Chapter 7 – Homecoming
AN: My apologies for not updating as frequently as I anticipated. I know it's been a while. Hopefully, this year will be less stressful that I can concentrate on updating more often. Crossing fingers. Lol Thank you to those who alerted, favored and reviewed the last chapter. They are greatly appreciated. I always look forward to reading all the comments.
Insert my usual disclaimer here. Lol If you find any mistakes they are mine alone. This chapter was written with Haymitch POV and is rated R for strong language. And without much further ado...
Haymitch POV –
The house is eerily quiet. Let me backtrack and say that ordinarily my home has always been quiet since I lived alone and had determined to live in solitude. But since the attack, the usual chirping of birds and chirring of insects at night were silent. I always took it for granted that noise was something I would miss—the sound of the coal mine bell signaling the end of the day or the bells from the Justice Building tolling at the courtyard. What I missed the most are sounds of life in general, the racket of children running, screaming and laughing, the ring of the surplus train at the depot, but most of all, the murmuring sounds of voices—men and women in conversation.
My stomach lurched and grumbled. It's been a few hours since I last ate. Its been a days since I ate Jimmy's baked goods and a brew of fresh coffee and alcohol. Lying on my couch, my body was sore and my mind heavy. Sleep was a commodity rare and a few. I haven't slept well since...I tried to recollect the last time I slept in peace and without disturbance. It may have been decades since I slept unencumbered as I used alcohol as a sleeping aid and companion. It was also my way to cope with my life and an escape. I breathed deep and heavy feeling my lungs exhaling in and out counting to ten. Just as I was about to drift off into slumber a hard knock disrupted me.
"Sir," a voice sounded from outside my door. "Mockingjay is in need of your presence." I groaned in frustration. It was Commander Boggs, Coins' henchman and flunkie. Personally, I liked the man, but the fact he followed and worked for Coin? I'd say the man needed to figure out his priorities. Since meeting the young man I sensed his impatience, confusion and frustration. He was loyal to Coin, but admired Mockingjay. What does that say about a man who was in conflicted?
"Tell him I'll be there in 20 minutes," I answered back as I raised myself off my couch into a sitting position. The smell of smoke and burnt oil still lingered in the air. It has been months and yet the stench hovered over the district township, reminding you of that fateful day. There had been a few incidents in my life that I have never gotten over or forgotten, events that permanently seared into ones mind like a tattoo on your skin or a scar deep and ugly. But the day District 12 was attacked by incendiary bombs and wild mutts during those terror filled hours. I will never forget what I saw and heard. Even the smell of smoke, triggered me and the sight of blood painted the Merchant village forever ingrained in my mind.
With a quick change of clothes and a splash of water on my face, I headed out the door. "Shit, Boggs," I exclaimed as I opened my front door to be greeted by the soldier with two of his men flanked besides him. "You scared the living daylights out of me."
"Sorry, sir," he replied back, his face displayed no emotion. A finger was curled on the trigger of his rifle which he carried everywhere. "I was told to accompany you per Mockingjay's orders."
"I don't need a babysitter," I grumbled underneath my breath.
"Sorry, sir?" Bogg's eyebrows furrowed.
"Nothing, Boggs. Let's go." I stepped down my porch and headed towards what remained of the Merchant village. It was empty now, the village deserted with only the bakery that was occupied with Jimmy. One month earlier, Garrett, aka as the Mockingjay had evacuated the district. All survivors were led away 50 miles northwest. I'll never forget the incident that led Mockingjay to make a decision to mobilize the citizens to a safer place—an area where the remaining citizens lived away from the infection and destruction of District 12.
One month earlier –
"Mitch," Garrett called my name as our group which consisted of Madge, Jimmy, Boggs, his men and myself reached the district. It had been three long grueling days searching for Rye. We came up empty as his trail suddenly disappeared into the woods. He traveled 10 miles and then just vanished. I could barely look at Jimmy as we were forced to travel back home.
Boggs ordered us to return after our search. I didn't want to give up but if Rye's trail was cold, where could we go? Boggs was right it was futile to continue. But at the same time, I felt for Jimmy—he had one son murdered, another on the run and wanted by Snow. As for Rye, his only son left was missing or even worse...dead.
"Garrett," I greeted him, with no enthusiasm as I was exhausted and anxious to get to my home and my bed for a change after two nights sleeping on the cold ground.
"No luck finding Rye?" he asked. Garrett looked worn as if he hasn't slept.
"Does it look like we found him?" Jimmy seethed, intervening even though the question was addressed to me. He was angry, wary and scared. Throughout our search I was impressed by his demeanor. At first Jimmy was solemn, patient but clearly anger simmered inside him. As hours passed with no sign of Rye, his fear and impatience boiled to the surface, lashing out at anyone. I guess anger was better than being scared, wondering if we would find Rye, dead or alive.
"Jimmy, Delly has been asking for you," Garrett announced. "Why don't you go the Cartwrights."
"Don't tell me what to do!" Jimmy responded back. "What have you been doing while we were looking for my son?"
"Mr. Mellark, why don't I walk us over to the Cartwright," Madge suggested. It was a good thing that she accompanied us because she was the only one able to calm Jimmy, giving him encouragement and telling him that Delly and Tyler was waiting for him. Also, she reminded him that Peeta was alive and had survived the arena. But most of all she repeatedly told him not to give up on Rye. "I know that Delly must be anxious to hear from you. And Tyler is probably wanting to see his grandpa."
"What do I tell Delly? And what about Tyler?" Jimmy's angry facade diminished. He wasn't really directing the question towards Madge, but to himself. How do you return to your daughter in law with news about her husband? "Shit, he's already missing Peeta and now Rye isn't coming home." He sobbed in frustration and despair.
"We're not giving up, Mr. Mellark," Boggs spoke. "He couldn't have gone far."
"Then where is he? Where's my boy?" Jimmy cried out.
"Mr. Mellark, it's time that Tyler's grandpa went to see him, huh?" Madge stated. "There's nothing you can do right now." Defeated, he reluctantly submitted as she led Jimmy back to the Merchant area. She turned to me giving me one last look. It was a look of familiarity, as she too was acquainted to loss and death after having lost her entire family to the virus. I was glad that the Cartwrights was looking after her.
"I know you're tired and need some rest, so I'll speak to you in a few hours," Garrett sighed.
"What's wrong?" I inquired. It was true that I was exhausted, but curiosity got the best of me.
"It's not thing. It can wait," he returned. As he turned, I grabbed his arm—the fake limb as I gripped the hard plastic on his forearm.
"Must be important since you made a point to meet me," I acknowledged. "What's wrong?"
"There is something I have to show you, something I need advise on," he said. I sighed, long and deep, feeling the hours of anxiety and lack of sleep catch up to me. However, the wave of urgency seeped out from Garrett like smoke surrounding you as you struggled to breath from it. He was anxious.
"Okay," I relented. It was obvious that Garrett couldn't wait so I'd rather deal with the matter now then later. Because if I went home, I would be wondering what he needed to talk to me about. Was it good or bad news? I'd toss and turn on my bed, eyes closed attempting to sleep but failing.
"Boggs, Coin has been expecting you to report to her," Garrett advised him further. "You get some rest, but if you can please meet me a few hours from now, I would appreciate it."
Garrett led me to the Justice Building. It was amazing to see the destruction of the building that once stood as a symbol and the power of the Capitol to nothing but a heap of rubble and gnarled metal. However after the fact, Mockingjay set it to explode, the lower underground floors which housed a few offices, cells and what was once the armory remained intact. For a while Garrett used it to house a few of the unaffected citizens but the numbers grew and he resorted to set up a camp miles away from the township and village. Two camps were created and both were in need of food, supplies and water. Now, the Justice Building was empty or so I thought.
As we walked down the corridors I recalled the days and hours that I spent in the building. Those long arduous hours where Peeta spent being 'interviewed and incarcerated for crimes he didn't commit. They were only a few months ago but it felt like it was yesterday.
"Where are we going, Garrett?" I asked as he continued down the corridor that led to a series of rooms—cells for awaiting prisoners; the same room Peeta spent when he was held for questioning. "Why the mystery?"
"Remember the intruder Boggs captured before you left?" My eyes grew wide. I had completely forgotten about that as I was so preoccupied on searching for Jimmy's son.
"Honesty, Garrett, I didn't even have time to think about it," I confided in him. He looked wary and forlorn. 'Who could it be?"
He activated a sequence on a door panel. 'Swoosh' the door flew opened. Inside was our intruder and now prisoner. He wore a white t shirt and pants with socks—an attire worn by hospital patients. On his wrist were bruises, purplish red as it looked days old. "What the fuck, Hawthorne?" I blurted in annoyance. "How did...you were the one lurking around District 12?" Gale looked pensive.
"He won't say a word. How he got here but I have an idea how," Garrett said. I shook my head. The last time I saw Gale, he was assigned to janitorial duty at District 13. He was none to pleased with his new station in life. At first arriving at 13, he had ingratiated himself with everyone around him, not getting along with people. Even Boggs was annoyed with his presence. "He stowed away inside one of the medical hovercraft. It's the only explanation how he got here? My only question is why?"
"He hasn't said a word?"
Garrett shook his head. "Nothing. It's a good thing Boggs is a great tracker or else he'd be lurking around doing who knows for how long. And why he came here knowing we were in quarantine?" Guessing I knew why and so did Garrett but he wanted Gale to admit it—he wanted to see his family the same way Peeta, Katniss and Prim ran away from the rebel base camp. These kids were trying to drive us crazy with worry. I shook my head. This was one of the reasons why I never wanted children, the fear and worry that came with the responsibility of raising a child in the world.
"We both know why," I admitted as I neared the cell facing Gale. "Hawthorne?" I looked at the cell's walls and furniture. Gale laid on the bed, it was a small and a short fit for his size. He looked disinterested with arms above his head and his fingers interlocked cradling his over sized noggin. He he stared into the ceiling. "How does it feel locked up?" Not even a flicker of movement or reaction. So Garrett tried another tactic.
"For all I know, Coin sent him to spy on us," Garrett muttered, lout and clear. If there was one thing that Gale would defend it was his loyalty. For Mockingjay to accuse him of disloyalty? It was an offense Gale would not stand for. He took the bait.
Gale sat up fast and walked over to the bars that separated us. "I'm not a spy. I would never betray you. You sent me on a mission. I accomplished it."
"Yet here you are in District 12, hiding about. You're orders didn't tell you to return," Garrett reminded him. "You're family thinks your dead, Gale. You agreed to volunteer for the mission under the condition that you couldn't return." He faced the young man, the glass wall between them. "So you disobeyed a direct order from me. Why?"
"I hated it at District 13," he whined. Gale gritted his teeth while his Adam's apple moved up and down his throat. "People over there were...mean."
"Boohoo, you weren't sent there for popularity contest," I snickered. "Or maybe you didn't like it in 13 was because you didn't get along with people over there?"
"I didn't accept the mission to make friends—" he snarled, but Garrett disrupted him before he continue to whine again.
"Shut up, Gale. It obvious why you're here. It doesn't take genius why. My only concern is that you're here and you disobeyed a direct order because what—you got lonely and missed your family?"
"Well, I don't see what I did is any different to what Peeta and Katniss are doing," he sneered back. Garrett's eyes narrowed, his patience waning.
"The difference is that you are a soldier in my army and you disobeyed my order," he explained. "And what Peeta and Katniss are doing is not the same." In truth it was the same. Peeta and Katniss disobeyed Garret who ordered them to stay at the rebel camp. It wasn't safe in District 12 where our homes was infected and destroyed. Gale was scared for his family just as Peeta and Katniss were but Garrett was right. Hawthorne disobeyed Mockingjay. Trust and obedience was important to Garrett as leader of a rebellion. He couldn't afford to have any of his men disobeying him.
And then Garrett went for the kill, "I trusted you, Gale. You broke that trust."
Hawthorne's face paled, if that was possible due to his olive complexion. But it was obvious he got to Gale. He sat back on his bunk, elbows on knees as his hands supported his head. Before Mockingjay revealed his true identity, Gale admired and was in awe of him. To him, Mockingjay was part god and savior—a legend that would free Panem from Snow and the Capitol.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, soft and low almost childlike.
"Listen to me," Garrett started. "I understand why you did this. You miss your family and you were scared for them. But all of us have family that we love. But sacrifices sometimes have to be made. You knew that accepting the mission, you could no longer get in contact with them."
"But I thought...with the games gone, the arena destroyed, I thought I could..."
"You are soldier," I said in disgust. "You didn't volunteer to think, you volunteered to obey Mockingjay. There is no autonomy when one is sent on mission and part of that mission you 'completed' was to remain in District 13. To stay dead to your family."
"I felt alone and useless in 13," Gale justified. "I just wanted..."
"You wanted to come home," Garrett filled in. He closed his eyes, sighed then opened them again. "We all have a job to do, a place in this war against the Capitol. I sent you on a mission—" He raised his hand just as Gale was about to interrupt him. "I know you completed it, but...I didn't give you permission to come back to 12 where a virus was spreading, infecting people. But most of all, Gale, you disobeyed my order. You don't seem to grasp that."
"There's a bigger picture here, Gale," I started. "You missing your family? You cannot just up and stow into hovercraft and do what you please. He.." I pointed to Garret, no I pointed to Mockingjay. "He is your leader, your commanding officer. You're a soldier now, act and behave like one. You obey an order and not deviate from it."
'I'm sorry, okay?" Gale bellowed, like a petulant child having a tantrum. We remained quiet for a few seconds while Hawthorne whimpered and sniffed in his cell. "I...missed my family...I just wanted to see them. When I heard about the virus...I was scared. No one would tell me anything." I shook my head, clearly disappointed with Gale. I had thought or hoped that sending him on the mission would help him focus, to find some purpose in his life instead of griping and being angry and blaming anyone for his lot in life. I mean, look at Peeta. He had a mother who resented his existence, abused him physically and emotionally yet still turned out to be kind and gentle. He was far from perfect—rebellious and defiant but what teenager wasn't at that age. Gale was no longer a teen who didn't have any responsibilities. As I said, he was a soldier now.
"So what now? I asked Garrett. "We're under quarantine. Does anyone know he' s missing?"
"A day after Boggs caught him, Coin alerted me of Gale's disappearance." His body sagged as if a load hung on his shoulders. "I told her that he was here in 12."
"Whew. I bet Coin wasn't pleased," I chuckled.
"No she wasn't. But what concerned her was that if Gale could stow away in one of their ships that easily. It means that they have a breach in their security," he revealed.
"Well, she wasn't wrong," I added. "We need to work on ours as well seeing that Gale had been lurking for what? Two to three days before Boggs caught him?"
"That's why I doubled the patrols and security here in 12. I just don't want another incident. We can't afford to have anyone sneak in here." As much as I trusted Mockingjay's ability to lead us, there was no guarantee how long he could keep District 12 in quarantine and safe from the Capitol.
"Mr. Everdeen?" Gale interrupted. "What are you going to do with me?"
"My instinct is to send you back to District 13—"
Gale stood up. "No, please don't send me back there," he pleaded. "You can't. I'd rather stay in here then go back to 13." Hawthorne was a tall young man, 6' 2" with lean muscles weighing about 180 lbs, but right now he looked like a lost boy lonely and desperate to be with his family. I couldn't blame him for his impetuous behavior. However, as Mockingjay stated, he was a soldier in his army and rules and orders should never be disobeyed.
"After the stunt you pulled give me a good reason why I shouldn't have your ass hauled back to District 13," Garrett spit back, his voice hard and bitter. As he spoke Mockingjay surface, gone was Garrett Everdeen—husband to Lily and father to Katniss and Primrose.
Gale was speechless. Defeated he sat back at his bunk.
"So far, this place seems to be the safest for you. You can't cause any trouble here." He gestured to the cell then raised his left hand and rubbed the upper part of his right arm—the arm that wasn't fully amputated from the mining accident.
"I don't deserve to be in here," Gale sniffed.
"Now you know what Peeta went through," I started. "He didn't deserve to be in there either but he was placed there multiple times. And as I recall you were one of reasons for that time. But you're lucky. You're accommodations didn't include being cuffed for hours on end with bright lights to torment you. Being drugged so you lost all your inhibitions." Inside the cell was a blanket and pillow, bottles of water and a plate yet to be cleared. He had the comforts that was denied to Peeta when he was incarcerated months earlier.
"It was his own fault," Gale shouted, spit dribbled from his mouth. "He should have left Katniss alone. She was fine before—"
"Don't you dare blame Peeta for your misfortunes," I sneered back.
"Haymitch, don't bother with him," Garrett interjected as he placed a hand on my forearm. "He's not worth the aggravation." Of course, he was right. "Let's just leave and let him stew in here for a few weeks. I'm sure his head will clear by then."
"Weeks!" Gale blubbered. "You can't leave me here..." His voice was silenced as Garrett pressed a button on the control panel to shut down the audio. Gale continued to rant, banging his fist on the glass barrier as we entered the corridor.
"Garrett, seriously," I began. "What are you going to do with Gale? Are you really going to keep him there?" It would serve him right to keep Gale incarcerated in my honest opinion, especially after what he tried to do to Peeta, he'd deserve it. But I knew Garrett; he would give Gale a second chance. And we needed all the manpower we could get and if there was one thing you could rely on Gale. He was loyal to Mockingjay.
"I have an idea, but..." His voice softened as if he had considered what he had planned to do with Gale. He would give Hawthorne a chance to redeem himself. I just didn't know why he had a soft spot for the angry young man.
"What do you have planned?" I waited.
"It's obvious that this district is done. We don't have the resource to rebuild," he stated. "I think we need to consider our only plan."
"You want to move the entire district to 13," I said in astonishment. "I know that was part of the agreement you made with Coin in order to get her on board to helping us, but is that wise? You're talking about moving close to 3,000 civilians through the woods. The terrain is not a walk in the park if you pardon my pun. What about food, water and shelter? The logistics alone is a nightmare." The task was daunting, maybe a few hundred could be mobilized but thousands?
"I know, Mitch," he admitted. "There is also a factor that we are too visible. Drones could follow us to District 13 giving away the compound's position." We reached the main office. Inside the room was a larg foot map of District 12 on a long conference table. There were several markings on the map indicating certain landmarks like lakes, rivers and pools and a long line that looked like a trail. "For years, I tried to map out areas that I considered safe to settle in case I needed to get my family away from District 12 township." I peered down the map looking closer at the marks he made.
"Garrett, you talking about mobilizing the entire population close to 50 miles from here! You're talking about women and children, let alone the sick who are still in recovery," I gasped as I pointed to the area he had in mind. "When was the last time you visited this area? Does it have enough water? How can you hide 3,000 people out in the woods? Drones will find us easily."
"We're not hiding 3000 people, Mitch," he said. "I selected that spot for a reason." Around the area Garrett had mapped out was surrounded by dark brown spots. "See these spots, the ground there is similar to the environment in District 11." I was exhausted not getting his meaning.
"So?"
"Mitch, remember that no fly zone area east of District 11? These areas are the same. No drones can fly through there," he informed me. Then I remembered the chasm, 5 miles wide and 200 long. No machines worked as you passed it; machinery, electronic armaments and hover crafts didn't function at all . The formation surrounded the area Garrett planned to set up camp for District 12's survivors. "There is plenty of water and game in this area. The land is sustainable for planting and raising livestock." Livestock? Most animals like chickens, goose and domestic pets perished during the mutt attack and bombs.
"Livestock?" I muttered. "Garrett, where are we going to get livestock?"
"You let me worry about that," he said in cryptically, waving his hand in a dismissive manner.
"Well it sounds like you thought of everything," I said.
"Not everything," he returned.
"What do you mean?" What could he possibly not thought of. It seemed pretty cut and dry. He placed his left hand on his upper right arm again signaling that something was amiss. "Garrett?"
"I need someone to lead our people to the area," he stated.
"I don't understand." I didn't. He wasn't coming with the rest of us?
"I'm not going. I'm...staying here," he finalized. "While you guys evacuate the town, I'm staying incase..."
"Why? In case of what?"
"I'm staying to look for Rye," he admitted. "I owe...Jimmy. It's the least I can do after..."
"Hell, Garrett. You know Jimmy is going to want to stay and help look for his son," I informed him. "Do you honestly think he'll leave knowing what you're doing? Fuck, Garrett." I stopped and rubbed the stub of hair on my chin. "You can't be serious."
"I need to do this."
"Listen, I'm not insensitive to Jimmy's plight," I said. "But be realistic, you are the Mockingjay. You have a war to lead, people are looking up to you. You need to lead them."
"I can't right now, I owe Jimmy this," he admitted his reason and motivation for staying.
"But you're abandoning 3,000 people for one person? The people of Panem? Soldiers—men and who abandoned their families to follow you. I like Rye, even when he was a pain in the ass but to stay behind and look for him? And as for Jimmy—"
"I need to do this. I have to," he repeated himself.
"Then I'm staying with you," I concluded. There was nothing I could do to dissuade him.
"No, I need you to watch our people at the new camp," he stated. Watch? Like babysit?
"Boggs can do that when he gets there," I balked at the idea.
"No, he has to come back. He can't stay. Besides, he's not one of mine to order around," Garrett sighed. "I barely got Coin to allow him to go."
"You know that you won't be able to convince Jimmy to leave."
"I'll try to convince him of going with them," he noted. 'Motherfucking, hell.' my mind screamed. "Besides, he has to think of Delly and his grandson, Tyler. They'll be safe at the new camp." I shook my head in disapproval.
"You really think you can convince Jimmy to leave? He won't, you know. He's just as stubborn as you are." I rubbed the whiskers on my cheek. The hairs were long and coarse. I was in a need of bath after traipsing all over the woods for three days looking for Rye. It was as if he disappeared into thin air. "...if you and Jimmy are staying, I definitely will be staying too?"
"Abernathy," Garrett started. He switched to his Mockingjay persona. "As your leader—"
"Don't Abernathy me, Everdeen." Two could play that game. "You lead and I dutifully follow you to the ends of the earth, Mockingjay but I am also your friend. You need me here with you and you know it."
"I need someone I can trust to lead our people away from here," he demanded. "I know I said I want Boggs to go as well but, I don't fully trust him." He sighed and took a deep breath. "And I also will be letting Gale go to help."
"What?" Really?
He reminded me. "He's a hunter. He knows the woods like the back of his hand."
"But can you trust him?" I pondered. "Gale is too proud, impulsive and easily riled. And to top it off, he disobeyed your order."
"I know."
"I don't trust him, and you don't either."
"That may be true but, as much as I don't trust him I need him. He's best qualified to take our people to safety. He won't mess up, Mitch, I guarantee you he won't."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because his mother and sibling's lives are at stake. Do you think he'll let them down?" He paused.
"I just don't understand why you let him get away with so much," I blustered with frustration and puzzlement. "Do you feel guilty for some reason?" Garrett remained quiet for few seconds.
"It's more than that," He blurted seconds later. "A long time ago, I promised his father that I would look out for Gale. That if anything happened to him, I'd be there for him and so far...I've failed." There is it was, the real reason why Garrett hadn't flailed Gale for mistreating his daughter Katniss, why he given him a wide berth with his destructive behavior and attitude towards Peeta and anyone Merchant.
"Garrett, you cannot be responsible for the way Gale turned out," I advised. "You have been nothing but supportive and patient with him. Gale is the architect of his own misfortune. He didn't turned out the way he did because of you. There's fire in that boy long before he learned about Mockingjay. You are not at fault."
"But still—"
"But nothing, Garrett," I opposed him. "You nearly died after the accident. You were in no position to be a parent to Gale, taking his father's place." I thought of Katniss as she became a parent to Prim. I recalled years later, how Garrett felt guilty that Lily had shut down and concentrated on his recovery. She was so focused on her husband that she abandoned her role as a mother to her daughters.
As for Gale, he still had his mother and siblings and yet he still grew up to be bitter and jaded where as Peeta... Well, we all know how he turned out despite his mother's shortcomings. "I don't trust Gale. He should remain in that cell, let him know what happens to soldiers who disobey your orders. He needs to learn a lesson."
"Gale is young," Garrett said. "He's hot headed and impulsive. His heart is in the right place. Everyone deserves a second chance." I was believer in second chances too, but Gale? Did he deserve one? How many more seconds chances does one get before others suffer the consequences?
End of Flashback –
In the end, Mockingjay assigned Gale to lead the remaining citizens of District 12 to their new home. Boggs was against it, but he couldn't dissuade Mockingjay to change his mind. However, there a couple of conditions Garrett insisted Gale had to agree upon. Boggs was the lead on the expedition with Madge as second in command. Garrett needed someone he could trust in some military capacity as I was determined to stay behind with Mockingjay. Just as Jimmy persisted on staying as well. However, there was bit of hiccup once we revealed our plan to Gale. I assure you he was not pleased with the arrangement.
Of course, he questioned Madge's ability. "She's townie Merchant and a girl out in the woods," he ranted. "How does she know how to defend herself?" He hadn't realized that the female townie Merchant already knew how to fight as she was battle-tested while Gale sat in safety at District 13. His only experience was shooting at defenseless animals for food unlike Madge who defended District 12 against rabid mutt dogs. I trusted Gale's ability to lead District 12 to safety because he wasn't really at all a horrible and selfish person. I just didn't trust his judgment and his mistrust with anyone Merchant. Years of bitterness, jealousy and distrust tainted his views. I chuckled as I wondered what he thought of Katniss. Did he forget that she was half Merchant? I guess he saw what he wanted to see.
Before Gale's departure he had an explosive but poignant reunion with his family. It was a feat that required sensitivity and timing. After all, Gale had been dead for quite a few months as Hazelle and his sibling buried him even though there was no body to bury. The funeral was hard to watch at the time knowing he was alive and well while his family suffered and grieved for him. As for the reunion? Let's just say that his mother and Rory's reaction upon seeing him was both with anger and elation. They were happy in the knowledge that he wasn't dead but at the same time, angry with him for abandoning his family and putting them through their grief. He received a joyful hug and kiss from his mother and a black eye from his younger brother who then sulkily stomped away. It would take a while for that relationship to mend.
The walk to the Merchant village was not long but tenuous. Even though Garrett and Jimmy had mended fences, their relationship was no longer the same. Each suffered so much these past months though Jimmy had endured the roughest and cruelest circumstances—the death of Garrett, his oldest, the disappearance Rye and then, there's Peeta. I sighed wondering where he, Katniss and Prim are, both relieved of their escape from the arena and cursing them at the same time for their impetuousness and carelessness,
"Have you heard any news from Undersee?" I asked. Normally, Mockingjay would order that there would be minimum contact from Madge at the camp since all the radio and communications could be monitored by Snow and his peacekeepers. However, she was to send a progress report once a week. Garrett couldn't completely leave them to their devises. These were his people.
Boggs just shook his head. He was a quiet man who said very little as his face gave nothing away.
"Any idea what's going on, Boggs?" I muttered changing the topic as I walked beside him. Cool as a cucumber he just shook his head, again, eyes straight. Something was up I was certain of it because Boggs was not easily riled or prone to show his emotions. Today, waves of anxiety and tenseness seeped from him. I could see it in his hunched shoulders and his lack of verbal usage.
I sighed at the sight of the Justice Building as a feeling of dread and hopelessness surround me like a shroud. Jimmy still lived at the bakery alone as he sent Delly, Tyler and the Edgewoods to the new campsite. Delly cried and begged to stay behind with him but it was Mockingjay who commanded that she leave with the rest of District 12. He ordered Jimmy to leave as well but Mellark insisted in staying in hope that Rye would return. He explained that he needed to be there incase his missing son came home. They fought for hours until finally..."What are you going to do, Mockingjay," Jimmy snarked. "Arrest me? Put in a cell? I'm staying and there is nothing you can do to stop me." I wasn't hopeful of Rye's return. It has been weeks now and I suspected he was taken. By whom? I feared the worst.
The smell of fresh bread permeated the air. I smiled slightly as the aroma triggered memories of days long past before all the upheaval, before the appearance of Peacekeeper Ivan who the impetus of District 12's downfall and tragedy. It was encouraging to know that Jimmy still baked bread in the morning, that he never gave up hope on Rye and despite him missing all his sons. I made a mental note to visit Jimmy on my way back after my meeting with Garrett.
Speaking of the man in question, he greeted us at the steps of the Justice building. "What's going on, Garrett?" I inquired, not waiting to start with meaningless civilities.
"I received a transmission," he began.
"A transmission, unverified and an unidentified ship is approaching District 12," Boggs chimed in.
"You allowed a ship to breach the quarantine? What kind of transmission? Who sent it?" I blasted the questions in succession, not waiting for Garrett to answer. He didn't look happy but coincidentally he appeared anxious. His clothes were wrinkled and worn as if he hasn't slept, his face covered with a weeks worth of unshaven hair. As the Mockingjay he was usually well kept and groomed, not lick of his hair out of place. But this man before me looked exhausted and weary, like a man who aged a decade over night. The whole of Panem was burdened upon his shoulders as men and women looked up to him, for support and guidance. He never asked to be the leader of a revolution, but it didn't fall on his lap either.
"I allowed a hovercraft to enter the airspace into District 12," he stated, a long gust of air escaped through his mouth. I opened my mouth but no words formed as I was stunned with his admission. "I know, I know that I basically broke my own orders but...I had no choice."
"The pilot didn't follow the protocol," Boggs added. "He sent a message insisting it was an emergency. But before he could finish, the message was cut off."
"This is my call and decision, Boggs," Mockingjay stated. "If I am wrong, you have my permission to shoot them. I know what I heard...I need to see for myself if what I heard is true."
"I still say this is a trap."
"Hence that's why you are here." My irritation and impatience grew as both Mocking and Boggs ignored me. So why bother with my presence?
"Why? What's so damn important that you permitted one ship to break the quarantine?" This was big. Garrett or rather Mockingjay would never break his own orders. He was a man of principle and honor, for him to allow a ship into District 12? Something or someone important was arriving. A quick thought entered my mind. Maybe someone found Rye and Garrett was letting him come home. A gesture to mend his relationship with Jimmy? It had to be him.
Just as I was to question Garrett a hovercraft arrived as it flew straight to the airfield. Garrett sprinted so fast you could hardly tell he had a prosthesis on one leg. "Garrett? Hold up. What's going on?" He ignored me and ran towards the craft as it taxied to the ground. Harsh, hot air puffed and blew past us while debris and dirt blinded my vision. It took at least two minute for the craft to land. Boggs and his men appeared; they stood next to Mockingjay as we waited for the door from the craft to open.
For the first time, I noticed that Mockingjay wore his usual attire—black shirt, pants and tie but something was different about him. Something was missing—his quiver, bow and arrows. So was the heavy duty belt and knife holstered on his left leg. He was devoid of the armament that completed his iconic image of our legendary rebel leader. Even his Mockingjay pin was gone. He simply looked like a normal, average man waiting for a ship to land. Then it clicked. I knew who he was expecting—the one person he would allow to breach the quarantine. The one person he tried not to wear his other persona around her presence. Lily. Lily Everdeen was coming home.
A small smile left my face. It's a very lonely, stressful and burdensome life that Garrett led. I didn't begrudged him for wanting his wife by his side. His two daughters were far from home and wandering who knows where. News of the bounty on Peeta and Katniss's head were rampant. How does one function and separate himself as a husband, father and a leader of a rebellion?] knowing that his family was in danger?
For some reason I suddenly wondered how Effie was doing. 'Never mind.' I dashed the thoughts of the District 12 escort out of my mind. There was no room or time for a relationship since the last time I saw her, she screamed at me for kidnapping her.
"Garrett?" Lily screamed, her voice rose above the whirring sound of the propellers. She disembarked from the ship slowly descending the metallic stairs, while her hand gripped on the hand rail. Lily stopped as the reached the bottom step, hesitating. Even from far away I noticed her swollen eyes, blotchy cheeks and red nose. She didn't move forward but stood still as looked back at the ship. Puzzled, I wondered why she didn't run to Garrett. It was as if she was waiting for someone else to exit the hovercraft. Surprisingly two other figures, a man and woman appeared from the door's access. I didn't recognize them. The young man was at least in his late teens with dark brown hair. There was a bandage wrapped on the left side of his face covering his ear and cheek. Bruises formed around his eyes, his nose broken. The woman who was in her early twenties wore a bandage on her neck as blood seeped from the cloth. Her right arm from wrist to elbow were dressed with torn cloth from her pant leg uniform. I recognized the dark brown, caked smudges on their chest and arms—it was dried blood.
In the man's arms was a small girl. I gasped in fear and horror, my breath caught in my chest as the realization hit me. With her head nestled against his blood smeared shirt, the young girl's blond hair was pulled back in a messy braid. I couldn't tell if she was breathing or not—it was Prim.
AN: Thank you for reading this chapter and hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be posted next Monday and will be...POV. Guess you'll have to wait until next week to find out! Mwahhh! I do hope you all have a great week. Please leave a review at your leisure.
