Chapter 3: A cross heart
Katniss POV
I wake up early morning to look at the sunrise. I am reminded that we return to 13 today. So here I go back to claustrophobia, command center meetings, have to play nice for Coin, and keep distant of my damage relationship with Peeta. Peeta, the boy with the bread, the boy who has so much good and hope in, the baker boy with magical gift of words, and boy who is willing to die so I can live. This sunrise reminds me of his purity and it is orangish yellow. Haymitch tells me he is getting better and the doctors found a, breakthrough but need analyze me since I am the only one who survive tracker jacker attack. I wasn't aware I may have some lasting side effects. The Capitol doctors never said anything of sort unless they weren't suppose to. I know Delly and Prim are trying their hardest. Delly is his only connection to his life before the games and that is being a great help and Prim developed, a connection sort to him when we moved to the Victor's village. A sibling relationship and my little duck was excited about our engagement "Oh Katniss is this amazing! I really like Peeta and I already see him as a big brother but now it can be for real!" and likewise so does he. That's why I know she will make sure he will make a good recovery. On the bright side he doesn't think I am mutt and according to Haymitch, he has been requesting to see me in the last 2 weeks. I don't know if I am ready because he nearly killed me the last time.
Looking at the sky I am reminded of Peeta's paintings. He painted one with sunrise over 12. One day, it was a week before the tour, I was on my way to the woods. I was passing through meadow until I saw Peeta with his easel and paint set. I walked behind him and was amazed at his work. I have seen his cake designs and he camouflage himself very well in the arena but this is magnificent. It looks almost real. He turns around and was startled, "Katniss, you scared me! I'm didn't hear nor see you coming." I laugh "You forget I have hunter's feet and senses. Then again you have your talents too if you didn't grabbed my foot I would have missed you." "Yeah, I had a couple of close calls. The careers passed me twice and were unable to detect me even with my obvious wound one should have been able to sense blood." Then I look away because I am reminded of the blood poisoning he receive because the delay in proper medical intervention, he lost his leg. Now his prosthetic leg will always be our symbol reminder of our games. "The sunrise and yours it's marvelous!" "Thanks, I am almost done. I don't want to show this painting during the tour. I am thinking of hiding it at Haymitch's place until we get back." He says. "Why?" I ask "This shows the true purpose of the sun and it is a great shining light that will rise above all forces of darkness. When the sun is up there's a life of beauty, security, love, and life. Sure people want to be more loving or adventurous at night. The moon cannot give you that same assurance like the sun plus you are hiding during his time. The sunlight doesn't require hidden mysteries because it is open book with open arms allowing you be yourself if you desire. The capitol doesn't appreciate that sort of thinking and this painting will not be included in their corrupted games." The boy with the bread does it again with his words. He always can see the light at the end of the tunnel. In his own way still trying to maintain any goodness the capitol hasn't stolen from him. "I best be going now, I promise Gale I will deliver some meat for he and his family." I turn around and start walking but he calls me, "Katniss, how long must this barrier remain between us? You said you were confused, needed time, and among other things but it has been 6 months and the tour is a week away. I am coping too as well. However I know something is up and you are hiding from me and you can spend 24/7 in those woods but it won't do you any good. Please for once can you open up to me at least a little?" I was avoiding this conservation for a reason. His feelings towards me were real, bad enough I fake it in the arena, but he is walking broken hearted while trying to make amends with me. However that comment he made pissed me off because I know it's true. It is easier fight for his life in the games than being open emotionally to him. "Peeta, you are alive, back home in 12 against all odds, and have the rest of your life ahead of you. I am not like you! My future is meaningless because since my father died I had only 2 goals in life. To survive and protect and provide for Prim by any means necessary. Being victor doesn't change that. If we didn't have to play lovers then…" I stop talking and looking at his face he was upset. Peeta stares at the sky then to his painting and said "There's more life than survival. Your sister is a teenager and soon will be adult, she doesn't need you as much as you think. Katniss Everdeen you still don't understand the effect you have on people and I mean you primarily no one else. Some day I hope you can find a proper purpose of life for yourself. It's okay to be selfish but without having a personal definition you are nothing but a walking dead human that's waiting death. Haymitch does that enough so there's no need for you to follow suit. Now go on and get hunting so I can finish this painting before the meadow gets crowded."
I didn't reply since it will create an argument so I did the simplest thing and walk away. My words was cold but true and considering the distant wall I built up tension was high between us until the Victory Tour where we finally found a common ground and truly had a healthy friendship. Like the meadow incident here I am in 8 away from Peeta. I must face him and not try to runaway as Haymitch and Finnick calls it.
I go shower, pack up my belongings, and head downstairs for breakfast. I see some of my students, they did remarkably well in their training. We did some speed drill exercise and from there on they really got the hang of it. Paylor assign my students with Finnick and I as commanders to the forest of 8 to destroy Peacekeeper main campsite. It was silent mission as I suggested we go attack them at night. Finnick send some to scout the area so we can estimate the amount of guards, weapons, and radios are located. I can say the odds were in our favor. So evening approach, some of troops used snipers to kill the guards one by one. Finnick devise a diversion that would have led the peacekeepers to the trap we setup. Paylor said there's a forbidden area no one in 8 goes because it is death's door, quicksand. This quicksand isn't ordinary one either but one that can feed on your skin and travel into your nervous system. This quicksand was rebels creation during the first rebellion and many capitol armies were sent to their dooms. After the failed rebellion, the Capitol and District 2 demanded 8 to tell them the creation and whereabouts of this deadly quicksand but all the info was with 13 whom they 'destroyed' so this zone was considered off-limits. This explains why there's always 24/7 task force of peacemakers in 8 because should the people consider using this quicksand and vice versa it can turn out deadly. Unfortunately for them, we are using it as Finnick and his group continues running towards the forbidden zone. I gather the rest of the team and we spread out to cover ground to attack the peacekeepers from a distance. More sniper bullets and arrows hits them. I scout out for the radio so they do not call for backup. 15 mins later, I reach the head peacekeeper's camp, I hear him calling the ones who were Finnick but all he gets in response are screams of agony. So he got them there good now time for my part.
Before I can make a move I was grab from behind and toss into the camp. "Look who I grab boss we should known the Mockingjay was behind this you were too quiet and finally decide to leave precious 13 and come to play in 8." taunted my capture "Katniss Everdeen? President Snow will be please with the news, however he doesn't need to know just set. Personally I find it insane that all of Panem are killing each other over a foolish act of a teenage girl. The Capitol considers you a confuse pest and the Rebels consider you as their shining hope. They are stupid because I see a scared mentally screwed up girl who is way over her head and now the dominos has collapsed and you must follow the flow and hope the results will turn out favorable." said the Head Peacekeeper. I remain silent but let his words sink in as he continues "I bet you didn't want to be this Mockingjay. What do you benefit from it? Should the rebels failed again, it's your head and all those you care about on the chopping block not 13 or the rest. You have open pandora's box girl, and it will never be able to close again." Finally I begin to speak, "You think you know everything about me but you're wrong. I control my own fate and my days of being one's puppet is over regardless of the outcome." I hit my capture and shoot the head peacekeeper before he shoots me. I grab the radio, leave the hut, and use my arrow to destroy the Head Peacekeeper's hut. Then I throw radio in the air and destroy it with my arrow. I meant what I said the rebels are just using and I won't allow it anymore. Peeta was right when he said not being part of their games but play his own and now I am following suit. Suddenly I see a green clad in the shadow of the trees. I believe that is the person who has been helping 8. Then the green clad vanish as I hear Finnick calling me.
"Hey there Catnip how are you this morning? Excited to return to 13?" asked Gale when he calls me out of my thoughts. I haven't spent much time with him. Only the time we had together was meals and meetings. There was a time we had to be distant when he attempt to kiss me but got furious because Peeta was in my thoughts not him and he nearly got into a fight with Finnick. They have made up but not close enough to be the best of friends. "I'm fine and yeah I know Prim and the others missed me. I am to report to the hospital so Dr. Riley can analyze me. They want to see the remnant tracker jacker toxic in me and see if they can figure a way to save Peeta." "Mellark has been through a lot but he is dangerous. Snow intended him to be your assassin so I think you should approach him when necessary." There he goes again, another reason why we don't talk is because of his jealousy to Peeta. The last argument we had over him, I nearly stab him with my arrow hadn't Paylor and Finnick got involved. This whole rebellion have change my best friend and he became someone I do not recognize anymore. For all I know he was hoping Peeta is still seen as traitor or died in the Capitol because he can care less about the boy with the bread. "Let's not start this ok Gale. I will see you on the hovercraft."
I leave him, toss my garbage and finish up packing. Then an hour later, we gather outside, said our goodbyes and enter the hovercraft to 13. We ride back was quiet because there was a lot on our minds until Boggs break the silence by reviewing our events in 8 to report to Coin and Plutarch. I ignore him and look at Finnick as we meet eye to eye. Only Annie and Peeta are in our brains. We landed in 13, Boggs and Gale decide to report to the leaders, and Finnick and I go to the hospital. He visits Annie while I am updated on Peeta's condition. Dr. Riley wants me to be examine for any other injuries before proceeding with the tracker jacker research.
Then a week later, I am release from the hospital but report to Dr. Riley's office. There was Haymitch, Effie, and Johanna with him. Apparently Johanna is making good recovery but going through psychological therapy and have morphine addiction which is preventing her from official release, plus I think she wants to stick close to Peeta being she's the closest to can understand him.
"Katniss, finally we are all here so I can tell you all the results. Now you know jacker tracker can produce illusion and hallucination to a person. However it can also have impact on the nervous and brain system. The venom can weaken your body system since it always transform into poison is which why most who attract it dies. You and Peeta are the few survivors to the venom. Katniss you weren't given large dose of the venom but the effect is the same just lesser degree. Placing the games aside do you feel any different after you were stung?" asked Dr. Riley "I know my temper has increase but still tame but I can get more violent than usual. My emotional stability is downhill slider, Haymitch could tell you that." I look at him as he nods and I continue, "That's about it doc!" Then Haymitch speaks, "Actually there's something else that came up in your medical report after your first game. There's a change in brain wave patterns which had impact your temporal lobe. Notice the increase senses in hearing, vision, yet you are emotionally damage sweetheart? That is why!" "Haymitch is correct and those are minor luckily you didn't have a serious head injury because you have possibility for brain damage and that has a whole host of problems by itself." said Dr. Riley as he rubs his temple. "Ha, so you are really brainless after all!" laughs Johanna "Shut up Johanna! Okay that is me but what about Peeta and how can this help him?" I asked angrily "We were able to drain out the venom in his body and study it carefully for faults. We are still working on environmental conditions. However Prim and Delly has been working on reversing the effect and we had success in that area. Remember the venom is attach to the brain cells." Dr. Riley explains "You are still the confusing image so I help him out when watching the quell and his behavior towards you is lessen as he doesn't see you as an enemy anymore. Haymitch and your sister discuss scenarios you two were not on camera. The Capitol couldn't record every single moment between you two. You had to realize in your early months that your houses are bugged." adds Johanna "The tracker jacker venom has distorted his mind and now he has a personality change. I see glimpse of the old baker boy on occasion but he is fighting his way out." says Haymitch. I walk to Peeta's picture and place my hand on it and sighs "Okay so what must be done?"
Peeta POV
I heard Katniss have returned from district 8. I need to see her, there are questions I need answering and only she can give it to me. When Delly told me what happen to 12 and the death of my family, I wanted to kill the mutt. It was her fault 12 is no more and my family is dead. As matter of fact, that mutt constructed this chaos of Panem. It took Delly 2 weeks to convince me otherwise. After that I finally mourn the loss of my family. I will never see my dad, my brothers will never seek the dreams they aspire to as Rye said "the road to gold and riches just in non-violent way" and my mother… Delly and Haymitch commitment an whole day to talk about her because she abuse me badly. I had several scars from her hand but now are erase thanks to Capitol's cosmetics. Then I had an episode as I realize how much I really hated my mother! I never shown it and tried to love her but she loathe me to the point she didn't care I live or die going to the games and when I did return she used me for money.
When Katniss and I returned to 12 we were assigned our victor's homes. Our family moved in with us. My mother was flaunting me around and loving my 'fortunes' although it attracted people to bakery more she really develop enemies with Haymitch and Katniss. One time she insulted Haymitch and he just puke on her for the hell of it and I didn't let her wash in my house so she had a fit and cleanup in the bakery. Not without hitting me of course. Katniss saw my bruise at night and it took the strength of me, Haymitch, and Gale to settle her down and not harm my mother. Of course Haymitch reminded me of the Mellark dinner after I purpose to Katniss. It wasn't until 3 weeks ago I fully remember the event. Haymitch hoped that the Capitol didn't distort all of my memories with Katniss since logically they cannot capture and pin each event and moment we had together and not all of our moments was film. To our luck we had this dinner event at the bakery since it was convenient.
"Thank you for coming Katniss my boy had his eye on for since forever!" declares Dad. "Dad! Come on don't embarrass me!" I exclaimed then he pats my shoulder, "But son she is your fiancee and soon to be wife. She is practically family. " then Dad turns to Mom, "See honey you finally get to have that daughter you always wanted." Katniss scowls at the comment and the room became quiet. I already knew she didn't approve Katniss for one bit. I look at Katniss hoping this dinner can end non-violently. "Daughter? Ha, I wouldn't have her in my whelm and I am shame that you Peeta chose this seam brat among all the girls in the district. Not only she's seam trash but an criminal, troublemaker, rejected half-breed as it is. For the sake of this family do not entrapped this embarrassment of 12 to us." said Mom, I know she was referring to Katniss' maternal grandparents who are by the way close with my parents. They disown her mother when she chose to married her father and continue to live as if they don't exist especially after Katniss' father died, her family nearly starve to death hadn't Katniss started hunting. Technically she shouldn't have to hunt and endangered herself possible death if her grandparents help. Now I see a seething Katniss and I can tell this is going to be a bad night. "You know nothing about me you witch! You don't know what's like to nearly die of hunger. I sacrifice myself to give the best to my sister from risking death by hunting to volunteering for the Hunger Games. I risk my life to make sure Peeta, your son, who you already discarded stay alive in the games. Seam trash! I'm half seam and half merchant thank you very much. You Mrs. Mellark is the worst merchant trash of the district. You benefit from our victory so shut up!" screams Katniss. Then silent comes in as Dad tries to help the situation, "Hey why don't we finish dinner so we can have dessert?" We finished our dinner with only small talk between my brothers and I. Then dessert time arrives, I was carrying the cake but fell over a rolling pin and the cake was ruin. My mother approach me and slaps me harshly, "You stupid boy! All you had to do was to bring in the cake and you cannot even do that right. No longer your fiancee struggle because she had carry your sorry ass. You boy should have died in that cave." My mother was quickly on the floor and we saw an angry Katniss, "What kind of person are you who abuse her children? Honestly you don't give a damn about Peeta but his winning, he had to survive and lost his leg during games just to make sure I come home. You want to know something you bitch, I'm proud of his efforts and that artificial leg is a reminder of what lengths he'll go for to protect me. I am forever in his debt. If there's anyone as kind, pure, hopeful, and bright as dandelion I am to married it's your son Peeta Mellark." I am shock at her words and she meant it. However I couldn't dwell on it too long because my mother attacks her and battle royale occur. After 5 minutes we finally pulled them apart with Katniss having a bump in the head and mother with black eye. "Thanks dad, we will see you later and one more thing, mother you are not allow in my house and since we are getting married I expect you guys to move out by the end of the week thanks!"
Katniss Everdeen is a friend, lover, ally, fiancee, enemy,hunter, tribute, mutt, victor, and mockingjay. Based on my memories and from the others she is an interesting character. Now I see her enter my room alone. There was silence between us for 5 minutes but tension is still thick. I examine her carefully, and can tell she has new injuries, her mental and emotional stability is questionable. The others said I can trust her, but I am still not 100%.
"Hello" I said "Hey" she responds "I remember the bread Katniss. You were cold, wet, and starving. I toss you that bread." "Yes, you saved my life and my family's too." "Prim said so. I have a few memories of our time together too like the Mellark dinner session." "Peeta, I cannot apologize what I did to her because she deserve it. I refuse to stand by and watch you get hit by that witch!" I laugh at her, "It's okay really Katniss. After Delly told me about my childhood I discover a hidden hatred towards her. I doubt she even would help me now after all I got myself torture for rejected half-breed." She smiles and sits next to me on my left "Katniss, I do not remember everything and my mind is still mad but I'm trying. You need to realize the boy you once known is gone so don't expect me to revert back." "Peeta, I have change as well. You were right about not being a pawn of their games it's only recently that I understand and I won't play by anyone's rules. Not Snow's, Coin's, or anyone else but my own." I stare at her and we got quiet and have silent conservation. 30 mins later, Katniss leave my room and I'm alone again. Luckily she did it just in time because I am having an episode. The doctors arrive to sedate me and my last thought is when will this nightmare end?
Haymitch POV
Peeta starts reacting and had episode, I held Katniss back but she escapes my arms and runs off. The doctors got the boy stabilize. I swear these 2 kids are a handful. I truly did not know what I got myself into in 74th games with these 2. I knew quickly Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are not your average district 12 tributes. Katniss was unofficial skilled career and Peeta has heavyweight strength power but they both have big hearts and will to die to secure safety. I knew instantly when they both approach me to save the other after the card reading their romance feelings are mutual. I mean how men and women share a bed multiple times and they are 'just friends'. If the boy wasn't hijacked those 2 would be real official couple right now. This road is long they must get through together. As mentor, I have to keep their heads straight and keep them alive.
I enter the operation center and see Beetee, Plutarch, and Effie. "Hey all what's up?" I asked "We are watching feed in district 3." Beetee answer then turn to the mic and video, "Jackson, what's happening there?" "We are under attack! The peacekeepers are wearing high-tech armor and giving us trouble. We can barely land a hit on them!" Jackson replies. We watch the explosion, troops running, and the high-tech armor soldiers. 3 have electronic force fields to decrease damage and preserve some life but that can only hold for so long. "Jackson, what about generator X?" Beetee asks "The hit the building it was in last night and it is damage. Cyber said he won't have it repair until tomorrow." she responds "Damnit!" "What's generator X?" Effie asks "It's high radiator that collect chemical energy. While it produce energy it has a weapon form based. The weaponry of it is to bomb using heat radiation. It gives you that volcanic lava feeling except its all energy." he replies. The rest of us stared at him sacred and shock. Johanna gave him the right name, Volts. This guy as intellect he is, my fellow victor is dangerous as hell. Screw Finnick's trident, Johanna's axe, and Katniss' bow. Beetee can annihilate them with a snap of a finger.
Suddenly we saw electronic arrow hitting the peacekeeper and he ends up dead in 5 secs. We see the red archer on top of a building. "Playing with technology isn't a fair fight. As matter of fact you remind me of those assholes from Vertex, it takes tons of maneuver to break down those brainiacs but I know you white lot are from it!" he says, insultingly "What!" screams peacekeeper "Settle down I got this loser. I hope you said your goodbyes." the peacekeeper shoots at him only for the red archer to reflect it with a kick. Then he jumps from the building and fights off the peacekeepers smoothly and use their armor against them. "Damn you!" "Hey I think you should quit while you are ahead." the red archer replies until the peacekeeper shoots him but he dodges it and the blast its one of our rebels." "Della no!" screams Jackson. "Okay you'll pay for that and now you say your goodbyes." the red archer shoots an explosive red arrow to the peacekeeper's side and they are all dead. He is about to leave until Jackson stops him, "Wait who are you and why did you help us?" "Call me Arsenal, and it was important to help you rebels. Victory could be won with less death polls." "What about those other vigilantes?" Arsenal laughs at her, "Those guys are my pals. If we were going to side with the Capitol trust me you wouldn't be standing here. Tell me if we are your enemy why did my green friend helped out in 8 or why those cloth kids are assisting in 2? If Panem is to survive you need a stronger Mockingjay and nation as a whole. Your current flame isn't enough to withstand your true enemy." Before Jackson could ask Arsenal flees away.
"What does he mean by that?" asked Plutarch "I don't know but something odd about that man. There's a hidden message in this words." says Effie. Then I remembered the mysterious video. That message there was coded and I still cannot crack it. However it look like the future. "Beetee, I know this is going to sound strange but is time travel possible?" "What?" he exclaims Then I told them the mysterious video I received from the green clad and after seeing Arsenal there has to be something. "It depends how they travel back in time. Let me give you example say you went back through a time machine. Time machines often are thought to need an exotic form of matter with so-called 'negative energy density.' Such exotic matter has bizarre properties, including moving in the opposite direction of normal matter when pushed. Such matter could theoretically exist, but if it did, it might be present only in quantities too small for the construction of a time machine. However, time-travel research suggests time machines are possible without exotic matter. The work begins with a doughnut-shaped hole enveloped within a sphere of normal matter. Inside this doughnut-shaped vacuum, space-time could get bent upon itself using focused gravitational fields to form a closed time-like curve. To go back in time, a traveler would race around inside the doughnut, going further back into the past with each lap. This theory has a number of obstacles, however. The gravitational fields required to make such a closed time-like curve would have to be very strong, and manipulating them would have to be very precise." "That's a mouthful!" says Effie "Oh yes but complicated and it is all theory. Even if possible there are consequences for messing with time. You could change your future but the result can good or bad for you and others. Another case is what Wiress came up with is creating alternate timeline. Where you go to place but when you return to your original timeline nothing is change." "I see thanks for the explanation there Beetee." I thanks him "No problem Haymitch, I can see why you would consider it after watching the video and observing Arsenal." "Oh one more thing, Sweetheart since you are accustom to foreign languages what does rester en vie mean?" I ask "That my dear is French for staying alive why?"
I grin and leave the operational center and I can hear Effie yelling for me. I quicken my pace because this isn't the time I need her frantic interruption. I enter my chamber and thanks to cloud drive Plutarch made for me, I re-watched all videos that feature the green clad. Then compare it to Katniss' battles in the games. The dots finally connect and I grin again! "I'm you have rester en vie yourself too and I cannot wait for us to officially meet."
Now that was a long one! I originally planned to focus only on Katniss and Peeta but for storyline pace, I added Haymitch's POV as well. He has figure out the mystery so who is the green archer? What does Arsenal and crew have to do with the rebels? Maybe Beetee explanation of time might have something to do with it.
1. Honestly it's like Johanna said there's no way that the Capitol could distort every single memory of Katniss. They didn't have bugs all over 12 just in certain places. Otherwise Katniss would have been arrested for poaching and she and Peeta could never truly reconnect
2. I was really able to delve into Peeta's relationship with his mother. That's the start more scenes will come into play.
I need some suggestion to deal with Gale's character. I don't like him but I want to do something with him so I am up for suggestions. Also I will change the genre of this fic as I see the way it is going the current placement for it isn't appropriate so it will be hurt/comfort and sci-fi. Please review!
