Thank you so much for the reviews and the new readers and those who followed after reading the last chapter, you guys rock!
As I sat down to write the outline for this chapter I had a small mental breakdown, I want to do this justice, and not copy the story word for word and just add extra Katniss/Peeta stuff; And the original is so amazing, it's just daunting trying to change something that is so completely perfect- and I kind of had a moment of "holy crap, what am I doing? It's the freaking Hunger Games. How do I compete with that?!" So please bare with me, I am trying. And your words of encouragement mean so much to me. I can't thank you guys enough!
Also, no copyright infringement intended- no money is gained by me- this is just for fun
The Anthem starts blaring through the speakers, Peeta still holds my hand. Effie gives the less than enthusiastic crowd one last smile and wave before the curtain opens and we are practically shoved inside the Justice Building.
Peeta squeezes my hand, most likely in the hopes I'll look at him. Good luck with that, bread boy. I'm going to stay mad at you until we get to the Capital. I keep my eyes straight in front of me. I know if I even catch a glimpse of his sad eyes I'll cave- he knows it's my weakness, it's how he gets away with every annoying thing his does- my brain is racing with thoughts. How could he do this? Doesn't he know we won't be coming home? Why would he risk everything to volunteer with me? This is the stupidest, insane, kindest thing he has ever done. But that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.
A Peacekeeper puts a hand on Peeta's shoulder. "This is where you'll wait for your family, Peeta." He says almost regretfully. Peeta has always been well liked, even with the authority figures of the District.
Peeta nods and turns to me, I know it's childish, but I turn my face the other way. Peeta sighs and wraps me up in a tight hug. "I'm sorry," he whispers into my hair. I'm not really sure what he's sorry for, but I'll take it.
I finally put my arms around him and squeeze him just as tightly. "Me too," I say.
The Peacekeeper clears his throat and Peeta pulls away and steps into the door without looking at me.
"Come along dear, we mustn't be late for the train, I'm sure you'll have lots of visitors wishing you luck!" Effie trills.
I nod and follow the Peacekeeper deeper into the hallway. A door is opened and I step inside. The room isn't large, but with only a small couch and chair it appears to be quite spacious, the curtains are drawn, letting natural light in, District Twelve is not known for having reliable electricity. It's a bit musty, and the couch has seen better days.
The door opens and a flash of golden hair lunges at me before I get a chance to stand. Prim sits curled in my lap, her face buried in my shoulder, her loud strangled cries are the only sound in the room. I rub circles on her back while stroking her braids. My mother sits in the chair across from us, wringing her hands, trying to blink back tears.
I don't know how long we sit like this, in silence, but I know I don't have much time. I clear my throat. "You can't leave her," I say out loud. My mother jumps at my sudden voice. She looks down at her hands.
"I know, I-" she starts, but I cut her off.
"I mean it, I'm not going to be there to make sure she gets fed. If you leave again, she'll die." My mother never physically left, you know, but she retreated so deep within her self it was like she was gone. I don't even want to count the many nights I would scream in her face, only for her to never even bat an eye. But I instantly feel bad for saying that when that brings around a fresh wave of tears from Prim.
"I know it was bad for a while," I snort, "but, if I had a proper doctor and the herbs I take now..." She trails off, her eyes darting around the room nervously. I know what she doesn't want to say; if Hazel hadn't finally put her foot down and dragged my mother out of the house, thrown her in a tub of cold water in the front yard, and taken what precious extra money she had saved and took my mother to the Merchant doctor (and awkwardly, my mothers brother) and demanded she be seen, my mother would either still be in bed, or been long dead by now. But I guess I can give my mother credit for actually taken her medicine every morning, at least she cares enough to do that.
"I know," I offer. "But you have to promise me you won't disappear, you have to take your medicine and be there for Prim."
She meets my gaze and I can see the determination in her eyes. "I promise you, Katniss, you don't have to worry about her anymore." I try so hard not to roll my eyes, I'll always worry over Prim. I spent the last five years mothering her, whether my mother was consciously there or not.
I simply nod instead. I look down at the top of Prim's head and press a quick kiss to her crown. "Listen to me, Prim. I need you to be strong for me ok?" I ask pulling her away so she can see my face. Her large blue eyes still glassy with tears. "You and mom have to work together. You can take Vick and Rory into the meadow and gather. You're smart, I know you've read moms book of herbs more than I have. I know Gale will give you extra meat when he can. Can you do that for me?" I ask wiping away her tears.
"Yes," she says, her voice is hoarse from crying. "you have to come home. You and Peeta can do it, Katniss. I know it,"
"I'll try," I say quietly.
"I love you," she says burrowing back into me. I squeeze her tightly.
"I love you too," I look to my mother, "both of you." I finish. My mothers face crumbles and she stands from her seat and crouches in front of us and folds her arms around Prim and I, I place my free hand on her shoulder.
The door is thrust open and two Peacekeepers grab them by the arms and haul them to the door. Prim is shouting and thrashing in their hands. My mother is shouting that she loves me.
"I love you too!" I manage to get out before the door is slammed shut. I plop back on the couch and wait for the peacekeepers to come and collect me for the train. I make a vow to try harder with my mother if I ever make it home.
The door is opened once more and I stand and flatten the front of my dress and prepare myself to be escorted from the room. I look to the door and am stunned to see Rye Mellark being ushered through.
I sit back down, too shocked and confused on what to do. Why would Rye see me? Shouldn't he be with Peeta?
"Hey sweet cheeks, happy to see me?" He says with a lazy grin. He sits quietly for several minutes in front of me. "We both know Peety isn't capable of killing anyone, Katniss." He says looking down at his fingers.
I quirk an eyebrow, "And you think I am?" I ask slightly offended .
"I think we both know you'd do more than that if it meant keeping Prim safe." He says finally looking at me. "You're strong, but I worry about Peeta. He's the kind of kid who would rush to pick up a spider to save it from my dads boot; he worked the candy shop when Mrs. Cartwright had the flu last summer and when Mr. Cartwright broke his leg a few years ago- for free - He let my mom hit him with that rolling pin to make sure you didn't go hungry." I gasp, I didn't think anyone knew about that. Rye nods, "I watched him give it to you. My point is, I'm afraid he won't come home, but if he sticks with you, he'll have a chance."
I clear my throat. "I don't think you give him enough credit. He did beat you in that wrestling match last year." I say trying to lighten the mood.
Rye chuckles, "Nah, I let him. A certain girl was there that I knew he wanted to impress." He says, laughing once more.
A sudden jolt of jealousy shoots through me. Why wouldn't Peeta tell me he liked someone? Didn't he think I would I have been happy for him?
"He loves you," Rye says, once again speaking to his hands.
"I love him too," I say as if it were obvious.
Rye looks at me sharply, I feel pinned to the seat. "No, Katniss. My brother is in love with you. He's loved you longer than he knew what it meant to love someone. Just think about that, ok?" He stands and walks to the door. "And uh, I'll keep an eye on Prim. Sneak her some cookies, maybe just funnel some sugar in her, whatever it is that little girls like." He says awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.
"Thank you," I say. Rye doesn't move, and I feel sad that this might be the last time I see him. I stand from the couch and cross the room to him and throw my arms around his shoulders, and hug the brother I never had. He's crass on the best of days, but Rye has never been less than kind toward me.
He holds me tightly for a few minutes and then pulls away. "Alright, that's enough. You can't just go throwing yourself at me like that all the time. People are starting to talk."
"I think it's about the pimple on the end of your nose," I say tweaking the aforementioned appendage, glad for the distraction of heavy emotions I have no interest in feeling.
He smiles and pats the top of my head. "Well, Kitten, nice knowing you. Don't die alright?" He says with false humor.
"I'll do my best, Ryland." I say with a subtle nod. He gives me one last sad smile and exits the room.
It seems as soon as the door closes it is opened again, and Gale come striding through. I don't even realize how, but suddenly I'm caught up in his arms, and he is squeezing me tight. I have never felt more than brotherly affections towards Gale, and I doubt I'll start anytime soon; and though I have never been much of a hugger (excluding Prim and Peeta) I have occasionally sought comfort in Gale's arms. I've watched these arms climb trees, I've seen these arms pull back an arrow and hit the mark every time. These arms symbolize strength, and I feel safe here.
Gale pulls away, "Look, you need to get yourself armed, some of those kids are going to be vicious. Get a weapon, preferably a bow, and get somewhere safe."
"I haven't seen a bow in the arena in years,"
"Make one, anything is better than nothing. You can do this, it's like hunting."
I shake my head and step away from him. "They're children, Gale. It's not required to kill to get home."
Gale moves back into my space and takes my head in both of his hands and stares at me hard. "Do you think that stops them? Do you think they'll think twice if you're standing in their way of going home? If Prim where in there with you, you would do whatever it took to get her out of there."
"You sound like Rye," I say with a chuckle.
"Stop making jokes, Catnip."
"I can't kill people Gale," I can feel the pressure build up behind my eyes, I can't lose control now.
"You might not have a choice. Kill, don't kill, but don't give anyone the upper hand. You're fast, you can make traps, do what we've been doing our whole lives."
There are loud footsteps coming down the hall, it can't be time for him to leave yet, he just got here! The door is opened and two Peacekeepers grab onto Gale's arms, he thrashes and breaks free. He cups my face and places a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Katniss, I-"
-WHAM-
A Peacekeeper slams the butt of his gun into Gale's back and he drops to the floor, they pick him up and start carrying him out of the room. I don't know who is screaming louder, him or me, but the door is finally slammed shut.
I flop on the couch, hoping he was my last visitor, I don't think I could handle anymore.
The door opens and Madge Undersee timidly shuffles into the room and sits on the couch next to me, she doesn't look at me, or even acknowledge my existence in the tiny room; she just stares at her closed fist. I open and close my mouth a few times, attempting to speak.
I don't really know Madge, I know that she is the mayor's daughter, and sometimes if Gale and I gather extra strawberries her father likes to buy them. I know she is very polite, and will sometimes sit at the same table as me during lunch, there is never conversation, just silent companionship. But I am honestly mystified as to why she would come see me.
She shifts in her seat and clears her throat. "This belonged to my mother, it's a Mockingjay. It uh, it reminds me of you." She looks at me, her clear blue eyes boring into mine. "They allow you a token, I want you to keep this with you, for luck." She takes my hand and presses the gold pin into my palm. It's a depiction of a bird in flight encircled in gold.
It's funny how things seem to come back to birds. We use canaries for mines, and the Mockingjay is a joke on the Capital. Many years ago, before the Dark Days, the Capital had Jabberjay's all over the country. They could memorize long sentences and repeat them to the Capital. if you had a conversation outside, chances are a Jabberjay was listening.
But the funny part was when the citizens caught on and began to feed the Capital false information, the Jabberjay's, all being male, were released to die off; the Capital never expecting them to be able to mate with female mocking bids; thus creating the Mockingjay. A preverbal slap to the face of the Capital, they tend to not like it when things that should die, don't.
Holding the pin in my hand, knowing what it means, I feel unworthy. "I can't accept this, Madge." I say trying to hand it back to her. She stubbornly crosses her arms, and shifts away from me slightly.
"I know we aren't really friends, but I want to do this for you. Please just take it."
I nod my head, not trusting my self to slip into tears.
She stands gracefully and walks to the door. "I'll see you when you get home. Maybe we can be proper friends then, yeah?" She asks with a smile, I try to return it. She opens the door and leaves. I stick the pin to my dress and wait.
The door is opened again, and Mr. Mellark come in. We stand five feet away from each other, and he sets a white bag on the couch. "I brought you some cheese buns, Peeta says they're your favorite."
"Thank you," my voice cracks.
He finally looks at me and I'm taken aback by his puffy and red eyes. He takes a step toward me and hesitantly hugs me, and pulls back quickly. "I'll keep an eye on your sister. Leave some bread for her."
Again, I can only nod my head. I have so many people promising to keep watch over Prim, I could cry in relief. She'll be ok.
"Ok," Mr. Mellark says and steps back to the door. "Did I ever tell you that I hate squirrel?"
My eyes snap to meet his. "No, you didn't." Where is this coming from.
"I would trade your dad when he had bigger game, and when he passed," he sighs, "I promised, out of respect for him, that I would trade with whatever you could give me. And when my Peeta took a shine to you, I knew I could never turn you away." He smiles and pats my cheek, then he opens the door and leaves.
I don't have time to reflect on the things Rye and Mr. Mellark said about Peeta and I, because finally the Peacekeepers come and collect me, I barely manage to grab the white bag of cheese buns. I am taken back down the long hallway, but turn left at the end to exit a side door. It's a short walk to the train station.
Peeta and Effie are already there, she is smiling and waving for the many cameras, while Peeta stands there rigid looking straight ahead. With all of these cameras I'm glad I didn't cry; and I'm thankful Peeta seems to be keeping it together, he has such a sensitive heart, I don't want him to look weak to the other Tributes.
I take my place next to Peeta and look out over the crowd. It's a requirement for the whole district to see off the Tributes at the train station.
"Come along, the train is ready." Effie squawks next to me. "Wave goodbye so we can be on our way."
Peet and I manage to raise our hands and give a small wave. In a strangely synchronized move the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.
...
Italics at the end were a direct quote from the book, I'm sorry, I didn't know how to describe that part properly. Forgive me please.
So a few things...
Katniss now knows that Peeta is in love with her (but being an emotionally stunted teenager, she'll still doubt and reason why they're wrong)
I still don't remember what Delly's parents did.
I love my version of Peeta's brother (is that a form of vanity?) and I wanted to give his character some depth and show that deep under all the innuendo he really cares for Katniss.
I hope I deviated enough from the actual text for Katniss and Gale's good bye. I did make my Gale just a bit bolder, but I stopped that fool from admitting his feelings. Sucka!
I changed up Madge and Katniss' relationship.
And hopefully everyone is satisfied with the reason behind Mr. Mellark's squirrel obsession.
I'm also thinking about sending a little preview to the next chapter(s) to those who review! Yes? No?
Anyway thank you guys for the reviews and the new followers, you guys continue to amaze me!