DC: The Hunger Games belong to Suzanne Collins

CHAPTER 2

After I was released from the hospital, I locked myself in my assigned compartment for days. Neither Prim nor my mother can make me eat or talk. I just kept to myself. It was great having my own room. I was all alone. When news of my condition reached President Coin, uniformed medical personnel barged into my room one day and forcedly injected me with something. Since I don't eat the drug will help my body, one of the doctors explained to me. Why can't they just let me die? If Peeta's to die anyway, I might as well die too. I failed him. I deserve to die.

No one, except for my family, came to visit me. Not Haymitch or Gale or any of my crew. I found solace with the pearl Peeta gave me. I would often put my lips to it and pretend that it's Peeta I'm kissing. Willing him to hang on, asking him for his forgiveness, for failing him and then I would cry some more. It was during one of these moments when the overhead TV suddenly turned on and the Capitol's seal flashed. Snow's face filled the screen and I was filled with so much hatred I barely had enough control over myself to not hit the TV with anything. I gritted my teeth and watched.

"Citizens of Panem, the past few months have been tragic for all of us. While your government tries hard to maintain peace and order, the Rebels have done nothing but destroy what we have worked hard to build. They have put their faith on one silly girl they call their Mockingjay. Surely for a symbol of the rebellion, we ought to see more of her, right? But where is she? She's hidden somewhere safe while many die!" Snow's snakelike eyes flashed with anger.

"This brings us to our agenda for today." Sudden dread filled me. "To set an example to those who desire to bring down our great nation, to those who dare to steal what we have for their own gain no matter what the cost, the rebels Johanna Mason, Annie Cresta and Peeta Mellark are to be executed at dawn on Saturday." He said with finality.

The camera shifted to Snow's side and showed Johanna, Annie and Peeta all bound and bloodied. Annie was unconscious, Johanna managed to look at the camera and spit on it which got her a beating from the nearby Peacekeeper. Peeta, on the other hand, was approached by Snow. He grabbed Peeta's hair and forced him to face the camera. A cry of pain escaped me as I saw how bad he looked. His face was full of bruises and old wounds. His left eye was almost shut. The lips that I long to kiss was bloodied and now formed a cry of pain as Snow jabbed his ribs, which obviously was broken. I doubled over, feeling Peeta's pain as my own. The camera showed the rest of his body, adding to the torture I'm feeling inside. Peeta's body showed how much abuse he got while in prison. His leg looked broken and is still bleeding from a wound I could not see. Despite my pain, I reached up to the screen to touch his face. And as if he felt my presence, he looked at the camera, right to me and mouthed please.

Snow's face came back on the screen. He smiled once and then the screen went black. I fell to my knees and hugged my body as sob after sob racked my body.

For what seemed like ages, I got up and steadied myself. I have to help Peeta. I will not just stand by and watch him die like that. I went to my closet and pulled out my Mockingjay suit. I hated and loved this suit. Hated it because of the price I have to pay wearing it and loving it because it was Cinna and he had tons of faith in me. Faith that I don't deserve but I must own up to.

With a new sense of determination and strength, I dressed. I looked at myself in the mirror and I could no longer see the girl from the Seam. I see instead the Mockingjay.

I made my way to Command. People I passed stared at me and generally gave me a wide berth. They must have seen something in face that made them steer clear of me. I saw in their expressions a varied range of emotions from anger to pity to sadness. Everybody knows and they feel sad for me. It made me falter in my step and I had to stop myself from clutching my midsection as the pain hits me again. I must be strong now. Peeta needs me.

I stopped at the door leading me to Command. The two guards were taken aback by my sudden appearance. But they did not block my way. I could see the same pity in their eyes. Even though it's closed I could clearly hear raised voices from the other side of the door. I could hear Haymitch shouting "It's a trap!"

I lingered for a while by the door, listening to their conversation. President Coin was saying something I couldn't quite catch. Whatever it was, Haymitch didn't agree with it. I heard him argue out, "So we'll just let them die?"

To which Coin replied with, "If you have a better idea, let's hear it then." That was my cue. I nodded to one of the guards and he punched in the security codes and the doors swished open. I stepped in unnoticed, they were all busy arguing. I took a deep breath and unsheathed a small knife I have by my calf. I took aim and let it fly. It was a perfect hit. It sunk itself at the middle of the table. Everyone was stunned for a moment and then turned their eyes towards me.

I stepped into the light, "I'm your idea. I'm getting them out."

Gale was on his feet at once and I knew he would butt in but I did not give him the chance. I quickly spoke up, looking at no one else but President Coin. "Snow wants me that bad but he's not an idiot. He knows as much as I want to get Peeta, I'll not be allowed to go anywhere near the Capitol. I'm too precious to the rebellion to risk it. He won't expect me actually heading to the Capitol to do the rescue."

"He's setting a trap. Of course he'd consider all possible scenarios." Haymitch challenged.

"I know. That's why we need a diversion. Get his attention long enough for us to get the others."

Coin was looking thoughtful, "And how do you propose we do this diversion?"

Beetee cleared his throat. "We might have a solution for that." Seeing he has everyone's attention, he then explained how they can hack into the Capitol's communication system and air the propos that we have been doing. "But for this to really work, we need something big. Something that will surely draw their attention."

"I know how." Came a quiet voice. It was Finnick. He was seated at the other end of the long table. Even form this distance I could see how red his eyes were, how disheveled he look and then I remembered. Annie is Finnick's great love. He met my eyes and for a moment we both shared the same pain. He nods in understanding before continuing, "I have the perfect thing to make Snow pay attention."

Hope was beginning to form in me. All is not lost yet. Wait for me, Peeta. I'm coming to get you. Coin was silent, she was lost in thought. I turned to look at those seated at the table. When my eyes landed on Haymitch, he looked defeated. He slumped on his seat and rubbed his temples. Gale was angry. I could very well see that.

Finally Coin said, "Ok. We go with this plan. Beetee, work on getting those systems hacked. Cressida, work with Finnick. Boggs, round up a team for the mission….." and so on she goes with her instructions.

I was elated. Finally something's set into motion. We're going to get them out. I turned to head out the door to prepare when President Coin called me. I turned to look at her. Her pale eyes were cold and calculating.

"I hope you don't die out there."

AN: I always wondered what if Katniss was allowed to join the rescue team. What might have happened between the time she saw Peeta on screen to the planning and actual rescue. I hope I do justice to this wonderful story. :D

As always, reviews are much appreciated.

"may the odds be ever in your favor."