Catching Fire: Peeta's Story....

Chapter 48

Hey guys! I am soooo very sorry for not updating on this book! I do, however, get the emails on my iPhone when you guys comment on my chapters, new or old, and it does shock me, the things that some of you say! Some of you are very rude and unpleasant to even associate with! Geez! Like for real, do some of you really think that your rude comments affect me? Like really? I think some of you honestly think that if you comment rude and crude, and mean things about MY, key word MY, book that it's going to make me stop and not want to write it anymore? Hate to break it to you, but YOU DO NOT AFFECT ME! Just saying! And it's not all of you, maybe like 5-10 people who dislike this book, but really? There are about a trillion other people Who love this book, so I'm not going to let those few bring me down! :)

Really though guys, I've changed a lot, and even I'm seeing the difference, not just people being like whoa you've changed, but me seeing the difference. I guess it really started during the summer, when I got played, I kinda put a small wall up so something like that didn't happen again, and I do tell guys when they start to come on me and are flirting with another girl right in front of me, I'm not going to be played. But I guess after my Papa passed away, I have become a little more defensive but at the same time, I'm noticing that I'm becoming a little less shy, and I speak out more in public, but because I do that, I act the same at home, and it does get me in trouble...

I did turn 17 a couple weeks ago! But boy do I really feel old! I'm like starting to see everything unfold and starting to see that I'm going to have to start shaping up. I've been looking into colleges and it's sooo scary! I hate being able to be like "Oh yeah! I'm going to graduate next year!" or "I get to be on the field next year!" or "I'm looking for a college." it's scary.

But anyway I am sorry that I haven't been writing for this book. I have been soo busy with the other books that don't take time, that I just can think of off the top of my head! So hers a little chapter for you guys to grovel over for a bit while I think about if I'm going to finish or not.

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Chapter 48:

There. I've done it, again. Dropped a bomb that wipes out the efforts of every tribute who came before me. Well, maybe not every tributes efforts. Maybe this year I have only lite the fuse on the bomb that the victors themselves have been building. Hoping someone would be able to detonate it. Perhaps thinking it would be in Katniss's bridal gown.

As my bomb explodes, it sends accusations of injustice and barbarism and cruelty flying out in every direction. Even from the most Capitol-loving, Games-hungry, bloodthirsty person out there can't ignore, at least for a moment, how horrific the whole thing is.

We're pregnant.

The audience can't absorb the news right away. All their voices died down to a hushed whisper, whereas before it was cheering and happy. It has to strike them and and sink in and be confirmed by other voices before they begin to sound like a herd of wounded animals, moaning, shrieking, calling for help. And Katniss? Her face is projected in a tight close-up on the screen, showing every shocked expression, and happy expression.

Caesar can't rein in the crowd again, not even when the buzzer sounds. I nod my head good-bye and pull Katniss with me back to our seats. I can see Caesar's lips moving, but the crowd is so rowdy that I can't hear a thing he is saying. Only the booming sound of the Anthem sends me to my feet, reaching out for Katniss as she reached out for Chaff, and so on and so forth down the whole line.

All 24 of us stand in one unbroken line in what must be the first public show of unity among the districts since the Dark Days. You can see the realization of this as the screens begin to pop into blackness. It's too late though. In the confusion they didn't cut us off in time. Everyone has seen.

There's disorder on the stage now, too, as the lights go out and we're left to stumble back into the Training center. We've all lost hold of one another, but I find Katniss's hand and guide her to the elevator. Finnick and Johanna try to join us, but a harried Peacekeeper blocks their way and we shoot upward alone.

The moment we step off the elevator, Katniss falls into my arms and we hold each other.

"Wow that was insane!" Katniss breaths out.

"You're tellin me." I chuckle as we fall onto the couch and wait for the others to join us. When the elevators open, only Haymitch appears.

"It's pure madness out there. Everyone's been sent home and they've canceled the recap of the interviews on television." we hurry over to the window and take in the chaos below.

"What are they saying? I ask. "Are they asking the Gamemakers to stop the Games?"

"I don't think they know themselves what to ask. The whole situation is unprecedented. Even the idea of opposing the Capitol's agenda is a source of confusion for the people here," Haymitch says. "But there's no way they'd cancel the Games. You know that right?"

We do. Of course, they could never back down now. Even if Snow was alive, he would never. The only option left to do is to strike back, and strike back hard.

"The others went home?" Katniss asks.

"They were ordered to. I don't know how much luck they're having getting through the mob," says Haymitch.

"Then we'll never see Effie again," I say, thinking. We didn't get to see her on the morning of the Games last year either. "You'll give her our thanks." I state more than ask.

"More than that. Really make is special. It's Effie, after all," Katniss says. "Tell her how appreciative we are and how she was the best escort ever and tell her . . . Tell her we send our love."

For a while we just stand there in silence, delaying the inevitable. Then Haymitch says it. "I guess this is where we say our goodbyes as well."

"Any last words of advice?" I ask.

"Stay alive." Haymitch says gruffly. That's almost an old joke with us now. He gives us each a quick hug, and I can tell its all he can stand. "Go to bed. You need your rest."

We cross the room, but in the doorway, Haymitch's voice stops us. "Katniss, when you're in the arena," he begins. Then he pauses. He's scowling.

"What?" she asks defensively.

"You just remember who the enemy is," Haymitch tells her. "That's all. Now go on. Get out of here."

We walk down the hallway. I want to stop by my room to shower off the makeup and say that I'll meet Katniss in a few minutes, but she won't let me go. I know and so does she, that if a door shuts between us, it will lock and I'll have to spend the night without her. Besides, Katniss has a shower in her room. She refuses to let go of my hand.

Do we sleep? I don't know. We spend the night holding each other, as usual, in some halfway land between dreams and waking. Not talking. Both afraid to disturb the other in the hope that we'll be able to store up a few precious minutes of rest.

Cinna and Portia arrive with the dawn, and I know I'll have to leave. Tributes enter the arena alone. I gave her a light kiss. "I'll see you soon." I promise.

"See you soon." she promises.

Portia, who will help dress me for the Games, accompanies me to the roof. I'm about to mount the ladder to the hovercraft that will take me to my new home for a while, when I remember. "I didn't get to say goodbye to Cinna."

"I'll tell him." Portia says.

The electric current freezes me in place on the ladder until the doctor injects the tracker into my left forearm. Now they will always be able to locate me in the arena. The hovercraft takes off, and I can't even look out the window, I'm so nervous. I stare at my shoes until I can't see them anymore because the windows black out. Portia keeps pressing me to eat and so I take little nibbles, not sure if I can hold it down because of the nerves. I manage to keep sipping water, thinking of the days when dehydration almost killed us last year. Thinking of how I will need my strength to keep Katniss alive...

When we get to the Launch Room, Portia helps me dress. It seems to be a swimming sort of outfit.

I thank her for all she's done, knowing that I probably won't see her again, when the voice tells me it's time to go. I step in the tube and stand up straight, facing Portia as the door slides shut.

"Thank you." I say, knowing she can't here me though. The platform starts to rise and soon a breeze catches me off guard as I'm brought into the bright sunlight. I look around and my heart drops.

I'm surrounded by water.

I can't swim, as only one thought races through my mind.