Reunited // Finnick Odair

Chapter 7

I sit on the edge of the comfy sofa, knees up, arms wrapped tightly around them, my chin resting on my knees. Cinna is beside me, Haymitch and Effie on his other side. We're all watching the projection intently. Katniss and Peeta. All 22 of the other tributes gone. These Games have been rough from start to finish. Katniss was a natural survivor, hiding from the Careers. I was angered when Peeta joined them but soon his intentions were revealed to protect Katniss. He really does love her, I can see it. And the Capitol was all in favour of their romance ever since he announced his feelings for her when he was interviewed by Caesar. We all shed a tear when Rue died, Haymitch and I sharing a troubled look when she did the three-fingered kiss and salute that District 12 did to her on Reaping Day. We knew this mean trouble. And now I am terrified to lose either Katniss or Peeta, having grown attached to them throughout their time in the Capitol.

Effie is in tears. I haven't let out a breath since Claudius Templesmith announced that instead of two victors, there's only to be one.

''If you think about it, it's not that surprising,'' Peeta says softly. He looks pained as he tries to stand, the injury in his leg deep and serious. He moves towards Katniss and pulls his knife from his belt. Katniss reacts quickly, loading her bow and pointing it at Peeta's heart. Effie gasps loudly. Peeta raises his eyebrows as he drops the knife into the lake beside them. Katniss lets her bow fall to the floor and steps back.

''No,'' Peeta stops her. ''Do it.''

He limps towards her and hands her back her weapons. No, Peeta, no...

''I can't,'' Katniss says. ''I won't.''

''Do it. Before they send those mutts back or something. I don't want to die like Cato,''

''Then you shoot me!'' Katniss puts the weapons into Peeta's hands angrily. ''You shoot me and go home and live with it!''

''You know I can't,'' Peeta says simply, throwing away the weapons. ''Fine, I'll go first anyway.''

He removes the bandage from his leg, his blood slowly seeping out again.

Katniss drops to her knees, attempting to bandage his wound back up. ''No, you can't kill yourself,''

''Katniss, it's what I want,''

I am vaguely aware of the silent tears sliding down my cheeks. I wipe them away with the sleeve of my .

''You're not leaving me here alone,'' Katniss frowns.

''Listen,'' Peeta pulls Katniss to their feet. ''We both know they have to have a victor. It can only be one of us. Please, take it. For me,''

Katniss isn't listening as Peeta talks about how much he loves her. How his life without her wouldn't be worth living. Katniss' hand reaches to the pouch on her belt, freeing it. Peeta stops talking and grabs her wrist.

''No, I won't let you,''

''Trust me,'' Katniss whispers in reply.

I narrow my eyes as Katniss pours the deadly Nightlock berries into his palm and then into her own. Realisation floods my mind and I suck in a breath, not daring to make a sound. ''On the count of three?'' Katniss asks.

Peeta reaches down and plants a gentle kiss on her lips. ''On the count of three,'' he confirms.

They stand, backs pressed together, free hands clasped together tightly.

''Hold them out. I want everyone to see,'' Peeta tells Katniss.

She holds them out and takes a deep breath. ''One,''

Effie sobs loudly. Cinna reaches for my hand and holds it tight. Haymitch watches intently.

''Two,''

I squeeze my eyes shut and clutch Cinna's hand.

''Three.''

I open my eyes to watch Katniss and Peeta place the berries inside their mouths and tears swim in my eyes.

But then the trumpets blare. And then we hear Claudius Templesmith announce the familiar words, only in a frantic state.

''Stop! Stop! Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! I give you - the tributes of District Twelve!''

Effie lets out a gasp and then a cheerful yelp. I release Cinna's hand and breathe a sigh of relief before looking over at Haymitch. He throws me a knowing look. This means trouble. Back on the projection, the pair spit out the berries and wash their mouths out with the lake water before wrapping their arms around each other. I can see their lips moving but I have no idea what they're saying due to the loud anthem of the Capitol playing throughout the arena. And then the hovercraft appears. And then they're free.

''Time to go!'' Effie announces, standing up and brushing off the imaginary dirt from her skirt and leading the three of us out of the door and towards the Training Center just as Katniss and Peeta touch down. Peeta is being escorted elsewhere, probably to fix his leg whilst Katniss is stuck behind some kind of glass door. She begins to throw herself against it, trying to reach Peeta, shrieking and yelling. Effie tries to reach her but someone sticks a needle in her and she slumps to the floor, unconscious.