LOVELY

~ 3.12 ~

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'This is the end.
Hold your breath and count to ten.
Feel the earth move and then.
Hear my heart burst again.'
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Darkness had become the new routine for Peeta and Indiana. Since the move into the new cells, their days had been filled with fear. Every footstep, every voice, every echo sent a jolt of terror skittering down their spines.
However, they had yet to be told what was happening to them and so they spend every second waiting for the Peacekeepers to drag them to their deaths.

Their cells didn't have light and so they had adjusted to life in the darkness. Food was shoved through a slot in the door at random intervals and they were regularly given fresh water. Luckily, their cells had working toilets so they didn't have to worry about chamber pots being used.

Unfortunately, life got worse when Peeta was removed from his cell one night and never returned.

Plunged into darkness day and night, Indiana had no idea of the chaos that would soon befall her. All she knew was that without Peeta as her cheerful companion, her heart broke more and more with each passing hour until she was unable to move from her position on the bed.

She was going to die in this place, all alone and wasting away.

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His heart pounded.
His hands sweat.
His breath came out shakily.

Sword strapped to his back, guns in holsters at his waist, Cato was terrified.

Next to him, Gale was bouncing his leg violently and he was wringing his hands hard enough that his knuckles had turned a violent shade of white.

Unfortunately, Finnick had been denied the opportunity to join the rescue mission due to his instability but Coin had gladly let Cato armour up. However, unbeknownst to him, Coin expected the mission to fail miserably had no qualms about losing Cato in the ongoing battle between the Capitol.

What if she was already dead?
What if she hated him for taking so long?
What if there wasn't much of her left?

Millions of thoughts raced through Cato's head, as the possibility of having Indiana in his arms became a reality. Brief moments of joy clenched his heart painfully before guilt and regret settled over him once more. It was highly likely that she was already dead and it would be the universe's way of repaying Cato for giving up on the woman he loved. Her death would be the most perfect punishment.

"We're going to get them back," said Gale with determination, staring at the floor with an intense glare. "We have to. If we fail, we don't get another chance."

Somehow, Cato didn't think Gale was doing this for purely selfless reasons. He had something to prove, whether it was to Katniss or himself, Gale was determined to succeed in this mission regardless of the danger to his life.

"Then we better not fail." Cato said with equal determination.

Failing was not an option. Listening intently to the briefing, Cato exhaled deeply as he slotted his earpiece in and braved himself. The hover jet came to a stop and the soldiers prepared themselves for battle. This was truly happening.

Either Cato rescued the tortured prisoners or he died tonight.

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Over the week since she had been thrown into the endless pit of darkness, Indiana had managed to learn a lot about the two Peacekeepers outside of her cell.

Before her new form of imprisonment, the only time she had seen her two guards was when they were dragging her to and from the torture chamber. In those moments, they had always been silent, ignoring her questions or slight whimpers of pain. However, now that they had to be stationed outside of her room to ensure there was no chance of her escaping, her only entertainment was listening to the pair of them converse.

The younger of the two had watched the Games and was shocked that Indiana had died, only to be trapped here. The eldest tended to avoid talking about the Games and the prisoners but Indiana had learnt that his eldest son had also died in the Games. Apparently this Peacekeeper was born and bred in District Two and so made the commute from Two to the Capitol every week.

Hearing their voices had become somewhat of a comfort for the isolated girl but every day, resentment for them grew. They were ensuring she died in this place of darkness and loneliness. They had been responsible for the many scars she now bore, physically and mentally.

Sighing deeply to herself, Indiana mourned the person she had once been. Strong, brave and full of life. Now, she was broken, beaten and defeated – a shell of the person she had once been.

Closing her eyes – not for the first time – she wished for death to claim her fractured soul.

"It won't be long." Mr Kentwell's voice reverberated around the padded room.

Shooting up, Indiana was shocked to see the older man in her room. It had been a while since she had last seen Marvel, which had only plunged her into further darkness but now his father was beside her.

"You've been so strong, petal." Mrs Kentwell smiled down at the young woman she had thought would become her daughter-in-law one day.

"Not much longer, sweetheart."

Due to seeing photos of the young woman, Indiana knew that the blonde stood before her was her mother. However, actually seeing the woman in the flesh made the despaired girl freeze. She always thought she would run into her mother's arms upon being reunited but actually, Indiana wanted to hug Mrs Kentwell more than anything. Whilst the image of her mother was supposed to be encouraging, the woman before her was nothing but a stranger.

"Not long until what?" Indiana trembled.

Was Death coming for her soon? Would her suffering be over?

"Just hold on, sweetie." Mr Kentwell patted her on the head affectionately before the three figures disappeared.

A commotion sounded from outside her door and the frightened girl overheard the elder Peacekeeper informing the younger to guard her as he checked out the loud noise in the adjacent corridor. Loud bangs sounded from a distant, followed by a profanity from the Peacekeeper. Huddling under the thin blanket, Indiana shook from anxiety as she wondered what on earth could be happening.

Then, the sirens went off.

Yes, Mr Kentwell was right.

It wouldn't be long indeed.

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'When it crumbles.
We will stand tall.
Face it all together.
At skyfall.'
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