100th Hunger Games

Chapter 4 ~ The Train Ride

Chapter 4 ~ The Train Ride

(Katniss POV)

Gale. My best friend, my hunting partner. In the Hunger Games. With Peeta.

'This isn't good' I was surprised when my voice comes out as barely a whisper.

'We have no idea what he is going to do' Peeta says. 'He might kill me, because you loved me instead of him, or he could want me as an ally, to keep me alive to keep you happy' Peeta has a point. 'Or he could just see me as another tribute and not get biased'

I try to think like Gale. If our positions were switched would I kill Peeta, save Peeta, or not do anything to Peeta. I think back to the conversation they had 25 years ago, where we were hiding out in Tigris' fur underwear shop. They spoke almost like friends, not fighting over me or arguing. That could be enough for Gale to see them as, well, not exactly friends but ally's at least.

'Gale isn't one to kill for sport. So killing for revenge is kind of for sport so...' I say, a little unsure

'Poor Hazelle' says Rose. I forgot she was here. 'She could loose a second child to the Hunger Games, I wonder what Gale must be feeling. He lost his sister to the Games, nearly lost mum twice to the Games and now he has to go into the Games where his best friend slash girl he likes' husband is in the Games also. Hazelle must be feeling distraught, she would feel guilty to hope that dad dies in order for her son to return, but would feel guilty if she hoped her son would die if Peeta returns as well'

I suddenly feel ashamed. Here I am, thinking of Gale as a piece of the Games (A/N The quote from Peeta on the training centre roof in the first Hunger Games). Wondering if he is going to be a problem the gamemakers created, to attack or befriend. Gale has family, he has history of the games, not direct history, second hand (me and posy). One look at Peeta and I see he is feeling the same way I am. Rose catches on and opens her mouth to... I don't know... tell us off?

But Haymitch comes in at that moment and trips over a chair leg. 3 Guesses of what he is in right now (A/N starts with D ends in runk [Drunk]). Thank goodness Peeta has had experience in the Games, Haymitch is not coping well and is drinking way more than he used too. Ripper is making more business than usual, thanks to Haymitch.

'Ahhh___what ya watching? The reaping' He asks, Pooping the 'P'

Rose is about to answer but Haymitch chooses that time to vomit over the floor (again) slip over (again) and Peeta and I have to carry Haymitch to the bathtub (again). But unlike the first Games, Peeta asks for the capitol attendants to clean him up.

After lunch Rose goes into her own train car devoted completely to her paintings. I think they are magnificent, but Rose thinks they're average paintings and anyone can do them. I laughed, and asked her if she had seen me paint anything before, which caused her to laugh.

Last summer Peeta somehow convinced me into letting him teach me to paint. He said we'd start on something easy and pulled out a top hat. Peeta drew an outline on his paper and I tried to copy. After I finished painting it Haymitch came round and saw us painting. He complemented Peeta's top hat and said my shoe wasn't too bad either. My shoe. I had drawn a top hat and somehow, it looked like a shoe. Long story short I have never painted anything since.

Peeta grabs my hand and takes me to a compartment. I grin when I see there are candles everywhere with Peeta's famous cheese buns! My favourite food of all time. I ignore the candles and go straight to the tower of cheese buns. I take the top one and start eating it, completely forgetting that Peeta is there.

'Just wanted to surprise you, just so if I don't come back, you'll have something to look back on'

I give Peeta an angry stare.

'Peeta, you're coming back, now don't mention that again'

The romantic gesture Peeta has done was just in case he died.

'Besides, you said you wouldn't leave me alone with Finnick and Rose, and who is going to make me cheese buns? I won't survive 3 days without you'

I'm curious to see how he can get out of that one, considering he said those exact words (more or less) at the Justice Building.

'Katniss, be serious I...'

'Were you not being serious in the Justice Building? Because you promised Rose that...'

'I know what I promised!' Peeta is yelling now. 'But can you seriously think I can survive this? I only survived the last two because of you Katniss. Don't you see, I'm not coming back this time, how can I with a field of 36, and probably Gale trying to hunt me down and kill me. Katniss, I may not be lucky this...'

'Don't think like that, you don't need luck, I'm a mentor now, I can secure sponsors Peeta, together, Haymitch and I can keep you alive'

'Don't waste any sponsors on me, Rose needs them more than I do'

'Sponsors will think of the Games as father and daughter, they will split the money between you two and...'

'Well don't let them'

'She's not weak Peeta, she doesn't need any special treatment, Rose has an equal chance of surviving as you do'

'I DON'T WANT SPONSORS, I'M NOT COMING BACK SO THERE IS NO POINT LINING UP FOR ME!'

'STOP IT!' I'm yelling now too. 'Peeta, you have a family, we need you to come back, what do you think Rose will do if she see's your name in the sky? You may be in separate arenas but you get the same broadcast...'

'Please, stop yelling' I turn to see Rose. Annie, who obviously has been listening, comforts her tear-streaked face. Behind them are the other tributes from 12, looking shocked.

'What do you think you guys are doing?' Tessa looks from me to Peeta and back to me. I struggle for words as I scan everyone.

'Come with me' Says Peeta, grabbing Rose and I's hands and dragging us to Rose's compartment. Rose starts speaking before we have a chance to explain.

'We could here you from the dining car' I nod. Not knowing what else to do. 'Dad...' Tears spill from her eyes as she looks at Peeta.

'Rose you have to understand...'

'I'm fourteen, I understand enough. I've seen your Games, I've learned all there is to it. Dad, you stand a chance. You promised me.'

'Yes. But...'

'But what?' She asks, voice rising. She may be only fourteen but Rose definitely inherited my fight. 'What if our positions were reversed? What would you do if or when my picture appears in the sky. You wouldn't have any fight left in you would you?'

Her voice is trembling but I notice something flicker in Peeta's eyes.

'Rose' I whisper, my voice only loud enough for her to hear, but she either didn't hear me or ignored me.

'To keep me alive, stay ali...' Peeta suddenly lurches towards me, knocking me to the ground.

'HAYMITCH!' I yell, hoping he is sober enough to realise Peeta is having another episode.

Jackson appears moments later, Annie by his side. Annie just sits in the corner of the hall with her hands over her ears.

Peeta is screaming 'mutt' all over the place flailing his arms around. Jackson runs in and saves Rose from being hit by an airborne vase, pushing her out of the way seconds before it hit her.

Just as Rose and Jackson run, Haymitch arrives, he pins Peeta down and screams at me to run, I'm about to flee when I feel something hit my head and everything goes black.