Mocking Jay TRAPPED

Chapter 6- A beacon of Hope

I finally managed to get Joanna out of my room so I could change and have some peace and quiet. Mostly quiet, because it was never peaceful anyways. She left stubbornly when a 13 official came and told her to get to training.

I sighed and wondered what bad luck today would bring like every other day before.  I was very weak. But the thing was, I didn't feel sick. Just...said. Maybe even depressed. Katniss was the only thing on my mind since the Games.

Gasping for air, I walked to my cabinet and checked my schedule.

Weaponry. 

I had 20 minutes until I had to meet Beetee. He told me that it was a private meeting instead of a group weaponry lesson.

Suddenly my TV snapped on. The Capital. Some news broadcast preparing for the 76 Hunger Games. Yay. I sarcastically thought.  I grabbed an apple out of the refrigerator. Then a horrible screech came from the TV, and I saw my face. The video!!  Beetee did it!! 

I smiled as I thought of what the Capital was doing right now. Freaking out, wondering what was going on, trying to get their show back. I was so happy I went to Beetee 15 minutes early.

I jogged into the room, coughing and sweating.

"Hey Beetee, you did it!"

He nodded. "Yes, I have won a battle....but we still have a war."

I sighed. "Yeah. Have you come up with anything?"  I yawned, and coughed.

He tapped some things on his computer and looked at me. "Peeta, I talked to the nurses...And Haymitch. We don't think you are sick. Just depressed. And I think you know this too."  He takes a big breath. "And you can't be a good leader when you have one thing constantly on your mind"  He raises his eyebrows at me. "So we have made a thought out decision that our military will try to rescue Katniss"  He stares at me...waiting for my reaction.

"Uh...really??"  I was so excited.

"Yes"

"When...And just for my sake? Can I lead it?"

He frowns. "I'm sorry Peeta but we can't put you on the mission when you are so distracted.  Gale is leading the mission.  And we are getting Finnick and Annie out as well."

"I can't just stay here and wait to find out if they fail!"  I say sternly. "And I want to help!" 

"No.  You have far to little training. You might be good with a gun, but you need to know how to follow military procedures."  He turns around back to his computer. "They will leave tomorrow. We can put you to sleep for a day if you would like" 

"No it's fine." I knew I would be in suspense all day though. "Is there anyway I could listen to their radio messages so I would know what was happening?" 

Beetee rubs his chin. "I can work something out." 

"Thank you."  I sigh.

"Come here as early as possible tomorrow.  And I think that is it for today's lesson" He nodded

I checked my watch. "But Beetee, it only 9-"

"You have much on your mind. Go rest until your next lesson"  He turned around to his computer. End of conversation

I went back to my room and layed on my bed. Tomorrow I might see Katniss. Tomorrow I can hold her again...talk to her...kiss her.

I had training next. It would be my first session after all that had happened. I changed into some sweatpants and another t-shirt. I was ready to get my mind onto something else, so I ended up going 30 minutes early.

I looked on my schedule and Training was above ground. I frowned....50 sets of stairs. I started to climb up.

When I finally got above, I wasn't the only one who came early. There was another boy...tall, red headed, muscular. He was lifting weights.

I went over to the mats and started doing some warm ups. I lifted some weights when red head was done. By that time, people started coming through the trap door.

The instructors name was Jason. He nodded at me with a sign of approval. A lot of people were looking at me.  They probably think I'll be really great at everything cause I was in the Hunger Games. I thought.

"Hello everyone!  Today we are going to work on endurance. You need to be able to have energy for long amounts of time in battle. Now...10 laps around!!! Go!" 

People started running around the whole square of dirt where you could tell 13 was buried under. It was gigantic!!  And 10 laps of it....well I was going to die.

I jogged behind. I was really out of shape compared to the others. Cramps started to form in my stomach and legs. I slowed down. I was only done a half a lap. The others were done their first one.

Beads of sweat lined my forehead. I was breathing heavily. 1 lap done. I looked with a pleading look to Jason. He waved me along, telling me to keep going. 

9 more laps.

8 more laps

7 more laps.

6 more laps. I was drenched in sweat.  My legs were numb and my stomach was in killing pain from cramps. I felt like I was in the Hunger Games again.

5 more laps. Everyone else was done. They were sprinting back and forth. Then I started having a coughing spasm. I couldn't catch my breath. My cheeks got hot and I fell to the ground, throwing up...coughing. Jason sprinted to me.

"You ok?  Come on Peeta. You're fine."  He started hitting my back and forcing come water down my throat.

I finally stopped and got up.

"Ok...let's get you back to your room. Good start for today though. Don't worry, you'll get better. It was your first time."  He pats me on the back.

I think of Katniss and remember she's being rescued tomorrow. I wanted to be in the military. I couldn't tomorrow, but next time.

"No"  I looked at him. "I want to finish my run" 

I jogged off, leaving him confused about what I just said.

That's our Peeta!  Never a quitter. Name your favorite Peeta moment in the comments!