Catching Fire: The New Story

Chapter 75

Katniss's POV

I jolt from my sleep when I feel the heat around me move and my back turn’s cold. I look to my side and see Peeta sound asleep, he has just turned over, and everything is fine. The heat from the day and the hike has pushed out all of our energy and left us with our tired bones needing rest. I sit up carefully, trying not to put any strain on my stomach and injure the baby. I sling my bow over my head and reach for the elastic holding my braid in place. I undo it and let my damp, wavy hair fall against my back. Just the thought of my back pulls the pain I have had on my lower side more noticeable. I cringe sitting against the tree overlooking Peeta, Finnick and Mags as they sleep. And to my suspicion, they don't sleep well either. All victors have either died from age or insanity, gone mad from the nightmare that make them relive killing innocent children, or have had married and had children. Then, some who have gone to liquor to remove their memories and allowed them a night or two of fun, like Haymitch.

I return from my thoughts when I hear a whisper from one of the three tributes asleep. Finnick's lips move slightly as his golden locks stick to his forehead from the perspiration sliding down his face. I hear a faint name come from his lips a few times and an occasional other words, but let him dream in peace. His dream, maybe nightmare, no, of course nightmare, is possibly about this lover he spoke of in his interviews with Caesar. I could barely believe Finnick Odiar has a lover of his own. He has never spoken of this woman in any interview I have seen him in and with his history in the Capitol it would take a lot to believe it, but I could imagine him with her. Some beautiful girl, tall and fit with that golden blonde hair Finnick attires. His taste in women must be high, but learning the soft way Finnick is, I begin to doubt it. I slowly drift off into sleep, wondering if neither Peeta nor I survive, I would want Finnick to. Maybe, we all know Mags would die for one of us. She has Peeta's soul, the sweet, kindness that makes them each other. No wonder I cared so much for her, she is just like Peeta in the closest of ways.

My nose scrunches when a foul odor brings me to my senses, awakening my body, giving the baby a scare too. I blink, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I search the perimeter for anything unusual, finding everything in tack. Three sleeping figures, the trees seem to never move as if they were made of rock, like they should be. I look around when the awful stench reaches my nose again. To my left, it seems hazy and white, thinking it was only my imagination from the lack of water, I go to look around. My bow and arrows sit on my shoulder, waiting to aim and kill. I find not my imagination, but an intense fog. I reach my fingers out slowly to it while watching it move towards me and the others.

I scream in agony when the fog engulfs my hand in its thick white color. I fall back and scream again when the fog reaches my feet.

"Get up! The fog- its poison!" I scream, while getting up. My hand now has grown tons of welts, big and small, that throb with the hot air around us. Now, my allies have woken and are up, Finnick grabbing his trident and putting Mags on his tired shoulders. He sprints off toward the ocean, screaming to head with him. I grab the spile and quickly tie it around my purple belts securely. I start my run with Peeta in lead of me, when I start coughing and trip. Peeta stops as the fog increases in speed, helping me up. His hand finds mine and I try to keep his speed, until his prosthetic gives him trouble. He holds out and we catch up to Finnick, we over power him and are in front now. The upcoming hill brings us all crashing down, tumbling over the grass covered land. We stop, Mags on Finnick and me on Peeta. We all will ourselves to get up with the fog feet from us. I know Peeta is losing it, he continues to trip over his own feet until he finally comes tumbling. I rush to his side and try pulling him up, but I cannot lift his weight up.

"I can't carry him," I cry to Finnick as he leans over Peeta and me with Mags still clinging to his back.

"Can you carry Mags?" Finnick asks, breathily. I nod, and help Mags get down quickly. I pick her up with little trouble and start running. I know Finnick will get Peeta, he saved me, now he's saving Peeta. But why? Why would one of the best victors in history help Peeta and I survive? I rush down another small hill with a few close falls, helped by trees. I lose energy quickly as I soon see the upcoming ocean and beach. The fog has gained closer to Finnick and Peeta, who trail behind me. I fall, my body having enough of running and the heat and the stress. My hands catch me before my stomach hits the ground hard. Mags stands, hovering over me to check if I am alright, and hugs me once I have turned onto my back. Finnick props Peeta against a tree beside me and I see Mags hug him also. His eyes are open and watch me as I sit up. Mags goes to Finnick, kissing his lips, then walking towards the fog. What is she doing? I start to stand, helping Peeta do the same. Finnick stays on the ground in a phase, his eyes stuck to Mags.