Conclusions

[fuelforthefire]

It's been two days since I remember seeing the first reports about the murder int he park. Other than making a note to stay out of that area, and to mention it to the others, I'd not paid much attention. Even hearing that the woman was stabbed repeatedly by a number of different swords didn't make me tie it to home, only that there were some crazy people out there.

But when reports of a band of teenagers with swords and axes start surfacing, I can't help but be reminded of the Games. When there's another death reported in this morning's paper, along with a blurry cell phone photo of four identically-dressed youth holidng what could very well be those weapons my stomach bottoms out. It was taken the day before by some person near the edge of town, and there's been no sign of them since, only the body, also stabbed with swords.

I text everyone, Katniss, Finnick, Prim and Effie first. Tell them to stay safe and that we need to meet at Katniss' house as soon as we can. I send a message to Claudia telling her I'm worried about something, and I'll check in on her later, and for her to be careful. I make an excuse to my boss at the bakery, stuffing the paper in my bag and heading out. It's worth taking a cab, I decide, wanting to be home quickly. I have him drop me off at my house, though, not Katniss', coming via our path in the woods that separate the two places.

All I want is for them to tell me that I'm crazy. That this can't be the Capitol. That this is all a coincidence and those aren't Tributes running around our city. I don't think that they'll be able to.

Comments

[fuelforthefire]

It takes too long to get there, and I know that they have to be worrying about my texts. It was vague at best, just telling them I had information and they needed to stay safe.

"Katniss," I call out her name even as I knock on the door, opening it and looking in carefully. I see her and take a breath of relief. She's not dead, they haven't gotten to her. "You're here."

[vocalfuel]

"I'm here," I say with a quick nod, chest tight as I look at him. It's not difficult to tell that whatever he sent us messages about is something serious, confirming what I'd been worrying before he even says anything about it. For now, I try just to be glad that he's made it here safely, glancing out the window to make sure there's no one else coming towards the door. "Everyone's fine."

[fuelforthefire]

"Good," I say, even though it's the only good thing about this. I'm not sure how to start, thrusting the paper out toward her with a frown. "I think they're tributes. Here, in Darrow."

[vocalfuel]

I don't read so much as skim, gaze darting over the picture and article too quickly to really take it all in. It's the idea that matters more so than the details, and I pick up on that easily enough, drawing in a sharp breath when I look up at Peeta again. "This just happened?"

[fuelforthefire]

"Past couple days I guess," I say softly, scrubbing my hand through my hair to try and steady myself. I feel like I'm on edge, like adrenaline I hadn't realised built up has suddenly vanished, leaving me nervous and worried. "We have to find them."