Peeta's POV
She is here!
Right in front of me.
My heart is beating a million miles a minute as her gray eyes meet with mine. She is even more beautiful than I remember. My mind had not done her justice.
Shock crosses her face and she turns to run the other way. She is quick on her feet but my legs are longer and her dress inhibits her running. I quickly catch her arm and hold it tightly.
"Please wait.'' I say in my softest and most gentle voice. "I can't stop thinking about you." Her whole body is tense and she is poised to run the minute I let go. She doesn't look inclined to speak anytime soon.
"I know you were working with Everdeen. I know you aren't really Delly Cartwright. Please I need to know who you are."
"I can't tell you that. I'm sorry." She responds, her voice is hard.
"What are you doing out here in the woods." I question.
"I…umm… was lost." She stumbles over her words.
"Do you need help finding your way back?" Maybe I'll be able to gain new insights about her.
"No!'' she replies quickly.
"You are so mysterious." I mumble.
"I'm sorry your highness but I really must beg you to let me go." She pleads.
I turn her and grip her hands. "I can't do that miss. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Your eyes are all I see when I close mine." This is true, for years her eyes have plagued my mind. "Your beauty has captivated me completely." Her eyes are boring into mine the way they always do in my dreams. I am mesmerized, without thinking I lean my head forward and hold her gaze steadily. Her eyelashes flutter and her breathing hitches. Just as our lips are about to connect she pulls back.
"I'm sorry, I can't. I just can't."
I notice the sun is beginning to set, if I don't leave now I won't make it back to camp before the sun sets completely.
"You need somewhere to stay tonight. Come with me." I grab her hand and lead her away. I keep our pace quick.
She tugs at my hand protests. "I can't, please let me go."
"I am not leaving you out here tonight." I continue pulling her along behind me, and panic grows on her face. I wonder why, what has is causing this fear? When we reach the camp the sun is minutes away from setting and they already lit a fire in the center of the clearing that lies below the huts in the trees. As we walk into the clearing everyone's eyes look our way in shock.
Katniss POV
My heart is still running wild from the moment he found me in the woods. And almost kissing him didn't help, especially after he said such wonderful things. And now it is beating harder than before as we near the camp. How are we going to play this one off? He has a tight grip and there is no way to get away from him now. As we break into the clearing all eyes fall on us. Two female sets of eyes are open wide with recognition and happiness. The rest are wide with shock and horror. They are thinking the same thing, what are we going to do? Marvel and Thresh aren't in the clearing so they must be gathering firewood.
"Oh Peeta you found her!" Annie shrieks.
Peeta's face breaks into a smile as he looks down at me. His eyes are full of emotion. My heart flutters. Why does he have this effect of me? I hear footsteps and laughter approaching from the west side of camp. As Thresh and Marvel take in the scene in front of them Thresh's eyes begin to mirror the rest. But before he can't stop him Marvel greets us. "
"Hey Peeta! Hey Katniss!" As my name leaves his lips I see the realization cross his eyes.
I allow myself a fleeting glance at Peeta. His eyes are growing cloudy with confusion. I can see that he is taking in the horror on everyone's faces.
"Katniss?" He looks at me. "Your name is Katniss?"
I smile weakly and nod.
"But how?" He glances around the fire making eye contact with all the panic ridden faces. "What is going on here?!"
Nobody makes a move to say anything.
"I demand to know what is going here!"
"I don't know what you are talking about son." Haymitch pipes up. "We are just all surprised to see…this girl we've heard so much about."
"But Marvel knew her name…"
"Uhh… we grew up in the same village." Marvel tries to add to our cover.
"But you said there aren't any villages for miles. And she was wandering in the woods. Something is not right there is something you aren't telling me."
I look over and notice Finnick still has his face covered with his hood. He still hasn't confronted Annie. The sun has set and the fire is now our only source of light. Tension is thick in the air as everyone sits down to eat.
An hour of awkward silence passes before Peeta speaks up again. "Wasn't Everdeen supposed to be back before sunset?" Everyone sits straighter and the tension doubles. "Shouldn't we be worried? What if he was caught? My mother's soldiers could have caught him! Shouldn't we go looking for him?"
"Oh I'm sure Everdeen is fine. He probably just…" Gale says. There is a long pause as Gale can't think of anything to say.
"See that's my point. From the pause I can see that Everdeen is never late like this. And all the tension in this atmosphere I know you are all worrying."
We all spread out to search the forest. I try to make my way over to where my clothes and bow are hidden but when I get there they are gone. Crap! No, no, no! This can't be happening. I run back to the fire and wait for everyone to return. Peeta is the last to arrive and he is holding a bundle in his arms.
"Guys I found Everdeen's bow, arrows, and cloak. I think he is in serious trouble. What are we going to do?"
Finnick comes to stand beside me then he mumbles, "I don't think we can keep this up much longer Kat." I allow a glare to slip his way.
"Can't keep what up much longer… Kat." Johanna's voice drips with venom behind us. She approaches from the shadows of the forest. Peeta came over at the sound of Johanna's voice.
"What's going on Jo?" She glares suspiciously and says, "This one whispered something about how they couldn't keep something up much longer."
Peeta's questioning eyes land on Finnick and I.
"What the hell is going on here?" His voice is raised which is odd; I have yet to hear him do that. By the looks of it he doesn't raise his voice often because Johanna's eyes are shocked.
"Don't make me ask this again. What the hell is going on here?"
Finnick looks at me from underneath his cloak. "Sorry Kat." Finnick throws back his hood and Annie's gasp is heard throughout the camp. "I'm sorry Annie." He smiles at her. "Ok so this is how it is. Everdeen is fine. We all know where he is. There is no need to panic. Unfortunately I can't tell you who he is or anything like that. However we do need to get Katniss here," He gestures to me, "out before Everdeen arrives. He'll be furious if he sees her here. Please don't ask for to many details I can't explain to in-depth until I know you better. I need to know if we can trust you first. I'm sure you understand after all he is most wanted person in Panem." Peeta's expression is puzzled but he nods and seems to accept it.
"But I will tell you this…" Finnick's eyes dart quickly to mine before leaning close to Peeta and speaking quietly. Thankfully I've trained my ears to pick up on even the slightest sound and so it is not difficult to overhear. "Everdeen is… in love….with Katniss." I have to hold back a choked laugh. Finnick is trying to cover our tracks but still this cover story is quite ridiculous. "I'm sorry. He's very protective of her. He works hard to keep her hidden and protected. He'd be furious if he found out she'd been wandering the woods alone, especially if he found out she'd been here…that you had found out about her. We must get her out of here. Now."
Finnick escorts me out into the woods and I change back into my proper outfit. Finnick leaves before me and then after what felt like an hour I returned to the camp. Everyone was still sitting around the fire. Happy chatter filled the air, and I was greeted as I approached the fire. My hood still pulled far over to cover my face. I never approach the fire. Just standing far enough away to feel the heat. I notice that Johanna isn't sitting near the fire. She must have gone to bed. Everyone else is still awake. Finnick is sitting beside Annie and they both look blissful. He must have explained everything to her. He's holding her hand and she has rested her head on his shoulder. They looked good together, and Finnick had rarely looked this happy. He's falling hard and fast for her; I just hope she is too.
I climb the ladder and retreat to the smallest hut, alone. It's strange sleeping without Rue and Madge. But everyone agreed that for appearances it would be best to have me alone. I lie on my cot and wish for sleep.
Peeta POV
Finnick leads the beautiful, and even more mysterious, Katniss from the camp and returns shortly afterwards. She can't be far away.
The news that she is with Everdeen, belongs to him, makes my heart ache. I had momentarily allowed myself to believe that I had found her. Finally found her…and that she could possibly be mine. I felt something in the time we spent together at the ball and I could've sworn she did too. I'd let myself get swept up into the fantasy that she could possibly feel or come to feel the same way I do for her. Now I know that will never be. She is Everdeen's and I need his help. He is my only hope against my mother.
The murmurs around the camp pull me from my despair. I follow the eyes of the others and see the cloaked figure coming into camp. Everdeen has returned.
He strides purposefully into the camp, his brown boots flicking out from his cloak. His cloaked head nods in acknowledgement before he scales the rope ladder to the huts above. His bow and quiver slung over his shoulder. He disappears into his hut.
When the fire dies down we all head up the ladder ourselves and retire to our huts. Everdeen has the smallest hut to himself. The girls have their own hut and the rest of us are split between the remaining two sleeping huts. I am rooming with Finnick, Gale and Thresh. It's strange…these rowdy men who wrestle like brothers and laugh together. It is so different from the cold walls and loneliness of the castle. This group feels like a family. It's comforting to be around that again.
I fall asleep with a smile on my face, feeling comfortable and happy for the first time in so long. The blackness surrounds me and pulls me into a contented sleep.
"Get up." A voice grunts as a boot nudges me in the side. I groan and sit up. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Gale stands over me, hovering as he waits for me to stand.
"There's a carriage on the north road. We need to intercept it. We have to leave now." He says sternly.
"We?" I ask quizzically.
"Yes we." He grunts and nearly rolls his eyes. "You wanted to join Everdeen. This is what joining Everdeen means. Now get up. We must hurry." With that he tromps from the hut.
I mentally slap myself. Of course this is what it means to join Everdeen! I knew that. I must have seemed so stupid.
I pull on my tunic and boots, they are much scratchier and worn that what I am used to but I have never felt more comfortable. They are freeing and unrestrictive. They remind me what I am now fighting for. Freedom.
I slide down the ladder and turn to face the group. Gale and Everdeen stand away from the group, close together, and heads bowed in discussion.
Johanna, Madge, Thresh, Chaff, Haymitch, Cato and Marvel are all standing around sharpening weapons or grabbing bags.
Finnick and Annie are standing chest to chest. Her hands resting on his shoulders, his are gripping her forearms. They both wear dopey grins as they stare into each other's eyes.
Beetee and Rue will stay back with Annie. Beetee plans to work on the strategies for overthrowing the Queen. Rue will help Annie gather foods and such for dinner.
"Alright let's go." Gale snaps. Everdeen is already striding towards the horses tied up outside of the camp.
Gale pulls Johanna up behind him onto his horse. Everdeen does the same with Madge. Everyone else grabs their own horses and Finnick pulls me up behind him. I should feel humiliated that I am riding in the same position as the girls but I know that I have yet to prove my loyalty to them, to Everdeen.
We set off, galloping through the woods. Everdeen leads the charge and we head to what I presume is the north road.
We ride for what feels like hours and my butt is getting sore. We're racing through the forest, often dodging trees and low branches. I know we are near when Everdeen rides his horse close to a low hanging branch, stands on the saddle and leaps into the tree. He grabs the branch and swiftly swings through the branches. Madge grabs the reigns and suddenly everyone breaks off. Everyone dismounts and the horses are tied to trees.
"Follow me." Finnick speaks softly. I tread as quietly behind him as I can. But from his flinching I can tell it is not quiet enough.
We wait in silence for a long while before the sound of the carriage makes its way down the road.
Eerie silence takes over. Finnick is still as a stone and from the corner of my eyes I can see that Everdeen is too.
The sounds of the carriage grow louder and Everdeen shifts position slightly, readying his arrow and poising to shoot.
"Ready?" Finnick asks. I nod though I am still unsure of what he wishes me to do. "Keep your hood up. We can't risk recognition, especially you. Do not kill, unless you or another member will die if you do not. Capture, bind, gag, and blindfold. Then take what you can. Try not to get in anyone else's way but still keep an eye out for the other in case they need your help. Got it?" He murmurs. I nod again.
Thunk!
Everdeen's arrow lands in the wheel and the carriage jolts to a stop. Sounds of panic arise from within and the driver looks terrified. He immediately abandons the carriage and dashes into the woods.
Cloaked figures converge on the carriage. I am one of them. There are only two nobles in the carriage. They do not put up a fight. Easily they are bound to a tree to wait until someone finds them. It won't be long; someone will be along this road within the day.
We gather what we can, what we need to provide for the poor. We mount the horses again and we ride for who knows where. This is my kingdom and I don't have any idea where we are headed.
"Where are we going?" I whisper to Finnick.
"The black market of course." Finnick chuckles deeply
"The black market? What is that?" Confusion floods my mind.
"It is a secret location where traders and sellers can exchange illegal goods. It is affectionately known as the Hob." Finnick looks over his shoulder and laughs.
"From the look on your face I'm guessing you never knew about it."
I nod dumbfoundedly. No I had never heard of it. I always wondered how Everdeen managed to get all those gold coins from the possessions they steal. I know that nobles rarely carry large sums of money with them for reasons such as theft.
"Well then you are in for quite the surprise. Keep your hood pulled low. You most definitely cannot be recognized here."
We enter the Hob, each of us with our own amount of the spoils to trade. I follow Finnick around. He barters and haggles with the many vendors. It confuses me how this all works so I turn to Finnick and ask.
"Finnick how do these vendors have so much money to use in these trades?"
"Simple. We sell to them and they in turn sell to the nobles in surrounding kingdoms. Also there are many nobles who frequent the Hob themselves. Such as the Mason's and occasionally the Cresta's."
"Johanna and Annie's parents?" I ask astonished.
Finnick nods. "Yeah I was surprised to find that out as well. I've passed the Mason's and Cresta's before I knew that they had daughters…and now those daughters have joined our little gang! What a small kingdom right?" Finnick jests and continues to barter for coins.
I look around the Hob and observe the interactions of the others around me. I can see the respect and awe that follows Everdeen as he wanders through the Hob. I wonder if any one here has ever seen his face…
Clearly everyone knows exactly who he is. Some of them have the honor of speaking with him. I watch their faces as they speak with him, sometimes the conversations are serious. Some are sad and Everdeen places a hand upon their shoulder and you can see the hope he brings. Some are happy and filled with laughter. I never hear Everdeen's laugh but I can see his shoulders shaking. It amazes me the effect one man can have.
I look around the Hob and observe the interactions of the others around me. I can see the respect and awe that follows Everdeen as he wanders through the Hob. I wonder if any one here has ever seen his face…
Clearly everyone knows exactly who he is. Some of them have the honor of speaking with him. I watch their faces as they speak with him, sometimes the conversations are serious. Some are sad and Everdeen places a hand upon their shoulder and you can see the hope he brings. Some are happy and filled with laughter. I never hear Everdeen's laugh but I can see his shoulders shaking. It amazes me the effect one man can have.
A smile plays upon my lips when Everdeen bends down to speak with a young girl in tattered clothes. I see him pull a small pouch, filled with coins I assume, and hands it to the young girl. Her face lights up with gratitude and she launches herself at the cloaked man. Gently Everdeen pats her on the back with his gloved hand. He truly is remarkable.
"Ugh." A man's voice exclaims as his body collides with mine. Our bodies fall to the floor upon impact. He groans, I groan. I can feel where a bruise will appear on my hip in due time.
"I'm sorry good sir." The man's voice begins his apologies as he turns to me.
Recognition lights his face and I scramble to cover my face with my hood once again. But it is to late.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! I hope it's going well for all of you. I know personally I can't wait till exams are finished! Anyways! Here's another chapter! I hope you are all enjoying the story and I hope this chapter meets any expectations. Read and review! Let me know, I love hearing from you all.