Changing the Game Chapter 12: Damsel in Distress, a hunger games fanfic

A/N: As always…thank you to all of my wonderful, dedicated readers! All of your reviews make my world go round! It seems as if each chapter I post I am apologizing for the monstrous chapters, each coming in at around 10,000 words. I can't seem to make them much shorter than that, so I'm just going to give it up and that will most likely just be the normal. Not much to say this week, I hope you guys enjoy…and please, please, please if you will kindly leave a review after you've read. MUAHH!

Changing the Game

Chapter 12 : Damsel in Distress

~ Peeta ~

"Your medicine." My words must have a mind of their own because before I know it, Katniss is glaring at me with her most ferocious scowl, shaking her head vehemently at me.

"It's a trap Peeta, they'll kill you." There is truth to her words, but it is my only hope, and currently the only option we have to heal her. Without the medicine, she is as good as dead, and we both know it. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how I can get her to see reason, how I can get her to be okay with this; and then it hits me.

"What if it was me?"

"That's not fair Peeta, don't turn this around." She counters, venom laced in her voice.

"Katniss." I whisper her name, urging her to meet my eyes. Once our eyes lock, I plead to her with as much desperation as I can muster to be okay with this. "What if it was me on my deathbed, and you had the power to do something about it? Can you honestly say that you would sit idly by me, patiently holding my hand knowing all the while there was something within your grasp to fix me? Katniss, please…think about what you're asking me. What would you do? Honestly?" My eyes beg her to truly take a moment to consider what she's asking of me.

She is silent for a moment as she contemplates the hypothetical situation. I watch her eyes soften as she plays out the scenario in her head and she presses her lips together trying to prevent the smile from forming there. "I…would….I would probably hit you over the head, or knock you out somehow and go anyway….And face the consequences of your anger after I got you better." I must admit, her honesty is refreshing.

'We've got people on our side who will ensure my safety. There is nothing to worry about. Plus, you will be in my head the entire time. Please let me do this for you…for us. I can't go home without you Katniss. I will not do it…I won't, I can't, I refuse to…Please Katniss, please don't make me.' 'And we both know that without this medicine, you won't last another two days.' Those last words are left unspoken but implied, neither of us willing to admit it to the other just yet. 'I'll be in an out before you know it...easy peasy'. I add as an afterthought.

She holds her arms open, welcoming me into her embrace and I greedily accept the invitation. "Fine." Dejectedly, she finally concedes, but with that ever-present scowl I've come to love so much.

We lie there silently until I feel the steadiness of her breaths even out, letting me know that she has succumbed to her dreams. I spend the next hour thinking about how I will manage to pull this off, imagining all the different scenarios that could result in my death. My thoughts are disrupted when I hear Katniss mumbling.

"What'd you say?" I whisper to her, and when I sweep the sweaty hairs from her forehead, my hand returns to me ablaze; her fever has returned.

"I love you Peeta. It's always been you. Don't leave…you can't leave." Realizing that she's just talking in her sleep, I still find myself smiling at the sentiment that even deep in slumber, she can't deny her feelings. I know that she loves me even if she's only said it once, but hearing it, even unconsciously does something to my insides. I pull her closer to me and place a kiss on her forehead, bringing me back to her fever.

"I love you Katniss, so much. And I have no intention whatsoever of leaving you. Ever." I make the promise to her sleeping form, hoping like hell that I'm not made a liar. I manage to wake Katniss just enough to feed her more fever pills, to which she chases them down with a few sips of water. She immediately lies back down and falls back to sleep.

It feels as if my anxiety has a hand gripped around my lungs, squeezing with all its might, leaving me unable to sleep. I need something to do, staying busy will keep my thoughts under control so, I slip out of Katniss' arms and walk the length of the cave, inspecting the walls. I start at the wall furthest from our corner and run my hands along its surface. A few minutes later I feel an indentation under my fingers and I slowly inch forward until my nose is nearly touching the wall as I try to get a closer look. Still unable to make it out, I strain my eyes squinting until finally, I make it out. My eyes light up when I realize what it is. A mockingjay. But it's not just any mockingjay, but the exact replica of Katniss' token. 'Where did she get that thing from anyway? I can't recall having ever seen it before.

I fetch the backpack and pull out the, what did Portia call it? A transformer? I pull the transformer out and sure enough, the symbols are a perfect match.

The phrase, 'You'll know it when you see it' runs through my head, and for the life of me I can't remember who said those words to me; but I see it, and I know it.

"Katniss. Katniss." I gently nudge her, trying my best to rouse her without the startling effects.

Her eyes open and she looks around as she processes her whereabouts. "Peeta?" She asks sounding more than confused in her half-awake, half-asleep state. "What's wrong?"

My face lights up in a huge grin as I hold the transformer in my hand for her to see. "Come here, you need to see this."

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Gale ~

I can't believe Madge. No, of course I can believe her, she's the mayor's daughter for Christ sake! A privileged, self-righteous, spoiled brat, she's what I've always known her to be, how could I have been so stupid to believe she was different? I can't believe I actually trusted her. I thought she was different, I thought she wasn't like them. My judgment must be off because I trusted her, I really, truly, trusted her. God, I'm such an idiot! How could I be so stupid? 'You know why Gale.' The voice in my head says. Great! Now I'm talking to myself.

I am so distraught by Madge's deception that I wasn't the slightest bit affected when I heard the announcement declaring two tributes can win. I mean, Madge already told me so it shouldn't come as a big shock, but there is a huge difference in someone telling you secondhand, and it actually happening.

At the moment the fence is electrified, which severely limits my escape options, so I find the tree furthest from town and hike my foot onto the lowest branch, ready to work my way up. Just as I am about to pull myself up, I hear the snapping of branches, letting me know that I'm no longer alone. I turn my head, and there she is, looking so beautiful in that immaculate dress she wears. Her golden hair shimmers under the guise of the moonlight, twisting my stomach into knots. Her eyes are full of sorrow, all big and bright and staring right into me. Dammit.

"Undersee." I snarl, spitting out her name in my very best attempt of animosity, but it's useless. She ignores my endeavors of hostility and walks right past me. Like a mastered acrobat, she scurries up the tree in record time. In that dress. I'm helpless as my frown turns into a grin while watching her ascend the tree, not seeming to care in the least about ruining her dress. A second later, she looks back at me with her head slightly cocked and raises a brow, meeting my eyes.

"Are you coming or what?" She asks as if nothing is amiss.

I follow behind her and we settle on a branch pretty high up in the tree. While she waits for me to get situated, she straightens her dress out and tucks the hair behind her ears.

"I know you're mad at what you heard Gale, but I want to explain myself—"

"I'm—" She cuts me off, raising her hand to silence me.

"Please Gale, let me finish. Please." She pleads with me and I am hypnotized by her bright blue almond shaped eyes sparkling in the moonlight. I am putty in her hands as I obey her request.

"Gale, I want you to understand, I had to say those things for Katniss and Peeta." The fact that she says 'want' instead of 'need' does not go unnoticed by me. "To reign in the sponsors, to keep them interested. And Gale, this won't be the last time you'll hear me saying something that you don't exactly approve of.

But—" She pauses for a moment, twiddling her thumbs and thinking about how to phrase her next words. "During these last few weeks, I feel like we've become friends. Or at least, I consider YOU to be my friend. Even if you don't reciprocate those feelings, I'd like to think that I've at least earned your respect enough for you to at least trust INme. I would have thought that by now you know who I am and surely, somewhere in that beautiful heart of yours you have to know those are not my true feelings." Her eyes remain locked on mine throughout her entire spiel, and then I find myself wondering how she knows all the right words to say, the words that, like a magnet suck me in. 'Earned your respect. Trust IN me.' Does she know me that well? Wait a second, did she say I have a beautiful heart?

"When I spit out that nonsense, I want you to remember who I am. The person you've come to know in these last few weeks, that's who I am. Not this fake, jealous 'my name wasn't drawn, happy for the games' façade I play up for the cameras."

I remain quiet, not wanting to interrupt her again.

"That's all I have to say, you can yell at me now." Madge says, casting her eyes away, and I feel hollow by the sudden loss.

I tug on the end of her hair, twisting the curl around my finger thinking that I prefer it down, all wild and crazy to her elegant ponytail. "I'm sorry Madge…I…I heard you say those things and I immediately assumed the worst. I should have known better and...and I feel like a jackass. And you're absolutely right, we have gotten close, and I do…I consider you as my friend too." But I want more. I add silently. "I…I reverted into the 'Old Gale', the 'pre-Madge Gale.'" I add as an afterthought.

"Pre-Madge Gale? Is that a real thing?"

"Before I knew you, I mean really knew you like I do now. When all I had to go on were my assumptions. But…It's just so confusing Madge!" She reaches over and takes my hand into hers, giving it a squeeze.

"Gale, sometimes...sometimes you have to ignore all of the 'evidence', take a leap of faith and trust what's in here." She brings our clasped hands to rest over her heart. "Gale, I need you to trust me because I'm going to have to do it more. The interviews are just going to increase in demand, especially now."

"What do you mean? 'Especially now'?"

"I wouldn't put it past The Aliens to begin conducting daily interviews from each of their families now that Katniss AND Peeta are officially a team. The announcement, Gale?" Madge adds, as if I need a reminder.

"Right. How did you know? Was it the pen?"

"That and...and I'm practically invisible to everyone in my house...no one notices me." The despondent look on Madge's face overwhelms me, and for the first time I see how lonely she truly is. As if it's second nature, I pull her into my lap and wrap my arms around her tiny frame, giving her a hug.

"I'm sorry Madge. And...and I see you."

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Bing ~

"Dad, do you think Peeta and Katniss will make it home now?" It's just me and Rye closing the bakery up for the night. Ever since Peeta's left it's always just me and Rye. Marrying Holly left Graham with hardly any spare time, but I don't mind it as long as he's happy.

"I don't think it, I know it. Especially now that Peeta got Katniss her medicine, the other tributes don't stand a chance." I smile cheekily at Rye, winking one eye.

"Speaking of your brother coming home, there is something I wanted to discuss with you Rye."

"Yeah, okay. What's up dad?"

"When Peeta comes home, he'll get a home in Victor's Village. And…well—"

Rye listens intently, staring at me while I stumble over my words. "What's wrong dad…Oh, I see."

"We won't be moving into Victor's Village with Peeta. Our responsibility to the bakery will require us to continue living upstairs, as we always have."

No sooner do I get the words out when Esther swings the door open, her face full of disgust.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" She spits out, her vexatious words laced with malice. I turn to meet her eyes and give her a curt nod.

"You were listening in from the other side of the door; being that you heard every word, I'm confused as to why you want me to repeat myself."

"We can move into that mansion with Peeta and still run the bakery. Or better yet, if that sniveling prick manages to make it back home, we won't ever have to work again!" She retorts.

"I'm uh…Dad, I'm going to head upstairs, I'll see you in a bit." Rye says, cowering out of the way and up the stairs. I give him a nod to let him know I heard him, never breaking eye contact with Esther.

I don't respond to Esther until I know Rye has made it all the way up the steps. "It is beyond me why you have to even ask why I have made this choice. I told you Esther, you will no longer continue to treat Peeta as if he is nothing more than a worthless object. To ensure this, we will not be moving in with Peeta WHEN he comes home. End of story."

"He can't live on his own, he's just a boy."

"He won't be on his own." She huffs indignantly, appalled by my insinuation.

"Are you telling me that seam trash indigent will be shacking up with him?" I cringe at her derogatory verbiage.

"I'm not having this conversation Esther; I'm going to bed. Make sure you lock up." I tell her and then turn my back to her and do as Rye did and make my way up the stairs.

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Katniss ~

Just like that first night in the tree, the cave wall seems to magically open up to some kind of secret door. I don't take any chances this time and grab onto Peeta's hand as we step inside together. I hold the transformer securely in my hand, remembering that it will give us a signal when it's time to go back. Together, we step onto the platform that slowly lowers us down, stopping once we reach the bottom.

This fever that refuses to go away must be causing my severe fatigue because all of a sudden, I become dizzy and see these floating stars everywhere. I have to grab onto Peeta's shoulder to staunch my fall, but with his cat like reflexes, he is there to catch me. Peeta is always there, I want to kick myself for ever doubting him.

"Come here." Peeta scoops me up and I scowl at him while allowing him to carry me bridal style.

"Just so you know, I am not some damsel in distress."

"Can't you just shut up for once and let me be your knight in shining armor? It's probably the only chance I'll ever get." Peeta chortles, waggling his eyebrows at me, and I can't help but smile at that crooked grin displayed on his beautiful mouth.

"Fine. Just this once." I acquiesce.

In the span of just a few days, I have become so weak and pathetic, and just 'not me'. I bet our sponsors are kicking themselves at the sight of me and wondering how this scrawny little girl from Twelve who managed to outscore the careers become such a miserable degenerate overnight?

Peeta carries me off the platform and we appear to be in a small room, smaller than even the cave. It's no more than eight foot by eight foot with a small table in the center of the room. Sitting on the center of the table is an even smaller television.

This time it isn't a live feed of our 'friends' in The Capitol, but a pre-recorded message from Haymitch. As if sensing our presence, the recording begins playing the moment we stepped into the room.

"You guys are doing incredible!" Haymitch has a huge fake smile plastered on his face while giving us a 'thumbs up' sign. "The feast is coming up, and I'm sorry guys, but I really tried to get the medicine, but those goddamn gamemakers— Anyway, that's beside the point. Listen boy, you're going to have to go to the feast and get your backpack. Seneca promised me he wouldn't let you die, but you've gotta try to do this all on your own. He'll intervene if it's absolutely necessary, but...but try not to make it necessary. Just...be quick and above all else, you must be clever.

In addition to the medicine, there will be one more item in your backpack. Whatever you do, DO NOT lose it! It's the key to your survival." Haymitch looks away for a moment before returning his attention back to us.

"Don't let them trick you. You're almost there guys, you're in the home stretch now. Effie, Cinna, and Portia believe in you, as do I. We're all very proud of you both. I'll see you soon." The screen flickers then fades to black; the message is over.

'Some of the things Haymitch said made no sense whatsoever.' I think to myself just as Peeta gives me a befuddled look. "Don't let them trick you? What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know, but Peeta, this thing is blinking, which I think means it's time to go back." I hold the transformer up, showing Peeta the red lights which are blinking in rapid succession. Agreeing with me, he nods his head, and with me still securely in his arms, he walks us back to the platform to make our way back up to the cave.

We enter the cave and Peeta gently sets me down in the sleeping bag and hovers over me, brushing his nose against mine. He pulls back slightly to meet my eyes.

"It's going to be okay Katniss. I'm going to get your medicine and then we're going home. Together." He promises me, sealing it with a kiss. It is no ordinary kiss though, it's the kind that curls my toes, makes my stomach flop, and sends a tingling sensation throughout my entire body.

In this moment, I wish so badly that I had even an ounce of his faith.

I'm suddenly filled with a desperate urgency to tell Peeta the three little words he's longed to hear for so long before he leaves. If he doesn't make it back, I need him to know what's in my heart. "Peeta..." He meets my eyes, patiently waiting for me to continue. "Peeta, I—"

He places a finger over my lips to stop me. "Not like this. Tell me when I get back." A tear rolls down my cheek and then I'm shaking my head from side to side.

"I know Katniss." He insists.

Fine, if he won't let me speak the words out loud, then I'll tell him the other way. It's better that way anyhow, there will be no confusion as to whether the words are meant for him or for the cameras. But I can't wait to tell him. And maybe he does know that I love him, but I still need to tell him. For me.

'I love you Peeta, I love you so much. And…and I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner. If you promise to come back to me, I swear I will tell you every single day…Five times a day.' I hope this is incentive enough to give him the drive to fight that much harder to come back to me. After my confession, he pulls me into his arms and buries his head in the crook of my neck.

"You didn't need to say it Katniss. You've never needed to say it, it is implied in everything you do." He whispers next to my ear so quietly that it almost passes me by.

"I'm coming back to you Katniss, never doubt that. I will always find my way back to you. While I'm out there fighting for you, I need you to promise me that you'll stay strong and wait for me to come back." I close my eyes and nod my head, feeling his lips against my forehead. When I open my eyes, he's gone.

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Peeta ~

Katniss closes her eyes as my lips brush against her forehead and I take advantage of this moment to slip out of the cave. I know that if I look into those beautiful grey eyes so full of sadness and longing, leaving her will be near impossible. And as much as I'm dreading it, I know I have to go; not going is no longer an option. Without Capitol grade medicine, Katniss will not last much longer.

Before I left, I stocked up on weapons, stuffing knives into the side of each of my boots as well as carrying one in each of my hands. When I reach the outskirts of the cornucopia, I am in awe of how majestic the sky appears, it's as if it's telling me to be strong, to be brave as it bleeds its' beautiful array of pinks, purples and oranges. I don't know how the gamemakers do it, but the sky is the most beautiful sight I may have ever seen in my short life. Perhaps the gamemakers believe that by adding a little beauty to the arena, it can somehow subdue the nefarious appearance the games portray.

I can just make out the golden horn of the cornucopia from my position, so I tuck my body behind a huge rock; it's as massive as a tree, standing at least ten feet tall and five feet wide. I squint my eyes, scouring the area, searching for any sign of a feast, as well as looking for any of the other tributes. But it's hard to look for something when you don't know what you're looking for. 'How many of us are left and is anyone else in dire need of a particular item?' I ask myself.

'Six, including us.' Katniss confirms for me. I didn't realize she was listening in, but I'm grateful for the company.

'Are you okay Katniss? I just got here but I don't see anything. They did say it would be at the cornucopia at sunrise, right?'

'I'm okay Peeta. It'll be there, just…be careful. And remember…what Haymitch said.' Katniss tells me, sounding no worse for the wear as it becomes exceedingly difficult for her to finish her train of thought, causing my anxiety over her health to skyrocket.

I'm blinded momentarily as the sun's rays shine into my eyes, letting me know that it's time. From inside of the cornucopia, I discern a table rising from the ground. Atop the table are four backpacks, each with a large number painted to its' front; to which district the gamemakers have intended them for.

Once the table comes to a stop, I become aware of a movement within the confines of the cornucopia next to the table, and that's when I see her. It's District Five with her flaming red hair zipping around her face. She had hidden herself inside the cornucopia during the night, making herself the first one to retrieve her backpack.

'Damn, that was ingenious, why couldn't I think of that?' I berate myself for lacking enough creativity to pull the stunt off.

Instantaneously, my heart races and I am sent into a panic when the realization hits me. The next tribute who comes along can just take off with Katniss' medicine. No, I can't allow that. As soon as Five takes off into the woods, I look all around, checking to see if the coast is clear. Sensing no signs of danger, I decide that it's now or never. I take a deep breath, gathering whatever courage is left in my body and begin the short sprint toward the miraculous medication that will cure Katniss.

'It can't be this easy.' I think to myself once I'm approximately ten feet from the table. And sure enough, it isn't. Out of nowhere, a sharp stabbing sensation radiates up my left calf, the pain startling me onto my face. Landing face down in the dirt, I push myself up and twist my body around, leaning back on my elbows to find out who my attacker is.

I should have known it would be District Two. I remember how skilled she was at the knife throwing station during training as I reach down to my calf and expel the knife she lodged into my leg, adding it to the other knife I carry in my hand. The smile on Two's face is eerily sinister as she takes her precious time reaching me.

The next moments seem to pass me by in slow motion as she casts knife after knife at me and somehow, I manage to elude each of her attempts. I breathe through the stabbing pain in my leg and return to my feet, never taking my eyes off Two. I wonder where Cato is. I deflect more of her knives, smacking them to the ground as quickly as she sends them. I aim one of my own knives at her and it catches in the bicep of her left shoulder. She doesn't falter as she reaches over to remove it, tossing it over her shoulder as if it were the most mundane object as she continues her slow and steady excursion toward me.

I duck when she sends her next knife, which is aimed straight toward my face. I am fast, but not quite fast enough as it just barely sideswipes my temple. I ignore the blood dripping down my face when Clove decides to speak.

"Got your medicine for your little girlfriend?" Her voice is taunting as she grins malevolently. I send another knife toward her and it pierces her right shoulder. The grimace that appears on her face from the sudden impact of the knife confirms that she is in fact human, but now I've royally pissed her off.

"You shouldn't have done that, lover boy! Now I'm going to have to kill you like we killed your little friend. What was her name? Rosie? Prue?" She smacks her forehead with the palm of her hand, "Oh! How stupid of me! I was going to kill you anyway, so never mind!"

'How dare she mention Rue, she doesn't have the right,' I inwardly cringe, feeling the beginnings of my blood simmering just underneath my skin. "Rue." I growl through gritted teeth.

"Oh yes, Rue. How sad." Sarcasm laces her voice and I suddenly feel the strongest urge to protect what is mine.

Clove continues her slow-paced trek toward me, and then, almost instantly, she freezes in place, with blood oozing from the corners of her mouth. Before her body plummets to the ground, the booming of her cannon vibrates throughout the arena, signifying her death. Whoa, what the hell just happened?

'PEETA!' Katniss' screams echo in my head.

"I'm okay." I blurt out.

'Oh my god Peeta, I heard the cannon and—'

'It was Two. She just dropped dead…I…I don't know how she died.' Fear and confusion begin to wheedle its way into my body as I look around for my next assailant.

'What do you mean, she just dropped dead?'

Thresh seems to appear out of nowhere before I have the opportunity to answer Katniss and his face softens when he sees me.

"Katniss is hurt?" The worry is evident in Thresh's eyes when he inquires about Katniss. He must have been lurking behind a tree during my confrontation with Clove because I don't recall seeing him anywhere.

I purse my lips, giving him a curt nod, but then remember that Two just dropped dead right in front of me.

"What…How did— Was it you?" In his left hand, Thresh holds out a slingshot that appears to have been made from scratch and in his other hand he opens palm up to reveal a handful of darts. "Did you—"

Thresh nods, confirming that Two's death was his doing, and that his weapons were crafted by his own hand.

"Smashed up some nightlock berries and dipped them into it. Hit her right in her stomach, she was dead before she hit the ground." Thresh reaches for the '12' backpack on the table and shoves it into my arms, causing me to stumble backwards. "Go Peeta, take it to Katniss."

I regain my balance and steady myself while pleading with my eyes. "Come with me Thresh. Please." There is so much I want to tell him, so many questions begin to inundate my mind, but my entire vocabulary evaporates.

Thresh looks down, as if he is thinking about what to say before he finally meets my eyes. "I know you tried to save Rue, thank you Peeta. But…but there is no point of me coming with you. I don't want you to have to kill me, and we both know it's meant to be you and Katniss. Now GO! I'll hold Two off long enough for you to get away."

'He's right Peeta.' I nod and thank Thresh with my eyes before turning my back to him and hobbling off into the woods.

The pain in my calf is excruciating and it feels as if my heart is beating in my head as I make my way back to Katniss. But nothing can stop me from getting to her; I'm certain someone could have chopped my leg off and I would still run to her with everything I've got.

'I'm coming Katniss.' I urge her to wait for me, as I can feel her dwindling away.

Katniss doesn't respond, which is unusual and now I'm worried. Every few minutes I call out her name, hoping she'll answer me and each time I get nothing, my panic grows tenfold. I clutch the backpack in my hands and push myself to run faster, terrified that Katniss is gone.

It takes me twice as long to get back as it did to reach the feast because of the injury to my leg, but finally, I reach the cave. When I get to the cave, I don't bother covering the entrance up as my only goal is to get this medicine into Katniss so it can begin working its magic.

Katniss is sprawled out in the sleeping bag, lying there unconscious. The fear consumes me as I drop the backpack trying to pry it open. After several attempts, I manage to pull out the tiny syringe that contains the lifesaving medication and hold it up, inspecting it for any clue as to how to administer it. There is a tiny piece of paper attached to it that says, 'THIGH'. I stab the needle into Katniss' thigh, not sparing the extra time to remove her pants. I push the plunger down, injecting the medication into her thigh and then run back to conceal the entrance to the cave.

I'm not sure if what I was expecting was a spontaneous recovery, but I am severely disappointed when nothing happens. I lean my head down over her chest and relax when I feel the steady beat of her heart, letting me know she is still alive. I'm no healer, but it sounds irregular. 'All that matters is that it is beating.' I tell myself. Satisfied enough, I keep my head rested on her chest and close my eyes, my adrenaline having worn off and fall asleep to the rhythm of her heart.

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Cinna ~

I am so proud of our tributes, of Katniss and Peeta as I witness their bravery and unyielding faith in each other. In my entire life, I have never seen two people love each other with as much ferocity and passion as the two of them. You would never believe them to be teenagers just by watching them. There are some people in this world who go their entire lives without even an ounce of the love and bravery they possess.

Peeta tells Katniss goodbye and slips away just before her eyes reopen, which is probably a good thing. Haymitch raises the remote to turn our second screen on so that we can watch both of them at the same time. One advantage we have here in the control room is our access to all the cameras in the arena, allowing us to keep one camera on each of our tributes at all times.

Up until this point we've had no use for the second screen as Katniss and Peeta have remained together this entire time. The screen to our left displays an image of Katniss who is situating herself in an upright position in the sleeping bag. We have to keep switching cameras as we follow Peeta on his trek to the cornucopia.

Once Peeta reaches the cornucopia, he hides behind a rock, assessing the area for danger while looking for any signs of the contents of the feast. Peeta seems unaware of the District Five girl who has been hiding inside of the cornucopia throughout the night, at the ready.

Right on time, a table rises from the ground inside the neck of the cornucopia. The table contains four backpacks, each one with a large number on its center, marking to which district it belongs to. Five scoops up the bag marked '5' and then disappears into the woods; and just like that, she is there no longer.

I release a breath of relief; thanking the gods she took only her backpack.

"That was pretty clever." Portia chuckles from her seat next to me. Moments later she grabs my hand as we are on the edge of our seats, eager for this to be over.

I see the wheels turning in Peeta's head as he berates himself for failing to do as Five did, and then he looks around for any fellow tributes before dashing towards the table. Three backpacks remain, and Peeta must hurry, for anyone could just snatch the remaining backpacks at a moment's notice.

"Oh my gosh! I can't bear to watch Cinna!" Portia hides her face in my shoulder, blocking her view. I wrap my arm around her and pull her close.

"It's okay, you don't have to watch, I'll tell you when it's over." I whisper to her, for if any Capitol Attendants were to overhear us, she would certainly get into a lot of trouble for her words. Anything anti-games or anti-games related is subject to treason, and voicing your distaste for the games surely qualifies.

Peeta is nearly ten feet from reaching his backpack when a knife is imbedded into the back of his left calf, causing him to stumble and fall on his face. He rolls over onto his back and pushes up with his elbows to lean up. He grimaces in pain as he dislodges the knife from his calf when we see District Two slowly making her way toward Peeta.

I wonder if she believes herself to be invincible, as she appears to be in no hurry to finish Peeta off; not that I'm complaining. My knowledge that the gamemakers will not allow Peeta to die does nothing to ease my fears, for this 'Clove' tribute, looks like evil incarnate. Clove sends knife after knife in Peeta's direction, and I'm impressed by his quick reflexes as he dodges every last one of them.

In no time Peeta is back on his feet and sends one of his knives into Clove's bicep. She appears unfazed by the impact as she pulls the knife out and throws it to the ground.

One of her knives flies dangerously close to Peeta's face, and I am certain it missed him, that is until I see the blood pooling at his temple.

Quickly, I glance at the other screen to check on Katniss, and she's still sitting up but with her eyes closed, as if she's concentrating; or is she meditating?

"Got your medicine for your little girlfriend?" I avert my eyes back to the opposite screen, landing my eyes on Peeta, to see Clove taunting him as she eerily inches her way closer and closer. He throws one of his knives at her and it penetrates her right shoulder.

She pulls it out with a slight grimace on her face. "You shouldn't have done that, lover boy! Now I'm going to have to kill you like we killed your little friend. What was her name? Rose? Prue?" She smacks her forehead with her palm. "Oh, how stupid of me! I was going to kill you anyway, so never mind!"

"Rue." Peeta is seething, hatred consuming his eyes.

"Oh yes, Rue. How sad!"

Suddenly, Clove freezes in place and blood trickles from her mouth before she drops to the ground, and then we hear the cannon signifying her death.

"PEETA!" Katniss screams out, afraid of the cannon belonging to Peeta.

"I'm okay." Peeta says. Wait, what? Did he just—

"Did you see that?" I look around the control room, landing my eyes on Haymitch, who is staring intently at the screen, unfazed by the previous interaction between our pair. I wonder if he saw it as I did. After years and years of watching your tributes perish in the games, I'm certain he's conditioned himself not to reveal his feelings.

"See what?" Haymitch raises an eyebrow.

I shake my head, deciding to rewind it once I know Peeta is safe.

Thresh comes out of hiding, making his way toward Peeta.

"Katniss is hurt?" Peeta nods to a concerned Thresh whose worry is written all over his face. I believe that he genuinely cares, how odd.

"What...how did you?" Thresh reveals his homemade slingshot and a handful of darts dipped in some kind of poison.

"Smashed up some nightlock berries and dipped them into it. Hit her right in the stomach, she was dead before she hit the ground." Thresh grabs the '12' backpack from the table and throws it to Peeta. "Go Peeta, take it to Katniss." Thresh insists.

The stab to Peeta's leg causes him to lose his balance when he catches the backpack, but he quickly steadies himself. "Come with me Thresh, please."

Thresh hesitates as he seems to consider Peeta's offer. "I know you tried to save Rue, thank you Peeta. But... But there is no point of me coming with you. I don't want you to have to kill me, and we both know it's meant to be you and Katniss. Now GO! I'll hold Two off long enough for you to get away." Peeta pauses for a moment, unsure as to whether or not to make another attempt at convincing Thresh to come with him, but stops himself, knowing Thresh is right.

Clutching the backpack securely in his arms and turning on his heels, Peeta hobbles back through the woods to get back to Katniss. From this angle, I can't tell how severe his injury is, but judging by the speed of his run, surely it can't be that dire.

Thresh takes both his and the '2' backpack and heads back into the wheat field from which he came.

"You can look Portia, it's over. Peeta is on his way back to Katniss." I whisper to her and she lifts her head up to see.

"He's hurt." Portia confirms.

"Where is the remote?" I look over to Haymitch, who tosses it to me.

"Why?" He asks out of curiosity.

"I…I just need to see something." I rewind it to the moment just before the cannon shot is heard and press pause while I rewind Katniss' screen to that same point and then press 'resume'. I inch myself closer to the speakers to ensure I don't miss a word.

"THERE! Did you see that?" I ask them.

"Immediately after the cannon is fired, Katniss screams Peeta's name out, fearing it was his cannon. Within seconds, Peeta says he's okay. You saw it, right?"

Effie walks over and makes her way to the screen to see for herself.

"It's probably just a coincidence Cinna. He was most likely just saying it to himself."

"Yeah, you're probably right." I sit back down just when Portia catches my eye. She saw it too.

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Madge ~

Wrapped in Gale's arms last night was the best feeling in the world, and it sent tingles up my body and put butterflies in my stomach when he invited me to watch the feast with him. Rejecting his invitation was probably the hardest thing I will ever have to do, but my mother is the most important person to me, and I have to take advantage of her good days. Today happens to be one of those days, and I can't just pass up time with her when she's actually 'here'. Not even for Gale Hawthorne.

The Capitol didn't call for mandatory viewing in the square to watch the feast, which surprised me, but I'm glad because that means I can spend some time with mama. It's curious how time works in the arena because here in District Twelve, it's completely dark outside, and nearly 7:30 at night, while in the arena, the sun is just beginning to poke out.

I'm sitting on the floor, propped up on my knees leaning against mama's bed, while she runs a hairbrush through my tangled hair. The television is tuned in to the arena while we wait for Peeta to make his way to the cornucopia.

His good-bye with Katniss nearly broke my heart and actually brought tears to my eyes. I wanted so badly for Peeta to stay with Katniss, but I know that is not an option.

"Your hair has gotten so long Marjorie; I think it's about time for a haircut." Mama says as she switches from the hairbrush to using her fingers.

"Rose usually trims it for me every few weeks." I tell her.

"Is there anything that woman can't do?" Mama beams, and I can hear the pride laced in her voice. She's right though, Rose is pretty incredible.

We sit on the edge of our seats as we witness Peeta's confrontation with the female tribute from District Two, I think her name is Clove. Not that I'm complaining, but she could have killed Peeta five times over, she's walking at a snail's pace. My heart nearly explodes out of my chest waiting for Peeta to make his move.

I don't have to wait long but it's not Peeta who makes a move, it's...who is it? She was creeping up on Peeta, taunting him by bringing up Rue and then she freezes in place, her mouth filling with blood and then just collapses to the ground, dead before she even got there. But who killed her?

"I'm okay." Peeta sputters. Who is he talking to? I look up at mama to see if she knows, but she's just as clueless as I am.

My question is answered when Thresh comes out of hiding and greets Peeta as a friend would.

"Katniss is hurt?" Thresh questions Peeta with a troubled look and then Peeta responds with a nod. Thresh shows Peeta his homemade slingshot and darts in which he dipped the tips into some mashed up nightlock. Thresh informs Peeta that Clove's death belonged to him and that he shot one of his nightlock-darts into Two's stomach. After revealing how he killed Clove, Thresh tosses Peeta his backpack and then beseeches Peeta to go to Katniss.

I raise my brows, meeting mama's eyes by this unprecedented act of kindness. It's every man for himself in the games, or at least that's how it always has been. Never have I witnessed a tribute from an opposing district worry about the health and safety of another.

After more pleas from Thresh, Peeta finally gives in and takes off into the woods, but not without hesitation. Watching him half run, half hobble through the forest causes me to worry about his new injury.

When Peeta finally reaches the cave, he doesn't bother trying to cover the entrance back up as he fumbles through the backpack and pulls out one tiny syringe. He looks at the syringe as if he's trying to figure out what to do with it before he stabs it into Katniss' thigh. After administering the medicine, he then goes back to conceal the entrance to the cave and then he curls up next to Katniss, resting his head on her chest.

I'm not sure if he passes out from sheer exhaustion, if he's sleeping, or just closing his eyes, but he doesn't open them again for a long time.

Realizing my friends are okay, I lock eyes with mama, who is also frozen in shock from what we just saw, a tear sliding down her cheek.

"They're okay." I state more for myself than for her.

"Katniss' pin..." Mama states as she stares at it on the television and I inwardly cringe as I realize the pin she is referring to. The one I gave Katniss to be her district token. The pin that once belonged to my Aunt Maysilee, mama's twin sister.

I instantly feel the heat rising from my cheeks all the way to the tips of my ears. I am more than ashamed for giving away one of the only tangible items my mother has left of her twin sister.

"I'm sorry mama. It was...I...I don't know why I gave it to her; it was...I don't know, something in my gut told me to...I know that's a really terrible reason and I'm really sorry mama. I promise I'll get it back as soon as Katniss comes home."

To say that I was confused is a major understatement when mama suddenly gets a twinkle in her eyes and give me the kindest smile. "It's okay Marjorie. It went where it was needed. It's protecting her, keeping her safe out there. Cici is watching over her and Peeta."

"So, you're not mad?" I go into her welcoming embrace feeling more than relieved that she's not angry with me. She has every right to be, yet she isn't.

"No. Come sit back with me, I want to tell you a story." Mama and I scoot ourselves onto the bed, stuffing pillows behind our heads to get comfortable. I snuggle in next to my mother, eager to hear what she has to say. I can't remember the last time we were together like this, and now that I have it, I don't ever want it to go away.

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Haymitch ~

Just when I think District Two has the boy and I'm wondering how the hell Seneca is going to get him out of this, Two starts bleeding from her mouth and then drops to the ground. The sound of her cannon hums throughout the control room before her body lands on the ground.

What the hell? How did she die? Did Seneca do that?

"I'm okay." The boy says. Who the hell is he talking to?

"Did you see that?" I look up to see Cinna looking around the room.

"See what?" I arch my brow in confusion.

Cinna shakes his head, putting his focus back to the screen.

"Katniss is hurt?" This is monumental. They should be trying to kill each other, but they're not. Eleven just saved the boy's life, and now he's sending him away to hold off another tribute. This will not go unnoticed.

"What...how did you?" Eleven has a handcrafted slingshot in one hand while his other hand opens up to show the boy a handful of darts.

"Smashed up some nightlock berries and dipped them into it. Hit her right in her stomach, she was dead before she hit the ground."

Of course, the gamemakers would remove all of the medicinal berries from the arena and keep the poisonous ones in there.

"Go Peeta, take it to Katniss." Eleven insists.

"Come with me Thresh, please."

The four of us sit in silence for the next hour or so, waiting for the girl to heal. Every fifteen minutes or so, I find myself glancing at my Capitol issued tablet to check on the girl's vitals.

I think about the shot Cinna showed us of the kids. The girl screamed out the boy's name, and he responded. Clear as day.

"What's wrong with them? Why aren't they up…Shouldn't we have gotten some type of signal letting us know if the medicine worked? What if it wasn't strong enough? What if she needs more?" Cinna walks over to Portia and places his hands on her back, just above her shoulder blades, in an attempt to halt her anxious pacing.

"Calm down. Take a deep breath. They're okay." Cinna turns his head to look at me. "Right?"

I pull the tablet out and select the girl's name to view her vital signs again. "The boy's vitals are strong, always were. He's just passed out from sheer exhaustion in addition to coming down from his adrenaline high. The girl's vitals are stable."

"What are her vitals?" Portia demands.

"Blood pressure is 90/55, temperature is 103.2, heart rate is 123, respirations are 24." I read off the numbers and Portia goes saucer eyed by the devastating numbers.

"Haymitch! That's what you call stable?" Portia shrieks at me, her voice going up an octave.

"It's a hell of a lot better than it was an hour ago!" My pulse quickens as I snap back at her and then I let out a deep breath, kicking myself for snapping at her. She's just worried, as we all are.

"I'm sorry Portia, I didn't mean— She's going to be okay." Portia's eyes soften and she walks over to me and wraps her arms around me.

"I'm sorry too Haymitch." She lets go of me and turns to smile at the rest of our group. "Did you guys hear that? Haymitch actually apologized! To ME!"

"We must note this day in the books as one to remember, for Haymitch is sure to never utter the words again!" Effie snickers, looking up from her notepad.

For some reason, I find myself in a half smile; that woman is kind of funny sometimes.

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Katniss ~

Once I wake up and realize where I am, I look around the cave to see that nothing is out of place. 'So, why does something feel off?' I ask myself. I scoot a sleeping Peeta off my chest and cover him back up with the spare blanket and then place a kiss to his forehead and smile. Does Peeta know how amazing he is? Does he know that I think that I'm the luckiest girl in the world because of him? In this moment, I vow to make sure he knows how much I love him and just how much he means to me once he wakes up.

After my epiphany I realize that I actually feel surprisingly good, which is such a drastic change to my fever induced, previously pathetic self. I was in so much pain from getting stabbed in the shoulder, delirious with a fever, and have just plain felt rotten for the last several days, so waking up to feel normal causes me to feel slightly off-kilter.

Peeta must have gotten back from the feast and given me my medicine without me realizing it. But for the life of me, I can't seem to remember anything after insisting Peeta to leave Thresh at the cornucopia and come back to me. Thresh.

Guilt consumes me when I think of Rue's friend. Our friend. He wasn't with us for as long as Rue was, but the time we did spend together...it meant something. I wonder if he's okay just as I push the thoughts from my head. In order for Peeta and I to go home, Thresh has to die. It's better if Cato kills him because I don't think I could do it.

I rummage through one of the backpacks and pull out a leg of an animal and go to town on it. Then, I open the canister of soup that Haymitch sent us and I'm surprised when I find it slightly less than halfway full. I devour it, only remembering to save some for Peeta after it's too late. 'Oh well, we'll go hunting later.' I tell myself, pushing the guilt down, yet knowing that Peeta would want me to eat before him.

My head cocks up when I hear a noise coming from outside the cave. I put the soup down and tiptoe over to the corner of the cave to retrieve my bow. I throw the quiver over my shoulder and make my way outside to inspect whatever the noise I heard was.

"Help me. Please. Help!"

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

~ Effie ~

( A few days ago )

"I know darling, aren't they just spectacular! As far as District Twelve goes, I've got the cream of the crop!"

Haymitch and I devised a plan to get the citizens in The Capitol riled up; step one in getting the gamemaker's to implement the rule change. After badgering him enough, he finally brought me up to speed in whatever it is I have been offering my assistance with. Currently, I am standing a few doors down from The Green Room with Tellulah, one of my fellow Capitol Escorts.

"Effie dear, I find it so very unfortunate that your poor children are so enamored with each other. I mean, the possibility of killing your one true love is just devastating!" Tallulah cries out, truly seeming as if she cares; perhaps she does.

"I know Tallulah, I know. If only...oh never mind. It was a stupid thought that would never see the light of day." I throw the bait out to her, hoping she catches it as I inwardly chuckle to my District Four pun, being that Tellulah is District Four's very own escort.

"Oh Effie! I insist that you tell me, you musn't leave me hanging in such a way!" Hook, line and sinker.

"Oh, I don't know."

"PLEASE!" She resorts to begging.

"Okay, but it was just something my little mind conjured up, I know it would never come to light. But…I just…oh…it's such a shame that my tributes, being the darlings they are, and as you said, so enamored with each other, if the gamemaker's would make an exception, allowing the pair to come home together. Wouldn't it just be so...entertaining for the gamemaker's to say...change the rules...you know, just this once for our lovesick tributes, I mean, how magnanimous would that be? But like I said, it was just an errant thought. It saddens me just to know it could never happen, I mean...do YOU know anyone who has that much power?"

I watch Tallulah's expression morph into sheer delight as my words leave my mouth. "Oh my, Effie! I know just the thing to do!" I move in closer to her, as if we are best friends sharing a secret.

"What do you know?"

"Well my boyfriend—" She inches even closer, keeping her voice slightly above a whisper. Her boyfriend is the reason she was my first choice. "I'm not sure if you know this, but my boyfriend, Safavieh works in the 'Rules & Regulation' department for the Games...and...well, that's beside the point. But once he told me that if someone were to draft a petition and it were to receive enough signatures, I...I think we can demand a one-time rule change."

"Truly?" I give my best impression of being shocked beyond my wildest dreams as I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand. "Are you saying there is a possibility of it actually being done?"

She nods, grinning from ear to ear almost bouncing with glee. "Yes! I think so!"

"Tellulah, you are just amazingly brilliant! Just to think...I would never have known such a thing had it not been for our conversation!" Her cheeks turn pink as she holds her head down in embarrassment.

"Oh Effie, you give me too much credit, but thank you anyway!"

I spend the next thirty minutes giggling and squealing with Tallulah, nearly bursting at the seams to get back to the control room to inform Haymitch of the news. Finally, I make a swift departure and zip back to reveal my news.

By the time I burst through the doors of the control room, I am panting, out of breath from my jog up the many flights of stairs. "It's done." Are the only words Haymitch needs to hear to know that I have accomplished my mission.

. . . . . . . .

0o0o

. . . . . . . .

~ Madge ~

"I'm not sure if you remember my dad, he died when you were so little." Mama looks down at me, awaiting my response. I shake my head, urging for her to continue.

"Well, his name was Jerry and he was sooo old fashioned!" She drags out the 'oooo' in so. "My parents owned a small convenience store in town and dad so desperately wanted a son to help him run the store, and eventually to pass it down to. Sadly, he was blessed with twin girls instead.

Before I get started, there's something you must know about Cici. You see, she was extraordinarily strong willed and determined, much like you are. If anyone told her she couldn't do something, she became that much more determined to prove you wrong.

When we were about fourteen years old, she was determined to prove to our father that she possessed the skills necessary to take over the trade. Dad tried his best to talk her out of it, claiming that a woman's place in the world was at home caring for the children, and by her husband's side. Cici got a job that year tutoring kids in math. She was great at nearly everything, but when it came to math...I swear Madge, she was a genius!

She began tutoring kids that fall, mostly just the kids from town because they were the only ones who could afford her services. But then she got an idea; she could help kids who were from the seam by offering to trade. She ran it by her best friend, who thought it was an excellent idea, so, that's what she did. A few months later, once she'd saved enough money, she took her coins and whatever object she deemed 'tradable' to the local black-market—"

"The hob?" I ask.

Mama's eyebrows narrow as she thinks about it. "I'm not sure if it was called 'The Hob' back then, but more or less, yeah. So, here is this scrawny little girl from town no less who walks into The Hob as if she'd been there a million times. She wanted something to keep her money in and after looking around a bit, she found the perfect coin bank. I actually still have it in storage somewhere if you ever wanted to see it."

"I would...Like to see it, I mean." I tell her.

The next day after school this boy approaches Cici, claiming to have seen her entering The Hob the day before. This boy was the same age as Cici, but she told me he was rude, arrogant, and quite disrespectful. But he told her that he'd be willing to 'show her the ropes,' you know, make sure no one takes advantage of her. She said her head was screaming no, but then she realized that this annoying boy could prove to be useful.

In return for his 'services' he wanted her to tutor him. Even with her reservations, she finally agreed. Now, when she told me that she went to The Hob that very first time, I was aghast, I couldn't believe she had the guts to go all alone. I made her promise me that she wouldn't ever go back."

"She went back though, didn't she?" Mama grins, nodding excitedly.

"I think it was maybe a year or so later when she came home with the mockingjay pin. I snatched it from her to inspect it. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and to top it off, it was actually made from solid gold. When I asked her where she got it from, she gave me the cheesiest grin, and that's when I knew it came from a boy. 'It must be serious if a boy gave that to you!' I said to her.

After I said that to her, her face lit up with the biggest, ear splitting grin you could possibly imagine. 'It is. I love him sissy, and...and I think I'm falling in love with him!' She said to me. And then she told me it was that same rude, arrogant, disrespectful boy she started tutoring the previous year. She wouldn't tell me his name, only that he was from the seam and then swore me to secrecy."

"Who was he?" Too impatient to wait, I ask mama, interrupting her story.

"Hold on, I'm getting there." She says, poking my nose with her finger. Her face transforms from an overly happy expression to a grim one, letting me know this is where the story takes a turn for the worst.

"The quell was coming up that year, and…and…well, there is something The Capitol doesn't let us know about quell's beforehand. They show the reading of the card when the president picks a card from the box and reads it aloud to the nation.

What they don't tell you is that in addition to the card, the mayors of each district receive all of the fine detailed rules. Everyone knows the fiftieth games was when twice as many children were sent into the arena, but one of the 'fine print' rules was a temporary prohibition of volunteers.

I placed a hand over my mouth in shock, and I'm scared that isn't even the worst part.

Mama wipes a fallen tear and continues. "That year when they called the second girl's name out, Maysilee Donner...My strong, brave, fearless sister pushed me out of the way and marched up to the stage. When she got up there, she glared daggers at me, as if daring me to say something."

"Mama—"

"Let me finish honey...I need to tell you all of it while I can. Cici stood up on the stage, standing so brave and tall until...until..." I grab mama's hand and give it a firm squeeze, hoping to transfer whatever strength or courage I can offer her. "She didn't show an ounce of fear until…It wasn't until they called the second boy's name, because it was the boy she loved. The boy who loved her back."

Hold on, wasn't Haymitch one of my Aunt Maysilee's district partners?

"Haymitch Abernathy." Mama nods, confirming what I already knew. "They were in love...Katniss and Peeta kind of love." Mama says this as if it should explain everything.

I do a double take as I remember mama's previous wow statement. "Wait a minute, back up. Did you say—"

Mama nods again looking so sad. "I am Maysilee."

xXx

I apologize for yet another cliffhanger, (this is for you BDizzy) But I've had this one written for AGES! I'm not a huge fan of stories with several POV's retelling the same thing over and over, but for this chapter I felt as if it was important to see what was going on elsewhere. With that being said, I hope you enjoyed chapter 12 and if it's not too much trouble, please drop me a line or two to share your thoughts.

As I'm planning out my outline for the next 'book', I wanted to get your opinion. I've read other HG rewrites where all books are grouped into one story on here, and others where the stories are each their own. My question to you, my lovely readers is what is your preference?

That's all I've got…Until next Friday 😊

Our line from Chapter 13 comes from Haymitch

She's the love of my life, how can I not know her?