Peeta's entire body ached and the gag cut into his mouth. He glanced up at his chained arms and winced as blood trickled down his wrists. Worst of all, he felt his back burning like the wounds were reopening. Duartyr had said the medicine had to be reapplied for it to keep working. What would happen, then, if he couldn't? Would the lashes start to bleed again? Would he die in this cell? No matter. They had charged him with assassination. He was dead anyway.
No, he thought firmly. Katniss loved him. He knew that now. He couldn't just give up. She needed him. He had to find a way to get to 13. To get back to her.
His training had taught him to come up with several different plans of escape. He had been in this situation before. They would be in soon, to interrogate him, to torture him, or to kill him. Bottom line, they would most likely release him from these chains to transfer him to another room. He could try to overpower them. Peeta had a strength that rivaled Peacekeepers from District 2. His superiors had often said he could easily be a Career tribute in the Hunger Games. He wouldn't just sit here and let them kill him.
He was starving and thirsty by the time someone finally entered his cell. The man was clearly an Avox and he obviously did not want to be there. He yanked Peeta's gag down and went to work on his cuffs.
"Am I in the laboratory," he asked the Avox. The man simply put a finger to his lips and unlocked Peeta's chains.
"I don't want to hurt you," Peeta said softly. "But I will if it will help me get out of here. Or you can just tell me if I am in the laboratory, or am I in the cells?" They had covered his eyes as they had dragged him through the building and he had never seen this part of the mansion before. The Avox pointed outside the cell and nodded. Peeta peered through the strange bars.
"The lab? That's where they're keeping me?" The Avox nodded and Peeta sighed.
"Thank you. Is this safe to drink?" The Avox nodded again and handed Peeta a cup with a straw. The water was warm but Peeta drank greedily, soothing his parched throat. While he drank, the Avox attached a thick collar around Peeta's neck, similar the one he wore himself. Peeta reared back and the man's hands flew into the air. He gestured to his own neck then to Peeta's. Peeta frowned but nodded, allowing the Avox to finish his task. When he was finished, the man took a step back and Peeta studied the accessory dubiously.
"What is this?" The man indicated his own again and shook his head. The Avox then indicated a piece of bread and cheese and Peeta nodded gratefully.
"Have you seen Minister Antonius? Or Caius Snow?" The Avox shook his head sharply and let himself out of the cell.
"Thank you," Peeta called out. He knew the poor man was a prisoner, just like he was, and didn't want to be in the Capitol anymore than Peeta did.
He stuffed the rest of the bread into his mouth and rested his forehead against the bars. He gingerly rubbed his bleeding wrists, his mind racing. Had Katniss made it out of the Capitol? He knew she wouldn't leave willingly, so they must have drugged her. He shook his head sadly, thinking of how hysterical she would be when she realized what had happened.
Or will she care at all? Peeta winced as the cruel voice returned. Do you really think she will care about what happens to you?
Yes. She loves me. I know she does.
You're pathetic. And weak. Why would she love you? Peeta shook his head as if to shake away the voice.
Go away. Just leave me alone!
I'll never go away. I'll always be here to remind you of how miserably inadequate you are. You tortured your own brother. You've murdered dozens. You're a monster.
Peeta's hands went to his temples and he squeezed his eyes shut. He tried to summon up Katniss's voice but the cold voice drowned hers out.
And one day, you'll destroy the one you love.
Never! I could never hurt her.
Just wait until those Capitol guards are shoving needles into your veins. You won't be able to stop yourself. Peeta shook his head.
"I won't hurt her," he said aloud, his teeth gritted. "No matter what they do to me, they can't make me hurt her." The voice merely laughed in his head.
Katniss heard buzzing all around her. Like a swarm of angry bees, but louder and more annoying. She wanted to swat at them but she knew that wasn't a smart move. She tried to lift a hand to her head but found that her arms wouldn't move. She opened her eyes and glanced to the side. Her arms were bound to the bed. But it wasn't her bed. She tried to sit up but couldn't. Where was she? She could see dark shapes in the doorway, none of them bothering to keep their voices down. Who were all of these people?
She caught a glimpse of a familiar blonde braid and her heart soared.
"Katniss!" The girl tried to squeeze through the crowd of people but found her way blocked by a burly man.
"I want to see my sister!"
"Soldier-"
"If you don't get out of my way, I will tell Nurse Everdeen that you are keeping her daughter sedated. She will not be happy to hear that." The man moved aside and Prim rushed to Katniss's side.
"Oh thank goodness you're awake. How do you feel?"
"Prim, what's going on?" Prim set a hand on Katniss's forehead.
"Temperature is back to normal. Your eyes look clear too. Can you tell me your name?"
"Prim, I know who I am. What is going on?" Prim dragged a chair over and wrapped her fingers around her sister's.
"What do you remember?" Katniss frowned.
"Something on the holo… about Snow dying." Her eyes widened and she shot straight up, her binds preventing her from moving far.
"Peeta! They arrested Peeta!"
"Katniss, calm down."
"We have to save him! Where is he, Prim? Is he alive?"
"Katniss," Prim squeezed her hand. "I need you to calm down, ok? I don't want them to drug you again. You have to calm down." She gently pushed her sister back onto the bed and fluffed the pillows behind her head.
"Breathe and just listen to me, ok? We are in District 13. You've been in and out of consciousness for almost a week and a half."
"A week and-?!"
"Calm," Prim said again. "Every time you get worked up, your blood pressure spikes and these machines alert the doctors. You need to stay calm. Mom kept them away for the first few nights but she is busy with patients right now." Katniss felt dazed.
"The first night you woke up from the drug and you were hysterical. You kicked and punched and screamed for Peeta. They drugged you again and Mom was furious when you didn't wake up the next day. Apparently you had some kind of allergic reaction to the drug and it put you into a coma. You had a high fever and chills and we just couldn't do anything. You thrashed around in your sleep but you wouldn't wake up. They restrained you so you wouldn't hurt yourself. Mom just checked on you a few hours ago and said your blood pressure was returning to normal. Your vitals look alright, but you definitely need to eat something. God Katniss, you scared the hell out of me." Katniss tried to swallow but found it difficult. Prim jumped up and came back with a cup of water, which she coaxed Katniss to take a sip of.
"So what happened to Peeta?"
"I don't want you to get upset, Katniss. You just woke up. Maybe we should-"
"Prim," she blinked back tears. "Just please tell me."
"We don't know much, unfortunately. Boggs was supposed to take a few soldiers back to the Capitol to rescue Peeta and Duartyr, but the Capitol shot down the decoy hovercraft they were using. It wasn't safe to go back. Caius Snow has announced himself President of Panem, and he has done several broadcasts saying that the assassins have been put to death. But Plutarch Heavensbee says it's false information because the Capitol has to put someone on trial which is televised around the country. So he thinks they're being locked up somewhere. President Coin is discussing the best way to rescue them. But we have no contacts in the Capitol anymore. The rebels fled after Snow's death was televised. Cinna and Chase barely made it here alive. Finnick went back for Johanna and just made it back a few days ago. Snow has the country terrified."
"But you made it here safely," Katniss breathed. "So 12 is ok?" Prim bit her lip and Katniss noticed the tears in her sister's eyes.
"Prim? Mom is here, right?"
"Yes. She's safe. A lot of people made it out alive."
"Made it out?" Prim took a deep breath.
"Prim." She turned and saw Gale Hawthorne standing in the doorway. Katniss leaned up a little.
"Gale?"
"Hey Catnip. Good to see you awake."
"You're here? But… I don't understand." Gale's eyes softened and he turned his attention to Prim.
"Have you told her?"
"Not everything. She knows about Peeta though."
"Good. President Coin wants to speak to her."
"She just woke up, Gale!"
"I know that. But she's waited long enough. She's on her way down now." Prim huffed and shook her head.
"Gale, what about your mother? Is she still in 12?" Gale stiffened.
"There is no District 12 anymore."
Gale left quickly, speaking into his communicuff and Prim set to brushing Katniss's hair.
"Prim? What did he mean?"
"12 is gone, Katniss," she said stiffly. "It happened right after we got to the woods. Haymitch saw hovercrafts approaching and told us all to get moving. We saw them dropping firebombs on the district." Prim's hands shook as she handled Katniss's dark locks.
"How many?"
"More might have made it out. Gale and Thom saved a bunch from the fires and dragged them to the woods. They were injured but were able to help them when we reached 13. More arrive every day. Not just from 12. Other districts. Word is getting out and people are fleeing from Panem's power. I don't think Coin expected so many to come here but she isn't chasing them away."
"How is it here?" Prim finished braiding Katniss's hair and rested it on her shoulder.
"It's alright. The food is pretty bland but at least there's food. And they have a great medical facility here. They're even talking about training me to be a doctor. The head doctors were impressed at how much I know." Katniss squeezed Prim's hand.
"They'd be stupid not to."
"I'm going to order you some food. Mom will want to know that you're awake too. I'll be right back, ok?" Katniss nodded and Prim kissed her forehead.
"Someone get those restraints off my sister while I find her something to eat. She's no longer a danger to herself."
"We need to wait for official clearance from the President, Soldier Everdeen."
"Then you can tell the President why the Mockingjay is unable to eat," Prim said coldly. "They better be removed by the time I get back." She whipped around, her braid nearly hitting the soldier in the face, and stomped off. Katniss settled back on the bed and closed her eyes. She sent her heart out to Peeta, wherever he was. She tried not to think about the horrible things they were doing to him. She silently pleaded that they would not hijack him again. She didn't know if his heart would be able to withstand a second round of poisoning, and if it did succeed, what if he forgot who she was? What if he never recognized her again? She stifled a sob and hid her face in the pillow.
"Why didn't I tell him," she sobbed. "Why didn't I tell him I love him? He doesn't know how much he means to me. Because I've never told him." Images of Peeta bloody and broken and pleading for her to save him flashed through her mind. Her brain conjured up images of her neighbors running from the bombs, bursting into flames and she squeezed her eyes shut, her sobs echoing off the pristine walls.
"This is not the girl you described."
"Madame President, please. She's just woken up to find that her husband is in captivity. That her district has been bombed to the ground. She's allowed to show her grief."
"That's not the point, Soldier Odair. You all described a force to be reckoned with. That young woman is broken. I know those cries. They are the cries of one who has lost all hope. How can she lead a rebellion?"
"That's why I explicitly said we could not leave her husband behind. She will be a mess without him. Madame President, we have to go back and rescue him."
"As I have said countless times, we barely made it out of the Capitol with the Mockingjay. Going back to the Capitol with Caius Snow in charge would be suicide. And we don't even know if he is alive. It is only a theory of Heavensbee's."
"Then good luck getting her to cooperate. You drugged and kidnapped her. The shit that her mother and sister have been throwing at you is nothing compared to what she is about to give you."
"This rebellion is about all of us, Soldier Abernathy. Not just a single person."
"Your rebellion won't mean anything to her if she doesn't get her husband back."
"What about the Minister? Can Commander Lyme contact him?"
"Antonius is the main traitor here, Fininick! He's obviously working for Caius Snow. And Duartyr hasn't responded to any of my messages, which means he's most likely locked up with Peeta."
"So what do you suggest, Soldier Abernathy?"
"Snow knows about the rebels, that much is clear. We were lucky that so many of them got out in time. So we will have to rely on stealth to rescue Peeta. Cinna still has a few friends there, maybe we can get word to them."
"You think a few stylists will stand up to Caius Snow? I'm sorry, Soldier, there just isn't enough manpower to rescue the peacekeeper right now."
"You need to quit thinking of him as a peacekeeper and start thinking of him as the key to that puzzle in there. She won't open up to many people and she trusts very few. Her sister and her husband are the only people who will be able to get through to her."
"Soldier Hawthorne, what about you? Didn't you say you and the Mockingjay are close?"
"We were best friends, Madame President, but I'm afraid that's in the past. Haymitch is right. I have never seen her open up to someone as she does with Peeta. She really does love him. And Katniss doesn't say I love you to anyone, except to Prim. Not since her father died."
"Then we haven't any other choice. If she really is the spark that you all claim her to be, she will need this boy beside her. Call the troops together, Colonel. We need to form a plan. Soldier Odair, will you inform the Victors of what is happening?"
"Yes Madame President. And I'd like to volunteer to join the rescue mission."
"I'll go too."
"Very well, soldiers. I had intended to speak with Miss Everdeen but I think I will give her some time to adjust. You are all dismissed."
"Mellark, Madame President. Her name is Mellark. And she will remind of you of that after she demands to know when we are rescuing her husband."
"I said we will try, Mr. Abernathy. Thank you for your time."
When Prim returned, Katniss's restraints had been removed and she was sipping at another glass of water while a nurse checked her pulse. Prim set the tray of food down and glanced at the machines.
"How are her vitals?"
"She's much better. I think she'll be even better with some food."
"Good. Here Katniss, can you sit up?" She helped her sister lean against the pillows and pushed the tray toward her.
"I'll be back to check on her in a little while," the nurse gripped her clipboard. "I'm on my way to your mother's room, I will let her know she is awake."
"Thank you, Rhea." The nurse smiled and left the room while Prim dragged a chair to Katniss's side.
"Feeling any better?"
"All I can think about is Peeta. They're torturing him, Prim. I know they are."
"You can't think like that. You have to believe we will get him out. You are going to drive yourself crazy." Katniss shrugged but took a bite of food.
"Have you met this Coin woman?"
"Once. She's nice enough. Very stoic. She lost her whole family a few years ago, when an smallpox epidemic hit 13. Her daughter and husband. She's well respected around here though."
"I just want to know why they didn't do anything all these years. Why they just let us suffer for so long. Why do they all of a sudden care about what happens to Panem?"
"I don't think it's like that, Katty. They have been trying to launch the rebellion for a long time. Haymitch told me that Daddy was even in contact with them. Alma Coin was a Colonel before she was President and apparently she rose to power pretty quickly. She's ambitious but I think she really wants to help people. Which is something I can't say for any of the Snows."
"I wonder if Snow knew that 13 survived. Did they have some kind of deal or something?"
"That's something you'll have to ask President Coin. I know she is anxious to meet you. Maybe if you're feeling better later, you can go speak to her." But Katniss didn't want to be near anyone, save for Prim. So she remained in her room for two more days, refusing to see anyone. Her mother sat by her side and made sure she ate but Katniss pretended to be asleep when someone else would stop by to see her.
Haymitch barged in, ignoring Violet's protests.
"Enough pretending, sweetheart, I know you're not asleep." Katniss glanced at him and frowned.
"Go away."
"President Coin wants to speak with you. Now."
"I don't want to speak with her."
"Katniss, you need to cooperate with her if you want her to rescue Peeta." She sat up straighter.
"She will?"
"She's talking to her Colonel about it. Devising a plan to get him out of there safely. It would be good for you to be cordial and listen to what she has to say. Cooperate with her and bargain for your husband."
"Peeta isn't some bargaining chip," she exclaimed angrily. "And I don't cooperate with anyone who drugs and kidnaps me!" Haymitch sighed heavily.
"I don't agree with their methods but they were just following orders. Liberate the Mockingjay. They couldn't go back for Peeta because they were being tracked. Boggs barely got you out of the Capitol alive. If you had waited another minute, your hovercraft would have been shot down. Snow knew you were in the Capitol and he knew 13 was coming for you."
"And he's torturing Peeta to get to me."
"We don't know that for sure. You said Peeta was promoted to General. That's a position of high power. Even the Capitol respects its traditions."
"Caius Snow is throwing out all traditions, it seems. I'm not talking to anyone until they rescue Peeta." Haymitch glanced at Violet and shook his head.
"I'll tell her you're still heavily medicated. Think about what I said, Katniss." He left and Katniss fell back onto the bed.
"Katniss, Haymitch is right," Prim squeezed her sister's hand. "If you want Peeta back, you need to show Coin that you're willing to help. You need to become the Leader of this rebellion."
"Not without Peeta."
"Let's let her rest, Primrose," her mother cut in before Prim could speak again. "Page me if you need anything, dear." Katniss crossed her arms and closed her eyes until she heard her mother and sister leave the room. She curled onto her side and buried her face in the pillow, angrily wiping at the falling tears.
Peeta leaped to his feet when he heard his cell door being opened. He was surprised to see both the Minister and Caius Snow. He expected his torture to be carried out by someone with very little power. Both men folded their hands behind their backs.
"General Mellark."
"Oh I'm still a General then? Does that mean my torture will be light?"
"We just want answers, General. If you provide the information we seek and swear your loyalty to me, we will let you go and allow you to return to your position."
"My loyalty to you? My president's murderer?" Snow's eyes flashed and his hand dove into his pocket. Peeta felt an intense shock of pain and nearly fell to his knees.
"I will make this very easy for you, Mellark."
"Oh I love it when you all use that phrase. 'I'll make this easy for you'. As if we would intentionally choose the more difficult way of doing things and as if you actually want to make things easy on us." His cheek was rewarded with another shock and he crashed to his knees, clutching at the bars in pain.
"I hear tell you have the most valuable silver tongue, Mellark. It is why I have not cut it out like your other General friend." Peeta felt his insides churn.
"Continue to test me, however, and I will not be so lenient. My father may have appreciated your humor but I do not. Now, as I was saying, this will be easy. Answer our questions, we will reward you. Refuse or lie, and you will know pain unlike anything you have ever experienced. Do you understand?"
"Oh so you know what all I've been through," Peeta snapped. He gritted his teeth as the pain lasted longer this time. Snow held up a tiny device and pushed the button again. Peeta's eyes narrowed on Snow's beefy finger, which hovered over the button.
"Minister Antonius has told me about a little project that you were a part of some time ago. When Colonel Haemon was in charge of your training. What I find most intriguing is that you did not seem to remember who you were. The Colonel reported that you displayed violent behavior towards not only your fellow peacekeepers but those close to you as well." Snow leaned in close as Peeta's jaw twitched.
"Hm? Your own brother, isn't that correct? Sentenced to what was it, twenty floggings? Not even close to what ol Romulus gave you in 12. And yet here you stand, as proud and arrogant as ever."
"I don't know, President Snow. Take a look at his shirt. I think his wounds are bleeding again." Peeta winced as Antonius reached over and trailed a finger along his shoulder.
"I think you're right. Call a doctor. We don't want him to bleed to death. Not until we have a chance to test this experiment you all were working on." Peeta's eyes widened in horror as the two men backed out of the cell and closed the door tightly.
"Adjust the dosage of venom that was used in the first case. Obviously the prisoner has built an immunity to it, so we need to increase it."
"You can't do this! Please!" Peeta gripped the bars tightly, his knuckles white while Snow gave him a lazy smile.
"I know all about your little rebellion, Mellark. Your wife leading it. What is it they call her, Minister?"
"The Mockingjay."
"The Mockingjay. Yes that's it. Just imagine. The Mockingjay tearfully reunites with her husband. I'm sure that traitor Heavensbee will have that broadcast all over Panem. But amidst a passionate embrace, her husband wraps his hands around her slender throat and chokes the life out of her. The Mockingjay is dead at the hands of her own husband, and the rebellion fails before the eyes of millions. And it will be all thanks to you, Mellark." Peeta shook his head, his eyes swimming.
"Of course, there is always another, less bloody way. You can swear your loyalty to me and to Panem, and your wife can renounce the rebellion. I'll allow the both of you to live peacefully, together, wherever you choose. She can even bring her sister and her mother with her. Now that's a fine deal, I'd say." Antonius nodded, raising a brow.
"Take the deal, Mellark. You're a fine Peacekeeper. You were ruthless on your assignments. Until you returned to 12, you were cold and calculating. That wife of yours has made you soft."
"Oh but imagine the both of them serving the Capitol. The daughter of the Mockingjay, on our side. Imagine what that would say to the citizens of Panem."
"Get a doctor in here," Antonius snapped into his radio. "Take care of General Mellark's wounds."
"Think about what we have said, Mellark," Snow said solemnly. "One way or another, we will crush this rebellion. Will your Mockingjay be dead or alive when we do it?"
