Chapter !*

18

Mystery Voice

by BreadBoy

This story is not connected to Fire Daisies or Panem High.

The songs in this story are not really sung or written by Katniss, but just let it go. She writes them in this story.

Peeta's POV

I guess Katniss was really tired, because a couple minutes after I wrapped her in my arms, I heard her gently snoring. I cradled her bridal style the best I could with one arm, and held the umbrella with the other. I didn't want to pick Katniss's lock again, so I tucked her into my bed, hoping the sheets would dry her. Thank God, Finnick and Beetee weren't in. I pulled a stool next to her bed and held her hand and didn't squeeze. Before I knew it, I was asleep too. The gloomy weather must've gotten me. I don't know how long I slept, but when I woke up, Katniss was already up. Still in bed, still holding my hand.

"You're wet," Katniss gave me that smile, the one I've missed for so long. The one Cato had taken away from me.

"I am," I confirmed.

"You took me here?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

I shrugged like it was nothing. "You were cold and drenched. I had to help you."

"I was waiting for something to happen." she snapped, frowning.

"I was waiting too, for a long time." I told her. "Waiting for you." She looked at me. I couldn't read her face.

"If you didn't bring me here, Cato could've come."

"He won't come, Katniss." I looked at Katniss sympathetically. Her bottom lip started to quiver.

"I know," she whispered, before hot tears started to burn down her cheeks. Automatically, I hugged her without thinking, but she gladly received the gesture.

"Why were you waiting?" I mumbled into her hair, which was let down.

"His sister, Peeta!" she wailed.

"What?"

"His sister. She told me that he couldn't make it yesterday so I should come today. Cato wouldn't lie to his sister."
Katniss's expression turned stony once more.

"Did this sister happen to carry around a knife?" I asked.

"Yep."

I sighed. "Katniss, do you trust me?"

She looked at me weirdly. "I-I don't know."

"Stay here. Please." I bounded out of the room and ran towards the female sophomore forms. I opened one. A pretty Asian girl answered.

"Is Clove here?"

"Clove? I don't know who Clove is."

I knocked on another door, where a short little girl with dark curls opened the door.

"Clove here?"

The girl shuddered.

"Is she?"

She turned around as checking if someone was there. A girl appeared, the same age as the frightened one, with her blond hair in two braids.

"Prim?"

"Hi!" Prim smiled.

"Why are you here?! This is the sophomore level! You're supposed to be at the District Public, not here!" I exclaimed. I didn't know why I was so mad, but I was protective of little Primrose. And D12A, short for District 12 Academy, did not seem like the place for a little girl like Prim.

"I got a scholarship! Mom only had enough money to send Katniss, but I sent in an application anyway, and they liked how I was already kind of a doctor. D12A does have middle school, you know. Katniss doesn't even know!" Prim giggled. Prim worked at the clinic sometimes.

"He wanted C-C-Clove." the girl said.

"Oh. She's not here," Prim shrugged. "But she lives across. Meet Rue, my roommate. Now I've got to go." she pulled a coat on and headed out.

"I'm Rue." Rue uttered.

"Peeta." I replied.

The girl's eyes widened. The slammed the door in my face and I heard the lock click. So much for that.

I pounded on Clove's door, ready to pounce. She opened it.

"Clove," I snarled. "You hurt Katniss."

"Getting wet doesn't hurt, Pete," Clove smirked, crossing her arms. She played it cool.

"Clove, I'm not playing around."

"Obviously." Clove rolled her eyes.

"No more playing around, Clove. Stop it."

"I'm trying to get what I want. I'm also doing you a favor, doing all the work for you."

"I told you I didn't want any favors."

"Well, I do what I want."

"Not anymore."

Ooooh!