Revive

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

"Will someone explain to me why he was not being supervised? Where were you during this Plutarch?" Peeta shouts.

"I was consulting with Paylor of an important matter." Plutarch explains.

"So important that you and the rest of the game makers weren't there?" Peeta asks.

"No." Plutarch looks down shameful.

"I can't believe this." Peeta covers his face with his hand in disbelief, then drops his hand. "Has this ever happened?" Peeta asks.

"A few times." Effie says.

"Well not anymore." Peeta says coldly. "From now on I want the entire training center supervised at all times." he points at Plutarch furiously. "You will not leave the training center under any circumstances."

"Who put you in charge of demands?" Haymitch says.

"I did. Since I'm the only one who actually cares for these children." Peeta says.

"Peeta, these children are already dead. There's nothing more you can do." I say.

Peeta turns around in anger and runs his hands in his hair with frustration, then makes for the door and leaves; slamming the door.

"Will you excuse me, I have to speak with Peeta carefully." Haymitch says getting out of his chair and leaving.

"I have a meeting with Paylor at two so I will speak with you all shortly." Effie says then leaves.

I approach Plutarch before he follows Effie. "Plutarch," I say. "what were you talking to Paylor about?"

"Nothing to worry you. Just game propaganda." Plutarch smiles then leaves.

Later that night it is announced, despite Lawsons death, that the games will continue, only with twenty-three kids instead of twenty-four.

I find Peeta on the roof leaning against the railing while throwing stray pebbles at the force field. I walk up next to him and lean against the railing. We stay quiet.

"You're right," Peeta says after a while.

"About what?" I ask.

"About the kids... already being dead," Peeta says. "I guess I just thought... I could save them."

I say nothing because I don't know how to respond. It was the exact response I expected from him, I just wasn't prepared to answer him back.

"I don't understand," Peeta says after a while. "how these games make us better."

"We don't expect you to understand," I say. "just to work with us and trust us."

"Whose we?" Peeta asks. "What happened to you just wanting things to be you and I? I thought you would have been smart enough to realize the difference of what's right and what's revenge, because they are not similar."

With that Peeta throws one last pebble after turning and looking me in the eye for a split second, then walking towards the door to the roof and leaving.