Chapter 58 –– Two Roads Converge
AN: Thank you to those who alert, favored and reviewed the last chapter. A special thank you to baldcoder, B Dizzy, LACR, , Aqua Rules, kelmikmag, TwinK21 and guests. You commenst and reviews are much appreciated and welcome. THG Games belong to Suzanne Collins. Any mistakes found are mine. This contains Katniss and Peeta's POVs and is rated M for strong language and implied sexual content.
Katniss POV ––
I woke up bleary eyed but well rested. After a couple of rounds with Peeta he carefully and meticulously made a leaf-covered bed on the ground. I was too sated and relaxed to contemplate helping him. He wore me out. Wearing only a pair of black boxer shorts, he spread large leaves on the dirt floor, placed our jackets over it as a cushion. It wasn't comfortable but it beat lying on the cold, dirt floor. I felt safe and loved. Once he wrapped his arms around me he spooned my from behind tucking a leg between mine. The close proximity and wandering hands led to another round of lovemaking that had me screaming his name as he took from behind while I was on my hands and knees. After that, the world turned fuzzy around me while feeling the delicious ache in my legs. "I love you, Katniss," Peeta whispered in my ear as I closed my eyes and shut the world off.
Upon adjusting my eyes to the ambient light inside our cave, I sat up right as soon as I noticed that Peeta was not beside me. "Peeta," I gasped his name under my breath palming my hand on my chest. I quickly shifted my head from right to left looking for him.
Peeta was at the edge of pool. He was so focused on his task that he didn't hear me panicking as I thought he left the cave. As I walked closer to him, I heard him speak over and over, "It won't come out; it won't come." He was scrubbing his shirt, the one he wore that was stained with dried blood––blood that wasn't his but some other person. Blood he drew and was cast. Peeta never explained as I waited for him to tell him not wanting to push him.
"Peeta," I called out as not to startle him.
"I'm not a killer, I'm not," his chanted changed. "I'm not a killer." He still wore his boxer shorts as I was dressed in my panties and shirt.
"Oh, Peeta," I said as I saw traces of tears on his cheeks. "Peeta, honey."
"I'm tainted, stained," he said as he turned to look at me. The expression on his face broke my heart.
"I don't understand," I stated back. If there was one thing, I loved about Peeta was his ability to express how he felt with his words but most of all, with his eyes. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Only those who knew him read him easily. But at this moment I was confused, worried and scared for him. I didn't understand what was happening to him.
"I can't the blood of…off…m..my shirt," he sobbed. I pulled into my arm. He resisted for a few seconds but relented as he buried his face on the crook of my neck.
"I have blood in my hands," he said as he released the shirt and stared at his upturned hands. I was afraid that he had cut himself but I saw no evidence of it. He was talking metaphorically––the men he killed in District 12 and Cato. And whoever else's blood that was spilt on his shirt. "I'm not a killer."
"No, you're not Peeta," I said as I grabbed his hands. "You are the sweetest and kindest boy I have ever known." I stared into his teary blue eyes. "You are a baker. You create not destroy––"
"But I killed…Cato," he whimpered. "I…choked him until…until he stopped breathing. I could…should have stopped."
"No, it was you or him and because you had to, Peeta," I insisted. "If you didn't, you would be dead." He closed his eyes as if he was ignoring me. "Peeta, look at me." He opened them, his eyes scrunched with agony and his lips trembled. "I would be dead too."
"Katniss…I…" he struggled to form words as his mouth opened and closed.
"Do you think I would let these hands touch me?" I said as I placed both his hands on my chest. "Do things to me that no one has ever done before––love me with such gentleness?"
"I know I had to, Katniss," he admitted. "I knew I had no choice. But I still took a life…not just Cato but also…in the forest––"
"And so did I, Peeta," I reminded him. "Do you think…I'm a killer too?"
"No, you saved me," he yelped, his eyes large and wide. "That's different."
"It's not different––" I debated. "I took a life too. If you're a killer so am––"
"Yes, it is different," he persisted.
"No, it isn't." I showed him my hands. They were much smaller and darker than his pale ones. The pads of my fingertips were coarse from drawing the string on the bow. Peeta's were also rough from years kneading dough with his hands and using an axe to cut wood for the ovens. "I kill and shoot animals all the time. I'm a killer then."
"No, you hunt to survive and provide for your family. That's different," Peeta retorted. He sighed, his shoulders sagged as if he was resigned. "I just…I just don't want you to…"
"What, Peeta?" I asked his profile as he turned his head from me. He mumbled so low I missed what he said. "What? What did you say?"
"I had a bad dream," he confessed. "I dreamt that I killed Cato and…you were there." Yes, I was there when he took Cato's life. I just didn't understand what he meant. So I waited for him to finish with his explanation. I didn't realize he woke up from a bad dream as I slept next to him. "You looked scared. Of me. I don't want you to be…scared of me."
"Oh, Peeta," I sighed as I wrapped arms around his neck and straddled his lap. "I would never be scared of you. You do scare me sometimes because you are so…reckless with your own life. You jump into danger so easily…without thought of your own welfare. But I have never been scared of you." He did scare me not that Peeta would physically hurt me but emotionally. For months, I was scared of how he made me feel ––vulnerable, confused and uncertain of my own self-esteem. Peeta made feel things I didn't recognized or wanted to acknowledge. I felt out of control whenever he was near me. He had that affect. Peeta was Merchant, loved and adored by many girls both Merchant and Seam alike. And, what made him appealing was that he was kind and sweet to everyone. He didn't have a mean bone in his body while I was suspicious, bitter and angry at everyone except Prim.
He slipped his hands inside my shirt, rubbing my back with such care and tenderness. I scoffed at his idea that I would be scared of him. His touch sent me shivers not fear. "I have never felt safe with anyone besides my family. Even with Gale, I never trusted him enough to feel really safe and secure with him."
"I didn't know that," Peeta said as I laid my head on his shoulder. In this position, I was secured in his arms; we fit like…two pieces of a puzzle. "You've known and been his friend for so long––"
"I was his hunting partner. That was what I thought of him…and I even felt like he was part of my family but not enough to feel like I could trust him completely. There was a part of me that I couldn't and I didn't know why." It was only until later when he had gotten drunk on my sixteenth birthday as he attempt to kiss me and assert his affection whether I liked or not that I knew I couldn't fully trust Gale.
Flashback ––
My sixteenth birthday party was small consisted of my family and the Hawthornes. Mom served rabbit stew that I snared with vegetables Prim harvest in our garden and bread that I traded from Mellark's Bakery. It wasn't much but it was the company I appreciated and having celebrated from surviving another year from the lottery. I was anxious since Prim just started this year.
So in essence we had a lot to celebrate. I made it perfectly clear to them that no presents were necessary. However, before our guests arrived Prim broke my edict as she appeared with a cloth bag in her hand tied with a dark silvery silk bow. "Prim, what did say about getting me presents?" I scowled at my beloved baby sister. Her bottom lip protruded and her brows creased.
"You're not going to accept it?" she queried as she tilted her head. I scoffed and shook my head. "You're being mean on your birthday, Katniss."
"I said no presents," I repeated. Mom and dad had a smile on their face as they appeared behind her.
"I didn't buy you anything," she persisted as she extended her hand with the bag. I grunted from displeasure though inside I was touched that Prim, my 12 year old sister got me a gift. Secretly both my parents presented with a gift as well but not in front of Prim. From my mom I received a second hand dark brown hunting boots that laced all the way up to my knees. From Dad, he gave a brand new hunting knife that was 4 inches long with a leather sheathe.
"I gambled whether you wanted something a bit more…feminine for your 16th birthday but I thought this was a bit more practical," Dad said with a bit of apprehension on his face. It was perfect for me.
"Come on, Katniss. You did the same on my birthday when I said no presents either," she quipped back. Touché. I pulled ribbon from the bag. It was extremely long for a ribbon then realized it was part of my gift. Inside the bag was a dark green dress––a dress that mom no longer wore but still looked new and newly pressed. I was not gifted with ample breasts like my mom but…I loved it just as well. "Mom, thank you," I said with sincerity as our relationship was not solid. I couldn't forget that she abandoned Prim and me when we needed her the most. However, I ruminated that had my mom not reacted the way she when dad got hurt, would I have turned to hunting and learned a skill with the bow and arrow?
I wore the dress that night with the dark silver bow around my waist as a belt. I felt beautiful and happy.
The Hawthornes arrived with little Posy clutching a handful of flowers in her hands. "I picked them myself," Posy gushed with pride. "This is for you, Happy Birthday Katniss."
An hour later with a belly full of soup and bread, Dad and mom walked to the kitchen and returned with the most beautiful cake I have ever seen. It was rectangular in shape with light crème frosting with light blue katniss flowers on the edge. On the surface of the cake was a hand written script, "Happy Birthday Katniss." I immediately recognized the handwriting. It was written by the youngest Mellark––twelve year old Peeta.
"Mom, Dad? How could you afford––"
"Just like Prim's cake, your mom and I had saved enough to afford one each year for your birthdays."
"It's too much." I was stunned.
"It's not everyday our eldest daughter turns 16," mom said with pride. "And is of marria––"
"How about we get Katniss to blow her candles and we eat some cake," Dad interrupted mom. Dad knew the night was going to get ugly as mom hinted about me marrying Gale as soon as I turned 18. It was an argument that had us both opposite corner. She wanted me settled right away with Gale but I balked of the idea of marriage and children all together. I didn't ever want to marry or bear anyone's children. The prospect for getting a decent husband was slim but it didn't matter I wanted no one.
I should have known something was…not right as I caught mom and Gale sending conspiratorial looks between each other. So as the night ended and the Hawthornes left, Gale lingered and stayed behind.
"Katniss? Can I speak to you outside?" he asked. His eyes were bleary and he smelled of beer. Dad and Gale bought a bottle of beer to share between them. It was a weird bonding thing. "I…I want to give you your present."
I sighed as yet again, Gale ignored me, that I didn't want a gift. "Why can't you give it to me now?" I asked as, my brows crinkled in suspicion.
"Please?" he begged. I nodded my head as I walked with him reluctantly out my home.
"I'll be back," I said.
"Don't be in a hurry," Mom said with a smile on her face. Shit.
Gale walked towards his home which wasn't far from mine. We ended up by a tree next to his house where I can still see the front of my home. "What is it?" I inquired. Gale was quiet for a second, his hands buried in his pockets.
"I…um…I was talking to your mom," he began.
"Oh, about what?" What could he and mom discuss that had him so nervous?
"And well…we both been talking about your future." I didn't like where this conversation was leading. They spoke about my future yet never discussed it with me. "And since your 16 now and of marriageable age…I know we're still young but if we….your mom thought that…" He looked into my eyes. They lingered on my lips. I wrapped my arms around my waist not because I felt cold but I felt awkward and uncomfortable.
"You know how I feel about you," he said. I shook my head. 'No, no, no.'
"Gale, don't say something you'll regret––"
"You're important to me––"
"Gale, stop––"
"So I asked both your parents and asked for permission. I know this is sudden but I am certain that you and I can have a future together––" He removed his left hand from his pocket revealing a tiny cloth bag. 'Shit, shit.'
"Stop. No, Gale." I raised both hands.
"You don't know what I'm going to ask––"
"Yes, I know. I'm not stupid or oblivious," I said in anger. It was a cold evening but I didn't feel the air as I felt suffocated and trapped.
"But I thought that we both wanted this––"
"No, Gale. I have never hinted or wanted…don't even think about it," I spat back. "What makes you even think that I…ever wanted to marry you? You're practically sleeping with half the female Seam population."
"Are you jealous?" 'What?' Jealousy was far from my thoughts. Moreover, I felt disgusted and insulted.
"I'll stop once we get engaged."
"Engaged?"
"Well, why not? We love each other––" I laughed so hard tears tracked my eyes.
"Love? You think what we have is love? While you're sleeping with girls in the slagheap, did you think I was okay with that? And you claim to love me?"
"Katniss, I'll stop––" He took a step towards me and leaned down. "I'll give them up once you say yes."
"No!"
"You won't even give us a chance. You're too stubborn and scared to feel––"
"I know how I feel about you and it's not love, like love between two people. Like mom and dad."
"Then let me show you that I can be the man you need. In time you'll learn––" He leaned down, grabbed my biceps and yanked me towards him, his lip puckered. I twisted my head that he ended up kissing the temple. The smell of alcohol seared my senses. He was drunk.
"Stop, gale. Stop," I screamed as I placed both hands on his chest and pushed hard.
"If you'll only let me kiss you, you'll understand the connection between us––"
"Connection? You mean male and female body parts? This is all about sex to you," I seethed in anger. "You think having sex with you will make me change my mind about marrying you. That I'll fall madly in love?"
"You're being unreasonable and stubborn. You need to give us time," he pleaded. "Maybe if you just soften up a bit and let me show you that––" Sex. That was all his motivation. That once I had sex with him, I'll madly in love.
"NO!" I shook my head, my arms wrapped tight around me and walked towards my home. "No."
"Katniss!" Gale's voice was hard. "You get back here." He was taller and had wider strides that he reached me in seconds, grabbing my arm and turning me. "Don't you walk away from me. You're my girl."
"I'm not your girl to boss around," I said as I shook myself from his grasp. I shoved him hard that he landed on his ass with a loud thump. I ran to my house as fast I could slamming the front door behind me.
"Katniss, honey," Dad called out to me. "What happened?" Mom appeared from the kitchen wiping her hands with a cloth. Prim hovered by our bedroom doorway.
"Gale happened," I seethed in anger. "You knew about his present?" I turned to my mother.
"Katniss, you are of age to think of your future," she started. "Gale is a––"
"Is friend, nothing more," I added. "I don't appreciate being bartered like I'm property to be sold."
"Katniss, that was not my intention," Mom returned. "I'm worried about your future."
"I just turned sixteen. I have one more year left in the lottery. What if I get chosen?"
"And what if you don't? I want a suitable young man that can take care of you," Mom explained.
"I don't need anyone to take care of me. I can take care of myself," I spat back. It was typical that my Mom was suddenly concerned of my future when in the past she had abandoned Prim and me when Dad was hurt from the mining accident. She was concern of my welfare. How suitable of her timing to care?
"We know you can take care of yourself, Katniss," Dad stated. "But it is time that you think of your future. You do have one more year left. And your mom and I are…only worried and doing what I best for you."
"And Gale Hawthorne is the best for me," I scoffed. "He is the last person I would consider marrying."
"So you have considered someone," Mom queried.
"I'm only sixteen," I pressed my point as my voice rose. Prim remained quiet but walked over to me. Her presence soothed me for only a few seconds. "And if I ever chose to marry I will decide not you or Dad." I was so angry with them. Mom, I understood her motivation and concern but as for my father. How could he agree to this…arrangement?
"We…I didn't mean to upset you on your birthday," Mom sighed as she placed a hand to her forehead. Dad sat back on his armchair.
"How would you like it if your parents 'considered' marrying you off without consulting you," I reminded them. "Oh, that's right. You didn't. You went off and married against your parents wishes." I knew about their courtship. How Mom was abandoned and deserted by her family once she married Garrett Everdeen. The Merchant side of her family disowned her even as much as to ignore her presence when she visited the Merchant township. They fell in love and defied convention and their families.
"If I ever marry, I will marry for love and not for companionship," I pronounced. I had set my heart of never marrying because in truth, I didn't believe in love. Not for me anyway.
End of Flashback ––
Ever since that night I didn't trust Gale especially when he was drunk and out of him mind. I trusted him enough to not hurt me but his rage and anger scared me. It was like walking a tightrope around Gale. With Peeta, whenever he was furious, he internalized his anger hurting himself. Despite, his mother's abuse both emotional and physical, Peeta didn't become his mother.
But it took a boy with blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes to make me change my mind about love. I never imagined the kind of intimacy Peeta and I shared with anyone. The thought of any man touching me the way Peeta had never entered my mind because I only wanted him. "Don't ever think that I would ever be scared of you."
"I'm sorry," he said. His apology wasn't necessary but it relieved him. Peeta apologized too much as Gale never. It was a large difference between the two of them. "I had a…bad dream and it unsettled me."
"No need to apologize," I said in finality as I rubbed his arms. "I have them too but the next time, wake me up and let me help you. Just like you help me when I have nightmares.
Peeta had a nightmare, that fact didn't surprised me but he still hadn't explained the blood on his shirt––who it belonged to. 'I'm not a killer.' I recalled his chant as he tried to rinse the dried blood from the garment. Curiosity and concerned filled me but I also didn't want to push him.
The rest of the morning, Peeta and I packed our belongings. We couldn't stay in the cave forever but I would carry the memories in my heart. I hoped that Peeta and I would have many days and nights we recently shared. Moments like those were my fuel and reason to look forward to––that I could have a life with Peeta.
"Katniss, I know that we were instructed to head north but…" Peeta began.
"Yes?" I said as I walked beside him with my bow in hand. Peeta held onto his machete. It was a clear day and the sun blazed above us. It was a good thing that the tall trees provided us ample shade or else we should be sweating from the heat. A cool breeze skimmed our skin. Birds chirped around us. There was a plethora of sounds and scent in air that reminded me of the woods in District 12. It made me miss home and my family if only for a few seconds because underlying it was a sound that bothered me. It wasn't loud but enough to catch my attention.
"If we keep heading north, how do we know how to get to the camp? What direction?" That was a good question. "We could keep going. What if we pass the base? We could be lost."
"I thought of that," I returned as the sound in my ear got louder and louder. "But, we have to keep going. I don't think my dad would let us walk pass the base. They got to have some people looking for us."
"That makes sense," he stated back. "I guess it's better than getting caught that we should keep heading north." He swung this machete at a bush that blocked our path. "I feel bad for Shane and Maddy. I wish…" I nodded my head. He felt guilty that Maddy and Shane we caught by the peacekeepers.
"I know, Peeta. I know." I felt guilty as well.
There was nothing we could do and Peeta knew it. "I just hate that they were caught because of…"
"It was their job, Peeta," I reminded him. "They knew the risks." He sighed in resignation.
An hour ago, we had crossed a sign and a tall electrical fence that delineated Capitol territory. The fence was not high or armed so we easily climbed over it. Suddenly, I pushed Peeta on the ground with me landing on top of him. "Wha…?"
"Drones," I whispered. We landed between some bushes covering us completely and out of sight. I heard the familiar hum as the object flew past us. "It's flying lower than usual."
"And farther than usual," Peeta added as he lifted my head to look at the air above us. "How far do you think we passed the border?"
"Shh!" I said. I lay my head on Peeta's shoulders and wrapped my arms around his waist. Two drones passed us whizzing around low that it scared the other creatures that surrounded us. Birds scattered into the air while small woodland animals skittered on the ground. I watched a rabbit scrambled past us. "Damnit, that was dinner." Then I heard voices.
Peeta's eyes grew round. We stayed still and quiet. "They couldn't have gotten very far," a female voice spoke. Peeta stiffened underneath me. I peered through the bush and noticed four figures dressed in black––they were District 13 soldiers. I remembered Gale's uniform the night he tried to drug Peeta. My anger simmered thinking about that night and Gale. I was so scared for Peeta that I pressed my body closer to him. In return, he squeezed me close with his arms.
"Damnit, I thought we had them," another female voice stated. "We need to keep going. They couldn't have gotten very far. You two head in that direction while Davis and I head over there." The other two companions left while the other walked past us. We waited five minutes before we moved from our spot.
"God damnit," Peeta muttered. "Fucking hell. Those were District 13 soldiers."
"Peeta?" He was angry. I was concern because it took a lot to get him angry.
"Is everyone in Panem after us?" he said his teeth clenched. " I mean, Maddy and Shane are….prisoners because of us…there are peacekeepers everywhere. Who knows what's happening in District 12? Even 13 is after me… and you." I included Katniss as an after thought. "When is this all going to stop?"
"Peeta, we're going to be okay?"
"How can you be sure of that?" He looked torn and helpless. "I don't even know what's happening to my family. They could be dead for all I know––"
"Peeta don't talk like that." He was scaring me.
"I'm tired of this, Katniss. I'm tired of being scared for everyone in my life. Everyone is in danger because of me," he confessed. "When is this…nightmare going to end? This is all my fault."
"Peeta, stop. This isn't your fault." I placed both hands on his shoulders dropping my bow on the ground. Peeta clenched on his machete with his right hand. I hugged tight wanting to wish the world around us to disappear, go back to the cave for some peace and quiet. Live in the forest, just the two of us and survive on our own, but it was impractical as we had family who needed us just as we needed them. "It's going to be okay."
This side of Peeta didn't surface often. He was usually calm and collected like my Dad. But his display of anger also reassures me that he's a fighter and his frustration and feelings of helpless sometimes crept out. He needed to vent which he couldn't before as his mother taught him to keep his emotions to himself. I was glad and relieved that he trusted me enough to show this side of him. I loved him for it. However, I hated that he shouldered all the burden onto himself––that he was at fault for District 12's troubles and all our lives in danger. When I knew deep in my heart who was really at fault. There were two men in my life that caused harm to Peeta––my father and Gale Hawthorne.
But I also knew that Peeta's mood was initiated by his nightmare. He feared of losing me by his behavior, that I was scared of him. "I know everything seems hopeless, but listen to me. We…you and I, as long as we stick together. Protect each other. We're going to be okay. I have faith in you. I believe in you."
"I'm just so tired, Katniss," he wobbled on his feet. "I don't even know what's going on back home. I can't stop thinking that Snow is making them suffer for…us escaping the arena. You know him. He will turn on them." I nodded my head. I too was afraid of the consequences. "And…I'm scared."
"I'm scared too, Peeta. My mom and the Hawthornes are still back home," I explained. My relationship with Gale may have suffered, but his family was still important to me.
"No, I meant…I don't like feeling this way," he muttered.
"It's normal to be angry––"
"No, it's more than that. For weeks I've trained and hardened myself because I knew I wasn't coming back. I was making sure that you survived the games so I was prepared to die."
"I know that––"
"Please listen and let me say this," he pleaded. "I don't like feeling angry and scared all the time. I feel like…I'm changing…to someone I don't recognize. That the Capitol is changing me." I grabbed his biceps. "That they took something from me…part of me."
"No, they fucking didn't," I swore. "You're still you, Peeta. A little jaded but still 100% you. Yes, you're tougher and angrier, but how can you not be after what you've been through. You suffered so much."
"I just don't want the Capitol to change me."
"Listen, my love. You are still the Boy with the Bread, the boy who saved me that rainy days 8 years ago. The fact that you are scared that you have changed proves you're still you. You recognized and acknowledge that you're scared that it's happening. You telling me of your fear of changing to someone less of who you are." I hugged him. "You are you and not some Capitol monster like Cato and Marvel." He remained quiet for a few minutes. I looked at the sky above us. Time was passing and we were in a delicate and dangerous situation. Peeta having a mini-melt down was bound to happen but I had hoped not now. Now, that there were not only peacekeepers after us but District 13 soldiers as well. I waited for him to calm down and knew what would happen next.
"I'm sorry, Katniss," he said. I smiled––Peeta was still Peeta as I expected him to apologize. "I didn't mean to sound like some big baby who can't handle himself. Some district partner I turned out to be." And there it was––self-recrimination for showing weakness. I kissed him on the cheek.
"Don't apologize," I persisted. "Don't ever think you should keep anything from me. You always tell me to be more open with my feelings. I expect the same from you." Peeta pressed his lips on my forehead.
"Come on, let's get going," I ordered. "I don't want to get caught and I want enough distance between these guys. We can't trust District 13 either." I turned to walk away when Peeta suddenly yanked me back to him pressing his lips onto mine. A few seconds later we were both out of breath. "What was that for?"
"For being you and knowing when to kick my ass," he admitted. "You are perfect, Katniss Everdeen." I would have argued back but Peeta was in a better mood that I didn't have the heart to contradict him. I was far from perfect but he loved me despite it. "What now?"
"Um…" I started. This was another thing I loved about Peeta. He never brooded too long. He always managed to bounce back unlike me who took a while to recover and sulked for hours. "Let's see where those soldiers are headed. I want them on my sight so weren't having to look over our shoulders all the time."
"They couldn't have gotten very far," Peeta surmised as he adjusted his backpack. They didn't. It only took ten minutes for me to track them. Their treads were distinct as the four soldier regrouped and headed northeast. I stopped abruptly putting my hand up. "What, Katniss?"
"I hear voices and…" A light sound like pop filled the air. "Come on." Peeta followed without questioning me. He trusted me to lead him to safety or…
I flattened myself against a tall and wide tree trunk. Peeta followed suit. The sounds were louder and distinct. Before us were the four 13 soldiers their backs towards us. They were shooting at someone ahead of them. "We got you surrounded," the female soldier spoke. It was the same woman who tracked us earlier. "Just lay down your rifles and you won't get hurt."
Three of the soldiers flanked her by the right and left side, making a square trapping…I couldn't tell if they were shooting at peacekeepers. Their black uniforms were easy to spot since they stuck out amongst the green and brown foliage. This would have been a perfect opportunity to slip away when…
"I don't know who you are––" Shane's voice sounded. Peeta's eyes grew wide. Me, I felt relieved because Peeta blamed himself for their capture. It seemed they weren't prisoners anymore.
"We are not peacekeepers. We are from District 13," female leader identified herself. "We were sent to help you."
"Help us?" Shane scoffed then mumbled something under his breath. "Sorry, but you'll have to forgive me. I don't believe you. District 13 doesn't exist."
The leader sighed loud. "Listen, to me," she said exasperated. "We just need you to hand over Peeta. We know you were the ones that rescued them. Just tell us where they are. We will…we will not hurt you. We want to…help you escort back to safety."
"Over my dead body," Shane yelled. "I don't know who the hell you are but…we are not telling you where Peeta and Katniss are. So fuck you."
Suddenly Peeta stood up and moved forward. As if I suspect and anticipated his move, I grabbed his arm. "Peeta, no," I hissed with a tinge of anger and fear in my voice.
"Katniss, I…Shane and Maddy are in trouble," he said. "I can't let them––"
"You are not going to sacrifice or do something stupid like surrender yourself to them," I sneered back. Shots rang in the air between Shane and the soldiers. The sounds of gunfire resonated around us. We were located ten yards away but it felt like they were only a few feet away. My grip on Peeta's arm tightened.
"Katniss, please?" His brows were furrowed, his eyes sad as Peeta clenched his teeth together. "It…"
"If you go over there I'm coming with you," I started.
"No, those soldiers only want me," he stated. "I…"
"No, no," I spat back. Peeta's need to do what was right and good was pissing me off. "I am not going to lose you and let you go. And if you think you're going over by yourself, you are out of your fucking mind."
"I…Katniss. I want all this senseless pain and hurt to stop," he confessed.
"And what about me? Don't you think you're hurting me by giving up?" I asked as I was close to tears.
"It's District 13, not Snow––"
"Have you forgotten what Gale tried to do you that night? He was going to drug you with God's knows what. He was going to hurt you. He was taking orders from 13. How does that make 13 any better than Snow?" I needed Peeta to feel angry at them–– at District 13 and everyone who caused pain and suffering in his life.
The confrontation between Shane and soldiers continued as shot rallied back and forth. Peeta turned his eyes toward the scene in front of him, clearly troubled and conflicted. "You can't give up," I said.
"I'm not giving up, Katniss," he sighed in frustration.
"It looks it to me," I returned as I was feeling angry and frustrated as well. "Those soldiers from 13; they are not any better than Snow. Did you forget that they tried to abduct you back in 12? Fight, Peeta and I will fight beside you." I grabbed Peeta's hand and placed over my heart. It was beating hard and fast because I knew once Peeta made a decision it would take to move a mountain to change his mind.
"Can we at least help Shane and Maddy?" I inwardly sighed in relief as I nodded my head. "What can we do?" I thought for a second as my eyes roamed our surroundings. "I don't…don't to hurt anyone." I knew that but when pushed came to shove Peeta reacted instinctively to save the people he cared about. He wasn't a quitter or coward.
"I have an idea, but…I don't know if you'd like it," Peeta spoke as an idea formulated in his head. I knew I wouldn't since I wasn't going to risk him or anyone to get out of this mess.
Peeta POV ––
The plan was simple but risky. I suggested since the District 13 soldiers were too busy and focused with Shane and Maddy, we could easily walk up to the soldiers one by one and knock them out.
"Your steps would easily give your position away," Katniss reminded me. "You're too noisy to sneak up on anyone or anything." She said it without rancor because it was true. Then she suggested another idea. When she and Gale hunted, they spotted a group of turkeys walking in a line. They wanted two but if she shot one it would scatter the rest making it difficult to get shoot another. So her strategy was to shoot the last turkey then the next one in front of it without alerting the group.
But I also was thinking of bait and capture––a tactic Haymitch showed us via video on how to lure a person to an area then ambush them. We liked both ideas so we combined both. "And who is the bait?" I asked knowing her answer. She didn't have to reply. "Are you out of your mind? I'm not going to let you be bait."
"I run faster than you," she stated. I huffed and snickered.
"And when you lure them to me what am I supposed to threaten them with? My dinky knife against their rifle?" I reminded her of my machete that couldn't compare to their high power rifles. "Besides, I'm run faster than you so don't argue with me."
During arena training the tribute's progress and skills were tracked. They clocked our running, rope climbing, and anything that had to do with speed. Amongst the boys I was the 3rd fastest runner after Marvel and Thresh from District 11. Katniss was in the top 5. So our strategy was for Katniss to climb the highest tree and I would lure the soldiers one by one to where she would be positioned and shoot them down. It was risky because if I lured one it was possible I would attract all four of them. Also there were other factors to consider. I could trip while running. They could shoot in the back. The possibilities of anything going wrong were high. And with my luck…
I was against killing them but Katniss assured me, "I'll hit them in the leg or arm, Peeta. Just get them in a line after you so I can shoot them one after the other."
So we walked a distance and found a good vantage point for Katniss. She was perched on a high tree branch that had a clear view of a path. I would run pass her as she would shoot them down like turkeys in a line.
I took off the backpack and light jacket, tucked my shirt in my pants and doubled knotted my shoes. When I was done, Katniss reached over and ran her fingers through my cheek and my hair. "Be careful and don't trip," she joked. However, her eyes betrayed her fears and concern. Then she leaned over and kissed me soft and sweet. I pulled back and kissed her forehead. Katniss's kisses were salty sweet as her sweat mixed with strawberries we ate along the way.
My heart beat hard on my chest as I breathed though my mouth. Once I spotted the first soldier, I picked up a rock and weighed it in my hand. The black uniformed soldiers and Shane and Maddy were trading shots between each other. I looked behind to gauge my direction once I threw the stone and ran. I pulled back my arm and threw the stone hitting the soldier solid on the back of his neck, startling him. I didn't hesitate as I turned and ran hearing him yell, "It's Mellark," he shouted. "I have him." The wind blew on my face as the sun hovered above me. Because of the density of the foliage there was hardly any sun beam casting on my head, but sweat ran down my face and my neck, dripping down my chest. I stumbled but recovered. From behind me, I heard voices.
"Get him."
"Hold your fire."
"Oh my God, Shane. It's Peeta!" Maddy screamed.
"What the Hell! Peeta run," Shane shouted, his voice mingled with the others.
"Don't shoot. We need him alive." That particular statement gave me the strength to push my legs as I ran and ran. Before me, I could see the tree where Katniss hid among the leaves and thick branches. I told myself to keep running while Katniss did her part. I heard a whoosh of an arrow past me. A thump on the ground followed with a curse, "Fuck, it's an ambush." Then another arrow passed above. Her aim was true as another fell to ground.
"Umphh."
"Fuck!" A third arrow sailed past me.
"Peeta, run!" Katniss shouted, her voice behind me. She sounded panicked and scared. I ran too fast and past her that she didn't have the clearance to shoot the last soldier. The trees beyond were thick and leaves plentiful.
The last soldier was the leader as I heard her voice. "Stop," she called out.
"Peeta, Katniss." Both Shane and Maddy yelled after us. Their voices echoed in the forest. "Where the fuck are you?"
My heart pounded in my chest so hard that I can hear the cadence in my ears blocking out other sounds like birds chirping around me. Tired of running, I slowed and stopped completely waiting for the last solder to reach me.
"Stop, Mellark," she yelled. "Don't move."
Unfortunately, the last soldier was the female leader. She raised her rifle and aimed it at my chest. It was like déjà vu all over again… "Drop the knife, Mellark," she pointed at my hand. I gritted my teeth. Where was Katniss? She had to know which direction I ran as she shouted at me.
"Peeta!" Katniss's voice rang in the air.
"Peeta!" I also heard Shane and Maddy's as well.
"I'm not going to repeat myself," she said as she cocked her rifle towards my head.
"And if I don't?" I pressed. "You going to shoot me?" I waited for an answer. She hesitated. "You need me alive."
"Yes, but it doesn't mean I can maim you and take while you're unconscious," she snickered. "President Coin did say she wanted you alive but a little accident could happen real easy like."
"And when I meet….the leader of District 13, what do you think I'll tell her about my little accident?"
"I'll tell her I had to use force to get you as she ordered me to."
"You'll have to kill me because I'm not going with you anywhere," I said in a firm tone. I was sick and tired of being used and handled by everyone. The choices in my life were taken away from me. Whoever President Coin is, I wasn't about to be her lackey or prisoner. "Why is your leader after me?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "I just take me orders. And my orders were to retrieve you before President Snow does. So you are coming with me whether you come willingly or not. And if I have too, by force if necessary."
"Try it, bitch," Katniss said as she appeared behind her. I gasped in relief. Katniss's eyes were hard and steely cold. Her bow and arrow aimed at the soldier's head. "You shoot or maim Peeta, injure him in any way I guarantee you my arrow will won't miss."
The soldier slowly turned her head. "Katniss Everdeen," she said her name. "The Mockingjay's daughter." Katniss's eyes were wide, her face etched with panic and fear.
"How do know that?"
"Oh I forgot that while you two were prancing around after the cornucopia was destroyed, Mockingjay announced his identity for all the Panem to know," she explained. It had to be true. How else did she know that Garrett Everdeen was the Mockingjay?
"Then if you know Mockingjay by reputation, you know that I won't miss," Katniss threatened. "I am my father's daughter."
"Those are big words for a girl who hunts game for living," the soldier snickered.
"With you threatening Peeta I have no qualms in putting this arrow between your eyes," Katniss returned. "Put your rifle down now." This was Katniss in hunter form––brave, strong and confident. It was rather sexy and hot seeing her like this but I digress. This was not the time to get hot and bothered over my sexy hunter girlfriend. The soldier remained adamant and refused to surrender as she gripped her rifle tighter. "Don't discount my age and experience as hunter with a bow, I've already took a life back in 12. And I did it for Peeta."
I remembered that day vividly as if it happened yesterday and all the times I took a life to survive to protect Katniss and myself. She was right. I'm not a killer but a survivor––someone who did whatever it took to protect those I loved. I heard sounds of footsteps inching closer and prayed it was Shane and Maddy.
"Katniss, Peeta," Maddy huffed as she fought to catch her breath. She looked disheveled as her ponytail was askew and her face flushed from exertion but still alert as she raised her rifle at the soldier. She stood behind Katniss. Shane appeared seconds later. Katniss was cool and calm never taking her sight away from me and the soldier who stood between us.
"Aren't you two a sight for sore eyes," Shane sighed in relief as he approached us. Inwardly, I screamed with joy seeing them alive and free from the peacekeepers. 'How did they escaped?' my mind wondered. "Hey, Shane. Maddy," I greeted them ignoring the rifle pointed at me.
"Sheesh, Peeta," Shane pronounced. "Couldn't you stay out of trouble?" I knew he was teasing as he had a glint his eyes.
"Can anyone join this party?" Maddy quipped as she stood next to Katniss. Both women had their weapons aimed at the black-dressed female soldier. Shane walked over to a tree and leaned on the wide trunk.
"I think you two ladies can handle this while I take a breather," Shane said as he lifted his foot resting the bottom of his foot on the tree.
"So what's it gonna be, 13?" Katniss addressed the soldier. "You're outnumbered. Your soldiers are not coming to help you. I made sure of it." She paused. "I immobilized them. I shot to maim and not kill. You will not be so lucky if you hurt Peeta."
The soldier eased up on her rifle, raised both hands in the air as a gesture of surrender. "Good choice," Maddy commented as she approached our prisoner and removed the rifle from her possession. Meanwhile, Shane stood guard looking around. Katniss walked over to me. She looked into my eyes then launched herself at me, arms around my waist tight and hard.
"You scared me," she admitted.
"I scared myself, but we did it. Our plan worked," I exclaimed, my nose dug on her shoulder taking a whiff of her natural scent––earthy, pine and flowers. Shane and Maddy quickly tied a rope around the soldier's hands and feet.
Maddy confiscated their transmitters while Katniss attended to their injuries. The other three were recovered and injured with an arrow through their hip. It wasn't a serious injury but if left untreated they could bleed to death. Katniss grabbed plants and leaves and pressed them to their wound to help stop the bleeding while wrapping a bandage to secure it. She was so like Prim. Why she claimed she didn't have a healing touch confounded me. She comforted and healed all the time since we got together.
"What are we going to do with them, Shane?" Maddy asked as she fastened the ropes around a large tree. "We can't leave them like this. Are we going to let the peacekeepers find them?" I was about to protest when our captive spoke.
"We're too far north," she explained. "Snow doesn't allow his soldiers past the fence." I looked around me. To the north of us I noticed that there more trees ahead but the temperature was colder. The farther we were heading north, the colder the air around us became. "Besides, I heard that most of Snow's soldiers are looking for Mockingjay."
"What else is going on?" Katniss asked. We were desperate for news from home––especially from our families. "Do you know if anything is happening in District 12?"
"That's all I know." I looked skeptically at her as I felt she was hiding something. "My mission was to retrieve Mellark and bring him back to District 13."
"Listen, Peeta," Shane began. "She won't tell you anything. She's a soldier who just follows orders. If you want news about home, we need to get to base camp."
"So what are we going to do with them?" Katniss inquired.
"Nothing," Shane answered. It was not the answer I wanted to hear.
"We can't leave them here," I persisted.
"We're not," he said as he pulled out a transmitter from his backpack. It was a Capitol issue equipment––the white logo imprinted on devise. "Just give me a minute." He turned walked towards a small clearing.
"Where did you guys get the radio?" I asked.
Maddy smiled. "Long story short, we confiscated the radio from the peacekeepers who captured us." Then I recalled the morning Katniss and I awakened to find peacekeepers holding them captive as they walked past us while we hide in the tree. I felt and ashamed for not helping them.
"Sounds like an interesting story to tell," Katniss stated as curiosity got the best of her.
"Are you two okay?" Maddy asked. "We're surprised you found us not the other way around. We've been tracking for days now."
"How?" I asked. Before Maddy could answer Shane appeared.
"I've contacted the base. The camp will let their own people pick them up," he explained. "We can't afford to take them to our camp. No one knows where it's located and we don't need District 13 to know about it."
"So what now?" Katniss queried. "I doubt we were anywhere close to the rebel base camp." I guessed we were about 100 miles away maybe more.
"We need to get going," Shane announced. "We have a rendezvous point to get to in about two hours." Uncertain but relieved, we left the District 13 soldiers behind.
My heart and mind felt relief. Shane and Maddy were safe and we on our way to safety to reunite with Mockingjay and his men. The enemies around us grew––District 13 and the Capitol. How were we to fight a war against Snow if 13 was against us? Why were they after me? Didn't we want the same things––freedom from President and the Capitol. So many questions filled my mind that time passed and the next I knew, we reached our rendezvous point.
Two hours later, we arrived at a small clearing. It was really cold and damp as we first headed east then half an hour later, we went north with Shane leading the way. To my relief, a hovercraft waited for us. It wasn't large like the peacekeeper ships. It looked old and beat up. Then I noticed the familiar white Capitol logo on the ship. "That's a Capitol hovercraft," I mumbled to myself but Shane heard me.
"It's actually one of their older ones about 40 years old. They discontinued manufacturing," he explained. "This was found in District 3 when the rebels raided an old warehouse. We were lucky it still flies."
Suddenly, the door opened and a girl with blond hair in a braid sprinted towards us. She swore camouflage a green shirt and pants with brown ankle high boots. I barely recognized her when she screamed, "Katniss, Katniss." Immediately Katniss ran towards her.
"Primrose, Prim," she yelled back. I ran after Katniss as Shane and Maddy trailed behind me. I never thought I'd ever see Prim again. The last time I saw her was at the train the day we were reaped. I never regretted forcing her to go as I stayed behind. I knew Katniss would have never forgiven me had anything happened to her baby sister. I stood back and watched. "I thought I was never going to see you again."
"Me too," Prim replied.
"I'm sorry, Prim. I'm so sorry," Katniss said as tears brimmed her eyes.
"You're sorry? For what?" Prim looked confused.
"I didn't…couldn't volunteer for you––"
"Oh, Katniss. I know you couldn't. I didn't fault you for that," Prim smirked. "Don't you think I felt guilty that President chose you because of me?"
"But––"
"But nothing, Katniss. That is done and over with," Prim insisted. "I'm so, so happy to see you. When dad told me a ship was coming to pick you up, I insisted to come."
"I'm so glad you did," Katniss said as she wrapped her arms around her sister once again.
The reunion with the Everdeen girls was short and sweet. There were tears of joy, laughter and… "Peeta Mellark, get over here," Prim demanded as she clenched her fists and planted them on her tiny hips. She was so like Katniss in her own way––strong, stubborn and sweet. I walked over expecting a hug when Prim shoved me backwards. She was angry.
"Prim?" Katniss said her name with a shocked look on her face.
"That's for making me go with the rebels and making me leave you behind," Prim explained. The look on her face fell. "You made me leave you." Her lower lip trembled. "I never forgave for that. You left me alone with a company of strangers to fend for myself."
"Prim, I had to oufff–" Prim suddenly launched her tiny body that I caught her in my arms as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Thank you, thank you," she repeated. "You saved me. You let me go and saved me from going to the arena. You saved my life."
"Prim, I didn't––"
"Shut up, Peeta. You did," she persisted. She cried in my arms for a few seconds. "You're the bravest, most selfless person I have ever met. And…most stupid." I smiled. Typical Everdeen compliment that both praised and insulted you at the same time.
"I'm sorry, but we need to get going," Shane yelled from the hovercraft. "We need to leave." He and Maddy had already boarded the ship giving us some privacy.
"Come on," Prim said as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Then she grabbed Katniss's and my hand and dragged us to the ship. I didn't know where we were headed. But one thing I knew, Katniss and I were finally free from President Snow. We had our lives back. It was only a matter of surviving the war that Mockingjay had started against Snow. I prayed that our families are safe and alive as Katniss and I start a new chapter in our lives––to survive and fight for our freedom from the Snow and the Capitol.
AN: Thank you for reading this chapter. I hoped you enjoyed it. My thanks for those who have stuck around and accompanied me in this journey and for your patience. I debated as to whether I should end Destiny here and start Book 2 for Destiny. Fifty eight chapters and over half a million words are alot to read. This story is far from over so...
Have a great rest of the week.