Ember Blaze

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games

Chapter 3: I'll be the Mockingjay

Siobhan's POV

My name is Siobhan Underwood. I am nineteen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. Gale escaped and I was capture. The Capitol hates Gale while I'm taken prisoner. He's alive. And I'm pregnant, if not titled traitor. I don't know what to do, but follow Snows orders in order to keep the people I love alive.

I lay in bed unable to get up from the nauseating feeling. Damn morning sickness. But that isn't the only thing I'm worry about. I worry about Gale. There's no doubt that he saw the interview. I'm afraid he wouldn't want kids. Hell, we are only young adults. I'd be twenty in two months. There are no single mothers in District 12. The only time a woman is a single mother is when she is a widow. Gale and I aren't legally married and the toasting we did was a coincident. A joke.

Now I don't know what to do. If I give birth in the Capitol, will they take the child to use against Gale? Hold the infant as hostage? Raise the child in their ways of life? Or worse? I fear what the dark side of the child born in the Capitol I refused to consider it.

Although that's not the only thing. If my parents were alive what would they think? My mother would probably be excited to be a grandmother while my father disappointed. After his realization of being a grandfather…fear would kick in. The child's name will have no exception in escaping the reaping. Six years of standing in heat agonizing waiting if your name is going to be call. Will the child be spared if the war ends with the Capitol winning and Hunger Games continue? The public would be baffle if not riot against the possibility if the child is reaped.

A knock on the door was heard and ignored. I don't want Darius or Lavinia in here. However the person enters anyway. The person sat on the bed from behind then wave a sugar cube in front of my face. "Sugar cube?"

I ignored him which Finnick did an exaggerated sigh, "Come now, and no need to wallow in self-pity."

"Think the Capitol is able to cross-gender you so you can understand morning sickness when pregnant?" I sarcastically asked.

The playboy winced of going through morning sickness constantly for who knows how many months. "Okay, point taken." He then helps me sit up and hug me in a brotherly way with his lips near my ear. "We're gonna get out here."

"How?" I asked.

"Just be patient," he whispered. "Soon you'll be with Flame boy and such."

"And you with Annie." I countered.

Finnick gave a small smile.

Through the eight weeks Finnick and I got to know each other better. He has definitely become a brother figure to me. Talked about our homes, what it's like living by the ocean while I told him of the mines. How the coal miners work. He was baffled when we told him about using a canary as a warning signal to see if the air was too thin to be down there. If the bird stop singing and dies the tunnel is not safe.

.o0o.

Gale's POV

The next day I hardly had any sleep. After Katniss and I left the closet I inform my family the situation. My mother Hazelle was mix emotion. First she is going to be a grandmother and that Siobhan is still alive, however both are still in the Capitol. Next Mark came up to me with a serious look. One that says if looks could kill. Yeah, I'm a dead man that's for sure. I'm probably still alive because the rebels need me.

This morning I was surprise to see my schedule, for after breakfast it was Command. So slowly I ate breakfast with my family keeping a guard out in case Mark plans on killing me. Mark Underwood hardly spoke to me since he was busy in getting Haymitch sober as some rank in medicine. He's not a doctor, but he is not a nurse like Mrs. Everdeen. Next to me Posy poked at her breakfast of bowl of hot grains, a cup of milk, mashed turnips, and a strip of bacon. So far she ate her bacon and hot grains, but the turnips she look in mere disgust. I chuckled switching my bacon for her turnips. Her eyes widen and mumbles thank you. All of the refugees taking shelter here scarves down food asking for seconds. However there are no seconds. The nutrition is down by science. You eat enough calories based on your height, weight, age, and whatnot. Already the people from Twelve have gain weight looking much healthier instead of skin and bones.

Katniss and her family sat down next to me. I notice her staring at my turnips, not being a turnip fan I handed her my portion secretly. Strict rules on how people eat in the dining hall. No sharing food. No seconds. Do not take food outside the dining hall, and etc. So everything is done secretly.

"You've got to stop that," Katniss said, though that didn't stop her greedily taking a bite of the turnip. "Really. It's probably illegal or something."

"What can they do? They've already got my communicuff." I shrugged.

She finished up her turnips, "Hey, maybe you should make that condition of being the Mockingjay."

"That I can feed you turnips?" I asked.

"No, that we can hunt." That got my attention. "We'd have to give everything to the kitchen. But still, we could . . . "

"I'll try," I said. "Now that I can think about it, I could probably ask for the moon and they'd find some way to get it."

Katniss and my family laughed to the joke, though I'm not going to demand for the moon. Instead I'm demanding for Siobhan's life. From what I had heard Siobhan is consider a traitor and to be taken in as prisoner or worse killed on sight. The bell suddenly rang signally that our breakfast shift was over. I sighed for I got to face the dragon lady.

"What are you scheduled for?" Katniss asked.

"I got to go to Command." I answered.

"Can I come?"

"Fine, but don't be surprise if they throw you out." I warned her.

When we reached Command, Coin, Plutarch, and other members of the war council were assembled. The sight of Katniss raised some eyebrows, but no one throw her out. I took a mental note in what I want to confirm my post as the Mockingjay. Hunting. Siobhan's immunity. Announced to the public. And most importantly I KILL SNOW.

"Have you made your final decision?" Plutarch asked.

"Yes," I answered with a determined voice. "I'll be your mockingjay under some conditions."

"And that would be?" Fluvia asked.

"I and Katniss are allowed to go hunting in the woods." I started. This baffled some of the people.

"We won't go far, and we'll use our personal bows. The game we collected shall go to the kitchens, a win-win on that topic." I explained. "The reason for this request is because I can't stay under ground for too long."

Plutarch started discussing about the draw backs in the request, except agreed. "Let them. Give them two hours a day, deduct from their training time. A quarter-mile radius. With communication units and tracker anklets. What's next?"

"Katniss. I request that she be by my side on any missions." I added.

"Luckily you two are cousins," Coin said as a matter of fact.

"I think we should continue the current romance. A quick defection from Siobhan could cause the audience to lose sympathy for her." Plutarch said. "Especially since they think she's pregnant with his child."

"Very well, Soldier Everdeen shall be your comrade." Coin said.

I clenched my fist hearing how they don't believe that what Siobhan said is true. The implications that I would ever consider dumping her so easily. How they think everything between her and I was an act, that we were nothing more than friends. That all we did is for survival. Yeah it was, but it still a jab in the gut to think I can't love my girl. Was there something I missed that happened in the arena to a point they think low of Siobhan. When I asked Mark, my friends, Plutarch, and others who could explain what happened when we separated in the arena. All I got was that her heritage is out of the bag. I know Siobhan had an ancestor who originated from the Capitol. But it doesn't mean she's the enemy.

Hell, I know about it and I don't give a fuck.

Siobhan is Siobhan.

"When we win this war, Siobhan will be pardon of any war crimes." I said. The war council went silence. Katniss body relaxes. Glad she agrees about this. "There shall be no form of punishment given. The same treatment is given to the other tributes captured, Finnick and Enobaria." Forthrightly, I don't give a damn about Enobaria since she's the vicious District 2 tribute. I'll give her credit in being committed to her teeth. Also after meeting Annie a few times, I know its right to save Odair. Even if the guy gets under my skin.

"No," Coin said flatly.

"Yes," I shot back. "You can't blame somebody who has been abandon by you in the arena. Who knows what the Capitol is doing to them? So far all that makeup is covering up bruises and scars."

Fluvia and Plutarch looked down knowing how the magic of makeup can do for the Capitol.

"They'll be tried with other war criminals and treated as the tribunal sees fit." She said.

"No they will be granted immunity." I ground out. "You will announce to the entire District that is recorded for future generations, that Siobhan, Finnick, and Enobaria have diplomatic immunity. Your government is responsible for their safety. Sadly you failed to rescue Finnick who is indeed a rebel while Siobhan was somebody you intended on saving. If you don't follow my demands then you better find a new Mockingjay. Otherwise you'll have another riot that'll disrupt the fractions of this district."

My warning hanged tensely in the air.

"That's him!" Fluvia hissed to Plutarch. "Right there. With the costume, gunfire in the background, just hint of smoke."

Hell fucking no. I thought. No place in hell am I wearing a damn costume again. I'll wear the grey uniform, but there is no place in Panem am I wearing a costume again. Portia did a lot of persuade me into the chariot costume. This is a war not the Hunger Games. I glared at Coin who calculating the cost of my ultimatum.

"What do you say, President?" Plutarch asked. "You could issue an official pardon, given the circumstances. The girl . . . she's pregnant."

"All right," Coin said. "But you'd better perform."

"After the announcement," I said.

"Call a national security assembly during Reflection today," She orders. "I'll make the announcement then. Is there anything left on your list, Gale?"

"Yes, I kill Snow." I finished.

Coin hint a smile on her lips, "When the time comes, I'll flip you for it."

"Very well," I agreed.

Coin checked her communcuff on her wrist checking the time. "I'll leave him in your hands, then, Plutarch." Then exited the room leaving Katniss, Fluvia, and Plutarch in the room with me.

"Excellent. Excellent." Plutarch said rubbing one of his eyes. "You know what I miss? More than anything? Coffee. I ask you, would it be so unthinkable to have something to wash down the gruel and turnips."

"We didn't think it would be quite so rigid here," Fluvia said massaging his shoulders. "I mean, even Twelve had a black market, right?"

"Yeah, the Hob," I said. "It's where we traded."

"There, you see? And look how moral you two are! Virtually incorruptible." Plutarch sighed. "Oh, well, wars don't last forever. So, glad to have you on the team. You know in general what we're asking from you, Gale."

I nodded though didn't replied back. Katniss seemed awkward in the room not sure what to say. All the time spent has been a waste practically. The moment bickering about who's the enemy and who's an allied is putting the innocent at risk. So far I just want to put a bullet in Snow's head. Have my girlfriend in my arms, and most importantly start the family. Yet I still feel some guilt inside from what happen in the arena. How Mags, Wiress, and the Morphling sacrifice themselves, Odair alliance, and Siobhan still in enemies hand.

"Our plan is to launch an Airtime Assault," Plutarch said. "To make a series of what we call propos-which is short for 'propaganda spots' – featuring you, and broadcast them to the entire population of Panem."

"But doesn't the Capitol have control of broadcasting?" Katniss asked.

"But we have Beetee…" Plutarch said.

He continues on that nearly a decade ago, Beetee redesign the underground network that transmits all the programming. He thinks it's possible to hack into the system to air these propos. Now the debate went to how to pull the plan off. Not of Beetee hacking, but my performance. How to build me into a rebel leader? The two citizens from the Capitol were so complex in their conversations that they didn't notice Katniss murmured commentary. Suddenly Fluvia was in my face, in fact, my face were in her hands. She talks about how I would appear off victorious and blood, or charismatic illuminating in fire to represent the rebellion. I jerk my head away while the flower cheek woman snapped her fingers.

"So, with that in mind, we have another little surprise for you. Come, come." She said waving her hand at Katniss and me to follow her and Plutarch.

"So well intended, and yet so insulting," I muttered quietly in Katniss ear.

"Welcome to the Capitol," she mouthed back.

We boarded an elevator as Plutarch checked his notes saying we are heading to compartment 3908. Although that floor level is a restriction section where prisoners or hesitant rebels occupants live in. Katniss looked confused as Plutarch used a key into the slot. The elevator doors shut, and then descend thirty levels down into the deep depths of the earth.

My mind wonder if I haven't volunteered into the Hunger Games and Rory and Siobhan weren't reaped. I would be working in the mines before dawn till the afternoon and six days a week. The coal dust dusted on my skin. Never knowing if the mines are going too collapse? If I would lose a limb or dead, just like my father. And on Sunday I'll be secretly going to the forest to hunt down food for my family adding more of a risk.

The elevator doors open revealing a white corridor lined with red doors. Something didn't feel right. This floor looks nothing like the ones in the upper levels. We walked down the floor each giving a number. As we walked down I hear the metal grate door slide over the door. A guard stood in front of 3908. Plutarch greeted the guard speaking lowly impossible to hear. The guard nodded stepping aside to let us in. One look at Katniss face could tell something is up. As we enter the room to a small tunnel another stood by a metal door.

"Good morning, we were just looking for –"Plutarch began.

"You have the wrong floor," the guard interrupted.

"Really?" Plutarch doubled checked his notes. "I've got Three-Nine-Oh-Eight written right here. I wonder if you could give a call up to-"

"I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave now. Assignment discrepancies can be addressed at the Head Office," the guard said.

The two bickered about the situation. Both were wondering where the Head Office was on Level Seven. I stared at the door curious in what is so top secret that there needed to be a guard. Suddenly a raspy voice of an all too familiar voice came from the other side along what sounded like a sewing machine.

"Damn it Cinna, why do make your designs so difficult." Muttered a female voice. I stared at Katniss for a moment, long enough for the people in the room to bicker. I push the guard aside and open the door thinking it was somebody who is supposed to be dead or locked in a Capitol cell. The guard protested but not the door.

In the cell was a woman hunched along a sewing machine while examining a design sketch from a black leather book. There were materials of fabrics that were common in District 13 and other material that were from the armory. The woman looked up surprised.

She was thin, bruises under eyes, her dark skin that shine like copper now pale. The once puffy blonde here with golden tips was now straight if not oily. Her once black lipstick gone replace with chap brown lips. The black attire replaced gray. The once sharped nails were now broken from constant use. Her black eyes widen in seeing me.

"Gale," She gasped.

"Portia . . ."

My stylist.

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