Chapter 10 –– Close But Untouchable
AN: My apologies for not posting as scheduled. It's been a long and tiring week. Thanks to my reviewers [IcyPinkLemonade, wonderishome, pistonsfan75, 32sheshe, pumpkinking5, LACR, Ihaine07, Nai1987, brasirish, Shellibug, jmjames, MaidenAlice, and guests] I always look forward to reading your comments. They are greatly appreciated. Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collin. This chapter will have POV's from Graham, Haymitch and Katniss. Rated M for foul language and suggested sexual encounters. If this offends, please don't read any further. Any mistakes found please excuse me. Happy reading!
Graham POV ––
I never thought that my little brother Peeta succeeded in getting Katniss Everdeen as his girl. When did that happen? Most of all, how did I missed it? I'm so consumed by the idea that I hadn't realized that Sonja had been trying to get my attention.
"Graham, honey," Sonja spoke with annoyance and frustration tainting her voice. "Mom wants to know if we're going to make it to dinner tomorrow?" The dreaded once a week dinner that I promised Sonja we'd attend. One day a week she had convinced me to have dinner at my in-laws. At the time, the request seemed innocent and harmless. I found out after a couple of weeks, that they were far from harmless. I love Sonja most dearly but as for my mother-in-law, I tolerated her existence for my wife's sake. She was after all my mother-in-law.
On our first month of weekly dinners, I had discovered the real reason she had invited us each week. It was the only time when she'd gossiped about our neighbors or anyone for that matter––Seam or Merchant. Whether the rumors were true or false, our dinner conversation was an array of 'do you know…' or 'did you hear that…' For Sonja's sake I tolerated the dinners. Also I couldn't deny time for my father-in-law Dieter with Tyler.
But last week I cancelled the weekly dinner. I wasn't about to sit there and listen to her talk about the gossip going around about Peeta and Katniss. My brother was nearly killed by Cray and I knew she was more curious of their relationship. She was intrusive and nosy. My patience was thin and I knew meeting them for dinner would have been a mistake. So I begged off. I had barely talked to Sonja about Peeta let alone my mother-in-law. In truth, there was nothing to tell since Peeta had hidden his relationship with Katniss from us. It made me wonder if dad knew about it.
Since the incident everywhere I went I got looks and whispers at my direction. It had been a stressful week as I stretched my work between the butcher shop and bakery. I was tired mentally as well as physically.
"I'm not in the mood to have your mother talk about Peeta and Katniss, Sonja," I said. "And before you can deny it, you know she will bring them up." I sighed. "I'm not about to subject myself to that. You're mom doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut." She gasped in hurt and shock.
"Graham, how could you––"
"Be honest with me, tell me that your mom is not one of the biggest gossip mongers in town?" She couldn't deny it. She was quiet for a moment.
"What if I promise you that she won't talk about Peeta?" I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Or Katniss. What if I can promise you that?" I scoffed. "Dad wants to see Tyler."
"Your mom has no filter or tact," I reminded her. The first six months we were married she nagged about providing her a grandchild. She even went as far as to present Sonja an herbal tea to quicken the process. I put my foot down and told her to mind her own business and we would decide when we were having children. It was a matter of timing for us. Yes, we wanted children but on our own timetable.
"You can't make that promise," I said in return. Agneth Edgewood was if anything a busy body and master manipulator. My wedding in my eyes was a fiasco. Everything that Sonja and I wanted was dismissed. I almost broke my engagement to her because of my future mother-in-law taking meddling over our wedding and toasting plans.
But with dad's wisdom he helped me from making a big mistake, "You just don't marry Sonja, you marry her whole family just like she will with us. You take the good and bad in marriage which includes relatives you don't want on both sides." I knew he was referring to mother. Mom wasn't exactly pleased when he we first started dating. She thought Sonja was a passing phase. She wanted me to marry Agatha Berridge. I shivered in disgust at the idea. Agatha was not my type––she was uptight, overbearing and opinionated. She was a little too much like my mother.
"Graham, please," Sonja pleaded. "I know that you don't like going but, it's the only time we have away from working at the butcher shop and…we get to spend a little time together." For an hour or two, her parents doted on Tyler and in that time, we would take a walk around town just the two of us. It was a ritual that I looked forward to––to have at least time with Sonja alone.
"I missed our walk last week." Sonja looked pensive and frustrated. I hadn't realized how much my wife looked forward to our only time alone without Tyler. It was what we called our 'wicked time' as we hid among the tree lines and relived our times at the slagheap. Just because we were married and had a child didn't mean we missed our sex life.
With great reluctance we headed towards my in-laws for the dreaded dinner. Agneth greeted us as Dieter swooped Tyler from Sonja's arms. As promised Agneth kept her gossip to a minimum never bringing up Peeta or Katniss. I had an hour of stress free evening and managed to relax. While my mother-in-law cleared the dinner plates, I reached under the table and grasped Sonja's hand. She was startled but calmed as I sent a quiet thank you with a promise of a reward later on our 'walk.' However, I should have known that I spoke too soon.
I was too anxious and stressed to think about bringing dessert from the bakery. "I know that you've been too busy so I ordered dessert." This was a tactical move on Agneth's part as a soft knock on the door sounded.
"I hope you don't mind," she said as she walked over and opened the front door. "Just on time too." I gasped in shock.
"I brought dessert," mom said as she walked through without an invite. "I hope that I'm not disturbing your evening." My mind went numb as I blinked twice making sure that I was seeing what I was seeing. Right behind mother was none other than––Agatha Berridge and her mother.
I gritted my teeth so hard that my jaw ached. I knew what they were doing. This was a setup between my mother and Mrs. Berridge with Sonja's mother as their accomplice. Yes, she had kept her word and had not uttered one word about Peeta but…
"What are you doing here, mother?" I asked as I held my temper in check.
"Agneth had mentioned that you were coming over for dinner and well, I haven't seen my grandson in weeks so…" With the birth of my son, mother didn't contain her disappointment that there was yet another boy in the family. I had kept her contact with Tyler at a minimum to make sure that she would never hurt my son the way that she had hurt Peeta.
To say that she was disappointed at Tyler's birth was an understatement. To her he was just another boy in a long line of Mellarks. Being first born, she had never hurt me in the way she had hurt her youngest son. I was spared of her physical mistreatment but that didn't mean I was not spared of the emotional abuse she doled on us through the years. Peeta got the worse of her disdain as she abused him physically, mentally and emotionally.
"I doubt you're here for Tyler," I said as I pointed to Mrs. Berridge and Agatha at her heels. Both women had the gall to smile as if our meeting was something I had agreed to.
"Oh, Mrs. Berridge and Agatha wanted to see my grandson, Tyler," she lied. Her interest was apparent. It was difficult to keep my temper in check as she played along and held Tyler in her arms, showing off her 'handsome grandson.' However, I knew her real motive for coming. She wanted––no she needed someone in her corner to help her get Peeta away from Katniss. Thus, she obtained the assistance of my mother-in-law to gang up on me.
I watched mom never leaving her alone with Ty. It's sad to admit that I couldn't trust her with him. That was a reality I had to accept. She was abusive with Peeta how could I trust her with Ty? Mrs. Berridge was entranced with Ty as she oohed and aahed at him. He was pure Merchant through and through with his golden wavy hair and piercing blues eyes. He was a replicate of me as an infant.
"You're little boy is so cute and so sweet," Agatha gushed. "You Mellarks make beautiful babies. How I love his curly blond hair, he's so adorable. I hope my babies will have the same thickness and color." I flinched at her implication. Rye was engaged to Delly Cartwright, now she was gunning for Peeta. The thought scared me of Agatha Berridge as my sister in law. "How is Peeta doing?" she asked.
"Fine, Katniss and her family has been taking good care of him," I implied. She flinched as I mentioned Katniss' name.
"Peeta really needs to get over his infatuation with Katniss Everdeen," Agatha said in an impatient manner. "I just don't see what he sees in her."
"Peeta has always had a crush on her since he was little," I informed her. "You'll only disappoint yourself if you insist on running after him. She is not an infatuation for Peeta."
"How could you possible agree to such a match?" Mrs. Berridge added. "He's Merchant and she is…Seam. That's…just…unseemly. He deserves better." 'Like your daughter?' There were more eligible boys in District 12. I didn't know what was the Berridges obsession with us. Agatha was determined to have Peeta for herself despite the opposition from dad and Peeta. He made it clear that he didn't want her.
"You have never shown any interest in Peeta. Why now?" I asked Mrs. Berridge. The question startled her.
"Why not?" she retorted. "He's eligible and comes from a good family. You're father was a suitor of mine a long time ago." I remembered hearing stories of how the Coolidges once tried to contract dad with Diana, now known as Diana Berridge. At the time, he had just had his heart broken when Lily married Garrett Everdeen. His mother tried to contract him to Diana, he refused. "Their union would be––"
"That's it? Because he comes from a good family? What about love?" I married for love. I was lucky to have found love with Sonja. So was Rye with Delly Cartwright. Why should my baby brother be denied love in his marriage? Agatha Berridge loved only herself. Peeta would be miserable with her.
"Love is fleeting. It never lasts. We need to keep the Merchant bloodline pure," she said. "Peeta and Agatha would make beautiful babies together, don't you agree?"
I flinched in disgust. She talked about Peeta like he was a breeding stud. Dad said he married for love so it made me wondered if mom married dad for love.
"You love who you love," dad said once. "Can't force someone to love you. Just hope that you're lucky to find someone who loves you back."
"So mother, did you ask him?" Agatha interrupted.
"I didn't have a chance," she reported.
"Ask me what?" My curiosity peaked.
"Well, I'm having a birthday soon. So I was wondering…when Peeta is well," she started. "I would like it very much if he would be my escort for my birthday party." She actually meant date. When I think of the audacity or the balls she had to even consider the idea. She knew that Peeta already had a girlfriend.
"Have you forgotten that Peeta has a girlfriend," I reminded both of them. "And I want to know why you need to ask me when you should be asking my dad."
"You mother says that you father is not thinking clearly at the moment," Mrs. Berridge informed me. "With Peeta nearly dying for that…Seam brat. He's surely not making the right decisions for him." That did it, my patience and tolerance obliterated.
"Sonja, it's time to go home," I announced.
"But we haven't had our time with Tyler," Agneth said hurt clear in her voice and eyes. She should of thought of Tyler instead of inviting mother, Agatha and Mrs. Berridge for dessert. "But you didn't have dessert."
"Excuse me but we are leaving," I said leaving no room to argue as I picked Tyler off from my mother and headed out the door.
"Graham Mellark, you get back here at once," mom demanded. "You're being rude to Mrs. Berridge and Agatha."
Sonja stepped beside me as she placed a hand on my arm. I was about to bid my farewell when Rye crashed through the door. "Graham, thank God I found you."
"What's wrong?" Panic and fear was etched on Rye's face.
"Rye Mellark, what are you––" mom said in an indignant manner.
He ignored everyone and spoke only to me. "Come quick, Peacekeepers came to the bakery and took Peeta and dad to the Justice Building." I thrust Tyler into Sonja's arms.
"Go home and wait for me," I instructed her.
"No, Graham. I'm coming with you," she argued back.
"Sonja," I said in frustration and impatience. "I don't have time to argue."
"No, I'm not going home and wait for you. I'll go crazy thinking about what's happening," she explained. "We go together as a family or you don't go at all." She placed her foot down metaphorically. Sonja barely made any demands from me but she was stubborn when she wanted something. "Please, Graham."
I nodded my head as I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Together?"
"Together," she returned with a hard squeeze on my forearm.
Haymitch POV ––
Meeting for the rebellion in guise of a card game was boring. It didn't help that Nate Cartwright, Heath Undersee and Wayne Herlihy were horrible card players. At least make the pretense of a card game worth challenging as I beat every hand played. It was like stealing from babies. I wished Jimmy, Garrett and Graham were here in their stead. However, the guys at this table were critical for the upcoming assignment––blowing up the mine to help Gale get in contact with District 13. Nate and Wayne had planned and checked for every contingency. We couldn't afford to make any mistakes. I took a large gulp of whiskey that Heath had placed on the card table. I needed it to calm my nerves. This was it. Everyone and everything was set. There was no going back once the plan was set in motion. God help us all.
"Everything looks good and working out according to plan," Nate delivered. "Are you sure MockingJay wants to set off the mine before the next reaping?"
"That's what he wanted," I said. "Hell, he'd want to do it tomorrow if that was possible."
Wayne sighed. "I can't believe we're going through with it. He hasn't sent a broadcast in weeks. I just don't like the timing." MockingJay had stopped his broadcast when we were alerted that the Capitol was close to discovering his location. It was too risky for him. "I just feel uneasy about the whole thing."
"Wayne, if you're having seconds thoughts," I said.
"No, yes. I mean, I don't know," he rattled. "It's just…this is it guys. No turning back." I was committed to this mission. I had been for the past twenty years. Each year, the games tore at my heart and soul. I was sick and tired of sending young innocent children to their deaths. The games had to be stopped and the only way it could happen was to go to war against Snow and the Capitol. I rather lived my life fighting to the death then watching more children die in the games.
"Wayne, we go all in or don't go at all," I said.
"I have reservations too Wayne," Heath added. "So many things can go wrong. We can't back out now. It's too late for that." Nate nodded his head in agreement.
"I have concerns too. I just…I have some concerns with sending Gale Hawthorne," Nate started. "And before you guys disagree, I know he's qualified. I'm not convinced of his commitment. Delly has been telling stories about him and well…"
Before Nate could finish his sentence, Rory Hawthorne burst into my home.
"What the hell, Rory," I said startled by his appearance. "Don't you youngster have any manners just barging into people's homes like that?"
"Mr. Abernathy come quick," he said as he was out of breath from running I assumed. He ignored my tirade.
"What's wrong?" I asked. Fear filled the pit of stomach. I hope that it wasn't about…
"Mr. Everdeen said that Cray is taking Katniss to the Justice Building for questioning," he informed.
"What? Katniss? What for?" I barked. This was not what I expected. Katniss Everdeen, why her?
"I don't know. Mr. Everdeen just told me to come get you." 'What the hell was Cray doing with Katniss?' my mind speculated. Wild thoughts ran in my head. Could Cray have discovered that Peeta saved Katniss when Ivan was assaulting her? That would mean that Peeta was in trouble too. 'Shit.'
The trek to the Justice Building took only a few minutes. Two Peacekeepers stood at the entryway. "Stop, you cannot enter," one tall Peacekeeper announced as he aimed his rife towards my chest. "I have orders from Cray to keep everyone outside."
"Haymitch," I heard someone scream my name. It was Garrett with Lily and little Prim walking beside him. Garrett's face was strained from the exertion. "They took Katniss."
"Why? What does he want with Katniss?" The look of fear on Lily and Prim's face was heartbreaking. Cray didn't care who you were male or female had you committed a crime.
"He didn't say. They came to the house asking for her," he responded his breath hard. "Haymitch, Gale was with him." Beside him, Rory gasped.
"Gale? What do you mean he was with Cray?" Rory asked bewilderment on his face. I felt sorry for the kid. His brother was a first class jerk. He too looked stunned at Garrett's statement.
"What do you mean Gale was with him?" Gale? 'What the fuck has he done now?'
"He was standing next to Cray when they arrived at the house." There was rage on Garrett's face. "He…I don't know what he said but Cray also took Jimmy and Peeta as well. They are already inside." I raised both hands and grabbed the sides of my head.
"That son of a bitch. What was he doing?" I yelled into the air. What the hell? Gale Hawthorne? God damnit I'm starting to hate the guy. I swear he's determined to cause trouble. How the hell am to help MockingJay if Gale was causing problems in District 12? What the fuck…
"Haymitch," Graham's voice pierced the air disturbing my inner monologue. Rye followed right behind him. "What the hell is going on? Rye says that Cray took Peeta and dad for questioning."
"Rye, tell me what happened?"
"It happened so fast. Cray just walked into the bakery demanding to take Peeta in for questioning. Dad was so furious. He said he was not going to take Peeta again without going with him if it means getting arrested," Rye dictated his story. "Before they left he told me to go and get you." Nate, Heath and Wayne followed me as well.
"What can I do?" Heath asked. As mayor of District 12, he felt helpless when Peeta was incarcerated. I advised him to steer clear from getting involved just incase something happened to me. The rebellion was our first priority. Besides, Cray knew not to touch me, as I was Snow's Victor. I was untouchable to Cray.
I sighed. This was déjà vu except this time Jimmy was able to be with Peeta. I turned my head to find Mrs. Mellark, Mrs. Berridge and her daughter what's her name…Bertha, Berdie standing in the courtyard. They sent death glares at the Everdeens who stood beside me.
"What are they doing here?" I inquired.
"I was having dinner with Sonja's folks when they invited themselves for dessert," Graham explained. "They're so damn nosy. I guess they followed me here."
"Graham," Evelyn screamed. "What the hell are they doing here?" She pointed at the Everdeens.
"Cray also took Katniss for questioning," Graham answered. His tone was tinged with impatience.
"What? Why? What has she done this time?" Evelyn bellowed. She was clearly agitated at the presence of the Everdeens.
"Poor Peeta," Mrs. Berridge's daughter sighed. "It seems that all that Katniss has done is cause so many problems with Peeta."
"Graham?" I inquired. "I didn't know you were acquainted with the Berridges?" Graham leaned over.
"Mom has been trying to contract their daughter Agatha to Peeta," he explained with a pinch expression on his face.
"You're fucking kidding me?" I chortled. There was no way that was going to happen. Everyone knew whom Peeta was smitten with and it wasn't with some big bosom, blond hair and blue-eyed Merchant. He preferred a scrawny, ill-tempered brunette with steel colored eye Seam.
"She's persistent."
"Who your mom or Peeta's admirer?"
"Graham, I'm talking to you," Evelyn continued.
"Mother, be quiet," he screamed at her. His mother gasped in horror. "Peeta's inside with Cray again and you're worried about the Everdeen's being here? Just fucking leave if you're offended. You don't have to be here."
"I will not be spoken to in that way," she berated him.
"Mother, leave. It's obvious that you don't care about Peeta's welfare," he said. "Leave before I make you leave." His threat was real as he walked over to her. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. Her brows furrowed as a painful expression was etched on her face.
"You wouldn't dare?" she gasped back.
"Try me, mother," Graham returned. Evelyn grimaced her hand covered her mouth. She relented as she turned and walked away. The Berridges followed behind her.
"What did you tell you if I may ask," I inquired.
"I told her that if my next child is a girl, she will be forbidden to see or be near her," he answered back. "And that when Peeta marries Katniss they will be godparents." I laughed. It wasn't as if Graham was expecting another child any time soon, but the thought of Katniss as her daughter-in-law really must have offended Evelyn. If Peeta had his way, he would make that dream come true.
"Haymitch," Garrett addressed me a few minutes later. "Do you think they're okay in there?"
"Listen Garrett, I know that my dad won't let anything happen to Katniss," Graham comforted him. "He'll take care of them."
"I trust Jimmy, Garrett," Lily spoke. She placed a comforting hand on Garrett's arm. He shook with fear and anger. Lily had her other arm around Prim. She too looked scared as Rory stood beside her. I couldn't tell how Rory was feeling. It must really be confusing for him as he tried to figure out why Gale was talking to Cray.
"I just don't understand what Gale is doing?" Garrett said. "He so angry and unpredictable right now. What was he thinking involving Katniss at all?"
"He's been really angry all the time," Rory added. "Ever since the night of the celebration, he's been short and mean to everyone. I don't know who he is sometimes. He yelled at Posy yesterday for no reason. All she wanted was her brother to notice her."
I too was mystified by Gale's behavior. Garrett had once hoped that his daughter and Gale would settle down once they passed their reaping age. However, Katniss was vocal in her disinterest with Gale as a suitor let alone marry. I was surprised that she was against marriage seeing how her parents were a love match despite the social bias of Seam and Merchant. Peeta's attraction to Katniss boggled my mind.
"What are you guys talking about?" Graham asked. 'Oh, shit.' Graham was unaware of Gale's involvement. "What does Gale have anything to do with all Peeta and Katniss?"
"He was with Cray when they should up on my doorstep," Garrett informed him.
"I don't understand?" Graham was totally clueless to everything that has transpired since the night of the celebration. I told him everything––from the attempted rape to Peeta witnessing Gale beating up Ivan and the mystery figure who murdered him. I filled him in as best I could. Even Rye was surprised at the events.
"So Peeta and Katniss are being questioned because of Gale? What's his fucking problem?" Graham said with anger in his voice.
"Graham calm down, honey?" Sonja soothed him. "We need to be here for Peeta. You getting upset with Gale will only exasperate the situation."
"Peeta's in there because of him," Rye seethed in anger as well. "He can't handle the fact that Katniss is Peeta's girlfriend." We all knew that she wasn't his girlfriend but to protect Peeta, we played along. Heath, Nate and Wayne weren't aware of the night in question––the night Ivan was murdered. "I want to beat the crap out of him myself."
"Guys, calm down," I said. "We don't know all the facts." I tried to calm everyone as best I could. Peeta was once again in Cray's clutches. This time Gale and Katniss are involved. Who knew what was going on? I just hoped that there wouldn't be another whipping at nights end. Peeta would definitely not survive it.
Katniss POV ––
I stood up at the sight of Gale standing next to Cray. 'What the hell have you've done, Gale?' my mind screamed at him. He had a smirk on his arrogant face. I looked over his shoulder and saw Darius standing behind him. He was the only Peacekeeper I knew that turned his head at the illegal activity in District 12. Cray hated District 12. To him being assigned here was humiliating and felt more of a punishment than a job. So many illegal activities were committed under his watch. Cray was too angry and feeling sorry for himself to realize what had been happening under his nose.
Everyone knew the black market existed between the districts locals. As long as it was hidden from Snow, it was tolerated. Darius had caught Gale and I once returning from a morning of hunting. He saw rabbits and peasant in my hand. In exchange from turning us in I would supply him game once a week. It was an arrangement that worked out for us.
Now seeing them together my stomach lurched, anxiety and fear jumbled together creating bile that rose to my throat. 'What are you doing with Cray?' my mind exploded.
"What are you doing here, Peacekeeper Cray?" dad addressed him. Dad was tensed, mom and Prim fearful. Me, I was angry, beyond any anger I have either felt in my life. I looked at Darius to see any signs from him.
"I am here to take your daughter Katniss Everdeen for questioning," he stated. Mom gasped in horror while Prim took my hand as she stood beside me.
"Questioning?" dad balked. He was furious, the long vein on his neck obvious. "Questioning for what? My daughter has done nothing wrong."
"Mr. Everdeen?" Gale started.
"I wasn't talking to you Hawthorne," dad seethed with anger. There was a few times in my life that I saw dad angry. This…this was different. There was rage and fire in his eyes. I guess like father like daughter.
"You are not taking my young daughter with you without me or anyone to accompany her. We all know what you did to Peeta Mellark denying him his rights to have his father with him."
"I'll be with her, Mr. Everdeen," Gale suggested. "I'll make sure nothing happens." I scoffed at him. If he thought that I was going anywhere with him, he was out of mind.
"You stay away my daughter," dad bellowed. "I don't know what you're doing, Gale, but you are not getting near Katniss." He turned to Prim. "Prim, go to Rory and get him Haymitch Abernathy, Mayor Undersee and Mr. Mellark." Mr. Mellark? Why would dad involve Peeta's father?
"Mr. Mellark is already at the Justice Building," Cray informed him. My worse fear realized. This had to do with Peeta somehow. I felt it in my heart. "There is no need to bring Victor Abernathy into this."
"What? Why is Peeta––" Dad gasped in shock.
"I brought him and his son, Peeta––" Without thinking of my actions or the consequences. I pushed past everyone and confronted Gale.
"What did you do?" I asked as I grabbed him by the front of his shirt, bunching the cloth into a first then shoving hard. "What did you say about Peeta…what did you do?" I saw red as I imagined Peeta manhandled while he taken to the Justice Building. Gale was the cause of all this…whatever this was. Peeta was the Justice Building, not home in bed resting and healing. He was again in that place.
Cray grabbed my arm. "Hey, let go of my daughter, Cray," dad yelled and stood between us as he pushed him aside. He swayed a bit as he lost balance with his fake leg. "I will take Katniss to the Justice Building." He turned to Prim. "Prim go and do as I tell you." Prim brushed past us. "Lily, you need to come incase Peeta is hurt."
Peeta. Thoughts of him, barraged my mind. Scared for him, I hurriedly put on my boots and ran. "Katniss," Dad yelled after me. It was dark. The night was cold and damp but I couldn't feel it. I wore a simple blouse and pants as I had forgotten to wear a coat. I let the moon light guide to the town square. I was faster than all of them as I out paced everyone. My heart thumped against my chest as images of Peeta hurt filled my mind. My breath was caught in my throat. I had to get to him. Damn the consequences.
From behind me I heard Cray, Darius and Gale screaming. "Katniss, stop running," Gale hollered. "She's running towards the town." The cold wind pelted my face. I stopped the sob wedged between my throat and mouth. "Don't shoot, she's not running away."
"Katniss, stop," my mom's voice joined them.
I ignored all the voices behind me––Cray, Darius, Mom and Dad. Their voices were whispers in my head. "Peeta, Peeta. Please be okay," I repeated to myself. The building loomed before me. All electricity was off by this time but the Justice Building. It was lit like a beacon in the dark night. I saw past images of Peeta in the courtyard, stripped from his shirt as blood ran down his back. I recalled images of Cray whipping him. His handsome face was contorted with pain and anguish and still I couldn't help but ogled at his strong lean body. The memory still haunted me.
I ran straight through the double door, yanked the panels opened. "Stop," a Peacekeeper yelled that I skidded on the hardwood floor. He had his rifle pointed at me.
"Where's Peeta?" I asked.
"Who?" he asked with a perplexed look on his face.
"Peeta Mellark. He and his father were brought in for questioning." My patience was gone. "Cray brought him in for questioning," I repeated. Before he could answer someone grabbed my arm. It was Gale. I flinched and scowled at him as I shoved him away from me. From his touch, I shivered in disgust.
"Katniss? What the hell were thinking running like that? You almost got shot."
"Get away from me, Gale," I bit back, venom in my voice. I didn't recognize the boy I once hunted with. "I need to see Peeta." He was my only concern. I needed to the Boy with the Bread. I needed to make sure he was alive and well, not suffering from Cray's treatment and cruelty. There would be no relief until I saw Peeta again.
Gale gritted his teeth. "Take her to Interrogation Room 1," Cray's voice registered behind me.
"I should be––" Gale started.
"Hawthorne, you've done enough. Take her to Interrogation Room 1," Cray instructed his Peacekeeper. "And you," he directed to Gale. "I'll only give you so much leeway before I throw you into a cell if you disrupt me or my interrogation one more time. I will allow you in the room but any sign of interference and you'll be spending the night in a cell. Have I made myself clear?" Gale nodded his head.
My feet felt like lead as they walked me through a white pristine hallway with several door with no doorknobs. I assumed they were interrogation rooms. The sparseness and brightness of the walls wreaked havoc on my senses, as I couldn't find any detail or depth of the corridor. I felt as though I was walking for a few minutes instead of a few seconds when they stopped at the end of the hallway. It was so quiet that the sound of door opening was deafening. Inside the room were four other Peacekeepers standing guard at the opposite sides of the room.
I gasped in horror and concern as my eyes caught the sight of Peeta's upper body leaning over a white table. His father was cuffed at the head of the table three seats away from him. "Peeta, just hold on. Don't panic. I'm here. I'm here. Just listen to my voice." His voice was soft, comforting then hard as he turned to Cray.
"Get this off me now, you have no right to detain Peeta. Can't you see he's sick and needs medical attention? You had no right dragging him here without cause."
Peeta's hands were cuffed as they lay before him. At least he wasn't bound to the table. He wore a dark blue pants his gray shirt hung loosely over his shoulders. It was unbuttoned. They didn't have the decency to let him put shoes on. He was barefoot with no socks to shield him from the cold floor. His arms cradled his head as his he hid his face. He didn't look up even as Cray addressed him.
"Peeta, I brought company," he said. "Now that we're here together, let's get started."
"You leave him alone," Mr. Mellark screamed. "Can't you see he's still hurt? Where's my son, Rye? Why is Katniss here? Why are you doing this?" His barrage of questions were ignored.
"Peeta, look who's here?" Cray taunted him. Without permission or consent I ran around the long table to get to Peeta.
"Katniss, what are you––" Gale said in a heated voice.
"Let her go to her boyfriend," Cray exchanged his manner sarcastic.
"He…is…not her boyfriend," Gale returned. "They are not together. I told you that I gave him those bruises on his face. Not his mother. I decked him." I sat next to Peeta, my hand on his head as I lowered my face to his. "She's just protecting him."
I couldn't believe the gall my ex-best friend had. Where was his compassion, his understanding? Was he so consumed with jealousy that he was willing to throw Peeta back into Cray's clutches? Peacekeeper Cray had continued investigating the murder of his nephew Ivan. He still didn't know who committed the crime. But Gale, he was clearly pointing the finger at Peeta. Did he forget that he beat Ivan himself that night? Even if Gale wasn't my friend anymore I knew him enough to know that he didn't kill Ivan. Gale wasn't a killer. With his mind in a jealous rage, he couldn't see that he was throwing suspicion back to Peeta? Or maybe he does see and wanted Peeta out of the 'competition.'
"Peeta," I whispered to him, my breath brushing his ear. "It's me Katniss." His hair felt soft and silky. I missed touching it, touching him. I heard someone gasp. It was Gale his mouth open. "I'm here, you're okay." I could see and feel Peeta's body trembling, he felt cold to touch. "I'm here."
A woman in white pantsuit walked into the room. In her hands she held a metallic platter. She moved and spoke to Cray. Gale stood beside him his teeth clenched. I continued to rub his hair in a soft soothing pattern. Whether he acknowledged me or not, his body relaxed. Still, he kept his face away from me. His dismissal hurt. Now I knew how he felt when I denied or refused his friendship. It was what he offered me all those times I encountered him, I can acknowledge that now.
The next thing I knew two peacekeeper pulled Peeta from chair forcing him to stand. He winced and moaned in pain. "Hey, what are you doing?" I yelled.
"Cray, leave him alone," his father cried in fear and anger. Gale quickly ran to me and pulled me to him his grip hard and unyielding as he prevented me to get to Peeta.
"What are doing?" Peeta's eyes were wide with fear and confusion. "He's still hurt. You're hurting him. Let go of me Gale." During the whole exchange the woman in white held a large metallic syringe in her gloved hand.
"What are you doing?" Mr. Mellark cried out as two peacekeepers kept him away. The nurses plunged the needle onto Peeta's right leg. Peeta groaned in pain.
"Dad help me," he sobbed. "What's going on? Please stop…what are you doing?" His words were slurred and heavy as if he was still under the morphling. He was released as he landed back on the chair with a loud thud.
"Peeta," both Mr. Mellark and I cried out. I managed to release myself from Gale as I ran to him. "Peeta, Peeta."
Tears tracked down his face. His cheeks hot and wet as I cupped my hands around them. "Katniss?" He blinked twice, three times as he adjusted his focus.
"Hey, yes it's me Katniss," I said relief and concern tinged my voice.
"I don't understand…" He stopped as he looked around him, his dad, Gale and Cray before settling back to me. I looked into his blue eyes. A tear tracked down his cheek. There were with pain and anguish in his face. He was strong and brave as he held himself trying not to break down.
"You're okay, we're okay," I soothed him as I knelt before him. Something stirred inside me, a feeling I had suppressed or denied myself. I knew what it was now––acceptance. I could accept his devotion for me. It held no conditions. I was blind to it. I could acknowledge it without feeling fear. I turned to Cray. "What did you give him?" I screamed. He was already medicated and whatever drug they gave him could hinder his recovery.
"It's a truth serum of some sort," Cray delivered with a smug look on his face. I wanted to punch the smarmy look of his face. Gale looked unsurprised, he looked––pleased.
"He can't lie his way out of anything. He will answer me truthfully and without any coaxing or influence from anyone."
'Oh, shit.' With the drug, Cray and everyone will know that Peeta and I were never together. That he was never my boyfriend. He'll know the true nature of our relationship and that Peeta attacked Ivan the night of the celebration. "It will only take a few minutes before it starts to work."
"You bastard," I cried out. "What kind of monster are you? You nearly killed him a few days ago and now…you couldn't wait for him to recover?"
"The murder and death of a peacekeeper is an offense that requires swift justice. My nephew was brutally attacked on my watch." I could sympathize that a human life was taken. But Ivan was scum who preyed on young girls. He didn't deserve to die the way he did. I was glad he was dead. If it wasn't for Peeta saving me that night, my life––I didn't know how to move forward from that kind of assault. No woman did.
"There is no time table when a murder is committed." Peeta moaned beside me. I refocused my attention to him.
"Peeta?" I felt his forehead with palm of my hand. He was warm but not heated. I left my hand on the side of his face cradling his cheek on my palm.
"Thirsty," he returned.
"It's one of the side effects," Cray explained. "He can wait."
"He's thirsty. You can't just stand there and not give him something to drink."
"Peeta," he addressed him. Peeta looked up his eyes blurry and unfocused.
"Tell me your full name. And who are you parents?" He started his interrogation ignoring my plea for a glass of water.
Peeta blinked twice. "My name is Peeta Mellark. My parents are James and Evelyn Mellark."
"Who is she?" He pointed to me. He turned his head his blue eyes soft but directed toward mine.
"Katniss Everdeen," he sighed accompanied with a shy smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. Did his face just turned pink? I smiled to myself. "I think I'm dreaming again," he said to himself as he looked at me.
"You're not Peeta," I said to him. "I'm here with you." He shook his head as if he was trying to clear his mind that I'm not an illusion or fantasy. I reached down to his cuffed hands and grabbed it. "See real? I'm real."
"And who is he?" he pointed at Gale.
"Gale Hawthorne, her best friend," he stated. I noticed that his face was sad as he looked away from him.
"Ask him," Gale started. "Ask him if Katniss Everdeen is his girlfriend and they were––"
"Quiet Hawthorne," Cray boomed. "What did I tell you? That you are to keep you mouth shut during this investigation. One more sound out of you and I'll throw you into a cell."
My world was about to explode as my secret with Peeta was about to be revealed by Peeta himself. His father looked stricken with fear. "I don't give shit if he's her boyfriend. He's here to tell me the truth."
"The drug should be affecting his system now," the woman in white informed Cray. "I gave him a potent dosage, you shouldn't have any problems getting answers from him." She left the room without any care for Peeta's physical state. I stood up and looked at his back. There wasn't any evidence of his stitches torn.
"Did you attack Peacekeeper Ivan?" Cray inquired. He went straight to the point of his interrogation. Gale snickered.
"Yes, I did," Peeta confessed. My throat constricted, as the room felt warm. The air was humid and dry. "He was attacking…a young seam girl in the back alley of the bakery."
"I already know that," he returned in an impatient manner. "Did you attack and kill Peacekeeper Ivan on the night of the celebration," he asked.
Peeta was quiet for a moment. He raised both hands to his forehead wiping sweat as it dribbled down his face. I knew why the room was warm. It was meant to keep him uncomfortable. "It's hot in here." I wiped the sweat from his forehead with my shirtsleeve.
"Peeta, answer me. Did you kill Peacekeeper Ivan?"
"No, I didn't but I wished I did." I flinched in surprise for I had never thought that Peeta would wish that on anyone. "He was harassing the girls both Seam and Merchant. I saw him with a 14 year-old seam girl. She was so scared and––"
"Now you know the truth, Cray. Peeta didn't kill your nephew," Mr. Mellark interrupted. "Release him now." Cray looked displeased. "He's telling the truth. My boy isn't capable of hurting anyone."
"Hawthorne, you just wasted my time," he bellowed. "You said that he knew who killed him." A thought occurred to me.
"That's why he's here? Gale, you don't honestly think that Peeta killed Ivan?"
"Why not? He's playing hero and knight in shining armor. Who else had the reason to kill him?"
'You,' my mind answered. 'You beat Ivan up that night.' Gale was no longer in my life as a friend, but I wouldn't hurt him the way he was hurting and attacking Peeta. Or would I? I narrowed my eyes at him projecting, 'You beat him up, remember?' I wasn't surprised that Cray didn't notice the cut and bruises on Gale's knuckles. He was a miner so that kind of injury was common. He would never suspect Gale.
"Were you with Katniss the night Peacekeeper Ivan disappeared?" Gale asked Peeta as he ignored me. 'What the hell?' "Is it true that you were with her that night?"
Peeta looked at me. I identified the look on his face––longing and devotion. It stunned me. Why couldn't I have recognized it before? I was too scared to acknowledge it, that's why. I held my breath for we knew the answer. I went home with Prim and Rory on the night he attacked me. Then his face turned pink as he blushed.
"A gentleman would never kiss and tell," he giggled to himself. I smiled. 'What?' The morphling in his system was probably affecting his judgment as well. I felt a second of relief but Gale pressed Peeta further.
"Peeta, once and for all tell me if Katniss Everdeen is your girlfriend," Gale screamed at him.
"What of interrogation is this?" Mr. Mellark asked. I knew he was trying to deflect Gale's question. "What does my son's relationship with Katniss have anything to do with your nephew murder?"
"Answer me, Peeta," Gale reiterated. "Is Katniss Everdeen your girlfriend?" Damnit, Gale was persistent. He was determined to destroy Peeta's life and make me a liar.
"No she isn't…" Peeta looked sad, wistful. He bit his lower lip as it tremble. Panic and fear grew inside me. This was it, everything was going to… "She's everything to me." 'Huh, what the…'
"She's more than a girlfriend, she's Katniss," he rambled. "She's not like any of the girls in school. I've had a crush on her since I was five…when I heard her sing a song in school. I was a goner. I could never forget that day." I blushed. I remembered singing in school but that was before my father's accident. He was definitely affected by the morphling and the truth serum. Peeta's wish and reality of the nature of our relationship confused him. In his mind I was his girl. "She's so beautiful. She sings like an angel." I blushed at his compliment. He saw me as an angel. He was so adorable all drugged up and confused. He thought of me as his girlfriend.
"What the hell is he talking about?" Gale screamed. I ignored him as the warmth from my belly spread to my chest. I never sang around Gale. Singing was something personal and intimate with me. "Katniss doesn't sing."
"You heard what he said," Mr. Mellark boasted. "He just pretty much admitted that she is his girlfriend. He's not lying when he said that he didn't kill Ivan. He knows nothing." Mr. Mellark lied and he knew that I knew it too.
"No, I refuse to believe it," Gale reiterated. "I've never seen you or heard you talk about having any interest with anyone, let alone Peeta Mellark."
"What kind of proof do you need?" I yelled back. I was so tired of this––Gale's obsession with my relationship with Peeta.
"You can't prove a damn thing because he's not your boyfriend? You swore to never fall in love and get married." He was right. In truth, even if Peeta wasn't my boyfriend, Gale wouldn't be either. I had made sure of it. I would be stupid to not think of Gale as a boyfriend had I wanted to settle down, but I didn't. I didn't want him that way.
Gale was right about one thing––love and marriage was something I avoided. "You know nothing of him. He probably seduced you." Mr. Mellark cleared his throat. I dared look at his direction.
On his face was a look of amusement. Peeta's seducing me? I think not, considering how I treated him in the past. Being around Peeta irritated and gnawed my senses. I felt anxious and confusion around him––I didn't like the feeling so it was easier to be upset and cold to him. I can now admit that he was trying to be friendly but I only saw it as annoyance.
"I know nothing?" I sneered at him. He was wrong. "Peeta loves to paint and draw. His favorite color is orange." I started a list of things I knew about Peeta that I observed.
"So what? I know that you like the color green––"
"I know that Peeta sleeps with his windows open because he gets hot at night." Gale's eyes grew in interest but I knew it wasn't enough. He needed more. "He double knots his shoelaces. He secretly hides all his drawings and paintings from his mother because she thinks his talent is a waste of time."
"Well, she's right about that," Gale spouted. "He's a fucking baker. What else is he good for?" His father started to protest but I interrupted him.
"Do you know what else I know about him? Something that only a girlfriend would know intimately? That he has a birthmark on his hip near his groin?" I snickered with smile on my face. I'll never forget the look on Gale's face as his mouth opened and closed.
"You're lying?" he protested.
"What? You looked surprised. He's my boyfriend. I should know stuff like that." The room's temperature was now boiling hot. I blushed because I just literally revealed to Gale I saw Peeta naked in front of his dad. God help me for I have sinned. "Want to know other blemishes or scars he has all over his body?"
"You're lying," he repeated. Gale's face turned pale. I didn't think it was possible with our tanned skin. Actually he looked––sick.
"Want me to show you?" I challenged him. He dared me with his eyes. I hated the look on his face as if he knew me. "Peeta, honey," I addressed my 'boyfriend.'
"Katniss," he said my name with awe and an adorable look on his face like I was the sun that light up his world.
"Can you stand up a minute?" He stood up without questioning me. Even in pain and drugged up, he was coherent enough to abide my commands.
"Okay," he said soft and yielding. I wanted to…comfort him as he bit his bottom lip in anticipation. He looked scared all of a sudden. I placed a hand on his face. He relaxed at my touch. I was so lost looking into his eyes I had forgotten for a moment my plan to convince Gale that I knew Peeta intimately.
"Katniss, what are you doing?" Gale said his voice cracked as my landed on Peeta's waistband pulling him closer to me. Peeta exhaled in surprised.
"You don't believe that Peeta has a birthmark on his hip?" I challenged him again. My ex-best friend turned to Peeta's father.
"Mr. Mellark? You're not going to stand there and let her do this?" I hoped that the blush on my face wasn't too obvious. Mr. Mellark knew that I wasn't intimate or anywhere close to knowing Peeta that way.
"I don't think that you're convinced that they are boyfriend and girlfriend," Mr. Mellark explained. "If you need proof that he has a birthday near his groin, who am I argue with his girlfriend who would intimately know where it's located."
"That's impossible. I would have known if Katniss was seeing anyone," Gale returned.
"With all that time you spend into the slagheap, how do you know if I wasn't seeing Peeta elsewhere?" I questioned him. "Peeta would never take me slagheap." I was sure of that. If there was one thing I knew about him, he have never taken any girl there either to my relief.
"I wanted you," Gale roared. "And all this time you've been sneaking around––fucking the baker's son." Mr. Mellark ran over to Gale and shoved him hard. His hands were still cuffed but with his big bulk and strength he managed to knock him down on the ground.
"Shut up, Gale," he sneered. "I will not have you talking about my son and Katniss that way. I don't understand your obsession with their relationship." Mr. Mellark cleared his throat as anger tinged his voice. "I mean, I know it hurt that Peeta chose him over you––"
Peeta moved as he watched his father loom over Gale. I held onto him making sure he didn't hurt himself further as I wrapped my arms around his lean waist. "Peeta, don't."
"You get away from my dad," Peeta hollered. His instinct to protect the ones he loved overshadowed his own safety and welfare as he tried to walk towards his father.
"She didn't chose him over me. She just protecting him––" Gale screamed.
"Peeta, please stop," I begged him. "You're going to hurt yourself." I pressed him back. "Peeta, please." I had a hand on his chest. It was solid and firm against my hand. I could feel the beat of his heart––it was fast. Too fast. "Hey, look at me."
He turned and faced me. His eyes were crystal blue, bleary but focused enough to acknowledge me. I felt his breath skim my face. "Calm down, okay? You're heart is beating too fast." I pressed my hand on his chest. "Just slow down and take a deep breath." He calmed for a moment.
"You don't need to protect him. He's a big boy, he can take care of himself," Gale sneered jealousy written all over his face.
"What kind of a girlfriend do you think I am?" I rattled back my voice hard and firm. "Of course, I would protect him. He's my boyfriend."
"I have enough of this," Cray said as he stood between Gale and Mr. Mellark.
"Does Peeta have a birthmark where Katniss says it's located?" Gale pressed unconvinced at my knowledge of being intimate with Peeta.
"Well, considering that I changed his diapers when he was a baby, I can truthfully tell you that…yes he does have one on his hip." 'There, how do you like that, Gale?' I kept my eyes away from Mr. Mellark as I embarrassed myself in front of him. I had pretty much admitted that I ogled at his son's state of undress when he stayed at my home.
"Believe it or don't believe it," I uttered as I tried not to shake from nervousness. The lies just kept getting bigger and bigger. Gale continued to shake his head in denial. What more could I do to convince him. So I acted and spoke without thinking about the consequences of my actions.
"Of course, you know for a boyfriend he's quite impressive if you know what I mean––"
"Stop," Gale whined as he realized what I was implying. The way Peeta filled his boxer shorts and pants were an indication that he was large. I had to be blind to not notice it.
"I mean, I seen a few when mom would have her patients at the house." I knew I had to convince him further. "Want a show and tell?" I challenged Gale. I unbuttoned Peeta's pants with ease as if I had practice in undressing him. My hands shook but I pressed on. Peeta jumped in surprise. With just one touch his length bugled in his pants.
"Katniss," he whispered his eyes round like saucers. His breath was choppy and harsh. I yanked at him pulling him closer to me. I could feel the muscles on his stomach tense. He may be drugged but he was fully aware of what I was doing to him. The room was more than blazing hot, I felt as if I was in an inferno as sweat dripped down my neck between my breasts. Peeta looked at me with awe and longing. Something in my chest exploded as warmth filled me––a warm sensation that had nothing to do with heat of the room or temperature but a feeling inside me that I couldn't identify.
I wished that I had the courage to realize what had been in front of me all this time. He was beautiful behind the stunned look on his face. His eyes were bleary and his lips plump and red.
"Katniss, I––"
"I said stop it." Gale closed his eyes. He kept pressing the issue that I wasn't Peeta's girl. Now he knew better even if this relationship was fake, I had to make it believable.
"That's enough. This is not some contest for who has the bigger dick," Cray said in a crass manner. He walked over Gale. "I can't believe this. You have wasted my time. You said he had information about my nephew's murder. Now I know what all this was about. You wanted her." He pointed to me.
"But she wanted him." He pointed to Peeta. "You pissed as hell that she chose a Merchant boy over you. You need to get over yourself. She wants him not you." Gale looked crushed as it was obvious even to Cray that I chose Peeta. I didn't care considering how he once again placed Peeta's life in danger because of his bruised ego. "I can't believe I got sucked into some teenage romance."
A Peacekeeper walked into the room before anyone could react. He whispered to Cray. "Oh for god's sake, I don't care if the whole town is outside the door. Throw them in a cell if they cause any problems."
"What's going on?" Mr. Mellark asked.
"Nothing for you to be concern about," Cray answered back. Then, I remembered that I left mom and dad so I could get to Peeta. They were probably waiting outside the building. I wondered who else was outside waiting.
"I should lock you up for a week for wasting my time," Cray said to Gale. "I'm investigating the brutal murder of my nephew. I don't have time for your romance. You were convinced that he––" He pointed at Peeta. "Had information or know who killed my nephew."
I gasped in horror. So that was Gale's true motivation besides trying to find the truth of my relationship with Peeta. As far as he knew I was with Peeta that night when Ivan was killed. What did he know that convinced him that Peeta had information about Ivan's murder?
"I need to address another matter," Cray announced as he turned towards the door. "Let them go. I've wasted enough time with you miscreants." He exited the room exasperated. A Peacekeeper walked over to release Peeta from his bindings.
A look of fear and panic crossed his face. "Dad?" he cried out as he walked backwards pressing himself against at wall. "Don't touch me."
"Stop, he's still hurt and drugged up. You're scaring him," I yelled. Peeta had pressed himself against the wall. I feared that the impact opened his stitches. "Peeta, don't panic."
I turned to the Peacekeeper. "Give me the key," I demanded. "He won't let you get near him." The Peacekeeper looked between Peeta and I uncertain of what to do. "Give me the fucking key." Impatient, I grabbed the key from his hand. "Step away from him. You're crowding him." I didn't know where my protective instinct came from but my need to protect Peeta was strong.
"Peeta," I said in a soft tone. He relaxed as I unfastened his bindings. Relief, I caught him as he swayed on his feet.
"It's okay, Peeta," I comforted him. "It's over now. You're safe. I got you. No one is going to hurt you."
"Oh, isn't that sweet," Gale snickered.
"You son of a bitch," Mr. Mellark roared in anger. "My son is barely healing and you have the audacity to accuse him of having information." He had pressed Gale against the wall wrapping his handcuffed hands around Gale's neck. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Two Peacekeepers pulled them apart. Breathing hard through his mouth, Mr. Mellark continued to berate him. "You got a lot of nerve, Hawthorne. You're so jealous of Katniss and Peeta that you can't see the big picture. You're selfish and egotistical."
"Fuck you Mellark," Gale returned.
"Mr. Mellark," I started. I needed his focus, not his anger. Peeta needed to be home in his bed, healing away from this building and from Gale. "We need to take Peeta home." Gale moved to intercept Peeta and me as I held onto his waist bearing his weight. He was tired from his ordeal.
"Don't push me, Gale. You stay away from Peeta," Peeta's dad said as a Peacekeeper removed his cuffs. "Come on, Katniss. It's time we took Peeta home." The stress was evident in his face and demeanor. I grabbed Peeta's shaking hands. They were cold as ice. As we passed Gale, Mr. Mellark leaned over to him making sure the Peacekeepers were out of hearing distance.
"Don't you ever try to hurt Peeta again. Don't go down that path, Gale. You know what happened that night." A look passed between Peeta's father and him. "A lot happened that night that was not unnoticed. I know the truth." He looked down at Gale's bruised knuckles. For the first time, he looked scared.
"So before you go around accusing Peeta of anything," Mr. Mellark threatened. "Just know that there was a witness that night." Gale gasped in shock and fright. "I'm not making any idle threats, you do this again and endanger Peeta and Katniss' life I will have a nice chat with Cray about what happened that night. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Gale nodded his head.
I held onto Peeta my arm around his waist. It was a comforting feeling as he leaned against me. He was safe and that was all that mattered to me. I ignored the looks Gale sent my direction as we walked out the building.
Once outside mom, dad, Prim, and Rory waited at the building's courtyard. In front were Graham, his wife and son, and Rye. I was puzzled as I noticed Mayor Undersee, Nate Cartwright and Wayne Herlihy were there as well.
"I want everyone to go home," Cray screamed at the crowd. "It is way past curfew. I will arrest everyone if you don't do as I say. Leave the premises now."
"Cray, I want a word with you," Haymitch suggested.
"I have nothing to say to you Abernathy," he returned dismissing him like some schoolboy as he returned to the Justice Building.
"Peeta," both his brothers called out to him as they ran towards us. "Peeta are you okay?" Rye asked. It was endearing to see his brother care for him. They were gentle and kind to each other. I have never given them any thought until now. Both Rye and Graham had reputations for carousing with a few Merchant girls before getting married or engaged. That was the extent of my knowledge of the older Mellarks.
Peeta had a reputation as well. He was favored with most girls as he was never linked to anyone and had never been seen at the Slagheap unlike Rye and Graham. It's no wonder that girls like Agatha Berridge wanted Peeta.
"How are you feeling, Peeta?" mom asked as she approached us. She placed a hand on his forehead. "He's a little warm." It was a cold night as I could feel the cool breeze through my shirt. I quivered as Peeta's hand around my waist tighten. He was exhausted. I could tell by the way he stood and the look on his face.
"I'm…thirsty," he replied. He leaned against me as I wrapped my arm around his waist.
"Mom, they injected something into him," I told her. "Some truth serum." Mom gasped.
"Oh, dear. It's no wonder he's warm. James, we need to get him home and into bed as soon as possible. Mixing other drugs with morphling will have bad side effects."
"What kind?" I asked. Damnit, I wanted Peeta to get better. I could tell his body was not recovering fast from the whipping. It's been a week and he still was in pain.
"It depends. It's different with each person. The side effects are stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, temporary blindness. Sometimes all of them," mom listed the ailments.
Both Rye and Graham extended their arms to free Peeta from me. "It's okay, I want to take him back." The look of shock and amusement crossed their faces. Haymitch smirked while Mr. Mellark and my own father stifled a smile on their faces. I didn't care how amused they all were. Even Prim was surprised.
"You sure you can handle him?" Prim asked.
"Shut up, Prim," I scowled back. Suddenly, Rye gasped his face contorted with anger as he looked past me. He ran behind me yelling.
"Hawthorne, you fucking asshole," he cried out in anger. The next thing I knew Rye had Gale on the ground again as he pulled his arm and punched him on the jaw. The impact echoed in air.
"Rye stop," Mr. Mellark screamed. Graham wrestled his brother away from Gale.
"It's his fault, he's the reason why Peeta is hurt," Rye stated. He was right. It was Gale who beat up Ivan that night and his actions consequently led to Ivan's death. Had Ivan lived he would have told Cray and chaos would have followed. Gale's action would have affected his own family placing them in danger. His selfishness caused harm to Peeta, myself and anyone close to us. Gale instigated the events that followed at the night of the celebration.
"Rye, stop," Mr. Mellark ordered him. Baby Mellark, Peeta's nephew started to cry. "Graham, go home. We're okay."
"But––"
"It's been along day and I want to take Peeta home," he said with finality. "Take care of your family. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Katniss," Gale addressed me. He had a hand over his cheek where Rye punched him. "I just want to––"
"Get away from her," dad said as he placed himself between us. Peeta swayed in my arms. "I don't think you realized the harm you've done."
"Mr. Everdeen," Gale started. Each step I took away from Gale as I walked Peeta home represented the distance he made between us. I will never forgive him for what he tried to do to Peeta. What he tried to accomplish tonight solidified my decision. I had to remove Gale out of my life. He was toxic and he poisoned everyone around him. I was truly done with our friendship. We had none left.
"There is nothing that you can do or say that will ever let me forgive you for what you done," dad stated what I could not say to Gale's face at the moment. Peeta was my priority.
"I was only trying to find the truth," he defended himself. He was looking for truth that suited him.
"Katniss told you the truth days ago and you couldn't accept it," dad reminded him. "Leave her alone." Their voices disappeared into the dark of night. I couldn't handle anymore of Gale's excuses. I was done listening to him.
"Gale, go home," Haymitch instructed him. "I think you caused enough damage. Rory, make sure he heads straight home."
"I don't need a babysitter." Those were the last words I heard from Gale.
"Katniss, are you sure you're okay handling Peeta on your own?" mom asked. Peeta wasn't tall or bulky like his brothers. He…fitted in my arms as if I belonged there. I turned my head to look at his face. I blushed when I realized that he had been staring at me the whole time we were walking together.
"He's not too heavy, mom," I returned. "It's not too far of a walk." Prim snickered.
The short walk must have tired Peeta as he crashed face down on his bed with his shoes on. "Prim, help me take off his shirt so I can look at his back," mom ordered her. 'Oh no you don't,' my mind screamed. I had enough of my own sister undressing Peeta.
"I'll help you mom," I said as I blocked Prim from reaching him. Peeta moaned as I slipped off his shirt from his shoulders whether it was from pain or pleasure I wasn't sure. I hope it was the latter. "Geez, calm down, Katniss," she teased me. "You know that I'm only trying to help Peeta, right?" I tried not to react at Prim's reaction to my possessiveness with Peeta. This was new to me. I smiled back in apology.
Removing his shirt, I noticed how his stomach muscles contracted as he sat him up. He lost so much weight since the time he left. I hoped that I have an opportunity to help him regain his weight back. It's what girlfriends do for their boyfriends––take care of them while they were ill. I hoped that Peeta would give me the chance to make up for the way I treated him. Only time will tell.
"Water," he said as he licked his dry lips. Out of nowhere Mr. Mellark appeared with glass of water on hand. Peeta took the glass and drank greedily. Water sloshed onto his lips and trailed down his chest. I giggled. Giggled? I smiled at the sight of him with hair wet from his perspiration the tips curling even more. He looked sweet. How did I miss that?
"Lie down, Peeta," mom said. "So I can look at your back." He leaned down willingly and placed himself face down on his bed. He extended his hand outward. I furrowed my brows in question, as his face was half hidden. With his eyes he pleaded. 'Hold my hand.' Without a word, I grabbed it his fingers intertwine between mine.
"Well, I think that if he rests and doesn't have any more incidents, I should be able to remove his stitches in another week," mom suggested. I sighed in relief at the good news. I was scared that he had opened his wounds when Cray dragged him to the Justice Building.
"Did you hear that, Peetie," Mr. Mellark said. "The stitches will be off in a week." Peetie? His dad called him Peetie? How cute.
Peeta snored back in response. "You have quite a remarkable boy, Jimmy," dad complimented him. "You should be very proud." Mr. Mellark smiled. I knew there was a conversation that needed to be addressed with Peeta's father. I cringed thinking about it. How embarrassing will it be to admit to him that I knew the existence of Peeta's birthmark on his hip? From the scale from one to ten? There wasn't a number high enough to rate it.
"Katniss has a boyfriend," Prim sang teasing me. I blushed. Dad smirked.
"He's not my boyfriend," I reminded her and me.
"But he could be if you wanted," Prim rebutted as I scowled back.
"I'm not telling you how to feel, Katniss," dad said with a twinkle in his eyes. "I think you'd made a good choice. Just make sure you know what you want. For real."
"If you don't want him, there are plenty girls out there who do," Prim imparted. I thought of Agatha Berridge for example. The thought of anyone with Peeta sickened me. "Like me for instance." She smiled while dad chuckled. Mom looked pensive.
I gasped in horror. "I'm just kidding, Katniss. Don't need to get territorial over him. He's all yours, you know."
I looked at the Boy with the Bread. I could see why girls adored him. Both Seam and Merchant wanted him.
Gale or Peeta. The choice was obvious who was a better person for me. Everyone saw it. Even my own fourteen year-old sister knew it. I just hoped that Peeta would give me the chance to be a real girlfriend and not a pretend one.
AN: Thank you for reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. FYI, for those who love Gale. I have nothing against his character. It just makes it easier for me to let him be the bad guy in his story. Will he redeem himself later? I'm not sure yet.
AN2: I'm half way done with "The Weary Heart" epilogue 2. Just be patient with me I'll post it within the next couple of weeks. Have a great week.