"Good evening, Mayor Undersee," Ryen stammered. "I was hoping to talk to Madge?"
"Come in, boys. The girls are giggling in the foyer." The mayor shook hands with both of them and lead them down the hall. Sure enough, they heard giggling and it wasn't just Madge; Peeta's heart soared at the sound of it.
"Ladies," the Mayor cleared his throat. "Some handsome gentlemen to see you."
"Daddy," Madge rolled her eyes as the Mellark boys entered the room. Peeta's eyes widened at the sight of Katniss sitting in the floor with a lovely yellow gown flowing around her.
"Close your mouth, Peeta," Madge giggled. "I gave Katniss a bunch of dresses."
"Forced me into them, more like," Katniss grumbled. Peeta swept upon her and pressed his lips to hers.
"You're stunning," he whispered.
"Rye, I'm so glad you're here! Help me pick a color."
"Um, a color?" Ryen cast Peeta a confused look.
"Yes silly! A color for our ceremony. Katniss will not help me!"
"I didn't even know it was a thing," Katniss leaned over to whisper in Peeta's ear. "We didn't have a color did we?"
"Um, I guess not."
"So here's what I was thinking," Madge held up swatches of color and Katniss stifled a giggle at the confusion on Ryen's face. Madge might have said she would be no good at planning a toasting but she was clearly enjoying it. She hadn't stopped talking about dresses and flowers and cake all afternoon.
"Well how about pink, to go with your cake," Peeta suggested. Ryen cast him a murderous look and both Katniss and Peeta had to stifle their laughter.
"Ohhh, I love that idea! Pink roses and ribbons and pink writing on the cake! What do you think, Rye?"
"Didn't you say your favorite color is blue?"
"Well yes, but-"
"Mine too," he said quickly. "So let's do blue."
"Hmmm. Blue flowers will be difficult to find but a blue ribbon will look so pretty on my dress and oh, I could wrap a blue ribbon around the flowers and, ok, let's do blue!" She jumped up and kissed Ryen hard on the mouth. The elder Mellark was blushing when she pulled away.
"I need to let Mama and Daddy know. Excuse me!" They stared as she ran out if the room, calling for her father. Ryen shook his head.
"Did you put something in her water?"
"I swear I didn't. She's been acting like this all day."
"That is not the Madge I remember," Peeta chuckled.
"Yeah, almost seems like she and Delly switched bodies."
"People can change," Katniss shrugged. "You practically came back from the dead. She can be happy about marrying you, you know." Ryen stared at her, then
turned to his brother.
"You going to step in here?"
"No way. My wife is pretty damn clever. And she's right, Rye. Clearly Madge cared for you more than we realized." He slid a hand into Katniss's and squeezed. A
small smile crossed Ryen's face and he nodded.
"Here. I made these for my clever wife," Peeta pushed the wrapped cheesebuns toward Katniss and she gasped.
"I have been pushed into dresses all afternoon and I am STARVING!" It was strange to say, now that she no longer experienced that word but she did know very
well how it felt. Peeta gave her a smile and kissed her temple.
"Rye and I are taking you ladies to dinner, so don't fill up."
"Mk," her mouth was bulging with pastry and Peeta chuckled. He glanced at Ryen, who was watching him, and his smile faded slightly.
"Katniss… there's something I need to talk to you abou-"
"Mother and Daddy love the idea of blue," Madge squealed as she ran back into the room and nearly knocked Ryen over with a hug.
"Great," Ryen laughed, "Listen, Peet and I are taking you girls out tonight. To try that new restaurant in town."
"Oh gosh! I've only been to a restaurant once and it was when Daddy was meeting with some other mayors!"
"Well then, my princess, shall we?" Madge glanced down at her dress and shrugged.
"I'm too hungry to care how I look. Let's go!"
"What were you saying," Katniss whispered as Peeta offered his arm.
"Um, we can talk about it at the restaurant." She nodded, not noticing how his voice trembled.
Katniss had never even dreamed about going to a restaurant; the idea was too far out of the spectrum of reality. Yet here she was, being waited on like she was the President's daughter or something. The server was clearly Merchant class; she doubted Merchants would like Seam people touching their food and that was the only people who could afford to come here, she decided with a scowl.
Peeta's brow quirked and he reached over to take her hand.
"You ok?"
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"Your scowl just became way more prominent. Did I say something?"
"Sorry, just thinking." Peeta and Ryen exchanged glances and Ryen offered the basket of bread to everyone.
"This is such a nice place," Madge said quietly. "I didn't think we would ever see a restaurant in 12."
"It's pretty empty," Peeta observed.
"That's because no one can afford food, let alone to pay someone else to cook it for them." All three of them looked surprised at Katniss's biting tone. She bit her lip and lowered her head.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude. I'm still...really new at all of this."
"Don't worry about it, Katniss. You'll get used to Peeta buying you all kinds of stuff and making sure you're well fed." But that was the wrong thing to say, Peeta decided. Katniss seemed to withdraw into herself even more and he threw an irritated look towards Ryen. He squeezed her hand and brought it into his lap.
"Things will get better someday, Katniss. Until then, we just have to enjoy the gifts we have been granted. Rye's right; I'm going to do everything I can to treat you and your family as well as you deserve. So you might as well just wipe away that scowl and understand what I do, is because of what you mean to me." She looked like she was about to protest or the very least, scowl some more, but she squeezed his hand and nodded.
"So what should I order?"
"Whatever you want. The Capitol is treating us to dinner."
"Well in that case, I want the biggest most expensive dish on the menu," Madge's eyes gleamed.
"Oh yeah. I'm marrying the right girl," Ryen pulled her hand to his lips and Madge laughed softly. When the server came to take their orders, he spoke to the Mellark boys, even ignoring Madge completely. But she shrugged as if it didn't matter to her.
"Being the Mayor's daughter makes you invisible sometimes."
Katniss didn't want to admit it but the food was delicious. Ryen and Peeta had ordered several different plates so they could all share and Katniss was still hungry. Both boys looked affronted when Madge suggested they order dessert, which made Katniss laugh.
"Do not tell Dad," Ryen hissed to Peeta as they gave the server their order.
"The bakery is closed by now," Madge pointed out.
"So? Dad would expect one of us to bake something for you ladies."
"I bet Peeta bakes for Katniss a lot. You never bake me anything," she pouted.
"When you move in with me, I'll bake you anything you want," Ryen said with a wink.
"So next week you can start waking him up at midnight and tell him to bake you something," Peeta nudged her playfully.
"Oh my god," Madge's eyes widened. "I'm going to be Madge Mellark soon."
"I like it," Ryen nodded. "It suits you."
"I like Katniss Mellark," Madge glanced over at Peeta and Katniss. "It has a ring to it."
"I guess so," Katniss gave a half-hearted shrug. "But if someone calls me Mrs. Mellark, I'm going to be looking over my shoulder for your mother."
"Nah. April is Mrs. Mellark the Nice," Ryen folded his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. "So we will have to come up with names for both of you too."
"I'll be Mrs. Mellark the Magnificent," Madge exclaimed, bursting into a fit of giggles. Peeta snorted and shook his head.
"No more wine for Madge tonight."
"One glass," she held up a finger. "I had one glass."
"Clearly that's enough."
"Hey...it's getting kind of late," Ryen said with a pointed look. "Peeta, wasn't there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Oh...right." His heart fell and he glanced sideways at his wife. He had been enjoying himself so much that he had let himself forget about Gale. "Yeah, um, Katniss. Something...happened at work today."
"That doesn't sound good," she said with a frown.
"No, it's...it's not. But I'm not really sure how to tell you-."
"Just say it, Peeta," she said impatiently. Peeta gulped and looked to his brother for help. Despite what he had said about not needing Ryen to defend him, he felt like he was sweeping out to the ocean with nothing to hold onto. He felt his hand growing damp with sweat but he squeezed her fingers tighter, terrified that she would pull away and never let him hold her hand again.
"Ok. Katniss, we found out who painted the words on my house."
"And... what's going to happen to them?" She hadn't asked who. She wouldn't think anyone close to her would do something like that.
"They will be taken to the whipping post in the morning." Her face fell and he swallowed thickly.
"I don't want to...I told Cray I wouldn't press charges, so they would go free with just a fine. But Cray told me I have to punish the guilty party."
"I understand," she heaved a sigh. "I know you don't want to, but you have to see to your duty. I understand that." He hoped she would feel the same in a minute.
"Katniss...I'm so sorry."
"Why are you sorry? You're the Lieutenant. I told you, I understand." His sad eyes met hers and her brow furrowed even more.
"There's something else. Tell me, Peeta." Peeta closed his eyes for a moment.
"It's Gale." He felt her try to pull her hand back immediately but he held on.
"What are you talking about?"
"Gale has been accused of vandalism and destruction of property. He's been sentenced to flogging in the square." She shook her head, her mouth a thin line.
"No. You're lying."
"I took down his confession, Katniss," Ryen said gently. "Peeta's telling the truth."
"Gale wouldn't write that! Someone is setting him up! You have to-"
"Katniss," Peeta grabbed her other hand and moved closer. "Please listen to me." She stopped struggling for a moment and he held her gaze.
"It wasn't Gale," he whispered. "But he took the fall."
"Why would he…" she trailed off, her eyes widening. "Oh my god." She yanked her hands away and covered her face.
"Rory...or Vick. It had to be."
"I'm almost positive it's one of his brothers. He refuses to say who it was but he told me he would take the punishment so it's got to be one of them. And I thought I would be able to get him out of this with just a fine but it's bigger than that, Katniss." Quickly and as quietly as he could, he told her what Cray had told him about the new peacekeepers and the risk of Katniss being brought into it.
"But you can protect me! If it helps Gale escape a whipping, you can-"
"I can tell them you are my wife and defend you that way. But I won't be able to stop the people in this district from telling the new head peacekeeper that you used to hunt. And they will, Katniss. They will sell you out."
"So what makes you think I'm safe," she positively shrieked. Peeta glanced around nervously. "What makes you think they won't talk even after Gale is whipped? What makes you think you can protect me, then?"
"Katniss, Peeta is trying to keep you safe-"
"You're his brother," she shut him down. "Of course you are coming to his defense! In fact that's what this dinner is about, isn't it? You were too cowardly to tell me on your own so you needed your brother and Madge to be here too."
"Katniss-"
"I'd like to stay with my mother and Prim tonight," she said as she stood up. "And since it's nearly curfew, I would like for you to escort me."
"Katniss, please-"
"Or I will walk there by myself," she said in an angry whisper. Peeta silently pleaded with her to sit down. Madge had sobered and was watching with wide eyes but she knew better than to intervene. Peeta took a deep breath and reached out for her hand.
"Please don't do this." Her face was stoney and unmoving as she kept her arms crossed over her chest.
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Wait!" He jumped up and shook his head. "You'll be questioned if you're out after dark. I'll...I'll walk you there myself." She nodded once before she turned around disappeared in a whirl of yellow. He sighed deeply and bit his lip.
"Um...Ryen, can you-?"
"I'll take care of the bill. Make sure she's safe."
"Give her some time, Peeta," Madge said softly. "She'll be fine." He nodded miserably before he hastily moved toward the exit, afraid that she had left without him and knowing how wrong Madge was.
The air was cool tonight and Katniss wrapped her arms around herself for warmth as they walked. Peeta cleared his throat and started to slide his jacket off but she shook her head sharply.
"I don't want it."
"Katniss, please. You said you understood that it was my duty." She stopped mid-step and he nearly crashed into her.
"This is my best friend, Peeta! You should have made something up to save him!"
"You're asking me to break the law for another man," he said coldly.
"Like you wouldn't do it if it were me," she spat.
"That is different. You are my wife. I risked a beating for you when I was a boy, you don't think I would do it now that I'm a grown man?"
"Then help me save him, Peeta! His mother is dying! He cares for his family all by himself. If he is beaten, he won't be able to work!"
"I know that," he said softly. "I planned on taking them food."
"They won't accept it. And they will hate you when they find out what you've done. They'll hate me even more, for staying with you."
"It sounds to me they're already displeased with you for staying with me," he said pointedly. Katniss's lips tightened.
"Gale has taught his brothers to be wary of Merchants and Peacekeepers."
"There is a difference between being wary and loathing, Katniss." He took a deep breath and took a step closer. "Look, I feel terrible about this. And not just because he's your friend...I mean, I really don't want to do this! I want no part in it, and I certainly don't want to be the one to carry it out. But I don't know how I'm supposed to refuse my responsibilities. If we get a new Head Peacekeeper, I need to do what I can to impress him, to make sure he doesn't make our lives difficult." Katniss shook her head in disgust and kept walking, leaving him to gape after her.
"What-"
"You'd beat Gale to make sure the new peacekeeper doesn't pick on you," she spat. "Is that the kind of person you are, Peeta?"
"Hey," he tugged on her arm to make her stop, and she was glad it was so dark; he was glowering and his face was hidden in shadow.
"Do you want to know what happens to peacekeepers who don't follow the rules?" She wanted to say no, but she kept quiet, crossing her arms over her chest.
"They're taken to the Capitol and turned into Avoxes. You know what an Avox is don't you? Their tongues are cut out and they are turned into slaves. Their families are beaten and…worse. And then they're sold. I watched it happen. Before Ryen and I returned to 12...one of our bunk mates refused an order. They didn't bother hiding it, Katniss. In fact they wanted us to see it. They wanted us to see what happens when... they beat him within an inch of his life and made his girlfriend and mother watch while they cut out his tongue. And then all we could hear were garbled screams as he was forced to watch the soldiers rape the women. He was from District 2… and they still did that to him. The Capitol is full of monsters, Katniss. If you think I'm proud to work for them, you're mistaken. If I could run away from here and never look back, I would do it in a heartbeat." He tentatively reached for her hand and was surprised when she let him take it.
"All I want is to go somewhere with you. We could live in the woods. You could teach me to hunt...and I would build you a house. And we could have babies and we would never have to watch them at a Reaping. If things were different...that's how we could be. But it's not how the world is. I keep hoping for things to get better and wishing for things to change."
"Why don't we, Peeta?" His eyes widened as she spoke. "Why don't we run away?"
"They would catch us."
"Maybe not," she protested.
"They would make us wish for death. And I would die if something were to happen to you." She shook her head and studied their entwined hands.
"I get it, Peeta. You're as trapped as the rest of us are. Maybe more so, because the Capitol is using you. And they twist it into this sense of right and wrong and teach you that it's your job. They brainwash you and try to turn you into monsters, like them. But you have to fight it. You have to find that sense of morality and remember that you are a good man! And good men don't whip innocent men. They stand up for what is right. They stand up for what they believe in." Peeta sighed and stared at his feet.
"I'll go to Cray in the morning and ask for him to rescind the sentence."
"And if he doesn't? What will you do?" He tried to make out her face in the dark.
"I don't know."
"At least you're honest." He could see her scowl clearly. "You think this new Head Peacekeeper will be worse than Cray?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "If it's who I am thinking it will be...it will be so much worse. Cray is fairly lax on maintaining order. He trusts the peacekeepers to do things around here and that's not always a bad thing. Darius, for example, is fair and he jokes around a lot. He doesn't like to punish people or anything bad. Of course he is of lower rank but he is a good guy and I look up to him. Other peacekeepers, however, let that power go to their heads and are complete dicks about it. I try not to let it change me but…" he sighed, remembering how he had attacked Jacobson earlier. He had even hit Gale. Peeta had never been a violent person; his father had always said the boy never had a mean bone in his body. But after years of training, Peeta knew that just wasn't true. He truly hated what the Capitol had turned him into.
Katniss was right. They had brainwashed him and gave him the choice: tend to your obligations, no matter how horrific they are, or watch your loved ones be punished.
He'd never forget when he and Ryen had learned that difficult lesson. Because of what the Capitol had done, neither Mellark would ever be the same.
"I'll do everything in my power to save him from this," he finally spoke. "But if it comes down to him or you, I'm sorry, your safety is the most important to me."
"What if it came down to him or you?" Peeta frowned.
"What?"
"If you were allowed to take his sentence yourself...would you do it?" Peeta gaped at her uncertainly. Was she really asking him to take a beating for a guy he really didn't like? And who really didn't like him?
"If you asked me to...yes, I would." And he meant it. He would do anything for her, he knew that.
"Really?" She sounded skeptical.
"You mean everything to me, Katniss. I won't lie to you and say I'd be doing it for him but for you...yes. I would do it, if it made you happy."
"Of course it wouldn't make me happy, Peeta," she shrieked. "Don't try to put that on me!"
"Put what on you?"
"That kind of choice! I won't choose between my husband and my…" she started to say best friend again but she hadn't spoken to him since their toasting. She knew he was still upset and hurt and Gale could be stubborn and pigheaded. Just like her, she thought bitterly.
"I know his biggest reason for hating me is that he thinks I stole you from him," he said softly.
"I told you before, he can't steal me-"
"Because you were never his in the first place," he finished gently. "Yes, I know. I also know you're not a possession. I'm just telling you that's the impression that I get."
"He has never liked Merchants. Or Peacekeepers. He can be a stubborn ass sometimes but he's still innocent. Because he took his brother's place, I just feel like we should be doing whatever we can to save him."
"You're right. But it will be hard to argue that case, since he is taking his brother's place. If his brother confessed, that would change things. And Gale doesn't want that to happen. But I'll do what I can," he sighed and dug his hands in his pockets. "Come on, we should get going. It's already past curfew." He started to lead her in the direction of the Seam and she paused, before she changed direction and headed toward their house. Peeta watched her with a frown.
"Am I not escorting you to your mother's house?"
"You can escort me home and make sure no peacekeeper messes with me," she shot over her shoulder. He paused, taking in her words. Home. And she wasn't walking toward the Seam. She was heading to his home. Their home.
Sighing, he jogged to keep up with her as she walked briskly through the dark street. She didn't let him hold her hand or touch her but her rigid posture had softened somewhat. He walked by her side and tried to think of the right words to say.
"Who's there," he heard a deep voice off to his left. Katniss froze and his arm automatically wrapped around her waist.
"Show yourself and state your business," Peeta said firmly.
"A Peacekeeper keeping a lookout for wrongdoers. You're out after curfew, you know." The man stepped closer and Peeta's eyes narrowed.
"Jacobson. I thought I sent you home earlier." Jacobson's bruised eye narrowed.
"Oh it's you Lieutenant. Out for a little stroll in the moonlight?" Peeta held Katniss to his side protectively.
"You did send me home, sir, but Commander Cray wanted as many of us stationed around the district as possible. Apparently the new Head Peacekeeper will be here in the wee hours of the morning."
"Why was I not informed?" Jacobson merely shrugged.
"Probably because you were out with your lovely wife. For some reason, Lieutenant, Commander Cray acted as if he didn't know what I was talking about when I told him about our altercation earlier today." Katniss felt Peeta stiffen.
"Failed to mention it in your report, I imagine?"
"It's your word against mine, Jacobson."
"Maybe. You do have some peacekeepers willing to lick your shoes, Mellark. That idiot Murphy included. Still, I'd be careful if I were you. Things might change around here, once Commander Thread comes into town and starts to take real order."
"You had better watch yourself, Jacobson," Peeta growled. "I'm still First Lieutenant around here. I can have you shipped off to another district with just a phone call to my Superior in District 2." Jacobson's smirk slid from his face and he shook his head.
"Go ahead. While you're at it, tell him you're fucking a Seam whore and that's why you're shirking your duties-"
"Get the hell out of here," Peeta released Katniss and moved toward the man. "Before I give you another black eye."
"I'm sure Commander Thread won't be among your worshippers, Lieutenant," he laughed as he backed away. "Especially once I tell him about your pretty little wife going into the woods." Peeta started after him but Jacobson took off into the night. He stood still for a moment, his breathing heavy, until Katniss took his hand.
Silently, she tugged him toward their house and closed the door behind them. His face was red and he was shaking all over.
"I'll make you some tea," she said softly. He grabbed her hand as she started to leave and she looked into his pleading eyes. She reached up to caress his cheek and he closed his eyes, turning into her palm. When she tried to move to the kitchen, again, he held onto her wrist. Finally she pulled both of his hands, leading him into the kitchen. She gently sat him down and moved toward the counter to make the tea. Peeta watched her move around the kitchen, his lips parted as if he
wanted to speak. When the water was ready, she stirred in the leaves and set it in front of him.
"No sugar," she said softly.
"Thank you." She nodded and sat across from him, holding her cup close to her cheek.
"What was he talking about?" He didn't have to ask what she was referring to.
"He insulted you...well, all Seam people to be honest, and I lost my temper."
"You hit him?" Her brow quirked.
"Darius had to calm me down. I keep losing it, Katniss. I used to be so mild-mannered and now, my temper gets away from me in about a millisecond. I hate it," he added miserably. Katniss pursed her lips but didn't say anything. "I shouldn't have hit him. I know that. But he's an asshole and I just…" he sighed and shook his head.
"So this new Head Peacekeeper...Thread, he said? Have you met him?"
"Once," he said dully, wincing as the tea burned his tongue. When he didn't elaborate, Katniss set her cup down.
"We should be worried?" He tapped his thumb against the rim of his cup, staring off into space.
"Yes," he finally said. "I don't know why Thread is coming here but it's not good. He loves his position and shows his power. Going off from what I've heard, he was born in District 1 and his brother was a Career tribute. His sister volunteered the year after that and she came in second place. The whole family is pretty bloodthirsty, from what I hear."
"And now he will be Head Peacekeeper," she said faintly.
"Thread likes punishment. He prides himself on being the one to carry out lashings, or executions, when the Head isn't really supposed to be the one to do it. He also likes to do things the old way...he believes in harsher punishments."
"You mean like torture," she asked with wide eyes.
"I mean he won't just beat someone. He will put them in front of a firing squad. For a small infraction." He ran his hand through his hair and propped his elbows on the table.
"Cray actually ordered Purnia to shoot the vandal, before we knew who it was. But I think Cray might know that Gale isn't really the one who did it. Still, he says that if we don't punish him, the Capitol men will, and then they will do some digging for more information. I'm going to call my Superior; he likes me and maybe he could help or at least give me some advice on keeping you...keeping everyone safe from Thread. He doesn't particularly like Thread either."
"Then why is Thread in charge?"
"He's loyal to President Snow. And the President has promoted him several times. Thread is a scumbag but that doesn't matter to the President." Peeta rose and headed over to the phone which was attached to his wall.
"Why don't you go take a shower while I make the call? It might make you feel better." She knew the warm water would soothe her aching muscles but she also wanted to hear what Peeta would say to his Superior. He watched her for a moment before he dialed the number and leaned against the wall, the phone propped on his shoulder.
"Yes this is First Lieutenant Peeta Mellark of District 12. I'm trying to reach Commander Duartyr. Is he available?" Katniss leaned against the threshold and watched his eyes widen.
"Oh...oh really? Wow that's...yes, that's wonderful news. No I'll hold. Thank you." It was only a moment before Peeta was speaking again.
"Sir. It's Mellark. Congratulations on your promotion! Incredible news, really. No sir, everything is fine. Yes...yes I did get married," his lips curved upwards for a moment, his eyes darting over to Katniss. "She is. Still beautiful, yes sir. Oh, um, no sir, that is, we haven't really...discussed...anyway, sir, I was calling because...well, I'm sure you have heard about recent changes in our staffing here in 12." His face turned pale and Katniss moved closer.
"Yes sir, that's what I heard as well. Uh huh. Do you have any idea why-... I see. Yes, I have heard about that but I didn't think...yes, I understand that. Wait. Really?" His eyes widened and they landed on Katniss. She straightened up and frowned and he cleared his throat, attempting to turn to the side.
"Do we know this for sure? Well, what can be done? Of course sir, I'd be honored...oh, well my brother is getting married in a few days. Yes sir. Yes, he would kill me if I missed it. Of...of course. I'll make the proper arrangements. Yes. Oh you mean...um...I'll ask her. I don't know if she will want to make that trip. I see. Very well, I will make arrangements for the both of us. What is the date? OK. Yes sir, we will be there. Yes...I understand. In the meantime, is there anything I should do while...he's in charge?" He glanced at Katniss again and lowered his voice.
"I have no fear for myself. My wife is another matter entirely. No, of course not. Yes. Yes, I understand, it's just that...you think he will be reasonable-?" Peeta nodded while he listened and Katniss impatiently moved into the room and sat at the table, watching him.
"I understand. Thank you sir. Yes, I will. Good night to you." He hung up and Katniss jumped to her feet.
"What was that all about?" Peeta ran a hand through his hair and exhaled.
"Let's go talk in the bedroom."
"What? Why?"
"It's more comfortable in-"
"Peeta, I don't care about being comfortable! What did he say? Why are you so pale?" He closed his eyes for a moment and reached for her hand.
"He knows about Thread and says something is going on. There is no reason he would be sent here, unless something big was happening. And Duartyr has been promoted to General. That's a huge promotion, Katniss. He went from Commander to General, which just doesn't happen. Something is going on in Panem."
"Something like what?"
"I don't know," he said, though Katniss didn't really believe him.
"Ok, so he knows about Thread coming here. You didn't ask him what to do about it. Or how we can keep people from getting whipped or shot?"
"He says it's on President Snow's orders. There isn't much we can do, except stay out of trouble."
"Well that's great except that the entire district including the current Head Peacekeeper knows I hunt illegally."
"Used to hunt," he corrected her. "As long as you don't do it anymore, Thread can't touch you for it."
"Does the same go for Gale?"
"Yes. As long as he stays within the district boundaries, he's safe. Now as far as the whipping goes...I have to plead with Cray to rescind the sentence before Thread gets here. That's the only way."
"You're sure Thread won't just...shoot Gale?"
"I won't let that happen, Katniss. I promise." She nodded and he chewed on his lip. She could tell there was more on his mind but all she could think about right now was Gale.
"Where is Gale?"
"Darius escorted him home to his family this afternoon. Cray didn't order for him to spend the night in the jail so I didn't mention it. Of course-" he stopped when his phone rang and he moved to answer it immediately.
"Mellark." His face darkened within a matter of seconds, something that didn't sit well with Katniss. "I'll be right there." He slammed the phone down and stared at the wall.
"I have to go."
"What? Where?"
"Commander Thread is on his way to the district. Commander Cray wants all Peacekeepers to maintain a perimeter and be on duty until the Capitol Peacekeepers arrive." He hurried off to change and Katniss rushed after him.
"Wait...are you going to try to talk to Cray tonight?"
"Yes, I'll go there first. I'm sorry, Katniss. I wish…" he trailed off, shaking his head. She watched as he donned the white uniform that she hated so much. The symbol of the Capitol's power looked terrifying and out of place on her gentle boy with the bread. He glanced at her as he held the helmet under his arm.
"I really wish I could be the man you deserve," he whispered before he pulled it over his head. Katniss opened her mouth to speak but he stomped past her and out of the room.
"Stay inside until I return. If you need anything, call Madge. She will know how to reach me."
"But...Peeta, wait!" He paused and she stood in front of him, staring up in confusion. Her brow furrowed as she cocked her head. He shifted nervously when she continued to gawk at him without speaking.
"What are you staring at?"
"I'm just trying to see...if you're really still in there." He swallowed at her words. It was like she was seeing a completely different person in front of her.
"I'm a First Lieutenant of the District 12 Peacekeeper Headquarters," he said, his voice muffled by the cumbersome helmet. She shook her head and took a step back.
"I'll be waiting for Peeta Mellark, the baker's son, to return to me." With that, she whirled around and ran into their bedroom, slamming the door behind her. Peeta watched her go, his heart sinking low in his chest. This was so much more complicated than he had ever imagined it would be. He wasn't free to love her the way he wanted, because he was supposed to put his country and his duty first. And he knew things were stirring in Panem. When it came down to it...would he be able to do what needed to be done?
Sighing, he grabbed his rifle from the closet and set out for Cray's house.
There were several Peacekeepers on the porch when he arrived and they all saluted him.
"Lieutenant Mellark!"
"At ease, Soldier. I need to speak to Commander Cray."
"He's inside, sir. We were told to wait out here." Peeta nodded and stepped inside the dark house.
"Commander?" The house was silent and he tightened his grip on his gun. "Commander Cray?" Peeta glanced in the kitchen and frowned. Tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he moved from room to room, dread sinking in.
"Commander? It's Lieutenant Mellark." He glanced toward the stairs and slowly began to climb. He held his rifle in front of him and took a step down the hall. He called for the commander again but stopped when he saw the bathroom door ajar. He glanced down the hall before he pushed the bathroom door open and his eyes widened.
"Soldiers! Come upstairs immediately!" He heard footsteps thundering through the house as he bent low to check the old peacekeeper's pulse.
"Oh shit," one of the younger soldiers exclaimed. Peeta looked up and shook his head.
"Who told you to wait outside?"
"Sir?" Peeta stood and set his rifle against the wall. The wound across Cray's throat poured blood, which now soaked the fluffy rug in front of the sink. Peeta felt sick.
"Soldier, who told you to wait outside? Was it Commander Cray?"
"No sir, it was...a new Capitol peacekeeper. I forgot his name but he said he needed to speak to the Commander. He told us to guard the door."
"Is he dead, Lieutenant?"
"Yes. Slit throat. Was this man the new Head Peacekeeper?"
"No sir. He said Commander Thread will be here in the morning and sent him on ahead to talk to Commander Cray." Peeta frowned and glanced down at his former commander. Why would Thread have him killed? Suddenly an idea popped into his head and he straightened up.
"Go back downstairs, soldiers, and make sure the peacekeeper isn't still in the house. I'll call for reinforcements and in the morning, we will bury Commander Cray."
"Yes Lieutenant Mellark." The men backed out of the bathroom and headed back downstairs. Peeta watched them go before he hurried into Cray's study. Papers and files were strewn across Cray's desk but Peeta spotted a clean sheet of paper and quickly scrawled a few messy sentences. He then took Cray's official stamp and placed the mark below the forged signature. Folding the paper and stuffing it in his pocket, he closed the bathroom door so that no one would mess with the body before he went back downstairs.
"I need to make the rounds and let the men know to be on their guard. Was there anything else you can remember about this peacekeeper, Soldier Rollins?"
"No sir. He just said he needed to speak to Commander Cray. He also asked where the First Lieutenant lives." Peeta felt the blood drain from his face completely.
"Did you tell him?" The man's guilty look told Peeta all he needed to know; he practically ran out of the house, nearly flattening more peacekeepers, who looked shocked, and he tore across the yard and ran back to his house, his heart ready to jump out of his chest.
