Pawn of Panem | Finnick Odair [2]

Stupid : 21

Chapter Twenty One

It must be strong, whatever they shot into me, because it's a full day before I come to. My sleep wasn't peaceful, though. I have the sense of emerging from a world of dark, haunted places where I traveled alone. Haymitch sits in the chair by my bed, his skin waxen, his eyes bloodshot. I remember about Gerard and Peeta and start to tremble again.

Haymitch reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. "It's all right. We're going to try to get them out."

"What?" That makes no sense.

"Plutarch's sending in a rescue team. He has people on the inside. He thinks we can get the two back alive," he says.

"Why didn't we before?" I say.

"Because it's costly. But everyone agrees this is the thing to do. It's the same choice we made in the arena. To do whatever it takes to keep you and Katniss going. We can't lose the Muse and Mockingjay now. And you can't perform unless you know Snow can't take it out on Gerard and Peeta." Haymitch offers me a cup. "Here, drink something."

I slowly sit up and take a sip of water. "What do you mean, costly?"

He shrugs. "Covers will be blown. People may die. But keep in mind that they're dying every day. And it's not just Gerard and Peeta; we're getting Johanna out for Finnick, too."

"Where is he?" I ask.

"Behind that screen, sleeping his sedative off. He lost it right after we knocked you out," says Haymitch. I smile a little, feel a bit less weak. "Yeah, it was a really excellent shoot. You three cracked up and Boggs left to arrange the mission to get Peeta and Gerard. We're officially in reruns."

"Well, if Boggs is leading it, that's a plus," I say.

"Oh, he's on top of it. It was volunteer only, but he pretended not to notice me waving my hand in the air," says Haymitch. "See? He's already demonstrated good judgment."

Something's wrong. Haymitch's trying a little too hard to cheer me up. It's not really his style. "So who else volunteered?"

"I think there were seven altogether," he says evasively.

I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Who else, Haymitch?" I insist.

Haymitch finally drops the good-natured act. "You know who else, Sage. You know who stepped up first.

Of course I do.

"Are you fucking kidding me? It's practically a suicide mission, and he'll be on first line!" I exclaim, sitting up in bed only for Haymitch to pin me down with an arm across my chest.

He shakes his head, pressing the nurse call button, "It's no use. Katniss already tried to talk him out of it."

"No use? He's going to die! He is going to fucking die!" I scream, flailing in an attempt to save my best friend.

To save Gale.

The nurse walks in with a syringe full of clear liquid. It doesn't take a genius to know it's a sedative. Except, unlike the one they gave me before, this one numbs my body and the only thing I can move is my eyes. I blink, and déjà vu hits me with memories of them pulling me from the arena.

Haymitch sighs, leaning down and pushing the hair from my face, "Gale'll be fine, Sage. Get some rest, and don't do anything stupid."

But stupid is the only thing on my mind. Because little does Haymitch know, I'll be on the mission as well.

I'm going to sneak onto the hovercraft, and fly my way to the Capitol.