I Promise to Get You Out of There

Chapter 2

The hovercraft speeds towards District 13, everyone is quiet, besides the beeping of the sensor that will alert us to any Capitol aircrafts. After about 3 minutes, Plutarch gives us the all-clear. Everyone exhales in relief. Gale turns to me, "It's pretty bad down there, huh?" He says. "Yeah," I say, "I could hardly recognize it." I said, sadly. "Has Haymitch seen it?" I ask him, he shakes his head. I snort, figures. I haven't seen Haymitch since he told me that Katniss was taken by the Capitol.

"We couldn't find Katniss, Beetee had taken her tracker out, but by then she had run off in search of you". He had said. "So where is she now?" I asked, afraid of what my answer would be. "Peeta, Katniss is in the Capitol." He said, carefully analyzing my reaction. I carefully took some deep breaths, "she's gone?" I had asked, to clarify. Haymitch nodded carefully. I scowled, "what happened to our promise, Haymitch?! To save her and not me?! How could you let this happen?!" I yelled before launching myself at him and punching his lights out.

Apparently he was now in some kind of holding cell while they carefully are weaning him off alcohol. "How's the sobering up coming along?" I asked Gale, he grimaced, "he's struggling" he said. I nodded, good. Any sympathy I once had towards Haymitch is long gone. "What about Finnick?" I asked with a little more concern. Gale nodded, "he's holding up, out of the mentally unstable category now, although still not entirely reliable". He said, I frowned, "yeah, I know how that feels" I said. Gale grunted and stood up to look out the window, he clearly isn't holding up either.

I pull my sleeve back to check my schedule. Everyone is stamped with a schedule in 13, there is absolutely no time to be late for anything. It's a little like being at school, except much more structured. Katniss would have hated it. Still, I would give anything to have her out of the Capitol. 18:00 - Reflection. That means I'll have 20 minutes to check on Prim and her mother. They have shown the most support and sort of feel like my family now.

Suddenly the engine shuts off and the groan of the door opening is audible. Alerting us that we've landed. I descend the steps eagerly, something about the hovercraft uneases me, reminds me too much of the Games.

I head towards Compartment 207, where the Everdeen's are situated, Katniss's mother isn't coping well with her gone, but as far as I can tell, she's staying strong for Prim. They're in their compartment for reflection time. "Peeta!" Prim squeals as she jumps up to hug me. I laugh and give her a squeeze, before turning to Mrs. Everdeen and handing over the hunting jacket with a small smile. "Thank you, Peeta" she says holding it to her tightly.

Suddenly the sack starts to yowl, Prim's eyes light up before I reach in and pull Buttercup out. "Buttercup!" She laughs, hugging the grumpy cat. "He must have survived the bombings" I say, "I found him in your house, probably looking for you". This seems to make her smile and I'm glad I went back to district 12.

18:20 comes around and it's time to head down to dinner. We were walking when Gale comes up behind me, "Soldier Mellark, you are wanted in command", he says before signaling me to to follow him. I bid Prim and Mrs. Everdeen goodbye before following Gale down to command.

"Gale," I say, as we walk, he inclines his head to signal that he's listening. "I would really be more comfortable if you please called me Peeta, this whole 'soldier Mellark' stuff is a little daunting" I say, looking at my shoes. Gale laughs, "do you find me daunting, Peeta?" He asks in an innocent tone, slowing his pace so we're walking side-by-side. Now it's my turn to laugh, "to be perfectly honest, yes" I say and we both laugh. Maybe Gale and I could be friends?

As soon as we walk into command though, the smiles are wiped from our faces. Caesar Flickerman is on the big screen and all of the officials are crowded around his image. "So would you please join me in welcoming, Katniss Everdeen, The Girl On Fire!" He shouts dramatically as the audience applauds. My eyes widen and my gut drops, I'm frozen in place for what feels like minutes but could have only been miliseconds. What will I be confronted with? What have they done to her? Why are they interviewing her?