The Hunger Games: Uprising!

Chapter 13

We make our way up in the elevator. I really need to talk to Gale. What I've learned today changes things. I tell Peeta everything. He listens in silence taking it all in.

"I can't believe it, they left you to rot in district 12 believing you were guilty when in actual fact you'd done the right thing. Probably saved a lot of lives!"

I nod silently

"I think we should talk to Haymitch" says Peeta as he enters the lift code to send us back down.

We finally track Haymitch down in special defence. Although most of the staff and scientists transferred to district 2 to form advanced weaponry, some are still here working on other projects.

We find him huddled over a table with Beetee.

"Haymitch. I need to talk to you about something"

Haymitch nods "Okay sweetheart"

We walk over to the side and talk in hushed tones. Haymitch listens in silence nodding at certain points. I can see him smiling at the plans that Coin was suspected of making.

What do you think? You had your suspicions about Coin didn't you? I ask

"I suspected" he answers

"What do you think about the mission, about me going I mean?"

"I can see where he's going with the propo idea. Let me talk to him. In the mean time it might be best for you to talk to Gale, I think he deserves it, don't you?

I nod, silently.

We find Gale in the woods hunting. He's already got a couple of rabbits tied to his belt when he see's us walking toward him. "Hey" he says nervously.

"I need to talk to you, some new information has come to light"

"Okay" he says curiously.

The three of us sit on a log with Gale in the middle. I explain what Plutarch told me about Gale's weapon, about how it was used. He doesn't look surprised. He knew he had no involvement in the bombing, it was convincing me that was the problem.

"I'm sorry Gale" is all I can say.

"Don't be I'd of been the same if it would of been one of my family that was killed"

We all sit in silence, no one sure what to say. I need to break this frosty atmosphere.

"Have you finished in the woods. I could get my bow and hunt with you, if you want me too that is"

"Sure okay".

Me and Peeta return to our quarters I get my bow and a sheath of arrows and make my way back to the woods. Peeta says he's got some other things to sort out so stays in the Elevator. I can't think what it is he's got to do? But I give him a kiss and walk toward the woods to join Gale.

I walk through the training ground and on into the woods. Gale waits, still sitting on the same log. He gets up and we walk on deeper into the woods. I'm struggling to find things to say to him, to make conversation.

Then suddenly he asks

"Why are you marrying Peeta?"

I stop and look at him, surprised by his question.

"I love him Gale. Deep down I always have, ever since the first games. He calms me and brings out a side of me I didn't know existed"

He looks thoughtful for a moment.

"I know. I can see the difference in you. I'll always love you, but to see you so happy makes me.....happy. I just wish I could of had that effect on you. Peeta is a nice person, we spoke a lot while you were recovering from the mutt attack. He adores you. I honestly think he couldn't go on living without you"