A Never Ending Story ~Everlark~

Ch. 11

Peetas POV -
Katniss isn't working her shift today, as prim has become sick with a cold, so now I'm working double. Obviously I understand, my dad is sick as well, I just want to be with Katniss and help her. As I'm thinking about this, a middle aged woman comes up to the register. She has faded red hair, and looks starved, along with her toddler by her side. She makes eye contact with me, and stares at me for a few minutes before speaking up.

"Hello miss, how may I help you?" I ask. She looks down at her pocket, as I see a few dollars in her hand. She glances up at me, and her child.

"Is there anything I could get for," she trails off and counts all her money. "6 dollars?" I look at her child, and back at her and see their desperately hungry. So, I come up with a plan.

"Yes, actually today there's a special sale just for you and your family. On the house." I go into the back before she can protest and grab 3 loafs of bread and hand them to her. She looks at me in shock and thanks me, along with her child.

I knew I shouldn't of done it, but I can't help myself when it comes to people like that. That's what caught my eye about katniss. Sure, I'm not the richest, but we're more of middle class, and growing as there are only 2 bakery's in 12. Unlike them, we actually would prefer to help people than just care about profits. My dad would respect my decision.

I continue to work, help customers, and clean counters. That is, until a special person walked through the doors. Haymitch Abernathy. The drunk, lone victor. He's actually useful when sober, but sadly, most of the time this isn't the case. To my surprise he walks in perfectly fine, not staggering around, not drunk. He looks around and puts his hands in his pockets as if he's waiting for something or someone. I decide its best to just go up to him. I open the door to leave the back, and walk towards him.

"Mr. Abernathy..what an honor.." I say, even though it certainly isn't. If he's here, not drunk, there's something going on with the capital. It isn't just a coincidence that he's sober.

"Ahh, yes. You're the bakers son. The totally loony, and oblivious to what's going on in the world, am I correct?" He asks with sarcasm. I clench my jaw in response. "Maybe you're mistaking me for my other brother, Rye. I'm peeta. What do you need?" I ask kind of harshly. He digs in his coat pocket and hands me a envelope. He leans to my ear and whispers "hand this to your dad, I need a favor," he trails off and picks back up . "I need to speak with him but sense he's sick, I can't." I take the envelope and give him a questioned look.

Why would he need my father to do him a favor? Maybe bake something but haymitch doesn't have family, nor does he care enough to buy someone a cake or loaf of bread.

"What's the favor?" I ask. He breathily chuckles "Not information I should share with a 16 year old, now should it?" He starts to walk out and I'm left there confused with the envelope, which I'm guessing money is in it. What would he need? I go into the back, and go into the freezer for some privacy. I open the envelope and first there's a letter. I take out the letter and open it.

" Dear Mr. Mellark,

Hello, now i know you're confused as of why I have brought this to you. I need a big favor from your son and that girl he's been hanging around with. I've been keeping an eye on them because they've got that sense of a rebel in them. Enough to create a rebellion. Now, Peeta, he's strong, and he has a voice that can persuade. Katniss is stronger, and more people would tend to look to her. I need them both to begin this rebellion. District 13 has been working on a plan for the last 74 years, and we believe that this could be the time, right before the quarter quell, to get this started. In order for them to begin this, they must go into the hunger games. If you agree, they will be reaped, and sent into the games, no guarantee they'll stay alive but I will try and get them as many sponsors as I can to keep them alive for the longest I can. Mr. Mellark, this is our only chance for Panem, a free Panem. Otherwise we might have to wait another 25-75 years. The capital is becoming stronger day by day, creating more laws and more people starving and homeless. This is our only chance. For your children's, and grand children's future. Think about it. I'll give you 3 days. Thank you for your time.

Haymitch Abernathy."

I'm practically shaking as I read the letter. Yes, Katniss and I have been talking about a rebellion, but us? Going into the hunger Games? 24 go in and only one comes out. They can't save us both. That's when I realize, I'm going to have to die to save Katniss. It's like haymitch said, she's the one needed here, I'm just the sidekick I guess. I'm not going to show my father this letter yet.

I can't let this out of my mind, I really want the rebellion started but..not like this. There has to be another way. I'm not going to risk Katniss' life, nor mine. But then again, for Panem, we must. Even if we start a rebellion a different way we're putting us and our entire district in danger. I didn't think there was a district 13 anymore, but I'm guessing we would turn out the way they did if all goes wrong.

--

It's 5 pm, and it's time to close up as there's only one last customer to serve. I get the teenager a loaf of bread and a small pastry, and she hands me the money for it. I put it in the chase register, lock it, and leave the rest for my brother as I'm so tired, Im about to pass out.

Next door is my house, so I go outside I tot he cold winter air and cross. I open the door and warmth immediately hits me. My house always end up smelling like bread and cinnamon, which of course is good. I head upstairs to my room and flop on my bed. If I wasn't so tired, I'd be at Katniss' helping with prim and being there with her, but that's just not gonna happen.

For hours I toss and turn, continuing to think about the letter and rebellion. There has to be another way.

I end up falling asleep as soon as I think that and end up with horrifying nightmares.

Katniss lives, not me.

--
Hey! I updated again haha, I've had a lot of time recently to do it, and when I'm in school and I feel like writing, I just go on here and start. I love you guys and thanks for sticking around even tho I took so long to update💕💕😂 love you lots! -Jess