Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 54

I wake up to find myself alone. For a minute I panic almost believing that I'd dreamt the whole thing, of being rescued and seeing Peeta and Rue again. The door opens slowly and Peeta leans against the door frame smiling at me.

"Good afternoon sleepyhead"

"Oh hi, is it really afternoon, I've never slept that late before, you're kidding me right?" I say sitting up.

"Fraid' not babe, get ready. I've gotta go to Command but first I've a surprise for you"

I quickly get dressed, quickly eat something and meet Peeta by our front door. He's dressed tactfully in a grey suit, a long coat and a thin scarf draped loosely round his shoulders. I'm a little disappointed that Rue's not here but I guess Megan must of took her out somewhere. I step up on tiptoes and give Peeta a quick peck on the lips.
"I'm ready for my surprise" I say excitedly.
Peeta just winks mischievously and holds the door open for me to leave.

He leads me down to medical and then onto a corridor which only appears to have one room on it. I can hear arguing and shouting, it's my Mom and a patient who obviously isn't interested in following  orders. Peeta hangs back and smiles. I look at him and he says nothing as he just nods at the open doorway. I slowly walk down the corridor, confused as to what's happening but when I get closer I recognise the voice that's yelling at my Mom. A broad smile creeps across my face as I stride into the room and see Cato sat up in bed pointing a finger at my mother while he yells at her.

"Is he causing you problems Mom?" I say trying to keep a straight face. Cato turns to face me with an embarrassed look.

"Oh, I didn't know she was your Mom, I'm sorry" he says looking at my Mother who stares at him with a look of thunder. She shakes her head, hands me a small plastic cup with his medication, glares at him then leaves the room in exasperation.

I come round and sit on the edge of his bed. "How the hell did you get out of there, I thought he'd killed you?" I say holding his hand I mine.

"Nah, you can't get rid of me that easily"

I unfold his fingers and tip the content of the plastic cup pills into his palm. "You should take these" I say as I take a glass of water from his nightstand and hand it to him.

"I told your Mom I'm a muttation, I don't need meds"

"Take em" I say sternly.

He sighs, takes the pills and swallows them down with the water.

"There's a Good boy" I tease as I place the glass back where I found it.

"So what happened in the arena, where'd you disappear too?" I ask.

"I honestly don't know, I remember waking up in the tunnel to find you weren't there. I ate the food and passed out again. Then I woke up in the woods a long way from the meadow, I had to run like hell to get back to you"

"And just in time too, you saved my life again" I say looking down shyly.

"Yeah well, after that we fought while you got away, he stabbed me in the arm then threw me to the ground. I tried to get up but he stamped on my leg breaking it. The pain was pretty bad"

"I heard you scream out, I thought he'd killed you"

"No, he could've if he wanted, I was beaten but he had to get after you so he left me to the flames but your husband found me, both me and Kitt got out alive. The rest of the mutts all died"

I lean down and give him a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"What was that for?" He says frowning.

"For saving my life"