Katherine
"I have a bad feeling."
"About the clouds?" Finnick jests. "Those look awfully gray."
It doesn't take long for the clouds to block the sun. It begins as a drizzle. We walk half a mile and the drizzle turns into rain. The raindrops drip from the hem of my hood to my face like tears. If I want to cry, now is the right moment.
The road up the mountain is dangerous, since we chose a short-cut. I sneak a glance at below. The treetops might ease my fall, but they can't protect me from the hard, uneven ground. I look away and focus on guiding my horse up the muddy path.
I hear the grunts, the painful moans, the exasperation in people's voices telling me one more step will be their end. Behind me, they stretch in a queue, their faces and bodies exhausted from walking.
It takes us two, three hours to reach the highest peak of the road. I dismount my horse to walk to the edge of the cliff. Down and a bit far from our spot, I see a large group of beings. The outside walls of the city look like mountains beside them.
"Lyme knows his timing." Finnick says, stopping beside me. His hair has adquired a dark shade of auburn.
"Something is not adding up, Finnick." I comment, eyeing the group. "Why would Lyme want to leave us?"
"We're here to save Peter. Maybe he has a soft spot for the prince." Finnick says sarcastically.
"No. It's something else." I turn to Finnick. "You saw how desperate he was to go. I don't even have to mention the three days he spent with us!"
"Do you think he is in this with Coin?"
"It's a wild guess, but not far from the truth."
I hear some approaching footsteps. I glance over my shoulder and immediately recognise Boggs. He wipes the raindrops under his eyes.
"Will it take long to get to Saldrian?" Boggs asks, his eyes moving from side to side as he regards me contemplatively.
"One, two hours at maximum."
"Good." He nods and then walks away.
I am confused by his short answer. Finnick must sense my confusion, for his hand touches my shoulder.
"He's only looking out for the people."
"Perhaps he should be their leader."
"He should." At the jesting tone in his voice, I turn to shoot him a judgemental look. "Can't I lighten the mood?"
I shake my head in a disapproval manner before walking back to my horse. I ignore Finnick's glances as I mount the animal and kick him into action. Once more I hear the same exasperated sounds coming from the people. To their and to my relief the road descends into a wider path, but it turns muddier and slippery. The vegetation grow in height and soon we are surrounded by enormous pine trees. I also recognize some sequoia trees.
The rain isn't as harsh and cold beneath the thick vegetation. Blurred images surge inside my mind, while I take a look around the forest. I see a black stain run with something. There is green and a glowing blur. Is it me? I'm not sure...
"How are you holdin up?" Finnick asks. "Are the throwing up and headache kicking in?"
"You are such a positive person, Finnick," I say, and immediately notice the tremble in my voice.
"I try to be, but I have decided against it." His voice adquires a somber tone. "What's the use of being positive when we're at war?"
"To let people know there is some hope after it ends."
"Those are some queenly words, Katherine." Finnick jests.
"Shut up, Finnick."
I give a gentle kick on my horse's side for him to pick up the pace. The road seems to go on and on. I search in my mind for some kind of map, but it is in vain. Instead, my mind shows me images of the future. It predicts possible outcomes of the war. It gives me a glimpse of safe Peter, but I am not beside him or near by. I shut my eyes for a few seconds to regain my composure.
After nearly two hours, we reach the edge of the treeline. A big, round meadow stretches before my eyes. It is occupied by Lyme's army. Nonetheless there is no one, just the tents and many objects like tables, stools and barrils. A flag positioned in the middle of the meadow waves with the rain and soft wind.
"What the...?" Finnick comments, dumbfounded at the sight. "He is in a hurry to start a war."
With not a living soul in this meadow, there is only one place Lyme and his army could be. I take a deep breath, turn my horse to face the people and their weary expressions. Finnick's guards mantain a cool expression.
"The time is here." I look around the group of three hundred people. "I have been running for most of my life. I hid from the woman who sits on that throne. I took on a false name, and it spread like wildfire, only to fuel the queen's anger. But no more. It's time to shed our worries, our pain, our suffering. We may die today, but not for nothing. Panem will know we died for a cause. They will know we died fighting for freedom!"
There is a thick silence in the air. The people of Baluster stare at me. I am not their princess or queen. I am just a substitute. Yet that doesn't stop them from cheering me on. Some raise their swords in a gleeful manner.
I trade a look with Boggs. Somewhere in the crowd, I find Gale's eyes. Was this the moment he imagined when we talked at his house all the way in Alighter? He nods like he heard my question.
I kick my horse and lead the army to Saldrian.
...
Peter
The door opens. I squeeze my eyes shut do to the sudden brightness.
"Lucky day, prince! You are being released," A deep voice says.
I adjust my eyes to the strong light. I make out the silhouette of a tall person, possibly a man. A pair of hands undos the rope around my wrists. The moment my hands are free, I fall on my knees, because of the lack strenght in my legs. It has been a few days without using them.
"There's no need to beg, prince. The queen has already granted your wish."
I cough, but there is no saliva in my mouth. A hand pulls me up, and with a lot of difficulty I stand up. I can now fully see the stranger. A man in a royal attire grips my arm, while his other hand holds a lantern.
"Want to say something?"
"Water." I say in a hoarse voice. It is as if I ate sand and rocks.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
He walks me out of the cell. I hear footsteps and then a pounding.
"Hey! Where're they taking you? Your Highness!"
"Shut up!" The man commands.
My mind is at a point where everything happens at a slow pace and I can't act. There is screaming around me, heavy sounds, a pull and a push. The man guides me out of the dungeons up into the castle. I just register walls after walls and a lot of turns.
The man walks me through a long wall void of windows. His lantern illuminates the path, giving me a good look at my surroundings. Up ahead I hear the sound of a door opening. Light pours into the wall and it leaves a stinging sensation in my eyes. I cough just as we step into the other room.
The throne room.
Coin stands by the throne, a pensative expression covers her face, while her eyes regard me curiously.
There is too much light in the room., the air tastes like poison, and my mind can't stop sending warnings to my body. Lucky day, my arse!
"The prince wants water, Your Majesty."
"Of course. Fetch him some," Coin orders. Her eyes follow the man as he leaves the room. "What do you think of the change of scenario, prince?"
"You..." I cough, trying to bring some clarity into my voice. "You want something from me..."
"Straight to the point." She offers me a cold smile. Coin climbs down the two steps of the throne and stops at a safe distance from me. "I do want something from you. I have been thinking about you and how a long time ago I proposed you an offer. Do you remember?"
"Enlighten me." I search my mind for the memory, but I can't seem to find it.
"A little betrayal. Is that enough?"
"You like to hold on to the past, don't you, madam?"
"Your Majesty," she spits at me. "And you have no right to question me. Now, since you are so straight to the point, you can give me a quick answer."
"No. My answer is no, Your Majesty."
"I will send you back to Baluster. I won't harm your army or your kingdom."
"I prefer to die."
"Such bravery, young prince." Coin stares at me intently. "Guard, don't hesitate."
A tall, hulky man steps forward. I put my hands up to fight him, but they are suddenly snatched by another person. The hulky man punchs me in the stomach. I bend over in exasperation, but it is only for a second. His hand comes in contact with my cheek and eye, knocking me to the side. My legs fail me and I fall on my knees. A strong throbbing pulses inside my head as I feel a trickle of something wet slide down my face.
"Do you still want to die?" Coin asks.
"Go to hell."
"Continue."
His foot digs into my back, making me squirm in agony. The guard pushes me down until I'm lying on the floor in pain. I see his feet circling me, waiting for the opportunity to assault me. Once again his foot kicks me in stomach. He repeats this until I'm spiting blood and heaving from the lack of air in my lungs.
"Stop." Through my blurred vision I see Coin's dress rustle the floor as she approachs me. "Have you reconsidered?"
"I won't," I say through clenched teeth.
"What's so special about her?" Coin asks angrily, her voice adquiring a loud tone. "She is nothing compared to me! There isn't a drop of power in her! She is only alive, because she manipulates people. And you let yourself love her like the good dog you are! She is not a princess! She is nothing!"
"She - much better - than you - "
"Stand him up!"
My body is pulled up like the puppet it is. Coin grips my jaw, her nails biting into my skin. With her other hand, she shows me a sharp dagger.
"I have been carrying this for three years," she says, menacingly. "I used it to kill the king. I'm going to use it to kill his precious daughter. And you are going to help me or your father dies. Ah, there's the anger. You know, it was very easy to slip the poison into his wine."
"I'm going to kill you," I growl at her.
"Go ahead."
I feel the sharp blade against my cheek.
"Your Majesty," The man's voice echoes around the throne room. Coin lowers her hand and steps away to look at the man. "We are under attack."
...
Katherine
I dismount my horse just as we arrive at the city gate. Beyong them I hear the shouts, the clank of swords and the screams for help. Lyme is showing no mercy to the people of Saldrian. Around me I hear cries of pain. I look up and the men up in the walls are shooting arrows at us. I immediately load my bow and send an arrow flying into the neck of one of them.
"We have to enter the city, Katherine!" Finnick shouts at me.
"Okay! Enter the city!" I shout at the top of my lungs, hoping everyone will hear me.
I run, pass under the portcullis and fire an arrow at the first Saldrianian guard that comes after me.
"Finnick, set the plan in motion! We won't last much longer like this!" I order. "I'm going to find Lyme!"
"You're not going alone," he warns.
"We're at war, Finnick, for Gods' sake!" I quickly grab a knife from my leg and throw it at the man behind Finnick. "I'll see you when this is over."
I run away from him, feeling his stare burn a hole in the back of my head. The streets are caotic. People run, others fight, some already lay on the ground, their bodies cut open, while some still breath. I have seen many situations like this one, yet I can't keep the nausea in my stomach.
The heavy rain is an obstacle at the moment. I trade my bow for a sword, but the weight feels wrong in my hands. Guards come at me. Their strikes barely graze my face and arms, and with a lucky strike I wound them. I make a dash for a street and dive into a maze of alleys and houses. Silence follows me as I leave the battle behind.
I take a turn and exit near a square. If there is something familiar about it, my mind won't respond to it. I look south and still hear the sounds of the battle. When will Finnick realize I didn't mean Lyme? I put the guilt in a forgotten corner of my mind and walk to the castle, which stands above the city's skyline like a mountain.
The drawbridge is down, inviting me into a trap. The two guards at the gate watch with an intense stare the area. I try to remember another way into the castle, but I can only think of the sewers. And those are down by the beach. I hide behind a house, while I think about a way to enter the castle.
A shout makes me glance at the gate. One of the guards has seen something. He is gesticulating a lot with a third guard when, like a mirage, something black appears beside them. My chests heaves in suprise. The being moves like leaves blown by the wind, its white hair dancing to the sound of something invisible. The guards stand upright with nervous expressions.
I watch them talk with a feeling of dreadfulness. Who is that being? I focus on it, trying to make out something about it, but I can only see a black cloak and long white hair. The being suddenly disappears. The two guards' shoulders sag as they turn to each other. With one look they leave their posts at the gate.
My heart beats fast at the opportunity to enter the castle. Everything is happening so fast that I'm slowly doubting it will end nicely. However, my thirst for justice is taking control over my mind. I wait until they are out of my sight to leave my hiding spot.
I keep my eyes out for any threat, specially up ahead. My foot steps on the spot where the drawbridge and the ground meet. The courtyard leaves a strong impression on me. Despite resembling the one in my memory, the one before my eyes is more unkept, filled with holes and, because of the rain, mud. Long gone are the trees and flowerbeds. Through the rain I hear footsteps. With no place to hide, I must squeeze myself in one of the corners of the gatehouse.
I wait for the sound of the footsteps to fade out. I count three more seconds and then step into the courtyard. I take a quick glance at the top of walls in search of guards. With no one there, I make my way to the castle. One breath and I open the door. It creaks, because of the swollen wood, but probably from old age.
Once the door is closed, I take a moment to inhale and exhale properly, and finally I look around the room. Tapestries hang from most walls. The colours don't change a lot, going from dark reds to brown to almost black. Candles illuminate the wide vestible, leaving many corners in the shadows. I carefully move forward, measuring my steps and how much noise they make. I feel like I am in a forest again ready to hunt and to be hunted.
There are two halls and one staircase: two to my left and right and one forward. I take the staircase, hoping it will lead me to the place Coin hides. At the top, I turn right. The same tapestries repeat themselves down the hall, and there are a couple of open windows. As I walk down halls and climb a few more staircases, my mind paints the castle in another light. I see my father walking the halls, the servants busy with chores, all the windows open to let in the fresh air. I see a little girl and her hopeful step. I halt my steps to follow the spectre down the hall.
I am suddenly assaulted by shivers. I blame it on my wet clothes, but it is something else. I resume my walk, keeping an eye on any peculiar events, yet I am getting distracted by the noise my boots make.
"Katherine."
I stop. My body tenses. I look around in search of the call. Am I going insane?
"Katherine, help me."
I eye frantically the hall, thinking my mind is playing tricks on me.
I take a few more steps, and that's when I notice a door left ajar. I place my hand on the handle, take one deep breath, exhale and open the door. The room is empty and badly lit. I hear the rain falling against the glass windows, but my eyes focus on an object to my left.
A looking-glass.
I step into the room with my sword raised and approach the singular object. I see myself reflect in it. The dark shadows under my eyes, the unkept hair, the gruffy appearance.
"So graceful."
A voice breaks my concentration. I look at the face reflected in the mirror over my shoulder, and there she is. Coin.
I spin on myself, almost falling into the looking-glass, with my sword ready to strike her, but Coin isn't there. It is just me in an empty dark room. I look back at the glass to assure my eyes there is only my reflection. It takes me a few minutes to ease my heart. Then I walk out of the room to search for the real Coin.
...
A dark hall stands before me. At the end I see a crack of light. I take a deep breath and drop my sword to the floor. As I walk toward the light I load my bow with an arrow. I feel its weight, while I imagine the arrow piercing Coin's heart. The darkness engolfs, but I hold on to the crack of light. I can almost see the room beyond it.
I halt my steps when the doors open on their own. Four metres ahead stands my worst nightmare. Coin watches me, entertained by my figure. Moreover, she is unable to hide the disgust at seeing me in front of her. It is funny how the room is lit up like on a sunny day, while I stay in the darkness like the monster she thinks I am.
I fight the fear and resume my walk. When I reach the line between light and dark, I don't dare take another step.
"Afraid?" Coin asks.
"You're the one who's afraid," I remark, coldly. "You have men ready to assault me."
"Still clever, I see." She chuckles humorlessly. "I thought you had lost your mind - "
"Where's Peter?"
"You have come to bargain?" Coin climbs down from the throne. "What do I get in return?"
"Me killing you."
She laughs so loud, her laugh echoes around the room.
"Such bravery! I wonder where that courage was five years ago." She steps away from the throne. "I remember how you looked at me the day I married your father. There was this - this small spark of fear. I was mesmerized. To see fear in your eyes gave me the strenght to set my plan in motion."
"You killed my father."
"I did, and I enjoyed every minute. He looked so petty as he pleaded," She says, and the blood inside me boils with anger. "Am I hurting you, Katherine? Is the scar reopening?"
I quickly lift my bow, however she holds up a hand and I get distracted by the unknown footsteps coming from somewhere. Two guards carry a badly beaten up Peter into the corridor. The bow trembles in my hands, and my arms can't stay still.
"Think before you shoot that arrow."
"Kat, it's alright," Peter murmurs in a weak tone. The trace of a smile is present in his face.
"How reassuring!" Coin remarks without feeling. "Tell me, Katherine. Does your love match the young prince's?"
"You already have him."
"Not quiet." She glances at the guards. "Go ahead."
They throw him on the floor, and instantly their feet are on Peter, not leaving time for him to fight back. They kick him harshly, and then step on him, breaking Peter into pieces. I lower my arms, for I lost the strenght to hold my bow up. The room fills with Peter's shouts, moans and grunts. My chest weaves quickly as I watch the guards harm Peter.
"Stop!" I shout, unable to listen to his cry.
"Answer the question."
Peter's screams get weaker and weaker, and the will to step forth and save him intensifies.
"It does!" I answer. One moment passes, and Coin tells the guards to stop. "I love him."
"Good." She turns to the guards. "Finish him."
"No." The pain in my chest grows stronger at her order. "You can't. I won't let you, Alma."
"Oh!" Her eyebrow rises at my opposition. "Then show me."
I take a step forward. From the ceiling and the walls comes a rain of people. They gather down the path in front of Coin. They are strange beings with human figures, but with something singular, something dark. I shoot the arrow at the neck of one of them. Black blood pours from where the arrow pierced his flesh. The arrow desintegrates as his skin turns darker and the blood slides down the body and eats the man from the inside.
I put the image in the back of my mind and prepare to fight the rest of the men.
They come at me.
I run into the room, shooting arrow after arrow. I take five men down. Their swords strike at me as some grab my arms and pull me down. I struggle to set myself free from their grasp, while reaching for the dagger on my leg. My head hits the floor and for a few seconds I lose my senses, but I finally reach the dagger. Once I pull it out the killing starts.
I stab everything that is skin and fabric. Two men fall down badly wounded. The rest step away to regain their balance. It gives me the opportunity to stand up and load my bow. I aim it at Coin. The arrow flies, but it goes through one of the men who throws himself in front of her.
I step closer, shooting arrows and killing man after man.
"Stop hiding behind your men and fight me, Alma!" I shout at her.
I feel a change in the air. Glass explodes from the windows and into the middle of the room. I protect my face from the shards, but I am not quick enough to protect myself from a rush of wind that pushes me down. My head hits the floor violently and the oxygen leaves my lungs like an eagle taking flight.
"You can't win the fight, Katherine!" Coin shouts above the sound of the rain and the wind.
I try to stand up, but it is impossible. My body is heavy with no strenght to pull me up.
"I am always one step ahead. Every move you make, every plan you create. I know it all." Coin's steps echo around the throne room. She kneels beside me, her expression is one of pure hatred. "Come here."
Her hand grips my jaw and I am lifted off the floor like a feather. Coin drags me to the place where Peter lays. She drops me, but keeps her hands on my jaw. My eyes nearly tear up at the sight of Peter's bloody face and body. He stares back at me with pain in his eyes.
"Look at him." Her fingers dig into my skin as she whispers in my ear. "He doesn't stand a change. You failed your mission, because you are not brave. He is dying, because of you. Because you live!"
"Just let him go," I say through clenched teeth. "Please."
"Beg. Beg like your father, who was also weak to fight back."
She turns my face to hers. Her hand moves to my neck, squeezing my throat just enough to keep me in place. I claw at her hand, but it proves to be useless. Instead, I go for her neck. She is caught by surprise, but it doesn't stop her from stabbing a dagger through my heart. The blade rips my clothes and cuts my skin. I feel the burning, the sting and the trickle of blood.
"How does it feel?" She asks.
I open my mouth to breathe. It is in vain. The dagger is pushed farther down my breast, resulting in a cough of blood. It becomes hard to breathe.
Coin removes the dagger and lets go of me. I fall to the floor like a broken rag doll. I cough more blood, while the pain in my chest grows stronger.
She smiles proudly at the deed. She finally accomplished her goal, and I reached my end. Didn't I constantly say I was better dead than alive? Well... I made it.
"If it will make you feel better, I will let your prince go unharmed," She says.
My hands try to fist the hard floor. I want a grip on reality before I pass out.
I am given such when Coin's face morphs into an expression of horror. Her hands go to her breast. Through a hazy vision I see the red stain in her corset. From behind her, a male - the man in black - shows himself. In his hand is a human heart.
I see no more, and I am left in agony. Death comes and takes my life.
I was cooking up these two chapters to quickly move the story forth. I am nearly finished with this story, therefore you won't have to wait longer to know what happens at the end. For this chapter I took some inspiration from Braveheart and Snow White and the Huntsman (which has been the main inspiration for this whole story), so I don't own any references. And I must apologize for the cliffhanger.