By some miracle, Peeta survived the blood bath, and lived long enough to see the 12-year-old reaped from District 12 to the final three. His leg was badly wounded and he fell to the mutts beneath the cornucopia after helping the child to the top. Cato, the other remaining tribute faced the girl, knife in hand. She hadn't begged for her life, instead telling Cato it was ok to kill her, because it wasn't actually him who would kill her, but rather the capital that forced them to be here, and was forcing him to kill her. Cato, who had been a ruthless killer up to this point, faltered at her words.
"I'm sorry, I just want to go home." He had whispered before throwing his remaining knife into her heart, killing her instantly.
The square that the whole district was huddled into to watch the final moments of the games erupted in chaos. No surprise to Katniss, Gale joined the majority of the district who began yelling and cursing the capital. As people began throwing rocks and other items nearest them at the screen, Katniss turned to Rory, pressing Posy into Hazelle's arms, telling them to run to their house.
"Gale!" Katniss yelled at him above the yelling.
"We have to do something- they just- we can't-" Gale spluttered trying to get her to understand.
"Not here! Its too dangerous!" Katniss had yelled back seeing a small crowd begin to press into the Peacekeepers.
"If not here, then where? We have to fight back!" Gale yelled, "are you with me or not?" A gunfire shot through the air and suddenly the crowd froze before turning into a mad dash of people running in every direction. Fear prickled the hunters and a second later, Gale was pulling Katniss through the crowd pulling her towards the Seam. As soon as they entered the house, and upon seeing everyone huddled together in the living room safe and unharmed, Katniss rounded on Gale.
"Were you trying to get us killed?!" She screamed.
"Oh, and I'm just supposed to sit back and let them keep killing us! That could have been Prim, or Rory, or Vick, or Posy-"
"I'm very aware of the situation," Katniss shot back, fury bubbling over, "but that's not fighting back, that's how you get everyone killed in an instant. You could have gotten killed tonight, and then what would that have done us?"
"We got out of there, ok? Fuck, Katniss, how on Earth is this my fault."
"Your reaction, that's 'fucking' what. I thought you knew better." Katniss then turned to her family starring blankly at the two in the doorway, "Prim, Mom, come on we're going home."
"No, you're not, it's insane out there, its safer here." Gale grabbed her bicep as in keeping her from leaving.
"I'm sorry, what? Since when do you tell me what to do? Or do you want me to take you back to the square where you almost got shot?"
"Katniss," Gale hissed, his voice between pleading and frustrated.
"I think it's a good idea for you to stay the night." Hazelle finally stood up taking command of the situation, "and I think that is quite enough yelling in this house for the night. I did not raise my son to speak to anyone in that way. Gale, go to your room and cool off, Katniss, I suggest you do the same in my room, and I don't want either of you to come out until you can speak civilly."
Hazelle pushed the two into their respected rooms, giving each a stern glare as they retreated.
Katniss had been starring at the ceiling, her mind racing when the door cracked open and Hazelle walked through, Gale in tow. Katniss sat upright as Gale took a seat at the opposite end of the bed, and Hazelle settled herself on the rocking chair facing them.
"You two are old enough for me to not have to oversee an apology, but I am assuming you will sort the differences when I leave. But for now, I want to talk to you two very seriously about tonight." Gale felt a lecture begin, and hug his head beginning to concentrate on the cracks and scuffs of the floor while Katniss pointedly kept her eye on the crack in the ceiling. "What happened tonight I hope will never repeat itself. But if you are invested in aiding the rebellion, you need to do so properly. There should still be a channel set up in the mines, your fathers were both members. This is dangerous, and nothing about this should be taken lightly, but if you keep your head down- I'm specifically looking at you Gale Hawthorne, you could be beneficial. Something is brewing, this was happening before the mine accident, but this time feels different."
"Are you saying the accident wasn't an accident?" Gale seemed to catch on to this faster than Katniss had, her mind was still stuck on the part that her father was part of the rebellion and was possibly friends with Gale's.
"The Capital is willing to do whatever it takes to keep us under line, and they will spare no expense to make sure it happens. Do not push this boundary. I do not have to tell you how badly that will end. You two are the providers for our families, if you die, we die. And I want you to remember that when you decide to join an uncontrolled riot."
"Yes, mam." Gale nodded solemnly.
"Who's all involved in this group?" Katniss asked suddenly curiosity too much for her to keep silent.
"I'm not sure, but ask Sae, she's got her ear to the ground." Hazelle smiled fondly at the two, "your fathers would be so proud of you both."
"Thanks Ma," Gale chanced a small smile at his mother. Nodding, she stood and left the room.
"We could do this, we could help change all of this." Gale told the wall after Hazelle closed the door behind herself.
"Or you could end up blown up in the next "accident"." Katniss reminded harshly.
"But what if we overthrow the Capital- can you imagine the world we would create?" Hope glimmered on his face, and realization hit Katniss. Gale would be joining the rebellion, with or without her, and in that instant she made her decision – it was her and Gale against the world.
"Ok," Katniss agreed, "But we can't be rash, like your mom said, we're going to keep our heads down and be safe about this."
"I agree." Gale nodded solemnly, "and Catnip? I'm sorry about tonight. I wasn't thinking, and it won't happen again."
"I'm sorry I yelled at you in front of our families."
"I deserved it."
"Yeah," Katniss smiled timidly, "you did."
"Shut up."