Katniss was horrified, scared, tensed, nervous, awed and many other things; but above everything else, she was confused. Confused at a very high level. She knew Peeta was holding back himself. But she had absolutely no idea the extent to which he held back. His sheer speed, agility and fighting prowess - the amount she saw clearly defined him as better than a career. At first she was awed at the way he caught the incoming knife and send it to the boy who was moments away from killing her. But the awe changed to fear when she realized that it meant that she might be next and he absolutely had no reason to not kill her too.
But that never came. Instead though Peeta started taking on the other alliances. The first were the members of the Giants, as he named their alliance, thus giving her and a few sensible others the necessary opening to flee to the woods. It would be a lie if she said she wasn't worried of him but when she turned for a few moments and saw his knives were working as if in butter-flow, she was assured, that and the fact that he is Peeta. He always a master plan and never lacks in back-ups either.
But it was the fact that he spared or rather saved her life that kept nagging at her constantly. Why would he do that? The question kept revolving in her mind as she made herself comfortable in sleeping bag, she got from the bag Peeta helped her retrieve, on the top of a tree. Her best assumption until now was that keeping her alive would help Peeta get sponsors in plenty. But that was ruled out when she realized that the skills he displayed and the looks he has, which can give Finnick O'dair a run for his money, would help him get plenty of sponsors. So maybe he did this for some emotion be might have for her.
Katniss quickly squashed that guilty thought in her mind. She couldn't lead herself to such lands at all. She made a promise to Prim which she intends to keep and right now Peeta Mellark was making it very difficult for her to not break her resolve.
Just then the Panem national anthem played and images of the fallen tributes were flashed on the sky in order of their sequence of death with the one to kill's image below the image of the very first among them was the boy from District 9 whom Peeta slayed. Then a male and female Tribute from District 8 and the male of District 10 - all, to Katniss's awe and disbelief, credited to Peeta. Then a female Tribute from District 10 credited to Clove and the giant intimidating male of District 9 credited to Cato - much to Katniss's relief. Katniss would have thought that that was all of Peeta and was wishing that Peeta's image in itself doesn't come up in the list of the fallen. But what she saw next baffled her.
Apparently 3 Giants weren't enough to satisfy Peeta's bloodlust for next in succession were a list of Textstocks and Dwarves Tributes all credited to Peeta. 2 males and 1 female Tribute from District 5, the only female from District 6, a male from District 7 and a female from District 9 fell to Peeta. A feat that had Katniss torn between horror, awe and disgust. Then was Cato's second kill – a District 7 female. If all this surprised Katniss,than saying that what she saw next shocked her would be a major understatement. Other than Marvel and Cato the other male Career Tributes from Districts 1 and 2 were slaughtered by Peeta thus breaking the former record of the number of Tributes killed by a single Tribute – and that too on the first day itself.
By now she was very confused and with all the stress from the day and all, needed to sort through her emotions. But killing 2 careers and 10 others and yet to live in the bloodbath alone was truly something Katniss found unexpected and impressive which spoke volumes about Peeta's skills. Usually seam children outlasts the merchant children from her district in all the previous games, but what Peeta did today clearly proved that he wasn't the normal District 12 Tribute but someone who can slay careers. A feat Katniss hardly had any doubt that Rye could have achieved as well. Finally at last she decided to not let thoughts of Peeta overwhelm her concentration on survival, and wish, until some miracle happens, that she doesn't have to kill Peeta in the end or the vice-versa.
It was about time for the Career pack to go out hunting. Peeta and Clove were having their fill of naps and most of the others were getting ready for the tracking. It was planned that 10 of them will go for the hunt, one of the 2 District 4 males and Selena (flirty) of District 1 would stay behind with the District 3 female who would be wiring and mining the surroundings of the Cornucopia for safeguarding it from other intruders.
While the others were preparing for the hunt, Cato was having a heated discussion with one of the two District 4 females.
"But this might be our only chance at killing him Cato. He wouldn't wake up at the moment thus would probably fail to protect himself," said the female.
"I don't know but I'm not having a very good feeling about this. We hadn't assessed him properly at all and attacking him right now will be like finding out his limits which may bear unforeseen consequences. The way he killed that one from our district; he was the son of our district's head Peacekeeper. One of the best trained in our district. Still the boy used nothing but a hit from the hand and that was enough to kill him. And did you see the blood bath? Even though I take pride in my skills, not even I could claim such a feat. Its like he was born to kill, and I don't see it prudent to irk him unless absolutely necessary," said Cato uncertainly.
The girl sighed and said, "Well that's what I'm saying as well. Finish the threat before it can even turn upon us."
Still uncertain Cato said, "Fine I wont stop you from trying. But know this I ain't come for your aid should your plan backfire on you and neither I'm helping you in this job."
Smiling happily the girl said, "You wound me Cato. I'll finish this job before he can even realize. Afterall I was raised for ambush-attacks."
And with that the girl walked off to a distance where Peeta was lying asleep with Clove at his side. She brought out knife from the back of her shirt that impressed Cato for no one would have guessed it kept there. Very silently she leaned over Peeta's head and was going for a quick kill. She had everyone's attention by now. Even Dylan and the District 3 girl's who was being explained by Dylan about the wiring before he set off in the hunting trail.
That was when it happened. And it was too fast for anyone to even deduce what happened. The girl's knife was inches away from slitting off Peeta's throat when with inhuman speed Peeta's gloved and fisted right hand came before the girl's face and before she could blink or react, 3 long claw like needles protruded from the gloves, impaled her face and retracted. The girl never gave any reaction but just slumped down dead between Peeta and Clove facing the sleeping girl.
The spraying of the blood from the now dead girl's holes on her face combined with the sound of the canon blowing off startled Clove from her sleep. And when she saw a dead ally facing her with holes on her faces issuing blood, she gave the most natural reaction. She screamed and drifted herself as much away from the dead girl as possible. Not even waking up Peeta motioned to the 2 District 4 males and said, "You 2 make yourself useful and dispose her off to somewhere else so the hovercraft could carry her off. And Dylan, wake me up when the preparations for the trip is finally ready." And with that he was out like a log to everyone's disbelief and shock.
While the District 4 brutes were busy at their work, Selena approached Cato, who was still in shock having seen the entire scene unfold. Sitting beside him tentatively she asked, "So what happened exactly?"
Still in a daze Cato replied, "Two things apparently. First one is that the girl kept her part of the promise. The job was done before Peeta, herself or anyone else for that matter, could even realize. Problem is while she promised Peeta's death, she herself perished. Secondly I just learned the truth of a very important lesson."
"And what might that be?" prodded Selena.
"One must never tickle a sleeping dragon," replied Cato still amazed at the skills of the Dark Prince.
Its 2 hours since the canon blew off and Katniss was restless. The sound signified that the Careers were on the hunt and has chosen night-time as their hunting time. She was still on the lookout when she heard the unmistakable sound of the crackling of fire. Scared that her cover may blow off she put on her night-vision glasses she got in her back-pack and started taking in her surroundings and that's when she found the source of the sound. At a short distance from her she could make out the figure of Sybill building a fire on a pile of assorted woods by striking stones – possibly to warm herself. The gamekeepers had made it very cold in the arena since the sun was down.
Relieved that it was no Career she was about to call her out and ask her to come up with her and put out the fire as the flames would attract unwanted attention and danger when she heard it. The sound of many foot coming in their direction noisily and judging by the sounds, in hurry. Fear dawned on her as she made out no less than 6 pairs of incoming feet. Only 1 alliance was left with that many tributes – the Career Pack. Sybill as it seems couldn't move either in the utter fear and shock that engulfed her. Realizing it was too late Katniss moved to some higher branches with her supplies from where she could both keep a watch on the happenings and still remain perfectly hidden.
Time seemed to slow down as Katniss scrambled up to the safety of the tree-top and settled right over there. She had just managed to make it there when with an excited whoop 9 tributes entered. The first to reach was Cato, followed by Clove and their fellow-tribute. 2 of the 3 District 1 Tributes were next followed by a District 4 male. However the one to bring the rear was the most shocking to Katniss. A wave of emotion – hurt, betrayal, anger, etc., coursed through her as Peeta with the sole District 3 male brought the rear of the pack. The fact that Peeta could stoop so low as to align himself
She saw the next few moments in a daze barely able to control her voice from screaming out. She saw Sybill beg and plead for her life while the careers mocked her. The girl from 1 – Glimmer if she remembered stood aside with Peeta and the boy from 3 not enjoying though if their expressions were to be judged while the rest were taunting as much as they can. Finally Peeta barked something to them and to Katniss's amazement the Careers quickly paid heed to whatever he said. In her last efforts Sybill seemed to be begging Peeta and he still stood motionless which caused Katniss great anger. Soon Clove did the deed by slitting the girl's throat and they all left the still not dead girl to die to her misery. Peeta left the last though. But before he left he looked around as if looking for something and locked his gaze with her tree. For a few moments Katniss was fearful that Peeta had her located and that she was going to be his next victim but soon with a jab at his shoulder from Glimmer he broke his eye-contact with my tree, nodded to something she was saying and left the spot.
Katniss was contemplating going there and finishing the job herself to give Sybill some mercy when Peeta, seemingly still unsatisfied, returned to take care of the girl. At first Katniss was incensed that he could stoop this low and kill the poor girl he befriended 2 weeks ago but his totally remorseful expression made her pause. Raising his hands in surrender to the now scared and retreating girl, Peeta closed the distance between them and then in an odd gesture, lifted the girl in his arms and had her wrapped up in his long cape. Still rocking her and rubbing her head he waited before all motions inside the cloak ceased, a canon blew off and finally Peeta uncovered the now dead girl from his cape. Placing a kiss on her forehead Peeta settled off.
Katniss felt warmth and relief course through her as she found that Peeta still has remained unchanged. All anger vaporized from her as she started to contemplate Peeta's actions. He sure had some ulterior motive behind joining the Careers and now that she thought about it, it was more like he was the undisputed alpha and the others seemed fearful of his very presence. Not that she could blame them. Who wouldn't with the sheer number of kills he claimed in the bloodbath? Then she realized that had Peeta stopped the Careers his cover would have blown off and it wasn't like Sybill wouldn't get killed anyway. She was still glad he gave all the comfort he can to the dying girl.
Meanwhile with Peeta making his way to the back to the pack he was having an urgent mental-discussion with Rye…
Don't tell me it's too late Rye. Administer artificial respirator and tranquilizer at first. Get her stabilized at first and once that is done make quick work on applying the cell-grower on her throat generously. (Peeta)
Don't worry brother. Prim and Mrs. Everdeen are already here helping me with it and the girl is already stabilized and in temporary intentional comatose. We are in the process of re-sealing her throat. She may sustain some discomfort for a few weeks and vocal problems for an even longer time, but rest assured she will live and will be well off by tomorrow. It's a good thing that the knife-girl didn't concentrate enough to slit the throat properly. (Rye)
*sigh* Well its good news apparently. Glad that she could make it. You said something about Prim and her mother helping you. How many else knows about our secret? (Peeta)
Them only and I brought them in only today morning. A bit skeptical at first but when a body similar to the girl's in the arena, landed in the middle of the living room, they couldn't help but believe me. Quite distraught they were when I had to break it to them that you can't practically send over Katniss through the middle of the games but in the end they understood. Prim wishes you luck, extends her thanks to you for ensuring her sister's survival in the blood-bath and also says to bring her sister home with you if possible. (Rye)
Well tell her it was nothing and that I'll try my level best. Now I've to cut it short. I'm nearing the pack's camp. (Peeta)
Before you go, you were correct in your hunch, Katniss was there where you guessed her to be and the rest are mostly scattered around the arena for now. The females from Districts 9 and 11 are boarding on the trees near Katniss's and so are the District 7 duo, though they are longing on the far end of the forest. The male from District 8 is both nearby and oblivious of your pack so build a camouflage-snare around the eastern part of the camp and if he continues the way he is walking, you will get a catch for the morning. That's all I can help now. G'bye. (Rye)
Bye dear brother. (Peeta)
Soon he reached the camp near the lake and settled down with the pack in eating dinner.
"What took you so long?" asked Cato curiously.
"Found some wet trails on the way there. Thought I better take a watch as the girl wouldn't make it far with her wound. Took care of her though. As soon as we are finished, I'll take Glimmer and Dylan with me to snare the eastern part. If my guess is right the oblivious tribute is lounging around here in hope of getting fed and watered by the lake. So with the water as the bait, the snare would do a fantastic job," said Peeta while the others listened in awe once again remembering that this is the same strategist that slayed a record breaking 12 tributes in the bloodbath and now his total record counted 14 with their ally and this latest girl from District 8.
Soon dinner was over and the 3 marched off down the lake away from the other's view. Peeta lead them to a fine corner and the 2 tributes followed him, albeit warily given his reputation. Soon they reached a spot where to their utter amazement they found that 3 large fishes were getting smoked over a fire. Turning about to them Peeta smiled a genuine and kind smile very unlikely than his menacing one. "I saw you both being denied food as you both didn't contribute much in the pack as they so eloquently put it and had they not been very fearful of me I would have surely received the same treatment as well. I already kind of contemplated this from the selfish gits and thus in the half an hour I was away before the trail begun, I arranged this, which I hope you would be satisfied with for now," he said. When both the Tributes just continued looking between him and the fishes with opened jaws, Peeta sighed and said, "Look I assure you the fish isn't poisoned and neither do I have any ulterior motive behind this all, so go and stuff yourself and leave the snaring on me. It was just an excuse for me to bring you both here."
And with that Peeta walked off to begin the laborious task. 3 hours later and at the brink of midnight he was finished with his job and he admired his handiwork. As he returned he found a truly adorable scene in the middle of this cruel game. To protect each other from the vicious cold, the two tributes had huddled themselves close to the fire, leaning against a rock and with their arms wrapped around each other in an innocent manner giving as much warmth as possible. Peeta was carefully retrieving his fish when he turned around at the sound of rustling leaves. Hidden marvelously under the cover of leaves was the little girl from District 11 eyeing his meal hungrily. She was still unaware that she was sighted but with heightened vision enhanced with night-vision glasses, it was very easy for Peeta.
Peeta put the fish on a plastic plate and retrieved a canteen from his back-pack. Then in a swift motion he started jumping/climbing softly and silently and soon with 6 well placed jumps he was so top on the tree that no one would have guessed his weight could be supported by the branches that were supporting him for the present. It was all due the shock of him being a skillful climber that kept Rye from jumping away yet. So before she could do that Peeta closed the distance between them and offered the started girl his fish and filled canteen hoping she would buy his placating gesture.
It took Rue awhile to realize that the meal and canteen were being offered to her and she looked at Peeta with unsure but hopeful eyes. Peeta smiled what he hoped a reassuring smile and thrust the plate and canteen further to her. She happily took the offered plate and started wolfing down on the meal hungrily with gusto. Halfway through the meal something strange happened. She heard sound of something similar to a blade being unsheathed and looked up to find in horror that Peeta's knife was in his hands and his expression is no longer king but rage and determination. Clutching what she believed to be her last meal she closed her eyes suppressing the urge to scream and waiting for the incoming pain but it never came.
She opened her eyes to find to her surprise that Peeta was now retrieving a bloodied knife from the stomach of the District 9 girl while clamping a hand shut n her mouth to prevent her from screaming. A canon blew off and Peeta released his hold from the now dead girl's mouth. He then retrieved some biscuit-packets and a first-aid kit from his backpack and handed them over to a still shell-shocked Rue. He then motioned something to Rue which she realized was the rising sun and the others seemed to be startled from their sleep at the sound of the canon as well.
Giving Rue a goodbye wave and a motion for her to start sneaking way, Peeta made his way the ground with the fallen Tribute's body just in time when the pack arrived and his two charges came to inspect the body having seen him some down the tree with it.
"What the hell? Its not even morning yet and you already hunted another?" asked Clove incredulously.
"Slipped from the high branches and did more damage to herself than she could bear apparently. I only helped her out of her misery," said Peeta. Glimmer and Dylan looked at him a bit puzzled but chose not to interfere with his decisions.
Cato nodded and said, "Well the more finished, the better it is for us. Well done anyway on yet another kill. What about your snare though?"
Just then an audible male scream pierced through the air startling them. "Well there you go with my promise. Hope you can take care of him without my aid? We'll meet you all after arranging our equipments."
With a gleam in his eyes Cato and his lackeys nodded and went off to the direction of the scream. Turning about Peeta asked the 2, "Slept well?"
They both nodded but Glimmer said, "Thanks for what you did for both of us and taking care of it. We are grateful to you. If only we weren't in this games I'd have surely found a way to repay you." The last part was said by Glimmer more to herself than him.
Something about her tone struck Peeta and he said while packing, "I thought getting reaped was considered an honor in your district?"
"Let me assure you my dad is ecstatic but that doesn't means I'm. It was my last year and then I was to pursue for strategic intelligence but all of my dreams were dashed with me getting reaped and now I know it'll all remain a dream for me. I mean who am I kidding? I know I'm not returning my home alive," said Glimmer desperately trying not to cry and being a master of emotions Peeta recognized her despair was genuine.
A snort was heard from Dylan, "At least you could still hide about, have the sponsors help you survive and still have a chance at winning. Look at me though. I'm waiting my days out when the career are going to grow bore of me and finish me off."
Neither Glimmer nor Peeta had the heart to falsely reassure the kid as they knew what e said was true. The Careers, as soon as they are done dealing with the others, are going to turn on him and his fellow-Tribute as they were at the weakest in the pack and the careers had no apparent use of the technicians other than to secure the Cornucopia, which the girl was doing now. It happened in few moments but Peeta soon had 2 people ready to send home other than Katniss – even if it lowers his chances of making it back.
(A/N) : Any reviews, constructive criticism, or even recommendations or advices for until now after reading this chapter I spent a copious amount.
~Aeigns