Chapter 5- A New Road Home
Just an hour ago I was wasting my time being jealous of Clara. Just a mere hour ago the biggest problem in my life was finding the right time to tell Peeta I love him. It all seems so silly now that District 3 is on fire, that I am running for my life away from a swarm of terrorist in black cloaks and horrible skeleton masks. I knew there was a group of capitol loyalist always on the government's radar, I knew there was a small concern that they would organize and plan an attack, but I had no idea how serious those concerns were, and now that I am witnessing the panic I realize no one did.
"Katniss! Where are you!?" I hear Peeta's voice over the crowd. Just mere seconds ago I was clinging to his arm, but now he is lost in the crowd pushing through the flow in the wrong direction, trying desperately to find me.
"Peeta, I'm here!" he actually smiles when he spots me near the door and is by my side in a moment. I grab his hand. This time nothing will get me to let go.
We are halfway back to our hotel before I realize we probably shouldn't go there, if the terrorist knew the exact moment the president got to the feast tonight, they probably know where she is staying as well. I turn to Peeta and I am just about to voice my concerns when he reads my mind. "We need to get back to the horses, we already have supplies packed, we can head to the woods with ten others and get to safety!" Peeta is gathering a group around us.
President Paylor is injured but has somehow made it outside, she clings to her left arm that now looks more like a bloody stump then an actual limb. Dr. Crane, the physician that came with us on the tour is looking after her now. I look around to see who made it with us to the horses that are mercifully saddled and ready to go since we planned on traveling through the night to District 4. Effie, Beetee, Clara, President Paylor, Dr. Crane, Peeta and myself are joined by Eric, the president's personal assistant, and Donna and Gabriel, the two highest ranking officials behind the president.
Things are just as chaotic on the road, people from the feast are running in every direction, screaming for loved ones. It occurs to me now that the dress I am in will not allow me to ride. Without a second thought I kick off my high heels and reach down to rip the dress up to my thighs so that I can easily jump on my horse and follow Peeta into the woods on a narrow strip of dirt that used to be a path before the road was laid.
We are an hour into our trip before the adrenaline starts to wane, and I realize how truly in trouble we are. Clara, Effie, Paylor, and I are in formal dresses from the feast, all are ripped and dirty already, most of our group are riding barefoot and none of us have extra clothes. It is mainly uncomfortable for now, but if it rains, or the temperature drops we will be in serious trouble. We have enough food for maybe two weeks if we ration, no idea where we are headed or where is safe, and Paylor is in serious pain with no real medical supplies to help her.
"It will be OK, at least we are alive" Peeta can always sense my despair
"What about the people we let behind? Will they be OK?"
"They will be fine, the President was the target. We got a head start, but they will follow us, not stay behind."
"That makes me feel so much better" I snap. I notice Effie watching us, she looks slightly ridiculous on her horse in a short sequined dress, still wearing her high heels, and I realize I need to be brave for her. I put on what I hope is a strong, determined looking expression and focus on the path ahead.
It is past midnight when we finally stop to camp for the night. Peeta and I quickly gather firewood while Beetee starts building the two tents that were packed between the ten packs we have with us.
"It looks like will be sleeping outside tonight" Peeta says as he bends down to grab a branch.
"What are we going to do now? We have enough supplies for two weeks tops, and no way to know what is going on in the Districts, and a group of terrorists following us through the woods." I express my concerns now that we are alone.
"I think we should head for District 13. We can regroup there and then figure out exactly what is going on."
"We really should let the president make the call."
"I don't think she will be well enough to be making decisions until we get her something to ease her pain."
"Then Donna and Gabriel! We are not the ones to be making this call!" I am shouting now. I don't want to be in charge. I don't want to be the one responsible for this group of people. In a moment of true weakness I realize I won't get to see my mother in District 4.
Peeta grabs my arms, "Katniss, it has to be us, we know the woods better than anyone and we know how to survive."
When we get back to camp Beetee has built both the tents. President Paylor is in one with Dr. Crane and Effie and Clara are in the other. Peeta and I pitch our idea to the rest of the group, and everyone agrees that at first light we should head to District 13.