There was a certain beauty in something so terrible. Only those with an artist's eye could appreciate it. Push aside the pain and misery and marvel at the sublime simplicity of color and form. Cast in ruby red against a field of pure white. A fan, a river, a flood. They bloomed in ever expanding rings, bold and raw in the center and fading to an unassuming brown-tinged edge. Roses blooming in the snow. They snaked out in coarse lines and hollows, etching paths and flaring runs. Beads swelling into pearls before drawing out into crimson tears. A pattern with no order or purpose. A portrait drawn in muffled screams. What a pity that she alone was there to wonder at the masterpiece which marked her passing.
She stood with head thrown back and eyes closed, letting the wind blow the loose strands of her hair where it would. This refuge was the only place where she could find peace. With only the water and the tinkling chimes to keep her company, she could drop all pretenses and let herself feel. Katniss clasped her hands behind her back and strolled aimlessly over the gravel walkways. Her fingers skimmed the back of the bench, playing idly over the weathered wood. Here. In this spot. Right here, for a brief moment, she had been alive again. Alive. She wanted to cling to that feeling, take it inside herself and protect it. Multiply it until there was no room for anything else.
She bent her head, thoughts and memories tumbling and intertwining. Crunching gravel interrupted her reverie and her glance swung up to catch on azure blue. She blinked, thinking for a moment that she had conjured him from thin air and wishful thinking. He walked easily, giving her every opportunity to accept his presence or bolt. Her breath hitched, a shuddering protest, but she stood her ground. Their eyes locked; neither demanded nor questioned, just let the silence enfold them.
Characteristically, Peeta was the first to break it. "I knew that you would come here. It was only a matter of time."
She bit her lip, giving him an oblique look. "It's not that big a mystery. I told you this was my special place. I come here often to clear my head."
Peeta settled onto the bench, "The real question is why you felt the need to clear your head in the first place. Is something wrong?" She shook her head, eyes rising to the horizon. "Katniss, please. I need to know."
"What exactly do you need to know?" she seethed. "You want to hear that I came to apologize? You want to hear that the other night was the best time I've had in ages?" She stepped closer, poking him in the chest repeatedly. "You want to hear that I felt like punching your little arm decoration in the face today? Fine, consider it said. Now leave me alone."
His eyes got progressively wider with each declaration. She stalked away from him, her loose hair whipping across his cheek. An unbidden smile bloomed on his face. "You're wrong, you know," he remarked to her stiff back. Her gaze came warily back to his. "About Cinna and me. You're wrong." Her eyes plainly displayed her disbelief. "Cinna is a co-worker. More importantly though, Cinna is engaged to Darius Snow, my former roommate from college." He grinned at her suddenly red cheeks. "Their wedding is in six weeks. I'm the best man at the service. You are included in the invitation for the reception, in case you're wondering." A teasing smile played on his lips as the flush spread quickly up to her hair line.
Not about to back down so easily, she retorted, "If that's the case, what was that about being ready by seven? You obviously had plans with Cinna tonight."
Peeta rolled his eyes at her caustic tone. "Honestly, Katniss, she was talking about the picnic that Sae sets up for the restaurant. They've been working like maniacs lately. They will also be doing most of the catering for Darius and Cinna's wedding. Sae likes to give everyone the occasional break. I go every year and flip burgers or whatever else needs doing. You were invited to that, too, but never gave me the chance to ask you. Sae likes you. She made it a point to tell me that you needed to be there."
Katniss shook her head ruefully. Wrong again. Damn it. Why could nothing ever go the way she expected it to? She lost herself in a flood of recriminations and didn't notice that he had moved closer until his breath feathered her cheek. She had time to give one small squeak of protest before his lips crashed onto hers. Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they tangled themselves in the fine hair at the nape of his neck. He groaned, pulling her more tightly against him, his hand holding her head firmly in place. She didn't know how long they stood, mouths fighting for dominance and arms clasped tightly around each other. She came up for air only because his lips had found a new pastime, sliding down her throat and nibbling the place where her pulse pounded madly.
"What are you doing?" she asked breathily, tilting her head to give him better access.
He smiled against her and pushed the loose hair out of his way as he continued to explore the curve where neck met shoulder. "What does it look like, silly? I'm agitating you, of course." His breath puffed into her ear as his lips skimmed it, causing her to shiver. "That should be obvious."
"Agitating me?" She pulled away in confusion. "What the hell does that mean?"
Peeta laughed at her disgruntled expression. "Your friend, Finnick, explained it much better than I ever could. Maybe you should ask him." He dropped teasing kisses over her eyes and down her cheek before claiming her mouth once more. Pressing into her as much as he dared, Peeta reveled in her response. Their previous kisses were a brief snippet of breath and pressure, done almost before they began. These filled him up like fire, singeing his nerve endings to the breaking point and then pushing beyond until nothing existed but the connection of her mouth on his.
She pulled back, breath ragged and eyes wide with amazement. Her hand reached up to tentatively trace his jawline from eyebrow to chin. He stood quietly as she touched him, letting her explore at her leisure. His lips quirked into a half smile as she grasped his chin, turning his head this way and that. He was surprised when she rose up on tip toe and gave him one last lingering kiss before stepping out of his encircling arms. "I should warn you about taking relationship advice from Finnick. He is a natural disaster when it comes to the opposite sex. Trust me. Whatever he said, make sure that you do the opposite. You'll be safer that way."
He reached for her hand, delighted when she not only grasped his but twined their fingers together. Reclining back on the bench, he pulled her in until her back rested against his chest, arm wrapped tight about her waist. "Tell you what, I won't ask Finnick for any more advice if you agree to stop running away from me. If you want to know something, just ask me, Katniss. I won't lie to you. I'm not going anywhere. Remember?"
She let out a relieved breath, unaware of the tension leaving her back and shoulders. She relaxed further against him, watching the last rays of the sun turn the clouds to fire. He absently twisted her hair around his fingers, separating the strands and then deftly coiling them into smaller versions of her signature braid. She glanced back at him, smiling slightly and asked quietly, "You like being here with me. Real or not real?"
"Real," he retorted, pulling her back and kissing her forehead softly. "Definitely real. I could stay right here and be happy always."
"I seriously doubt that," she grinned. "It can't be blue skies and sunshine all the time. We'd fight eventually."
Peeta raised his gaze heavenward, "So much for trying to have a romantic moment. Katniss, you really are a piece of work, you know that."
"I know," she said with an amused quirk to her lips. "But I don't think you'd have me any other way." Well, when she put it that way. "Besides," she remarked, "Didn't you say something about a picnic?"
"I've been rejected for an egg salad sandwich," he intoned gloomily. "Good thing my ego's not tied up in this."
"Never for egg salad." She patted his arm with mock sweetness. "The raspberry tortes, on the other hand, could definitely give you a run for your money." They walked hand-in-hand toward the elevator. She was interrupted by the insistent buzzing of her cell phone. Pulling it out of her pocket, she noted that it was from the Better Way exchange. "I've got to take this. Why don't you go on down? I'll find out what's going on, stop by my apartment to grab my keys, and then meet you downstairs. Ten minutes?" He agreed and with one final brief peck, stepped into the open elevator. His blue eyes glowed and he tossed her a teasing grin before the doors slid shut.
She flipped open her cell, "Katniss Everdeen." The only answer was a seemingly dead line. She checked the screen to make sure the call hadn't dropped. It showed the still open connection, so she pushed the receiver a little more firmly against her jaw line and clearly enunciated, "Hello, Katniss Everdeen. Can I help you?" She was greeted by a small sniffle and a rustling noise. "Hello. Is anyone there?" she asked yet again, receiving no response. "I guess I lost you," she stated. "You'll have to try back." Her thumb rested on the end button, almost pressing when she heard a thin, frantic voice say, "Katniss, are you there? Please don't hang up. Katniss, please tell me you can hear me."
Shoving the phone back to her ear, Katniss hurriedly replied, "I can hear you. Who is this?"
More sniffles answered her, then the voice came again even more quietly than before. "Katniss, its Prim. Can you hear me?"
"Prim, I can hear you. What's going on? What's wrong?" Butterflies tossed in her belly again. This wasn't the same fluttering anticipation from the other night. This was cold coils of dread which wound their way throughout her chest. "Prim, what is it? Please answer."
The voice came through, muffled but understandable. "I'm at the ward station over in your friend Gale's section. I really need you to come now. Please."
Katniss almost asked for a more thorough explanation but the girl was too agitated to question over the phone. "Okay, Prim, I'm on my way. Peeta's here. Do you want me to bring him, too?"
Prim gave a pained gasp and lowered her voice even more. "No. No. Don't bring him. Don't bring anybody. Just come as soon as you can. Please." Katniss assured her she was on the way and bypassed the elevator to run headlong down the stairs. She grabbed her keys and backpack and swiftly made her way to the downstairs lot.
Peeta stood waiting beside a low slung black Mercedes SLK. As she appeared, he grinned and went around to the passenger side and opened her door. She couldn't help but smile back at his antics. She shifted her bag to the opposite shoulder and regretfully shook her head, "Something's come up. I have to handle some work stuff. I'll go get it taken care of and then meet you at the Mockingbird for the picnic, okay."
He frowned at the change of plans. "Can't I just take you there and then we can go on to the picnic once you're done?"
She shook her head. "I won't have you sitting in the car waiting for me when I don't know exactly how long this will take. Just go on ahead. I'll meet you as soon as I'm done. I promise."
He nodded solemnly and a mischievous spark suddenly danced in his eyes, "Okay, I believe you. But you have to do one thing for me before I go." She looked at him questioningly. He held up one hand, pinkie extended. "Pinkie swear that you will come. I'm not leaving until you do."
She laughed at the completely ridiculous suggestion but obediently hooked a pinkie around his and intoned as seriously as she was able, "I promise that I will come to the picnic." A childish impulse prompted her to add, "Cross my heart. Hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye." She pulled their hands tight and kissed him briefly on the chin. He tossed her another playful grin and climbed in his car. She watched him drive away before running like hell toward her Jeep. She didn't know what was going on but she was definitely going to haul ass to find out.
The basement was dank and dark. Prim crept down the hallway, trying and failing to keep her steps as silent as possible. She had stayed close to Rue throughout the day, trying to camouflage the extent of her injuries from the others. The only one to ask any questions was the tall dark-haired instructor called Gale who had run the archery class instead of Katniss today. Rue couldn't pull back the bow with her sore ribs. Gale had clearly noted that she was favoring her side and ribs. Before he could question them, Enobaria had yelled out a question from the target area which required him to step away.
By the time he returned, Prim had taken the weapon and was moving into position to fire. He glanced between the two girls, and then made a few comments about her stance and hand position. He watched her shoot, nodded approvingly, and then turned his attention back to the rest of the group. Rue nodded and gave her a half smile in thanks. Prim returned the nod and nocked another arrow. She shifted her feet, maneuvered her fingers until they splayed out like Katniss had demonstrated, pulled back and then let the arrow go. It struck the target low and left of the center. Gale applauded her efforts and advised that she had pulled the bow upon release. He demonstrated the breathing method that worked best for timing and a steady hand. Duplicating her stance, Prim let another arrow fly and this time hit the zone dead center. She grinned in pleasure, taking a little bow when some of the others clapped in admiration. The two girls sidled off and once class was dismissed, made a straight line back to the dormitory.
Prim had made as if to go to the showers after the hot afternoon activities. Rue watched as she gathered up her supplies and gave a little wave as she went out the door. Prim walked as far as the nearest cross corridor and waited. Sure enough, within five minutes of Prim's leaving, Clove came to the door and ushered a resigned Rue out with her. Prim couldn't understand why she went so willingly, especially after they had hurt her. She decided that it wasn't going to happen again. She would follow them and as soon as things started to go downhill, she would create a distraction and hopefully get them to leave Rue alone.
They headed toward the lower levels of the building. Prim had never been in this area of the dormitory before. She glanced around, looking for a landmark and soon spotted a first-aid/medic station and a counselor's office. The signs were regular enough that she was able to follow discreetly but still mentally tag enough areas to give her a good idea of how to get back. Clove led Rue to a small inset door and pushed her through first before entering herself. Prim crept close enough to hear what was happening but hopefully far enough back to not be easily observed.
Two other voices immediately spoke up when the twosome entered. Prim noted that one was Enobaria. The other wasn't the Glimmer girl as expected, but masculine and deep. Prim couldn't get close enough to see if his face was familiar. She made careful note of his voice so that if she ever heard him speak, it would be easy to pick him out. She could only understand what they were saying in one word snippets: "tribute, sister, Cray, and initiation." She didn't know what any of it meant. She listened as carefully as she could, trying desperately to place the male voice. She jumped when the first echoing smack came through the door. A brief crash followed by a moan of pain curdled her stomach. There were several more thuds of fist or foot striking flesh immediately accompanied by brief outcries swiftly silenced. Prim was torn between bursting in to try and distract them and running to try and find someone nearby to help her. She was so scared that she could only stand petrified, listening to her friend's agony.
"You are nothing," the man's voice grated. "Worse than useless to keep you around." He paused and footsteps could be heard pacing back and forth behind the door. "I can't have a tribute that doesn't know its place. I should have you killed. That is what you deserve, but it can't happen now. Too many people would notice you're gone. Clove here has been looking for some recognition. I have decided that you will provide her opportunity, little tribute. Should your punishment prove her worthy, she will be elevated. Should it not be? Well, there is always another looking for enlightenment."
Prim pressed as close to the door as she could, desperately wishing she had the courage to just open it. She was able to spot Clove through the crack, eyes alight with excitement, bending over Rue's prone form. She held something in her hand that Prim couldn't see but Rue flinched back from it, terror starkly reflected on her face. The shirt was pushed away and Clove bent over Rue's stomach. Prim's hand flew toward her mouth to stifle a scream as a thick stream of blood pooled in the white material of the shirt. Rue's thin wall was brutally silenced as a black boot struck her hard across the temple. She slumped down, unconscious. Clove, however, didn't look up from whatever her task was. Finally, the man's voice was heard, laughter in the tone, saying "Good. Good. Cray will be pleased." Prim carefully slid behind two filing cabinets and watched as Enobaria, Clove, and an almost familiar blond head made their way to the stairs. She waited an extra couple of minutes to make sure that they weren't coming back. She quickly made her way back up the hallway and quietly entered.
She lay there, silent. Still unconscious from the blow to her head, Rue could have been sleeping except for the blood spattered t-shirt that was casually draped over her battered form. Prim crept as close as she could, constantly looking behind her to make sure that the threesome hadn't returned. Rue's breathing was shallow and quick. Unsteady fingers confirmed that a pulse still flickered in her wrist. Prim hesitated, nausea violently twisting her stomach as her hand slid into the blood-caked garment. She pushed it up carefully, trying to assess the extent of the damage. Prim removed her pullover, leaving her shivering in the cold, dank air. Carefully, she folded the sleeve and wiped away as much of the blood as she could. She had to furiously bite her lip to keep from screaming when the true scope of the cuts came into view. They were etched with delicate precision. The artist part of Prim's mind could almost appreciate the surgical refinement of the image that had been engraved into Rue's stomach. The bird had wings outstretched to full length with an arrow clutched in its claws. The whole image was encircled with a thin frame. The image almost appeared to be on fire, the red flow sweeping and highlighting the stylized form.
She leapt to her feet and ran for the door, mindlessly heading for what her brain told her was the way back to safety. She made no attempt to hide her passing; her only thought was to get to a phone. It was the only thing that she could focus on. She hit the ward station area in a full-out run. Quickly glancing around, she slid under the counter, scooting the phone with her along with the rolodex she found sitting conveniently beside it. She tried Peeta's number first, dialing swiftly from habit. It went straight to voicemail, causing her to blow out an irritated breath. She dialed home and received the same reply. Thumbing through the rolodex, Prim caught a glimpse of one particular name. She quickly dialed the cell, sending up a frantic prayer that it would be answered.
Prim heard the phone click and a blessedly familiar voice, "Hello, Katniss Everdeen. Can I help you? Hello? Is anyone there?" Prim's mouth worked but she couldn't force the sound to come out any louder than a small squeak. Katniss said, "I guess I lost you. You'll have to call back." No, Prim screamed silently, I can't call back! She bit the inside of her cheek hard, and the bolt of pain that came with it acted like a shot of adrenaline. She forced out, "Katniss, are you there? Please don't hang up. Katniss, please tell me you can hear me." She almost wept when the voice answered back. "I can hear you. Who is this?" She answered carefully, "Katniss, it's Prim. Can you hear me?"
"Prim, I can hear you. What's going on? What's wrong?" The panic was readily noticeable in Katniss' voice. "Prim, what is it? Please answer."
Prim hugged the phone closer to her. "I'm at the ward station over in your friend Gale's section. I really need you to come now. Please."
She almost wept when Katniss came back, "Okay, Prim, I'm on my way. Peeta's here. Do you want me to bring him, too?"
Prim gave a pained gasp and lowered her voice still more. "No. No. Don't bring him. Don't bring anybody. Just come as soon as you can. Please."
Eight minutes later, she heard almost silent footfalls echoing down the hallway. She huddled deeper into the confines of the counter, her heart rampaging in her chest. She was about to make a run for it when she heard, "Prim, it's me, Katniss. Are you here?" The girl rolled out of the cabinet and threw herself at the confused woman. Katniss caught her in a tight embrace, shocked to feel the slight body trembling violently in her arms. Prim clutched her as tightly as she could, tears running in steady streams down her face. Katniss pulled back slightly and scanned her from head to foot. Her brow furrowed as she noticed the stains on the girl's clothing and her hands. "Prim, is that blood? Are you hurt? What's going on?" Katniss asked, her voice climbing in pitch.
The blond head shook viciously. "I'm fine. They didn't even see me. It's Rue. Please, you have to help me." She tugged Katniss by the hand toward the basement access. Katniss followed uneasily, eyes darting much like Prim's as they made their way down the stairwell. Stopping at a nondescript door, Prim pushed it open and ducked hurriedly inside. Katniss followed and then stopped, her jaw dropping open at the grisly sight before her. Rue laid in a pool of blood, a wadded up shirt staunching most of the flow from her stomach. The white t-shirt she wore was soaked at the hem, red painting lines across her belly creating a puddle on the floor beside her. Katniss could see the remains of severe bruising. The purple and green tinted spots flared all the more brightly in the dim light, framed haphazardly in wavering lines of red.
"Oh my God," Katniss breathed out. "Prim, who did this? Is she dead?" Katniss slid her fingers around the blood smeared wrists and felt a pulse beating steadily in the girl's wrist. Her breathing sounded thready and thin. Her gaze shifted to the waif like girl who was watching the examination with grief laden eyes. "Tell me the truth. Are you hurt? Did they touch you at all?" The blond head shook and a breathy "no" sounded in the dark. "Did you see who did this?"
Prim nodded, "Clove cut her. Enobaria slapped her this time and the time before. I didn't see who the man was but he kicked her in her head. Glimmer was involved last time. I think they're going to kill her, Katniss. We have to do something."
Katniss' head reeled at the thoughts. She quietly cursed herself for not seeing any of the signs. "Okay," she stuttered, visibly shaken but trying to maintain a calm demeanor. "We need to contact the paramedics and the cops. Haymitch will have to be notified."
Prim violently shook her head, cutting off Katniss' speech. "We can't. They can't even know that I called you. They said they would hurt her and me if they found out that we had filed a complaint or told what they were doing. I don't know who the man was. He mentioned something about an initiation for Clove. We can't tell or they will kill her. We have to find another way."
Katniss was in shock. The fact that this was going on within their group was bad enough. To have it going on for several days in the midst of the whole Better Way staff was incomprehensible. The girl's china blue eyes were glazed and staring. She was clearly terrified. She really believed if she told, there would be dire consequences not only for herself, but a girl she had only met five days ago. Katniss felt a wave of affection sweep over her. Prim was definitely Peeta's sister. It was written all over her. She, like him, gave without question. She had risked everything in the vague attempt that she could keep an innocent girl from enduring outright torture. "Okay, Prim. Let me get Annie down here. She's a trained medic. She'll be able to assess Rue and let us know what further action we need to take. She'll keep it quiet, I promise." Prim gave her a look of awed relief and swiped at the tears still rolling down her cheeks. "In the meantime, we need to figure out where to go after Annie looks her over. She's not safe here and neither are you."
Prim whispered, "Can we stay with you or go home? Peeta would let her stay. I know he would. We have to keep her safe, Katniss. I promised. Please call Peeta. He'll know what to do." The girl's eyes flickered from Katniss to her friend and her hand smoothed the dark hair away from Rue's closed eyes. "I promised her that I would help her. I can't let her down."
Katniss opened her arms to the younger girl and Prim readily entered them. She held her tightly, head tucked into the open space between her shoulder and jaw. Prim slipped her arms around Katniss' waist and squeezed as tightly as her arms would close. Katniss kissed her forehead, rocking slightly, and pushed the blond hair back out of her eyes. "You will keep that promise. I told you that I would help you with anything. I meant that. We will keep her safe. I promise you that." Katniss' eyes found the tiny battered form and she felt her own tears begin to slide down into the blond head nestled in her neck. Slipping out her cell phone, Katniss made the hardest phone call of her life.
There was a brief flicker of connection. "This is Peeta." She swallowed roughly, tears streaming and choked out, "Peeta, it's Katniss. I need you to come now. Yes, right now. No, it's not all right. I'll explain when you get here…."
TO BE CONTINUED…
END PART 10