Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.
Note: It's been quite a wait, a longer one than I would have liked, but with all my Uni coursework finally finished off I'm free to write and Urchin is here to make his return for his third and final story! Out of the deadly forest of the 74th Games, out of the tundra the Quell happened in and now into all out rebellion... what will befall our tiny, curly haired protagonist next? Well, read on and start to find out the answer. There's plenty going on in this one, and I hope you all enjoy it!
ACT 1: THE INSPIRATION
Part 1: No More Innocence
...Hey. Been a while since we last saw each other, hasn't it? If I were to ask you what you did in the time between your twelfth and thirteenth birthdays I guess you would say you went to school, you hung out with friends, you watched movies and you just... enjoyed your childhood before you started to grow up. Am I right? I'd assume most normal kids may be able to say they did at least some of that.
Well, I'm not really what one could call an ordinary kid. Not anymore.
Since my twelve birthday it's been one long list of disasters and incidents one after another. I'm still having issues even comprehending the fact it all happened, but the fact is this is my life now. A rebel, a freedom fighter and what the powers that be might refer to as a 'terrorist'. I feel terror alright, but... can you blame me, really?
I was reaped for the 74th Hunger Games and endured so much pain, both to my body and my mind. I barely won in the end, alongside a girl named Rue. You... might remember her as my special somebody, eheheh...
That in itself was bad enough, but oh no why stop the trauma there? Fate saw no reason and neither did President Snow. I found myself threatened face to face, rigged into a Quell for twelve year olds only, killed more people, lost a bunch of people I loved... lost my home and my dad... Ula's kidnapped.
...
It's been hard. Harder than hard. I guess very hard? Whatever. They say I'm safe now, here in Thirteen where I've been in the month since the Quell ended, but I'm not sure how much I believe it. Life here is very strict, even for those recovering from all manner of wounds and mental scars. At least the pillows are comfy, I guess.
Today's been coming for a long time. The day where I will be properly introduced to the 'big cheese' around here, President Alma Coin. She wants me as the face of the rebellion, but all I want now is my sister back. Prim too. But Snow has them both in his clutches. If being her 'Mockingjay' helps me get my little sister back then I have no reason to refuse at all.
I... have no idea what is coming. War, yes, but beyond that... What does a second rebellion mean, whether we win or lose? I'm only twelve; how am I supposed to be the hero they need?! I guess I can only try. Maybe just focus on the things I know for sure.
Rue, Hopper, Coral and several of my other friends are safely here with me.
Mom is alive, and always there for me.
...Dory is cheering for me from the Heavenly Dockyard...
My name is Urchin Hook, and I have had enough. One way or the other, someway somehow someday, I'm putting an end to all of this madness, once and for all!
I blink rapidly, a hand waving in front of my eyes. All at once, everything comes back into focus as I shake my head a bit. The cafeteria of District Thirteen is just as it was when I zoned out during breakfast. Crowded and all objects neatly organised. I'm sitting at a table with Hopper, Coral and Rue. My girlfriend looks at me, having been the one to wave her hand over my eyes.
"You zoned out again," she says, pushing my plate of hardly touched eggs and toast closer to me. "Urchin, you need to eat. You're gonna be all skin and fishbones if you don't."
"Yeah, a twig can't overthrow the Capitol," Coral adds, pushing a bowl of soup towards me. It smells nice, but I'm honestly not hungry.
"This twig got through two Hunger Games," I say, my head in my hands. "I don't think size is really the issue for me right now."
"Yeah, it's just the fact he's the most wanted kid in Panem," Hopper adds buttering his toast. "Can't be fun, having an entire regime wanting you dead. Pass the butter?"
I let my head flop forth to the table with a light thud, groaning. I hear Rue bop Hopper, much to his chagrin. I know he's only trying to lighten the mood, and he's been a big help in the time I've known him... but he could do with a bit more tact and maturity. The way I see it, we all have to grow up and fight if we're ever going to win this rebellion and live to see whatever comes next. But, he appears unaffected by it all. Whether it's just the fact he's got willpower of titanium, or he truly doesn't care if he lives or dies even now, it has me feeling very confused, and a bit jealous to be honest. I miss being able to have even a single day without worrying.
"Ok sorry," Hopper says, buttering his toast as I look back up. "So... when's the meeting gonna be happening?"
I glance down at the underside of my right arm. Here in Thirteen they have this system where they give you a temporary tattoo that shows the schedule of the day. It just so happens that at precisely half past nine I'll be having my long awaited meeting with Alma Coin. So, twenty minutes.
It would have been sooner, but I've not been feeling so good since I got here. I mean, my home was destroyed. District Four is gone. So many friends and innocent lives were lost. Ula's taken by Snow and I don't dare imagine what may be happening to her or Prim right now. I feel sick at the mere thought, even without any details added.
The short summary is that I've been having repeated freak outs and fits of crying and panic. Rue has done her best to help me through it all, but it's been putting a strain on her as well. It's not like she made it through everything unscathed. Her family are still out there in Eleven and we have no idea if they're safe or not. I glance at her, seeing the exhausted look in her one cheerful, perky eyes. Not to mention how she broke her arm in the Quell and it's still in a sling. The doctors say the cast will be able to come off soon, but... oh, I just don't know.
At Rue's insistence I force myself to eat. I hardly even taste it, too busy thinking about both everything and nothing to really savour it.
"So," I say, eventually. I pause, tiredly running my hands through my curls. My signature look, some say. "Where are the others?"
"Timm's writing poetry in his room, Electra had a bit of an episode and her mentor's comforting her... Valkri, I don't know," Rue says. She lays her head on my shoulder. "When do you think we're actually gonna start doing stuff, Urchin? It's been a month and it feels like we've hardly gotten anywhere. Meanwhile, out there people are fighting, killing... it's just wrong. It sucks!"
"It blows too," Hopper adds, finishing his toast. "I don't like Thirteen."
"Why not?" I ask him. "They're giving us a shelter and they're gonna crush the Capitol."
"They also saved my life," Coral adds, quietly. "Without the hovercrafts that evacuated some of us in Four I'd be... be... like Gill and Tack..."
"Tack's not dead," I say, firmly. "He was never confirmed as dead. ...So Hopper, again, why not?"
"I don't like all the rules. It's like we're in a straitjacket and not able to do anything!" he complains, thumping the table. "I've tried to sneak outside for fresh air seventeen times, and I've only gotten outside five times."
"How were those five times in solitary confinement, by the way?" Rue asks, a cheeky smirk on her tired face.
"Boring," Hopper mutters, crossing his arms. "The guard didn't even shoot me when I asked him nicely. I guess he figured solitary was a fate worse than death."
This guy is my room mate here in Thirteen. As you might well expect, it has taken a lot of getting used to. But, at least he's never mad or bothered when I wake up screaming. He just leaps over, calms me down and goes to fetch Rue. I need these guys to function, I guess.
A few minutes pass in this way. Hopper juggling spoons until a guard yells at him to stop, Coral looking to the side in heartbreak much like my own, Rue leaning against me... and myself, just trying to cling to the good memories I've still got. Because, right now, the bad memories are much easier to think about.
Lately, I've been unable to get Dory's death out of my head. My oldest friend, dead in my arms. I had to put on her funeral. Finnick says it was heartbreaking; all of District Four were weeping, he claims. I miss her. She believed in me, far more than I believe in myself.
I shake my head a little. I need to stop doubting myself. I need to strong, courages, brave! More than a so-called 'talking fishbone'.
I look at the clock on the wall, seeing that it reads 9:20. I'm on my feet in an instant, Rue getting up right after me.
"See you guys in a bit," I say to the others as I quickly make my way out of the cafeteria.
"We'll tell you what happens," Rue adds, following behind me. "And boy oh boy, something better happen..."
(A few minutes later...)
"So, what do you think she's going to talk to us about?" Rue asks as we walk side by side.
"Probably the-." I begin, only to be cut off.
"And don't say 'the rebellion'," she adds, giggling tiredly. "I just want more details, more idea of what we're all gonna be doing. We're all on the same side, all fighting for a better future..."
My heart flutters as she gently curls her fingers around mine.
"...All fighting for the people we love," she says, quietly.
"I do too. I'm still not happy about how they kept so many things from us," I say, looking off to the side. "Lives could've been saved if we'd known what was really going on. Satella, Farro, Cobalt... Colm... lots of people are dead."
"I think a lot more are going to die soon," Rue says, quietly. "It's getting hard to keep facing every hill and valley with a smile, Urchin. It's starting to make my jaw hurt."
"What kind of a world do we live in where kids like us talk about death like it's so common?" I ask, frowning.
"A bad one," she replies. "Are you going to give Coin and the other rebels a good telling off for keeping us in the dark?"
I shake my head. The thought had occurred to me, and I had certainly been very tempted to cuss them out for lying to us, for using us for their own gain... but, I can't. If I'm to save Ula and Prim, I need to stay on their good side. One wrong move, one toe out of line and they might not be willing to race to the rescue.
But maybe I'm being too harsh. It's not like they could risk the plan getting out, not when that'd get everybody killed and ensure the Capitol would never fall. I'm trying to see it from their perspective, but it's not stopping me from feeling hurt over the whole thing.
"I'm gonna be a good kid, and be their Mockingjay," I say, shaking my head. "In fact, no, we're all being their Mockingjays. All of us Quell kids. We went through that hell together, so we're going to fight in this war together... we'll survive it, together."
I pause, taking a breath as I gently squeeze her hand the same way she does to my own.
"They have my sister," I whisper, the thought making me nauseous. "I don't know what they're going to do to her, but... Rue, just the fact Avox's exist and how children die every year in the Hunger Games... I, I..."
I find it hard to breath, choking and wheezing. Rue may be tired, but she's a loyal one and is right in front of me, holding me close with her good arm as my breathing starts to slowly become stable. This is normal for us now. I panic and start to choke, she steps up to hold me until I calm down. It's a drain on her; she's hardly slept lately. Part of me wishes I was in a better state to care for her too. The other part of me wonders if my stunt with the double sided dagger that saved us both makes up for it. Then again, it's what started this whole mess... like I was saying before, I'm hardly a normal kid these days.
"We'll get her back," Rue vows. "We're going to win this war."
"And what comes after that?" I ask her.
She pauses, suddenly lost for words. But, an answer occurs to me soon enough anyway.
"I guess the rest of our lives," I say, a weak smile upon my face. "All this, the traums and everything... well, we're still young. If we win, we have decades to move on and live our lives. One bad year or two won't ruin the rest of our lives, right?"
"Right," Rue agrees.
I'm not certain of my own answer though, and I'm not so sure that Rue is sure of her reply either. I guess time will tell. Speaking of time, we're gonna be late to the meeting if we don't hurry up. Ula is in danger, so I can't just stand here and panic, it's time to get into action.
I take off down the hallway like a blur, and Rue tries her best to keep up with me. She calls for me to wait up, laughing tiredly, but I don't slow for a moment. The sooner I am there the sooner this can be sorted and a rescue mission can be launched.
I force myself to dash faster through the corridors, almost smashing into walls several times. But if it means a better chance to get Ula, and Prim, back with me safe and sound then I'd crash into as many as one hundred walls!
I screech to a halt, my shoes making an echoing squeak as I force myself to a sudden stop. This is it, it has to be Coin's office.
The fact her name is on the door upon a plaque and two guards holding rifles are standing outside of it... yeah, that's proof enough for me.
"I'm here for, uh, my meeting with President Coin and, um..." I can't help my gaze being drawn to those rifles, surely loaded with deadly bullets. "Could you not point those at me?"
"Schedule," the guard on the right says.
I show him the underside of my arm. It's enough to convince him as he steps aside, his buddy doing the same.
"You're cutting this one close," the same guard says. "Almost late."
"Only by a few seconds," I insist.
"Being late can get us killed," the second guard states.
I mumble an awkward remark, one fully inaudible and that I don't even know what it was. I move to enter the door just as Rue runs up, panting tiredly.
"Made it," she wheezes, letting out a weak cheer.
"One second late," the second guard adds, murder in his eyes.
Rue and I exchange a glance, deciding that it's probably better to just get in the room and not spend more time around these grumpy, rifle toting guards than we have to. I open the door for Rue and follow her inside. Out of one confrontation and now into another.
After all, President Coin is sitting at her desk and after just one look I can tell she's a women not to be crossed. Those steely grey eyes of her sure are firm. She looks at Rue and I intently, but... like she's not feeling anything. She just gives a slow nod, pointing to the chairs set up across from her. As we sit down side by side, there's a knock at the door. A moment later it opens up, and I find myself feeling incredibly uneasy.
Plutarch Heavensbee is a man I'm still having to get used to trusting. Not too long ago I'd assumed he was just another Gamemaker out to get me killed. Now it turns out he's been conning Snow for years and is one of the masterminds behind the whole rebellion, Go figure, huh...?
"You're late," Coin drones.
"I had to take a call," Plutarch says. "Contacts in the Capitol, you know we can't ignore them."
"Wait, Capitol contacts?!" I've yelled before I even realise I've done it. Too late to late it back now with how they're staring at me, so I continue. "Is Ula ok?! Is Prim?! Please... I need to know..."
"We all do," Rue adds, nodding her head. "We want to just know something. Anything."
Coin doesn't react, calmly ordering some papers on her desk. Plutarch seems sympathetic for a moment, giving a slow nod.
"Details are in limited supply," he admits. "I know for a fact Ula and Prim are both alive, and last I heard they were not harmed. I don't know any further. But, there is one fact you'll want to know."
He paused, pacing for a moment. I bite my tongue to hold back the urge to plead him to hurry up.
"Panem's at war," he says.
"Well, duh!" Rue remarks, rolling her eyes.
"What role are we going to play in that war?" I persist. "Please, it's been a month. I'm 'stable', ok? I'm ready to anything you want, just please can we get started and get my sister back? In fact, let's get all the hostages back while we're at it!"
I breathe deeply, all my worries bubbling to the surface. I've already failed Dory, Gill and many others. I won't fail Ula, and I owe it to Katniss to keep Prim safe. She's the one who helped Rue and I even make it this far. Her role in this 'story' of ours is what dragged Prim into her current situation.
Before I can tale anything back or plead that I'm not crazy Plutarch claps his hands together. Of all things, he looks delighted.
"You're an eager one," he notes. "Looks like we've got the right man for the job."
"And... what job would that be?" I ask him. "What does a Mockingjay even do? I know I'm the face of the rebellion or something, but... does that mean I have to be some kind of super soldier, one with the power of twenty Cato's or something?"
"If you want strong, tough soldiers we're not exactly... big," Rue adds, gesturing to our small sized bodies.
"Not to worry," Plutarch says. "You won't be going out on the battlefield. Certainly not to fight, at least. You're too valuable to the cause."
"Then... what are we gonna be doing?" I ask him, confused.
"You'll be appearing in Propos," Coin says, directing all attention upon herself. "War has broken out, but not everybody is fighting yet. That, or they aren't fighting hard enough. But, people admire you Urchin. they look towards you and they see hope. You need to use that image to get everybody to support the rebellion."
"Exactly," Plutarch continues, pacing. "So young and you won the Hunger Games in a never before seen forced tie, and you escaped the Quell arena. You're really quite the icon, and if you can use your charms to swing over all twelve Districts to our side then the Capitol will have nothing. They'd be helpless in the final charge against them."
"Well, it wasn't just me," I mumble, trying my best to sit up straight. "I had a lot of help from my friends, living and... dead. Like, Rue here. You might remember her... really good friend of mine."
"Just really good?" she asks, teasingly.
"Really, really good," I correct myself, turning back to Plutarch and Coin. "And then there's all the other Quell survivors. They all helped in some way, or at least showed me kindness since coming here. Even if they hadn't, they still survived that horrible Quell. Lots of good kids didn't... like Dory..."
I take a moment breath deeply, trying to keep myself stable and relaxed. It's a losing effort, but I want to be sure I don't get so stressed I lose the ability to even speak. My voice is already cracking.
"We all suffered and battled together," I say. "So... I was thinking... why just have one Mockingjay like me? Why not, uh, have an entire flock of them? You have seven kids who survived that Quell, six of them here right now... I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not really anything special amongst us. I'm just one of six, a boy who will do anything to get his sister back. You want me to be in propos? You got it. Just..."
My breath is shaky, and my bones feel horribly chilled as dark thoughts of what Snow may be doing to Ula start to crawl their horrible way into my mind. I try and shake them away, but it's impossible.
"Just get my sister back!" I plead, my eyes wide and fearful. "I'd do anything to save her. She's just a kid."
"Can't you guys rescue her?" Rue asks them while I wipe my eyes a bit. "You said had Capitol contacts... right?"
"That's true, but it's not quite so simple," Plutarch says. "She's in the heart of the Capitol, always under watch. Getting her out would be extremely difficult. Easier, I think, to escape a Hunger Games arena."
"Please... can't we just try?" I whisper.
"...I'll do what I can," Plutarch says. "It won't be an overnight job. It requires a lot of set-up."
To his credit he at least looks apologetic. I guess I understand what he means. The Capitol is sort of like the quarantine area sailors who get really sick out at sea go to. Nothing gets in, or out. The security is like a near unlockable, uh, lock. But please, let them get Ula out. Prim too! Maybe then I'd be able to start properly sleeping again.
Coin snaps her fingers to gain our attention once again. She remains calm and collected, like I'd not spoken. Part of me wants to feel hurt she's not worried for Ula, but... I guess being the leader of Thirteen and the Rebellion means she's got to be strong for all of us, right? I'd call it impressive.
"As I was saying, you'll be making propos," she says, calmly. "We need all twelve Districts on our side before we can overthrow the Capitol. As you may expect, some will be more willing than others. The Peacekeepers will also be an issue; the Capitol may be superfluous by its nature, but their military power is immense."
"District Two..." Rue trails off, just those two words summing up the problem.
Why would Two bother to rebel when they are wholly benefiting from the Capitol's regime? It's not like I ever did them much of a favour along the way, unless you count the fact the break-out saved Valkri's life. I guess her mother would be happy with me, but that's just one person.
"And One," Plutarch adds, frowning. "They have no love for either of you. The little incident with Glimmer at the climax of your first Games, and some of what you said when your Victory Tour was in One, well, you can understand they're unwilling to provide aid."
"...Oh..." Rue trails off, looking guilty. I remember as much as she does that she had some choice words to say to the crowd back in One. I wish people had worse memories than they do.
"Glimmer boiled to death in hot water, I'd call that a bit more than a little incident," I say, firm. As much as she was my enemy and desired to kill me, I can't help but feel bad for Glimmer. Everything feels a lot more grand scale now. In the end, she was just another kid stuck in a terrible situation, just like me. Only difference is, I didn't fall off the Cornucopia that night.
"Either way, it's causing us issues in the present," Plutarch says. I get the sense he really doesn't want to dwell on the past. I don't either, but I think his reasons are different than mine.
"So... well, that's perfect... ish? I mean," I babble for a moment, trying to rapidly find the right words. Aw, fish nuggets... "If you have a whole flock of Mockingjays, that solves it right? If people don't like us, they could just look to Valkri for hope or maybe Timm or Electra or-."
"How is that boy going from Twelve going to inspire anything?" Coin asks, coy.
"Well, he did accuse Snow of having an affair with an Avox and he's still alive. He got away with a lot," Rue giggles, amused at the memory. "He'd have to have kids to have a granddaughter, so..."
"Enough," Coin shakes her head, clearly not wanting to hear more. "Ok... fine. Six Mockingjays, seven if Prim can be rescued. You'll be starting propo work swiftly. There are several scripts and ideas being put forwards that you should be able to handle just fine. You'll be given news on them by tomorrow. That will be all."
"Wait, that's it?" Rue asks, bewildered.
"I don't see what more we have to discuss right now," Coin replies.
"What about my family?" Rue asks, wide eyed. "Are they alright?!"
I put my hand on Rue's shoulder, giving her a firm squeeze. It's not just me who has family worries going on. Rue has her mother and siblings back in Eleven, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about them. Eleven's a very tightly controlled District to begin with, and the rebellion surely has made it worse. Not to mention Rue, my double, is from there... yeah, I sure hope her family have hidden themselves well. I shiver badly over the thought of Rue losing any of her family, just like how I lost my dad...
"You can help them hide, right?" I add, pleading.
"We'll be doing the best we can for them," Coin replies. "There has been no confirmation of their deaths as of yet. Eleven is fighting viciously right now; the Peacekeepers are not having an easy time, thankfully."
Rue doesn't look any happier, and neither do I. Can anything more be done than there already is? ...Yes, yes there can as I'm the frickin' Mockingjay! Well, one of them anyway, but still... if I ask for it, maybe they'd listen? Worth a try.
"Could you, um, maybe use more of your contacts to ensure that they are safe?" I ask, hopeful. "If the Peacekeepers are busy fighting, then maybe you could get people to sneak in and then get them out?"
"It's a possibility," Plutarch says, slowly. "A risky one."
"This is war, right? It's all about taking risks!" I exclaim, standing up tall. ...Not sure what effect I was thinking this would add since I'm not even five feet tall yet... "Rue is worried for her family, you guys have the power to save them... so, uh, do it! If you intend to crush the Capitol, then you have the power to save six innocent people, don't you?"
Plutarch is silent, his poker face not showing anything. Coin is similarly emotionless, though I don't think she's putting anything on. She's ice cold, that one.
"We'll do the best we can," Coin says, giving a slow nod. "You'll get updates as they happen. I can't promise it will be quick, but an effort shall be made."
Rue sniffles, but nods. It's not what she nor I wanted, but at least it's something. She takes my hand, giving it a grateful squeeze. A nice feeling, but not the feeling that I'm most focused on. After all, this talk of Rue's family and home has me thinking over my own home.
Four's gone.
"What's Four like?" I ask, quietly.
"Not great," Plutarch says, frowning. "A terrible waste of life, resources and an excellent rebel post. I believe it could be rebuilt over time, but it will be a very gradual effort."
"On the upside, this grim move from Snow did leave the Capitol with a lot less food going in," Coin adds, calmly. I'm both affronted and impressed she can be so calm about this of all things. "The more angry the citizens of the Capitol are, the harder it will become for Snow and his regime to command their forces. Civil unrest will be a problem."
"What does it look like?" I ask, quietly. "...Is it safe to explore?"
"There's no immediate reason to assume the air is unsafe for breathing, but the place is smouldering and broken," Coin says, as if reciting from a script. "Last I heard, the ocean within a two mile radius of the shore is a terrible, polluted mess. You'd not even recognise it."
My gut tightens as I hear this. My home, gone. I feel my eyes filling up with tears, thinking of how all the places I made the happy memories that I still have will be destroyed beyond recognition. There's nothing left.
"Are there anymore survivors?" I ask, softly.
"We got as many people out as we could," Coin tells me. "But time was limited, so we had to evacuate sooner than we would have wanted."
"It was lucky that Thirteen saved as many people as it did," Plutarch adds.
"Did you go back later?" I ask them. "I mean, Four is pretty big. People could've survived the initial bombing."
The only answer I receive is silence. I feel my gut tighten... they seriously didn't go back to check for more people? They had a whole month! People could be alive, and in serious peril right now. Thet need a rescuer, or at least somebody bold enough to go out there and try.
I've never considered myself very bold. Any survivors need a hero, but as we don't have one I guess I'm the best we have. If Tack is still alive out there, and anybody else too, I have to at least go and try to save people. I need to try.
"...I want to go back," I say, quickly. "To Four."
"Impossible," Coin says. "It's too dangerous."
"But you said the area wasn't unsafe to breathe," I say, my voice shaky. I swallow hard, trying to be brave, "Please, people could be trapped and needing rescue!"
"The odds are hardy even one percent, it's not practical," Coin says.
"There's still a chance," I reply, taking a deep breath. "I've seen so much death... can't we just try and prevent more people from dying? Please, I need to see it for myself."
"We only have so many hovercrafts," Plutarch says, stepping forwards. "I understand your concern, but think about this practically. It's been a month, it's unlikely there will be survivors."
"Unlikely doesn't mean impossible," I say, after a pause. "It was unlikely I'd leave the arena alive, even less likely Rue would join me, but it happened anyway. It's not so impossible that there might be people there needing help."
"Yeah, he's right. You were willing to help my family in a place full of Peacekeepers. So, why no help Urchin explore a place you think has no people," Rue adds, nodding rapidly. "Actually..."
Rue ponders for a few moments, a gleam in her eyes as she snaps her fingers. Like a spark, her face is suddenly alight more than it has been in weeks. The look fades fast, but I lean forth in anticipation to what she's come up with.
"Why not film a propo of Urchin look for survivors?" Rue suggests, giving me a wink. "If we're inspiring people, then what is more inspiring than seeing Urchin save people who are trapped, hurt and scared? He certainly looks the part... why not let him show he's not just handsome, but a hero too?"
"Y-yeah!" I agree, blushing just a tad. "That! Film it as it happens, I'll find a bunch of people needing rescue and we can bring them back. We'd be saving people that the Capitol almost doomed. I mean, you're ok to come with me, right Rue?"
"Always," she assures me, weakly smiling. She yawns, tired. "The other Mockingjays might want to come too."
"I can't allow this. You could both get killed, and the rebellion would die," Coin says, firm as ever. She hardly even changes her expression, merely giving her head a slow shake. "No."
"Actually, Alma, I think the girl might be onto something here," Plutarch says. "If they were given trackers and sent in with the proper gear, a camera crew and a few guards just in case... this really could be the propo we're looking for. You and I both know that the scripts still need a few tweaks as it is."
Coin seems like she's upset, but she hardly shows it. She looks to the side, frowning deeper for a moment before she gives a slow nod.
"Two days of going over the proper skills and training they will need. After that, we'll evaluate them and see if they are ready for the mission," Coin says, staring at Rue and I. "If you're not deemed ready for the mission, you won't be going until you pass all the relevant tests."
"We'll train hard," I assure her, grateful. Relief washes over me like some kind of pleasant tidal wave. "I scored a ten for the Quell, and an eight before all this really began. I can pass whatever training you need me to."
"Me too!" Rue adds. "My arm's almost better now, so I should be good to go."
Coin gives a slow nod, while Plutarch claps his hands. He looks more delighted than a starving family being given free fish.
"Glad we're all in agreement then," Plutarch says. "Your schedules will have to be readjusted, but I think it won't cost us anymore than five minutes to do that. Good talk you two. Keep it up, and you'll be inspiring the Districts in no time."
It's not long after that before Rue and I are back in the halls and walking side by side. glancing at our now updated tattoos. Seems like the first thing on the list is first aid. As good a place to start as any, right? I can't help feeling heartache as my mind wanders on the topic, though. Dory was always the medic of the group and now she's... she's...
"Need a one armed hug?" Rue offers.
"...That would be nice, thanks," I agree.
And so, we embrace. It's nice, just holding each other in this gentle way. Like we're the one two people in the world... and with how many people are sure to die in the rebellion, maybe it's not so impossible we'd be the only two people left. We were already once the last two people alive in a forest.
We part and continue on our way before I start to overthink again. But, I can't stop my mind wandering to images of District Four. I've not even seen pictures of the place after the bombing, but it's not hard for my mind to create one sickly image. It's not a pleasant thought. I can only hope my brain is exaggerating the destruction, but honestly... I doubt it.
I can't help sparing a thought for Gill, confirmed to be dead from the bombing. What was his last thought? Ho scared was he in those final moments of his? ...Is Tack still alive, or was he blown up as well?
I take a deep breath, trying not to shiver too much. I'll be finding out the answer to that last question soon enough, and I hope with all my heart that he managed to take shelter!
(Later...)
Another day over, another day closer to... well, whatever awaits us. Unlike the norm, where I just lay on my bed and stress myself out over the lack of knowing anything, tonight I feel better. Well, somewhat. I still feel those feelings of pain and dread filling me up from bottoms of my toes to the tips of my curls, but at least now I have some idea of what to do next.
It's hardly a peaceful night, though. Though, sharing a room with Hopper makes it more of a wonder that I had been expecting anything different. He does have a habit of being particularly loud. Tonight though, the noise comes less than from him babbling about some crazy scheme to humiliate Snow and his ministers and instead him going over all the things he's learnt today. With how disruptive he normally is it's left me surprised that he's taken to the lessons so well.
I prop myself up on my side, observing Hopper as he recites several first aid tips to himself. The basic stuff like bandaging a wound, clenching a cut to stop bleeding, that kind of stuff. It's impressive to see that he paid so much attention. Surely he never learnt it back at the training centre like I did.
I mean, this is the boy who scored a zero. It's not even meant to be possible!
"You seem like you've learnt a lot," I say, still on my side. "What's the occasion?"
"Oh, Urchin, do I really need some special occasion to pay attention in a class?" Hopper asks me, chuckling.
"Yes. You do," I say, flatly. "You're the same boy who threw a shoe at President Snow during his speech at the parade. It's just... you do not listen to people. Ever. Not unless you have some personal motive."
"Hmmm, true, true," he says, sitting on his own bed. "Well, I've been pretty bored being stuck in this place for so long. Routines, rules, no freedom... I didn't take part in a rebellious breakout just to be forced into following more strict rules. But..."
"...But?" I prompt him to continue, wondering where he's going with all this.
"Well, you're going to the wreckage of Four. I can only do what if I am deemed to be capable enough out there in the 'outside world. The only way to do that is for me to pay attention and learn the skills," Hopper says, casually. "So, I figure if I behave myself and listen to these people I'll get to go out there and have some real fun."
I feel a pang in my chest at the word 'fun'. I know he doesn't mean it badly, but... it's my home and it's destroyed. Not much fun if you ask me.
"It's not a fun outing," I mumble, laying down to stare up at the ceiling. "Hopper, people died out there. It's horrible."
"Aye, it is," he agrees, nodding. "But, we can save people in really cool ways. It'll be great, being heroes. I mean, seriously, this is the first meaningful thing I'll have ever done in my life."
He laughs again, a little wistfully as he lays down.
"Timm said he doesn't want to go, and chances are Electra won't be allowed out there. I think they said she's 'too unaware' or whatever way they said it. But me... I've got no family, no friends really and Twelve is a poor, hopeless place. Honestly Urchin I figured I'd die before I turned fifteen and I made peace with that," he says, so casually that it's actually a little spooky.
We're silent for a few moments, just staring up at the featureless ceiling.
"I expected to die in that arena," he continues, taking a moment to blow his messy fringe out of the way of his eyes. "But, here I am. Suddenly Urchin, death doesn't feel inevitable nor my life pretty much forfeit. It feels like I can actually, well, do something now. It's strange, feeling like I now have a life to live."
He turns on his side, facing me with a wicked sort of gleam in his eyes.
"You know, maybe once we kick Snow's ass and send that bearded old bastard to hell... maybe I could ask Madge out," Hopper says, giggling at the thought.
"Who's Madge?" I ask him, perhaps more curious than I should be. I guess you could say romance makes me feel... inclined to listen, I guess? It's a nice topic.
"Daughter of the mayor back home," he replies, dreamy for the briefest of moments. "She's lovely."
"Oh, she your classmate?" I ask him, smiling.
"Nah, she's seventeen now," he says, idly as can be.
"...I think you're probably too young. I speak from experience, I asked Marina out once..." I say, blushing at the memory.
"I won't know for sure unless I try, eh?" he teases, giggling. "I know she and Prim are friends, so... maybe once we save Prim and get her back home safe and sound Madge may give me her number?"
"I fully agree that saving Prim is really, really important. Damn, the poor girl... I'm scared Hopper. I'm scared to imagine what the Capitol might be doing to her and Ula," I shiver, gagging a bit. It's hard not to puke as the terrible thoughts swim around my mind.
We're silent for a few moments longer.
"...Do you even have a phone?" I ask him, eventually.
"If we win this war, I could always get one," he says, casually. "Don't worry Urchin, we're gonna get them back, ok? We'll save them, we'll punch Snow in the balls and we're gonna look awesome doing it. We'll kill him together, and it's gonna be great."
I just nod, soon laying down to try and get some sleep. As I close my eyes, trying to relax and claim a few hours of sleep for myself, I find my heart becoming heavy. Any thought of my sister always makes me feel like this. She's only five, soon to be six... but that won't save her from Snow's wrath. I wish I could just see her for myself. I don't care if it's propaganda or a threat, I just want to see that she's alright!
I hope Hopper's right...
(Time goes by...)
Growing up, I'd always been told that Thirteen's industry was graphite mining. Now, I didn't exactly doubt this but I always found it a little odd that the place was so big and yet their industry was pretty... small scale? Well, it all makes sense now that I know their main thing is actually nuclear weapons.
Such as the payload of bombs I'm looking at right now!
I stand with the rest of the Quell survivors, staring at all the missiles, bombs and other such weapons. It's one true arsenal, one the District intend to send right up the Capitol's... well... I think you get the wordplay going on here.
"Big... powerful..." Electra mumbles, looking nervously at the sight of a particularly tall missile. "Shiny..."
"I want it," Hopper says, matter-of-factly.
"None of you are going anywhere near those things," says the man overseeing us, Boggs I think his name is. "We're just giving all of you a showing of what will be used to fight the battles ahead and the safety techniques used when exploring a place that has been struck by weapons such as these. A place such as District Four. From what we know, it's a combination of firebombs and some particularly nasty gas bombs. If Plutarch is correct about who was behind the latter type of bomb, you're all going to need to be careful."
I feel like the eyes of the others are all on me right now, but I try not to pay attention to that. I remain staring ahead, concentrating on nothing except Boggs and what he might tell us.
As it turns out, lesson one is how to put a gasp mask on quicker and safely. It takes a moment to get it on with how my curls get in the way, but it's nothing I can't figure out fast. After winning the Hunger Games, how hard is it to put on a gas ask? Not very. Though, looking around it seems like a few of the others have some issues.
Hopper and Valkri have got theirs on already, Hopper looking pleased while Valkri remains stoic. Rue seems to be struggling with hers being too tight, so I don't waste time in moving over to assist her. She give me a smile, letting me make the needed adjustments. Thankfully it's an easy matter; just like putting on a diving mask, really.
Of course, it's not that easy for everybody. Timm is struggling with his own gas mask, almost falling over as he thrashes around with it, while Electra just sits down and plays around her hers, softly giggling as she does so. If you ask me, I don't think that Electra is going to be allowed to come on this mission no matter what she does, and even if Timm wanted to come I'm thinking they'd tell him no.
"This is embarrassing," Timm groans, the gas mask now stuck on him in reverse. "Little help?"
Timm tries to move to the side, only succeeding in tripping over Electra. I leap forth to catch him, stopping him a second before he hits the floor. Boggs observes us, shaking his head for a moment.
"Magnus!" he yells, so suddenly that we all jump. "Could you keep an eye on Miss Mauve and Master Notch while the rest of us continue to go over the lesson? I don't think they're ready for the next part yet."
"Yes sir," a voice responds.
Out from behind several missiles and setting down some tools walks Magnus. As in, the same Magnus of District Two who won the Seventy Third Hunger Games. Quite unusual for a Career, he doesn't look proud or the slightest bit cocky. He just looks tired, especially when he looks over us. His gaze lingers on Valkri for a moment, but he soon leads Electra and Timm off to the side. I watch them for a moment, the young Victor giving them a more slow, step by step explanation as to how to put a gas mask on.
I can't help feeling a little uneasy being near Magnus. I don't think he's bad person, but he did kill six people in his Games and some of it was exceptionally brutal. He did kill Rind with a brick. As in, Rind... elder brother of Cobalt, the dead boy from Ten of the Quell.
If only he'd come with me...
But, I try to push those sorts of thoughts out of my mind as I continue to listen to Boggs. After we get past his explanation on gas masks he starts talking us through avoiding fires, gas leaks - the typical danger zones, I guess - and how to get rid of any contamination if we're exposed to something dangerous. It's like a blur as it all flies by. I'm trying my best to pay attention and ensure I can pass this to a level Boggs finds satisfying.
Though, I'm not the one who he deems as the star performer. Oh, I'm sure that I'm not doing badly as he's not sent me off nor given me critique like he has to Rue - which, as one of her arms is in a sling, is no shock - but clearly Boggs is finding Valkri and Hopper to be the pair with the most potential. Valkri's already trained, so I guess it's business as usual for her. But Hopper, that is still a surprise to see.
"You two have the potential to be good soldiers," Boggs tells them. "We need soldiers, anybody who can fight or at least know what to do out on the battlefield."
"I thought we wouldn't be going near the actual fighting?" I ask, nervous.
"That's the plan, but there's nothing stopping the Capitol crossing paths with you," Boggs replies. "You'll need to be ready for anything."
"Even an elephant mutt?" Hopper asks.
"Plutarch says the Capitol has one in a pod somewhere," Boggs says, as unhappy to say it as I am to hear it. "Do not engage it or any other mutts if you see them. Always try to flee first if you can."
It's not long before Boggs dismisses us, after giving us a step by step guide on something called 'HALO jumping'. A form of sky diving that can come in handy on a mission. They say the ground of Four is wrecked and not overly stable, so jumping down from above may be the only way to get in. It makes me wonder how they'd get us back out, but I guess they have something in mind... right?
After Boggs leaves, followed by Hopper, Timm and Electra I decide to stick around a bit. I'm not sure what it is that compels me to do it, but I end up approaching Magnus. I hold back for a moment, beaten to him by Valkri.
"Hey," Magnus says as she approaches him. "How're you hanging in there Val?"
"...Is mummy safe?" she asks him, seriously. "Please Magnus, I need to know she's alright."
"I'm really sorry, but I don't have that kind of information," Magnus replies, apologetic. "I could try asking Plutarch, but I don't know how much he'd know either."
"But I need to know, please!" Valkri begs, trembling. "Please... you're my mentor... I was always told a tribute's mentor knows everything..."
"Not me," Magnus says, sitting on a crate. "I was never the typical Career tribute. In fact, I never really got to be much of a Victor."
Valkri nods, stiffly. She doesn't hold for long before she sniffles. I remember fearing this girl who scored so high, assuming her to be an ice cold killer who'd be my greatest challenge - well, greatest besides Colm anyway - but here she is sobbing. It really shows that, whatever our District, we're just kids really. Difference is, my mother is here in Thirteen.
Magnus gently takes Valkri in for a soft hug. I exchange a glance with Rue, feeling that maybe we should just leave the pair from two alone for a bit. Rue nods, so we turn to leave.
"Hey," Magnus says.
Why do people always choose to wait until I'm leaving before they actually speak to me? I turn back alongside Rue, seeing Magnus is now looking at us. I'm not sure what to say nor of what I may hear from him. I know he got called a bit of a 'wimpy Career', but six kills is nothing to sneeze at.
"Urchin and Rue, Seventy Four," he notes. "...Magnus, Seventy Three. Nice to meet you both."
I'm silent, wondering what to say. He's friendly, so already it's going better than I could have hoped for.
"Do you mean that?" Rue asks, unsure. "I mean, Urchin got Cato killed and he kinda lured Clove to the land mine."
"Unintentionally!" I am quick to add. "I did not know it was there!"
"I know, I know!" Rue yelps, sheepish. "And... well, it's not like it's a secret we've never really, uh, liked the Career way of seeing the Games."
"You got my tribute out. That's good enough for me," he says, simple as that. "Honestly, I never really bought into the glamour of the Games like a lot of people back home do. I was reaped, remember, not a volunteer. I was just so strong nobody wanted to take my place."
He shakes his head, a bitter chuckle exiting his mouth as he sighs.
"I wish that boy from Ten made it here. Cobalt, right? Just... just so I could do something, anything, to show him how so fucking sorry I am for what I did to his brother," Magnus shudders, closing his eyes. "I meant to do it quick and clean with the spear. I missed. A brick was all I had."
He looks up, still holding Valkri in a gentle hug, and stares at Rue and I. We don't dare look away from the Victor before us, our direct predecessor if you will.
"Most Victors get broken from the attention they receive, the 'fans' they meet, everything... I was never popular, really, but you two pulling that stunt you did... whoa," he says, his eyes suddenly wider. A faint smile flickers upon his dark face. "You know, you both took all of the attention away from me. Aside from mentoring Cato, I never really had to be a Victor at all. Thank you."
"You're welcome," I tell him, quietly. It feel awkward being thanked for all tat when neither Rue nor I ever planned on helping Magnus with what we did. It was just a side effect. But, if it makes him happy, that's a good thing. "Are you, uh, coming on the mission to Four?"
"I am," he says, giving a slow nod. "I'll be keeping Valkri safe, just in case. Besides, I want to save people if they are still there. I'm good at killing... I'd rather be good at saving. Plus, I've been in an abandoned city before; you could say I'm experienced at surviving in a destroyed area."
Rue and I leave shortly after his, letting the Two's have some time by themselves. I have to wonder what they're thinking of this rebellion. Their District is overall really nice and not really the kind to rebel much, if ever. I won't say no to their help though. I sure am going to need it.
"You know, maybe it's just because I've seen a lot of Career tributes being nasty on TV growing up, but I find it a little strange to see those two being so... sensitive," Rue says as we walk along to our next scheduled lesson, knife fighting.
"I do too," I admit, as we round a corner. "It makes me wonder what Cassius may have been like if he was here too. But..."
"...Yeah," is all Rue says. What more can be said about his gruesome death?
We're silent as we continue on our way. We're silent for a fair while once we get to knife training as well. There's only so much you can say about death before all that remains is one sickly, queasy silence.
And yet, death is surely what I'll be seeing plenty of once I get to Four. Come on Urchin, toughen up. Be the hero these people need. Be that, and Ula will be saved faster. It brings a tear to me, thinking of the last time we saw each other in Four after I got reaped a second time.
No! It won't be the last time I see her. It won't!
(The next day...)
I look at myself in the mirror, hardly recognising the boy who looks back at me. Same curls as me. Same freckles as well. But, the kid who used to look back at me is long dead. I feel like a shell of myself, more than any of the shells on the beaches of Four. Well, the shells that were there before the bombing. They're probably all destroyed now.
I place a hand to the mirror, my reflection's hand moving to meet it. It's me. But it's not. I shouldn't look like this; exhausted, dead in the eyes, trembling from the paranoia that plagues me. I should just look like any normal twelve year old.
Panem is cruel, so I should hardly feel surprised... plus, it's not like many twelve year olds are perfectly happy, I guess. Not when they could be like me, reaped for trauma at best and death at worst.
It's a locker room that I'm standing in, all alone. Hopper already got himself suited up, so right now I'm all alone. It won't be long until the Hovercraft is ready to head off, but I just can't get my legs to take me there yet.
I need to be alone for a bit.
So, here I am, standing all alone. Gone are the casual clothes I once had loaned to me. Instead, I'm in a soldier outfit made specifically for me. I'd like to think they don't make lots of outfits like this for people my size. That'd be far too many child soldiers. The dark camouflage pattern looks so... wrong to see on myself. I can't explain it. The helmet perched atop my curls also feels like it shouldn't be there.
But this is me now, like it not not. I'm a soldier. I'm a fighter. I'm something that might resemble a hero... kind of.
I'm one of the Mockingjays, and of the flock I'm the one that Panem has their eyes on most of all.
I need to show them what I've got.
The door opens and I look up, worried that one of the scary guards with the scarier rifles is here to order me to get a move on. But no, it's just Finnick. Always nice to see my Uncle. Like me, he's fairly weary but hanging in well enough. After all, he does have Annie here with him. They keep each other feeling their best, I guess.
I always knew they were close, even before Annie was reaped. Not much gets past me, you know. Except, well... all the things that do.
"Ready to go?" he asks me.
"...No, I don't," I mumble. "Finnick... our home. It's destroyed. Nothing's left."
He kneels a little to be level with me. We're silent for a bit, just looking into the mirror. He slowly nods.
"I feel the same," Finnick says. "But the people back there, they're your friends. My friends. Our neighbours, or maybe just people we know in passing. They're like us; citizens of Four. We're gonna save them, together and with the rest coming along too."
"I hope we're not too late," I say, gagging at he grisly thought. "...And here I am stalling. What's wrong with me?!"
"A long list, but... I'd honestly put it under Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," Finnick says. "It's a common enough story in Victors, soldiers, people who survive extreme danger... all three of those apply to you."
"...And you?" I ask him.
"Yes," he says, uneasy. "You'll hear all about it in time. Just... when you hear everything I have to say, about what I did and the secrets I learnt, just remember I was doing it to protect you."
"What do you mean?" I ask him, lost and honestly pretty unnerved.
"Just that I now how it feels to lose all the light you once had in life," he replies, still looking at the mirror. "But, you know what I see when I look in that mirror?"
"A broken boy and a man with his own scars too?" I guess.
"...Ok, real talk, when did your generation become so moody?" Finnick asks, joking a bit... I think? "No, Urchin... I see two young men, a former and current holder for the title of Youngest Victor. Two men who are going out there to save some people in need of help. Are the men hurting? yes, but they won't let it stop them. They'll be brave, powerful, dashing... distracting~."
Finnick strikes a sort of pose, one that leaves me with my eyebrow raised. Is that one of the poses the Capitol women, and Marina, used to go wild over? I'll never understand flirting.
"Well, Annie finds it distracting," he says, chuckling. "Come on, we have to get going now or they won't hesitate to go without us."
"You sure?" I ask, wincing at the thought. "It's our home though!"
"All the more reason to hurry," Finnick says, already leading me out. "Your first mission as a Mockingjay awaits."
"...After two Hunger Games, how bad can it be?" I ask, letting Finnick lead me along. "Surely not that bad, right?"
Yet, a nasty feeling in the button of my gut makes me feel like I shouldn't make assumptions such as that. Fate and life as a whole has this little tendency of making sure things keep on getting worse. I once thought bad luck got me reaped last year, but now... now, part of me thinks it may have been fate.
Maybe the pre-mission anxiety is just making me think weird stuff. I just gotta think a few happy thoughts. Maybe that'll make me feel better.
I try to think of the future Rue and I could have after this war is won. A flicker of a smile appears on my face when I think of the idea of a boat date. That would be lovely. Assuming we live long enough to make it happen.
(Later...)
Sitting here in one of the oversized chairs in the hovercraft, I feel a nasty sensation rising in my gut. It's all too similar to the hovercrafts rides I was forced onto when going to the arenas I had to kill or be killed in. Sitting here, my legs not even reaching the ground, it feels like I'm a tribute all over again.
Unlike the past two times, though, Rue is not here with me. She had to stay behind in Thirteen just like Electra and Timm did. She didn't pass enough of the tests, they say. I feel so alone without her, but at least she'll be safe back in Thirteen. maybe her cast will finally be off by the time I get back?
Electra seemed upset she couldn't come on the 'pretty flying car' as she called it, while Timm was more than happy not to come. He claims to be scared of flying. Plus, he said he was going to write some poetry. Apparently it might help with the propos. Timm's good with his words, so... I'll trust he knows what he's talking about.
Looking up from my seat at the corner I glance around the room. It's not filled up by any means. Only 'the best' could come along apparently, but when the best includes me, Hopper, Valkri, Finnick, Magnus, Boggs and a camera crew assigned to film the mission... is it wrong that it makes me a little worried about this rebellion's future?
Coral wanted to come too, but they said she didn't have sufficient clearance. I tried to speak on her behalf, but Coin wasn't having it. Coral certainly threw quite a fit over it, but in the end she just ran off. Hopefully she'll be alright. Maybe if I could find some survivors then she might cheer up a little.
Maybe I could find Tack. He's not a confirmed death, so until further noticed I am forcing myself to believe he might still be alive. ...Stranger things have happened, right?
"I've never been to Four," Valkri says from her seat beside me. Her tears are long gone, and her firm, cold look of focus is back. "What was it like?"
"Well, it was a nice place. A fine smell of fish and salt, people always busy and cheerful... foghorns of boats always able to be heard. It was a great place to live," I say, the memories painful to think of. "But now, well, I'm scared for what we're going to see. We all know what they showed about Thirteen on TV, but Thirteen was never really dead. Four was meant to die, it could be even worse!"
"Calm," Valkri says. "Cam. Be calm. You can't control what you'll see, but you can control how you react to it. You'll be on camera, you need to be strong."
Valkri takes a deep breath, closing her eyes.
"I need to be strong too," she mutters. "The Games are wrong, and I see that for myself now. The only way they can end is if the Capitol ends. The only way the Capitol will end is if I am brave and strong."
She narrows her closed eyes, like she's trying to find some form of peace. Her breathing is slow, but hard. I move to put a hand n her shoulder, but she raises her hand before I can. I take the hint, backing off.
"Don't touch me, please," she says, firm. "I'm on your side, Urchin. But... no contact."
I nod, leaving the topic at that. Getting back to glancing around I see Hopper is gleeful in his seat, eager to get things started. I'm surprised he's not started to cause trouble after being seated for hours, but he's really been on his best behaviour. Boggs said he's taken a real shine to the 'soldier life' and I guess it shows. I can only wonder how my friend might react to seeing the most likely terrible destruction done to District Four.
"Ready to go Urchin?" he asks me, excited.
"...Yes," I say after a moment. "I need to be there. Home. If anybody's left, I can't keep them waiting."
"Right there with you," Hopper says, saluting with a gun.
Where did he get the gun!?
"It's not loaded," Boggs tells me, seeing my alarm. He gives a reassuring nod. "Ammo is loaded in once we land. All the same... Private Vigo. Gun down, now."
Hopper obeys, crossing his arms as the eagerness seems to suddenly deflate from him. I, meanwhile, feel glad that he's not got a loaded weapon yet. This is the boy who waged a one boy war on the Gamemakers and accused Snow of being in an affair with an Avox. What sane person would give him a gun!?
We're silent for a bit longer as the hovercraft flies through the sky. It's a good thing none of the Capitol hovercraft have seen us. Just one missile would be all it'd take to... I'll just try not to think about it. Yep, that's what I will do.
...It's hard not to think about it!
Time passes, but eventually the intercom comes to life. I guess it's the pilots saying we're due to land soon. Ok, deep breaths... first mission, first impression as Mockingjay. It'll be just like the parade, except maybe twenty times more important. I can do this, I can do this.
"Attention passengers," says the pilot, "It appears the ground is too unstable to land upon. The areas that are stable remain on fire or otherwise impossible to safely come to a landing at. We will have to spend time looking for a safe landing spot or you will have to get down there and clear up some space."
The pilot pauses for a moment. I hear the unmissable sound of a small, tired sigh.
"Either way, you're all going to have to HALO jump your way down to the ground," she continues. "You've had training in this, I have been told. Hovercraft is being stabilised and slowed while you all suit up and over it again. Prepared to disembark in seven minutes."
Wait, what?
What?!
"We're sky diving?!" I shriek, trying to control my breathing.
"Kick ass!" Hopper cheers, leaping up. "Me first!"
"No, not until we go over the basics again," Boggs says, firmly. "All of you young ones are jumping attached to one of the adults. Private Vigo, you're with me. Private Hook, you're with Finnick. Private Second Class Rune, you're with Magnus."
"How come Valkri ranks higher than us?" Hopper asks as I move to stand beside him.
"She is a Career," I reply, shrugging awkwardly. "Ranks don't matter. Reaching the ground at a speed that won't kill us does."
Boggs gives us the rundown as before. I guess as the adults are doing the bulk of the work this is more for them than us, but I pay attention all the same. The proper form, how leaning forth in a streamlined fashion makes us fall faster and when to pull the parachute cord. That sort of stuff. We suit ourselves up, Finnick giving me a reassuring nod.
"We're going to be fine," he tells me. "I had to do this for a few 'friends' in the Capitol once or twice. It's easy."
I sure hope he's right. By the time Boggs is satisfied that we know what to do, only three minutes remain before the drop off. The back platform of the hovercraft slowly opens up, the air suddenly billowing around us and the cold of the sky getting in. I can't help shivering as I put my goggles on. At least it seems like a sunny day out there. I'm hardly an expert, but I'd assume doing this in a rainstorm would be dangerous.
It's just like with fishing out at sea. There are some things you're better off not doing during a rainstorm.
"The plan is simple," Boggs says as he drags over a crate of parachutes. Is it just me, or does the lid on that thing look tampered with? The box says 'sealed'. Maybe I'm overthinking this. "We HALO jump in tight formation until we reach four thousand feet. A beep on your standard issue wrist watches will confirm the time to you. Pull the cord as quickly after as you can manage. I'll fall an additional three hundred feet and head towards a suitable location. You all come after me. If anybody misses the landing zone, I'll fire off a flare and you will head towards it right away. Understand?"
It's all very basic stuff if you ask me, so we all quickly confirm that we get it. Satisfied, Boggs reaches for a parachute... uh...
...Why did an arm just offer the parachute to him?
"Thanks," Boggs says, slinging it on. "...Wait, WHAT?"
Boggs wastes no time in kicking the crate over, already with a knife in hand. I'd be impressed by his quick reactions if I wasn't alarmed that he's looming over Coral with a knife. She just tumbled out of the box after all.
That'll be why the lid didn't look solid. She opened it... and stowed away... aw, dammit...
"..Surprise?" she says, an uneasy look on her face. The fake smile reminds me of the one I've had on lately.
Anything I could say to her is forgotten when Boggs beats me to it.
"What are you doing here?" he asks, firm and without patience. Amazingly, he keeps his voice level, not resorting to screaming. "You did not have clearance to come here. You should not be here."
"...It's my home too," Coral says, trembling. She stands firm, on the tips of her toes. She still barely comes up to Boggs' height. "I'm a citizen of Four. I have just as much right to be here as Urchin or any of the Mockingjays!"
"No, you don't," Boggs says, somehow keeping his voice low. "You stowed away - a fact I am still stunned actually worked without you being caught - and are hundreds of miles away from where you are supposed to be. You're missing your schedule and... Coin is going to be angry. You're going to be in severe trouble once you get back."
"He's right Coral," Finnick says. He's less angry than Boggs. In fact, my uncle even looks a tiny bit amused, but he's still firm. "What was the end goal here? This was impulsive and reckless. You-."
"I just need to know if Tack is alive!" she squeals. She gulps. "I... I need to know. I need to help; it's my home. My friends. Please, just-."
"Turbulence incoming," says the head pilot over the intercom. "One minute until the drop off."
Boggs quickly passes the adults some parachutes and pinches the bridge of his nose, sighing.
"You will be staying on this hovercraft," he says to Coral. "Once the hovercraft is able to land, you might be allowed to explore in very select areas. For now, be seated, be silent and behave. This is not a game, this is a mission. It's war. Stowing away... what were you thinking?"
Coral wipes away a tear, standing her ground as before. She glances at me, practically pleading.
"Urchin, you understand don't you?" she asks me. "You couldn't stay away from home. I c-couldn't either."
I do understand, she's correct. I'm the reason we're doing this mission in the first place. But, what am I meant to say to her? Tell Coral she was right to disobey the rebels who are helping us win this war... helping us get Ula and Prim back? Right to put herself on a mission she's been told she wasn't meant to go on nor had the appropriate skill level to join? I ponder what to say, while my film crew start to turn on their camera gear. I hear the women mention taking an aerial shot.
My thoughts are interrupted when the turbulence hits, making the hovercraft rattle. Myself and the other young ones all yell in alarm, but Boggs just raises a hand as he stands in place, rooted to the spot.
"It's all perfectly normal. The hovercraft can take it," he assures us. "Attach to your jumping partner-."
"HELP!"
Coral's blood-curdling scream becomes the centre of my entire world. My heart lurches when the turbulence knocks her off of her feet and right towards the open platform. Boggs lunges for her, but with a terrified shriek she tumbles right out of the hovercraft, starting to fall down below.
I react in an instant. I ignore all yells to stop, all shouts to cease. Before I know what's come over me I've grabbed a parachute, slug it on tight and dashed towards the open platform Coral just fell from.
"I'm coming!" I shout, leaping from solid ground to the sky outside.
All shouts behind me swiftly become distant. The only sounds that fill my ears are the rushing of the wind that blows my curls around wildly and the distant cries of Coral below me.
I failed Dory. I failed Gill. I failed Katniss, I failed Tack, I failed a lot of kids in the Quell... I failed dad... I've failed a lot of people, if you ask me. But, as my heart pounds, I know that I refuse to fail Coral too. She was reckless to come along, true, but she's not going to die from it. Not today!
My heart pounds horribly, fear filling me up as I fall faster than I'd imagine to be possible. I swallow back the vomit. I was reckless too; I just jumped off a hovercraft, what was I thinking?!
I guess I was just thinking of how somebody is in danger and that I might as well start acting like a Mockingjay and do what I can to help.
The ground is still far below, but it's not got much of my attention at the moment. How could it when Coral remains in so much danger? I fall fast, but she's still a fair distance below me.
Recalling what Boggs said, I angle myself so that my legs are up high behind me and my head is right down. My stomach feels like it just back-flipped from how my speed just got a lot faster.
"I'm coming!" I call to her, but I hardly hear my own voice.
If she said or even screamed something in response I hardly hear it. The air billowing around me makes it impossible to hear much. Slowly but surely, I'm starting to close in on her.
The ground is getting closer too.
Boggs said we have to pull the cord at four thousand feet in the air. I expected that it would be a lot, but with how fast we're falling I suddenly realise this is a lot less than it seemed. If I remember it right from school, hovercrafts - at least, the ones that fly to the arenas every year - typically fly at almost twelve thousand feet. I've probably already fallen a few thousand by now.
Time's running out!
I hold my arms to my sides, keeping them straight like a paddle. I point my feet up as best as I can. Anything to keep me going faster than the speed Coral is falling.
"Please, please, please," I stammer, close to being sick or, worse yet, passing out.
Coral's hoarse screams fill my ears, getting a bit louder by the second. Almost got her!
She looks at me, her eyes wide and her iris' shrunken in a look of pure fear. Nobody should ever have that sort of a look on their face. She holds out her arms, trying to reach me as I keep narrowing the gap. Almost, almost!
Just as she's a few inches away from being able to grab me I hear my wrist watch let out a loud beep.
Four thousand feet, and I've still not reached her. Shit!
"Grab hold me of me!" I yell, desperate. "We're running out of time! Lay flat, you might fall slower!"
Coral's tears pour down her face, some of them flying off and getting left behind in the sky behind us. She lays as I asked, spread out like a starfish. I'm not sure how much difference it really makes, but it clearly makes just enough as I fall close enough to grab Coral a few heart pounding second later. She breathes rapidly, her words inaudible as she clings to me like a clamp. I choke, having issues breathing from the force of her right hold. I hear her babbling 'sorry' over and over again, but I can't make anymore sense of her words than that.
I'm about to reach for the cord, but that's when it hits me. I can't reach it without letting go of her. If I dropped her... no. I can't risk that. Not now, not when I just reached her!
"Coral!" I bark out. "Pull the red cord, now! Now!"
I keep a tight hold around her, hopefully locking her into place. She sobs breathlessly, but is still stable enough to heed my words. She yanks the cord hard with one hand after a few moments of fumbling, her other still wrapped around me. We both yelp as suddenly we start to fall a bit slower, the parachute having sprung behind us. Oh, thank the Heavenly Dockyard...
Looking down I feel my pale face get even paler. It's still quite a distance to the ground, and Coral is only being saved from a deadly drop by my arms around her. Suddenly I start to feel her weight on me. Not much, but it's not like I'm particularly big to begin with.
"Don't let go of me," I tell her, breathless.
"Don't let go of me either," she mumbles, her voice high pitched and her eyes red from crying. "Don't... don't..."
"I won't," I say, holding her. "...Oh crap..."
We're slowing down, but I don't know if it's going to be enough. The ground is closer than before and it's approaching way too fast for my liking. I can't be sure of it, but I doubt we were even a thousand feet up when the parachute was activated. Worse yet is the sight I can see.
Oh no... no..
...My home...
District Four is a big place, and I always assumed that from the sky it'd be visible for as far as th eye can see. Well, that's certainly true. I can see it for miles, all of the many towns that make up the District and the places fenced off since the Dark Days.
It's all destroyed.
Smouldering fires, broken buildings, craters everywhere. Smoke billows from all around, the home I once knew gone amongst the carnage. And... oh shit, what did they do to the ocean!
It's like a sea of poison, all kinds of horrible shades of green. It churns in a way no water should, the boat wreckage melted amongst it from what I can tell. Swimming would be fatal, clearly. It'll take years to fix that horrible mess. What kind of bombs could do something like that to the ocean?
I'm torn away from my staring at the terrible wasteland when Coral screams again, her grip staring to falter. I grip her tighter, so much that part of me worries I may be putting on too much pressure. We're both close to tears as, finally, the ground starts to get closer.
We're still going too fast, and the wreckage of the Justice Hall is just up ahead. I yell and a moment later Coral looks back and screams louder.
"How do we steer?!" she shrieks.
"I don't know!" I exclaim "Uh... lean to the left! My left!"
We both lean together as one, pushing our weight to one side. We swing away from the Justice Hall, quickly coming in for a landing towards the rough, stone ground.
I spin us around, bracing to take the impact for us both. I've got the proper gear on, Coral doesn't. It's only fair.
AARRRRGGHH!
I groan, laying on my back with blurred vision. My back throbs and my eyes spin in their sockets. I groan, feeling completely battered. Nothing broken, but most things hurting.
Coral stands up, taking deep breathes. She kneels beside me, badly shaken. I've never seen her face so pale in all the years I have known her. She offers me a trembling hand, helping me up to my knees. I groan a bit as I kneel across from her, taking off the parachute backpack. It's a minute or two before we catch enough of our breathes back to say a word.
"...Are you alright?" I ask her. "How can I help? If there's anything-."
She flings her arms around me, sobbing into my shoulder. Never have I seen Coral so afraid, so broken... so ashamed. She shivers like a tribute in a tundra, mumbling how stupid she is and offering constant apologies. I let out a breath and hold her close.
I didn't fail her.
"You're safe now," I tell her. "You're safe..."
That's when I take a moment to look around the square of District Four, a place I hadn't seen since the reaping a few weeks ago. It's so different now that it's hard to believe it's even the same place.
Cracked ground, smouldering buildings, the scent of death in the air, charred bones... it's all broken.
Not the welcome back I'd been hoping for.
Looking up, the sunny sky is gone. From down here, the sky above is a nasty mixture between grey and poisonous looking green. It's full of smog, and so unnatural.
"We're home," I mutter, revolted by all that I am seeing. Glancing up, I can't see the rest parachuting in just yet. I guess we're alone together for at least a little while. I guess in some ways it's fitting, us both being from here before the madness began. "...Let's see what they've done to the neighbourhood while we've been away. Not exactly coming back to it the way we remember it..."
Once Coral calms down, at least enough to be get off her knees and be willing to walk with me, I think I know a good place to look around before anywhere else.
The Victor Village.
Even after a while on the bench while other stories were being written, it seems Urchin hasn't missed a beat when getting back into the action. Out of the underground District and into the ruins of District Four, not a bad opener if I do say so myself. Do you agree though? Feel free to let me know! This story is only just getting started and I'm certainly excited to get on with what is yet to come. For starters... what lurks in the dead District? Find out next time!