A continuation of the previous chapter. I'm also using a bit of the dialogue from the film version of Catching Fire. Follow for regular updates. :)
We walk across the shaded verandah to the top of a big flight of marble stairs. There's a special platform at the bottom of the stage for the families of the dead tributes. On Thresh's side, there's an old woman and a tall, muscular girl who must be his sister. On Rue's, it's her parents, and five younger siblings, who look like little copies of Rue.
The applause dies out and the mayor gives a speech in our honor. Two little girls come up with huge bouquets of flowers for each of us.
I read the first part of the scripted reply from Effie, and Katniss finishes it. I have my personal comments written down, but I don't need them.
"They fought with honor and dignity until the end. Both Thresh and Rue were so young. But our lives aren't just measured in years. The measure in our lives are the people we touch around us. For myself, for Katniss, we know that without Thresh and Rue, we wouldn't be standing here today," I say. "It can in no way replace your losses, but as a token of our thanks, we'd like for each of the tributes' families from District Eleven to receive one month of our winnings every year for the duration of our lives," I finish.
The crowd responds with gasps and murmurs. I don't know if what I've done is even allowed, but I had to do something to repay the families, to demonstrate to Katniss that we are on the same side. In the confusion of what I've just done, she kisses me, which doesn't seem at all staged. I want to ask her if the kiss was real or for the cameras, but now is not the time. The mayor steps forward and presents us each with a plaque. The ceremony is nearly over, but suddenly, Katniss says, "Wait!" and moves forward to the edge of the stage. "Wait, please."
"I want to give my thanks to the tributes of District Eleven," she says. "I only ever spoke to Thresh one time. Just long enough for him to spare my life. I didn't know him, but I always respected him. For his power. For his refusal to play the Games on anyone's terms but his own. The Careers wanted him to team up with them from the beginning, but he wouldn't do it. I respected him for that."
Thresh's mother or possibly grandmother raises her head to Katniss's words and a trace of a smile plays on her lips. The rest of the crowd seems to be holding their breath. Katniss then turns to Rue's family. "But I feel as if I did know Rue, and she'll always be with me. Everything beautiful brings her to mind. I see her in the yellow flowers that grow in the Meadow by my house. I see her in the mockingjays that sing in the trees. But most of all, I see her in my sister, Prim. Thank you for your children." She then addresses the crowd. "And thank you all for the bread."
Everyone stares at Katniss in total silence. Then, from somewhere in the crowd, someone whistles Rue's four-note mockingjay tune. The whistler is an old man in a faded red shirt and overalls. Then suddenly, every person in the crowd presses the three middle fingers of their left hand against their lips and extends them to Katniss. It's our sign from District 12, the last good-bye Katniss gave Rue in the arena.
Katniss and I acknowledge a final round of applause. I lead her back toward the doors. "Are you all right?" I ask her.
"Just dizzy. The sun was so bright," she says. She notices my bouquet. "I forgot my flowers," Katniss mumbles. "I'll get them," I say. "I can," she answers.
What happens next, I can hardly believe. From the deep shade of the verandah, we see the whole thing. A pair of Peacekeepers drag the old man who whistled to the top of the steps. They force him to his knees before the crowd. And then they put a bullet through his head.