A/N: I am so terribly sorry everyone! I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long, but after the World Cup, it just took a little while to get back in the writing groove, and I hit a spell of writers block as well. I didn't want to start writing before I was ready for fear of providing you guys with substandard material. When I finally was able to begin writing again, I realized that a lot is gonna happen in this chapter and I really wanted to take my time on it before publishing it. It had originally been my plan to leave you all with this chapter as I left for my trip, with a cliffhanger keeping you all hooked, but as you can tell that didn't really work out haha. We've been building up to the Odesta wedding for quite a while now, and it's finally time. As you all know, there's a lot of other stuff going on as well and quite a bit of it will be dealt with in this latest installment of my revised edition of Mockingjay. I will try to keep updating quickly for you guys, but real life is real life not a lot I can do much about it haha. I just promise to do my best to finish this story in a timely manner, but with school and such I will say that my former once a week updates just will not be feasible. I do really want to thank all of my loyal readers and reviewers that have stuck with me and sent me messages the last few months encouraging me to continue writing. I do believe I would've gotten back around to writing, but seeing the reviews and messages really kicked me into gear. I don't remember who wrote it, but someone said that they thought I did a very good job on the characterization of Katniss, Peeta, Finnick, Johanna, etc... and I just want to say that was my ultimate goal with this story. I thought that it was probably the one thing lacking from Susan Collins' books, and so I really wanted to make these people feel more real, giving them more context and depth to further develop them as people, not just characters. So for you to recognize that and compliment me on it, I do truly appreciate. That's enough small talk though! It's time for a wedding! Lights! Camera! Action!

Change of Fate

Chapter Twenty One: For Whom The Bell Tolls

Peeta

The days following AC and Gale's latest altercation seemed to just blur by. As the wedding of Annie and Finnick grew closer and closer, the more comfortable we all grew within the confines of District 13. I hate it. While others are valiantly giving up their lives, we've been safely kept far away from danger deep beneath the surface of the earth. I guess that was to be expected after what happened in our rescue-gone-wrong-and-then-right of Annie. Still, being trapped in 13 doesn't suit me, not right now. Katniss reminds me to enjoy it, for it's sure to not last long, but I just hate feeling worthless.

However, my place as Finnick's best man gives me some semblance of value. He's had his fair share of moments where he's completely broken down and been a total mess and I've been there for him. A couple days ago he had a panic attack and was deeply questioning whether or not he was really ready to become a husband, and if this was really the best time to get married. I politely reminded him that in these chaotic times, in this dark world filled with death, poverty, and war; when the elegant beauty of love manages to shine through all of that darkness we have a responsibility to fight for it. I reminded him that in the face of the uncertainty that war brings along with it, he and Annie both deserved to say their vows and declare their mutual love in front of all of their friends - and the leaders of the rebellion... and anyone in Rebel controlled territory watching it on television since President Coin had decided to air it - and they had a duty to do so. I think I might've left him a little shell-shocked from that one, but the message struck right at his core. Since then though, he's been perfectly fine. Until today that is... Today is the day of his wedding and he is freaking out about his vows. He can't decide on what to say, and I honestly do not know how to tell him what to say.

"Come on Peeta, help me out here," Finnick pleads.

I chuckle a little bit before responding. "I don't know what you want me to say Fin, I'm not the one getting married. You guys could have just had the officiant read you your lines, but noooooo!," I say as I mockingly throw my hands up in the air. "You and Annie had to be special," I privately note to myself that if I were ever to get married, presumably to Katniss, that I would definitely want to say my own vows. I furrow my brow at this realization, and turn my attention fully to Finnick. "Alright, I'm sorry about that, very un-best-man-like of me... What are you struggling with?" I ask.

Finnick turns to me and I see restlessness in his deep sea green eyes. He really is a little bit lost. "When it's just me and Annie, when we're alone together, I don't struggle like this. I can look right into her eyes, it wouldn't matter if the whole world was watching, because I speak right from my heart; right from my soul, and I speak directly to hers... It wouldn't even matter what I say to her because it would be so grounded and so real..." He trails off as he looks up at me almost begging for me to give him the answer.

Funny thing is, I'm pretty sure he just found it himself. "Fin, do you realize what you just said to me?"

He gives me a quizzical look, "What do you mean?"

I roll my eyes as I let out an exasperated sigh. "You stood right there and told me, 'it wouldn't matter if the whole world was watching.' Well Finnick, guess what? The majority of the world we know will be watching, and that's what frightens you I gather. Don't let it. When you're standing up there at that alter, the moment Annie begins walking down the isle, look only at her. Let your mind focus on how beautiful she's gonna look, and in those moments that she's walking to join you in a union that will last as long as you both live, let the words come to you. Forget about me, forget about Katniss and Johanna and Haymitch and Coin and Snow. Forget about everyone else, except for you and Annie. If you can do that, I have full faith that the words will come to you."

Finnick's eyes meet mine and it's like we're communicating silently, kind of like how I do with Katniss but a lot more like how I used to with my brothers before their deaths. We both smile and don't say anything for a moment as Finnick gathers himself. He takes a deep breath, stands up, and begins fidgeting with his tie before saying, "Thanks Peeta. You really do have a way with words... You're like the 'wiser beyond his years' little brother I never had."

I smile as I help him fix his tie as he proceeds to mess it up. I let my mind wander for a moment as I think of my brothers, Wheet and Rye, and how I wish I could have done more to save them. it is crazy how much I miss them, especially Rye... Like how we used to wrestle all the time; the three Mellark brothers were the best wrestlers in all of District 12 and everyone knew that; or how we would stay up until the wee hours of the morning talking about the future, the games, and of course girls. Well, it was more a chance for them to make fun of me for never talking to Katniss more than anything else. But I miss them so much... It's in this moment I have an epiphany: Finnick has become my brother. I may have had two brothers taken from me far too early, but another one has been given back to me. From helping Katniss and I in the arena, to living and training together when we first got to 13, to us talking about Annie and Katniss all the time, he's everything my brothers were and then some. We survived the Hunger Games together. Twice.

I feel traitorous tears forming in the corners of my eyes, and I blink rapidly to fight them off so Finnick can't see. He catches me, and smiles as I say, "Thanks Finnick... I don't know if you ever had any siblings, but just so you know, you're pretty much the ultimate big brother."

I can see the words hit Finnick like I just knocked the wind out of him. He catches himself and our eyes meet again, and again we nod in silent acknowledgement before he grabs me and pulls me in for a hug. A brotherly hug. After a few moments we part, and I end the silence. "Alright then, lets go get you married, huh?" I say as I slap him on the shoulder and together we exit the dressing room. Together. As brothers.

*Ten minutes later*

After helping Finnick through that, I saw him off down the isle to take his post at the alter as he waits for the rest of the wedding party to join him. I stand with Katniss, Johanna, Haymitch, Beetee, and of course Annie, all of us paired up as we prepare to begin this little shindig. The doors open up and reveal to us that this is a lot more than a 'little shindig.' This is a full-blown national event. And we, as in all the remaining victors, are the national starlets. It dawns on me in this moment that we really are still just being used as pieces in a much larger game. We're being pushed around on a board like the pieces in a game of chess. Luckily, I won every chess contest District 12 ever held, but that's neither here nor there. For the moment, we must all play our parts, and today it's not for Coin and it's not for Snow. Today, it's all about Annie and Finnick.

The piano begins to play and the ceremony begins. First up, Johanna and Beetee. Despite the formalities of having the best man and the maid of honor walk down the aisle together, the happy couple said 'screw it,' because they thought Katniss and I would look better walking down the aisle together. Part of me thinks that Coin instructed them to do that, perhaps to give the cameras something to pine for in the future. Like Katniss or I would ever have a wedding such as this one... That thought amuses me and causes me to chuckle just as we begin to walk.

"What's funny?" Katniss asks me in a whisper.

I turn and meet her gaze and just smile as I give her a kiss on the nose, "Ask me again sometime." She furrows her brow and glares at me for a moment before she rolls her eyes and pecks me on the cheek as we continue down the aisle - I can tell she's getting very aggravated with my repeated use of that phrase. The cameras are flashing for us far more than they did for Johanna and Beetee, so I feel like my assumption of Coin's fingerprints being all over this wedding are validated. She wanted a show, and evidently we are giving her one hell of a show. As we finally make our way to the alter, I join Finnick and Beetee on one side of the alter while Katniss joins Johanna on the other side.

Finally Annie rounds the corner and comes into view down the long, silk, white rug that covers the aisle as Haymitch walks with her; he is really the only father figure any of us have anymore. I smirk, and privately think to myself that it would be incredibly unfortunate for anyone to be burdened with Haymitch as a father figure; much less five, damaged, victors of the Hunger Games. But he's who we got, and despite his alcoholic tendencies, I know that he is always looking out for us. Just look at him taking one for the team! He stayed sober long enough today to walk Annie down the aisle.

She looks absolutely stunning. Wearing a lovely white dress, it's got heavy District 4 influence in it with waves that gently ripple through the fabric that are obviously there to remind us all of the ocean. Plus she has little waves rolling off the ends of her dress that reminds me of Cinna's work with Katniss' dresses. Maybe they used some of his designs for this dress, who knows?

I glance at Finnick and I can't help but smile. He is mesmerized and he has eyes only for her. Despite the fact that he knows this wedding is merely a part of a much larger game - and we all know that by now - he is taking my advice. He's letting the world and all of us present just melt away. He's focusing on Annie, and as long as he does that, I have no doubt he'll be fine.

As Annie and Haymitch pull up to the alter amidst the many flashing cameras, Haymitch gives Finnick a light slap on the shoulder before joining Beetee and I on the side. The look of pure love between Annie and Finnick is so strong it is almost overpowering to any onlookers. A light seems to be gently radiating off of them like nothing I've ever seen before, it is breathtaking just being in their presence right now. As Finnick softly takes Annie's hands in his they turn their attention toward the officiant.

"Welcome everybody, and let us consider ourselves lucky as we have been chosen to witness this very special moment in Annie and Finnick's lives. The moment they are going to be united by the holy bond of marriage. This special moment will remain intact in the memory of the Annie and Finnick forever, and it will also be engraved in our collective memory." The officiant is an elder dark skinned man that I've seen wandering the halls of 13, but I don't actually know who he is. "On behalf of our happy couple, President Coin, and the entirety of the Rebellion, we thank you for dedicating a small chunk of your time to witness this wonderful event!" I can't help but think to myself that no one who was invited would have even entertained the thought of declining the offer. It's the event of the century for the Rebels. Anyone who's anyone in 13 is here today...

"Now, it is important that I say this before we continue, but it is often forgotten especially in an age such as this. Marriage means falling in love with the same person again and again each and every day, for the rest of time. Understanding the needs, hopes, desires and ambitions of each other; being true to each other's self and the ability to readjust one's own mind according to the other's are the essential things which constitute a true and happy marriage. I believe that we couldn't have found a couple more ready and willing to embark on such a wonderful journey through life together, than Annie and Finnick." I am smiling so widely, I can't even control it. I am so happy for these two, I wish I could express it even more. My blue eyes meet with the grey ones of Katniss and we share a knowing smile before we look back at the officiant... One day. One day I'll break down enough of her walls and convince her to get married and start a family. It'll happen.

"It is now time for the reading of the vows. Our bride and groom have decided to write their own vows, and I for one am sure they are beautiful. First, we shall hear from Annie..." He pauses for a moment as the attention shifts to Annie.

She takes a deep breath as I watch her sea green eyes meet those of Finnick's. They share a smile before she begins to speak, "I Annie Cresta, before all the witnesses here today, take you Finnick, as my best friend and husband so long as we both shall live. I promise to be with you during the jolly springs and bleak winters. I promise to make every day better for you than the last. I am so in love with you and I promise to increase my love for you with each and every single day we spend together." The smile that is stapled across Finnick's face is priceless and forever etched into my memory. I've never seen him this happy.

"Thank you Annie, and now Finnick..."

Without taking his eyes off of her, Finnick inhales quickly as he gathers himself before speaking, "Annie Cresta, you are the single most amazing person to ever grace this world. You are the best person to ever come into my life. And I cannot imagine a day where I have to wake up and not have your beautiful and deep sea green eyes greet me..." I smile so widely that my face hurts. "I remember the first time I ever met you, and I swear I lost my breath. You were so beautiful then, and so beautiful now, that sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm not dreaming. I was so nervous I couldn't speak, and I was supposed to be your mentor! But as our eyes met and you smiled at me, I had a feeling stir deep within me as if I'd found something. As if I'd found a part of my own soul that was missing. Now I understand. Now I understand this feeling, as if every movement of every star in the galaxy, every tick of creation's clock occurred so that we could someday find each other. So as I stare into your eyes today, and every morning as we wake up for the rest of our lives, I promise I will do everything in my power to make you feel the same way. I am Finnick Odair, and you better believe that I take this woman to be my lawfully wedded wife."

I smile. Katniss smiles. Haymitch and Johanna and Beetee all smile, and so does the officiant. "Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Cheers erupt everywhere as Finnick leans in and gives Annie what I'm sure must be an immensely powerful kiss before he pulls back and they give their guests a big and fancy bow together as man and wife before leading the rest of us out of the grand hall off to where the reception will be held, and the transition is seamless.

*Not long after*

Where the reception is held is like a giant indoor green room. It's massive, and it looks like it could be outside, and yet remains protected and underground. At the front of the room is a large platform where one long table reserved for the wedding party sits, with a few other smaller tables set around. For the President and all her top cronies, no doubt. Coin wanted a big spectacle, this is certainly that. For a moment I marvel in disbelief as I realize the platform our table is on looks scrupulously like a stage. Looks like we traded in one game show for the next, only difference is one is a wedding and the other is a child bloodbath...

Towards the back on the other side of the dancing area is where all of the amazing food is, including the cake I made and decorated for the newlyweds. This is where I find myself as I admire my own work. It's got blue frosting, and little dolphins, seals, turtles, and whales scattered around it, I feel as though I've done a good job giving them a distinct District 4 feel to their cake, and I honored my family with my work. Just as I finished putting some food on my plate and prepared to head back to the wedding party's table, I find myself corned by one President Alma Coin.

"Peeta! I must say you do great work as a baker! That cake looks absolutely marvelous!" She says as she moves in and gives me what feels like a disingenuous hug. I can't tell if she's drunk, trying to play me, or a little bit of both.

"Thank you," I manage to say, not entirely sure if I actually mean it.

She eyes me carefully, as she proceeds to throw back the entirety of her glass of champagne. As the last drop of it goes down her throat, her gaze never leaves me. It's like she's sizing me up, trying to read me and see what I know. Trouble is, I don't really know what she's probing me for. She then motions to me to move closer to her so that she can whisper something to me, and so she does: "You know, it's too bad you victors haven't been more trusting of me, we all could've made a great team."

I shoot her an inquisitorial look, "What are you talking about?"

"Some of you just couldn't follow orders, and just had to play hero... Oh well, I guess that says a lot. Regardless, I would've much rather seen you and Katniss up at that alter today.

I give her a shrug and sarcastically say, "Well that's not how it happened, now is it?" I pause shaking my head at this President of ours. "Besides, you'd have to convince Katniss first."

She wags a finger in my face, in such a way that tells me she knows something more. "It wasn't hard to convince Katniss at all, not when you don't give her a choice to begin with."

I tilt my head to the side and squint my eyes at her, "What are you talking about Madam President?"

She pulls away from me, no longer only in whispering distance, and says in an almost incredulous tone, "Don't tell me - no... Did she never tell you?"

"Tell me what?" I ask, becoming increasingly more desperate to know what she could possibly be talking about.

"Perhaps... Perhaps I have said too much. Perhaps, you should speak with Katniss yourself..." She sizes me up once again and shakes her head in a peculiarly disheartened way. "Perhaps you have less sway over the girl on fire than I originally thought..." She then gives me a coyly sinister smile, one that together with her choice of words, tells me she knows that she just caused a problem. Her intention was clear, and her mission a success. As she slinks away, I make a bee-line for the wedding party's table. I need to speak with Katniss. Damn.

Katniss

I see Peeta hurrying across the dance floor making his way straight towards me. It's funny that after so many years of refusing to believe in love, let alone let myself fall in love, I find myself so head over heels for Peeta. I have never experienced such a powerful longing for someone in my entire life, and never in a million years would I have ever thought it would've been Peeta. As he approaches I flash him a wide smile, but as he comes further into view, I notice he has a very troubled look on his face. What could be wrong?

He climbs up the stairs to the platform they have our table at and moves towards me quickly. As he sits down he takes my hands in his and takes a moment to study my face; I give him a quizzical look as I try to study his in turn. He looks worried, and I'm about to ask why when he says, "Can we talk? Alone. Like more private?"

I catch his drift. Considering this whole damn thing is being televised - but that's the problem. I look around the giant reception hall but can find no areas that look safely hidden from the cameras. And who's to say no one will overhear what Peeta has to say even if we could?

"It's not looking promising," I say dejectedly as I search his eyes for a hint of what's troubling him.

"Fine, then let's just leave the hall, we can find somewhere outside," he replies, his voice sounding more urgent.

I tilt my head in confusion, but just as I'm about to nod and go with him, Finnick comes up out of nowhere and slaps Peeta on the shoulder. "Hey Peet, you ready to give the best man toast?" Peeta doesn't respond immediately, and eyes linger on me for a moment too long, as Finnick jestingly says, "you know I get the groomsmen-going-after-the-bridesmaid thing Peeta, but I honestly thought you were gonna go for Johanna. I think she's a much better fit for you than this one."

Finnick roars in uncontainable laughter at his own joke, evidently a little drunk from the champagne, I join him too, but the worried look on Peeta's face never leaves. After Finnick calms himself, Peeta turns to him and says, "Can we hold off for a little bit Fin? I need to talk to Katniss about something," he says, with the urgent tone still present in his voice.

Finnick most certainly is drunk as he slurs his next few words when he says, "Ooooohhhhh noooooo youuuu don't! Haymitch and Johanna already disappeared, you two gotta stay!" He says playfully at the end.

My curiosity is piqued at something else he said though. "What do you mean Haymitch and Johanna disappeared?"

Finnick shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know! Haymitch is probably getting plastered and Johanna is with your sister talkin' shit about Coin!"

I laugh at that thought before I realize Coin is sitting at a nearby table. I am about to say something to Finnick before Peeta seems to finally snap.

He pulls at the roots of his hair as he exclaims, "Finnick, shut up!" He says that far too loudly, and I can feel more and more eyes turning towards us. "I need to speak to Katniss. Now. We'll be back soon, and then I'll give my damn speech!" Without missing a beat, Peeta grabs my hand and takes me down the steps from the platform and shoves the large double doors open before storming us down into the maze of District 13.

His grip on my hand is bordering on painful, so it's my turn to snap, "Peeta, what the hell is wrong?!" He immediately slackens his grip and lets go, and his face softens, but the worry is still clear. "Peeta, talk to me..." I plead.

"Will you talk to me?" He asks.

I furrow my brow. What's he talking about? "What do you mean?"

He looks down shakes his head dejectedly. "I can't believe you're keeping secrets from me again, I thought we'd moved past this Katniss," he says with sadness dripping off of each syllable, and it hurts me to hear it.

"We have moved past it!" I say a little bit too harshly. "I don't know what you're talking about, Peeta."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Then why was Coin dropping hints about you, me, and a wedding?" Peeta demands more than asks.

I freeze. Damnit. That was the one thing I've kept from Peeta in the months we've been together, and I did it for his own good. Here it is biting me in the ass, but it's fine, he'll understand. I sigh, and then begin, "Ok. Yes. I'm sorry Peeta. It's just -" but he doesn't let me finish.

"Did you not think that was a particular piece of information I might want to know about?" He asks mockingly.

"No, of course not! It's just that -" again he cuts me off.

"No, listen to me! Katniss, we are a team! I get you're new to the romantic part of our relationship, but the trust that's between you and me, where we don't keep secrets, has been here since long before you realized you had feelings for me," he says exhaustedly. "You can't forget that we're still in the Hunger Games. This whole time, ever since you volunteered for Prim and my name was reaped, we've just been moving parts in a larger game between Snow and Coin. And we are in a delicate situation right now Katniss, and we'd be better prepared if you hadn't kept this from me for this long."

"I'm sorry Peeta... I didn't hide this from you because I don't trust you, I was hiding it from you to protect you from the pain. I didn't want you to have to deal with the idea of someone forcing us to get married! Again!"

He shakes his head again, "You're missing it Katniss. This game is gonna fuck with our emotions, I learned that after our first arena," without even saying it, I automatically know what he's referring to. "That I can handle, that I know how to handle. But right now, our lives are in danger, so my emotions can take whatever comes their way as long as we're both alive. Neither one of us can play this game properly if we don't both have all the information and rules..." He says his mind drifting off into thought.

Only my words drag him back out quickly, "I don't get it Peeta, sure we're at war but we are in 13, we're safe here."

He looks at me with a shocked expression. "Do you really think we're safe here?"

"No, of course not in the long run. But Coin wouldn't try anything before the war is over," I reply.

"But that's just it Katniss," he says as he leans into me and begins to whisper into my ear so quietly absolutely no one else can hear, "the war is almost over. We took the Nut a few days ago, and the siege of the Capitol is about to begin. Once it falls, the war is over, and then she no longer has any need for us." He pulls back away and meets my gaze as his hands begin to softly stroke my face. "Her demanding you to marry me was a test, she was checking how obedient everyone would be."

"I guess so. But then I should've passed, because -" he interrupts me again, but there is no hostility in his tone this time. It is pure concern.

"I don't think it matters. We still aren't the ones who got married today... I'm going to venture that Finnick spoke to Coin after she gave you the order?"

"Yeah... Why? Where are you going with this Peeta?"

Our eyes never waver from the other's. Peeta takes a deep breath as it seems he is putting together all of the pieces of this incredibly large puzzle. "Because she's not just unhappy with you and me. She's not happy with any of the victors. None of us are obeying her, and none of us have from the beginning. From sleeping in the same room together, to going to rescue Annie ourselves, then Haymitch and Beetee leading a renegade squad of soldiers to rescue us, and now this..?" He pauses for emphasis, "This was our final test...

"... and we failed," I finish.

He nods sadly. "Well, we've got time. Not as much as if you'd have told me earlier, but we've got a little time."

"Peeta, I'm sorry. I didn't realize how this fit into the bigger scheme, I didn't realize it was a test..." I say as I look away, I feel tears forming in my eyes as I privately despair at my own ignorance.

I feel Peeta's hands reach up and softly caress my face again as he gently wipes the tears away. "It's ok. I forgive you. But you have to promise to keep no more secrets from me, we might not survive it next time," he says wearily.

"Ok, I promise," I say softly as he leans in and gives me a deep kiss.

It only lasts for a moment before we are rudely interrupted. By the sound of the alarm.

"WARNING! DISTRICT 13 UNDER ATTACK! WARNING! DISTRICT 13 IS UNDER ATTACK! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I REPEAT THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"

Panic rushes through my mind as the adrenaline begins pumping through my veins. Peeta grabs my hand and leads me away, off towards the stairs to go down to the bunkers beneath 13. Then the first bomb goes off, and the entirety of District 13 shakes. I hear the screams of the panicked residents down in the reception hall, and my mind flashes to Prim and the others. I make to run off in that direction, but Peeta grabs ahold of me, "We can't Katniss! We have to get to to the bunkers!

"But Prim! And Finnick! And Haymitch! And -"

"They will be fine! You have to just tell yourself that, because you are my only concern right now, and I am taking you to the bunkers!"

Tears are streaming down my face, "No! I can't!" I shout as the next two bombs go off causing more shaking, but also cracks on the ceiling to form.

Before I can do anything else, Peeta swiftly picks me up in his arms and runs off down the hall to find the stairs. The chaos that's ensuing has disoriented me, more and more bombs go off leading to mayhem. I can hear parts of the structure collapsing, and the alarm still rings deafeningly in my ears. Eventually, Peeta gets us to the stairs where people are massing, and he puts me back on my feet.

"You ok?" To which I can only nod. "Alright, we're almost there."

But before I can move another muscle towards the staircase, my body freezes as I see Prim struggling to make her way through the onslaught of people in the crowd. "PRIM!" I shout, and Peeta follows my gaze as he bolts off to grab her.

"KATNISS!" She screams back. Another bomb goes off, this one evidently getting deeper than any of the others as the ground is shaking so hard that everyone is knocked from their feet. I feel my head slam hard into the concrete floor...

After a few moments I open my eyes to see Peeta carefully and worriedly inspecting me, but his face shows slight relaxation amidst the chaos when our eyes meet. "Katniss, are you alright?" Can you hear me?"

I nod, now even more disorientated than I was before. Then I look around, with my heartbeat rising "Prim?!"

"I'm here Katniss, I'm fine," she says moving into view before I grab her and burrow my face into her hair.

"But we need to move. Now," Peeta says assertively as he helps me to my feet before pulling Prim and myself into a group hug sort of huddle.

We follow the mass of people back to the staircase, we're almost home safe. Then, yet another bomb goes off. This time the cracks on the ceiling begin to get bigger and bigger as the lights begin to flicker and the alarm begins to break in and out. I can't tell if it's the fact the light is being broken up, but time appears to slow to a crawl. My breaths become shorter. My fears begin to consume my mind. Then, like clockwork, the cracks in the ceiling over the staircase rip open. Gigantic pieces of concrete fall on top of unwitting residents of 13. With the lights continuing to flicker more and more rapidly, I become unsure of what I see.

Horror grips me as blood splatters into my mouth and the light stays on for just long enough for me to see that dozens of people have lost their lives in an instant. Then the lights go out for good as I feel the floor beneath me give out. It takes me a minute to realize it, but I am falling to my death. This can't be the end, can it?

And boom. Did you love it? Did you hate it? Did you see what was coming all along? Do you absolutely hate me right now? Leave me a review, and let me know! Sorry again for taking so long with the update, and I certainly hope you guys feel that it was well worth the wait. Again, I have no real timetable for when I'll be updating just because of school and I start an internship next month, but please stick with me. I promise I will finish this story, and I promise you will all love it! A big shout out to all of my loyal followers and readers, and I hope you guys all stay tuned!