Wild Heart
A/N: We will see the explosive meeting of Katniss and Finnick here, as well as seeing a flashback of her first attack. Her attacker just may surprise you. Also, Cinna receives a visit from someone unexpected, and we will finally learn a bit about his past as well.
Setting: We will pick up within the Coliseum, but will move to the Train Station. The chapter will end in Cinna's room.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
∞K&F∞
Chapter 04
Those barefoot summer nights…
(Katniss' POV)
It is a most bitter cold, the thick blanket of snow biting viciously into my skin. I cannot think, I cannot move. Pain is all that I know in this moment, the sharpness of it coursing through my veins. My head has long since rolled to the side, angry tears rolling tirelessly down the center of my face. Blood is everywhere, the formerly pristine carpet now stained crimson with the steady flow of my life. Although blurry, I can just make out his still form, back pressed against the nearest tree as his hand covers a gaping wound to his midsection.
If I am going to die this day, so is he.
I close my eyes, both to will away the pain and to make sense of what is going on. It all happened so fast, so unexpectedly. He is supposed to be the one that I can trust, my rock to help me weather this endless storm of loss that is my life. Instead, he has become the scion who wishes to harken my death. The flow of tears increases exponentially as a much deeper, more terrible pain sears my insides. My nails dig into the frigid snow as my body contorts with anguish, mournful sobs erupting from my throat. His eyes have never left me until now, his shame shifting his gaze.
Gale, the man that I love…loved…
"Catnip…look at me…please…" I refuse, choosing instead to stare with empty eyes into the forest beyond.
"You have to…fuck…you have to…understand that I…I only did this to protect you…" My eyes move to lock gazes with my former lover.
"From what…" I manage bitterly. He looks me dead in my eyes as he speaks. I know then that I will someday understand, but I will both love and hate him in equal measure…
"You."
I am pulled from the depths by a pair of strong, steady hands firmly gripping my shoulders. I lock my knees to prevent me from falling forward, my mind reeling as my senses reach out to grasp and protect. At the telltale whiff of the sea, I close my eyes and let my instincts do their job. He does not expect the swift blow to his jaw, nor does he recover in time to deflect the whirling kick that follows. As I open my eyes, I settle into a defensive stance, my body prepared for anything and everything. His ocean-hued eyes are alight with the flames of rage…
He moves as if to grab ahold of me, but I dodge the motion effortlessly. Reaching back upon my jean-clad calf, I swiftly remove a hidden throwing knife, letting the weapon fly. He stumbles back as if struck, but I am no idiot. I quickly turn around and leap for the branch nearest me, pulling myself free of the water that is his preferred domain. As soon as my feet find secure purchase, I reach for the next perch. I am on my fourth branch when I finally look down. I roll my eyes as I notice him standing there, staring at me irritably with my knife dangling from his index finger.
"You would be wise to return to the earth, Everdeen," he commands smoothly. I just stare at him blankly.
"You would be wise to stay away from me," I bite angrily. He shakes his head in dismay.
"Why must you be so stubborn?"
"Why should I trust you?"
"You are a fool."
"You are a murderer."
"You know nothing about me."
"Your eyes tell me all I need to know."
"What do they say?"
"Stay away from me."
We both grow quiet then, staring intensely at one another. The sunlight catches the many droplets in his bronze hair, reflecting brilliantly just as his aquamarine irises. I take in his stance, absorbing the air that swirls about him. Unlike our first meeting, he seems to have no malicious intent. Oddly, I feel an almost apologetic air about him, a desire to make things right. I want to trust him, but I have been lied to before by the one dearest to my heart. I learned that day that no man (or woman, really, but that is not the point) can be trusted, even when he reeks with sincerity…
I descend two levels, still refusing to take to the ground as of yet. He slowly makes his way closer to the base of my tree, his eyes never once leaving mine. He is tall and muscular, his golden skin a distraction from the dangerous swell of strength. He is built strong enough to crush any man or woman with little effort, but lithe enough to spirit himself wherever he desires. For the first time in my young life, I honestly feel as if I have found an equal, someone who could actually pose even the slightest threat. It is both refreshing and irritating…
"I honestly thought you were someone else, Katniss. I may be a murderer, as you say, but I am not a killer. You have to believe that," he offers calmly. I sigh before nodding, sliding down to settle in front of him. I growl as he steps into my personal space…
"Watch it," I snap. He chuckles lightly.
"You will learn that personal space is of no importance here in the Capitol." I shake my head. This is definitely going to be a time most trying…
He moves to place his hand on my arm, but I quickly rebuff his advance. He tries again and again, and each time, I deflect his grasp. After the tenth try, I realize that this is nothing but a game to him. I punch him in the balls, halting his rather personal form of entertainment. He glares at me, but there is no real feeling behind the action. Once he returns to a standing position, he looks down at me with calm regard. I can see the wheels turning in his head, his next move being decided. There is something that he wants to say to me, but he does not know how to say it. That troubles me.
"What is going through that mind of yours...?" I realize that I have yet to learn his name.
"Finnick, Finnick Odair. I…who hurt you, dear Katniss? Someone damaged you in ways that are seemingly irreparable, yet from the ashes rose a Phoenix of impossible strength." He steps even closer now, but I refrain from knocking him senseless. He is not challenging in any way, but curious, almost childishly so…
"Do you remember what happened after I threw you to the floor?" he asks softly, leaning dangerously close. I frown as I realize that I actually do not remember…
"No," I mumble distantly. He presses his forehead to mine as his finger tilts my chin upwards. To any onlooker, it would seem as if we were about to kiss, but I can feel that that is definitely not his intent.
"You…" he begins, but something stops him. I go to question his silence, but then I notice it as well…
We quickly separate from one another, turning to look this way and that. The area has suddenly gone silent, the sun seemingly dimming into nonexistence. Slowly, a chill seeps into the area, the all-too familiar cold rolling over my bare arms. I curse softly before reaching into my boot and removing a small wooden bundle. I quickly release the twine around it, letting the weapon unfold. Strapped to the back of my other boot is a small quiver of arrows. I glance at Finnick, who is chuckling incredulously, disbelieving my need to always remain armed.
"You truly are formidable," he mutters wondrously. I smirk.
"So it seems…duck!" I bark as I notch an arrow and aim behind him. Before I can release it, though, a voice calls out from within the foliage…
I swear my heart stops beating entirely…
"Finnick! Finnick! Where the hell are…you…Katniss?" he ends in a whisper. I say nothing as I run, throwing myself into his arms with abandon.
"Peeta!" I shriek as I burying my face in the side of his neck. His strong arms encase me in his warmth.
"Oh Katniss, God have I missed you! I just…" I smile as I step back a bit to take in my childhood friend.
"You have not changed one bit, kid," I mumble warmly. He chuckles while stroking the side of my face.
"Me? You are the one who is still the most beautiful person in all of the land," he says playfully. I punch his arm lightly before reaching up to wipe away his tears.
"Shut it, Mellark. I can only guess that you felt what I felt, which is what brought you running after tall, dark, and sociopathic over here," I ask snarkily. He just shakes his head before replying.
"Yeah, but I do not understand why. There is only one other person here from District Twelve, and that is Haymitch," he says, but I know otherwise. I turn to Finnick.
"Does everything still function here?" I ask quickly. He frowns, nodding slowly.
"Yes, yes it does. Usually, Coriolanus has them decommissioned whenever he chooses to keep them. This one is one of his favorites, though, so he keeps it intact as if to keep the memory alive." I curse under my breath.
"Who would activate it and why?" Peeta asks. I laugh bitterly.
"Romulus Thread. He followed me here. You were gone by the time that he replaced Old Cray, but he instituted a reign of terror the likes never before seen in the history of our district. He wants me dead, so it only makes sense that he would spot me coming here and use it to his advantage." I roll my eyes in irritation. His ass is as good as dead when I see him next…
"How did you get here, though?" Finnick asks suddenly, his frown deepening. The look sends tremors of unease through my body.
"I was directed here by an Avox. She had a directive that said I was to come here to meet someone for training." Finnick and Peeta share a look…
"What did she look like?" Peeta asks. I look at him worriedly.
"Curly red hair and a foxlike face. I called her Foxface, although I have a feeling that she did not like it…" Both males curse rather loudly.
"She was not an Avox, Everdeen. I should have killed her a long time ago. We need to go!" Finnick barks. I go to step forward, but a sound halts my retreat. I whip around, shoving my hand against Peeta's chest…
"Katniss, we have to go! Come on…what?" I toss him a look that shuts him right up. I slowly draw my bow, notching an arrow. I hear Finnick moving behind me, but keep my eyes locked behind Peeta.
"Whatever you do, do not move, Mellark," he says slowly from my left. Clouds roll in as a light snow begins to fall. I glance over at Finnick briefly…
"This is District Twelve at its finest," I mutter quietly. He nods, frowning deeply…
"He wants to have the advantage here," he states bitterly. I chuckle darkly.
"Well, we will have to show him that he has no advantage here," I state matter-of-factly. He smiles winningly. I return my gaze back to the shadow looming behind Peeta…
"What is it?" he asks quietly.
"Wolf mutt," I whisper softly.
Making sure that my aim is perfect, I let my first arrow fly. The beast drops instantly, my arrow piercing it right between the eyes. The sound of many others resounds around us as the blanket of snow thickens around our feet. Finnick quickly rushes to Peeta's side, passing him my knife from earlier to defend himself. I hang back, notching yet another arrow in preparation of the oncoming wave of beasts. We all share a quick look, smiling daringly at one another. This is going to be a long battle, but one that we can definitely win…
"Alright boys, let us begin…"
∞K&F∞
(President Coin's POV)
I step off onto the platform, eyes sweeping the crowd swiftly. The station is bustling with activity, none of which interests me in the least bit. A quick glance to my left reveals the presence of my sole objective, my beloved informant and confidante, Cinna. He stands off to himself, wrapped in a warm brown overcoat and beanie. Being from District Thirteen, the bitter chill of this horrible place is miserable to the both of us. I cannot ever thank him enough for the many years that he has spent here at my request, watching and reporting tirelessly in these awful conditions…
"It always warms my frigid heart to see you, Cinna. Please tell me that you are well," I say warmly as we embrace. He snorts humorlessly.
"As well as can be expected, Alma. Come, let me get you inside where we can talk comfortably…freely." I nod quickly as we move towards the awaiting transport.
The ride is comfortably silent, as per usual when we are in one another's company. Cinna is a born native of District Thirteen to a dear friend of mine and her husband. After the unfortunate bombing of our great homeland, I took the then-orphaned child as my own. I raised him to hate the Capitol and Snow, molding him into the great asset that he is. I glance down at the many scars covering his hands. He trained long and hard, fighting and sometimes killing for his survival. The fools here do not appreciate the stylists and Prep Teams here, nor do they suspect how dangerous every one of them really is…
All of them are either born or adopted natives of District Thirteen.
As the car comes to a stop, I mentally prepare myself for the evening ahead. I will spend the better part of my day with Cinna, learning of any important changes that may affect the wonderful plans that I have for this place. Afterwards, I will retire rather bitterly to the Presidential chambers. You know, my mother always told me that wedded bliss was nothing more than a fool's fantasy. It took me to enter into the unfortunate union with Coriolanus Snow to realize exactly what she meant. Sure, it was a political (as well as vengeful) move on my part, but it has not been a pleasant decision.
I may be a manipulative bitch, but he is an evil asshole of the worst kind…
"Here we are," he says calmly. I was so wrapped up within my own thoughts that I did not notice we had arrived…
"Thank you," I say as I step inside. I head directly to the lounge where a glass of wine awaits. I toss him a gracious smile as I notice the fireplace going…
"I know you well, Alma, so I took the necessary precautions. Let me get comfortable, and then we shall talk," he says as he moves about. I shrug indifferently; a woman with her wine is a happy woman.
Kicking off my heels, I lean back and relax. Back home, there is never really any time to partake in such a luxury, the demands of production and underground living holding the bulk of my time hostage. The bitter feeling of jealously rears its ugly head as I think of how my beloved people are forced to remain hidden below the surface, rarely able to enjoy the wonders of surface life that these pitiful wretches take for granted. It would be far too easy to simply bomb this Hellhole, what with Thirteen's specialty in nuclear weaponry. No. I want to make them suffer…
"Green is not your color," chides Cinna as he moves to lay beside me. I laugh lightly.
"You really do know me well, huh," I mumble distantly. He just shakes his head at my expense.
"So, where should I start?" he asks quietly. I shrug.
"Wherever you would like, my dear. Any new Tributes?" The one blessing that my people enjoy is their permanent exclusion from participating in the Hunger Games.
"As a matter of fact, yes, a volunteer, no less." Now, I am intrigued…
"People still do that?" I ask curiously. He nods his head solemnly.
"Yes. This one, though, this one is of great interest. I take it the name Everdeen has some meaning for you?" All movement stops for a moment, but I recover rather quickly. I take a deep draw from my glass…
"A bit. How is she handling her time here?" I ask dryly. He levels me with a blank stare…
"She is already making waves. She managed to threaten Thread, anger your husband, and make her way to meet Finnick…" My glass falls from my hand, landing on the carpet. I close my eyes, taking in the information shared…
"First off, I will have your carpet cleaned this evening. Secondly, she…how did she…Finnick?" He nods in response.
"She effortlessly deciphered the maze and made her way to him. He almost made her another victim, but she held her own and was able to come out relatively unscathed. I do imagine, though, that should she ever see him again, he is as good as dead." I purse my lips, my fingers gripping the arms of my seat tightly.
Finnick was my wonderful husband's answer to all of his problems. Young, beautiful, and deadly, the boy would be the greatest weapon in his arsenal: a living, breathing Scion of Death. I have never really favored such vile tactics, especially given the existence of the human conscience. Even with all of my operatives, I still maintain a fair amount of arms to swiftly dismiss my enemies. After witnessing the many deaths the young man racked up, I knew that something had to be done, a counter-measure, if you will. Thus, my visit to District Twelve.
I had heard rumors of a brave young girl who was the heart and soul of that district, one who could stand against anything and everything. Of course, being the woman that I am, I sought her out. When I first laid eyes upon her, I was stunned into silence with her beauty, even at such a young age. Everyone made it a point to at least offer the smallest of gazes when she walked through. I also witnessed her burgeoning skills as a survivalist, thanks to her father. Just as Finnick was Snow's answer, Katniss would be my answer…
Sadly, it was not to be.
To this day, I am not quite sure who tipped him off, but someone informed Coriolanus of my visit and subsequent intentions. In a rage that I had never seen him in, he had the girl's parents slaughtered, as well as a few citizens who were especially close to her. Haymitch Abernathy, a former Victor, was then pulled from his drunken self-imposed exile of misery to go and kill the girl and her sister. He could not do it, though, and fled back to the Capitol. I honestly expected Snow to kill him, but we both knew that was exactly what Abernathy wanted. Instead, he was made to live with his failure, becoming Effie's associate to watch the endless parade of Tributes march towards death.
"It seems her father taught her well. I am more than a little surprised that she is still even alive. My husband was damned and determined that she die. I can understand, I guess, what with my wanting her to kill both him and his beloved little whore. I wonder if he even remembers her…" Cinna snorts derisively.
"He does not. His inability to kill her troubled him so much that his mind blocked it out. While it may seem like a good thing now, it may prove to be detrimental to your goals later on. Should she force him to remember, he will go after her no holds barred, forcing her to retaliate. From what I have come to know of Katniss, she is not one to take lightly in any manner." I frown, knowing that I definitely will have to accord for this.
"I want her to kill him, you know. His reign has far exceeded its lifetime." I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest and staring blankly across the room.
"Did you ever really love him?" Cinna asks curiously. I sigh bitterly.
"That is subjective," is all I say.
While I am beyond elated that Katniss managed to survive long enough to make it here, I am frustrated by the fact that I have not been able to reach out to her. I am also somewhat leery of the fact that she has come into contact with Finnick. This can be dangerous, very dangerous. Although he would never consider it, I could easily see Finnick betraying Snow for Everdeen. She is a seductress, even though she has no clue of that particular attribute. Unlike many leaders before me, I refuse to capitalize off of that, mindful of the chance for disaster when it comes to infatuation…
"Come, Cinna, let us get this carpet taken care of before I must retire to Hell for the evening."
∞K&F∞
Here are a few things to note about this chapter:
Snow and Coin have been married since the destruction of Thirteen.
Coin is unaware of Gale's attack on Katniss, as is Snow.
Coin has a deep hatred for what Finnick is, but not for Finnick himself.
She still wants him dead, however, for security.
Katniss is always armed.
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