The 76th Hunger Games
Author's note: Let's say Madge wasn't killed in Mockingjay, so this time it's gonna be her POV.
Disclaimer: Credits for the Hunger Games goes to Suzanne Collins.
Part 1 – The Last Tributes
Chapter One: Berries Bring Back Bitter Memories
I am alive, alright. Didn't die during the last uprising of the 13 districts of Panem against Capitol, its ruling city. That's thanks to the food in the storage that kept my family alive during the war. I just heard Katniss arrived yesterday. But she went straight to their house at the Victor's Village. Alone.
Prim, Katniss' younger sister, died during the last day of the war. Leaving Katniss traumatized for months and their mother grieving. We all knew their mother's not coming back here. The sight of the ashes, the memories, the loss, it's too much for her to handle. But why is Katniss alone? Where's Peeta? Gale? And that mentor of her's, Haymitch?
"Do you want berries?" says father as he barges into my room without knocking, bringing a bowl of berries. "I've picked them out myself, you know." I manage a smile. I still remember it was Katniss and Gale who used to sell berries here at home knowing my father is very fond of them, until the reaping
"Sure." I get up from my comfy bed and walk towards him. I pick a berry and follow my father to the balcony, which only ten steps away from my bedroom door. Peaceful feeling and cold wind greet us. This is my favorite part of the day. The breaking dawn.
"Katniss is back. With Mr. Abernathy." says father as he watches me pick another berry. So, my question has been answered, Haymitch is with her. But I'm guessing he's in his own mansion at the Victor's village.
"I know. Where's Peeta? and… Gale?" I look down, avoiding my father's gaze. I know he's staring at me right now. He knew Katniss is my friend, and I think Gale also is – or was.
During the first days of the uprising, I remember Gale was calling my name from the gate of our back exit. It wasn't actually just calling, it was something like shouting my name like I've held something from him. It was few moments before District 12 was bombed and his face was in total horror.
"Madge, you've gotta come with us. District 12 is the first target of the Capitol. You'll die if you stay here." says Gale. He was squeezing my arms so hard but I'm so shocked to do anything. He looks at the door pass me as if trying to find someone and then "All of you here!" adds Gale. I'm shocked by Gale's news, but I'm even more shocked that he's here warning us.
"Katniss will be there, I promise. District 13 is well-armed. We'll be safe there!" I'm taken aback by Gale's news about District 13.
"Gale, there's no District 13." I say, hoping he'll doubt his last statement. But there is only firmness in his reaction.
"Please Madge, believe me. I'll explain to you everything once we get out of here. Talk to your father. Convince him!" says Gale, still getting a grip on my shoulders, squeezing me more.
"I believe you Gale. But my father won't." I try to explain.
"Try! Everyone's vacating. I can't leave you here!"
"Okay…" I say. Then I turn back to tell my father, who was actually watching us from behind. I try to run back to Gale as fast as I could but Peacekeepers are already pushing him back.
"Gale… Gale!…" I am worried they might hurt him. I couldn't prevent my tears as I say these words. "I'm sorry. You have to warn others. Save yourself. Save them! I'll try to make it there. I promise."
And then the first explosion starts. I see Gale running away and myself running back into the house.
Tears fall from my eyes as the last memory of my friend fades away. We are now at District 12, but we always have been. Something in me tells I did not break my promise to Gale, that I'd try to make it to District 13. I did… try. But I knew better, even before my father could start explaining himself.
All the high-ranked officials in each district, having to work under the Capitol for many years, have been considered traitors by the rebels. Even after the war has ended already. And my father, the ever respected Mayor of District 12, didn't escape that. We could still feel it as if some families that came back here blame us why their relatives have been killed. You could see it by the way they glare at us whenever they pass by our house. We did not kill anybody of course. But we did not do anything also to help them.
"We can't go there!" my father explains. "We shall not take any sides. We hide here. We'll be lucky enough if the bombs would not destroy our house entirely." These are my father's words when we were hiding. The Capitol was not losing its side during that time that's why my father chose to boycott. He also added that if Capitol wins and finds out we were rebels. We would suffer twice as the rebel would. He thinks this was the safest plan.
It's not that I'm sad that the Capitol had been defeated, that the rebels won. I feel like I'm really a rebel since then. But still, I can't help to have second thoughts on being happy because everything's backfiring at my family now.
"I'm sorry Madge," my father speaks softly. "if only I weighed the choices so well, if I hadn't played safe, we won't feel neglected and abandoned by now." I look at him. He was blankly staring at the green horizon. I hug him tight and try to make him feel less troubled.
"I love you. And mother, too. We'll stay with you wherever you want us to go. No matter what. If only mother's well, she'd tell you this herself." I reassure him.
"I love you, too. I love you both of your mother." says father as he hugs me tighter. I do not want to let go of my father's embrace, but I guess he wants to eat berries so we let go. He picks two berries and gives one to me.
"You haven't changed father. You still are very fond of berries." I try to divert the topic to avoid the awkward moment.
"I won't change this habit, you know. War won't change that." says father. We both laugh. "But you, you grew taller. How old are you now? Sixteen?"
"Seventeen!" I exclaim. "going on eighteen next two months, actually."
"Wow. Time runs so fast, doesn't it? You'll be getting married real soon. And you'll leave us then."
"Married? I don't even have a boyfriend father!"
"But you're old enough to live on your own. You'll Leave us ."
"oh come on. Stop bringing up sad topics, father." I'm complaining already. I can't cry again. "I will stay close to you no matter what. I promise."
"I promise." mimics father. He then gave me a warm smile. " anyway, Katniss is at the Victor's Village. Arrived with Mr. Abernathy yesterday."
"You said that earlier." I say as I find myself staring at the horizon searching for the Victor's Village. I can see two houses that have its lights on. It's Katniss' and Haymitch. "Is she alright, father?"
"She's good. Although she's still recovering and not back to her normal self. After all that she's been through and her sister's death, very devastating. I know she loved her sister so much."
"Katniss is strong. I hope she'll still carry on." I gave a sigh. " so where's Peeta and Gale? They did not abandon her, did they?"
"Oh, I heard Gale's at district 2. Got a fancy work over there. And Peeta? Well, I don't know. I guess he's still at the Capitol, getting his wounds healed by doctors." father pauses. "but I bet he'd be here as soon as possible, knowing Katniss is here." This a clear proof that father's been catching up with the news.
"oh." The only reply I can give. My eyes are not taking off from Katniss' house. I worry for her. I want to see her so badly.
"You could go check on her, you know." Says father who have been watching me intently. "she's you're friend after all."
"Nah." I say, that's actually the opposite of what I want to say. "It might be dangerous out there. I bet there's a thousand of soldiers, or are they still called peacekeepers, guarding her day and night. Besides, she might not remember me."
"oh, she will." reassures father. " you gave her the pin, didn't you? It has been her symbol- the symbol of the rebellion. If I were her, I'd never forget that."
The pin. How could I forget about the pin? The mockingjay pin my Aunt Maysilee had worn during the 2nd quarter quell when she was picked as tribute. It was given to me by my mother. I guess when the Capitol returned Aunt Maysilee's dead body, the pin was still in tacked. That was the only way we could've acquired it. And then during the 74th hunger games, when Katniss volunteered to be the tribute instead of Prim, I gave her the pin. I knew she'd win. She'd cover the death of Aunt Maysilee and bring honor to her through that pin. But, I also gave it to her as a sign of my admiration. It was a token, the only token I've given her… who was my only true friend.
"But what about the guards?" I ask father. " I mean, isn't she…" I pause, trying to find the right words to fill in.
"found guilty?" my father adds. "No, I mean she killed Coin, alright. But doctors explained she was still emotionally and mentally unstable for Snow's execution when Coin ordered it. The odds, I guess, is in her favor now."
My hearts starts beating fast. I feel so excited. I have to go, and I will go. I inhaled the cold breeze of the air and finds out the sun swept the fogs away. I can sense it's nearly 6am. I face father and nod.
"Okay father. I'll be back soon." And then I walk towards my room.
