27
"Katniss, Katniss... hey girl on fire," the familiar voice whispers.
My eyes feel heavy, and I struggle to open them. Slowly they focus on the person before me, Cinna. I try to sit up at the sight of my friend, and I'm immediately greeted with pain throughout my body.
"Katniss, don't try to sit up. You're in the hospital post surgery," he says, comforting my hand. "Post a few surgeries actually."
"Cinna," I whisper. "I was afraid that they killed you." I labor to breath. Lifting my hand to touch his healing face takes considerable effort.
A woman appears at my bedside. "Hello Katniss, I'm Doctor Keller. Do you know where you are?"
"In a hospital, I'm guessing somewhere in the Capitol," I say weakly.
"Yes. Do you remember what happened?" the doctor continues.
"I was shot in the arena."
"Yes. We were able to repair all your injuries. You should make a full recovery," says Dr. Keller.
I glance around room. Flowers sit on a dresser, some wilted. Cards are open and spread about in the dim room with drawn curtains. "How long have I been here?" I ask.
"Three weeks," replies the doctor.
"Three weeks?" I turn to Cinna.
"You almost died." he says. "Twice in fact."
The doctor shines a pen light briefly in my eyes. "Besides the acute blood loss, you developed a serious systemic infection. Your spinal column was damage by one of the bullets, which led to meningitis. Fortunately, your spinal nerve was unharmed. We had to induce a coma until the meningitis resided. The repair to your vertebra went well. We used bone regeneration without the need of metal support."
"Oh." I voluntarily move my limbs gently in search of pain and deformities.
The doctor moves to the end of my bed and lifts the sheets, exposing my legs. "Can you wiggle your toes for me?"
I do without difficulty.
Dr. Keller then runs her fingers over my legs. "And can you feel this?"
"Yes."
"Good, I truly believe that you will make a full recovery. It wasn't easy, but you put up quite the fight, even in an unconscious state."
I glance over at Cinna and find his warm smile comforting. "Peeta!" I gasp. "Where's Peeta?"
The room answers me with cold silence. Cinna's smile fades as his hand tightens around my own. The heaviness in his eyes tells me all.
"Nooo!" I wail. My sore body curls on its side with Cinna dropping to his knees beside me. "Not Peeta, he was supposed to be safe. I was supposed to be Snow's sacrifice, not him."
Cinna combs my hair with his free hand. "They tried to save him, but his injuries were too severe."
The doctor steps behind Cinna. "He suffered too much blood loss along with damage to too many vital organs. We tried the best we could. I'm sorry for your loss."
I cry so hard I begin to grimace in pain from my surgeries. I feel as if I'm being torn inside out. As I continue to scream out, I feel a sharp sting in my arm. It doesn't take long for the calming warmth of medicine to settle my muscles and nerves. Left in a foggy haze, I hold tight onto Cinna's hand and let the grief wash over me.
After what felt like an eternity of initial grieving, I discover much later that Snow's personal Peacekeepers had arrested Peeta at Games Headquarters when he was in negotiations with the sponsors. When he protested, things quickly deteriorated to violence with Peeta being dragged out in cuffs.
I inquire about the other tributes and learn that Chaff had died from gunshot wounds along with Enobaria, which I unfortunately clearly remember. All the tributes were wounded in the final battle, but none had to stay long in the Hospital.
"Snow is dead?" I ask Cinna fearful that I had imagined the President's death.
"Yes, he's dead. Along with eight of his body guards, four surrendered."
"Did war break out?"
"No," answers Cinna. "The only blood spilled was in the arena."
"They didn't punish District Twelve?" I continue.
"Katniss, there is no more District Twelve." Cinna faintly smiles. "Your home is now called Appalachia. Moreover, they are no longer called districts. They are now referred to as States, all thirteen of them."
"Thirteen?"
"They found that District Thirteen has been habitable for a while and that there is a small population scattered about the land. Many people from the other districts plan on migrating there."
"Migrating?"
"All the fences are being taken down and the land opened for settling. Everyone is free to move freely around the country, free to work as they choose, and vote."
"Vote?" I only repeat the words that seem foreign to me, foreign to people outside the Capitol.
"The new government is being constructed based on ancient documents that once ruled these lands years ago." Cinna says. He stares at my face and pats my hand. "But you're not interested right now are you?"
"Sorry, no," I say.
"You rest. You need time to grieve. I forgot that we've had weeks to grieve for the fallen." Cinna stands to leave.
"Cinna, Don't leave."
"I'll be right back. I'm going to call your mother and let her know that you're conscious and expected to make a full recovery," says Cinna pausing in the doorway.
"I wish she and Prim were here."
"We thought about bringing them here once the travel restrictions were lifted, but many are hesitant to travel outside their districts until the new government is fully functional."
When Cinna leaves, I immediately begin to cry. The nurse comes by and offers me some medicine to help me cope, but I refuse it. Now that the shock has worn off, I know that I can face this as I had my father's death.
I try to eat dinner, but only manage to swallow a bit of soup and some crackers, which easily fill my shrunken stomach. The doctor visits and comments that my body is recovering well and that I will be sent to physical therapy in a couple days to start rebuilding my muscle tone.
Later, the nurse attempts to find me some music to no avail. All the music of the Capitol is too busy for my tastes so I request silence. The medicine lingering in my system makes it easy for me to fall asleep, assisting me with my grief.
When Cinna returns, he holds the door open for a pair of guests: Haymitch and Portia. Their handholding immediately grabs my attention. "So Haymitch, I see your heart is recovering," This unexpected sight of Haymich causes me to smile.
"Lucky for me he has a couple decades of pent up... kisses," says Portia playfully as she takes a seat at the foot of my bed.
Haymitch unexpectedly blushes. "Well, the danger that comes from being my friend is no longer present." He takes the chair next to my bed and takes my hand. "I'm so sorry, Katniss. We put you, Peeta, and Chaff all on the same hovercraft. There were plenty of emergency medical staff, some of whom were aware of the coup and were well prepared, but..."
My tears land on my hospital gown. "It's not your fault. Snow was going to kill us all eventually. It's a miracle that any of us survived."
With a questionable look, Haymitch turns towards Cinna who nods with approval. "Your right," says Haymitch. "They discovered that Snow had changed the rules. The original Quarter Quell did not involve past victors."
"And now there will never be another Hunger Games," insists Cinna.
"Thank goodness," praises Portia.
"Cinna, what happened to you after the Peacekeepers attacked you?" I ask.
"They took me and Portia to holding cells," he responds.
"Portia, I didn't know that you were taken too," I say.
"I wasn't ruffed up as bad as Cinna, but I thought for sure that I was going to die."
"The Peacekeepers gloated that they were to kill us when our tribute died. Snow wanted us to watch," Cinna says, wrapping a supportive arm across Portia's shoulders.
Portia chokes out a chuckle. "I thought my heart stopped shortly after Haymitch's when he walked into the force field."
"So they let you go after Snow died?" I attempt to sit up in bed with the help of Haymitch.
"No, when the power went out in the arena, the Peacekeepers began preparing for our executions. That's when he rescued us." Cinna smiles knowing that I will never guess the identity.
"Who?"
"Darius." he says.
I turn to Haymitch for conformation who nods in agreement. "How?" I demand, intrigued by this unexpected twist.
"I knew that the more friends we had," says Haymitch, "the better chance we'd have. So I pointed out to Effie that the male Avox was Darius. If she needed help, I told her that she could probably trust him."
"That was risky. You didn't even tell Peeta or me about it."
"Darius was a nice kid who stood up for Gail back home. After torture and the removal of his tongue, I knew that he'd want to get back at Snow. When the prep teams reported to Effie that Cinna and Portia had gone missing on the first day, Effie contacted Darius for help."
"How did he know where to find the arena?" I ask.
Cinna moves to the open side of my bed. "He use to be a trained Peacekeeper, he even provided security for one of the previous Hunger Games. He collected a couple other former Peacekeepers that were Avoxes and stole some uniforms. They snuck onto a transport heading to the arena and made themselves inconspicuous below ground in the support structure. By chance, they were preparing an attack on the guards when the power went out. It actually helped them ambush the guards and free Portia and me. We hid beneath the arena until the Peacekeepers were relieved by those loyal to the new government."
I fall back onto my pillow. "I must thank Darius before I go home."
"You'll have plenty of time to thank him, sweetheart," says Haymitch. "He and the Avox girl from our floor are moving to District Twelve. Um, Appalachia I mean. I'm still not use to saying that."
"Someone please tell me that all the Avoxes have been freed," I plead openly.
"They have," answers Portia.
Emotionally spent, I shut my eyes to rest. When I open them again, I find the room darkened and empty. The evening nurse comes in with a light snack and tells me that my friends will return in the morning. My mind races with thoughts, digesting all the news along with the grief. When the evening nurse thanks me for healing the country, I'm left speechless only able to return a smile, for I only intended to save Prim. Would I return things to the way they were to have Peeta back? I don't know.
The next morning, they begin physical therapy, but from my bed. They stretch my muscles to prepare me for the next day's therapy outside my room. The treatment was much more strenuous than I would have guessed.
As I wipe my upper body with a damp towel, I catch a hint of pink hair out of the corner of my eye that pulls back. I lean forward and recognize the visitor in the doorway. "Effie?"
Effie steps forward to reveal blood shot eyes and pressed lips. The grief strains her face.
"Oh Effie, come here and give me a hug."
She does and we both begin to cry. Once we compose ourselves, we order some hot chocolate and tea.
"I was supposed to protect him," chokes Effie.
"Don't, Effie. I won't let you blame yourself."
"I told Peeta to go with me into hiding," says Effie, "but he insistent on working with the sponsors. He needed to see that you were safe. They say President Snow became suspicious when Johanna, Beetee, and Wiress joined your group. They came for Peeta just after your alliance became superior to that of the career's."
I pass another tissue to Effie. "Did they harm you, Effie?"
"No, Katniss. They acted as if I wasn't there."
Our hot drinks arrive, and we both begin to relax. Effie tells me of more of the changes in the Capitol. She tells me that most people are happy for the change, though, many are worried that the changes will make some things worse. She tells me of an opposing political party that wants things to return to the way things were, but experts believe that they have no chance in the upcoming elections.
"What are you going to do now that there are no more games?" I ask.
"Oh, I've been offered a position in the new government. They want me to be the liaison for Appalachia. The new government insists on clear communications to make sure the transition runs smoothly."
"That's wonderful, Effie."
"I don't know if I'll accept the position," says Effie.
"Why not?" I ask.
Tears flow from Effie's eyes. "Because I escorted their children to their deaths."
I take her hand. "It's not your fault."
"I drew their names, Katniss. I drew your sister's!"
"Stop it, Effie. You tried to save our lives throughout the ordeal with training and guidance. They know that, and if they don't, I will make certain that everyone back home learns of it. If anyone says anything to you, they will have to answer to me."
"Thank you, Katniss. This means a lot to me." Effie finally smiles after blowing her nose.
"So, if you become liaison, will you be moving to District Twelve?"
"Um...no. Don't be mad at me. I'm a..." Effie's new sense of empathy makes me smile.
"You're a big city kind of girl," I conclude for her.
"But I intend to visit you every time I come to the area," says Effie.
"Sounds as if you've decide to take the job."
"Yes. I think it would be enjoyable," says Effie resolutely.
The next day, after my first full session of exhausting physical therapy, Cinna wheels me to a refreshing outdoor garden where Haymitch and Plutarch Heavensbee wait for me.
Plutarch kneels beside my wheelchair and expresses his condolences for the loss of Peeta. I thank him for his kindness and beg him to take a seat on the bench.
"Miss Everdeen, we will forever be in your debt," Plutarch says.
"I did not do anything. Peeta was the gifted one with the words," I sigh.
"Both of you woke up the collective conscious of the Capitol. I don't think that we could have deposed Snow's government otherwise."
I shrug and take notice of the birdsong in the garden. I'm immediately reminded of Rue.
"Well," Plutarch continues, "I don't know how much others have told you about our first decree."
"Not much. I've been fairly groggy the past couple of days."
"The new government has outlawed the Hunger Games. You and the other surviving tributes will continue to receive winnings along with permanent possession of the victor's house."
"What about Peeta's family?" I ask.
"Peeta's family will receive his winnings. In fact, all surviving family members of fallen tributes will receive compensation."
"Rue's family?"
"Yes, all of them."
This news does bring a natural smile to my face as if a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. We will never truly be able to rectify our sins."
The garden falls silent except for the birdsong.
Haymitch pats my leg. "How's therapy coming along?"
"Good. Capitol health care is quite remarkable. Too bad we don't have anything like this at home."
"You will soon," says Plutarch. "The whole country is going to change, I promise."
"Haymitch, last night I was going over our time in the arena and a nagging question puzzled me. Why did you have that old knife, the one Beetee found amongst all the new weapons in Cornucopia?" I ask.
"It was my knife from the arena 25 years ago, the one you often saw me sleep with back in our district. I asked Plutarch to sneak it in for good luck. I admit that I was also hoping to kill Snow with it."
"And you did," I sigh with relief.
"I did, yes." Haymitch looks off at the horizon and smiles, only briefly.
"Plutarch," I continue, "did you know that President Snow had come to the arena?"
"No. We had every detail planned except for Snow. That is why we had to use the bread."
"The bread we received from the sponsors?" I recall.
"Yes. When we thought that we had Snow's location pinpointed and the coup set, we forwarded the time of the coup in code by bread. District Three bread meant day three, and ten loafs meant 10 am."
"Beetee tried to find us the safest way out of the arena to safety," says Haymitch. "This is why we were at the force field at the time of the coup, so we could leave quickly."
"But the Peacekeepers were not informed as planned," says Plutarch. "Considering that we avoided civil war, I'd say the coup was a rousing success."
I lift my face to bath it in the sun as certain details in the arena flood my mind.
Plutarch looks to me and quickly tries to turn down his enthusiasm. "Katniss, I'm truly sorry that we lost any of the tributes. The games gave us our best opportunity. We knew that Snow's obsession with you and the games would distract him. At the same time, your involvement, though unknown to you, increased public support for our cause."
"Katniss, all this wasn't in vain," Haymitch says in an attempt to assure me. "Real change has come that will improve every one's life."
"I'm sure Peeta knew that he didn't die for nothing," I solemnly say. "He'd gladly give his life to help the people of the districts."
My mind tries to comprehend all that has happened, but I know that I don't feel what everyone else appears to feel.
Three more weeks passed before I became strong enough for discharged from the hospital. I thought that I was ready to leave after two weeks, but my medical team insisted on vetting the stability of the bone in my repaired spinal column. I was packed and ready by the time Cinna arrived to take me to the train station.
"Have they discharged you yet?" he asks.
"No. The doctor is giving my tests one more glance before letting me go." My hands feel clammy, which I subconsciously rub over my thighs.
"Katniss, are you worried about something?" asks Cinna.
"I'm worried about the crowds. This will be my first trip outside the hospital."
"There won't be any crowds," he says. "There are none outside the hospital when I arrived, and there won't be any at the train station."
"How do you know?" I ask.
"Your trip today has not been announced." Cinna takes my hand. "After they stabilized your wounds and were fairly certain that you'd live, Plutarch suggested that we update the people to help pacify them during the transition of government. Plutarch asked Haymitch to talk to them, but Haymitch deferred to me."
"What did you say?"
"I told them that you were grateful for there concern and for their condolences for Peeta. I told the people that you weren't even aware of the coup, you were only trying to survive, but you were happy that the games have come to a permanent end and that the future will be bright for all. I asked the crowd to give you your space and let you return to being Katniss, the girl before the reapings. How did I do?"
I squeeze his hand. "Perfect, but we both know that I will never be anything like that girl."
"You may rediscover parts of that girl over time. Sometimes change brings one around full circle. Change happens to everybody. Even I'm thinking of a change," says Cinna.
"In what way?" I ask.
"I think that District Twelve needs a little help in the fashion department. They will have their own style of course, but I could help them discover it. Working with earth tones colors would be a nice change from the Capitol's flamboyant designs. I'm so tired of the Capitol."
"Everyone hates their clothes in District Twelve, but I don't think anyone can afford it."
"They will. Sooner than later, Katniss. Change has come."
"Then by all means move to Appalachia." I say the name with quoting fingers and smile. "Everyone will be excited to have a legendary designer improving district fashion."
"I hope so." says Cinna.
"Are you coming with me on the train today?" I ask.
"No, I'll move in a few weeks. Darius and Lavinia will be traveling with you."
"Lavinia?"
"The girl Avox who served you and Peeta. She and Darius are getting married."
I gasp. "Her name is Lavinia. I've so much wanted to sit and communicate with her. When are they getting married?"
"They haven't picked a date. All I know is that they want to do it in Appalachia with you in attendance."
"Of course, I'll be there."
"Darius wanted to travel today with you and Haymitch to give you support."
"I do appreciate it." I sigh. "I won't truly relax until I'm home."
Dr. Keller enters the room smiling. "I see my favorite patient is ready to leave."
"Yes. What you've done for me is a miracle," I say.
"It was mostly you, Katniss," Says the doctor. "You've worked hard on your recovery. Speaking of, I want to go over some of your tests before you leave."
Cinna stands to leave. "I'll give you some privacy."
"You can stay," I tell Cinna.
"I'll be right back, Katniss. I'm going to check on the transportation."
After Cinna steps out, the doctor pulls up a chair and clasps her hands across her lap. "This won't take long, there's just one thing we need to discuss."
I stare out the train admiring the landscape that I thought was certain to never drift before my eyes ever again. Darius and Lavinia sit with me in the dining car, and we pass hand written notes back and forth throughout the morning. The train car is quiet since Haymitch and Portia have slept in.
I contemplate the change in atmosphere that I began to feel at the train station. I tried to discern if it was my imagination, or had things truly changed. There were no crowds as Cinna predicted, but the random person did recognize me. Most gave me a courteous nod. A couple even honored me by kissing their three middle fingers and saluting me, which I returned in kindness since I knew they were expressing their condolences for Peeta. Overall, the fury stirred up by the games has permanently dissipated.
Here on the train, I glance occasionally at Darius and Lavinia as they pass notes and practice communicating with their hands. Avoxes were prohibited from learning to communicate in any form, so now they learn from each other. When I realize that their futures will be full of optimism, I truly begin to feel the change. Not only has my nightmare ended, but so has the country's.
I step from the train and spot my family immediately. Prim and my mother hug me tight from each side.
"Katniss, you did it," beams Prim as she loosens her grip.
"I didn't do anything," I say. "Other people carefully planned the overthrow. I had no knowledge of it."
"No Katniss, you were the bravest. You showed everyone that they could be brave too." Prim hugs me again so tight as if she's afraid to lose me that second.
"How are you feeling?" asks my mother.
"Good considering. Capitol medicine can perform miracles."
"Oh Katniss! Did Effie tell you about school?" asks Prim.
"Um, no," I respond.
"One of the first things the new government wants to do is improve schools. They are opening up summer programs to expose district children to various careers. I've been accepted to go to a health care summer school next year in the Capitol," says prim excitedly.
"Really. Do you want to go to the Capitol?"
"Oh yes, for summer school anyway. Effie is going to help me. And mom says it's ok."
I look at my mother who shrugs in agreement. I comb Prim's hair. "Should I start calling you Dr. Everdeen."
"Don't be silly," laughs Prim. "But who knows."
"Welcome home, sweetheart," booms Haymitch's voice from behind.
I turn to see him approaching on the train platform alone. "Where's Portia?" I ask.
"Back in the Capitol. When she discovered that our night life mostly consisted of spirited refreshments and string instruments by a bonfire, she got homesick."
"Sorry, Haymitch," I say.
"That's ok. She may visit from time to time."
Darius and Lavinia exit the train to hugs and greetings from my family.
Haymitch announces that he has a wedding present for the young couple who have decided to make Appalachia their home. The Mayor has arranged that they receive one of the empty victor's houses in gratitude for risking their lives during the coup. Haymitch hands over the keys and takes Lavinia's bags. "Come. I'll escort you there and update you to the changes in the District."
All of us begin to leave the platform when I see someone I was hoping to see as much as my family. Sitting patiently on a bench, the baker fumbles with a white paper package. Slowly he stands, and I literally drop everything and rush into his waiting arms.
"I'm so sorry!" I wail.
"No child, he would have given his life a million times over to make sure that you made it home." Peeta's father wipes my tears as my family joins us. "I'm certain that he was proud to be part of the overthrow."
Prim gives the baker a big hug. "I'm so sorry that Peeta didn't make it home."
"Me too," he says as he pats her back.
My hands clasp together over my stomach when I try to speak, but the words don't come.
The baker smiles. "Don't worry Katniss. Haymitch told me that the pregnancy was a ruse to win over the crowd."
"Um, originally."
My mother gasps and throws her arms around me. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, the doctor discovered it before I left the hospital. She says that I'm seven weeks pregnant. She says it's a boy." Tears mixed with joy and sorrow fall from my cheeks. "I don't know if I'm ready for this."
The baker takes my hands with tears in his own eyes. "You'll do fine."
"I'll need a lot of advice, grandpa."
"Well, my first advice is to eat these cookies before Prim does," he jests.
Prim tugs on my arm as she looks past me. "Hi, Gale."
I turn to see his expression. He clearly has heard everything. For a long moment, no one speaks as the news sinks in further. I begin to ring my hands. "Gale, please don't be mad."
He smiles and takes my hands. "I'm not mad, not one bit. I'm truly happy that you two found each other that you had each other for support. Never doubt it for one moment that I'm not happy for you. Catnip, I'm truly sorry that you lost him."
I give Gale a long hug as the relief releases more of my tears.
"And if you ever need anyone to teach the little one how to set a snare or trap, let me know," says Gale.
"You know I will," I say.
"I'll be the best friend the little guy will ever have."
"You're more than a friend. You're family."
As soon as Gale and I separate, Prim dives in between us for a shared hug.
Gale chuckles. "So Prim, how does Uncle Gale sound to you?"
"Like it always has," she beams.