Ember Blaze

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games

Chapter 7: District 8

Gale's POV

After several hours of being with the citizens of District 8 at the hospital, Commander Paylor escorted us to the next building to show us the volunteer soldiers. As we walked I was deep in thought about how this all started. President Snow said it was I who challenged the Capitol on their loyalty of their word, since Seneca Crane changed the rules for the Hunger Games. That there can be two winners if the tributes come from the same district. I wonder if President Snow planned on keeping Siobhan alive if he killed me earlier, because she was a girl…or something else. I wish I could talk to Mark, get to know more about the Underwood family, but he kept his distance. When I asked Madge about the Underwood and she had no clue.

All of the elder's from District 12 barely spoke or recall of the Underwood family. It was like they never existed and somehow lived in the community. The only person who knew the Underwood very well was Greasy Sai. She mentioned that when she was little, the Underwood were a bit estrange, somewhat isolated since they hardly socialize. Yet when the Justice Building held meetings, the head of the family was not afraid to speak out almost like a leader. Though it is sad that only two people remain of such a peculiar family. Ones that hides secrets. I've seen those secrets in Mark's basements, let alone that Siobhan's ancestor was from the Capitol.

I slipped my hand into my pocket touching the medallion. I can't stop thinking about Siobhan, knowing this would put her in danger. But if President Coin and Plutarch keep their promise, they will get her and the other victors out as soon as possible. Also the thought of my unborn child. I had desired to have my own family and children…and if Siobhan and I weren't reaped and I had the balls to asked her out and such…we might had been married and having kids. I could imagine if she had said yes after the seventy-fourth Hunger Games and a year of dating I would have proposed to around this time.

Sighing, I changed the subject and talked to Katniss. She did a lot of effort in helping those who were wounded. "Your mom's gonna be proud of you when she sees the footage." Then looked at Cressida. "Will this play in the districts?"

"It'll be tattooed on their eyes." Cressida answered.

Two beeps caught Boggs attention as headquarters spoke to his ear piece. He stopped and looked at us seriously. "There's a problem."

"What kinda problem?" I asked.

"Incoming bombers from the north." Boggs answered. "We need to find cover now."

"There's a bunker in there." Commander Paylor said, leading to one of the factories.

We ran following her lead as the sirens wailed warning the citizens of another airstrike. For a brief second I saw the citizens running inside, while the soldiers took their stations behind the weapons they acquired from the peacekeepers. We ran nonstop to the center of the factory as Paylor stopped pointing the way.

"Straight ahead and down the stairs." She said.

Suddenly gunfire from a machine gun goes off. Instincts took over as I turned my attention towards the source of the sound. Katniss being curious ran over to the source of the direction where broken window was. Damn it, as I ran after her, calling her name to stop while Boggs called for us. We stopped at the edge of the hole in the wall, watching the soldiers get into battle stations.

"Gale, back away from the wall!" Boggs ordered.

Flying low in the sky in a V-shape formation of Capitol hovercrafts appeared, and dropped bombs in the area. Immediately I wrapped my arms around Katniss and yanked her away from the blast. At the same time we were blown off our feet. The high pitch noise returned once more in my damaged ear making everything else go silent. Opening my eyes, debris was everywhere as dust and smoke consumed the air. I helped Katniss up, and then looked around to see Boggs approached us. I couldn't make out what he was saying though. Other than the high pitch noise there was this rumbled. I stared at the source to see one of the towers of the neighboring factoring collapsing.

Shit, I thought.

"Move!" Boggs ordered.

Not arguing there, Katniss and I ran to get out of the way of the tower. We ran till making it out of the building and hid behind a wall. Looking around we see the Capitol crafts making a turn. "They're going after something to the south."

"That's towards the hospital." Katniss said. "They're circling back around."

"Come on!" I ordered.

We ran, hearing machine guns firing from the roof tops of a warehouse up ahead, We make a dash over there, stopping when another bomb drop. Making it to the warehouse, we ran three flights of stairs till making it to the roof. I made it to the roof, though stopped when bullets fly killing the gunner. But once we officially got to the top… the hovercrafts destroyed one of the rebel bases. Then another explosion went off.

"That's the hospital. They're targeting the hospital." Katniss said.

"Damn it," I cursed, drawing my cross bow.

Katniss did the same as she drew an arrow and aimed her bow. We stood there waiting, as the explosive arrows were set. The two hovercrafts circled around the districts until flying in our general direction. They fired bullets, but we held our ground till they are in reached. Once they are over our heads, both Katniss and I fired, striking both hovercrafts.

Although, one was seriously damaged, it flew off course crashing into the other hovercraft. However there impact was not where I predicted. Instead the hovercraft landed south…right into the hospital. Cursing, Katniss and I ran back to the hospital to see the damage and help if possible. When we got there, we were already too late. The warehouse where the innocent civilians and wounded was destroyed to oblivion. Nothing was left, but debris and fire. People who were there trying to find any source of survivors were gone.

Katniss witness the trauma of this collision and gasped. She barely understands death than her experience at District Twelve. Now seeing it in person once more brought terrible memories. She ran towards the flames attempting to help. As she called out for people to help those in the destroyed hospital.

I on the other hand, followed making sure she doesn't get to close. But deep down, all I felt was rage. A whiplash of the seventy-fourth Hunger Games, back when the Gamemakers set the forest on fire. The adrenaline kicking in, as fire balls were shot at me and the careers on my tail. Then the footage of Siobhan battling a tribute from District Seven, that the game makers trapped them in a ring of fire.

Now I realized how serious this has become. President Snow will not stop until I and the rebels are exterminated. He is not afraid to put the lives of innocent people in danger or executed.

"Gale." Cressida asked holding a microphone. "Gale, can you tell everyone what you're seeing right now? Gale, what do you wanna say?"

I turned around panting to face Cressida. She silently gestured towards Pollux who wore his camera equipment. As the camera lay on his shoulder aimed at me. So many emotions were running through my head. Hundreds of people just died because they affiliated with me. Because I enter the hospital and Snow killed them because of that. Rage consumed me as I looked straight into the camera.

"To all the rebels I want you to know that I'm still alive. I'm in District 8 where the Capitol just bombed a hospital filled with unarmed men, women, children, and the elderly. There shall be no survivors. If you think for one second that the Capitol will ever respect you, you are deceiving yourselves. Because we know who they are and what they're capable of!" I exclaimed pointing at the burning hospital. "This is what they do! We must fight back."

Then I saw something behind Cressida and Pollux. Behind them was one of the hovercrafts I took down. Its tail sticking to the air, with the Capitol insignia branded on the metal in white paint while surrounded by fire. An idea struck deep to the core as I turned around facing Caster with his camera on me. I didn't hold back the anger as I say these words.

"I have a message for President Snow. You can torture us, bomb us, and burn our districts to the ground. But do you see that, Snow?" As I pointed at the hovercraft. "The embers are blazing. Fire is catching. Snow must do what Snow knows best, for Snow has to fall. And if we burn, you burn with us!"

.o0o.

Back in the in District 13 on the balcony of The Collection. It has been a week since the bombing. Everyone was assembled to watch the propos that was filmed in District 8. Many of the citizens were smiling at the actions, though I noticed my mother not comfortable to such violence that she covered Posy's eyes. Although, Vick and Rory found the action amusing. President Coin stood beside me, eyes forward with a slight smirk on her lips. All eyes on the four monitors that surrounded the room. I see myself and wonder if Siobhan would ever see this. How would she respond when the Capitol view the propos?

"Plutarch's faith in you wasn't misplaced." Coin whispered to me.

"Thanks." Was all I could say?

"Come up with me for the beginning." Coin said.

The propos ended with me firing my crossbow and scene change to the hovercrafts crashing into one another. Fire engulfs the entire screen and consumed to form the Mockingjay symbol. Superimposed on the mockingjay in dramatic sounds, solid metallic letter words appear:

JOIN THE MOCKINGJAY

Follow by Rue's four note melody.

JOIN THE FIGHT

Everyone applause to the propos as President Coin and I walked onto the balcony. I kept a straight face, not sure how to respond to an audience anymore. Coin cleared her voice as she spoke with enthusiasm in front of the microphone. After she raised her arms for silence, which happened immediately.

"There is no progress without compromise." Coin said. "No victory without sacrifice. But I stand here with The Mockingjay to announce that our moment has arrived."

Coin grabbed my hand and raised it into the air like a victor. I ground my teeth to such a gesture for it brought back Caesar doing such a thing at the final interview. Let alone Siobhan and I doing that on our first Chariot ride for the opening ceremony. Everyone applauded loudly until Coin lowered our hand. She nodded at me to step back. I nodded in return, stepping back to join the group.

I stood between Johana and Rory.

"Beetee has increased our use of the airwaves tenfold." Coin praised. "We will broadcast this message to all the districts tonight. The Mockingjay's words inspiring everyone to join the rebellion. Together, we will become an alliance to be reckoned with. "

Everyone of Thirteen applauded. Coin raised her hand as though below chanted, "Hoorah!" over and over again. The action made me sick. There was no moment of silence to respect the fallen comrades of District eight.

"What? Don't like hearing a fight song at a funeral?" Johanna asked quietly, leaning over like it was a whispered. I turned my head to stare at her. She held a serious face. "Just remember, flame boy, the more people on our damn side, the closer we are to Siobhan and Finnick."

I just nodded.

.o0o.

Siobhan's POV

To be in my second trimester would have been the excuse of not going to sleep. But that wasn't it. I couldn't sleep for Darius death repeated itself over and over again like a broken record. But also something did not feel right. The past week the guards have been alerted. I couldn't watch television unless it came from a movie. Hardly get a chance to watch The Capitol news. The rebellion has been on my mind, and no one has spoken about Gale. I worry what he is doing? Wondering if he's still alive?

I got out of bed and slipped on my slippers and robe before heading to the living room. The hologram screen was on. Cautious, wondering if a guard was watching TV. Until realizing the show presenting itself were a previous Hunger Games with a younger Finnick weaving a net? Sighing in relief, I came out and walked over to Finnick who was on the couch. I sat down next to him which startled the man by surprise.

"You should be in bed." Finnick said.

"I can't sleep." I said. "I keep seeing Darius being shot over and over again."

Finnick sighed as he leaned over to the coffee table and handed me a sugar cube. I chuckled, accepting the sweet and plopped it in my mouth. Although, new strange craving as accrued as I grabbed the panel on the coffee table and ordered chicken curry. Ten minutes later curry was brought up. My food craving desired hot and spicy food.

"That's your third curry." Finnick chuckled.

"So?" I asked.

"Never mind," Finnick chuckled.

I shrugged as I continued to eat my curry then grabbed a pickle and dunk it in. Did I forget to mention I like pickles too? Pickles dipped in chocolate. Anyway, I continued to eat.

"Anything from Gale or the rebels?" I asked quietly.

"I haven't heard one word about it. No one's told me anything?" Finnick said.

We stayed silent for a time as Finnick placed the monitor to television mode. There was hardly anything on as Finnick channeled surf. Suddenly the monitor had a white snow until a footage show of Gale making a speech. I stopped eating with my mouth open as I watched. Watching Gale and Katniss with District 13 soldiers fighting off hovercrafts in District 8.

"If we burn, you burn with us!" Gale shouted.

Finnick pressed the button on the remote that disconnect the power. Several minutes, the peacekeepers came in to make sure none of us seen Gale and the words that came out of his mouth. I was bewildered in what has just happen. Gale has officially signed himself to be a soldier of District 13. Now my chances to save him and any survivors of Twelve is done for.

Suddenly Finnick grabbed my arm. "We didn't see it."

"Fin-"I started only to be interrupted.

"We didn't see Gale. Only the propo of President Snow's speech. Then we set it off because you got emotion and felt a kick. Got it?" he asked.

I nodded. I took several deep breaths to control my emotions as Finnick set the food down and placed his hand on my stomach. I doubt I'm at the stage of feeling a kick, or even movement. But Finnick instructed how the plan should go. It wasn't long before the Peacekeepers with what Finnick wanted them to see.

"I'm not feeling a kick." Finnick said sincerely. "Maybe…ah, gentlemen, how can do for you?"

As Finnick stood up acting his natural charismatic self. The Peacekeepers ordered Finnick and me to our rooms with no further questions. They believe us. Not a single mention of Gale.

And that worried me.

Sorry for the hold up because I was busy with important things and lost my muse. Hopefully the story is to your high standards.

Thanks for reading and please leave a review!