Commander Lyme held the door open for them and stood aside to let them pass. As Katniss passed her, Lyme grabbed her arm and Katniss was momentarily stunned. Lyme gave her a pointed look before ushering her on. Rye gave Katniss a puzzled look but she shrugged and followed Boggs down the hall.
"This way, please."
When they stopped in front of a particular room, the guard leaped up from his chair and saluted Lyme.
"Has anyone entered this room, soldier?"
"No ma'am. I am the only other one with the key." She nodded and withdrew her own key, pushing the door open and gesturing them inside. Her eyes met the guard's and he nodded as he closed the door and locked them inside.
"What's-" Lyme held up a hand and waited for a moment. They had no idea what she was waiting for but a moment later, she seemed relieved and lowered her hand.
"We have about 8 minutes until the feed comes back on."
"What are you talking about? Where is Peeta?"
"Soldier Mellark, I implore you to just listen to me for a moment. Please?" Katniss scowled but nodded.
"There are Capitol spies all around us. I have tried to escape to the rebel sanctum at the mountain but I'm essentially trapped here."
"By Capitolies? Why don't they just kill you?" Lyme scoffed.
"I'm too valuable to kill. I'm leading the rebellion in 2. They want to know what we have planned, and who else I'm in contact with. Several of my soldiers have turned up dead. I've been trying to contact the camp but spies are watching our every move."
"Then we move you," Boggs said firmly. "Our hovercraft is on standby. Let us deliver you to the rebel camp."
"They'll shoot us down as soon as I join you. Katniss, you must go to the Nut yourself. Remember our plan. You need to talk them down and try to save as many lives as you can."
"Why don't we just attack the spies so that you and your soldiers can escape?"
"If only traitors were a thing of pretend, Soldier Mellark. I do not know who is a spy, and who is truly on our side."
"That's why you were behaving so strangely," Finnick said, his eyes widened in realization. "Why you acted as if you didn't know Katniss. Or who Peeta was."
"I thought it was strange when you spoke to me like that on the holo," Katniss breathed. "Like we hadn't met before. I was worried you had been hijacked."
"Not hijacked, no, but I can't lead the rebellion from here. And I'm so sorry, Soldier Mellar- Katniss. I didn't want to arouse any suspicion. Cartiel, who is sitting outside, was the one who alerted me to Peeta's disappearance this morning. He's one of the few whom I trust."
"Disappearance," Katniss inhaled sharply. Lyme's shoulders dropped.
"I'm truly sorry, Katniss. I was fully prepared to release him into your care as soon as you arrived. But he didn't remember me, which made it easier to pretend I didn't know him. But it made it more difficult to get him to trust me, to talk to me. I will take full blame for my soldiers' attack on him but I needed to make sure the spies didn't suspect that we had met before. As far as they know, we only met in the Capitol a long time ago and they know he had his memories erased."
"Do they actually know that?" Lyme frowned at Madge, who had been silent up til now.
"What do you mean, Mrs. Mellark?
"Soldier, if you please, ma'am," Madge said without hesitation. "And I'm just curious if all Capitolites know about Peeta's hijacking and capture. Most of them saw him with Katniss at Snow's party in the Capitol. Peeta was also accused of assassinating the President but then that footage and news reports were removed and it was reported, instead, that Duartyr had an accomplice who was unidentified."
"How do you know all of this, Soldier?" Rye was gazing at his wife in awe.
"I did research with Beetee and Haymitch back in 13. If there are people here who want Peeta dead, I don't know if they are working for Snow. It sounds like Snow has gone to some extraordinary lengths to keep him alive."
"He was kidnapped this morning and we have no idea where he is now. I have guards out looking but doing my best to keep it quiet. We have to be very careful right now. And if-" there came a sharp knock, followed by another, and Lyme's eyes widened.
"Time is up. The feed is coming back. I'm sorry I can't help you any more. Go to the camps. You'll be welcomed there." There was a flicker of lights and they all looked up nervously.
"That's right, Mrs. Mellark," Lyme said loudly. "The refugee camps are along the border and they are expecting you." She knocked on the door and it swung open. Cartiel bowed as they passed him again and Katniss swore he shot her a wink. Lyme lead them outside and saw them to the edge of the hovercraft. Gale and Johanna exchanged suspicious looks before climbing aboard.
"Be careful in your mission, Soldier Mellark. We are counting on you to bring us to victory." She nodded once then retreated, her hands behind her back. Boggs yelled at the pilot to close the hovercraft and everyone sank into their seats.
"Get us into the air. We need to make for the mountain."
"Wait, what's going on," Johanna threw her hands up. "Where's Peeta?"
"Lyme is surrounded by spies right now. Someone kidnapped Peeta, whether it was a rescue or a kidnapping, we don't know."
"You think the Capitolites snuck in and took Peeta themselves," Gale frowned. "Why would they do that?"
"Peeta is still useful to them. He's still their First General. We have no idea how his memory is so he could still be easy to order around. Let's hope that he's been able to get some of his memories back." Katniss punched the seat beside her, which made everyone jump.
"Katniss-"
"I'm SO DAMN SICK OF THIS," her voice shook with anger. "Of Snow. Of the war. Of betrayal. Of missing my husband. Of starving to death, or watching our neighbors die. I'm done. I'm just… I'm done." Madge cocked her head.
"What are you saying, Katniss?" Katniss looked up, her grey eyes steely.
"I don't care about talking soldiers down in 2. I want to go after the real problem. I want to kill Snow."
Haymitch, Bran, Violet, Lieutenant Jackson, who was Bogg's second-in-command, and to Violet's displeasure, Prim all rushed toward the surface of District 13. The elevator was slow and Lieutenant Jackson huffed.
"You're SURE hovercraft gained clearance and has landed up top?"
"Lieutenant, I believe District 13 speaks English as well as District 12, so I don't know how to say it more clearly," Jackson threw him a nasty look. "Yes, Control Panel cleared the hovercraft to land and buzzed me to meet them. Something about someone needing help."
"Which is why Mrs. Everdeen is here, I assume," Jackson raised her brow at Violet.
"If anyone on that hovercraft needs emergency help, my daughter and I will get them to the hospital wing."
"And you, Mr. Mellark? Did you bring bread with you for whoever is on that hovercraft?" Bran looked like he was about to say something angry but Haymitch beat him to it.
"Lieutenant Jackson, your president announced that 13 was a place of refuge for any and all who seek it. So how about we stop being so damn critical and see who is up there?" Jackson fell silent and everyone breathed in relief. The elevator stopped and Haymitch was the first one out. He hadn't told Jackson what Control had said about a young woman… a very pregnant young woman. Haymitch just prayed it was who he thought it was.
When they made it outside, Haymitch was the only one who didn't freeze in place.
Two young boys were supporting a woman, who was bent over and clutching her stomach. All three of them looked pale and terrified.
"Oh thank god," Haymitch muttered, running toward the small group of passengers. "Rosalie!" Rosalie's head snapped up and she released a little moan as she reached toward him with both arms. Haymitch clutched her hands and cupped her cheek.
"You're alright. You're safe."
"We think she's having her baby," one of the boys said tearfully.
"Don't worry, lad, Violet here is the best Healer around." Violet sprung into action as she and Prim took Rosalie's arms and helped support her.
"We've got you, Rosalie. We're going to help you." Tears were streaming down Rosalie's cheeks as Violet and Prim lead her back toward the elevator and down to the hospital wing. Haymitch cleared his throat and turned to the boys.
"I imagine you boys have quite a story to tell. Why don't you come inside and we can get you something to eat?"
"Meal time is passed," Jackson muttered and Haymitch's eyes flashed.
"Good thing I have been stashing my rations then!" Jackson looked furious but said nothing as she followed the group back into the elevator. The boys stared with open mouths as they descended underground.
"It is real," one of them whispered.
"I'm really looking forward to that foot massage," the other one said and Bran raised a brow in confusion.
"I'm Haymitch Abernathy," Haymitch said loudly. "This is Lieutenant Jackson, and this is Bran Mellark."
"Mellark?" Bran nodded, smiling softly but the boys could see there was sadness to it. One of the boys took a step back.
"I take it you have heard that name before?" Haymitch crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes sir. Our First General was General Peter Mellark." Haymitch glanced at Bran.
"Peeta," Bran said softly. "His name is Peeta."
"Are you his father, sir?"
"I am." The boy bowed low to Bran and Bran shot a panicked look toward Haymitch.
"He saved my life, Mr. Mellark. I am indebted to you."
"How old are you boys," Haymitch jerked his chin toward the two of them.
"Fifteen, Mr. Abernathy." Haymitch released a grunt of disgust.
"Starting them early, aren't they," he muttered.
"You're both Peacekeepers, aren't you," Jackson asked, her hand on her gun. Haymitch stepped in front of the boys.
"Recently retired, it sounds like."
"We didn't know any better," one of the boys said, sounding like he was about to cry. "It's all we have known. Our parents are Loyalists. General Mellark told me things I'd never thought about before. He helped me see that Pres… Snow is the real enemy. I want to help you fight against the Capitol." The boy lifted his chin, his face set in determination. The elevator stopped and Jackson nudged them forward.
"President Coin will want to speak to you both."
"Later, Jackson, they've been traveling-"
"No," she said sharply. "You are not from 13, Haymitch, you have no right to dispute our rules. President Coin will want to speak with them. Immediately."
Gale thought he had seen everything when it came to angry, wounded animals. He had been hunting all his life and had become the best trapper in District 12. Except when Katniss had begun to join him. She was quite the whiz when it came to snares.
But seeing Katniss writhe around, hissing and snarling, made him almost decide he would never hunt again. He leaned in and pressed his arm to her throat, doing his best to calm her down.
"Katniss, you HAVE to stop this."
"Gale, if you don't let go of me, I swear-"
"Goddamn it, we're trying to HELP you!"
"If you want to help me, get me to the Capitol!" Finnick yanked her arm forward and leaned in close.
"I get it, Katniss. I really do, but if you don't stop this, they are going to drug you!" Katniss snarled and tried to bite him and Gale huffed. Johanna rolled her eyes and knelt down.
"Listen brainless, you're being even more brainless than usual! And you are NOT behaving like the daughter of the Mockingjay." That made her pause and Johanna smiled grimly.
"Listen to me. There is no one who wants to see Snow dead more than I do but Finnick is right; if you keep this up, Boggs will be forced to take action. Bottle the rage for when you face off with Snow. Don't take it out on your team! We WILL get Peeta back and we will get Snow. Where is that hopeful little girl I met in the Capitol several months ago?"
"She nearly watched her husband die, then lost thousands of friends and neighbors when Snow burned her district to the ground. Not to mention her husband has orders to kill her and may not even remember who she is! Forgive me if my hope is gone. All I have left is fire."
"Then hold onto that fire and unleash it on the Capitol! It won't be long now. Right now, though, just sit back in your seat and calm down. You know good and well that Boggs will report everything back to Coin and you do NOT want her to think you're rebelling against her." Finnick knelt in front of her and squeezed her hands.
"Remember that Peeta's life is still in her hands," he whispered. "Keep her happy, and you'll both be safe. Don't give them any reason to go back on their word." She could feel everyone's eyes on her as she steadied her breathing. She knew Boggs was waiting in the front, a tranquilizer in his hands. Madge was standing near the back, her hands over her mouth. She had never seen Katniss so… feral. Finnick, however, had seen the fire in her eyes back in the Capitol, when he had been forced to touch her. He knew she would be the one to bring down the Capitol and to kill Snow. Katniss slowly nodded and Finnick clapped her knee before standing up. Rye let out a sigh of relief as he sank into a seat. Gale shook his head and collapsed in a seat at the back of the hovercraft.
"Take us where you will, Colonel Boggs," Finnick nodded toward him. Boggs's lips were thinned but he stuffed the gun back in his pocket and gave the pilot directions. Katniss turned in her seat, away from everyone else, and stared out the window. Her heart went out to Peeta, wherever he might be, and silently promised him that she would see him soon.
Peeta's eyes opened slowly and he winced at the pain in his head. It took a few moments to regain his composure but then he saw needles in his arm and his head jerked up.
"No," he whispered, pleading. "Not again. Please." He reached over, taken aback that he wasn't restrained. He sat straight up and looked around. He was in a room, not a laboratory. He was on a bed rather than a table. Beside him was a steaming bowl of something. A cup of water with a straw was right next to it and some fresh clothes were folded at the end of his bed.
Peeta's brow furrowed even deeper. What were they playing at? Make him comfortable so he could let his guard down? He studied the needle in his arm, which was attached to some sort of tubing. He tugged at it and winced at the sting.
"I can't let this happen again," he said to himself. "I won't let this happen again!" He flung his legs over the bed and tugged at the tubing. He gritted his teeth as he started to dig the needle from his skin.
"Damn it," he growled, using his fingernails to locate the injection site. Something clear and cold flowed into him and he felt his heart start to race.
"No! I won't forget Katniss again! They can't do this to me again!" He stood and took a deep breath before yanking his arm, hard. He cried out as the needle was dislodged from his arm and he clapped his other hand over it to stem the bleeding.
"Now where the hell am I," he looked around the room, biting his lip. It was then that he noticed he was only wearing underwear and nothing else. His cheeks flushing red, he hurriedly grabbed the clothes from the bed and pulled them on. He frowned as he studied them, nothing they were certainly NOT a Peacekeeper's uniform. As he turned around on the spot, he heard the door open and he braced himself.
"Oh Peeta you're awake!" Peeta froze. Not only did he recognize that voice, she had called him Peeta. Not Peter.
And he knew it was his name.
Aurelia Snow stood before him, her hands folded in front of her. She wore clothes similar to his and gave him a shy smile.
"I… I beg your pardon?"
"How are you feeling? You've been asleep for several days, I was really afraid the medicine we've been giving you would cause a problem."
"Miss Snow… I'm afraid I'm… I'm very confused."
"Of course you are," she clicked her tongue in sympathy. "And oh my goodness, you managed to pull out your tubing! Well, he said you would probably try. Why don't you sit back down and I will call the Commander in to speak with you?" He glanced at the bed warily.
"Peeta, I know you have been through so much and have had true atrocities committed against you. But you're safe now. You should relax and eat something. We're on your side."
"You'll forgive me, Miss Snow, if I'm a bit skeptical. You are the daughter of the President, after all."
"I'm also a rebel. I'm a bit of a contradiction at this point, I'm afraid." Peeta stared at her and she sighed.
"The soup is still warm. Would you prefer I taste it, so you can see we're not trying to poison you?" He swallowed so she crossed the room and lifted the bowl to her mouth. Blowing softly, she tipped the bowl and swallowed several helpings.
"Tigris is an excellent cook," she muttered, setting it back down.
"Tigris? You know Tigris?"
"You do too? They told me your memory would take some time to come back but you met her months ago, it looks like it's returning rather quickly," she said with a smile. Peeta sat on the edge of the bed and reached for the bowl. Still watching her carefully, he lifted the spoon to his lips and felt the warmth on his face. The first bite was heaven itself. Spiced perfectly and just the right balance of smooth and chunky. Aurelia looked pleased as he drained the whole thing.
"I knew you would be hungry. I'll try to bring you some more."
"Thank you," he rasped, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. "I'm still confused on what's going on. And why you keep calling me Peeta."
"It's your given name," she said plainly. "And I'm sure the Commander can explain better than I can. I've only been to several meetings and they are still a bit wary around me, I'm afraid, but- Oh! Commander. I was just about to call you in." A young man, probably not much older than Peeta, opened the door a little wider and squeezed inside, seeming as if he wanted to take up as little space as he possibly could. He stood against the wall, staring at Peeta.
"Peeta, this is Commander Leo Cretus, leader of the Capitol's rebel army."
"Capitol's rebel army," Peeta repeated. "That's quite the contradiction."
"Seems we're all contradictions as of late, Soldier Mellark," the young man said, bowing his head. "For example, a young boy from District 2 whose sister dies in the Hunger Games, watches his father become a Commander in President Snow's army. The boy's father forces him to enlist and tells him he is so proud when he is promoted to Commander. Then the boy's father is shot point blank by his own Peacekeepers, for suspicion of treason. The boy becomes a rebel spy and works from the inside to bring down the people he has looked up to all his life. Contradiction indeed."
"Indeed," Peeta said, his head spinning. "What do you want with me, Commander Cretus?"
"You are married to the Mockingjay, General," he replied calmly. "You have been a rebel spy. We need yours and your wife's help to beat Snow."
"The doctor said to be calm with his memories," Aurelia whispered. "We're not sure what he remembers."
"I remember Katniss. I remember everything about her. But I…they made me forget again, didn't they?"
"Which reminds me. You should lie back down and let us inject you with more serum. It seemed to really help your memory and the extra physical strength won't hurt either."
"I beg your pardon?"
"He's referring to your tubing, Peeta," Aurelia gestured toward the discarded needle and tubing. "The doctor said a steady stream of the serum would help you heal and regain your memories."
"The doctor? Doctor who? Aurelia, you mean to say YOU are in the rebel army? Forgive me but none of this makes any sense."
"Neither does a soldier nearly beaten to death being healed by one doctor's methods, but here you stand in front of me, Peeta Mellark, looking fine on your feet. More or less, anyway," the newcomer added, seeing how shaky Peeta was.
"You… you were the one…"
"Felix alerted me immediately that you needed Capitol healing and instructed you to be brought to me. I did what I could but some scars will never heal. I'm sure you forgot but those lash marks on your back, boy, those were made by the enemy. By Capitol Peacekeepers. Your own Peacekeepers. They were the ones who did that to you." Peeta unconsciously reached his hand over his shoulder and flexed his fingers.
"Ok," he said, lowering his hands and sitting on the edge of the bed. He lifted his chin and looked around the room. "I'm ready to listen. Tell me your plan to get me to 13 so we can launch the Mockingjay onto Panem."
