Chapter Thirteen: Promises and Apologies Peeta POV The journey through the tunnel was a quiet one. Too quiet for my liking. We all had to keep our guard up. I knew Thatcher wouldn't simply allow us to enter the Capitol without a fight. As we neared the end of the tunnel I could hear voices talking. "Sounds like it's two guards," Katniss whispered pulling an arrow from it's resting place against her back. "I would expect there to be more," Gale said pulling out an arrow of his own. "So would I," I reply. I turn around covering our backs as Gale and Katniss got into firing range. Something didn't feel right about this. It seemed too easy. "This comes out inside the President's Mansion doesn't it?" "Yes, why?" Gale glanced at me before turning his attention back to the talking guards. "Because this is too easy." Gale lowered his bow and sighed softly. "You think it's a trap." I nod my head. "It sure feels like one." Katniss lowered her own bow and dropped her head. "Peeta's right, Gale. This is a trap set for us not you." "Don't say it, Katniss. I don't care who this trap is set for. I'm not sitting on the sideline this time. Your son is waiting for you." "Gale..." "No, I've said my peace, Catnip. I'm going." "All right, lets get this done," she said lifting her bow again. "On three," Gale said taking aim. Three seconds later two arrows went whizzing down the tunnel. The dead bodies of the guards slumped to the ground never making a sound. We move from our hiding spot taking a few steps in the tunnel. A clicking sound under Gale's foot is soon followed by the floor falling out from under us. "Katniss, are you all right?" I move quickly to her side once we land on solid ground. I look around the cage we're stuck in. It appeared to be made from steal like most prisons, but this one appeared to have several spikes sticking out from it on the outside. "I'm fine, Peeta. Gale, are you all right?" "Yeah, I'm fine. Where are we?" "Your final resting place, Mr. Hawthorn." My head snaps up hearing Thatcher's voice coming down the stairs. It had been a trap after all, and we had literally fallen for it. Katniss was all ready getting an arrow ready to fly. There might be bars separating us, but Katniss never missed. "My, my Katniss, aren't we blood thirsty today." "I want my son, Thatcher!" "After today you and Peeta will never see him again," Thatcher said still hidden by the concrete wall of the stairwell. I frown as I rise slowly to my feet. "What are you talking about, Thatcher?" "Oh, haven't you heard, Peeta? Our beloved President Paylor is dead." "What?" "Don't sound so surprised, Katniss. She was in my way." "You won't get away with it, Thatcher." Darius laughed from his hiding spot. "But I all ready have, Peeta. The people of Panem will be so relieved when they learn the murderer has been caught." "And who might that be?" "Why your loving husband, Katniss." "You Son of a...," Katniss growled grabbing the bars only to scream. "Oh, did I forget to mention the bars are charged with electricity? I'm sorry," Darius drawled. I rush to Katniss's side pulling her gently into my arms. He was going to pay for hurting her. I brush the sweat soaked strands out of her face before pulling her away from the bars. Gale still had his bow which meant he still had a shot. A buzzing sound under our bodies catches my attention a second too late. The entire floor comes to life sending Gale crashing to the ground as the burning current traveled through our bodies before shutting off. "Now, Mr. Hawthorn, throw out your weapons. Another jolt like that could kill you." Gale and I gasp as our bodies twitch from the current. I quickly check Katniss for a pulse. I'm rewarded with a strong one beating under my fingers. She was alive, but I knew she wouldn't survive another shock like that. "Gale do it." "Peeta..." "Gale, do you want to see him kill her?" "All right," Gale said tossing his bow and arrows through the bars. My knife and Katniss's bow and arrows soon follow leaving Gale, Katniss, and I at a disadvantage. Thatcher has a smug smile on his face as he steps away from the wall that had been protecting him. If I had a way, I'd wipe that look off his face. I glance down hearing Katniss begin to awaken. "Ah, now the real fun can begin." "Peeta..." "Yeah, Kat, I'm here. Just relax and get your strength back." "Where is..." "Don't talk, Kat. Save your strength." Katniss nods her head focusing her gray eyes on me. I smile down at her before glancing up at Thatcher. The buzzing sound was gone which could only mean Thatcher turned it off. He would open the door next, and if I was lucky I could take him by surprise. I squeeze Katniss's hand as the lock is turned. A second later, I'm charging Thatcher knocking the control box from his hand. I shove him hard against the wall. "Where is my son?" "He's upstairs, Peeta. But Im afraid you're not going to see him." I hear Katniss and Gale behind me getting out of the cage and retrieving their weapons. "We'll see about that." "Yes, I suppose you will," Thatcher replied before pulling my hands away from his body with ease. "Goodbye, Mr. Mellark, this is for my master's sister. He only regrets that he isn't the one killing you." My eyes focus on his as the words connect in my head, and I realize a second too late this wasn't Thatcher. It was a Mutt. I open my mouth calling Katniss's name before the Mutt throws me backwards. The sharp crushing pain of my back slamming into the cage barely registers in my brain. It's the sudden icy numbness flooding my body that I feel. "Peeta..." I open my mouth to say I'm fine only to choke on my own blood. This is bad. I realize suddenly that I'm about two to three feet off the ground. I glance down seeing one of the razor sharp spikes sticking out of my chest. I shiver feeling the cold fingers of death begin to envelop me. I wasn't going to make it, and I knew it. "Oh, my God, Peeta. Gale, help me." I spit out the blood filling my mouth seeing the Mutt twitching on the ground. "Kat, no, there isn't time. You have to find Thatcher and Josh." "I'm not leaving you like this. Gale..." I shake my head at Gale. I couldn't feel my body anymore. It won't be long now. "Gale, please get her and my son to safety... Promise...me." "Peeta, stop talking like that." "Gale..." "I promise, Peeta. I'll get them home." "Thank you. Katniss, I love you. I'm sorry." "You have nothing to be sorry about, Peeta. I love you. You hold on. We're going to get you help." "No, my time is up, Kat. Please...go...plea..."