Pure Torture: a Hunger Games Fanfiction

Chapter 12

When I finish my interview with Cressida, Finnick begins his. It's for sure, he's outdone me. He doesn't talk about Annie. He talks about secrets.

He explains how in the Capitol, he was sold. His body, at least. He says that instead of being paid in money, his patrons paid him in something that proved to be even better. Secrets. Tales of deceit and lies are told about The Capitol's Elite. But then, he moves on to the best secrets of all. The ones about President Snow. He tells of how he rose to power, and how he managed to keep it. Poison.

Finnick explains about the Rose perfume he wears, and how it's to cover up the scent of blood on his breath from sores that will never heal.

When he finishes, everyone is silent. He's been amazing. He has definitely outdone me, but I don't mind. I'm glad he has, because now we have an even better chance of getting in to get them out.
--
The rescue team left early this morning so they could fly without notice. Of course, Gale went. I know he went in case they found Katniss. Boggs went too, being a military commander he basically had to. But the mission was volunteer only, so I think he wanted to. The rest of the people I don't recognize.

It's during dinner when I'm called into command. I find Finnick and stand next to him. Plutarch explains how a break in the District 5 Dam has totally destroyed it, knocking out most power in the Capitol. He explains how it's perfect timing, and that Beetee has found a way to jam up their whole system with the Propo.

And then it starts.

I watch, as i hear Finnick's words over again. It's a very long Propo, but that's good I guess. I watch as Finnick smiles at his own words, probably embarassed a little. I'm so worried that Katniss is dead, I tune everything out.

The next thing I know, the communications with the Rescue team is being corrupted. Finnick's Propo is cut off and comes back on, only to cut off again. It's a battle between Beetee and the Capitol Tech-Masters. He struggles to keep it going, but he makes it work for at least 1 minute more. Then, all communication is totally shut off.

My heart stops. My head quickly turns to Finnick. He looks at me, pure terror in both of our eyes.
"Oh my God..." He says.
"What if they don't get out?!" I ask, nobody in particular.

Beetee frantically tries to contact the team. Finnick and I are stunned at what's just happened.

He turns to me again, and I can see the broken man he's turned into. He's not the same man who I allied with in the Quell, or the cocky man at the Interview for the Games either.

"Peeta, what if they don't come back? What if we lose them? What if we lose Annie and Johanna? Oh my god! We're going to lose them." He says, beginning to freak out.

Someone sees us, still in the room. They order us out, and when we refuse, they have no use but to sedate us. We're both going wild with fear and grief.
--

I wake up in the hospital, Finnick one bed over. My wake is short-lived, and I fall back to sleep almost instantly.

It feels as if it's been a minute when I'm shaken awake by someone. I'm disoriented at first, not knowing what's going on. I realize it's Haymitch.
"What time is it?" I ask groggily.
"It's a little past midnight." Haymitch says quickly.
"Why did you wake me?" I ask.
"Finnick's already awake. They're back." He says.
"What?!" I ask loudly. Before I can ask about Katniss, he cuts me off
"-- I don't know. All they told me is that they're back." Haymitch replies. I jump out of bed. Haymitch tells me I'm to change into normal clothing before coming out. I throw on my District 13 uniform before rushing out to where Finnick and Haymitch are standing. There are tears in my eyes. I need to see her body. Nobody will tell me if she's dead or alive.

I watch as a woman with red hair races at Finnick when he utters her name.
"Annie? Annie!" He yells. He runs to her and they hug and kiss.

I'm happy for him, but I must admit I'm jealous.

Then I see Johanna. She's nearly bald, and she looks pretty bad. She's badly cut and bruised.

I see Gale and I can't help but run to him.
I see tears in his eyes. I know she's dead. She must be dead.
"Gale? Is she alive?" I ask, frantically.
He bites his lip.
"I don't know. If she is, she still hasn't woken up from the Gas we had to deploy. She's in there. We got her out."
"Thank you." I say through tears.
He gives me a sad smile.

I walk to the room and open the doors.

There she is. Is she dead? Is she alive? A team of doctors is surrounding her.
"There's a pulse!" One yells.
She's alive. I begin to cry. She's alive!

I walk over to her as all the guards move away. She's not awake yet.

Every minute that passes feels like an hour. But finally, I see her eyelids flutter.

"Katniss?" I say, calmly.

She opens her eyes and flinches, startled. I look into her eyes. They're tired and puffy. But they're hers. I watch as something strange happens.

Her pupils dilate and her heart-rate speeds up. Then they contract, almost to pinpoints. Then they return to normal. They're glassy with tears.

"Peeta?" She whispers.

I take ahold of her cold, fragile hand.
"It's okay. You're okay. I'm here with you. Don't worry." I say, as if comforting a child.

Tears flow out of her eyes.
She inhaled sharply, and her heart rate speeds again.

"I'm sorry. This is all my fault!" She says, her voice breaking.

"Katniss, what are you talking about?" I ask, "it's okay! You're fine."
She sits up. I follow her gaze to a medical tool tray next to her bed. I'm about to ask her what she's doing, but I'm confused.

She grabs a sharp tool, and clenches it in her hands. For a second, I think she's going to come at me. She takes a deep breath and let's out a short sob.

Then she takes the sharp tool, and turns it towards herself.