Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to update! I do intend on continuing this story; I've just been busy with school, and I leave for vacation soon, so it might be a while between updates. Please keep reviewing, though, it keeps me going. x

My Unintended: Chapter 13

When I wake up, it takes me a minute to remember where I am and what's going on.

Peeta. Delly. Mother. Riots. Tunnel. Train…

I'm sore all over; I can barely move. Pain stabs through my back as I attempt to prop myself up. The cuts on my arms and legs have been clotted with dry blood and coal dust. "How long have I been out?" I whisper to no one in particular; Haymitch is still out cold next to me. I wince as I notice his swollen ankle and raw forearms, but there isn't much I can do. I can hardly move myself, and there aren't many supplies on this train.

I recall that the train is headed for District 4, and sigh with relief. If we can get to the Victor's Village of that district, I have a feeling there's someone there who would be willing to help us. My mother is staying in the Capitol with Peeta and Delly, so I don't have to worry about seeing her.

Each time I breathe in, a dull ache in my chest ignites and explodes into unbearable pain. I clutch it tightly with my bloodied palms, but the only way to really lessen the pain is to lie down. I take shallow breaths as I slowly and cautiously lean back, using a smaller burlap sack of coal as a pillow. Tears are prickling my eyes and my face is hot with anger and frustration, but I refuse to break down now. I need to stay strong until Haymitch is healthy and we're safe in District 4.

I had thought all of this was over. Running for my life, for the life of a loved one. Betrayal, hurt, riots. My life in the public eye. I thought I could start to lead a normal life.

I guess not.

I watch Haymitch, just to make sure he's breathing. He is, but just barely; his chest moves up and down painfully slowly, and it scares me. But I keep my eyes on him; there's nothing more I can do. I keep my eyes on him until I drift back into a dreamless, restless slumber.

This time, a scream rouses me from my slumber. And it's not a scream coming from my nightmares.

"What's going on? Are you Katniss Everdeen?" a young woman's voice inquires anxiously.

My eyes feel leaden and I struggle to open them. The woman who screamed looks nervous. Who wouldn't be, with two bloody, unconscious celebrities on their train? "I'm so sorry," I mumble, but surprisingly, her expression shifts from fear to understanding.

"I'll go get you two some food," she whispers. "Rob has a first aid kit somewhere-"

"You're not kicking us off?" I ask. It seems too good to be true. She calms down at the sound of my voice steadying.

"Let's just say…I saw the news, and how they were all rioting to break you two up. And I know a thing or two about star-crossed love," she winks. "I'll get breakfast. And a wrap. Your man's ankle needs some serious tending to."

She's gone into the dark night sky with a wave of ginger hair and a feeling of warmth and kindness that's remarkably hard to come by. I look over to Haymitch. His grey eyes are staring at the wall of the train, but I have a feeling he's not really seeing anything. I'm able to sit up with less pain now, so I scoot over towards him.

"Haymitch?" I nudge him gently. "Haymitch?"

He doesn't answer, and my heart races with fear and anger. Haymitch deserves more than anyone to finally be happy and healthy, and this is the state he's in. Bloody and broken. If Prim were here, she'd know what to do. I'm sure of it. It's a sobering thought, and sadness envelopes me. I can do nothing but sit in silence and think of the beautiful little girl who left too soon until I hear light footsteps make their way back to our compartment.

"Miss Everdeen?" the woman peeks her face in the half-open compartment door.

"Call me Katniss. Please," I say, flustered. I'll never get used to being famous. Or, rather, infamous.

"Here's some apples and sandwiches. And a jug of water. Rob's coming with a first aid kit in a few minutes," she says, handing me a bundle of cheese in warm bread. Ravenous, I eat one in just a few bites, and start on a second. There are at least five, but I could eat twenty and still not be full. I remind myself that I have to save some for Haymitch, though.

After washing down three sandwiches with a few gulps of fresh, cool water, I thank the woman graciously. "You really did save us. Thank you…What's your name?" I ask.

"Astrid," she answers with a grin. "Astrid Beecher. And you're welcome. You've done so much for Panem. You and him both."

"Sorry for hiding on your train," I add sheepishly.

"It's no problem at all. All you did was sleep, really," Astrid says, and we laugh.

"How long have we been out, exactly?"

"About a day. We still have twenty more hours until we'll get to District 4. Once we're there, though, Rob and I won't be able to help you, sweetie…We don't know anyone there who could take you in," she says with a frown.

"Don't worry about it. I know someone there," I reassure her.

"That's good. I would hate to have you and Mr. Abernathy chased by a mob again," she sighs. "It's such a shame."

"How much of it was broadcasted onto the news? Does anyone know we're headed for 4?" I ask fearfully.

"No one knows where you are, thankfully, but they know you and Haymitch escaped from your home, and your mother's being…overprotective," she informs me. "I'm sorry she's not very understanding. Mine wasn't either."

My eyes widen as I notice that Astrid's stomach is very round; she must be at least six months pregnant. "Are you married to Rob?" I ask curiously.

She nods. "I married him when I was just a teenager. I'm twenty-three now, and my family still hasn't come around. They don't like him. I don't think they ever will. I sent them a letter a while back telling them I was pregnant with a little baby girl, and they never replied. They don't want anything to do with their first and only grandchild."

"How do you…cope?" I ask in awe.

"The way I see it, you shouldn't love someone just because they're related to you. You should love someone because they're a good person and they treat you the way you deserve. If Haymitch does that, and your family and friends don't, I see nothing wrong with leaving them behind and starting a new life with him. That's what I'm doing," Astrid shrugs.

Her words move me, and I realize she's right. Before I have time to thank her for her help, a slightly older looking man with strands of grey mixed into his brown hair approaches us. He's holding a first aid kit in one hand, and extends the other to me.

"Katniss Everdeen, it's a pleasure to meet you," he says with a warm smile resembling Astrid's.

"Thank you so much for all your help," I say as I shake his hand.

He goes to work on Haymitch's ankle, wrapping it tightly into a thick cloth and surrounding it with ice-packs. The grapefruit-sized ankle slowly begins to shrink. Rob gives us painkillers and bandages, and I apply them all over myself and Haymitch. Haymitch's eyes have shut and he's fallen asleep again, but his breathing is steadier, deeper, and calmer.

"You saved us, you know," I tell Rob and Astrid as they leave to start up the train again. "If you ever need anything, call for Annie Cresta in District 4. That's where we'll be staying if everything goes to plan."