Sorry this is coming out later than anticipated, but with the holiday and being summoned for jury duty (ugh) I didn't have much time to sit down and edit. But It's here now! This is the final chapter of the story! I can't believe I've finally finished this story since I've been writing it since 2010! Thank you to all who have showed your support, I'm forever grateful!
"If you think about it, it's not surprising," Peeta says shaking his head incredulously. Peeta hobbles to a stand, his hand reaching down to the hilt of his knife, tucked away in his belt. He takes it out as the same moment Katniss notches and arrow and points in the direction of his heart. But Peeta had no intention of using it, since he dropped the second he touched it.
He doesn't seem bothered by Katniss' reaction. But Katniss looks ashamed as her eyes flicker to the discarded weapon. It's only been a minute since Claudius announced the change, but she already pointed her weapon at him. Guilty, she drops her bow stepping away from it. "No. Do it." Peeta says, while drawing closer to her. He grabs the weapon, tossing it back into her hands.
"I can't. I won't." Katniss shouts, shaking her head.
"Do it. Before they send those mutts back or something. I don't want to die like Cato." Peeta stands his ground, waiting.
"Then you shoot me! You shoot me and go home and live with it!" Katniss barrels over to him flinging the weapon into his hand. Peeta drop it immediately, "You know I can't." Peeta looks lost, before he says, "Fine, I'll go first anyway." He bends over and tears off the binding that's been keeping the bleeding of his leg injury under control.
Katniss frantically kneels down to reattach the bandage, "No, you can't kill yourself."
"Katniss. It's what I want."
"You're not leaving me here alone."
"Listen," Peeta reaches to grab Katniss by the shoulders, pulling her to stand and face him. "We both know they have to have a victor. It can only be one of us. Please, take it. For me." He grips Katniss more tightly before saying, "I love you. I will not let you lose your life to save mine. You don't have to save me anymore, Katniss." I take in a shuddering breath, not at Peeta's declaration of love, but at the expression on Katniss' face.
She's thinking, I don't know of what, but it's a face she makes whenever she's planning on doing something that isn't exactly a good thing. My hands are in fists so tight, my fingernails break through the skins, but I don't stop. I need to feel something.
Katniss looks away from Peeta and digs into the pouch clipped to her side. She pulls out what's inside and my heart drops. Nightlock.
"No, I won't let you." Peeta says while clutching on Katniss' wrist.
"Trust me." Katniss says, looking at Peeta intently. Peeta stares back, searching for what she's planning when he finally nods and let's her go. Katniss places some berries in his hand, while keeping some for herself, "On the count of three?"
"The count of three," Peeta agrees.
"One," Katniss says.
There is nothing worse than seeing the one that you have vowed to protect give up on life.
"Two." Both bring the berries up to their mouths, sending a shiver down my spine. My head spins with the guilt. My heart clenches in fear. I gasp at the inevitable ending to the consumption of the berries.
"Three!"
"No!" I shout standing up. But there nothing I can do. Except to watch as the deadly berries enter Katniss' mouth.
All the hope that's accumulated through every small victory evaporates into smoke.
I've lost her.
I sink down onto my knees, the cries of her family drowning me in my sorrows. I wish to run,to hide so I can get away from the nightmare that has haunted me since the reaping.
But suddenly, just as I'm bombarded with imagines a life without Katniss, speakers in the arena static to life, pulling me to focus back on the horrible scene. The flustered voice of Caesar Flickerman echoes out, "Stop! Stop! Ladies and gentleman, I am pleased to present the victors of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! I give you the tributes of District Twelve!"
I don't register the words spoken at first. Not until Prim has wrapped her arms around me, picking me up from my crouched position on the floor and repeats, "She won. She won. Gale, she can live!" I catch a glimpse of Katniss spewing the berries out just before returning the hug. I spin her around, the delight so much more consuming than the distraught I just almost succumbed to.
I thought I lost her. But she's alive.
It takes me some time for the full effects of shock to wear off, but soon I'm joining in on the celebration in full force. Katniss' mom is weeping, yet smiles, indicating her sincere happiness. Prim is beside her, comforting her with her own grin that scrunches her eyes. Prim sees me observing her and smiles even more widely to me. "She did it! She's coming back!" Prim announces again, her words hit home and I match her joy. It's a foreign feeling, being happy. I can't even remember when I was as joyous as I am as I confirm, "Yes, Prim. We're getting our Katniss back."
The last we see of Katniss is when they're whisked off into a hovercraft back to the capitol. I use to think the Capitol was a terrible place for Katniss to be, but now I'm thankful to know that at least there she'll be taken care of.
Caesar Flickerman is now on the screen, his voice no longer laced with uncertainty, however his eyes glimmer with a twinge of nervousness. He talks about the amazing journey that the two winners faced during the Games. He lets the audience know that they are in good hands and their injuries are to be treated. I ignore his weird behavior and stop watching altogether as they begin showing a recap of the Games from the beginning.
I don't want anything more to do with these Games now that Katniss is safe. She is going to come back home and I will once again be able to protect her. I won't feel hopeless anymore. Won't have to watch her struggle to survive. She has won and is safe. The next time she'll be shown is during the recap ceremony and interview. Only after that will she finally be back in District 12.
ooOOOoo
The moment I have been waiting for since Katniss and Peeta were announced winners is here. This interview with Caesar will be with the Katniss that I have grown up with. Not the one that was barely able to survive the night without fear of being killed. Or the one that had cuts, burns and bruises covering every inch of her body that never had a moment to fully heal. Katniss will look like herself. The last sign I need to know that she truly is alive and well.
Everyone in District Twelve is together to watch the interviews. Usually it's not like this; everyone always holed up in the homes or forced to stand in the town square when there's a certain important event is occurring. But this year, we won and we don't have just one tribute returning, but two. For the first time in so long, out District has a reason to celebrate. At first, people walked around in a daze from the shock of being victorious, but now the giddy energy is starting to expand.
I look around the square just as high on the energy. For once, no one seems weighed down with the thought that they are from the lowest District. Instead, everyone has pride radiating in every direction. The projector flickers to life and a hush falls as everyone focuses their full attention on the screen. Caesar introduces the prep team of the District Twelve tributes followed by Effie. The claps for Cinna and Portia, the two designers stands out most compared to the other introductions. That is until Haymitch enters. The applause is wild as stomping rings out alongside and it takes several minutes for the crowd to be hushed and silenced.
But as Caesar's lips form the words to introduce the winners, my ears block out the deafening cheers that echo from the speakers. All I see is Katniss. The space around her fades under her glow. She looks lovely, wearing a yellow dress that seems too girlish for her, but still beautiful. Seeing her is such an innocent dress after having to be tormented from watching her fight for life throws me through a loop even as I'm captivated by her looks. It's disorienting. I'm having trouble, picturing her as the Katiniss I have known and come to love because so many different sides of her are being presented.
I don't realize the presence of Peeta until Katniss thrusts herself into his arms. I try not to be affected by her immediate need to be near him. I decide to focus on something else. My eyes fall upon the cane that Peeta leans against. Katniss notices it to and looks curious, but Peeta whisks the questions that are forming on her lips by kissing her.
It seems I'm the only one who isn't enjoying their reunion. The crowd on the screen and the one here in District Twelve are going wild as clapping, whistles and shouts rings out at their interaction. Finally the forbidden lovers of District Twelve get their happily ever after.
They seem in love. The way they embrace seems like they would die without the other. The kissing also seems to be huge factor with how in love they seem. They are never not touching each other, showing their everlasting need to know the other is there to keep the other grounded.
I just clench my jaw at the sight, averting my eyes until finally Haymitch has to politely interrupt them to recognize they are in the public eye.
Katniss and Peeta finally break apart their kiss, but as they make their way to the victor's chair, Katniss holds on to Peeta's arm with their hands intertwined. Once seated, Katniss doesn't hesitate as she kicks off her shoes, tucks her feet under her body and nuzzles her head against Peeta's shoulder. I feel myself wince, but that's the only visible sign of my heartache.
It's an act, I repeat to myself. Just like the one played in the arena. I mean, Katniss can't suddenly tell the world that she did this out of pure instinct to stay alive. It was all part of the plan to trick everyone to be on her side. No, she has to keep up with her act. But what worries me the most is how long will she need to continue to be in love with Peeta? It'll have to at some point be brought to a stop. But even if there is a possible end in sight, does Katniss want it to end? I sure as hell know Peeta doesn't.
I shake off this infinite amount of questions, knowing I could pile them up until there's no room left of anything else for me to think about. Instead, I stand and put my attention on the scene unfolding in front of me.
The time where Katniss and Peeta are interviewed for the first time since their win has arrived. Of course Caesar is the one to ask the questions.
"Well, Peeta, we know, from our days in the cave, that it was love at first sight for you from what, age five?" Caesar questions.
"From the moment I laid eyes on her" Peeta replies smoothly.
"But, Katniss, what a ride for you. I think the real excitement for the audience was watching you fall for him. When did you realize you were in love with him?" Caesar asks.
"Oh, that's a hard one..." Katniss looks taken aback by the question and unsure how to respond. Caesar must sense her unease because he says,
"Well, I know when it hit me. The night when you should out his name from that tree." I feel grateful towards Caesar for helping Katniss out as she silently suffers. I see Katniss exhale in relief of receiving a helpful push from Caesar and she straightens up as she says, "Yes, I guess that was it. I mean, until that point, I just tried not to think about what my feelings might be, honestly, because it was so confusing and it only made things worse if I actually cared about him. But then, in the tree, everything changed". Caesar takes this opportunity to have Katniss speak more and asks, " Why do you think that was?"
"Maybe… because for the first time… there was a chance I could keep him." Katniss states. Caesar reacts naturally at her statement by showing how touching her words were. "So now that you've got me, what are you going to do with me?" Peeta says as he presses his forehead against her head.
Katniss turns her head upwards and lightly replies, " Put you somewhere you can't get hurt." Peeta responds with a kiss. I'm slightly happy when Caesar shifts the loving scene over to the topics of the injuries the two sustained during their time in the arena. Caesar asks about the tracker jacker stings and the burns received and they answer simply. But when Caesar brings up the question on how Peeta's new leg is treating him, Katniss immediately responds in confusion.
"New leg?" Her eyes dart down to the leg that was injured in the arena. She bends to pulls up the bottom of his pants to reveal a metal and plastic leg in replace of a real one. "Oh no," Katniss murmurs, her eyes knitting together in remorse. Caesar reaches over and places a soft hand on her knee. "No one told you?"
"I haven't had the chance," Peeta says casually. Katniss only continues to stare down at his leg as she states, " It's my fault. Because I used that tourniquet."
"Yes, it's your fault that I'm alive," Peeta says.
"He's right. He'd have bled to death for sure without it." Caesar assures Katniss. But Katniss faces falls from the news and she reacts by curling closer to Peeta and hiding her face into his shirt. Caesar leaves her alone by only questioning Peeta. But as the topic of the berries is brought up Katniss has no choice but to partake.
"Katniss, I know you've had a shock, but I got to ask. The moment when you pulled out those berries. What was going on in your mind…hm?" Caesar curiously asks.
"I don't know, I just… couldn't bear the thought of… being without him."
"Peeta? Anything to add?" Caesar asks. Peeta shakes his head and says,
"No. I think that goes for both of us."
It's really hard to watch this. I have been too hopeful. I've been casting aside the doubts because I thought that if Katniss arrived back home to me, we would return to the way things were. But watching this interview has really put everything into perspective. Shows how unbelievably naïve I was.
ooOOOoo
The train that holds Katniss is pulling up to the station. Katniss has finally returned home to me. Many preparations have been made for their arrival. At home, my family and my friends from school all helped the Everdeen's move into the Tributes house up the hill on Victor's Village. There wasn't much to move, but the help was enough to make Mrs. Everdeen beam with happiness.
This morning, I even ran into some luck by finding a deer. It size wasn't too big, but it's the biggest thing I've taken back home in a while. The meat we didn't use, I brought over the bakery. I walk into the back, greeting the baker. The silent man he is, the exchange is done briskly. When he hands me the loaf of bread, I can't help but saying, " Congratulations." He looks at me, the corner of his mouth moving up an inch, but it's enough to make me know that he's happy for the recognition. "You too." I leave, feeling content.
My life has taken a turn for the worst, but somehow I've managed to dig myself out of the rumble that piled up. I've cleared away the troubles and finally reached the peak.
I look to each side of me, where Katniss' mother is on one side, while Prim on the other. I peer down at Prim, seeing her straining to see over the crowd that has formed in front of us. I tap her shoulder, drawing her attention to me. I point to my shoulders and she nods, understanding my notion. I crouch down and she climbs on, sitting on my shoulders. I straighten and peer at her to see her smile at me in appreciation.
The train has come to a full stop. It several minutes before the train door open, revealing the girl that I have been secretly pining over. The crowd's cries fade away. I barely notice Prim as she shifts on my shoulders. There's only her. She's real and in front of me. I tell myself to control my features, to not show any emotions. Katniss is here, but so is Peeta.
There hands are again intertwined, but my focus is ripped away as Katniss' eyes have fallen upon me. I feel my heart speed up painfully beating in an erratic rhythm. But I don't let any of this show. All I can muster is small smirk in her direction. I'm scared that any movement will be too over the top. Her eyes leave mine as they travel upwards in Prim's direction. It last seconds, but it was enough for me. She searched for me, which means she didn't forget me.
As the two victors wave at their spectators, I don't see Katniss as Katniss anymore. I kept waiting for my Katniss to return. But, I was just trying to hold on to the thoughts of when it was just her and I fighting the world. Seeing her up on that platform, waving down at the people who reach out to touch her, I finally come to the realization that she will truly never be the same. A lot of people will make sure of that. But I will make sure that she has a place to come back to so she can have a piece of what use to be.
I don't get to be bitter about this. I've been angry. And for a long time I didn't know where to direct such fury because I usually bottle it up until I can release it in the confines of the forest to Katniss. Her being in the Games is no one's fault but the Capitol's. My hate will forever be directed towards them. I don't even hate Peeta. He too was merely a pawn in the sadistic ways of the Capitol and its rulers. The situation cannot be helped. But that doesn't mean I have to pull myself out of Katniss' life. No, I'll be here, always. I will be the friend that she needs to confine in, the friend who I've always been for her as she's been for me.
I return to the scene at the station, surrounded by our families. Everything that we struggle through is worth it as long as we're all fighting together. I glance back at where Katniss and Peeta hold hands and think, even if I'm not the man she wants by her side, I will not let those feelings keep me from my duty. I draw closer into the crowd, letting Prim get a better view. I vow to continue protecting Katniss. Even if she's unaware of it, as she was while she was in the Games, I won't stop because this is more for me than for her.
A new start to life is beginning and I will do everything in my power to stay beside her.
I've been thinking about writing Catching Fire in Gale's POV as well, but it's a big commitment to make. But you never know... this may not be the end of the journey through Gale's POV ;)