Chapter 33

(Madge POV)

My phone rings and I know it's Drew calling. He's the only person who ever calls my line directly. I don't want to answer it though I know I have to. If I don't he'll just call back or he'll call the house line in which case Bethany will just come tell me he's on the phone for me. I swallow and pick up the reciever.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it's me." I hear Drew say.

"Hi. I figured it was you." I say, trying to sound upbeat.

"Sorry I left without saying a proper goodbye on the train. Did you see my note?"

"I did. And it was so thoughtful of you to let me sleep, I appreciated it."

"What are you up too right now?"

"Not much. Nothing important anyway. How about you?"

"I'm on a lunch break between meetings my father is having me sit in on. Thought it'd be a good time to call you."

"I'm glad you did." I lie.

"Listen, I'd like to make it up to you for missing our movie date the other night. I've made plans to do so but wanted to run it past you first since so many of my surprises seem to fail." He says with a laugh.

"I'm listening." I encourage him to tell me about his idea but internally dreading what it could be.

"I'm coming to visit you and we'll have a movie night outside, under the stars in the gardens of your property. Or if you don't like that idea, you can come here and I'll have a movie night set up for us by the pool. We can float around on innertubes while we watch it. What do you think?"

I think both ideas sound terrible but I can't tell him that. Quickly, I try to decide which of these is a better option. "Well, I can see you've put some thought into all of this. I think I'd rather come to you. A movie in the pool sounds way more fun than sitting in my backyard." I tell him, thinking that this will give me another trip on the train and allow me to maybe see Martin and try to talk to him again.

"Great! I was thinking you could come up on Saturday. We could do the trip that night and then you can head home the next day. I know it's a short trip but I only have a small window of time free."

"It sounds wonderful and I appreciate you making time for us to have a date."

"I'll make the arrangements with your father and see that the travel itinerary gets to you. I'm really looking forward to seeing you." He says, sounding very happy about the plans we've just made.

"I'll see you soon!" I tell him, hanging up and letting out a long sigh. Another trip so soon. I'm going to have to pin all my hopes on Martin being my Avox on the train and getting him to give me any more information about this whole trust thing with Drew. It's the only reason I chose to go to Drew instead of having him come to see me here. At least this way Gale won't have to actually lay eyes on Drew. I know he hates when he comes to town and I can't blame him.

I will have to be careful on this trip about the way I act around Drew. I need to be as supportive of the Capitol ways of things as possible. I really want to believe that Drew would never turn me in for being non compliant with the rules that are set for us but Gale is very worried about it and given what Martin said, I do think I need to proceed with caution. At least this trip will be very short. That's the one certain good thing about it.

At the viewing, I literally sit on the edge of my seat as Katniss goes to the Cornucopia to grab a bag containing medicines and supplies that she and Peeta need. It's incredibly risky though because it's a way for the gamemakers to make all the tributes converge together and that always leads to someone being killed. I gasp when I see the tribute girl from District 2 take Katniss down with a knife throw that grazes her head. I grip the edge of the chair and hold my breath, sure I am about to see Katniss killed when Thresh, the boy from District 11 shows up and does something unthinkable. He saves Katniss. He kills Clove and and then lets Katniss go untouched, telling her it's a one time grace for her having been kind to Rue. This is so bad. Good that he let her live but also so very bad because gamemakers will not like this one bit. Showing grace to other tributes isn't part of what the games are about. This is all because of how Katniss was with Rue and that means it's all going to fall on her if they gamemakers and the Capitol leaders decide she needs consequences. Any other games, Katniss would've been killed and Thresh would've been seen as a great game player. I glance out at the crowd and see that they all think this is good. They think its good what Thresh just did. If the people of District 11 react the same way, this won't be good for Katniss. My eyes dart to the peacekeepers and I see them talking and gesturing heavily. They're reporting this. They're going to tell the Capitol how we all responded and that won't go over well. We are suppose to want to see killings.

I head home, knowing my father will be in a mood over this. When I walk in, I see Bethany carrying a suitcase down the stairs.

"What's that?" I ask.

"Your father is leaving tonight on the train. Some sort of urgent meeting that just came up. I've got to get this over to the train station right away."

"How long will he be gone?"

"Not sure. A day or two at most. You know how he hates leaving for any reason during the games."

"Yes." I agree as she hurries out the front door with his bag in tow.

This is definetly not good if he's being called into a meeting. It's got to be games related. He never gets called into Capitol meetings during the games. I hurry upstairs and change into my flat shoes so I can go meet Gale early. I make my way to the Seam and check the tree we usually meet at but Gale isn't there yet. I debate on if I should wait for him here or just go to his house. I decide to wait. I've already shown up at his house once today and I don't need to go doing it again so soon. Luckily, he shows up at our tree much earlier than I thought he might.

"Wow, you beat me here!" He says in surprise, leaning down to kiss me.

"My father left on an unexpected trip so I didn't have to worry about dinner or anything."

"Have you been waiting long? You could've come to my house and gotten me."

"I thought about it but decided not to since I was just there earlier. Gale, it's not good what happened in the games. I mean, obviously it's wonderful that Katniss lived but the fact that Thresh let her go as an act of kindness, that part is really bad. The gamemakers will hate it and the Capitol leaders won't be happy about it either. The peacekeepers will report back to the Capitol that the people of our district seemed happy with what Thresh did today and if the same thing happened in District 11, they will be even more angry. All of this could come back on Katniss if the gamemakers decide to do something about it. I'm pretty sure my father's urgent meeting has to do with all of this."

He listens to what I'm saying and I know he understands. He just nods and sits quietly for a moment.

"I promise I'll let you know anything I find out about all of this. I'll come find you if I hear anything." I assure him.

"I know you will. Maybe she'll still be okay though. That could happen, right?"

"It could. It all just depends on how the Capitol leaders and gamemakers decide to handle it."

"I hope she's going to be okay. I thought it was all over today for a minute." He lets out a sigh and rubs his face. "I really wish she would've not gone to get that stupid feast bag."

"Me too. But we both know she'd never let Peeta just die when she could get medicine for him. That's not the sort of person she is."

"I know. I just really want her to come back."

"Me too." I say as I give his hand a squeeze.

He smiles. "Alright, no more game talk. I've had enough of thinking about that for now." He requests.

"Hey, since my father is out of town, I've got my house all to myself. We can go there later if you want but we can't talk. Maybe just a whisper at best." I offer the idea, not sure how he'll feel about hanging out at my house if we can't speak normally.

"If you're there alone, why would we need to whisper?"

"Drew told me that the house can be listened in on whenever the Capitol wants."

"Seriously?"

I shrug. "That's what he told me."

"That's crazy. Do they listen anywhere else?"

"Apparently any Capitol owned building is wired for listening."

"How does he know this?"

"He seems to know way more about things like this than I ever did. He takes a lot of special classes though so I think much of it comes from that." I shrug again.

"Interesting." Is all he answers with but I can tell he's thinking on it. I don't ask for details though because I really don't want to discuss Drew anymore today.

"So do you want to go? I happen to know that there are cupcakes in the kitchen with homemade buttercream frosting on them." I ask temptingly.

He leans down, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me to him. "Whatever will we do with all our time if we can't talk?" He whispers before kissing me.

"I have no idea." I tease as I take his hand and start walking backwards, pulling him with me. He smiles and with a shake of his head comes with me.

As we get close to the house, I remind him. "Remember, no talking. Very low whispering if anything."

He nods and we climb the back steps to my house. In the kitchen, I put 2 of the cupcakes I told him about onto a plate and go to the back staircase, waving for him to follow me up. As we walk, I notice him looking around, taking it all in. I'm curious what he thinks but I can't ask him. I lead us to my room and shut the door behind us. He looks all around and then at me, mouthing the word "wow" and gesturing to the room.

I laugh. My room is big and luxurious, especially compared to anything he's probably seen but I don't love it at all. It's not even decorated by me so it looks nothing like I'd want it to if I had a say in it. I put the cupcakes down on an end table by my sofa and then go over to my radio, turning on some music. I figure this will hide any whispering if needed. I kick off my shoes and walk back to where he's still standing, take his hand leading him to the sofa to sit. Then I pick up a cupcake and hold it out to him. He frowns and shakes his head. It occurs to me that he may never have had one before since treats like this are a luxury in the Seam so he probably doesn't know what he's missing. I swipe some of the frosting onto my finger and hold it to his lips, wanting him to taste it. He hesitantly tastes it and then smiles, licking his lips. I laugh again and hand him the cupcake and then pick up the other one for myself.

As we're eating them, I smile because this feels good. Even though we can't talk, just being around him somewhere other than outside feels really nice. And the silence isn't awkward at all. It's comfortable. After the cupcakes are gone, I lean back onto him. I'm just about to kiss him when my phone rings. We both startle at the noise. I don't want to answer it but I have to because I know it's Drew and he'll just call the house line and leave a message if I don't answer. And if my father finds out I missed calls, he'll want to know where I was at.

I hold up one finger to Gale, signaling this will just take a minute, then I pick up the phone.

"Hello?" I say into the phone, turning away from Gale as I talk because I've never had to talk to either of them while the other listened and it feels very awkward.

"Madge, good, I was afraid I wouldn't catch you."

"I was just getting ready for bed. What's going on?"

"I want you to plan to stay longer on your visit. I think you should come and stay here until the games are over."

"Why? I mean that could be awhile and you already told me your schedule is pretty full right now."

"It wouldn't be to visit with me necessarily. The gamemakers are not pleased with your district at all because of what keeps happening with your friend in the games. They're also now unpleased with District 11. Her actions seem to be causing a spillover effect amongst the Districts and I don't like it. I feel like you would make a better personal impression on the Capitol if you were to come here for the duration of the games. To remove yourself from any trouble that may be brewing in your district."

"I appreciate your concern but I feel the very best thing I can do right now is to stay here as much as possible and be the example the people of District 12 need to see. If they see that I am not celebrating unity amongst the tributes, perhaps they'll follow my lead and this whole misunderstanding can fade away." I offer up as my reasoning for staying. Really I just don't want to leave Gale to go sit in Drew's house for days on end.

"I don't know. I really hate that you're going to be associated with your district right now. I'd feel much better if you just came and stayed at my house."

"Drew, I have a responsibility here and this is a great opportunity for me to show the Capitol leaders that I fully support them. I won't just come and hide out and wait for all signs of trouble to pass. I think it's best for now if we just stick with our original travel plans." I tell him, trying to sound firm. I know very well that all he has to do is arrange it with my father and then I'd be on the first train out of here until the games are over, regardless of what I want.

He sighs into the phone. "I suppose you could be right. Can we just take it day by day? If it gets worse, I may have to insist that you come."

Insist that I come? Anger shoots through me but I fight it showing in my voice. "Absolutely."

"Okay, well, I'll let you get to bed, sorry for calling so late. I"ll see you soon."

"Goodnight, I'll see you soon." I reply as sweetly as I can sound and then hang up the phone. I really hate that Gale had t hear all of that and I hate even more that I can't just tell him all about it right now.

I turn around to face Gale. He's sitting on the couch still but in a more upright, stiff position. I give him a smile. He doesn't smile back. Instead he mouths "Everything okay?"

I nod and roll my eyes, waving my hand at the phone as if to say it was all nonsense and then make my way back over to the couch. I sit myself in his lap and loop my arms around his neck, initiating a kiss.

He kisses me but then quickly pulls back. "Outside." He mouths and gestures to the door.

I give him a look and he mouths "Now."

I sigh and lead us back through the house and outside. I take us all the way to the edge of the gardens so that we're far enough away from the house to talk unheard.

"Okay, what?" I ask, even though I know that what he wants is to know about that phone call.

"What is he so concerned about?"

"He thinks I need to come and stay at his house until the games are over."

"And why does he think that? Does he know something we don't?"

"No, he doesn't. I'm pretty sure it was more about him being associated with a girl from District 12. Like it would look better for him if I removed myself from this place."

He's quiet as he thinks over this. I don't say anything, I just wait.

"What if something bad is about to happen here? Do you think the Capitol would take it out on 12 for what's happening with Katniss in the games?"

I shrug. "I don't think so. I feel like she'd have to do something more serious in the games for anything to be taken out on us. I really think all they need to see from the people of our district right now is compliance."

"Do you think you should go? To stay with him? Just in case something is going to happen here?"

I shake my head. "Absolutely not! I am exactly where I want to be. I will see Drew this weekend as planned and then I am coming back home where I belong."

He leans down and kisses my forehead. "If it looks at all like things are getting bad, I want you to get on the train and go to him. I don't trust him at all but I trust the Capitol even less and I don't want anything to happen to you. If being with him keeps you safe, I want you to be there."

"Stop. I am not going to him. I am staying right here and that's final." I say with firm defiance. I hate that he's so worried that he actually wants me to go and stay with Drew but I still don't think it's where I need to be.

"Then I need you to have a back up plan, in case stuff gets bad here."

"What sort of back up plan?"

"A survival kit in case they do to 12 what they did to 13."

"I seriously think you are overreacting to all of this."

"Maybe I am but all I know is that your father got summoned to the Capitol on urgent business, your guy who by the way seems to always know Capitol secrets calls and practically begs you to get out of town and I know the Capitol has a history of trying to obliterate anyone who doesn't fall into line with their rules. I'd rather be safe than sorry and you can laugh at me later if you want when all this blows over but for the mean time, I need you to have a survival kit."

I let out a exasperated sigh. "Fine. What sort of survival plan do you need me to have?"

"I want you to pack a bag. A small one, like a backpack. Keep it somewhere you can grab it easily if things go bad. You need sturdy shoes, matches, a bottle of water or two. Some sort of non perishable food. First Aid kit if you have one. Small blanket or jacket if possible. And we're gonna trace that map and put a copy of it in the bag. You need to be able to know how to get out of here. If anything happens, you grab the bag and get to the Seam. Cross the fence by the tree and get as far out of here as you can."

"Gale, you really are thinking too much into this."

"Just humor me. I'm gonna do the same thing. The rumors of the people who survived 13 say the ones who survived were the ones who saw it coming and were prepared. We're going be the same way."

I know that he is overreacting but that there is also some truth to his fears and logic. "Okay, I'll do it. We can go pack a bag right now." I tell him, giving him a smile to let him know I don't mean to argue with him and that I understand his fears.

He kisses me and then hand in hand we head back inside where he helps me fill a small leather backpack with things he thinks will be useful if we have to make a run for it in the woods. We trace the boundaries of the map and mark significant things like rivers and rail lines. I seal that in a plastic baggie and then Gale uses his pocket knife to cut a small opening in the lining of the backpack and he slips it inside there before quickly restitching the lining. The only spot I can think of to hide the backpack though is under my bed but he shakes his head at that idea. "Too easy to find." He whispers quietly against my ear.

I follow him down to the back porch and he walks around the wooden steps that lead up to the porch. He pries off a board from the side of the steps and puts the bag in there, then reattaches the board. I'm impressed. You can't even tell that he ever removed it.

He pulls me close to him so that he can whisper against my ear again. "There. Now I won't worry about you so much."

He comes back up to my room and stays for awhile but the mood I'd hoped for isn't here anymore. Now instead of making out like I'd expected us to do, we're just laying here on my couch, me in his arms, occasional small kisses to the top of my head. It feels very comfortable, very right and I wish he could stay all night. I wish he could be with me every night.