Chapter 10. Broadcasts
Over the course of the following month, everything seemed to calm down. At first, multiple Peacekeepers interrogated everybody in the household. But when it became clear none knew of Iris Everdeen's plot to poison the President, they decided they had their murderer and were content. They had taken the body, issued the Mellarks and Everdeens back into their house, and held a televised showing of President Snow's funeral procession.
Among other mandatory broadcasts also came the introduction of the new president of Panem. An emergency election was held, in the Capitol's only of course, and from there the grey haired 50-year-old President Coin had been born.
Her first announcement to Panem had been to hold a televised public execution of the one responsible for the death of President Snow in District 12. The date for the airtime has still been undecided.
Katniss was sitting in the kitchen of the Mellark/Everdeen home and waiting desperately for more information. Madge was sitting next to her, as she had been for the past few weeks, just to keep her company.
It also bothered Katniss that she hadn't heard much from this new President. She was unsure if this was a good or bad thing.
As they sat, Prim walked in carrying a tray with some tea on it. "Katniss, are you thirsty?" she asked, offering her a cup. "There's one here for Madge too."
Madge smiled at Prim but shook her head gently. Katniss nodded, taking the cup. "Thanks, Prim. Why don't you sit down? Relax."
"It's boring just sitting around though," Prim huffed, putting the tray down on the table. "I kind of liked living in Haymitch's house. At least his and Effie's fights were funny to watch."
Madge smiled slightly at Prim and looked at Katniss. "Katniss and I can pretend to argue if it entertains you. 'Katniss, you hussy, how dare you take the last cookie?'"
Katniss looked at Madge blankly and just sipped her tea.
Prim laughed, though mostly at Madge's failed attempt. "Well, that was amusing."
Madge's cheeks turned pink and she looked down, taking one of the teas and sipping it quietly. Katniss smiled and looked at Prim. "Wouldn't you rather be bored than go through some of the other stuff we have in the past month?"
"Well, yeah, of course I would. But at least there was something funny going on or Venia, Flavius, and Octavia would talk to me while everyone else was busy. But with them and Effie still at Haymitch's, it's very quiet here."
Katniss set her cup down and stood up. "Well, come on, then, Prim, let's go visit Haymitch."
She blinked and looked up at her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was complainin..."
She just smiled and ruffled Prim's hair. "You're not. I'm not exactly entertained either."
Prim made a face at Katniss as she tried to fix her hair a little. The effects of hanging out with the stylists definitely were starting to show as she got her hair back to near perfectly straight with her fingers.
"While you were gone, Rory and Vick used to come over a lot too, you know. But they haven't visited and are always busy now when I go over," she began to explain as they walked, sounding disappointed.
Katniss frowned a little. "Busy? Why are they so busy?"
"They always have some different, odd excuse it seems. Last time, Vick had to help his mom find new customers to wash laundry and Rory said he had to go sell something. It was weird."
She furrowed her eyebrows and stopped. "That doesn't sound right, Prim. Can you go to Haymitch's by yourself? I need to speak with Gale."
Prim looked back at Katniss, but nodded. "You don't think something bad is happening, do you?" she asked, a little worried.
"I'm not sure. I'll tell you when I come back, okay, Prim? Don't worry. I'm sure they're okay."
Prim just nodded slightly at her before walking towards Haymitch's house. Katniss watched and waited for her to enter the house before turning and walking towards Gale's.
After she knocked, the door swung open. This time the youngest and only girl child, Posy, answered the door. The four year old blinked and looked up at Katniss as she clung to the doorknob, almost like she was trying to swing from it.
"Hiyo Ka'niss," she shyly answered as she started towards Katniss's feet. She was a sweet, little, shy girl, but her clothing looked a little more baggy than usual.
Katniss knelt down in front of the little girl. She gave her a small hug before pulling back, setting her hands on her slight shoulders. "Hi there, Posy. I was wondering if your big brother Gale was home."
Posy nodded. She looked up at Katniss briefly before shooting her gaze back down at her feet. She was always so fidgety. Posy turned and ran into the house, leaving the door open behind her for Katniss to follow. She took the hint and followed, shutting the door quietly behind her.
First, Posy ran into the kitchen before turning and running out, in the opposite direction and down a short hall. Not saying anything, she stood at the door-frame of Gale, Rory, and Vick's door-less bedroom and just stood there. Her non-verbal way of telling Katniss he was in the room.
Katniss smiled and walked over to Posy. She ruffled her hair in way of thanks and poked her head to see into Gale's room. Inside, Gale had a dresser drawer open and was going through clothing, throwing a few things on the bed. He didn't seem to notice her.
It was the first time she had seen him since their conversation outside his food. He looked much thinner than before. Just like Posy.
Chewing on her bottom lip, Katniss leaned against the door-frame. She cleared her throat quietly. "Gale."
Gale nearly jumped out of his skin. He dropped the clothes in his hands and looked over to her. "K-Katniss! What are you doing here?"
She raised her eyebrows in amusement. "I was talking to Prim and I just... wanted to see how you were."
Gale sighed before picking up the clothing he dropped and stuffing it back into the dresser. He rubbed his eyes a little before shutting the drawer. "Oh. Sorry about that, I've been really tired after work lately..."
From behind Katniss, Posy just watched but tilted her head slightly in confusion. While she didn't say a word, she did emit a small "hm?" sound which was indication enough that she had no idea what he was talking about. Katniss glanced at Posy and then back at Gale, raising her eyebrows. "What happened, Gale?"
Gale shot Posy a dangerous, warning stare. The little girl, catching on to his look, turned and ran towards her and her mother's room.
"Nothing happened."
"Gale, I talked to Prim. She was upset that they never visit her anymore. She said Rory and Vick kept having weird excuses. So, what is it? I can come to you with my problems, but you can't do the same with me?"
Gale scratched the back of his head before walking over and sitting on his bed. "It's not that. How am I supposed to bother you with this when you and Prim are going through so much with your mom? And all those interrogations you have all been going through, there hasn't been time."
Katniss paused before walking over and sitting next to him. "There's been time. You said you were so busy with work, but that's not it, is it?"
"I guess I can't lie to you," he said, dropping his gaze to his feet. "The mines haven't been preventing me from seeing you because I don't work there anymore."
She furrowed her eyebrows, feeling happiness rise inside her, regardless of the fact that he was so distraught over this. "You were fired?"
He nodded before putting his elbows on his knees and hiding his hands in his hair. "I've been trying to sell some things here and there and try to do odd end errands for people around the District but it's not enough."
She frowned and set her hand on his bicep. "Gale. I know it's tough. We've both been there, but you know that I can help you. I know you don't want to accept it, but please... look at you. Look at Posy, she's so skinny."
"I know, I know, but I just... I couldn't ask for that. I couldn't tell you, I couldn't..."
She paused and leaned forward, kissing his temple gently. "It's not asking you. I'm giving it to you."
"I... Okay," Gale finally gave in, which killed him inside. "If it was just me, I wouldn't take it, you know that. But Posy, Rory, and Vick... Rory was considering putting in tessarae. I just can't let him do that," Gale rationalized. He couldn't help but admit it also helped to let these things out finally.
She smiled sympathetically and nodded. "I know, I told the same thing to Prim. And he shouldn't have to. I'll help you and your family in any way I can, you know that. You should have told me."
Finally, Gale lifted his head up and looked at Katniss. He reached both his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "Alright. I'll tell you everything from now on."
She hugged him back and set her cheek on his shoulder. "You better. I don't like hearing things from my little sister."
"Alright. Then I have something else to promise you."
"What's that?"
He just continued to hold her. "I promise I'll save your mother."
She paused and pulled back enough to look at his face. "What?"
He looked down at her, a look of determination now on his previously stressed face. "You heard me. You're saving my family, I have to do the same for you."
She furrowed her eyebrows. "Gale, no. You can't promise something like that. It's impossible."
"And why not?"
"It's not the same as me helping your family not starve. If you're planning it, it's probably going to be dangerous." She let go of him.
"Fine. Then pretend I didn't say anything."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "But you did say something! I don't want anything to happen to you. I can figure... something out."
"Have you yet?"
"Well... no."
"Katniss, how long are we supposed to jus-"
Before he could finish, however, an alarm went off throughout the District. The signal for a mandatory broadcast. Gale listened for a moment before looking back at Katniss with a sigh. "Katniss, can you get Posy? I'll put on the TV."
Katniss froze at the alarm but then nodded her head at Gale and got up. She walked off and found Posy in the living room. She was staring blankly out the window as the alarm sounded. Katniss walked up behind Posy and touched her gently on the shoulder. "Hey, Posy, we need to watch the television now, okay?"
"'Kay, Ka'niss," she said before tearing her gaze away. She held her arms out, not feeling like walking back to Gale's room.
"Alright, princess." Katniss knelt down and hoisted her up into her arms.
She carried her back into Gale's room, holding her at the hip. Gale had gotten the television to work as best it could. On the fuzzy screen, the Panem government's seal was glowing.
Posy hopped down from Katniss's arms and immediately climbed onto Gale's lap, curling up against her oldest brother. He hugged her back as she hid her face in his shoulder. It was a habit she had began after she watched her first Hunger Games a little over a year ago. Afraid of the gore, Posy would hide her face during broadcasts until Gale could see for her if it was safe to watch or not.
Katniss walked over and sat next to Gale and Posy, chewing on her thumb nail. The symbol faded and suddenly the grey haired President Coin stood behind a podium with ten microphones pointed at her.
"It's safe, Posy," Gale informed the little girl, who slowly turned her head towards the screen.
After another moment of silence, the President leaned forward to the microphone. "This goes out to all of Panem. I have three very special announcements to make. The first concerns the traitor currently being held imprisoned for the assassination of President Snow. Iris Everdeen's fate has been decided. In exactly two weeks, a live broadcast execution will be held at District 12 to punish her for acts of treason. The execution shall be by hanging and is mandatory viewing for all citizens of Panem."
Katniss immediately dropped her face into her hands, refusing to look. She made a small sound that sounded like a panicked sob. Gale rested a hand over her knee, gently brushing his thumb back and forth.
"Secondly, from this point on, the Hunger Games shall no longer be a yearly tournament. Starting with the Quarter Quell, the Games shall from here on out be held twice a year in response to this act of treason."
Katniss's hands dropped from her face in shock. Gale's reaction was similar. His arms slowly slid to his sides as he stared in disbelief at the screen. It was bad enough he had to worry about Rory being reaped once, but now there was double the chance of him entering the Games and Gale was too old to stand in for him at this point.
"And, lastly, the Quarter Quell shall be held in exactly five months. Arrangements have already been made for this very special Games. As many know, each Quarter Quell marks the 25th anniversary of the treason of District 13 and hold different standards compared to the average Games. This year, we have broadened our selection of those who have the potential to be Reaped. As my final and most anticipated announcement for the night, allow me to share those standards we have chosen with you.
"This Quarter Quell, only past Victors are immune to the Reaping. Panem citizens of all ages from infancy to seniority are eligible for Reaping." President Coin allowed for a moment of silence before finishing up her announcement.
"Good luck and we'll see you at the Reapings in a month."
The screen went black. Katniss continued to just stare blankly at the screen, unable to hold her tears back at this point. She slowly turned her head toward Gale.
"Katniss," Gale said, staring at the television and avoiding eye contact with her. He didn't know what to say and just held Posy closer to his chest, almost protectively.
"What is w-wrong with this woman? I," She just trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Gale looked over at her before putting arm around her again. He rested his forehead against hers, holding her and Posy as close as he could. Katniss closed her eyes. She tried to pretend this was a dream. It was a nightmare and she'd wake up, back in her home at the Seam with Gale banging on the door for an early morning hunt. They'd sneak under the lifeless fence, shoot a few birds, and sit in the field. They would only have to worry once a year about the Hunger Games destroying their peace.
Her eyes snapped open to look at Gale. The gravity of the announcement was starting to set in. He was suddenly back up for the Reaping.
"Forty-six."
She continued staring at him for a moment before furrowing her eyebrows. "Forty-six?"
"Forty-two to me, one to each of my family members. I'm up for reaping forty-six times."
She let out a short breath, shutting her eyes before looking back at him again, searchingly. "Gale, it's not certain you'll be called."
"But there's a chance now," he sighed before letting go of her and sitting up straight. "You should go back to Prim, Katniss. She needs you."
She paused before nodding and standing up. "You're right. I'll see you soon."
Gale just nodded slowly, not really looking up at her. His eyes fixed instead on the blank screen. She touched his cheek gently, stalling, before stroking Posy's hair and leaving quickly back to Victor's Village.