I'm almost afraid to check to see how long it's been since I've updated. It was sometime this season, right? The months are blurring together. Anyway, I hope none of you are as sunburned as my left shoulder is right now. Also, I still don't own the Hunger Games. I probably won't be buying it any time soon, either, unless the series goes on clearance.
The Jagged Edge: Chapter 2: Homecoming
Johanna had to give credit to the train's plumbing. Her outfit hadn't been this clean since she left Thirteen. It had faded a little, the grey wash having gone down with the soapy water in the sink. Now, out in the open air of District Two, it was almost as white as one of Finnick's shirts. Don't think about him, Jo. Just don't. Funny how her mind played cruel tricks on her. The voice in Johanna's head sounded just like him.
That's why you're here, isn't it? To move on? Johanna had only been to District Two a couple times, and it was always confined to the justice building and the surrounding square. Two had trees, just like Seven, but these were pines, not furs, and the air was supposed to be dry, not damp. For some reason it was really muggy. And even though it was around noon, the clouds were really, really dark. Oh yeah, District Two was also known for its thunderstorms.
And of course, there were a hell of a lot more peacekeepers. Two of them sat at a table at the train station's exit, and several stood guard next to them. Johanna didn't care if there was a stupid peacekeeper academy here, she still didn't like them hovering around. The passengers lined up single file, each pulling out their identification when they arrived at the table.
Shit. They wouldn't send her back to Seven, would they? Johanna had a bad feeling they wouldn't fall for the same ruse she had pulled on the train. So far, though, no one else had the same problem. Chewing her lip, Johanna watched as the line in front of them dwindled to three people. It was then she heard the thunder.
"Do you need a place to stay?" Hawthorne glanced at her, his grey eyes studying her carefully.
"If you think I need your help, you're out of your damn mind." Johanna snapped, making a point to put as much space between them as possible. She failed to hear the rest of what Gale said, when the wind was blowing his words the other way. Something about a hotel being destroyed. Whatever. There was no way in hell she was playing damsel in distr—
Something wet dropped onto her head. Johanna stopped short, feeling another on her shoulder. And another. There were just two more people in front of her now. She looked up in to the sky with her eyes wide, just in time to see the lightning flash across the clouds. Shit.
"Johanna? You okay?" Gale's voice sounded distant, as if there was water in her ears.
The rain poured down on them, and Johanna couldn't breathe. Shit, shit , shit!
"Identification, please." The peacekeeper glanced up at her, annoyed, but Johanna was having trouble making out the features in his face.
Glancing at Gale, Johanna managed to choke out, "Where do you live again?"
Hawthorne shoved his bag into Johanna's arms as he pulled out his badge. He barreled through the guards, dragging her behind them.
On the first day of her games, it was raining too. Johanna remembered dragging her feet through the slick mud, cursing the gamemakers under her breath. Everything seemed unnaturally wet. Even the branches slid right out of her fingers. It would take the two of them forever to find shelter.
"How much longer, Jo?" Rye whined as he trudged behind her.
"We'll get there quicker if you shut your mouth." Johanna took a steadying breath. Why she decided allying herself with the brat from District Nine, she had no idea.
"My feet hurt. Can we take a break?" He wheezed.
"Later." Johanna had to wonder what he did during Training. Honestly she had paid no attention to him, or any of the other tributes. She only focused on making herself stronger when the others weren't looking. Mostly, that meant doing pushups all night and running laps around her bedroom up on the seventh floor. Her days in the training center blurred together as she tried to pay attention to the lady teaching her about survival skills.
Finally, they reached a cave where they could camp for the night. Johanna made a point of cloaking the entrance with branches and leaves, and it took her an hour at least. It did them no good.
"See? I'm not completely useless." Johanna smelled the smoke before she turned. She gaped at the flames as Rye continued. "I built us a fire."
His beaming smile turned into a frown as Johanna raced toward him. "You brainless idiot! You'll get us both killed!" She stamped out the flames as fast as she could. But it was too late. The Careers had found them.
Johanna heard footsteps above, and covered Rye's mouth before he could say anything. "Don't," she whispered, hearing little more than her heart pounding. Taking one of the sharp rocks from the cave floor, Johanna whispered again "Go deeper into the cave. Now." Surely they'd hear her breathing frantically. In the dim light shining into the cave , Johanna saw Rye nod before he vanished into the darkness.
Someone sang from just outside. "Come out, come out." Her voice was sickeningly sweet, like the icecream Johanna had eaten the night before.
The girl wasn't alone, either. "We promise we'll make it quick." Johanna realized with a start that the boy from Two was lying. She had glimpsed him at the Cornucopia, pinning their prey to the ground as the girl from One carved them to death with a knife.
Shuddering, Johanna retreated after Rye, knowing what she had to do. They had no chance getting out of this together. He would only slow her down. And he was no match for the two outside.
Hours later, the Careers dragged Johanna out screaming. The boy from Two held her tightly outside, so that the girl from Two could get a good look at her. "Wasn't there another one with you?"
Johanna replied in small voice. "He tripped." Swallowing hard, she continued. "He hit his head on a rock." She jolted as she heard cannon fire.
"You okay?" Gale's grey eyes studied her carefully. It wasn't until he took the bag from her hands that Johanna realized she was soaked, and shaking.
"I-I'm fine." Johanna said with a small voice that did not sound like her own. How long was I out? How far she run on auto pilot?
The two of them were standing inside a small apartment, probably Gale's. It had a couch the living room and the kitchen had a small counter in front the fridge, a couple cupboards and a sink. She saw a short hallway with a door on each side. Probably the bathroom and the bedroom.
Gale caught her gaze after he set the bag on the floor. "What do you think?"
"This place is tiny." Johanna replied, not meeting his eyes. Her body felt like a shell, a borrowed one. Was this what Peeta felt like after one of his episodes?
"Well, it was only built for one." Gale smirked, heading to the kitchen. "You hungry?" He looked up at her, and blinked.
Sourly, Johanna snapped. "I'm wet." She didn't wait for him to answer before charging off to the bathroom to dry off. Johanna wasn't sure, but she swore she could hear Gale snickering.
It's a short and sweet chapter this time. One, I didn't want to keep you waiting too long, and two-I didn't want to bore you with a bunch of clichéd filler. Next chapter, however, will be amping things up a bit. Also, chapters will alternate perspectives. Send me a review if you'd like to! Flames, however, will be used to toast marshmallows.