Let The Games Begin

Chapter 2

I hold Peeta's hand, although it's freezing, but together we're able to warm it up. I walk up the hill, then I press my finger on the fence. No sign of electricity. It's a habit, from when I went out to the woods. But it hasn't being in use for years because there are no boundaries. Until Violet gets hold of it.

I hold up the fence for Peeta first, and he ducks through. He does the same for me, and I take his hand once again. I look at the meadow, which is still green and growing more each day, even though no one puts any effort to seed it.

We are travelling to District 2 by foot, since there is no other way. I had a long talk with Peeta, convincing him we need Gale if we're starting another rebellion. I just don't know if Gale will agree, since his job is practically working for Panem, well the District. No one is supposed to refer to the districts as districts, since they don't exist any more. But that's the only way people think of it. Gale works for the government that manage 2, and soon he will be convicted of being a peacekeeper for it. I will have to get him out before that happens.

I still hate him, more than anything, pretty much. But that doesn't mean I don't need him for this. Lots of people have died, mostly in the rebellion, but he's still here, and he's valuable to our mission.

Peeta looks wary, the cold air hitting us, relaxing for me, but his teeth chatter. I don't know if we can go very far in a day, but if we can get to at least 11, we may get some other transport. I heard they have tamed horses, and that's being there way of transport for years, ever since you could get out of the District.

We walk across farms, deserted houses and ashes, people living on the border of two districts, raising children somewhere where they can't say they once lived in horror. Somewhere that's not a District.

"How long is the walk?" Peeta asks, his hand breaking away from mine and dug into his pocket.

"I'm not sure. All I know is the Districts have gotten closer due to the fact people can actually move around. I'm sure it'll only take a few hours to get to 11." I say, not really the answer he was looking for, but that's all I can give. I'm sure we can stay in 11 for a night, if they're willing to give us a room or barn.

Although 11 is even more haunting to me than 12, it's still nicer than it was. It's more of a farming place now, not as many buildings, more meadows, and they completely destroyed the stage Peeta and I gave our Victory Tour speech at. I don't know why, but it doesn't feel like Rue lived there anymore. It feels like some placid memory, and the only thing that scares me is Rue, ghostly roaming the streets and fields. If only I could've saved her, she would grow up watching her home changing.

"I still don't think this is a good idea." Peeta states, his steps slower than mine.

"It's our only choice. We need to get someone that can help." I reply.

"There's always Haymitch." Peeta suggests, shrugging.

I almost laugh at the thought of Haymitch fighting in a rebellion, he can't even go to sleep without a knife in his hand. What if he accidentally killed a member of our team when they came to wake him up? Not to mention he's an alcoholic, getting drunk while we on our way? He's not stable for these things, and I'm probably not either, but I know what I'm doing. He couldn't come with us the first time, and he may be some help but not enough to destroy what's left of The Capitol.

"No. He will plan it out to the least, but I think he's still going to be worn out for whatever is the rest of his life. Gale knows what to do, well, he didn't know then but I can assure he'll know now." I reply, swallowing my fear.

Peeta can't though, he sinks to his knees and curls his hands into fists. Nightmares. Flashbacks. There's no hiding from them out here. I stand back, cautious. They will end soon, as they go through a specific moment or random. I knew it was a bad idea, getting him into this, exposed to all the pain, but I can't go through it without him.