Gale is Back...and all hell breaks loose.
I Do Not Own The Hunger Games -
Warning this chapter has name-calling, victim blaming, slurs, violence, and bullying, well this chapter holds up to all of the Tags and Trigger Warnings.
The 2nd day of the Festival
Katniss wore her hair down today. Even though she and Peeta had gotten up late, she had taken extra time to brush her hair. After last night, Katniss was determined to look her best.
Tonight was the couple's dance. The first dance was for the couples who were courting and were going to be married. Then came the dance for the newlyweds, and finally the dance floor was opened for all of the established couples.
Katniss eyed her reflection in the mirror.
The dress Mathea had given her was a soft orange dress, with a shirred empire waist. It made her breasts look bigger. It was pin-tucked at the waist which allowed the skirt to flare out at the hips. It had a dark green flower and petals embroidered on her right shoulder that cascaded down the chest. She'd chosen the dress because it reminded her of the color Peeta liked.
Last night they kissed and an old insecurity popped up in her mind as soon as she woke up this morning. She woke up in the middle of the night wondering why Peeta had stopped kissing her. She came to two possible conclusions. One, Peeta did not like her because she came from the Seam. Or the other, most likely scenario, was that there was someone else.
Katniss sadly thought perhaps there was someone Peeta did want and that's why he refrained from going any further because he felt guilty. She thought of this when they first got married when they agreed to the thirty days. But in everything that happened, she'd forgotten about this thought. And last night as she lay there, those old fears came rearing back.
Katniss was selfish. As she stared at her appearance in the mirror she thought possibly she could win Peeta over, which is why she found herself primping in the mirror. She tried smiling and then batting her eyes in the mirror, but she looked deranged and her face fell.
Katniss decided she wasn't going to give up. Including today she still had six more days, to maybe persuade him to keep their marriage. Pushing a lock of hair behind her ear she straightened her shoulders. She gave herself one last prudent glance.
Satisfied with the way she looked, Katniss took her sweater with her and opened the door.
When she stepped out of the room, Peeta blinked and she heard him gasp. "You look amazing."
"Thank you," Katniss replied. She couldn't hide the flush of happiness on her cheeks.
"Well Mrs. Mellark, are you ready for another long day?" Peeta handed her a cup of tea."
"Not really, but I have a feeling my feet are going to be hurting by the end of the night."
"If it gets bad, I can rub your feet tonight," Peeta said, sounding chipper. "Everyone's downstairs; we're the last ones up."
Katniss nodded as she finished off her tea. When she was done, she washed her cup.
Katniss slowly came down the stairs to the bakery behind Peeta.
Prim and her mother were waiting downstairs for her. It was agreed last night that they would all eat breakfast at the bakery and help bake some fresh options for today. All of the family was downstairs working.
Katniss was discovering that the festival, although a money maker for the Mellarks, was twice as much work for them.
When they both entered the landing Katniss noticed Prim was giggling. Her Mother and Eileen were red-faced. Lionel wouldn't make eye contact with her, and Peeta's brothers smiled and winked at her.
Mathea cleared her throat, "Sleep well?"
"Actually, I slept great," Katniss answered honestly.
For some unknown reason, her answer caused the room to erupt into howls of laughter. Katniss, not understanding why everybody was laughing, turned to Peeta whose face was red as a tomato.
Katniss wasn't sure, but she knew Prim wouldn't hold back and give her the scoop.
Her sister giggled and raised a delicate I brow, before saying. "We heard you."
Katniss felt the flush rushing through her body. With wide open eyes, she turned to Peeta. She didn't realize they were that loud. Then the heat on her face magnified when she recalled the banging noise when her back hit the back of the door.
Peeta placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before embracing her and whispering, "Never mind them."
Katniss couldn't utter a word as the laughter got louder and her cheeks burned heavier.
Eileen cleared her throat, "Okay you bunch of reprobates, we've got to finish up and get out to the booth."
Katniss was grateful they all seemed to recover and quickly got back to work. By the time Katniss had gotten to the meadow, the booth was swamped. They couldn't keep the economical options on the shelves.
"Are you sure this is Tesserae?" Thom, who had worked with Gale until something had gone sour between them, asked Katniss for the tenth time.
"Sure is," Katniss said.
"It tastes good and it's so soft," Thom said.
"Come Monday, everything sold here will be part of the regular menu," Katniss said as she accepted Thom's hard-earned money.
"That's fantastic, my maw raved about the bread and brought one home last night. I'll let my mom know about the new offerings."
Katniss smiled at Thom. All afternoon, people were telling them how much they appreciated the economic options. Those who could afford it purchased the higher-quality offerings.
It was mid-afternoon when things slowed down enough.
"Come on," Peeta said, taking off his apron. "Let's sneak out of here."
"But the booths," Katniss said.
"We've got it," River said. "Right, Carlton."
"The lines are dying down, go explore the festival," Carlton grinned. "I've done some preliminary math. We've made more than enough money to pay for the taxes. We even have enough of a nest egg."
"Really?" Peeta said.
"Yeah, we've got enough money to hire someone to work at the bakery. Next year I won't even be needed. And I can be with my wife." Carlton looked at Mathea and winked at her.
Mathea turned pink when Carlton walked up to her and pressed a small chaste kiss on her cheeks.
"So go enjoy yourselves while you still can. We can handle anything, besides, in another hour, we'll be free."
"My lady," Peeta said, holding out his hand.
He gave Katniss one of his brilliant smiles that made her knees turn into jello. His warm blue eyes were the color of the heavens and she could get lost in them. It took her a few seconds to realize she needed to make a move.
Katniss put her hand in his. She shivered when his warm hand wrapped around her smaller one. She looked at his handsome face and she recalled how it felt to be kissed by him. If she believed in magic, Katniss would have sworn it was real as Peeta squeezed her hand. Her entire body felt like it was on fire. There was an all-consuming need to kiss him.
She had never felt anything like it. It was like the ravenous hunger she felt during the lean winter months. Katniss could feel her cheeks burn.
Lionel cleared his throat. "Go have fun."
"Thanks, Dad," Peeta said as he gently tugged her hand, leading her away.
Katniss could hear her sister giggle as she and Peeta walked away hand in hand. Excitement rippled between them as they, like giddy children, explored the Festival. Tomorrow, all of the vendors stopped selling at noon. It allowed them to be able to enjoy the festival before it closed at six.
Normally, on the last day, there were prize ceremonies for the contests. Eileen, Mrs. Mabel Undersee, and Haymitch Abernathy were the judges for most of the food contests. Mayor Undersee, Mr. Cartwright, and the new man who ran the Mines, Wallen Lowberry were judging the other contests, like the best quilt or the best pumpkin carving.
Katniss and Peeta passed by the different exhibits. The quilts looked so pretty. A lot of Seam folk participated in the quilt contest. The prize was a week's worth of groceries. Many of the prizes revolved around food. Even though the district was doing better, hunger was still prevalent in the Seam.
"There's a rumor that next year there is going to be an art contest," Katniss said.
"Really?"
"I think if they do, you should enter something," Katniss urged.
"Why would I do that?"
"Peeta, you're an artist. You make the best-looking cakes in the bakery. I think you can easily do something artistic if given the chance."
Peeta didn't say anything as they walked by the carved pumpkins.
When they passed by the pies, cakes, and casseroles Peeta asked, "Who do you think will win?"
"They all look good to me," Katniss said as her mouth watered over the delicious smells.
"I think you'd be a great judge."
"I think I'd be a poor judge," Katniss said.
"Why?"
"I like food, and as long as it's edible it's good to me."
"Even if River was cooking it?"
"Let's not get crazy," Katniss said, wrinkling her face, recalling what River considered food.
Peeta laughed. "Come on, let's go check out the rest of the Fall Festival."
They were awed by the new fair rides. There were lots of little fair games. Peeta tried his hand at the High Striker/Strongman Game. The aim of the game was to ring the bell with a puck by smashing a mallet on a plate.
The man mistook Peeta's size and was amazed when Peeta smashed the mallet with such force the puck zoomed up the tower and pinged the bell. Peeta smiled and the man handed them the grand prize of ten tickets.
They played whack-a-mole where Katniss won. The games were only 1 ticket a piece and they typically handed out candy for the minor prizes, a ticket or two for the medium prizes, and for the bigger prizes were actual food items. Like a half a pound of sugar or flour. One year they gave out half-pound bags of rice and beans.
"Do you want to ride the Ferris Wheel? We have more than enough tickets."
Katniss nodded.
"Come on, let's go and wait in line."
Katniss watched with glee as the Ferris wheel slowly wound its way upward. The Ferris wheel wasn't a fast ride, but it was called the kissin' wheel because couples took the ride. The ride on the Ferris wheel was three tickets for two people. Many times it was split between couples who wanted time alone away from children, family, or chaperons.
"I've never been on the Ferris wheel," Peeta said.
"Neither have I," Katniss said.
They had never been able to afford the ticket for this ride. The money she made went to food, clothing, and the wood and coal for the pot belly stove they had at home. Plus, there were the medicines her mother needed to help the sick. True, there were herbs her mother used to help heal the sick that came from the bounty of nature. There were things like sleep syrup though, that couldn't be duplicated.
"My dad would give us enough coins so that we could each purchase two to three tickets. Because this ride costs three tickets, we did the rides worth one ticket. Plus, my brothers never wanted to go half on the gondola. What about you?"
Katniss smiled. "I always made sure we had enough saved coins to get two tickets for Prim. If I didn't have enough money for two tickets. I'd buy one and play a game and win a ticket or two."
They moved forward in the line as one couple got off and another got in until it was their turn. The gondola swung as they moved forward clockwise and they both pressed against the other. Adjoining blushes appeared on their cheeks when they realized how close they were, but neither one moved to separate when the wheel moved forward again to let the next pair on.
Soon the wheel was moving steadily, climbing higher and higher. Katniss could see the entire town since they were in the meadow, which was between the Seam and the Town.
"I wish I could draw this," Peeta said wistfully as he looked out of the gondola.
"It's so pretty," Katniss said. The sun was setting and the colors were so vivid.
"Look, there's the bakery," Peeta said, pointing to the small brick building.
Katniss smiled.
"What was your childhood like before your father passed away?"
His candid question caught Katniss by surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I remember watching you from afar. You always smiled, and you always sang."
Katniss looked down at her hands momentarily. How did one explain a loss so deep that altered her very DNA? "My father was like the spring sun on a cold rainy day. The moment he walked in through the door, even if he was bone tired, he always had a smile. My mother's eyes would light up when she saw him."
"My dad once told me your father's voice made everyone stop what they were doing to listen to him sing. Your voice is like his, so pretty, you even make the birds stop and listen."
Katniss snorted in disbelief.
"Serious, you sing like him."
Katniss stared at him and in a trance she moved closer to him, wanting to kiss him, to be kissed by him. But the ride came to a stop. They quietly got off the ride, however, Peeta did not let go of her hand and she didn't want to let go of his hand either.
They walked around some more, enjoying the fair. They were finishing up some kabobs they bought at Rooba's booth when Katniss noticed the Merchants were packing up their booths for the evening.
She turned to Peeta. "I think we should help your brothers shut the booth down."
"I was going to suggest the same thing."
"The quicker they put things away the quicker you and your brothers can enjoy those awful fast rides. Prim is looking forward to going on them with you guys." Together they made their way back.
Peeta chuckled, "River's been hyped up for this, Carlton isn't a fan, normally he grovels until we leave him behind."
"He probably wants to spend time with Mathea."
"You know I never thought of it that way," Peeta said. "I always thought he didn't want to be around us. Though I can understand wanting to spend time with one's girl," Peeta said as he winked at her before walking away to help the family.
All of the food had to be brought back to the bakery each night. They, along with other Merchants, were making the trek back and forth to the fairground.
Katniss was walking back when she heard Gale's familiar laugh. Katniss stopped in her tracks. She was alone. Fear coursed through her body, making her muscles tense up and she shook her hands and gripped them several times. It would be so easy to turn around and walk away. But to do so would let Gale take away her agency.
"I'm a strong, independent person," Katniss muttered to herself. "And if he tries anything, I can handle him."
Bullies needed to be confronted.
Katniss moved forward, her mouth set, her shoulders squared. She walked past the ticket booth and the spot where the town sold hot cocoa and other treats from different districts. The flavorful aroma of the chocolate was so sweet and warming. It reminded her of Peeta.
Taking a deep breath, she sped by until she was where the other booths were located. It was mostly abandoned by now, just a handful of people were still cleaning up. So far neither Gale nor his friends noticed her.
Katniss was hoping to get to the Mellark's booth without incident, but as luck would have it, she watched Slate turn and stare straight at her before tugging on the Axon's sleeve and whispering into his ear. Axton then nudged Orville in the ribs. Orville turned his head sharply, his beady eyes glared at her.
Katniss gritted her teeth when she saw Orville stop walking.
"Hey Gale, look, the merchant slut," Orvile said loudly.
"I'm surprised they let her out of bed," Axon crudely said.
Katniss straightened her spine and balled her hands into fists. They stood before her like a wall. "Let me pass."
"Why should we?" Gale said. His eyes were cold, his gray eyes looked like a blanket of frozen fog on a lake.
"Let me pass Gale or else," Katniss said, looking around to see if there was anyone about. Unfortunately, she was alone with them. The odds were not in her favor.
"What are you going to do?" Gale sneered. "Oh wait you're going to kick me like you did the last time or are you going to call the Peacekeeper again," Gale huffed. "You're acting like one of them…like you're better than us.
"I'm not better than you," Katniss said.
"If that's the case, why didn't you marry me," Gale asked.
Katniss could see the pain in his eyes. She took a deep breath. She was once more going to try to reason with him. She hoped it worked, for Prim's sake. "Because you and I don't make sense..."
"But we do, we have everything in common, Catnip…" Gale said. "I asked you to marry me, to make an honest woman out of you, but you chose him. And he didn't even want to have a Toasting with you, and you're okay with livin' in sin with that baker."
"Gale, we've been down this road before. I can't love you the way you want." Katniss saw how his gray eyes became stone colored, a sign that he was getting angrier.
"I bet you he's got someone else, someone he really wanted."
Gale hit on one of her insecurities. Katniss looked down, hoping he hadn't seen her slight flinch.
"I bet she's prettier," Axton said.
"Got bigger boobs," Orville supplied.
"Bet she's richer," Slate added.
Katniss wanted to close her ears. She didn't want to listen to their taunts, but she couldn't stop their words because those were her own worries. If this girl was real she was probably prettier than Katniss, and richer, with a better body. Katniss wasn't rich, she was dirt poor, and she didn't have the curves that the Merchant girls had. And as she recalled her image in the mirror suddenly she couldn't find anything worth noting. She was as plain as a sheet of blank paper.
Katniss needed to get away from them. She tried to get around them, but Gale blocked her.
"Do you really think he wants to stay married to you?" Gale asked. "He's a Merchant, and you know the Merchants don't give a rats eyeball about people from the Seam." Gale extended his hand and waved it between them. "We're from the Seam and we Seam folk stick together. I would never leave you. You and I - we make sense, we take care of each other, we were meant for one another together."
Katniss didn't want to listen to Gale. Everything he was saying could have been true if she hadn't seen the way Lionel took her sister to the dance floor last night. Or the way the Mellarks closed ranks around her when Gale attacked her.
Gale had attacked her. Took advantage of her good nature and of their friendship. He never listened to her, but Peeta did. Peeta listened to her, sought her advice, and wanted to hear her opinion, something Gale would never, ever do.
"We are NOT," she emphasized, "Compatible Gale."
"You could have learned," Gale demanded. "We are compatible."
"No. You and I are two different people." Katniss took a step back, but Gale took a step forward.
"No I'm the same, you're the one that has changed," Gale accused. "You're the one that's been who…"
"Don't go there, don't…you know I'm legally married. I'm with Peeta. No matter what happens in a few days, just know it's my marriage and it's private. You, nor anyone in the district has a right to know what Peeta and I decide."
"He's going to kick you to the curb," Gale said. "And when he does…"
"It's none of your business. And for that matter, it's no one's business." Katniss looked Gale's friends in their faces. "I don't want to see any of you messing around with my sister, my mother, or the Mellarks."
Axton laughed in her face. "You know there was a time I used to respect you, but now I know better. I wouldn't let any of my kin come within a ten-foot pole of your family."
Katniss raised an eyebrow and challenged the small man with a smile because he knew that his threat about her family was empty.
"We don't need your kind here," Axton mocked. "We don't even need your mother." Axton's face turned red when he realized his threat was meaningless to her.
Axton and his family depended on her mother when his little brother's breathing became labored. Without her mother's care, his brother would have died because of his bad lungs. Katniss couldn't even count how many times her mother had forgiven their debt, or taken partial payment. Everyone in the Seam, and even some Merchants depended on her mother, as the Town Physician, and medicine sourced from the Apothecary was expensive.
"You think you're so special, but you're not, not anymore…" Axton angrily spat. "You're not one of us, and neither is your maw or your sister."
"They say the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree," Orville said. "I heard the only reason your maw had to marry your paw was because she got in the family way with you."
"I see you're as smart as rocks Orville. My parents married in '52 and I was born in '58. That would mean my mother was pregnant for six years instead of 9 months," Katniss corrected. She narrowed her eyes at Axton before addressing him, "My family has been nothing but kind to you and your kin Axton."
Axton opened his mouth but closed it. Orville, however, didn't know when to keep his big mouth shut. He thought that because he had height he could physically dominate people.
"I'm not scared of you," Orville snorted. "They say your sister didn't belong to your paw, being how she looks like one of them Merchants."
Katniss could bear the insults to her person, however, no one insulted her mother or her baby sister. "As for you Orville, I would keep my mother and my sister's name out of your filthy mouth."
"My mouth's clean, it's you whose dirty, spoiled goods," Orville smirked.
"See what I told you, Katniss. Everyone thinks you're spoiled goods." Gale said, "I tried to get you to see things my way…"
"And that's the problem Gale," Katniss contested hotly. "You want things your way. You don't want a partner in life; you want a wife who will bow to all of your demands. You want one of them in a dress." Katniss pointed to the three idiots who blindly followed him. The day Gale became friends with them, he lost good honest people around him like Thom and Leevy. "And the only person who's saying that I'm spoiled goods is you and your squawking hens."
"That's where you're wrong Katniss…everyone is talking." Gale shook his head. "Tell me what did he promise you? Did he promise money, food? What did you whore yourself out to?"
"Nothing Gale, there is nothing to gain." Katniss began looking for a way to escape. They were slowly forming a loose circle around her. She had to stay on her toes. Else they would have the upper hand.
"There has to be something," Gale said, "I mean for you to willingly lie in his bed instead of mine?"
"You're so thick-headed, you're not listening to me." Katniss made a step to walk around them. But they moved as a group. "You're the one makin' this stuff up. You are the one with the problem. You're the one with his head up his arse in this group."
"You're sleeping with all of them, aren't you?" Gale accused.
"No!" Katniss said.
"I think you're right Gale. I think she's been sleeping with all of them," Axton spat. "You should have seen the way they closed ranks around her as if she was a queen bee in the hob."
"I guess Orville was right, they passed you around," Gale sneered.
"You know that's not true. I'm married to one man, Peeta." Katniss saw Orville move just over her right shoulder.
"You're a slut," Orville sneered. "And I can't wait until I have you myself."
They laughed maliciously reminding her of feral beasts instead of men.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Orville's slight movement as he slithered behind her. She prepared herself. She knew how Gale and his friends fought. They were like a pack of wild dogs hunting in the woods. Orville and Axton would bring down the victim while Gale went in for the kill.
When Orville tried to snake his arms around her. Katniss spun around and rammed the palm of her hand against his chin and simultaneously spun down toward the ground to dodge Axton's arms trying to wrap themselves around her. As she spun she punched Orville in the groin.
Orville Screamed in pain and fell to the ground.
Katniss quickly grabbed a palm full of dirt and threw it in Axton's eyes.
"MY EYES!" Axton yelled.
Slate stood back, his eyes nervously scanning the area while Gale and Katniss faced off.
Gale lunged at her, but she rolled her shoulder, tucking her head underneath his chest. Using his forward momentum she flipped him backwards and kicked him in the groin. Katniss sprinted away, not knowing she had been seen by half-a-dozen people.
She ran straight for the table. Peeta and Eileen were there as well as Lionel.
"Katniss what's wrong?" Peeta looked alarmed as she came to a stop, finally feeling safe.
She was about to open her mouth when Gale's mother's voice filled the air.
"What have you done to my boy, you whore!" Hazelle Hawthorne's voice thundered. Her hand was lifted in the air, and her intent was clear, she was going to slap Katniss.
"Don't you dare call my daughter-in-law that, you harpy!" Eileen Mellark yelled, standing in front of Katniss, blocking Hazelle's arm.
Katniss felt two arms wind themselves around her along with her favorite scent. Instantly she was soothed and calmed by Peeta's arms.
Peeta asked, "You alright?"
Katniss glanced up to see his warm blue eyes, and she nodded.
"She's a whore!" Hazelle viciously spat.
"She's a married woman and I dare you ta'say it again. Hawthorne!"
Both women were standing practically nose to nose. Gale stood behind his mother, his friends just to the side of Gale. Orville was bleeding from his nose. Axton held a hand over his eyes, and Gale had a few scrapes on his forehead and his shirt was dirty from her flipping him over.
"You tell that -"
"Slut," Gale supplied.
"Don't you dare call my wife that," Peeta said. Katniss could hear his growl. He was a peaceable man, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't defend his family tooth and nail. Katniss could feel the way his muscles tightened. She instinctively pressed herself closer to him, and the muscles in his forearms relaxed.
"Why doesn't your son leave my family alone? We've done nothin' to you. But your son is an aggressive prick," Eileen said.
"My son is an upstanding young man," Hazelle said. "Tell them, Gale. Tell them how she attacked you!"
Gale looked at her, his eyes frostier than the Mellark's freezer, as he spoke, "We were minding our own business, trying to…"
"That's a lie!" Katniss couldn't believe that Gale was going to fabricate what happened.
"My son was injured. I have a good mind to have her arrested," Hazelle said.
"HAZELLE MILDEWED HAWTHORNE!" Maggie yelled at the top of her lungs from the back of the crowd.
"Mildewed," Katniss mouthed to Peeta who shrugged.
There was a large crowd gathered. Everyone gave Maggie a wide berth as she came through the crowd with Prim and Delly in tow. Her mother's face was stormy.
Katniss shuddered with trepidation. She rarely heard her soft-spoken mother yell. Her mother hardly became angry. Katniss could count those times with one hand. There was that one time when her father had sung the hanging tree. Her father had turned into a ball of mush in front of her mother when she berated him for it.
"Hazelle, I've heard you spout a lot of nonsensical stupidity all of my life, but this is the third time your son has attacked my daughter. The second time my Katniss had your son's paw marks all over her body. He's lucky Lionel's boys didn't kill him."
"She's provoking him," Hazelle said imperiously.
"Your son and his three friends were attacking Katniss," Delly said, her voice kept getting squeakier as she spoke. "And before you say anything, you should know there are about twenty people behind me both Seam and Merchant that will swear in a court of law that she was defending herself against your son, and his cronies."
"You should be ashamed of yourself," Leevy said. Coming out from the crowd.
Hazelle's eyes sparkled when she saw Leevy. Katniss thought Leevy was going to go on behalf of the Hawthornes. Everyone knew she was sweet on Gale.
"Ever since you got with these two you've been going on a downward spiral." Leevy sighed. "You've been trying to cover the sun with your thumb Hazelle, not seeing that Axton, Orville, and Slate aren't good influences. Gale's been spending most of his free time at Rippers and at the slagheap with a bevy of different women. If anything, he's become the manwhore. And when you look at it, Gale's accusing a married woman of sleeping with her husband? I didn't know that was a crime and if it is, half of the district is sinning on a daily basis."
Leevy's words caused a chuckle to spread through the crowd.
"But, they didn't have a Toasting," Gale pointed out.
"Yet," the Mellarks all spoke up at once.
"What happens between me and Katniss is none of your business, Gale," Peeta said. "You have no right to do the things you've been doing. I've been trying to do the right thing. Abide by the law, but it stops here today."
"And what will you do, baker boy?" Gale spat.
"Peeta, no," Kantiss whispered when Peeta made a move toward Gale. "He wants to goad you into fighting him."
Peeta backed down. She could feel the tension radiating off of Peeta.
"Your son is a liar," Maggie said through clenched teeth.
"My son has only been speaking his truth," Hazelle defended.
"His truth is nothing but a pack of lies, Hazelle. How come you can't see that?" Katniss questioned.
Hazelle was about to speak, but Thom came from the crowd and stood beside Delly.
"Gale's has been spreading malicious rumors about Katniss. I didn't want to believe it, because they had once been as thick as thieves. Then, when I saw the Peacekeepers at your door Hazelle. I thought, maybe Gale was right." Thom looked at Gale and shook his head. "But after what I witnessed today, I can't be quiet. I just saw his friends trying to lay hands on a married woman. Katniss tried to get around them, but they wouldn't let her pass. I was running toward them to help Katniss…" He turned to Katniss and looked contrite as he said, "I'm sorry I didn't get to you on time. I was helping Greasy Sae…"
"So you saw her attack my poor boy and his friends?" Hazelle questioned. "And did nothing? Where is your loyalty?"
"You're questioning my integrity? Because I defend Katniss?" Thom was shocked.
"This is what she's been dealing with Thom," River said.
"No doubt Gale's been getting away with things like this for a long time because his mother enables him," Delly said.
"I am his mother. I have every right to defend my children."
"But not when he is making the wrong choices," Maggie said.
"I bet Gale and his friends felt encouraged to attack Katniss because they've done it before to someone else, who didn't have a voice," Delly said looking at all four men.
Slate looked down at the ground, not meeting Delly's eyes. A murmur spread throughout the crowd. It was an admittance of wrongdoing.
"No, my son is…blameless…" Hazelle said. She pointed at Katniss. "She's the one who's provokin' my boy…"
"No man has any right to touch a woman," Leevy said. "The moment she says no or stop - he is supposed to listen and stop."
Delly Cartwright stepped forward again. "Leevy is right. No man has any right to lay hands on a woman, no matter their station in life."
"Look at what she did to my son," Hazelle pointed out to Gale. "To his friends. Katniss is a monster."
"No," Prim's cry was picked up by the wind and everyone immediately quieted down. "She's not a monster."
Katniss wanted to step forward, but her sister shook her head. Prim was a good soul. No one gathered would dare say anything malicious about her. Except for Gale and his cronies. Katniss was still seething about that. Prim was innocent, true she was pushy, but that was because she wanted only the best for people.
"You should be ashamed of yourself. Look at how tall and strong Gale is, and look at Orville's size, for that matter, look at Axton's hands…"
Someone in the crowd shouted, "I've seen Axton snap a pig's neck with ease."
"Orville's built like a rock. I'd need a stick of dynamite to crack that jaw," a woman said and several people laughed.
"Four grown men against one tiny female," Delly shrieked. "Are we even safe to walk in our district?"
The crowd around them had swelled again. People were whispering, passing judgment on the situation.
Prim took a deep breath and faced Gale. Her eyes were huge on her fragile face, they were filled with tears, and her voice wobbled as she spoke, "You hurt my sister. You took advantage of her kindness."
"I…" Gale said.
"Don't try to deny it, Gale," Prim said, squaring her shoulders. "You knew that nothing would happen to you because, despite everything, Katniss cares for you. But I see now you were counting on people believing your lies, about my sister, about my family. You besmirched our good name to cover up your own wrongdoings. How could you? If you say you love her, wouldn't you want the best for her no matter what? Wouldn't you want her to be happy? Wouldn't you want to be there celebrating her highs and holding her hand in her lows?" Prim quietly asked. "Love is patient, it is kind, it is enduring, it's not proud or boastful. Love doesn't dishonor others. If you loved my sister, you would never have dishonored her. You acted like a spoiled child whose favorite toy was taken from him, instead of loving my sister."
Katniss watched folks nod and agree. Prim's words were potent and they worked on the hearts and minds of those gathered. Katniss once more wondered where her sister had gotten her wisdom from.
"That's why I said no to you, Gale. Because I knew you didn't love me…" Katniss turned to Peeta. She smiled and squeezed his hand. "Peeta…he's thoughtful and gentle." Katniss looked down. "And no matter what happens, I will always be beholden to him for his kindness."
Peeta placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and she melted into his embrace. If they didn't work out, she would forever remember this moment, the way his arms fit around her, sheltering her from the storm around them. Yet at the same time giving her the ability to be free if she wanted it.
Hazzelle looked murderous.
"Mama, Catnip is married - we went to her weddin'," Posy said loudly in the way only a five-year-old child could hold a candle to light the darkness.
"Hush now," Hazelle tried.
"But she wore a pretty dress, mama!" Posy said.
The crowd laughed at Posy's instance.
"POSY!" Gale hollered.
"Posy you're right, Catnip is married," Vic said, picking her up.
"Y'all I'm not one to mince words. But I know this precious woman is married to my youngest," Eileen said. She was standing next to Delly and Leevy. "Despite you getting into a fight with my Peeta, we graciously invited you all to my home and split bread with you. You were all present when they signed the paperwork at the justice building."
"But she hasn't had a Toasting with him!" Gale shouted.
"Who cares," someone shouted from the crowd.
"Yeah," another person shouted.
"Some of us couldn't even afford the bread to have a Toasting!" A man shouted.
"But we're hitched as anyone else," replied a female voice.
"As far as I and my wife are concerned, Katniss is our kin. The Toasting ceremony is just a formality," Lionel said. "I mean we've got plenty of bread."
This caused everyone to laugh.
"If anyone needs bread to have a Toasting, come and speak to my brother, Peeta. He's made great-tasting bread at more affordable options."
"It does taste amazing…" A woman shouted.
The crowd began speaking of the newest baked goods, of Gale and his obsession with Katniss. How not having a Toasting didn't mean that a couple wasn't married. It was a cacophony of sound all interrupted when the Peacekeepers showed up.
"Evening folks," Darius said, coming into the fray. "What seems to be the problem?"
A few Peacekeepers followed Darius into the clearing; they smiled and nodded at the crowd gathered. No one was afraid of the Peacekeepers, as they now upheld the laws of Panem and were assigned to do their namesake and keep the peace between neighbors.
"Gale's starting up again," Slate spat nervously and separated himself from his group of friends.
Gale shot Slate a mutinous glare.
"Gale and his buddies tried to lay hands on Katniss," Leevy said.
"Katniss defended herself against four grown men," Thom said.
"Is that so?" Darius asked.
"I'd swear to it," Greasy Sae came out of the group. "Saw it with me own eyes. Thom here was helpin' me close down my booth when Gale and his posse surrounded Katniss. The giant there tried to grab her from behind. The short one there tried to grab her next. And Gale, he was afixin' to snatch her when she curled herself into a ball and it looked like he flew over her shoulder. In her hurry to get away from him, Katniss might stepped on his privates. Slim over there was keeping an eye out for people."
"No, that's not what happened - that…that…wh-" Hazelle sputtered.
"Watch your language Mildewed," Eileen and Maggie said at the same time.
"She's my daughter," Maggie said.
"And she's my daughter-in-law," Eileen smiled at Katniss and said, "She's the best thing that's happened to my family since sliced bread. She's my kin, and one day soon I will welcome my grandbabies," Eileen said slyly.
Katniss turned pink as she recalled being taunted by everyone for simply kissing Peeta. As if sensing her discomfort, he pulled her closer to him.
"Is what Greasy said what happened?" Darius asked the crowd.
A group of people shouted, "Yes!" and lifted their hands.
"Deputy, are you writing this down?" Darius asked.
"Got it all recorded, boss," the deputy said, holding up his screen.
"Gale," Darius sighed. "I warned you to stay away from Katniss Mellark. I told you and your mother that she was a married woman. Now I know you've got your customs and traditions. But in the eyes of Panem, it doesn't matter if Peeta goes to District Three and Katniss moves to District Seven…they're considered husband and wife no matter where they go."
"That's the truth," Greasy said loudly. "Tired to get rid of my Earl, only did it when the man kicked the bucket."
Darius's shoulders shook at Greasy's confession.
Gale was scowling.
Hazelle was seething.
"See mama, they're wedded," Posy piped up.
Everyone laughed.
"Vick, why don't you take your little sister to the merry-go-round? I'll pay for your tickets," Darius said, taking out a coin from his pocket and handing it to Vick.
"Yes sir," Vick said. "Let's go ride the Merry Go Round."
Katniss watched Vick lead his younger sister away.
Darius turned to Gale. "I'm afraid that I'm going to have to arrest you and your friends for attacking Katniss Mellark."
"I didn't touch her," Slate said.
"You are an accessory to a crime, and you aided and abetted Gale, Axton, and Orville," Darius said.
Gale shot his friend a look, as they were handcuffed and arrested. Hazelle looked like she was about to cry.
"Hazelle, I'd mind your manners when it comes to these good folks. A lot of people have been upset with your son for a long time. The reason I was coming here is because Gale's precious friends stole some of Abernathy's prized geese. Haymitch has a video of them caught in the act."
"But…" Hazelle looked at her son's retreating form and back to Darius.
"But nothing, you should have believed me when I sat down with you but you dug your feet in, believing Gale's wild tales. Hazelle why don't you follow my deputy he'll fill you in on what happens next."
Hazelle left quickly with Rory.
"Folks, I think you should go enjoy your evening." Once the crowd dissipated and everyone walked away, Darius turned his attention to Katniss.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," she said. Katniss turned to the group surrounding them. Her eyes landed on the least likely Mellark, Eileen who had tears in her eyes. She smiled, "I have my family."
"Good," Darius said. "Have a good night, and enjoy the dance tonight."
"Peeta go get my daughter, a hot cocoa, child's near frozen," Eileen said as she wiped her face with her hands.
"Anyone else up for a hot cocoa?" River asked.
They all walked together to the counter, where Lionel proceeded to purchase hot cocoa for everyone. He even got ones with a marshmallow for Prim, Mathea, and Katniss.
Lionel held up his cup in a toast, "To our family and to a better tomorrow."
"Here, here!" Carlton said.
Katniss couldn't help but feel happiness under the glow of togetherness; tomorrow would be better.
And is the end of Gale. What did you think?
The Chapter was huge and I had to split it into two parts...so now there are 17 chapters...( I warned you all this is a slow...slow...burn...)
Next week is the 2nd half of the Festival...Gale's words though will haunt Katniss.
thank you to my beta Norbertsmom who makes me always look like a rockstar when she is the real genius.