JOHANNA
"What a mess this lunch was," sighed Finnick saddened.
"I thought it was entertaining" I said sitting down on the floor. Finnick and Annie followed my lead. She was looking down the large corridor that led to one of the training rooms. Finnick would be starting his in an hour, so I decided to join him. At least this was better than wandering around the hospital all day.
"I don't understand what bothered her so much."
"I told you, that mask of coolness was going to fall off."
"I don't think she's bad, the few times we've talked she's always been very nice" unexpectedly Annie intervened "If Mags was her friend it must have been for a good reason, and she was always right" Finnick didn't say anything, I knew deep down he felt a little betrayed by Mags not revealing to him what kind of friendship he had with Leila.
"Mags was too good, maybe she didn't see clearly" I said "anyway I think Katniss' new sweetheart was telling the truth, it has logic and explains why Leila had too many privileges, why she said those horrible things on TV and why she refused to betray Snow, even being safe here. I bet Plutarch has her as an ace in the hole in case we lose."
"No, Jo, that's impossible. Don't you know Snow? He despises us, he sees us as mere animals, no matter how attractive she is he wouldn't mess with someone from a district, we disgust him."
"I give up" I threw my hands in the air "What other explanation is there for everything we've seen and what Gale said today?"
"And if she was forced to say those things? It wouldn't be the first time the capitol made us do horrible things" Annie's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Finnick. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.
"shh, it's okay. That's all over now" Sometimes I didn't know if Finnick said that to reassure her or to comfort himself. I stirred in my spot not knowing what to say. "Maybe that's it but I also don't understand why her behavior wasn't just for the cameras, in her district too, you know Cecelia and Woof never had anything good to say about her."
"Yeah, but if we're being fair to Leila, they both didn't want her from the first moment, so..." I shrugged leaving the phrase unfinished.
"I honestly don't know what to think" we remained silent for another moment again. Finnick was running his hand gently down Annie's back, she closed her eyes still on his chest and smiled. It was nice to see Finnick finally being like this with Annie, not afraid to be seen, enjoying their love even in spite of everything.
"Did you notice Haymitch's reaction when Gale called Leila a whore?"
"I think we all reacted a little, didn't we?"
"not the same way he did. He looked furious."
"you're not implying again that the two of them have a thing, are you?" Finnick laughed.
"I think she and Haymitch would make a lovely couple," Annie said. It took all of my self-control not to make a face or not to make a comment. By Finnick's expression he was holding back laughter. Even though I couldn't say it out loud, Annie was loony.
"Why do you say that, sweetie?"
"She's soft and he's surly but they both have good feelings. Haymitch has been alone for so long, it's a shame."
"Well since Jo has also been so insistent on the subject, you could both get on Haymitch's matchmaking plan" he let out a laugh. Annie smacked him playfully.
"ha ha ha ha that's funny Odair. I'm just curious that's all"
"Look, Leila is a hottie that's undeniable. Haymitch probably thinks the same thing and just sees her the way the vast majority of men see her, that's all. Besides, Katniss wasn't lying when she said the other day that more than one soldier was drooling over her, so why would she pick him? To me you two are seeing love where there isn't any."
"We'll see" I snorted "Well lovebirds, I'm off, training is about to start".
"Wouldn't you like to stay? Maybe you could train too."
"I can't until the shrink gives me permission. And trust me, I have demanded it from him more times than I can count" he looked at me sad "don't give me that look, I'm having a good time at the hospital" I lied. The truth since I sent Leila to blow away I didn't have many distractions, the brat was irritating but she distracted me somehow.
"Can I come with you Jo? I'm supposed to have my session now with the doctor" I nodded.
"see you later Odair"
"use this time to plan your matchmaking strategy" he teased us as he walked away.
We walked in comfortable silence to the shrink's office. Annie seemed lost in her thoughts more than usual, which was odd. Maybe she was nervous about seeing the doc or maybe she was just rambling more than usual.
"Do you think he needs a little help?"
"huh? Finnick?" I asked confused
"Haymitch. You know to win Leila over" Sometimes I wondered how Finnick did it, to stay serious with her. Just because I knew her and knew how sweet Annie was, I took her question seriously.
"I guess he doesn't. It's best to stay out of other people's business, don't listen to Finnick" I kept my expression neutral. She sighed in disappointment.
"I'll see you later, jo?" she kissed me goodbye leaving her question hanging in the air. I was sure I would see her and Finnick later. They were barely apart from each other, and I was really glad that was the case, they had both suffered enough, especially Finnick.
As soon as I left Annie with the shrink I went to my room. My body was begging for its dose of morphling; lately I was trying to delay the doses I was taking. One of the reasons the shrink wouldn't let me join the ranks of 13 was because of my addiction. I was fighting the effects of withdrawal but never made it through the night, when the pain was too unbearable and the nightmares kept haunting me.
A new morning came as dull as every day since I arrived in this district. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw that traces of dirt were beginning to show on my skin. It had been a little over a week since I had taken a "bath", I didn't want to apologize to the brat only to have her give me access to that private bathroom and ask for my axe. I hated to admit it but she had been somewhat right, it made me feel a little safer to have a weapon in my hand. I took a rag and without daring to get it wet, I wiped it across my face and neck, I was rubbing so hard I had my face all red, then I tried to get the dirt off my hands. It wasn't as effective as taking a bath but for now I was fine. Or so I wanted to believe. It would almost be time for lunch so I hurried to get ready, those were the times I was least alone.
"Hey Mason!" I heard Chase's voice calling out to me.
"Well, well, look who's here, the big guy. Did you miss me?" he laughed
"I like my women to know me well" he came up next to me" I missed seeing your ass."
"Well, have fun watching it, I'm going to the dining hall."
"you're not inviting me? oh I'm not cool enough to sit at the victor's table?" he scoffed
"victor's table?"
"yep, that's what everyone calls it since you guys don't mix."
"Maybe the thirteeners aren't cool enough to mix us in."
"So it's a no?"
"for today I'll make an exception, but I want to hear more of those compliments on my ass"
"oh babe, as many as you want"
"call me babe one more time and I'll rip your balls off" I threatened him, and he let out a childish giggle.
"Whatever you say... babe" I snorted.
At the table were already Finnick, Annie, Peeta,Katniss and Prim. I took my usual place and Chase sat next to me, across from Annie. The other place next to me remained empty, maybe the brat would come later. I quickly introduced Chase to everyone at the table before we started eating. Apparently we were back to the same tasteless menu, the food was bland.
"And where do you two know each other from?" asked Finnick.
"From a mutual friend who introduced us. Now our relationship is an exchange of favors" replied Chase laughing.
"What favors?"
"Johanna likes to play with axes, so I let her play with mine whenever she pleases" I burst out laughing at Finnick's shocked look.
"you're such a jerk," I said laughing to Chase.
"Did I tell a lie, babe?" I was about to hit him when Annie distracted me.
"Oh Jo, I didn't know you had a boyfriend," she said with a big smile.
"I didn't know either" Finnick said raising an eyebrow. Chase slipped an arm around my shoulders squeezing me to himself.
"We wanted it to be a surprise, you know so we wouldn't overshadow the grooms."
"you wish" I shook off his arm "and stop talking crap. No Annie this is not my boyfriend, I only brought him here because he promised me something and he hasn't kept it yet".
"I like surly women," Chase laughed.
"You're trying to impress her? because you're not succeeding" Finnick mocked.
"Some advice, dude."
"flowers" said Annie. Finnick laughed and I rolled my eyes.
"How about a poem?" interjected Prim, who was standing next to Finnick. While Katniss hid her laughter.
"oh I bet a romantic poem will soften that cold heart" laughed Finnick even more.
"Then I'll write the most fucking romantic poem" Chase said following the joke.
"The moment you pass me the poem I'll cut your hands off" I said irritated.
"tst tst just threats." Chase got up from his chair " I'm going to get water, you want some too?"
"nah, I'm fine" I replied
"I'm fine too, thanks for offering," Finnick scoffed. When Chase got far enough away he looked at me questioningly.
"Leila introduced me to him, the story is nothing special" I evaded the issue of why we met "but he's funny, well at least when it's not at my expense."
"Yeah, he seems nice. I approve" I huffed in exasperation as Finnick just laughed even more "well, I guess we invoked her at the mention of her name. Look who's coming" Leila was coming straight towards our table; out of the corner of my eye I saw Katniss' body tense up.
"Peeta, Sae asked me to tell you as soon as you're done to come to the kitchen. Apparently they want to give us some information" he nodded.
"Aren't you staying for lunch, Leila?" I asked her.
"No, I already ate"
"Does it have to do with the wedding?" asked Annie.
"I don't know but..."
"But look who we have here? the star maid of district 13" A stocky old man spoke approaching the table, accompanied by a young man of no more than twenty-some years old, green eyes, blond hair, and good looking.
"Are you out of hiding? or are you finally showing your face?" said the young man. What was that all about? I gave Finnick a look.
"Dad, Tom, if you want to talk we can do it outside the dining hall" said Leila, embarrassed.
"Why, are you scared?" he smiled, taking a step forward and imperceptibly Leila stepped back a little. Was she really scared of her dad? "you're not going to introduce me to your friends, the losers" he said "I mean victors".
"no, that's not necessary. We can talk in private. Follow me."
"follow you?" he laughed coldly "following you is why we're here, stupid! How much time and money I wasted on you so you could end up scrubbing dishes".
"Enough, you don't know what you're talking about" Leila implored him "we're better off here. At least we're safe."
"safe we would be if you had done your job right, you damn little traitor" he hissed "you know, I talked to Plutarch and he turned you down. I guess he got bored of fucking your big old pussy" the gasp of surprise was collective, not only at our table but at all the others nearby "ah, you didn't tell your little friends? She was Plutarch's slut for several years, and she paid him very well, even at home are all her gifts. But he wasn't the best client, was he Leila? There were others who paid better. You didn't complain before when you were fucked and moaned like a bitch in heat but I guess for you and your ungrateful whore of a mother it was never enough. What did the one who is fucking you now offer you to make you decide to betray me, you little whore?"
"That's enough, leave her alone" Finnick slammed his fist on the table.
"But look who's standing up for you?" he laughed coldly "I guess between whores they understand each other just fine"
"All that whining on TV was nothing but a sham. I wouldn't have minded fucking a couple of old ladies for money. Just admit it Odair you enjoyed it" Tom scoffed and his father followed him in laughter. I saw Leila's tearful, crestfallen face.
"You two better shut up or heads will roll here" I threatened them but they only laughed harder.
" Go ahead and see what they'll do to you in this district," he said smugly. By this point everyone at and around the table was on their guard and alert. I could see the fury in Finnick's features, instinctively he pulled Prim and put her behind him next to Annie. Katniss looked ready to engage in combat as well, as for Peeta his eyes were fixed on Leila. She had remained frightened and immobile throughout. "Why so quiet, Leila?"
"Stop it dad, leave them alone" she begged him in barely a whisper.
"Why should I? You've always been a retard who likes to be surrounded by scum. I thought getting rid of that pair of morons would teach you something but apparently you never learn" Tom's chuckle was heard loud and clear. The dining hall was now completely silent. Who was this decrepit old man talking about?
"oh that idiot didn't last ten minutes. But it was worth it to see the girl die," said Tom with a chuckle.
"You told him about them," said Leila still in a low voice but he ignored her "you told Snow about Kai and Lara".
"So what?" he scoffed
"He died and she..."
"She deserved to die," he interrupted her, fun in his eyes, "she was incompetent. Even to die she was useless, those 4 hours of torture were well deserved" I remembered that a few years ago, a tribute was tortured for hours by some mutants until finally her body yielded to death. It was one of the most terrifying deaths in the history of the games, were they talking about the same girl? "And to think that I thought it would be easier to deal with you from then on, but what a damn disappointment I got. If I had had the time I would have entangled the little brat maybe she wouldn't have let me down like you" Leila's dad was enjoying this whole show. He had more than one captivated with this act of humiliation towards his own daughter, it was obvious that his goal was to get back at her.
"I can make it last up to 6 hours," Leila whispered, although I wasn't sure if I had imagined it.
What happened next I would never have predicted. Leila pounced on the table and in a matter of seconds grabbed the knives that were within reach. The first one was thrown hitting straight into her brother's right shoulder, then another into his leg, the next into her father's arm. From there it felt as if everything around me was moving in slow motion. His brother fell to the floor taking the table with him behind him; he began to crawl away.
At that moment a number of things happened at the same time. The screams of the people closest to our table were immediate. Her father started to run to the opposite side of the room. Leila jumped over the table in pursuit. I lunged at her to stop her but she was faster. "Finnick!" I shouted for him to stop her.
"NO!" I heard Peeta yell before he lunged at Katniss knocking her to the ground.
"Watch out Prim!" shouted Katniss.
Finnick barely managed to touch Leila before she landed a direct blow to his face; he fell on top of Prim and Annie. Annie's scream of horror as she held Finnick. I gained momentum and stepped over the table following Leila. I saw another knife fly in her father's direction, hitting the target. The soldiers who were in the dining hall at the time rushed to try to cut Leila down but one by one she knocked them out with such ease. I was thankful that, firstly they were not armed otherwise Leila would be dead by now, and secondly, Leila had only knocked them unconscious, she was so focused on getting to her father that everything else was just distractions.
I ran through the horde of people running and screaming in terror from the scene. Leila was on top of her father, he was screaming in pain, by the time I got close enough, I estimated that Leila had stabbed him at least 7 times. With all my strength I charged at her. We rolled a couple of meters on the ground. I immediately saw her knife coming at me.
"Stop it Leila, it's me Johanna" I tried to reason as I struggled with her, trying to dodge her attacks, but the brat was fast. Leila was pushed away from me and I could breathe. Chase had rammed her, but in the blink of an eye, she had plunged her knife into his arm. Back on her feet she located her target, her father was crawling on the ground, trying to get away from her.
"Where are you going?Daddy, don't be afraid, this is only the beginning, right?" Leila said in a sinister tone. She grabbed another knife from one of the abandoned tables and sat over him, his squawks of pain were not long in coming. Again I got into position to ram her again, out of the corner of my eye I saw Chase also get into position, it was obvious that to reduce her we needed each other help
Once I did and we rolled again, this time I was on top of her, Chase was at my side in a second and managed to snatch the knife from her hands, but one second she managed to kick me between the legs, making me fall on top of Chase, tearing the knife still in his arm, making him howl in pain and destabilizing him; then she came back to hit me full in the ribs which made me gasp for air.
If for a moment I thought she was going to attack her father again, I was completely wrong. I had not yet recovered when I had her on top of me trying to plunge the knife into my neck. "Leila look at me. That's enough!" I yelled at her "you've proved your point, enough!" Chase came up behind her, with a syringe and quickly injected it into her neck. This only managed to enrage her more, which gave me the advantage to get her off me but she tackled Chase, and I could see that her combat skill was extraordinary, with a couple of moves she had him on the ground, knocked him out in the face, and stabbed him in the leg. At that instant I jumped on her again, leaving her underneath me. I was shocked that the sedative had not yet taken effect. She directed the knife, still bloody with Chase's fresh blood, toward my neck. With my two hands I stopped her arm and she with her other arm grabbed me by the throat, choking me. I knew she didn't need weapons to kill me, I had seen tributes die this way. But if I released one of my hands from her arm, she would stick the knife in me right away. Leila, even if she didn't look like it, was strong, too strong I would say.
I needed all the strength of my two arms to contain one of hers, and if I added to that the fact that I was out of shape only made it easier for her. "Leila, look at me. You are not this person" I said in my choked voice, I felt my vision starting to blur, I buried my nails in her arm but she didn't flinch.
She looked me straight in the eyes and this was not the look of the silly and cheerful girl who was trying to help me in the hospital, but of someone thirsty for revenge, no matter what I told her she was not going to stop until she achieved her goal. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Finnick approaching with a second vial of sedative, "her legs" I said barely in a whisper and he got the message right away, this time he injected it into what I thought was one of her legs and immobilized them. I couldn't risk her hitting me again or it would be the end of me.
"Leila!"In the distance I heard Haymitch's voice and only a few seconds later, he was kneeling in front of me. "Come on darling stop fighting" said an anguished Haymitch trying to get Leila to release the knife she was holding in her hand. "Let her go, Leila. You don't want to hurt Johanna. Stop fighting. it's okay darling, everything will be okay, " Her breathing was getting heavier and heavier and her grip on my neck less and less strong, and that's when I knew the sedative was finally kicking in. Suddenly her arms gave way and she passed out.
Coughing and trying to catch my breath I pulled myself off her body, Finnick did the same and came to my side, stroking my back and asking me to breathe slowly. Haymitch gently took Leila in his arms, and with anguish still written on his face, he carried Leila out of the dining hall. One thing I was sure of, I had been right, the feelings Haymitch had for Leila had nothing to do with lust, I could bet he loved her.
Then the first to arrive was Katniss' mom, seeing that her two daughters were fine she immediately sprang into action and went to the aid of Leila's father who was lying in a pool of blood and barely audible moans could be heard.
"Prim!" She called out to her, but Katniss pulled her behind her protectively, Prim poked her head out and looking at her mother denied her help. At least the girl was smart, that pig should be left to die. A muffled moan caught my attention. Chase!
"Brainless!" I caught Katniss' attention, Prim understood right away and pulled her sister to come over. I approached Chase and saw that he was bleeding profusely from his leg.
"We need to give him a tourniquet and get him to the hospital right away" said Prim and with what she had on hand she got to work. I tried to get up but immediately curled in on myself in pain.
"Johanna, are you ok?" Finnick asked me.
"Damn! the brat must have broken a couple of my ribs" I groaned.
"Here let me help you"
"No, I can do it myself. Help Chase" I finally noticed Finnick's face and he had dried blood under his nose and a big red ring surrounding his right eye and cheekbone. Maybe it was the adrenaline rush or maybe I was losing my mind, but I started laughing uncontrollably and fuck how it hurt.
"I can't believe you're getting married looking like that" he looked at me like I was crazy and then laughed as he helped lift Chase. The latter looked like he was about to pass out.
"We have to get him to the hospital fast" Finnick was making a huge physical effort carrying Chase's huge body.
"Let me help you," Katniss said.
"No, help Johanna"
"Finnick!" said Annie's trembling voice approaching. I saw the conflict in her eyes between leaving Chase or going to comfort Annie.
"Annie, help Finnick carry him," I ordered her. This was not the time for her to disconnect from this world, we had to get to the hospital fast. Katniss helped me up and slipped her hand around my waist to help me walk.
"you have some horrible marks on your neck."
"I don't think they're any worse than the ones Peeta left on you when you two got back together" I tried to joke, but it only sounded like a pitiful whimper. She didn't answer me.
"Katniss, I'm staying, the nurses are coming and I'm going to help them with the other wounded," Prim said, pointing to the soldiers on the floor.
"Don't go near..."
"I know," she replied angrily, looking in the direction where several nurses, including her mother, were assisting Leila's father.
We walked as fast as we could to the Hospital. Chase at this point was unconscious and was being dragged by Finnick and Annie. Finnick all the way reassured Annie, assuring her that he was fine, that Chase would be fine and that no one was really hurt. The poor creature was on the verge of tears. A few corridors before we reached our target a medical team came to meet us with a stretcher, laid Chase down and took him right away to the emergency room.
When we arrived at the hospital we separated to be checked by the medical team. Summary of my injuries, no broken bones, just a huge bruise across the side of my body, scratches and more bruises on my neck and hands. The good thing about all this is that I now had access, limited of course, to morphling to treat the pain in my side. A few hours after the doctor released me I went in search of Finnick.
"The diagnosis?" I asked him.
"A black eye and a slight split lip, that's it. and you? How many ribs are we talking about?"
"zero. We were lucky, with the necessary weapons she would have killed us all" Annie let out a horrified squeal and Finnick shot me a scathing look. I wasn't lying Leila could have easily killed us, but consciously or not she held back "well, it's bliss that her goal was for the punishment to last and not immediate satisfaction"
"What have you heard from the others?" he changed the subject.
"nothing. Now I was thinking of going to see the brat" I lifted up my blouse showing him the bruise on my side "I'll kick her ass for this".
"Good luck with that. As far as I know she's very well guarded, I don't think they'll let you see her and I doubt Leila will get out of this easily, no matter how 'friend' she is with Plutarch" Finnick said in a somber tone.
"it would be unfair to punish her wouldn't it?" he nodded "what's wrong Finnick?"
"I know Plutarch isn't innocent of many horrible things but I'm disgusted by what he did, no wonder Leila despises him so much."
"Do you think her dad was telling the truth?"
"yes. Heavensbee played very well, no one suspected him."
"She must be sad about what she did," said Annie. This time no one laughed, she was right, Leila must not be gloating with joy at almost killing what was left of her family.
Without another word I left in the direction of the hospital, Finnick was right, this place was full of armed soldiers patrolling the same floor where Leila's room was. Not far away I caught sight of one of the bosses, Boggs I think was his name.
"Captain Boggs" I called his name
with an irritated sigh he corrected me "Commander would be better, Miss Mason".
"whatever. Are you going to the Brightlock girl?"
"Those are matters that don't concern you."
"So that's a yes. I want to see her."
"no" From Leila's room I saw Haymitch come out and head in our direction as soon as he saw us.
"You wouldn't be here unless Coin had sent you" said Haymitch
"Indeed" he let out a tired sigh and rubbed his forehead "They want me to bring her in to give her a trial"
"What? A trial for what?" I asked indignantly.
"for knocking 6 soldiers unconscious, making an attack on soldier Woodstock's life, injuring a civilian and leaving another in serious condition, endangering the Mockingjay, injuring soldier Odair and not to mention she tried to kill you Miss Mason" Haymitch and I are left with our mouths hanging open. "There is also another matter that is of utmost urgency to be cleared up immediately, the accusations against Plutarch Heavensbee."
"first of all the Mockingjay was never in danger" it was true the one who attacked her was Peeta not Leila "second Finnick was already like that when I saw him today, maybe he hit the door or something, and third, she to me didn't try to murder me, we just had a disagreement in which soldier woodstock by accident got hurt. "I knew my explanations sounded pathetic but I wasn't going to accuse Leila of anything "c'me on Captain, you're not going to tell me that you think it's fair and she deserves a trial for defending herself against a more than abusive father. and as for the accusations against Plutarch maybe it's him who should go to trial and not the girl who was sold against her will"
"Finally someone sees the obvious," snorted Haymitch.
Boggs looked at Haymitch and me and then sighed with resignation "I know, I understand and I agree" he whispered "but I'm following orders, as soon as Plutarch is cleared up the president might be more benevolent with the other charges against her"
"So you're going to force her to lie?" said Haymitch, irritated.
"No, I don't know" he rubbed his forehead again "look, Abbernathy, Mason, not only is it chaos in here with the people of district 13 demanding explanations to everything that happened today, but also outside it's chaos, just a few hours ago we received another surprise attack in districts 11 and 9. All the high commands are on edge, the president has ordered to bring the most seriously wounded from yesterday's bombings to try to lighten the load in the affected districts but this has destabilized us and changed the plans we had. It won't be much help to your friend if you two get difficult. So let me do my job, you can advocate for her later."
"Okay," said Haymitch sullenly, "but she's eating now, give her at least a few minutes to finish."
"Now Haymitch," said Boggs sharply.
We followed him on his tail as we entered Leila's room. She was not in her bed and her food looked untouched. I could hear the faucet running in the bathroom. Haymitch walked up to the door and knocked, calling Leila.
"How bad do things look for her, Boggs?"
"Not too good but I couldn't say for sure"
knock knock knock "Leila could you step outside for a moment, it's important that I talk to you" said Haymitch.
"and her father and brother are you going to put them on trial too?"
knock, knock, knock again Haymitch "yes, that's what I'm going to make sure of" said Boggs seriously. I watched as Haymitch dropped to the floor to look under the bathroom door.
"ugh Haymitch I didn't know you were such a perve…".
"Johanna go and get a doctor" he yelled at me.
"What?"
"NOW! get help!"
I ran out of the room at the same time as two soldiers guarding her room entered, ready for action. I yelled down the hallway for a doctor until finally a male nurse came running in with several others following with a stretcher. By the time I returned, Leila was being carried on the gurney covered in blood followed by her came Haymitch and Boggs with their hands full of blood as well.
"She's dead. Leila is dead" murmured an emotionless Haymitch.