The Return of the Hunger Games [FALLEN ASHES] Book II

(9)

*Kal's POV*

I'm pacing back and fourth in the home of Elissa as everybody is trying to come back to their senses. Peeta walks in through the door. "Nobody is in the streets, nobody is opening their doors, and no sign of Elissa." He says.

"How is this happening!?" Effie asks.

Its been a while since Katniss went upstairs looking for Elissa. I want to go find her, I want to explain everything. I want to tell her the entire truth. Haymitch notices my panic.

"Calm down boy." He says.

I shake my head. "I can't." I tell him.

"It's not like she can go far." Johanna says.

"Oh yes she can." Haymitch assures her. "She's very sneaky like that. Which only puts her in an even more dangerous position than what she already is in."

I'm going crazy. If something happens to Elissa, I don't know how I'll be able to handle it. I look at Gale, and he's very nervouse as well. But its hard to tell to what extent. Katniss on the other hand, is very acusatory.

"Look what happens when you open your big mouth at the wrong time." She says.

"Listen Katniss, if you think this is all my fault then your wrong." He says. This isn't going to go very well.

"I guess its MY fault?"

"If you had been a good wife and mother, you would have told Peeta right when it happened, and tell Elissa when she was old enough to understand." I feel the sting of his words hitting Katniss.

"If you had picked a decent woman and not a whore then you wouldn't have been in the position to cheat on her with me!!" That was where I draw the line.

"Respect my mother! I haven't insulted you once so keep your trap shut about the woman who carried and gave birth to me. I won't tolerate anything anymore. Both of you stop fighting over the past and be focused on your daughter!"

"Elissa will never be Gale's daughter!" Peeta says. I can see his furry. "I was there when Katniss gave birth, I held Elissa in my arms for the first time. I was the one who raised her. I'm the only one she'll call a father. And I'm the only man who can call her my daughter. Not you!" He snaps at Gale.

Everything is silent, and the fire between the three is growing rapidly. I can't be here right now, I have to find Elissa. I have to figure out where she is. They are about to argue again, but before either if them open their mouth, I leave. As I'm walking, Gale tries to yell my name, tries to stop me, but I'm soon running. I don't know where. I'm not from here, I don't know where to go or when the District stops. I keep running straight, past the closed stores and empty streets. I stop to catch my breath, but I'm very far from Elissa's home. I walk for a while, until I reach the electrical fence with no electricity. I see an opening and make my way through it. Beyond I can see a forest and it reminds me of the arena. I can't get the games out of my head. I've been emotionally and physically drained from everything. I loose myself in my own thoughts and before I know it I'm surrounded by trees. I rest against a trunk and find myself trapped.

I can't get Elissa off my mind. I wonder where she could be. I feel as if she doesn't understand anything. As if I never got the chance to explain to her what was really going on. I don't love her. I can't. I don't want too.

I let the rain hit my face as it begins to pour. Where could she be? I get up and begin walking back, when I hear voices make their way towards me. Deep, angry voices. I quickly run to the nearest tree and climb up to the top, seeing 3 men in Peacekeeper outfits. At first I think they are part of the R.O.T.R. But then, one of them speak in a cellular phone.