[Six - Right Through The Eye] [Wonderland Plot]

[the_effect_she_has]

[When the journal opens, there are drops of water that drip down on the page. They are erratic, so it is not rain. The faint smell of salt comes from them, and when the shaky writing appears ... well, you can only assume they are tears. Because they are.]

Peeta is ... gone. He's gone ... home.

[There are more spatters on the page, and then a shaky breath.]

Peeta is gone, and there's a mirror here in the front hall. Since I don't have anything left to lose, I figured I'd just go through it. And if I die? All the better.

[There's the angry wiping of her eyes.] I don't care anymore, do you understand? You took the boy I loved, and I don't care what happens to me now. So you can go to Hell, Castle. Straight to Hell.

[She breaths out.] See you on the other side.

Comments

[valuedstrength]

[Steve is going to be rolling up to the scene right about now. He is probably a sight with his blonde hair disheveled from running and a shield strapped to his back, but he doesn't really care. All he knows is that he has to stop her.]

I know you're hurting right now, but this can't be the way you deal with it. Think of what your friends and Peeta would want and stop trying to throw your life away. Please.

[the_effect_she_has]

[God. Damnit. Steve. She glowers at him, her pack and her weapons clenched in her grip.]

I don't have a life without him! He was all I had left and now he's gone too! You don't understand - you don't know what I know!

[valuedstrength]

[Steve doesn't hesitate to nod. He knows he doesn't understand. His life has never been a walk in the park, but it was practically heaven compared to what little he knows of Katniss, Rue, and Peeta. Aside from their friendship, that's why he's here. Someone has to fight for their well being.]

You're right. I don't know what you know. I can't understand what you've been through. I do know something about losing someone who means the world to you. [His mother, Bucky, and eventually everyone and everything he will ever get the chance to know and care for.]

You have to keep going no matter how painful it is. I think you know that, Katniss.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She lifted her chin at him, grey eyes bright with anger and pain.]

And you think that's going to stop me from going through that mirror? You don't think I'm not going to go anyways? I don't know if he's alive, Steve! I don't know what happens to him, because I don't know what's happened to me!

[valuedstrength]

[Steve is quiet a moment. It stings that Peeta and Katniss could end up like Rue. He manages to push it down and keep focused on the now.]

You're going to find out one way or another eventually. I know it hasn't been good for either you so far, but that doesn't mean it's automatically going to end badly.

[the_effect_she_has]

I know how it ends. My execution.

[She lifts her chin again, even as a tear escapes from the corner of her eye. Stupid emotions.] I'm never going to see him again.

[valuedstrength]

[The effect of that statement is immediate. Steve looks like he's been sucker punched. For all intents and purposes he has been. He truly loves Peeta as a brother. While he isn't nearly as close to Katniss, he cares for her. He wants the very best for both of them. Thinking they won't get it at the very least together is devastating. He takes a step forward and reaches for without thinking it'd probably spook Katniss. He only wants to comfort her.]

Katniss...

[the_effect_she_has]

[She covered her face, pushing the tears away from her eyes angrily.]

No, Steve. Just no.

[valuedstrength]

[He drops his hand, but keeps advancing. His eyes are set on her imploring silently. Even if she can't get the message, he'll come out and say it.]

Let me help you.

[the_effect_she_has]

How? How in the name of hell would you help me?

[She glowered at him, tilting her head up.]

[valuedstrength]

[He shakes his head. Steve doesn't know how to make her okay with having her life cut short anymore than he did Bucky.]

I can only be here for you. I can't change what happens.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She hangs her head low, before she looks up to glare at him again.]

Then be here, but don't try to get in my way.

[valuedstrength]

... Alright. [That was surprisingly easy, wasn't it?]

[the_effect_she_has]

[She turned, and jerked her chin towards Dairine, before she walked into the mirror without looking behind her.]

[wizard_redfive]

[Having waited quietly during their argument, Dairine was right there to hear it all. At the head tilt, she moves to stand next to Katniss. Dairine offers Steve an apologetic look, as if to say "I'll explain later," then follows Katniss through the mirror.]

[valuedstrength]

[He hadn't intended to let Katniss go on by herself from the start. Dairine deciding to tag along seemingly out of nowhere for him just seals it.

He walks through right after them.]

[the_effect_she_has]

[She really is going to kill the pair of them, no doubt of that.]

[wizard_redfive]

[You know you love them, Katniss. ;)]