Everthorne

Chapter 22

"I'm so sorry, Rue has brain cancer," the doctor says with pity in his voice. I feel tears collect behind my eyes as I look at my child asleep in the pale bed. "Are you sure?" I ask hopefully.

"Completely, the blood test says it all unfortunately," he says. I put my face in my hands as I feel fear and sadness overwhelm my head. Why does this have to happen?

"There is a possible cure," he says. I look up from my hands hopefully. "Really? What is it?" I ask. The doctor shifts uncomfortably. "It's a complicated surgery, it is really hard and long to do but we can do it," he says. I feel hope rise in my chest. "But there is several things we have to do before it, first, we need to do an MRI scan to check for any tumours," the doctor takes a deep breath before continuing. "Then we're gonna have to wait until Rue turns thirteen to do the surgery,"

My heart sinks into my flesh after that statement. Any hope that I had earlier dies out instantly. "What..?" I barely get out. My throat seems to be closed tight. "I'm sorry Katniss, but Rue's going to have to be at least thirteen to have the surgery," he says sadly. I sit there, resisting the urge of strangling the doctor, can't he do anything!?

"Don't worry Katniss, we still have some medicine for Rue, to calm the cancer down," he says, interrupting my thoughts. I give up being hopeful, and instead just glare at him waiting for him to talk. "What is it then?" I demand. The doctor gets the message and takes a clear glass bottle from the cupboard behind him.

"This is the medicine Rue's going to have to drink every day, and any other time when she feels bad because of the cancer," he says, swishing the liquid in the bottle around. I nod and take the bottle, examining the liquid inside.

It's blood red, but thicker then water, but thin enough to drink. I hide the bottle into my back pocket. "Rue's gonna have to come every fortnight for a checkup and more medicine," he says. I nod and manage a faint smile on my lips as I walk out of the door.

"Thanks, doctor Evan," I say bluntly and close the glass door. I take a deep breath then turn towards the hallway leading to Rue's room.

Gale's POV

I rush down the plain hallway, my heart beating in my chest. I'm holding the black case against my chest firmly, not wanting to loose it. I finally make it to Rue's room, so I peek through the crack of the door to see just Rue, no Katniss.

"Cmon" I mutter to my self as I pace back and forth nervously. I fiddle with the velvet case inside my pocket, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Gale?" I hear a female voice question. I turn around sharply to see the smoky grey eyes of Katniss Everdeen...or should I say Katniss Mellark. "What are you doing here?" she asks. I hide the case in my pocket, afraid of her seeing it. "I wanted to see you," I say, my voice confident.

"Well...I don't want to see you. Bye Gale," she says and turns to Rue's room. I hold her back by her shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere," I say. Katniss stares at me, her grey eyes expressionless. I stare back, my glance not wavering. "When we were young, I promised to keep your family safe," I say, not waiting for her reply. Katniss's expression doesn't change as she listens to my words. "Well you failed. Prim's dead because of you, you obviously didn't keep that promise now did you?" she snaps. I try my hardest not to flinch at her harsh words. I search Katniss's face to try find out her feelings, but her face is giving no clues.

"Katniss, I know I designed the bombs with Beetee, but I didn't drop them. Coin did," I try to explain. Katniss's face looks a little sad. "Coin is dead now, and if I could go to the past and protect Prim, I would. Miracles don't happen like that unfortunately," I continue. Katniss shifts uncomfortably, as if she doesn't know what to say back. She looks into my eyes, her brown hair falling over her face in a beautiful way. "I know," is all she says, making me want to beg her for answers. I can't figure this girl out sometimes.

"Katniss, I'm still going to protect your family, Prim and Rue. I will make sure they will have a long life, I can promise you that," I say. Katniss looks down at the golden locket hanging loosely around her neck. She grabs it and opens it, revealing a picture of Prim, her mother and me, all smiling brightly.

"You know why you're on here?" she asks. "Because you, Prim and mum mean more then the world to me. I wouldn't have you around my neck if I didn't care for you," she says. I stare at her, trying to understand her words. She doesn't wait for me to talk. She pulls me into a soft longing kiss, her lips making me shiver. I kiss her back, slightly in shock.

"I love you Gale," she whispers against my lips. I smile faintly. "I love you too," I say. I pull Katniss back into a long kiss, playing with her soft hair like I've been longing to do for years. I hold her warm body closely against mine, not wanting to ever let go. Katniss slowly pulls away, staring me straight in the eye.

"I'm sorry I treated you badly, all these years," she apologises. I smile sadly. "I forgive you Katniss," I say. Katniss smiles at me and walks inside the room.

Katniss's POV

Rue is sprawled out on her bed, deep in slumber. I walk up to her, lips still tingling from the kiss Gale gave me. I brush my hand against her tangled brown hair, and her eyes flutter open, revealing the crystal blue Iris's underneath. Her tanned lips curl into a smile. "Mum!" she exclaims happily. I smile back. Rue hugs onto the teddy Gale bought for her tightly. I smile at the sight.

"Let's go home Rue, it's time to go home," I say.

A/N

Hello my readers! I finally posted...yeah I haven't updated in a while. This chapter took forever to write since I had a little writers block, not much time and not many good ideas. I know it sounds like I'm making it up but it's true. I will be posting much more because school holidays are coming up and that means a lot of spare time.

I have an announcement.

So...Everthorne is coming to an end, only maximum 3 chapters left to write. But don't worry...

There will be a sequel!

I will give out more information when I finish this book, but it will be called I Promise, from Prim and Rue's point of view. I'm happy to be writing it because I don't want this story to end just yet.

There's so much more things I would like to tell you, but I think I should start wrapping it up now.

So, I love you guys, without you I probably wouldn't be writing this book, you are my best friends and if you have any questions, tips or anything just ask. Please vote, comment, share, you know all that. See ya next chapter :) - Hanna