"The war is over now, but there's nothing left here to love. I'm taking my family into the mountains. We've heard whispers that the air is cleaner there. That plants still grow and animals still wander. We'll make a new home there to love even more."

- Benjamin Greene (age 42)

The Daily News Archives

Chapter Two: The Plan

"What now?"

Haymitch, who had been steadily watching me process the news, slapped his hands down upon his knees and stood quickly. The sound was so sharp after the deathly silence that I jumped in my chair.

"Now, we plan." He smiled down at me and for some strange reason I thought that maybe I could survive this after all.

"Do you know how? How they want to kill me, I mean? Do I have a chance, or will they hurt Prim? I'd rather they cut me to pieces then see them hurt her."

"Whoa, whoa. Slow down, Sweetheart. I have to admit I don't know much yet. Only what I've heard whispered about before leaving the Capitol. Things among the sponsors and my fellow mentors from other districts. Some of the game employees too. In fact, the only reason I said anything already is because I don't know much. You need to be on your guard now until I can get more information. When that'll be? I don't know yet, but soon." He told me.

"Why?" I whispered into my lap.

"What's that?"

I looked up, "Why are you helping me? What do you get out of it!?" By the end I was practically yelling at him.

"Why you? Well it's certainly not because of your glittering personality. Maybe because I hate watching little kids die every year. Maybe I want to stick it to the man. Or maybe it's just because if even an inch of what Peeta saw in you is real, then I don't want you to die. That's right, Sweetheart. I heard all about you from lover boy long before his soulful confession was broadcasted across Panem. In fact, you were virtually all he talked about. Couldn't get the poor boy shut up about Katniss this, and Katniss that. He loved you, whether or not you felt the same doesn't matter now. For him I'll keep you alive. I guess that's the reason why."

Peeta. Everything seems to come back to Peeta now. Was he really in love with me? Haymitch seems to think so and Peeta admitted to loving me during the games as well. I'm kind of stunned that I never noticed before. I guess I was always so caught up in the fact that I owed him to look at him as more. I guess I loved Gale if I thought about it. Not romantically, no, but I loved him more than anyone but Prim. Could I have loved Peeta back? If he hadn't been reaped would we be together now? No. Probably not. Sure if I thought on it I found him attractive enough, blond hair and blue eyes. His body had been well built from carting around sacks of flour and all the lifting he had to do at the bakery. Yes, physically attractive for sure, but personality wise? Peeta was kind and generous and soft. Too soft hearted. I would have broken him.

"I didn't love him back. I couldn't love him back. I'm broken." I confessed.

"Yeah, I didn't think so and I doubt he did either. Doesn't change what he felt though and because of that I'll do whatever I can to keep you alive. For now, don't break the rules. Watch what you say to anyone, even family and close friends. Assume they are always watching and listening. That means no more hunting."

I darted up out of my seat and it clattered behind me in my rush to escape. He knew.

"Yeah, I know about that. You can't bring in food from outside and expect people not to know about that. Especially when you sell to Peacekeepers." He was watching me with a smile of amusement about his eyes and mouth that made me wish for my bow again.

"I'd be dead already without that food." I would. Prim and Mom too.

"Peacekeepers, though? Really?"

"They pay the most." I replied hotly.

"I'm sure they do, but for now, let's cut out any forays into the forest, okay? Let your forest buddy know the same. I'm not sure if they'll be watching him too or not, but better not risk it," said Haymitch.

"I won't be able to stop him. Gale has his brothers and sister to feed just as much as I have Prim. Plus, he hates the Capitol. Telling him that they're going to be watching his every move is tantamount to telling him they want him dead too. He'll rebel Haymitch."

I knew it was true too. Gale hated the Capitol and after his talk before the last reaping about running away, I feared this time even my staying behind wouldn't stop him from doing something stupid and getting himself killed.

"Fine, then tell him you overheard talk amongst the Peacekeepers that they might be keeping the fence wired all day now. The fear of being stuck on the other side of the wall should slow him down for a bit."

I nodded slowly, thinking that it just might work. If Gale thought he might get separated from him family then even he wouldn't risk it. At least not right away.

"Do you think that'll hold him for long enough before we have more information? He won't wait forever, especially if the fence doesn't go live after a few days."

"You certainly know him better than I do, and if you think he can't handle the truth then it's doubtful this little tale can hurt. Keep him away for as long as you can. I should have something new to tell you within the week. Hopefully."

The lack of assurance in that statement was disheartening but I decided to ignore it. One week. I can keep Gale away for that long. I have money saved from some of my larger kills that I had traded in recently. Usually I bartered with the Hob, but I tried to sell off a little every month for change in case of emergency. Ironically enough, the money came from the same Peacekeepers Haymitch wanted me to avoid. I would use the money to buy the food we didn't have dried and stored. Hopefully it would be enough and Gale could do the same. One week, I repeated to myself.

"Okay. Any other advice?"

"None. I'll be in touch. Remember to keep your head down."

I was left standing there as he walked past me toward the door. When I turned to follow him with my eyes I saw as he lifted his arm in the air and gave it a little wave in farewell before reaching in front of him to shove open the screen door. It smacked behind him and once again I was alone.

Now what? I thought. I turned back around again and lifted my chair, righting it from its fallen position on the floor. I then tidied up around me before sitting down to wait. Prim would be home soon and now I needed to see her with my own eyes. I'd do whatever it took to keep my sister safe. Even if it meant I had to die.

I didn't sleep that night. I lay in bed, with Prim curled into my side, my eyes staring blindly at the ceiling. I'd already had to calm my breathing more than once tonight as my thoughts got away from me. I'd decided not to tell Prim or Mom about Abernathy's visit. So little was known yet and Prim was so sensitive. Unfortunately, that left me with little outlet for the words that were dying to spill from my mouth. I found myself foolishly wishing for a Mother who didn't abandon us to her grief. So that I could curl up into her side like Prim did with me, and she'd stroke my hair lovingly telling me that everything would be alright.

Tears started to burn at the corner of my eyes and my chest started to tighten as I fought to keep in my cries. I had to inhale slowly in and out to calm myself so I wouldn't wake my sister.

I carefully edged out from my wedged position to turn on my side; my body angled away from Prim and now facing the door. No, nothing was alright though I thought. My mind whispered to me, I'm dead.

The tears fell now in rivulets down my cheeks. My eyes closed.

I'm dead.

Dawn broke and my eyes were tired and itchy from last night. A quick scrub down of my face and hands and then I was dressed and ready to go. Prim was still sound asleep in the bed and the house was silent so I assumed Mom was too. I had donned my standard hunting outfit mostly out of habit and comfort. Today I had to convince Gale that the Peacekeepers really were planning to turn on the fence. I'd decided sometime last night that I would cut through the market by where the Peacekeepers usually stationed themselves in the morning to add a certain truth to my statement. The less I had to lie to Gale, the better.

I stopped to grab some of the dried meat and nuts we kept in the kitchen as well as some water before I left. Then I grabbed Father's jacket from the coat rack, swung it over and onto my shoulders before setting out the door.

My path took me from the edge of the Seam where we lived and toward the town square where the market was located. My plan was to tell Gale that my Mom had asked me to pick up some special herbs from the local apothecary that didn't grow in our woods. Since Gale and my Mom never interacted unless absolutely necessary, I figured this was probably the safest reason for why I'd deviate from my regular behavior. Not that Gale would ask, but I figured having an excuse on hand was better then looking like a deer at the end of my bow, about to meet its end.

Nearly there I slowed my pace to a crawl as I walked by the Peacekeepers, listening in just in case there was actually something worth knowing.

"...So then I was telling Jonah that if his wife thought tha..."

Nothing except drivel, but I hovered around the area for a moment or two just in case. I had to pretend to look in a store window or two but this way there was another thing I could tell Gale I did honestly. I hate to lie. Almost everything about our lives in Panem was a lie now, the Hunger Games being the worst of it.

Having wasted enough time standing around to make a plausible alibi, I set off at a quick pace back toward the Seam and Meadow that I usually met Gale in every morning before we went hunting.

Sure enough, he was already waiting for me, arms crossed over his broad chest as he leaned against a nearby tree.

"Little late today, huh Catnip?"

"Some of us actually have things to do everyday Gale that don't involve standing around." I replied.

We were smiling at each other now and the feeling of peace that always shows around Gale was surrounding me once more. Gale and I had become friends after our fathers died together in the mines. He found me one day out in the woods, hunting. Since then we've taken to going hunting together, Gale with his fishing and snares and me with my bow and arrows. After hunting we'd take our kills to the Hob, our black market, to trade and sometimes around town to some of the stores as well. I sold to Peeta's family too. His father always bought my squirrels without fail. I shook my head, clearing it. I felt like every thought came back to Peeta now. Would I ever be clear of him?

"Gale we need to talk. Not here though." I abruptly grabbed his arm around the wrist, and after looking left and right first, dragged him away and towards a more private alcove. The field we usually met by left us too far in the open, and just in case Haymitch was right and they really were watching me, I wanted to be as far away as I could from the place we usually used to cross over into the woods.

I dragged him along for maybe a minute or two until we reached a spot that was a little more wooded and less close to the fence. Gales' feet had plodded along behind me in defiance at being pulled anywhere.

"Geez, Catnip. What's the big deal anyway?" He finally asked when I let go. He even made a big show of rubbing his wrist where I grabbed him and giving me this sad little look like I hurt him. Baby.

"Hush, Gale. I'm trying to be serious."

"Alright, alright! What's wrong?" He said, giving me his complete attention.

"The Peacekeepers said the fence is going live Gale."

There, I said it. Just spat it out super quick.

"The Peacekeepers said? What were you doing talking to Peacekeepers, Katniss?"

Shoot, that didn't come out right. Longer explanation it is then.

"I wasn't talking to the Peacekeepers, Gale. I meant I overheard them. I had to go to the market this morning for Mother and when I was walking by I heard a little and decided to stick around to hear some more. Gale, they said that the Capitol is tightening security and that the fence is going to have electricity running through it all day, everyday now. They're turning it on Gale."

I tried to look as earnest as I could. I'm not lying, I'm not lying, I'm not lying; chanting it over and over in my head and looking Gale straight in the eye. It could happen after all. Snow could easily choose to do this as punishment. Please believe me.

Gale looked deep in thought for a moment before speaking.

"How sure are you? Did they say when, Catnip?"

"I'm sure. They didn't say when but I think it could be as early as today, Gale. We can't go hunting. You can't go hunting, Gale. We can't risk it."

He looked away from me and toward the fence before speaking.

"I don't know Katniss. I need that food. My family needs that food. What else am I suppose to do?"

He still wasn't looking at me and I knew I'd have I to do something more to get him to stay. Please Gale, forgive me.

I took a step closer to him and reached out toward his face; Gale towered over me in height but this I could manage. I cupped his cheek in my hand and slowly pushed his face back to look into my eyes. This was wrong, oh god I knew it was wrong. This was taking advantage in ways that I've never before admitted to.

"Please, Gale. Please, for me? Don't go." I whispered softly. My eyes had even begun to water slightly.

He looked at me closely now; his eyes piercing into my mine. My hand was still holding against his cheek and I both watched and felt his sudden sharp intake of breath. No, no, no my mind whispered. I'm so sorry.

"Okay, Katniss. For you." He whispered back.

There was no denying it now. Gale was in love with me and just now I had made him believe I loved him back. I'm so sorry, but if it keeps you alive I'd do most anything.

"No hunting?"

"No hunting," he replied.

That was it. He was safe for now and I had possibly managed to ruin the best friendship I've ever had. When he found out, because I knew he would, I doubted he'd ever speak to me again. There were some things even I couldn't do, so making him believe that I returned his feelings was one thing. I don't know what I'd do if he actually tried to act on it by kissing me. Probably shove him away instead of kissing him back and that would put everything back into its true perspective. Then the truth would have to come out. I wanted desperately to sigh aloud. Instead I lowered my hand slowly and took a step back.

"Okay. So here's what I think we should do instead." I outlined my plan of using the saved money to buy food we didn't already have stored and he agreed with me.

"We'll have to tell our families. They need to know that we have to be careful how much we eat for a while."

Gale was right. Prim and Mom would have to know in order for this idea to succeed.

"You're right. I'm going to head back now to let them know that we need to be careful what we spend until we have a better idea of how to make up for the lack of hunting."

"I guess it's good thing I'm old enough to work in the mines now."

Gale says it in a joking tone but we both know what he really means. The mines are dangerous on the best of days and Gale had been avoiding signing up for as long as possible. Technically you could sign up to work the mines as early as 18 years of age. Gale had just turned 19 recently and I had known that he'd been thinking about it, but with 12 hour shifts he'd only be able to hunt on Sundays. Plus, if he died or was injured severely enough, one of his younger brothers would have to sign up for extra tessera to bring in food. Hunting in the woods turned out to be safer in the end up to this point.

Extra tessera means a larger chance of being chosen as the next tribute for the Hunger Games. Gale had refused that option for his younger brother Rory, who is the same age as Prim and only eligible as of this last game. As the last game was Gales final game, his name had been added a total of 42 times. Now that he was 19 though, he couldn't sign up for any tessera. Only those in the reaping of 12-18 could choose this option. He would have to work the mines regardless if he wanted to avoid his younger brothers signing up for tessera to feed all five of them in the future.

"I guess so," I said back, because it was true. There weren't any other options for kids who grew up in the Seam but the mines. For families like my own, where there were no men, options were even harder as we weren't allowed the hard labor of the mines. Most tended to starve to death or were eventually killed for stealing. Of course my Mother had the option of work when Father had died, but her depression almost killed all of us when we began to starve after the one month period of free food gave out. The Capitol was only so generous to grieving widows. It was virtually impossible for women to get a well paying job anyway. They all went to the wealthier families from Town first.

"Well, I guess that's it then, Catnip. I'll see you later then?" His tone is hopeful, and the look he's giving me is more than I ever wanted.

"Sure Gale." My response is weak and my smile wobbles slightly at the corners of my mouth.

He nods and starts to walk off before stopping abruptly.

"I'll sign up starting tomorrow morning, early, and I'll probably be at work the very next day."

He's not looking at me but I try to smile anyway.

"Alright. Good luck."

He nods and continues on. I stay there watching him leave and follow him long after he's out of sight. I'm still reeling from our talk and what I had to imply to get him to agree to stay away. Now I can only hope that it works. Stay safe Gale.

A/N: As you can tell, I've taken certain liberties with the Hunger Games trilogy as far as information goes. I'm pretty sure they never truly said women can't work in the mines and I know Gale and Katniss always met in the woods, not out of them. These changes are purposeful to meet where I want this story to go. Please take these changes as they are meant. This story is in no way an exact re-telling of Catching Fire, starting with the death of Peeta. The changes will get even more pronounced as I go on.

On the other hand, if you notice a glaringly obvious mistake, like when I posted 64th instead of 74th my last two chapters, please leave me a review to point this out. Thank you to the reviewer who did so already. I don't have a Beta yet, so although I do read through a couple times before I post, I will make these mistakes.

Please take the time to review so I know what you think.

Thank you!

P.S. Expect Cato to make an appearance after the next chapter or possibly two at most.

Coming soon on Caught: The Announcement