I sit on the satin couch in the fanciest place I had ever been in, My hand runs across the soft satin my mind attempting to devise a plan. I wasn't leaving the arena without Peeta, but if I could leave the arena with him...My head snaps up when the door opens.
"Katniss!" Prim calls running into my arms as I stand up to embrace her. I hold her tightly.
"Shh Prim." I say as she sobs into my shoulder.
"Prim, listen to me. It'll be okay." I say hoping to convince both of us, and well if I was clever enough to devise a plan my words might just ring true.
"Will you try to win?" She asks me hope dancing in her eyes, though there was a shadow of a doubt coloring her tone. I bite my lip. I couldn't promise something that could end up being a lie. Not to my sister. Peeta and I both getting home. Both leaving the arena. Not just one victor, but two. What if they didn't have any? Or thought they wouldn't have any? Then it hits me.
"I'll try, little duck." I say a grin coming across my face at the new idea. They probably thought I had gone crazy grinning when I'm being ready to be sent to a slaughter, but I don't care. Maybe, I have gone a little crazy.
"Peeta?" She asks and I look down at her hoping she would put the pieces together, she was a bright little girl after all.
"He'll be coming back." I say. Well, unless my idea fails I ass mentally. I look up at my mom now and see her on the verge or breaking. She can't break. She has to know that. Just in case I don't make it back.
"Listen to me. You can't shut off again. You can't go back to that state of not living, but being alive. No matter what happens, no matter what you see you have to be there for her. Do you understand? I won't be around anymore, you're all she's got." She nods and a tear escapes her eye.
"Don't cry." I command pulling her into a tight hug. It was the most affection I had shown my mother since my father had died, and now I was regretting in when I possibly wouldn't see her again. Chances were slim, too. The peacekeepers come in telling them there time is up.
"I love you!" I call after them, and the door shuts. The door opens again almost immediately and I look to see Rye and Jessie. They had in a way become like my own brothers.
"Katniss, you know he's damned determined to save you?" Rye says as Jessie pulls me into a hug.
"Well, I think he's in for a rude awakening then. I'm more stubborn then him anyways. If both of us don't come back, it's going to be him." The words are innocent, but suggest more. I say this with determination in my voice. Rye meets my eyes and arches an eyebrow in question. I give a nod of my head and he gives me a grin. I knew he'd figure it out, after all he was the oldest.
"I don't want to lose either of you." Jessie says and Rye agrees. I give them a small smile.
"Trust me." I say and watch as Jessie catches on now. Between my words earlier, and the harmless trust me he had put it together. I couldn't say more because I was almost positive there was cameras.
"We'll make sure Prim and Anna stay fed." Rye says and I smile at his concern for my little sister and mother. I give them both a hug.
"Thank you." I say just as the peacekeepers come to collect them. Really they could give more time for goodbyes. I sit back down on the couch assuming no one else will come, until the door opens and Madge walks in giving me a tight hug.
"I'd ask if you'd wear the mockingjay pin I gave you but I assume your token will be this." She raises her index finger tracing the P hanging from my neck. I give a shrug.
"Both were birthday presents." She gives me a slight smile, but I could tell she was trying not to cry. She gives me a hug and hurries out. I go through everyone I love in my mind. Peeta. Prim. My Mom. Jessie. Rye. Madge. Coal, which was Peeta's dad. All of them had come in except Coal, and Peeta. Obviously Peeta couldn't, and Coal was probably crying over his son. Which, I respected immensely Unlike I'm sure Karen was doing. She was probably bake at the bakery unaffected. I swear one of these days her rude and snide comments would set me off - if I made it back for more of them. When the door opens I'm confused.
"Oh, Katniss!" I look at a crying Delly. I thought she only tried to be my friend because I'm in love with Peeta, but apparently she truly cares.
"I'm so sorry about this. I can't believe Peeta volunteered! And for Darius! The love of my life! All to be with you. You guys complete each other, now one will be without the other." She throws her arms around me crying. I pat her back awkwardly really irritated I was comforting her. Not like she was the one being taken to a slaughter.
"Don't worry, Delly. I have a plan." I say it to get her to stop crying, which works. I'm thankful when the peacekeepers come and escort her out. Peeta and I got the tragic end of the romance stick, while her and Darius got to go off and be happy. She had better be grateful, or if I made it back I'd personally kick her ass. I laugh slightly and almost silently. The next time the door opens it's a peacekeeper. I wipe my face clear of emotions and I'm hoping seeing Peeta won't cause me to lose my composer.
I follow the peacekeeper down a long narrow hall preparing for the camera. I walk outside and spot Effie Trinket collecting Peeta, before making her way to me. The cameras follow us the the train station about half way there Peeta decided to slip his hand into mine.
The odds were definitely not in my favor. I knew exactly what the Capitol would do with Peeta and I'd relationship. The would turn it into a show. I couldn't stand the thought. My love for Peeta, and mine and his family - except Karen, was mine. No one else's. Being in love with Peeta was something the Capitol couldn't use for entertainment, until now. Let them have their fun, let us become the star-crossed lovers. It may just be what I need to accomplish my plan, and afterwards I would hate them forever, but nothing they could do would ever break the love Peeta and I have. Nothing. Peeta gives my hand a reassuring squeeze guessing my thoughts as we approach the train station.
I notice the sadness on his face and I nudge him discreetly getting him to look at me. I needed to give me some hope. His blue eyes meet mine, and I see the longing and desperation in them. He pulls me to a stop outside the train, arching an eyebrow in a silent question. I give him a look I know he knew well. A look that told him I had a plan and I was determined to fulfill. He gives me a shadow of a smile and we board the train.
A/N: Sorry, this chapter isn't the best, but I needed it as sort of a filler. Anyways, I hope some of you at least enjoyed it a little. Please review, and let me know what you think. :)