Hey Everybody,
I hope you all still remember me...it's been far too long. I hope you all aren't mad at me. This chapter has been super hard to get up due to my musical nearing performances...Life has been crazy with friend drama and such, but I hope you all had a wonderful holidays! Happy 2013! I love you all dearly and apologize for the long overdue chapter, my computer had crashed and I lost the entire chapter before I could save and I had to rewrite the entire thing! I'll shut up now so you guys can finally read this chapter! Thank you for sticking with me through this "hard to write" time in my life!
"The baby is coming."-
I run over to Annie and grasp her wrist with a little more force than I originally intended on.
"He-he-he's…now?!"
Any sort of happiness that Annie's face has held has been wiped away from labor. She comes closer to my face and I begin to think she's dying like all the women did in twelve's poverty.
"Yes! Right now!" Annie yells it so loud in my face that I stumble backwards short of breath. I would have fallen on my back if it weren't for Peeta supporting me. I look up at him expecting to be greeted by caring blue eyes. While I still see all the care in the world, it's not focused on me. Peeta only flits his eyes down to me for a split second before sitting me down in a chair, and running over to Annie. I'm still confused as to why I feel as if I can't move. All I can think about is how me and Peeta were literally about to step out. Into our freedom, and Annie has taken that from us.
The anger that rises in me pounds through my head louder than Annie's screams of labor. Annie hasn't only handicapped our escape plan, but she has managed to ensure any and every member of Plutarch's paparazzi.
Every member… Everybody focused on the newest Odair.
A sudden strike of energy runs through me and I can't help but jumping from my seat. I take a few quick steps towards Peeta. I clutch his shoulder, and pull him back with me into the hallway. A sickening half smile spreads across my face, I take both of his shoulders in my hands and just stare him in the eyes. His hands cup my face and he just stares at me.
"Katniss, what is it?"
"Peeta don't you see? We can run. Right now. The paparazzi will forget us for Annie, just long enough for us to make it out of here in good time."
Peeta's eyes widen in horror and confusion.
"Katniss…I know you're not suggesting we leave Annie for Plutarch."
"Peeta. We were going to run without Annie anyways. What's the difference now?"
"Because she's our friend. She may be a fighter, but a baby is going to handicap that."
I can't help how upset I am at this moment. I feel like I've been picked over Annie. That my safety has taken second place in Peeta's heart.
"You're picking Annie! I-I-I hate you Peeta. What am I? Some kind of mutt that you can just play with?"
I regret my words as soon as I throw them out there. I don't hate Peeta. I know I'm first on his priority list. How could you even say something like that Katniss?
I look up at Peeta and his large eyes meet mine. Instead of forgiveness, I'm haunted by the same pupils that immediately scream one thing…Attack. I feel my heart shrink to the size of his pupils and all I can do is stand there defenseless and scared of what my future will hold. Peeta throws his head down and just covers his eyes with his hands, he is shaking and eventually throws his hands against the wall and his screams almost match the pain of Annie's shrieks.
I sink down to the floor and hold my knees close to me.
It's going to be okay Katniss. Everything is going to be okay. Even though I know I'm lying to myself it helps for me to put my mind in a "safe" place. Peeta turns around sharply and his face is a burning red color, very different from his normal pale complexion. Slowly it begins to seem as if the venom clouds leave his eyes. He runs over to me and falls to his knees. He brushes the stray hairs out of my face and puts his face in front of mine.
"Kat. We need to be here for Annie. If it's needed I will give an interview to let you, Annie, and the baby get away. But right now you have to trust me…trust that I will always take care of you. That no matter what it takes, I'll protect you."
Before I can say anything Peeta has his lips an inch away just looking into my eyes. I tilt my chin up and kiss him for a second, and when he pulls away I take his hand in mine and give it a gentle squeeze.
Peeta and I run into the room where we left Annie and hope she's not too dilated to move her without pain. Annie's entire body is shaking, I walk over to her and pull her hair back to remove some heat.
"How are you doing Annie?"
"Third round of contractions have just ended…"
"Katniss…go get Haymitch. We are figuring something out about these interviews…right now."
I scramble to my feet and fumble with the door knob, and when the door finally opens I shoot down the hallway on unstable legs. I look around trying to remember where Haymitch's room was and that when I slam into something…or somebody.
"Thank god. Haymitch…Annie…the baby is coming."
I unconsciously burry my face in his sleeve. Haymitch is one of the only people I know that has always been here for me, he know exactly what I feel at any given moment…or so it seems. He pats my shoulder and walks down the hallway and I follow close behind.
When my feet feel like they are going to collapse on me, Peeta's steady arms catch me. I wrap my scrawny arms around his waist as he kisses the top of my head.
"Thank you Kat."
I feel my frozen cheeks heat up, I cover my face with Peeta's jacket and manage to mumble out a few words.
"Well I didn't really do much."
"For the stress you've been under, that was more than enough. Thank you."
"…Is Annie okay?"
Me and Peeta's quiet moment has ended before I feel like I could blink, the warm whispers are replaced by Annie's cold screams of pain. I turn my head towards the door and see that Annie is in Haymitch's arms being carried out the door. Peeta gives Haymitch some kind of approving nod and Annie is handed off to Peeta.
"What's going on?" I pull on Peeta's shoulder, and for the first time I feel like I'm actually being ignored by him. I frown and take a step towards Haymitch, I yank on his shoulder like a desperate child begging for attention. He just shakes me off and continues to make motions towards Peeta. Annie is limp over Peeta's shoulder. I go to yell at Haymitch for keeping me in the dark but before I can Peeta's hand is intertwined in mine and he's pulling me towards the rear exit of the train.
"Peeta, I'm not going anywhere till you tell me where we're going."
"We're running. Now come on!"
Before I can question anything my feet are flying through the freshly paved streets of the capital. The sound of my boots hitting against it makes me feel nauseous. But I have to focus on putting one foot in front of the other, not where they are leading me. Suddenly Peeta has stopped and I half run into him. I look up and see a figure emerge from the shadows. For only a second does my heart skip a beat…because when I see the same wide set brown eyes from the second games, I realize it's nothing that's going to hurt me…on purpose anyways.
"Back up brainless."
I shake my head in confusion and walk back a few feet. Johanna's tan muscular arms haven't faded any since the war, as she lifts her axe. I take this chance to take in my surroundings, there is only a small chain link fence separating the districts and the capital, so as Johanna's axe slams down, it is visible how easily her axe has cut through the fence. I look up at this fierce girl, that has more bravery than I'm sure I have half of, despite the fact that I was the mockingjay. She raises an eyebrow at me and just shakes her head.
"Well if the mockingjay wants to get away, she better start moving."
My eyes widen in confusion and until Peeta pulls me into the shallow woods. I stare back at Johanna and she just stares back, no indication as to why she wasn't joining us, just a simple wave of the axe in dismissal. I tighten my grip on Peeta's hand and just keep my head down from the memories of the woods. We run for numerous minutes until Annie begins screaming again.
"Peeta! It's time! Are we there yet?"
Peeta stop running and snaps his head around. He nods quickly and runs towards a tiny cave. It's even smaller than the one from our first games. Peeta guides me in slowly and lays Annie down against a sturdy side of the cave. I sit beside Annie and hold her hand.
"I feel him Katniss."
"You feel Dillan coming out?" My hand trembles a little.
"No…" Annie looks around the cave in awe. A confusing smile spreads across her face and tears begin welling up in her wide green eyes. It's almost as if she can't find the right words to speak.
"Finnick. I feel him in here Katniss! I'm ready now."
I nod to Annie and wrap my arms around her neck.
"Then let's bring the newest little Odair out into this world."
Annie's bright smile flashes and she happily nods.
~Freezethemoment