Chapter 8
Jack's POV
The arena's ceiling came down and an aircraft came through the hole it had made. It used the metal claw it used to pick up Katniss.
Finnick ushered us forwards and our positions were revealed. Three separate ladders were thrown down and we heard a voice, "Get on!" It was Haymitch.
We got on our ladders and climbed while being pulled up. When we got up, Haymitch, Plutarch (who I knew from Katniss), and Gale were standing there.
"Hello, Jack and Jane. It's nice to finally meet you," Plutarch greeted. "I'm certain Katniss told you about me."
"Uh, yeah she did. Hi, it's nice to finally meet you too," Jane said.
"Likewise," I added. He nodded. "Where's Katniss? And is Peeta here?"
"Katniss is resting by Cina. He was beat up by Peacekeepers right before Katniss went into the arena. Peeta was, sadly, captured," Haymitch answered. Jane and I nodded in understanding. "Come on, we have much to discuss."
We followed him into a meeting room. "Where are we heading?" Jane asked once we were in.
"To District 13," Gale answered.
"I thought Katniss said it was desolated," I responded.
"Its surface, yes. But underneath the ground, is the life of District 13 and the life of a rising rebellion. District 12 was desolated after Katniss entered the games. We were able to get everyone out in time," Gale explained.
"What about Toothless?" I asked.
Everyone but Gale looked at me confused. Gale answered, "He's alive but I had to ask him to stay in the woods outside of 13. It's either he stays there or he comes in and something will happen that I don't want to think about and I'm sure you don't either."
"I understand," I accepted.
"Who's Toothless?" Jane asked.
"He's a good friend of mine. This is going to sound extremely weird but, he's not human," I explained.
"If he's not human than what is he?" Plutarch asked. The interest he felt was clear in his voice.
"He's a dragon," I answered.
"A dragon?" Haymitch asked.
"Jack isn't from this world. We found him in the forest with Toothless' wings around him to protect him. Katniss and I found him when we said a light flash and heard the sound of something heavy skidding across the forest floor. He didn't come here without a name. His real name is Hiccup. He told us where he comes from they think bad names ward off bad beings. He has come accustomed to Jack though," Gale explained. "He and Toothless came here through a portal and he doesn't know how to get home."
"We can find you a way home. But you need to come with us," Plutarch responded.
Just then the door opened and Katniss walked in. She looked around and didn't see Peeta. "Where's Peeta?"
"He ran off before we could get the tracker out of him. He's captured by the Capital," Haymitch answered.
She grabbed a needle and ran towards Haymitch. "You promised me you'd protect him," she growled through gritted teeth.
Haymitch stopped her and quickly put her to sleep. Gale carried her to a room and left us.
"We'll be at District 13 in a couple hours. Get ready," Haymitch said.
We nodded and left. Jane stopped and looked at me. She asked, "Do you really want to leave?"
"No, I want to be here with you I do. If I can find a way to go back, let them know I'm alright and come back forever, I would," I answered honestly.
"What if there's only the ability to go back?" she asked.
"Then I won't go," I responded.
She gave a small smile. "You're really willing to leave everything you've known for me?" she asked.
I nodded. She immediately gave me a longing hug. I didn't wait to hug her back. There was something different with her than with Astrid. Something better.
We walked around and talked. She wanted to know about my home and she asked if she would be able to meet Toothless if she got the chance. I nodded and told her I would love her to meet him. She beamed at that.
We talked about many other things for the rest of the time. We got to know each other better and better. We found the more we knew about the other, the more we liked them.
It wasn't much longer before we found ourselves landing. We got ready and I had heard Katniss had found out that her home and that she was upset. When we landed and we got off, we were greeted by the obvious leader of the underground District 13.
"I am President Alma Coin of District 13. We have heard much about you three. Welcome," Coin introduced.
"Thank you," Jane and I said in unison.
"Now Jack, or should I say Hiccup, we have heard about you from Gale. How you're not from this world and how you need a way home," Coin said.
"Well, I've been thinking lately. If I could go home, I would just go there to let them know I'm alright and come back. There's people here I care about and I wouldn't want to leave them," I responded.
"You have a good heart, Jack. May I call you Jack?" Coin asked. She was serious but somewhat kind. I nodded. "We have actually been working on a way to get you home and let you visit whenever you'd like. We've found one way but we can talk about it in my office."
We nodded and followed her into the ground. The next thing I saw was tunnels, rooms, and halls underneath the ground. It was an entire city. We followed them around and Coin stopped at one room and said, "You guys will wait here and we will talk in a few minutes. I must have a word with Jack." They nodded and went into the room.
I followed Coin to a room three doors away from the room the others were in. She opened the door and gestured for me to step inside. I did as she asked and she followed me inside. She took the seat behind a large desk. I sat in a chair in front of her.
"Now Jack, like I said we have found one way that can get you home and let you visit. We have created a remote watch. Press a button and it can take you home. When you are home, press it again it will bring you back here. However, it will bring you home once and bring you back to Panem once. When you reach Panem, you can recharge it here," Coin explained getting straight to the point.
"I'd love to use it if I can," I responded.
"Of course you can. But I must ask, will you stay and help our cause first? We need you and I betting your dragon can help too. Gale told us about him and we are certain you can help," Coin replied.
"I'll help. But how long will I be here?" I asked.
"At the most, a year. You will face many battles. But in the end, I'm certain you and Katniss can win this war," Coin answered.
"I'll help as much as I can," I agreed.
"Thank you, Jack. Now we must go talk with the others," Coin said and we stood up and walked out. We walked back to the waiting group and entered.
We discussed about the rebellion and Coin said how she wanted Katniss to be their Mockingjay, a symbol of the rebellion. She agreed but only if Coin grants immunity to all of the victors of the Hunger Games, allows Katniss the right to kill President Snow herself, asks for her family to keep their cat, Buttercup, and to hunt with Gale. Coin agreed.
