Chapter 41: Rape
It is a cold February morning, just after Valentine's Day. I am six, seven weeks along in my second pregnancy, a baby bump just beginning to show.
I am just coming home from a long day at school. Though I would normally be graduated by now, I missed almost a year of schooling while I was carrying Riley. The teachers said that I could forgo completing my education, given my new Victor status, but I don't mind. If nothing else, I want to install in my children the value of education.
As I am entering the Slag Heap, two figures suddenly emerge into the path in front of me. I recognize them at once. Axel and Coal.
"Well, if it isn't Katniss Everdeen!" Axel drawls. "Whatcha doing out here, pretty lady?"
I stiffen, not liking at all the way he addresses me. "It's Katniss Mellark now."
"Ah," Coal nods, and begins to circle around me. I tense even more. "I never thought you were the kind of woman who wanted to be…. tied down."
I shrug. "I've changed."
"I can see that," Axel sneers, leering at my pregnant belly. He steps closer. "Who's the father this time?"
"My husband."
"Peeta? So, what, you just gonna have a kid by every man in the district?"
"No," I scowl. "Just him from now on."
Axel and Coal look at each other. "Shame," they chorus.
I don't have time to run. They both grab me. I kick and scream and flail, but they are too strong together. I feel myself bumped up against a pile of trash.
Coal holds me down while Axel begins to hike up the end of my dress. I thrash wildly, doing everything in my power to get them off of me. I panic. My God, they are going to actually rape me! The baby! What about the baby?
I feel cool air rush around my folds as Axel pulls down my panties. I can't look, even as I fight with everything I have.
Moments later, I feel an unwelcome organ slam into me. "Ahhhh!" I scream out in pain, but soon my voice is muffled by Axel slamming his lips down on mine in a very sloppy kiss. I viciously slap his face in a brief instant of partial freedom before Coal holds down my arm again.
Axel thrusts in and out of me violently. I clench my legs as tight as I can. I refuse to cum for him. I refuse…..
He does, though. Axel explodes inside of me with a violent twitching. I feel the intruder leave me. But a moment later, yet another invasion of my womanhood begins.
Coal is now on top of me, pounding into me so hard, my body violently shakes. I begin to squirm again, trying to break free. Coal kisses me roughly, and I seize my chance. I bite down on his lips hard with my teeth. As soon as he springs away, I scream:
"PEETA! PEETA!"
More juices touch my nerves as Coal now ejaculates inside me. He pulls out. Tears are now streaming down my face. God, will this ever stop?
But nothing else lays siege to my sexual areas. Instead, I hear cries, yells, sounds of punches being thrown. Then:
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY WIFE, YA BASTARDS! YOU EVER TOUCH HER AGAIN, I'LL KILL YA LIKE I KILLED IN THE GAMES!"
My body deflates and I weep, overcome with relief. Peeta….. Thank God…..
Sounds of running feet fade into the distance. I feel hands on me, then I sense I am being lifted, cradled like a baby. I turn my head to see the most beautiful sight I've ever beheld: my beloved husband, his face frantic with worry.
"R-rape….." I get out.
"I know, my love, I know. They're gone. Oh, God! Let's get you to your mother."
He races me out of the Slag Heap, towards the Victor's Village. I keep my eyes fixed on his face - the one constant in a ripped reality. His brow is furrowed in determination and fury, but the rest of his face is tinged with a resigned sadness….
If only I had known what he was thinking then. I would have understood why.
A/N: Just when you thought it was all getting better…. I bet you forgot about Axel and Coal. They last appeared in Chp. 3 and were only mentioned in Chp. 6…..
We will pause here for now. The next two chapters at least are going to be very involved, and I want to do right by them. But don't worry - we are very close to the end! And please - don't forget to REVIEW!