Masked Enemies

Chapter 35

Katniss

The noise outside wakes me. I sit up abruptly, pulling the bedclothes above me, covering my body, even though I am clothed. After hearing the ruckus outside, a short, quick noise, but very, very, loud, I jump out of bed, and walk outside, still in what I wore the day before, what I had worn to bed.

Right outside my cabin, one of the kitchen staff had dropped a couple of plates, and was now cleaning up the mess with a broom, jerking her arms back and forth quickly. I offer her help, and she declines my offer. I don't listen to her, and bend down anyway, picking up shards of ceramic that vary in size. I'm confused, though, because in the mess hall, the serve us food in plastic bowls. What were these for?

The kitchen lady tells me to leave, that she could handle this herself, so this time, I listen. The lady continues to clean, pushing her dull brown hair behind her ear, which was elf-like, small and pointed, from time to time. I go back into my cabin, and stand in the doorway for a minute, trying to decide whether I wanted to go back to bed or if I wanted breakfast. In the end, I come to the conclusion that I spend too much time in my cabin and that I needed food. My stomach growls in agreement, so I take a quick shower and change into a fresh set of clothes.

As I do, I look into my trunk, which contains the few things I had from home, the ones my mother had brought with her for me, from 12, although I don't know when she had the time to stop there. My Mockingjay costume is in there, along with my "wedding dress". Why did I have that? Just in case, I think, in case that I need it. I didn't think it was necessary.

I close the trunk and open the door again. The maid is gone, and the hallway is clear of any debris, too clear. Oh, well. I guess that was just 13's style. Making my way down the hallway, I pass Cyrus, who, apparently, has just finished his breakfast, and is now heading back to his cabin. He waves to me, and I wave back, not as enthusiastic as he was.

The mess hall is crowded, and I scour the tables until I find the familiar faces of Finnick and Annie, who sit at a table alone, holding hands loosely under the table. A pang of jealousy strikes me, and I don't know why, because I wasn't jealous of Annie. I don't like Finnick, I love Peeta, I don't love Finnick, I love Peeta, I repeat to myself, as if it came out of a textbook, as I take my tray and pile it up with food. I walk over and sit down at the table where Finnick and Annie sit, the couple not holding hands anymore.

"Katniss." says Finnick, through a mouthful of food.

Annie smacks his arm. "That's rude." She snaps, but I can see the laughter in her eyes, she could never get mad at Finnick. Finnick rolls his eyes in response, but listens to Annie, swallowing his food before he continues.

"Good morning." he says, and goes back to his food.

"Good morning." I say, rolling my eyes, and dig into my plate, which is piled high with a variety of different foods. Annie finishes, and sets her fork down.

"I wonder what mission we're going on." she says. Next to her, Finnick exhales loudly and gives a little grumble, so soft that I can't make out what he's saying, but I know he disapproves of Annie's most recent comment.

"Something important, hopefully." I say. Finnick mutters something again, and I keep talking, not just to annoy him but also to show him that Annie doesn't need protecting all the time. I don't know why I do, because, normally, in an argument between Finnick and Annie, I would be on Finnick's side or stay out of it.

"How good are you with weapons?" I ask Annie. Finnick shoots me a white-hot glare that bores into my skin, and I shoot an equally hot one back at him.

"I can use a gun." says Annie casually. "But I'm not a very good shot. They made me train in 13, last time."

"I hope you don't have to use it." says Finnick angrily. "In fact, don't use it."