Chapter 7- The rescue day

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I was in the weaponry room at 5:30 in the morning. Beetee wasn't there yet as I figured. He was probably getting the hovercraft radio ready or something. I sat down, and waited. Waited. Sat and waited. I checked the computer clock. Only 1 minute had passed. I breathed in and focused on all the weapons. I could not allow myself to think about the rescue. If I did, I would go crazy and would have to be put to sleep for another day.

I picked up a book on battle tips. I tried to read the words and think about what they meant...but I couldn't.  I began to get frustrated. I closed my eyes.

Next thing I knew, Beetee was next to me when I opened my eyes.

"What time is it?  Have they left?"  I asked quickly and anxiously.

"It is 10:00. And yes....4 hours ago" 

Wow...I must have been really tired. "Do you have that radio?"

He hands me an earpiece. "Yes, I do"

I put it in and I could hear voices. Gale, Jason, and a bunch of other voices I couldn't recognize.

"They are about an hour away from the Capital."  Beetee states. "Why don't you go get some breakfast...find someone to talk to....get your mind off things." 

"Actually I-" 

"Sorry Peeta I didn't meant that as a question."  He waved me away.

I sigh and walk to the cafeteria. I didn't talk anyone.  I didn't eat.   Just listened to the earpiece. Nothing but battle terms I didn't understand.  

I went to my room when I was told breakfast was done being served. I knew I should follow my schedule. I had to go to a lesson where I learned about war strategy for 2 hours. I figured I would go for the first time, but I still had some time. I decided to go see Haymitch.

I opened his door without knocking. He was drunk. 

"Hey Haymitch."  I threw away some of the garbage on the floor and took his drink right out of his hand.

"Hey!!  Give me back my beer. What's wrong with you?"  He was half awake, and mostly drunk.

"Haymitch!  Katniss is being rescued."  I shook him.

"Oh well shouldn't you be her little Prince coming to her rescue?"  He grumbled.

"Not necessarily.  I'm going to my war lesson. I'm coming back for you later so we can meet Gale and the others when they return. And when you're not drunk."  I throw the can of beer into the garbage and put the rest of the package in there to. Haymitch rolled his eyes.

"Fine." 

I walked out.

I went upstairs to a small room with a few other boys younger than me. They started at me like the guys at training. I just smiled and walked past them to an empty seat.

The instructor, Dermot, was very loud and stern. He started talking about what to do if your leader gets killed or injured. Then to test us, he handed out a sheet and we had to draw where we would go and what we would do like a real battle plan. We did a couple exercises like this. Then he talked about strategy and finding enemies weaknesses.

He showed us a video about a real war and we wrote down stuff that they were doing. It was gory and reminded me of the arena. Blood was spilt and it was very scary. But I lasted through it because I needed to know it and accept the truth....I would lead the rebellion in when we attacked the Capital. I would be in that war scene. I would be killing people. More than I ever have. I would be stepping in blood and possibly risking my own and others lives with every decision I make.

I stopped thinking about it and focused on the video. Then...I was back thinking about the rescue. Where were they?  Did they succeed?  I checked my watch and knew that they would be almost done, failed or not. They would be here in a couple of hours. And Katniss might be with them.

"-And class is dismissed"  Was the last thing I consciously heard from Dermot. I walked out with the others and went to Haymitch's room.

"Haymitch!  Time to go!"  I yelled through his door. He didn't answer so I went in.

No one in sight. I looked around, but he wasn't here. Maybe he went early and decided to meet me there.  I shrugged. He was somewhere.

I rushed off the Beetee's room.   They were both there, worried looks on their faces.

"What's wrong?"  Beetee shushes me and points to his ear. I put my earpiece in. There was crying. And panic. I thought heard Katniss, but I wasn't sure. Then Finnick yelling for everyone to calm down and get in the hovercraft. After a couple minutes the noise calmed down and I heard an engine. They were on their way home.

I took out my earpiece and Beetee and Haymitch were looking at me.  I was confused.

"What was that all about?"  I questioned.

"Gale....He was guarding the others so they could get in the hovercraft. And....there were too many people. He got shot in the chest."  Beetee looked at the ground. Haymitch gave me a sympathetic look.

Oh no. Gale had died trying to save the others. I didn't even talk to him since a couple days ago. I didn't even say goodbye or good luck when he left. I felt horrible. And Katniss...she lost her best friend.

My anger and hatred grew against the Capital.  They had taken so much from me. I was going to end them.

"When will they be back?"  I said quietly

"In about 5 hours.  And they did succeed.  I don't know what condition Finnick, Katniss and Annie are in though. It's hard to say what the Capital could have done to them."  Beetee stroked his chin.

"Ok."  I sat there. I wasn't going to leave. I wanted to be there the second they arrived.

Hours went by. One slowly at a time.

Finally Beetee snapped up in his seat. We ran up to the surface. The hovercraft was in sight. When it came down, I ran to it. But Haymitch pulled me back.

My anxiety level was off the roof. I didn't blink or take my eyes off the door.

Slowly, the door rose. I saw feet. Annie came out, dazed in another world. Then the other troops came out. And finally, Finnick came out helping Katniss walk straight. She was dazed like Annie. Finnick hadn't been imprisoned as long so he looked almost fine. But something was wrong....They were holding hands. I ran to Katniss. I held my arms out and but she walked right passed me...not even noticing. Then Finnick kissed her...on the lips. They were ignorant to all of us. That's when I lost it. Yelling, screaming, running towards her. I wanted her...I had waited all day. These past months!!  And she walked right passed me. Then....the needle in my arm. And life escaped me.

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Wow. That was a plot twist!  All Fanvergent1's idea.  Please comment and vote as usual!!

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