The Wrong Victor

Chapter thirty-seven: Finnick

"Annie, sweetheart, it's okay. You're doing okay." Haymitch says. He doesn't call her sweetheart. He calls Katniss sweetheart. I look to Katniss who looks up slightly at the nickname. "You're okay sweetheart. You're safe. It's okay."

"Safe real or not real?" Katniss asks softly her voice shaking as she buries her face back in Peeta's neck.

"Real." Peeta tells her with a smile.

I smile at them as I rub Prim's back and look at my wife. She's so beautiful, absolutely glowing in the bright sun of district Four. Her small baby bump has gotten a little bigger. She's safe. She's in district Four for now.

"I would like to announce that as the war is nearing its close I will be staying in district Four to prepare for my child." Annie says and I smile. Good. She's not going back. She's safe. She's with Haymitch. They're not going back to Thirteen. "Please stay safe as the war comes to an end. And Finnick please do what is right. Please turn yourself in as soon as possible." She blinks out 'come home soon' as she speaks. "Thank you for your time."

The broadcast ends and I look over at Katniss who has fallen asleep on Peeta. I look down to see Prim knocked out as well. I kiss Prim's head and keep her close as I sigh. "Coin is pissed off with us running off."

"Good." Peeta says as he rubs Katniss' back and plays with her hair. "Is Annie going to be safe?"

"Yeah, she is. She said she's staying in District Four. Haymitch will probably stay with her. So, they're going to be safe from Coin for the most part." I sigh out as I close my eyes. "I hate to ask this, but could we sneak to District Four?"

"Good question." Peeta runs his hand through his hair. "It would be a dangerous trip. We'd have to deal with wild animals, the girls. It would be difficult. If we could get a train or one of the peacemaker vehicles it would be easier, but I don't know how to drive either of those and I doubt anyone will let us."

I nod along with what he says because it makes sense. We don't know how to drive, we don't have any vehicles, and we can't use the train. Getting to District Four will be impossible. "So we stay here until the war ends and try to find a way home? I'm just saying Peeta now would be the time to go. Everyone is distracted with the war."

"Does this place have a map?" Peeta asks and I gently lay Prim down on his lap before getting up to investigate.

I check desks, the library, the five different studies, not a single map. Until I get to the bedroom. I shiver as I walk in, memories flooding me as I remember the stench of his breath, the weight of his body. I quickly rip the framed map off the wall before racing back.

"Okay, so he had his house marked on the map, thank god." I point out to the dot that is pretty damn close to the edge of the Capitol near the bottom of District Seven and the top of District Two. "We could exit somewhere over here and either go into the woods of Seven or down into the mountains of Two."

"What's the gap between the Districts?" Peeta asks reaching out to trace the lines a little.

"Roads, the roads peacemakers travel on between Districts, they also hold the train rail. So, not the safest for travel." I run a hand through my hair as I look at the map. "We could cut a straight line through the woods of Seven and into District Ten. Go straight through and bam we're in District Four and I can find my way home. We'll have to cross three roads. The first between the Capitol and Seven. But that is the road that was damaged from when Seven destroyed the dam. So we should be able to cross without too much trouble. Especially with everyone being evacuated to the center. Then Seven to Ten, there will be fencing to keep the livestock in the pens but I'm sure we'll make it through. Then Ten to Four. Sneaking in and out of Four is how I grew up. I would sneak into Two often. So we'll be fine as long as they are still busy with the war and not busy with rogue victors."

Peeta worries his lip as he mulls it over. "My only issue is we only have what we can carry, and I know with Prim and Katniss we'll have to carry them at some points during the trip. It won't be easy. Using the scale it's about how many miles?"

I quickly measure it out and frown. "810. With us walking 10 hours a day it will take nearly a month to get home." I rub my face and look up at Peeta. "But I would much rather spend that time getting home than staying here with the possibility of getting caught and killed by either of the assholes." I'm careful not to mention the names knowing Katniss would not react well.

"I'm with you. But we'll need to collect a lot of supplies. Make sure we have food or at least a good water source first. I'm sure with our experiences in the games plus Katniss' in twelve, we can survive. Plus isn't this terrain flat for the most part as long as we avoid District Two?"

"Yeah, it's all mainly flat terrain. Minus the little bit we'll be in Seven. It's a bit rocky and bumpy. It'll take a few days to get through Seven, but after that it's flat. We'll need to take a calendar or make one to take with us so we can keep track of the days."

"Then it's a plan. They're already looking for us so Coin thinks she's won. We need to evacuate as soon as possible. Start getting on the move."

"We'll start packing tomorrow and set out the next morning before the sun rises."

Peeta nods and looks down at our two girls.

I lean over and give them both kisses to their hair. "We'll keep them safe, Peeta. I swear on my life, they are our priority. They make it out alive."