Mocking Jay TRAPPED

Chapter 9- Hope and Despair

CHAPTER 9

 "Peeta, we have a problem." 

    I jump immediately out of my bed. Are we about to be attacked again? 

  "What's wrong, Plutarch?" I ask nervously. 

   Plutarch paces the room for a minute before answering. 

  "I think you should see this for your self. Come on."  

  Plutarch ushers me from the room. I trail along silently, left to my thoughts. 

   What could be going on? If it was an attack, I would have heard alarms...maybe...another district was attacked? Oh, I don't know! 

  I refuse to think about the possibilities until I actually find out. 

   Plutarch stops in front of the door that leads to Command. I hear a voice. A husky, familiar voice is just starting to speak, but I can't place who it is.... 

   Plutarch swings open the door. "He's here." He says to the people gathered.  In the room, staring at a screen, is Haymitch, President Coin, Jason, Finnick, Katniss, and one of Coin's right hand men, Boggs. 

  No one replies to Plutarch. They are all fixated on the screen.  

  Plutarch and I walk to two seats by the screen. I try to sit as far away from Katniss as possible...try to ignore her as I sit, but I still manage to see her hand entwined with Finnick's.

    I look at the screen. I can now place a name to the voice. Speaking out on a plain wooden stage, with a rose pinned to his suit, is President Snow.

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"Citizens of Panem.  As some of you might be aware of, the rebel forces have rescued the victors Katniss Everdeen and Finnick Odair from our clutches. It is imperative that they return to us.  Rebels in 13, I am speaking directly at you now. Hand over Finnick and Katniss, and we shall spare your pitiful base. Ignore this message, than we shall march into your district, bomb your rebel base, and take Katniss and Finnick by force. You have two days. On the second day, at noon, have the victors stand by the ruins of the Justice Building. You have been warned."

   And with that, the screen dimmed. Everyone in the room started speaking at once. Katniss was staring at the darkened screen with a determination in her eyes. 

  I knew that look. She was going sacrifice herself, for the cause. I was inwardly laughing. Fat chance, Katniss. We got you back, I'm not ready to let you go.

  Wait, did I say that out loud?? Everyone in the room looked at me. Ugh yup I did. 

    Plutarch was the first to speak. "I quite agree, Peeta." He fixed his gaze on Katniss.  "I'm sorry Katniss, but you'd help more people here than there."  

   Katniss looked away and nodded. Finnick was quick to wrap his arms around her. 

  I looked away. I just couldn't watch this anymore.  I think Haymitch was starting to think the same as me. 

   "Hey Katniss. I have a little question. What if we put you in some training classes? To help you remember?" He asked Katniss. 

  Katniss just shrugged, then nodded. "Okay Haymitch. Why not? But...can he help?" She pointed right at me! She didn't say my name but hey, she wanted me! 

  "Sure Katniss. I'll help. If you'll excuse us, we can start now." I replied.  

   Plutarch looked at Coin, who just shrugged. Plutarch waved us on, and we walked out the door, and to Katniss' compartment. 

    We sat down on her couch, a good distance apart. 

   "So, what do you want to start with, Katniss?" I asked her. She just shrugged, not looking directly at me. 

  Then it came to me. 

 "I got one. Here it goes. Back in District 12, they were two younger children. You, and me. You walked to my parents bakery, while it was raining, rummaged in my trash while my mother yelled at you. I saw it all happen from a window. Then you walked back to a tree and slumped down. I knew who you were, even then. Katniss Everdeen. I did the only thing I could think of: I burned the bread in the oven. 

  "You stupid boy!" My mother yelled. She smacked me right 

 Across the face, and I could feel a welt forming. I grabbed the burnt bread and run outside. To escape her fury. Then, I tossed you the bread. And you ran away, clutching it. That's how me met, Katniss. Not formally, but still. Please, remember...." 

    I ended my story, and stared into her eyes. Then Katniss stood up, and fled the room. 

I mumbled to myself "Good job, Peeta...that went well..."