Finnick insisted that Johanna stay with Katniss while he would return to Peeta. Katniss squeezed his hand and begged him to keep her husband safe, and Finnick returned the affection and assured her he would do everything in his power to make sure they got back to each other after the war. Johanna glowered as she twirled her axe in her hands.
"Why do you look more sour than usual," Katniss asked quietly.
"Gale said he would stay with us and guard our backs. I don't like being alone with you."
"Thanks a lot," Katniss mumbled.
"I mean, us on our own. I know you're a tough cookie, but Gale had a plan and I don't like that we aren't sticking to it."
"Let's move, soldiers," Cretus called from up ahead. Johanna glanced sideways at Katniss.
"Just keep your face hidden and keep moving. Gale's somewhere in this crowd, maybe he will find his way back to us." Startled, Katniss lifted her hood slightly so she could get a look at Johanna's face. Her voice was softer than normal, almost… worried.
"Johanna Mason, do you have a thing for my best friend?"
"Get the fuck over yourself, Mellark," Johanna replied with a scowl. Katniss chuckled to herself. As crude as Johanna was, she couldn't help but like her.
As the line moved, Johanna watched Katniss from the corner of her eye. The Mockingjay was putting on a brave face but Johanna knew she was in pain.
"Ok, nope, come over here." She yanked Katniss out of the line and ducked behind an alley.
"What are you doing," Katniss whispered frantically.
"What exactly do you plan on doing with that ankle? You are in pain and can't keep going on like that. Gale said you had a plan, now we're not taking another step until you figure something out." Katniss shrugged her bag off her back and knelt.
"I brought something to help, I just didn't have time to take it." She withdrew the syringe and hiked up her pant leg.
"Wait, is that Peeta's medicine?"
"It is," Katniss said, uncapping the needle.
"Uh, is that safe?"
"Look, I took a special shot already and it sort of helped. If Peeta's medicine is as powerful as I think it is, I'm going to be fine."
"If," Johanna repeated, shaking her head. "Do you understand how crazy you sound right now? You sound like… like me!"
"I'll take that as a compliment then," Katniss shot her a smile and Johanna was temporarily rendered speechless.
"Damn you, Mellark. You know how much I want to hate you? But right now, I'm ready to take a bullet for you. What the fuck have you done to me?"
"I don't think you're as mean as you want the world to think you are," Katniss shrugged.
"Take that back right now." Katniss chuckled lightly.
"You're actually pretty warm underneath that cold facade, Mason. And I haven't told you how much I appreciate all of your help. These past few months
have been hell but your nasty quips and sass have really helped."
"Just take the damn shot before you start crying on me," Johanna scowled, crossing her arms with the axe in her hand. Katniss took a deep breath before bringing the needle closer to her ankle. She knew this was going to hurt like hell and she couldn't for the life of her plunge the needle in. She looked up at Johanna, chewing on her lip.
"What's wrong?"
"I… I don't know if I can do it. Will you help me?"
"Oh for the love of…" Johanna knelt beside Katniss and studied the swollen ankle.
"You're asking me to stab you with a needle? Fine. Give it to me."
"Knew you wouldn't pass up a chance to stab me with something," she handed the syringe over. Johanna gently pressed the needle to Katniss's skin.
"Ready?" Katniss nodded, stuffing her fist into her mouth.
SHIT that hurt! Her eyes swam as Johanna pushed the remaining medicine into Katniss's injury, then withdrew and capped the needle again.
"Can you stand?" She held her hand out to help Katniss up. She swayed for a moment but could feel the serum doing its job. Her eyes widened and
Johanna glanced down at her ankle.
"Talk to me."
"I can't explain it, but I know it's working. Like… I feel the serum working. It's incredible." Katniss took a step and gingerly placed her weight on it. It stung
but it was nowhere near as painful as it had been a few moments ago.
"This is wild," she muttered. "I feel… almost completely healed."
"That's the kind of stuff the Capitol sends to tributes in the Hunger Games, if the sponsors want to pay enough. Just...be careful, ok? We don't need you suffering permanent damage."
"No, seriously Jo, it barely hurts anymore," Katniss said excitedly.
"Ok, I'm glad to hear it. We should get moving. The line is way ahead of us now." Johanna worried her lip, peering out from the sign. They would definitely be spotted now, if they tried to catch up. And Peeta's line would not be far behind. Johanna tugged Katniss's hand and pulled her in the opposite direction the soldiers were marching.
"Aren't we catching up to them?"
"I have an idea. Keep your face covered. And that bow. That's a dead giveaway." Katniss adjusted the heavy coat Tigris had given her, and made sure her bow was completely covered.
"But what are we-?"
"Peeta wanted two lines of defense. But we're going to give him three. Let's go!"
Peeta surveyed the line, nodding to soldiers as they took their place. Finnick patted his shoulder.
'"Better get moving, Colonel."
"I know, I just…" he trailed off, his eyes trailing upwards. Finnick's eyes followed and he cleared his throat.
"She'll be alright." Part of him wanted to check on her and say one more goodbye. He was still thinking about her promise to sing to him. The other part, the part that knew she wasn't up there, didn't want to have his hopes lifted only to come crashing down.
"Yeah. I know," he finally said, turning away. "Finnick, you take the rear and make sure we aren't being followed. Take this radio." Finnick attached the radio to his belt. Peeta turned to where his father and brother were standing and he sighed.
"Guess this is it."
"We'll follow you anywhere, Peet," Bing smiled. Peeta tried to return it but he felt his face was made of stone. Violet sidled up to Bran and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Be safe." Bran's eyes were bright.
"I'll come back to you, Vi." Peeta and Bing exchanged looks before Peeta quickly turned away. He wasn't sure he wanted to see anymore. Despite knowing how his father felt about her and that he himself had said it would be great if his father left his mother, the thought of his father and Violet together was just a little too much for him right now.
"Soldiers, move out," Peeta raised his rifle and made his way to the front. The line followed and Tigris, Violet, and Prim moved to the door to wave them off.
Peeta paused and glanced up at the moon. It was redder than the sun right now, with an eerie glow. Somehow, though, Peeta didn't feel nervous at the sight of it. In fact, it was just the opposite. He felt a surge of power come from somewhere inside him. His resolve turned to steel and his hands tightened around his rifle. His sword tapped against his leg and he tore his eyes away from the moon. Fire danced in his eyes.
"You will succeed, Peeta Mellark. Connect with the power inside you." Peeta froze, frowning. The voice was inside his head but he did not recognize it. Was this something lost in the hijacking?
Or could it be something else?
He scowled and shook his head.
"Those damn witch rumors are starting to get to me," he muttered angrily, casting the blood moon an angry glare.
"Not a good sign when the Colonel starts cursing at the moon," an amused voice said beside him.
"I'm not cursing the moon," he scowled at Finnick. "I thought I told you to stay in the back, and keep an eye on my dad and brother."
"You did," Finnick nodded, gesturing toward Bran's and Bing's retreating backs. "You've dropped back to the back of the line."
"Shit," Peeta's eyes widened as his eyes searched the line.
"Rye is leading the group," Finnick assured him. "But seriously, are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Peeta said dismissively. He really didn't feel like being the subject of Finnick's worried stare, which would undoubtedly happen if he were to reveal
his surge of strength or the voice in his head. "I'll get back to the front. Stay safe back here." Finnick saluted him and Peeta managed a smile as he jogged
past the line.
"All good, Rye?"
"All good, Colonel," Rye nodded, readjusting his rifle on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Just fine," he answered with a brief nod.
"Listen, Peet… I wanted to talk to you about-"
"Now's not the time, Soldier," Peeta said, rather sharply. Rye looked surprised and Peeta winced.
"I'm fine, Rye. I know you have questions but we need to focus on the mission at hand. We'll have plenty of time to talk after we win this war." Rye was a little surprised at how confident his brother sounded, but he was glad of it. He didn't want Peeta to give up, especially not after being reunited with Katniss. So he gave Peeta a nod, responded with a simple "yes Colonel" and fixed his eyes ahead.
As they approached the city circle, Peeta became increasingly suspicious at the lack of Peacekeepers around the President's mansion. He fell behind to talk to Finnick, who was looking around with narrowed eyes.
"You confused as I am?" Finnick nodded.
"This makes no sense. Snow knew we would come, so where are his guards?"
"Making a barricade, most likely."
"Unless Aurelia's plan worked and we really are surprising him?" Peeta looked dubious.
"This is Snow we are talking about. I would even dare say he is more conniving than his father was." Finnick's nose wrinkled in disgust.
"That's saying something."
"Yes, which is why I'm sure something is wrong. It doesn't make sense for-" his words were cut off by loud sirens and bright searchlights were moving up
ahead. Peeta couldn't make out what was being said, but just a moment later, they heard rapid shots ring out in the silence of the night. Peeta's eyes widened while Finnick swore next to him.
"Trap," Finnick hollered.
"Fall back," Peeta yelled. "Fall back, soldiers!" Peeta ran to the front, where Rye was doing his best to placate the frightened district citizens. These weren't
soldiers, Peeta reminded himself, they were angry citizens of a country that had been beaten down for too long. Farmers and coal miners and textile
workers and refugees. Not trained warriors.
"Soldiers," Peeta's voice echoed loudly. "Follow me!"
"But what about-" a boy from 13 started nervously.
"We can't worry about anyone else right now," Peeta said firmly. "As far as I'm concerned, we're the only force left to defeat Snow."
"Spoken like a Hunger Games Victor," Finnick said with a sly grin. Rye and Maximus started to redirect the soldiers toward an alley and away from the
mansion. Peeta sucked in a breath as he tried to ignore the frantic yelling. Finnick clapped his shoulder.
"She's going to be alright, Peeta." Peeta turned sharply and his eyes narrowed.
"Finn, you just admitted that you know Katniss is not back at Tigris's."
"I didn't admit that. Your mind is clearly focused on her and I'm assuring you she is going to be alright, wherever she is." Peeta's lips thinned.
"She's out there, isn't she? In Cretus's line?"
"I don't know where she is, Peeta. Honestly. But I do know she's fierce and clever and is a great huntress. That's why I know she's ok."
"Why does she need all that if she stayed at the shop, like I asked her to?" Finnick shrugged.
"To escape Prim's incessant worrying and hovering, I'd imagine." Peeta allowed himself to smile.
"Man, would you look at that moon? It almost feels otherworldly." Peeta frowned at the fact that Finnick was distracted by the moon in a moment such as
this, but his eyes followed Finnick's gaze and he nodded, as the clouds shifted to reveal the huge red orb in all its ethereal majesty.
"It really does," Peeta murmured, momentarily stunned.
"Peeta," Bing's voice yanked him from his thoughts. "Rye was first into the sewers. He said it's clear."
"Copy that. Tell him to stand by."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking," Finnick asked, smiling.
"I didn't want to. We don't know if there are still mutts down there. But it's our only way right now. If we split up, we can pop up right around the mansion, surrounding it. But we have to be fast. Snow must know that's not the entire army. He'll activate pods if he needs to."
"Right. We should move. While you lead them through the sewers, I'm going to run ahead and see the damage up ahead."
"Finnick-"
"I'll be fine," Finnick brushed him off. "I'll stay out of sight."
"Finn, there's an army of Peacekeepers. An army I once commanded. Be careful."
"Come on, Peeta, I won the Hunger Games. You think a Peacekeeper army scares me?"
"The Capitol is like the arena," Peeta shook his head. "Snow is going to add pods and mutts and whatever else he thinks is going to destroy us. I can't say what I would do if I were in the Games, I'm not sure if I would have allies or not but… you're my ally, Finn. And I know what you have waiting for you at home. Just stay safe."
"Didn't I tell you once that sentimentality has no place in the Capitol," the Victor smiled weakly. Peeta opened his mouth to reply but with a wink, Finnick was running ahead into the smoke and screams.
"Look," Johanna hissed. Katniss's eyes narrowed at the mansion gate, noting that there were only four Peacekeepers stationed there.
"Is he really so confident as to send his army forward and keep FOUR guards here?"
"He's cocky. He thinks the army will stop our forces and we won't have time to move around the mansion. He only expected us to come from that direction.
Come on, I'll hoist you over the wall."
"No way am I dropping into Snow's grounds without knowing what's around there."
"Fine," Johanna shrugged. "I'll do it."
"No! Hoist me up so I can have a better view. If the coast looks clear, I'll go over the wall." Johanna rolled her eyes but knelt and helped Katniss stand on
her knee. The Victor stood so Katniss could scale the wall; it was more difficult than climbing a tree. She scratched her hands and stumbled in her footing
several times. Finally, she was able to perch on top of the wall and peer down.
Only the four Peacekeepers at the gate were in sight. No other soldiers.
"Cocky bastard," she muttered to herself. Her ears perked up at the sound of more shooting a ways away from them. Her heart hammered as she prayed that Peeta was alright. Gale and Rory were in that first line too. And hundreds of others.
"See anything," Johanna hissed from below. Katniss shook her head.
"See if you can climb to this side over here," Johanna moved below her. The wall was narrow and Katniss knew she would have fallen if she hadn't spent most of her life in trees. She followed Johanna's directions and managed to tuck herself behind a post that loomed into the sky. She had a clear sight of the mansion, the balcony doors standing wide open as if someone were preparing to make a speech.
"OK, wait, now how do I get up?" Katniss glanced down at the grumpy Victor, her hands on her hips.
"You don't. I'm in perfect position for the kill. You go back and join up with Finnick and Peeta. Find Gale too, if you can."
"All three of those guys would kill me if I left you here alone! Help me up!"
"No," Katniss said firmly. "You've done your duty. You escorted the Mockingjay to Snow's mansion. Now you need to go help the others and don't worry about me."
"Congratulations. You've made me hate you again," Johanna spat on the ground before turning and disappearing into the dark. She was headed back toward the chaos and Katniss worried her lip between her teeth.
"She's a Victor," she told herself. "She can handle herself." She felt a jolt of guilt, wondering if she should have let her stay.
"Better for her to go help the others," she decided. She wanted to be the one fighting alongside her friends, but this way, she was in place and was taking pressure off her injury. She reached back for her arrow and cocked her bow. She was ready. One shot, and she could end the war.
Her hands didn't shake once as she waited for him to appear.
"Come on everyone, stay low to the ground and keep moving," Gale yelled over the Peacekeepers' dying moans. One reached toward him, moaning, and Gale angrily kicked the man in the head. The Peacekeeper was still and Gale didn't allow himself to pause to wonder if the soldier was young or old, if he had a family, or what his favorite food was. He was a Capitol soldier and therefore the enemy, in Gale's eyes.
"Gale!" He spun around at the sound of his name, his eyes widening in horror.
"No," he whispered, literally jumping over bodies to reach the speaker. Cinna and Chase were supporting a wounded Rory, who clutched his stomach with a pained grimace.
"Hey, Rory," Gale slung his brother's arm around his shoulder. "You're ok."
"Gale, Rory said weakly, reaching up to grip his brother's shirt with a bloodied hand. Gale felt sick at the sight of the blood. Gale Hawthorne was a Hunter and had been since he was young.
But seeing his brother's blood on his hands was an entirely different matter. He felt weak and guilty. It was his job to protect his brothers.
Where was Vick? Somewhere among the bodies? His younger brothers had always depended on him.
"I'm fine, Gale," Ror attempted to hide a cough. "I can keep going."
"No way. I saw Maximus and Dalton leading people back to HQ. Prim has her whole station set up there, she can fix you right up."
"But the assault-"
"You're hurt," the elder Hawthorne said firmly. You were awesome, buddy. I couldn't be prouder."
"Mom," Rory squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. "Do you think Mom is watching over us?"
"Yeah," Gale answered gruffly. "Yeah, I'm sure she is."
"There's a lot more wounded, Gale," Chase said breathlessly. "Peacekeepers keep blocking our advance. Peeta must have redirected his force, because I don't see them behind us."
"Good, hopefully he will figure out a different direction to attack from. We should-" His eyes widened and he forgot what he was saying.
"Be right back," he said hurriedly, not waiting for a reply.
Johanna looked both ways before she ran toward him. She saw him go slack-jawed as soon as he saw her and she angrily hit her chest to calm her beating her heart.
Johanna had been in love once. And he had been killed, along with the rest of her family. Ever since, she had learned not to let anyone into her heart.
But damn that tall dark and brooding coal miner from 12. He had somehow found his way in.
"Are you ok," he asked, his hands clutching her face. Johanna made to bat his hands away; she had been explicitly clear when she'd said absolutely no mushy stuff or anything that would give anyone a sign they had feelings for each other. But Gale completely ignored the rules and bent to kiss her.
"You're ok," she breathed. He nodded, pressing his forehead to hers for a brief moment, before pulling away.
"Where is Katniss?" Johanna's face darkened and he raised a brow.
"Brainless sent me away." Gale's brow furrowed further in confusion.
"She found a hiding place on the wall, a great position to shoot. But she told me to come back and help you all and I said I wasn't leaving her but the stubborn bit-"
"Katniss is the most stubborn person I know," he squeezed her hand. "You did great, getting her there. Now I need to ask you a favor."
"I already did you a favor," she scowled. "I didn't particularly like lying to my colonel, Gale."
"You didn't lie to him. You just helped Katniss hide from him," he reasoned. She rolled her eyes.
"That is the same as lying, genius! Peeta isn't stupid. He knows Katniss is not in that shop." Gale heaved a sigh.
"Yeah… he does. He questioned me about her when I was leaving."
"Fantastic. He'll be too distracted to do-"
"I don't think he will," he cut her off, shaking his head. "I think he respects her position enough not to keep her from her destiny. Despite how much he loves her."
"Fine," she crossed her arms. "What is this other favor?"
"My brother was shot," his face softened and Johanna uncrossed her arms. "He needs to get to HQ, so Prim and Violet can take care of him." She glanced past him and saw Rory being supported by Chase and Cinna.
"Who's escorting the wounded?"
"I think Maximus is, but Johanna, you're the only one I trust to watch over my brother. Please." Sighing, she looked into his stormy grey eyes and silently cursed him. Peeta had said something dumb about Katniss's silver eyes and she had scoffed but dammit, he was right. Those District 12 grey eyes just pulled you in.
"Ok," she said quietly. Gale kissed her again before tugging her toward Rory.
"Johanna is going to get you to Tigris's safely, buddy," he squeezed Rory's shoulder while his other hand did not release Johanna's. "You'll be safe there."
"Come on, Rory, we'll take it slow." Johanna slipped her arms under the boy and allowed him to lean on her.
"Gale. You tell Katniss and Peeta to give them hell." Gale smiled at his brother and nodded. He had no idea where either of them were but was still counting on the Mockingjay to end this war.
"Be safe," he said solemnly. He watched Johanna move away from the soldiers and took Rory in between two large buildings. Gale trusted her. Hell, if they both survived this war, he may even propose to the woman.
"One step at a time," he scorned himself. "Winning a war might be easier than asking Johanna Mason to marry me."
Peeta helped his father straighten up and looked around at the soldiers around him. He had been shocked but thankful to learn there were no mutts in the sewers and their paths were not blocked. He had referred back to the maps he had studied, and had brought his troops up right behind a building that stood between them and Snow's mansion.
"Is that everyone?" Rye asked, patting his father's shoulder.
"Yeah, we're all out. Any sign of Cretus's troops?"
"Finnick hasn't returned," Rye shook his head. "Want me to send a scout back there?"
"No. We make for the Capitol gates, as we planned. If any of Cretus's men are alive, they are heading toward the border to wait for the others to show up."
"Are we planning to just walk up to Snow's gates and hope he lets us inside," their elder brother asked skeptically.
"If Snow thinks we have Katniss with us, I have no doubt he will welcome us to his home with open arms."
"And when he sees she isn't?"
"We don't negotiate. We give him one chance to surrender, or we open fire."
"Peet, that's going to be a bloodbath," Bran said softly.
"This is war, Pop. They opened fire on us already. I've been radioing Cretus but there's no answer. We might be the only troops left, until Paylor's soldiers show up."
"Which should be soon! It's nearly midnight."
"So we keep Snow distracted until we get more soldiers?" Rye asked cautiously.
"I'll see if I can draw him out. He loves to talk about himself. Let's see how long we can keep him talking before-"
"He gets tired of the distraction and shoots you down?"
"Ryean!"
"Sorry Dad but it's the truth. Peet what makes you think he will even come out and talk to you?"
'"It's all we've got, Rye." Rye studied his brother. He looked calm, the moonlight dancing in his darkened eyes. It wasn't the confidence he had seen Peeta display earlier, but he did hold himself differently now. Peeta was resolute. He was determined to end this war, and by any means necessary.
Rye understood. Peeta was willing to place himself in front of the lines to draw Snow's attention. For what reason though? Katniss was back at HQ. Peeta was the best hope they had to destroy Snow.
So why was Peeta willing to step forward and allow himself to be killed so easily?
It made no sense to Rye, nor, it seemed to his brother and father.
"Peeta-"
"Let's move soldiers!" Rye watched as Peeta marched forward, his rifle over his shoulders.
"Is he just giving up," Bing asked asked quietly. Rye shook his head in confusion, as their baby brother led the troops toward Snow's mansion.
As Peeta had predicted, the gates opened as soon as they appeared. Peacekeepers cackled as Peeta led his troops past them.
"The great General Mellark," one of them scoffed. "Rebel scum."
"Leading his whore to her death," another chuckled.
No one even saw what happened next. Peeta had whipped his blade out of its sheath and had sliced the Peacekeeper's head clean off. The troops and Peacekeepers stared at him with open mouths.
"You forget, it was I who taught you where the weak spots are on a soldier's uniform," Peeta smirked, wiping his bloody sword on the grass. The first man who had mocked him fumbled for his gun but Peeta's rifle and sword were both fixed on his arm and pointed straight at him.
"I wouldn't."
"Let him pass," a voice said above them. Peeta sheathed his sword and marched forward. His troops silently followed him onto the mansion lawn and stood nervously around their Colonel.
"So, General Mellark. Now a lowly Colonel."
"Minister Antoinus," Peeta grinned up at the man who stood on the balcony above him. "Not the man I was expecting to see at President Snow's mansion."
"President Snow is busy. He sent me to deal with you."
"Somehow I doubt that, Antonius. Word is that you're as much of a wanted man as I am." Antonius spat angrily, clutching the rail.
"I told President Snow we should have gotten rid of you years ago. But I think I'll enjoy this more." He withdrew a notebook from his coat and held it high in the air.
"Teacup. Ring. Fi-" The notebook slipped from the Minister of Defense's hands as they flew to his throat in an attempt to staunch the blood. But there was little he could do. His choked gasps echoed in the night as he attempted to yank the arrow from his flesh.
The Minister slipped over the rail and fell to the ground, right in front of Peeta. The former Peacekeeper lifted his heavy boot to Antonius's neck and Antonius's wide eyes found his.
"That's getting really old, Minister."
