying over the picture of him sitting there at some desk in the Capitol writing this out especially for me.
Catnip,
If you are getting this letter, it means that I'm dead. Haymitch promised that he would give it to you. I don't know how I'm going to die but I hope it isnt too hard for you to watch. Please dont miss me too much, I know that I already miss you and it feels horrible, I could never wish that upon you.
I'm going into the arena tomorrow. I can't say I'm not scared because then I would be lying. I'm terrified. I know that you wouldn't be that scared if you where here. You would be determined to come back to your mother and your sister but I'm nothing like you and I never will be. You are the strongest person that I have ever known and I know that you will get over my death eventually. Just remember that the good days still outnumber the bad.
There will be days when you feel all alone and thats when Hope is needed most. No matter how buried it gets, or how lost you feel, you must promise me that you will hold onto hope. Keep it alive. We have to be greater then what we suffer. My wish for you is to become hope, people need that, and even if we fail, what better way is there to live?
I know you probably want to know about what I've been doing for the past week and how it has been. It hasnt been at all fun. I've grown closer to Delly. She is amazing and I hope you understand that I won't be able to watch her die in that arena. I'm not saying that I will do anything to save her but if it comes down to the 2 of us then I dont have a choice but to let her win. I hope you understand and don't hate me for what I do.
Training was boring. Me and Delly spent most of the time together because we didnt really like any of the other tributes. The worst ones where from 1 and 2. Always looking down us like we where nothing but I expected that. My private training session was horrible, none of them payed attention to me so I did what I had to but Haymitch says that I'm not allowed to tell you what I did.
Interview training was almost as bad. Haymitch told me that I was really stubborn so I shouted at him but I assure you he was doing everything he can to save my life. He said that you would never forgive him if he let me die. Just promise me that you will forgive him, he thinks very highly of you Katniss.
Effie Trinket, was really annoying. All she cared about was her schedules or us getting up on time and stuff like that. She only got sensitive this morning when she realised that we would be in the arena tomorrow. I honestly will feel sorry for you if you ever have to spend a week with her.
Have fun with the rest of your life. You deserve it. Enjoy the little things because one day, you may look back and realise that they where the big things.
Tell my family that I didnt want to leave them. Make sure that Posy grows up right into a very intelligent little girl and seen as I can't do it myself, I want you and Rory to interrogate her first boyfriend. If he isnt good enough for my baby sister then he can get lost. Remember to tell Posy all about me because I doubt she will remember me very well.
Make sure that Rye knows that I never actually hated him. I just made it seem like I did because he is dating my best friend. I was always very happy for you guys. Have fun with him... BUT NOT TOO MUCH FUN! I'm watching over you remember.
I will always be waiting for you but please take your time because I cant bare to see you here with me until its your time. I love you Katniss Everdeen and I will always be watching over you. Dont ever forget me.
Be Happy,
From... Gale.. xx
My eyes are completely clouded by tears now as they drop down onto the letter that lies in my hands. I drop it onto my knees and cry into my hands, feeling a hand stroking my back. I just wish that I had had time to tell him goodbye. I never got to tell him that. I hope he knows that I loved him, like a brother anyway. He was the brother than I never had, I hope he knows that. I know that he was in love with me and I could never give him what he wanted but I still loved him in some ways and I never told him.
RYE POV
To Rye,
I know that I was the last person you would have expected to get a letter from but If Haymitch sticks to his word and give you this letter then it means that I am dead and there is something that I needed to tell you but I clearly didnt get the time.
I've never shown any likeness towards you but that was only because you where dating my best friend and sometimes you can be a little horrible towards her...
Just answer me one question? How many guys do you think want to be with her right now? How many guys do you think are in love with her smile? That smile that only she has. There's a lot of them isn't there?
You dont know what she feels. She cries a lot when you fail on her... However... She chose you! To her, you're the most perfect guy in the world. She loves each one of your flaws. With your bad days and your attitude. And she still calls her her 'king'. She loves you just the way you are. She loves you even when you're the one that starts the fighting. She loves you and only you even though you dont trust her. She even loves you... when you cant control yourself and start yelling at her.
Now... I just want you to APPRECIATE what you have. So many people want to be with her. They want her so badly that they are waiting for your first mistake, to get at her. And if you mess up, you'll see her in someone else's arms and that is when you will realise... That she is the most perfect girl you've ever met. But guess what? It will be too late...
Look after her and make sure she stays happy. Thank you for being there for her Rye...
From,
Gale.
I must read through the letter about 3 times before it actually sinks in that Gale is gone. I didnt actually believe it until now. Before this, I just expected him to walk back through the streets, talking to Katniss or laughing with Delly. I think about him and all I get is the guy that I would see walking through the halls in school and the one that would sit at the back of our classroom staring out the window at the tree's. Then it makes me think of Katniss. She used to talk about him all the time and when he went into the games she was so depressed and when he almost died at the end, I honestly couldnt even look at her because it hurt me too.
I can see her now out of the corner of my eyes, with her head in her hands. Her letter was obviously depressing for her. I reach over and stroke her back, looking around the room at everyone. I'm surprised to see them all looking back at me and Katniss. I look back towards Katniss and I pull her into my arms. "Its gonna be alright Katniss." I say and she falls into my, wrapping her arms around my neck and crying into my shoulder and I bury my face in her hair.
DELLY POV
As we all sit there and watch Rye and Katniss falling apart, I can feel the tears threaten to fall again. Great I was only just able to stop crying. The only reason I actually showed up here was because Haymitch rang me telling me that it was important I came. Its the first time I have left my house since it happened. It... Gale's death... It still sounds foreign in my head. I can't believe that he is gone.
"Delly, he also wrote one for you." Haymitch says and I look at him. "The only difference is that he didnt write this before he went into the arena, he wrote it about a week ago. He told me that he needed to admit something to you but didnt know how to say it so I suggested that he write it down into a letter and give it to you like that. He agreed and went to write it but when I went to his house this morning to start sorting his stuff out, I found it still in his bedside table." He looks at the envelope in his hands before holding it out towards me. "But here you go."
I take it off him and stare down at the letter, taking a breathe before I open it and start reading.
Delly,
I can literally see you out of the corner of my eye whilst writing this and I just want you to know that I cant even explain how beautiful you are. After what you said in the interview, I havent been able to stop thinking about you. I realise now that Its never going to happen with Katniss and that means that my heart is more open to other girls. Most specifically you.
Now, I know you think I dont like you but sometimes I just look at you and think... 'Wow, how have I noticed how amazing she is?'... Honestly, you are one of the most amazing girls I have ever met. You have no idea how to hunt and you're useless with surviving techniques but thats what makes you so special. You are a completely different part of my life and I like that. You gave me a whole different life when I'm with you. You are... the woman beyond my dreams...
The closer I am to you, the happier I am and I'm pretty sure that these feelings just kept growing while we where in the arena and afterwards when we came back to the district. Just seeing you laugh puts a smile on my face. My father told me that to make someone fall in love with you all you have to do is make them laugh but everytime you laugh, I'm the one that falls in love. You dont have to be perfect to be perfect for me
I love you! Just writing that puts a smile on my face. You put a smile on my face.
I love you because of your sweetness, your kindness, your tenderness and your thoughtfulness.
I love you because you are my dear friend and my loving companion. You smile at my silly jokes and always listen to my stories even when they are really boring.
I love you because I have a longing to be close to you and you long to be close to me. I love snuggling infront of the fire and cuddling with you as we watch TV. I love to be near you. I love holding your hand on a walk during the day and holding your hands across the table during dinner.
I love you because you listen to me as I share the small triumphs or struggles of the day.
I love you because in the moments of friction between us, you hear me out. Even when you dont agree with me, you listen with a longing to understand me.
I love you because you respect me. You honour the man that I am, rather than try to make me into something that I'm not. You suffer my imperfections and shortcomings largely without complaint.
I love you because you appreciate me. You enjoy my attentiveness and appreciate my attempts to make you happy. You appreciate my generosity to yourself and to others.
I love you, Always... thinking of you...
Love From,
Gale.
The sobs building in my throat are making it hard for me to breathe. The letter, no longer in my hands but now lying on the floor at my feet. My throat tightens and I start choking on the cry that is pushing its way out of my throat. The tears fall from my eyes from the pain that is breaking my heart even more. I start to choke again and I hold my hands close to my chest in and attempt to help my breathing.
"Dell? whats wrong?" Peeta asks me as I look around the room at everyone. He can see that I'm finding it hard to breathe.
I look up at him and start to shake my head, "He- He l-loved me..." I say through the tears and I notice Katniss and Rye now looking at me.
"What?" He asks, confused.
"It wasnt an act, he just couldnt tell me the truth... H-he was i-in l-love with me..." I say and drop my head into my hands.
"Oh god..." I hear Peeta say and his arms encircle me a second later. "I'm so sorry.. I'm sure meant to tell you... " He says and I cry even more.
"Gale was never good at saying the truth." Katniss says, now from infront of me as I feel her drop ontot the sofa next to me and place her arms arouns me. "I know that he used to love me, he could never tell me. But I'm telling you now Delly, the way he looked at you was... magical... It was like you where the best person in the world. He never looked at me like that." I look up at her and she nods at me with tears in her eyes and I throw my arms around her shoulders, Peeta's hand still stroking circles on my back.
"Oh god... Why did the stupid mines have to collapse again!" I say into Katniss' shoulder.
"I know... its horrible." She replies to me as we cry.
KATNISS POV
I hold onto Delly for as long as I can and eventually the sobs subside but she doesnt let go of me until a couple of minutes later when her body suddenly goes limp. The crying tired her out. "She's asleep." I say to Peeta over her shoulder. I pull away from her slowly and lean her against the back of the sofa. Peeta then stands up and picks her up off the sofa, telling me to get up and he lies her back down on the sofa where she curls up and carries on sleeping. Masan leaves for a second to get her a blanket and when he returns with it, he places it on her and then leaves to go to bed.
Considering that its dark outside, we all have to stay here tonight. I will be sleeping upstairs with Rye and it will just be me and him in his room because you cant fit anymore matress' in there. Peeta and Holly will be sleeping in Holly's old room with Leaven and Brooke. Holly's old matress is still there so her and Peeta are sleeping on that. Uncle Haymitch and Delly though, have to sleep down here because there isnt any other places to sleep. They have a spare matress if its needed but they should be fine with the sofa's.
I'm about to get up to go to bed when Masan comes back in with the tv in tow. I didnt even know he actually left. "Mandatory Message." He says and I make myself comfortable again. What could they possibly be doing a mandatory message about?
Caesar Flickerman's face comes on the screen and I focus on him. He looks horrible. Well not horrible but he doesnt look his usual self. "People of Panem, I come bearing grave news." He says and silence falls through the room as we all watch. "Gale Hawthorne, Victor of last years Hunger Games has sadly passed away in a terrible accident. It appears that the mines in district 12 have fallen again, which means that we will all be going without Coal for some time now, along with the loss of a dear Victor. Lets show the footage shall we?" He asks someone off camera and I'm confused at what footage they could show until the Mines come into view. "Here we have it folks, footage from that day." The camera focus' in on Peeta. "There is the one and only Peeta Mellark, sat next to a girl who I believe is called Katniss, Mr Abernathy's neice. And next to her is none other then Star-Crossed lover Delly Cartwright. Our hearts go out to you Delly in this hard time."
"I think I might go to bed actually, I'm pretty tired." I say and pull myself up. "Are you coming Rye?" I ask and he nods.
We say goodnight and then walk up the 2 flights of stairs to his room. When we get there, I stop dead. The last time I was in this room was that night with Peeta. "You alright Katniss?" Rye asks as I stare at the unmade bed.
"Of course I'm not alright." I reply, focusing my attention on him. "I just need to cheer up."
"Well I know a way to do that." He smiles at me and I return it easily. He walks towards me slowly and when he finally stands infront of me, he starts kissing my neck. "Is this helping?" He asks into my skin.
"Yeh..." I reply and he picks me up, carrying me towards the bed. I guess tonight isnt going to be that bad.
The next morning when I wake up, I'm alone. Rye must have gone downstairs to work or something. Why didnt he wake me up? I work here too. I glance up at the clock... 5:38am. Good, the Bakery hasnt officially opened yet so I have time yet. I climb out of the covers, looking down at my naked frame and I smile at the thought of last night. Me and Rye had sex for the first time last night and it was nothing like I had ever expected but I cant help but compare him to Peeta and I know thats bad but I couldnt help it. But you know what they say, Comparisons are easily done when you've had a taste of perfection. The only question is, is why am I comparing Rye to Peeta. Shouldnt Rye be my perfect guy? Or has it changed?
Peeta was more attentive and cared more about me. Rye was different. I'm not saying he wasnt attentive but he was quite a lot more rough than Peeta was and he hardly ever asked me how I was about it. Peeta was constantly asking me if I was alright with it.
I pull myself up onto my feet and pull on my underwear and jeans from the floor. Then I clasp my bra around the back and take a shirt out of Rye's drawers along with a wooly jumper and pull them both over my head before walkking downstairs. My shoes are still by the backdoor if I need them but I shouldnt do.
"Hey Katniss." Peeta says as I walk into the kitchen. I nod in reply and he smiles before going back to his work.
"Theres my beautiful girl." Rye says, walking over and pulling me in for a kiss which I return quite easily. "Last night was great." He whispers trying to make sure only I hear it but I can see Peeta start to laugh behind Rye. "Whats up with you?" Rye asks turning around towards his little brother.
"Nothing." He says with surprise written all over his face. I'd laugh but I think I'm still too depressed to cry. He nods towards me and I look back at Rye. I know that Peeta is thinking about our night and I cant stop myself from thinking about it either. However much I dont want to believe it, it was one of the best nights of my entire life. I'm not sure why but I decide to say something about it.
"I've had better." I say, focusing on Rye as his mouth almost falls down to the floor. Peeta chokes on his drink and I let out the laugh I was holding. Luckily Rye was too focused on me to notice though.
"What?" Rye asks almost falling over.
"What!" Peeta exclaims and my smile widens at the horrified look on both of their faces.
"Im kidding!" I say, nudging Rye slightly. "You know I never slept with anyone else." Rye lets out a breath and I hug him, looking at Peeta over his shoulder. He still looks horrified and I have to stifle my laugh.
"Good beceuase I'm afraid I'd have to kill him." Rye says seriously and Peeta almost faints. I decide to change the conversation.
"Where is everyone?" I ask them both and Rye finally lets me go.
"Your mum and Prim went home not long ago and Haymitch is in the sitting room with Brooke and Holly. Dad went into the front to open up, I think your needed out there actually." Peeta says to me and I nod before leaving the room and walking into the front. That was really embarrasing. Being in the room with my boyfriend and the person I cheated on his with when we where talking about sex.
"Hey Katniss." Masan says when I get through the door and I take my seat at the register like I normally do. "How you feeling?"
"Im alright I suppose." I reply to him. He knows that I'm not full alright, my best friend died a couple days ago and thats going to take a while to get over.
"Okay, well I'm gonna go and help in the back, if you need anything just shout." He says and I nod. I already know that I have to shout but I seem to be reminded every morning.
The rest of the day goes by really slowly. I just feel sick most of the day which doesnt help because I have to sit here and a couple of times I feel like I'm gonna throw up but I cant leave my post. A couple customers say that I look a little green but I just wave it off when they ask me if I'm alright. When Greasy Sae comes in, near the time we have finished, she tells me that I should see my mother about it so I just nod. The last person I want to see about this is my mother, she will end up making a big deal out of it and its not actually that bad. I could just be getting a cold or something like that. It will go away soon, I know it will.
"Come on Katniss, the day has finished." Peeta says, waving his hand infront of my face to get my attention as he walks to lock the door. "You alright?" He asks and I nod. "So I hear about what happened with you and Rye last night. He decided to tell me everything when dad left the room." He says to me and I watch him. "Not something I really wanted to know to be honest." He laughs.
"Okay." I say. I'm not really up for a big conversation right now.
"You could have hidden it a little better though." He says and I look up at him, he's watching me. "You have a love bite behind your right ear." He laughs again and I quickly whip my hair around to hide it. Has it been there all day? I hope nobody else noticed it. Its not like anyone would be surprised that I slept with Rye but It would be better if I wasnt asked about it. "I dont think anyone noticed though." Peeta says as if reading my thoughts.
"Thats good." I say and walk away from him, into the back, straight through to the sitting room and I sit down onto the sofa next to Uncle Haymitch, with a really loud groan.
"You alright sweetheart?" He asks and I shake my head, face planting the cushion off to my left. "Whats up?" I hear him asking as I tuck my legs underneath me.
"I feel sick." I say and he chuckles slightly."Hey its not funny!" I shout to him but he still carries on chuckling so I just leave him to it. Its not long before I've fallen asleep on the sofa next to Uncle Haymitch.
A field. Thats all I can see. Fields as far as the eye can see. There is nothing but the green grass and the blue sky. I feel tired, like I've been walking for years but yet I also feel like walking and it makes no sense. Where am I and what is going on. I cant hear anything either, just the beat of my heart. Then a sound fills the air. A voice. "How could you?" They ask and I look around for the person who said it but I'm still alone.
"Hello?" I ask, loudly.
"How could you do this to me?" They ask again but still no-one appears. "This is all your fault!" This time they are shouting. I spin around again and this time come face to face with Rye.
"You scared the hell out of me!" I shout at him and he just stares at me with dead eyes. "Rye?"
"This is your fault!" He says as if reciting from a script or something. He looks strange. Not like the normal Rye. His hair is all over the place and his clothes are all dirty and ripped like he has been attacked. His eyes are staring right through me and when I reach out to touch him, my hand goes straight through him.
I turn around to see what he is staring at. "Peeta?" I ask as I look at the youngest Mellark standing there.
"You stole my girlfriend!" Rye shouts from behind me and then I get a strange feeling in my body as Rye 'passes through me'. He now stands infront of me and his fist is raised to punch Peeta in the jaw. "You will pay!" He shouts and his fist collides with Peeta's jaw. Peeta just stands there and lets it happen. Knowing that I'm completely useless as my hands just go straight through them both, I cover my ears and close my eyes, waiting for it to be over.
The atmosphere changes and the wind picks up. I open my eyes and everything has changed. Rye and Peeta are still there but now standing side by side. There are trees everywhere and then I notice Gale standing not far from me, covered in coal dust. "You have to pick one Katniss." Gale says, staring at me. I look back at Rye and Peeta, fear coursing through me. I cant pick between my boyfriend and my bestfriend. "If you dont pick, they die." He says in a menacing tone. 2 guns appear infront of Rye and Peeta and my heart all but stops.
"No... I cant..." I mumble and Gale starts walking over to me. He places his hand on my shoulder but it doesnt feel like Gale. I'm scared of him and I was never scared of Gale.
"Are you sure?" He asks.
"I cant pick..." I say again and drop my head in regret. The tears start to fall from my eyes. I hear 2 gun shots and I fall to the ground but for some reason, I just keep falling until I feel something soft beneath me and hear a voice I recognise.
"Katniss?" I open my eyes to see Rye standing over me. "You where having a nightmare." He says and I pull him in for a hug. He seems shocked at first but falls into after a second or two. "You alright?"
"Yeh, I am now." I find myself saying and I sit up so that Rye can sit next to me.
PEETA POV
I leave the Bakery quite early. When I get outside, its hardly even dark. The streets are still covered with coal dust. Its normally like that in the seam but here in Town, its not normally this deep in Town. Every step I take, my feet bury into it and Holly starts to complain that it is going to get all over her new jeans that I bought her yesterday so I pull her up onto my shoulders which she laughs about, waving Sammy around like she is having the time of her life. I smile at it, the last thing I want is for Holly to have a bad life, thats why I try my hardest to make her life worth living.
For the past couple of days whilst the mines have been closed, Holly hasnt had any idea what is going on and whilst we have been having our little conversations about what we are going to do about it, she has been running around trying to cheer us all up and I thank her for it. She is one of the only things that actually keeps me sane right now.
It used to be Katniss aswell but after our 'night' a month ago, everytime I see her, I just want to kiss her. It has hightened my affections for her by loads and Its hard for me to be alone with her now but everything keeps dragging us together as if its meant to be. If she wasnt dating my brother, I'd do something about it but I cant do that to Rye. But then sometimes I remind myself that I already have done that to Rye by having sex with Katniss even if we where drunk. I should have said no, I should have stopped it. I do remember it and I did know what I was doing but my brain decided to tell me that it was a good idea. Now because of that stupid decision, everything is messed up and I've destroyed my friendship with Katniss, however much I like to think that it will be okay, I know it wont.
When we get home, I let Holly down off my shoulders and walk to the kitchen to start making Dinner. Its nothing special, just pasta. I normally bake something to go with it but I didnt have any ingredients this morning. I had to give it all to the Bakery to help them out. So its just Pasta tonight but Holly doesnt mind which is good.
The pasta doesnt take long to make and before I know it, we have already eaten it and I'm helping Holly get ready for bed. She might be 4 but she always asks for help when getting ready for bed. I dont question it though. "Goodnight Holly." I say to her as I shut the door and walk to my room, stripping my clothes and climbing into my bed in just my underwear. No doubt Holly will crawl into my bed half way through the night, complaining she doesnt want to be alone. She does most nights so I let her now. Its better than sleeping alone I guess. Especially in this house. Everywhere I go, I feel like I'm being watched. I normally prefer to stay at the Bakery but now that Leaven and Brooke have moved in there, its hard because they isnt any room for me and Holly anymore, so I just come back here unless I cant because its too dark.
The sirens, Thats the first thing I hear. Then the sound of people screaming enters my ears. I spin around quickly to see People running in every direction. What the hell is going on? I try to see someone I recognise but I cant see past the amount of people walking past me. I know where I am though. Its the Town Square. I can feal fear coursing through me but I dont understand why. Then a new sound comes. The sound of an engine running but not your average car engine. Its up above. I look up to see the hovercrafts coming.
"PEETA!" I hear someone shout just as the hovercraft drops its first bomb. I turn arouns frantically trying to find the person who shouted, finding Holly sitting on the floor crying.
"Holly! What Happened?" I ask, dropping onto the floor next to her to assess her injuries. She looks fine to me. "Come on." I pull myself up off the floor and lift her up, carrying her along with the crowds. There is just people and smoke everywhere. I hear the sound of an explosion from behind me and picture part of the district going up in flames.
"Hey Peeta over here!" I hear and I run towards the voice to find Rye, standing with Katniss and her family. "Dad already got Leaven and Brooke out now we need to go." He shouts and I look at Katniss for the first time. Her pregnant belly, produding out through her tatty shirt. I stare at it for a while before snapping back to Rye.
"Go where?" I ask him. I dont have any idea whats going on so why would I know where I have to go?
"The Woods. Everyone is evacuating!" He pushed me forward, then Katniss and he family just behind me and finally Rye bringing up the rear. As we run through the crowd, I start to loose them.
"Katniss! Rye!" I shout but get no reply. "Prim!" Still no reply. Where are they? I run back through the crowd and I finally see them. Standing there looking around. I grab Prims hand and she grabs Katniss', who grabs Evelyns and Evelyn grabs Rye's and then I run again, with them in a line behind me.
When we have finally made it through the mass of people and through the Meadow, out the fence and into the woods. Katniss shows us where her and Gale's rock is, where we all sit and watch the district burn. I cant believe this happened. I'm not quite sure how or why anyone would ever want to do this. Of course I do. The Capitol would do this to any of the districts. They already did it to district 13 and killed all the citizens there and nobody had any time to even think about getting out alive but now, we are standing here by ourselves, free from the bombs but with no chance of survival.
"Peeta?" I open my eyes to the voice, to see Holly standing next to my tall bed with a scared look on her face. I pull up my covers for her to climb in but she shakes her head. "I heard a noise downstairs." She whispers. Did I forget to lock the door when I came to bed?
"Okay, You get up here and wait, I'll go and see what it is." I smile at her, trying to reassure her that everything is fine but I'm not so sure that it is. I've never had anyone sneaking around downstairs in my house before and I have absolutely no idea what to do. She pulls herself up onto the bed, hiding in the covers and I climb out of the other side, pulling on my pants and walking out the door. The clock notifies me that its 2:34am. Why the hell would anyone want to be in my house this early in the morning.
As soon as I get out the door, I can hear the noise of someone walking around downstairs, it sounds like they are looking for something. I take a step down the stairs and feel my heart hammering in my chest. I can see the front door wide open and I move to shut it. The sound is coming from the kitchen so I walk through to the kitchen door, as quiet as I can. I poke my head around the doorframe to see a black shadow standing next to the fridge, they arent taking anything, just standing there, staring at the wall as if they are thinking about something. I reach over to the little table just inside the door and take the knife of it that I had luckily left there before I went to bed and I slide my hand across the wall and switch on the light, all but ready to have a heart attack right there on the floor in my kitchen doorway. That is until I find Haymitch standing there, shielding his eyes from the light that floods the room.
"What the hell Haymitch!" I hiss. "What are you doing here?" I ask, finally stepping into the room. Dropping the knife onto the table.
"What where you going to do? Kill me?" He asks, raising his eyebrow and stifling a laugh.
"Maybe... I dont know. I didnt know who you where." I say, trying to calm my heart beat.
"Did I scare you?" He asks me and I shake my head. Although he did scare me, I'm not going to admit that to Haymitch, I'd never live it down.
"No but you scared the hell out of Holly." I reply. He nods in understanding.
"Do you have any dohnuts?" He asks and I narrow my eyes at him. He came here in the middle of the night, scaring Holly just for dohnuts. "I wanted a drink this morning and I know I couldnt have one and the next best thing is dohnuts so do you have any?" I have been told that since Haymitch had to come off the alcohol, he learned to have something else whenever he needed a drink and that is dohnuts so he made sure that he always had dohnuts in his house but apparently he has run out and is searching my house for some. He knows I make dohnuts now and then but always presumes that I have some around.
"I think there are some in the end cupboard." I tell him and he moves for the cupboard. "Then can you please leave and lock the door on your way out. Dont come round here at night again please or I'm gonna have to take my key back." I say and he nods, so I just leave the room. He's probably going to eat everything but I dont care, I need to sleep.
When I get back upstairs, Holly is still hiding under the covers. "Holly?" I ask and she pokes her head out of the top of the covers. "Its alright, it was just Haymitch. I told him not to come back once he's gone." I say to her and she relax's slightly.
"Good. I was really scared." She says and I let out a small laugh.
"I know but right now we both need to sleep." I climb into bed and we both fall asleep again.
I hope you liked it, who liked the letter to Delly, I thought it was good. So Gale and Delly's story finally came out. They where forced to be together but secretly loved eachother :) Hope you liked it.
So Rye and Katniss had sex for the first time and that part in the kitchen the morning after, I just read over it and I couldnt stop laughing at Peeta's reaction!