Chapter 12 – The Capture
AN: Hello! I hope that everyone is enjoying the story so far. Thank you for those who alerted, favored and left a review. This chapter will have Lily's POV and is rated PG. THG belongs to Suzanne Collins and any mistakes found are mine.
Lily POV –
Anger and fear. Two emotions that bubbled inside me, emotions that I held back while life continued and weeks passed. It has been 3 months since Katniss, Prim and Peeta ran way from the rebel base camp. I closed my eyes and tried not to imagine them sick, in danger or dying, images that flashed in my mind every time I thought of them, out alone in the untamed wilderness of Panem. I wondered how they were, were they hungry or scared.
I wasn't surprised that Katniss and Peeta had left but that they had taken Prim with them is what angered me. I should had known something was up since for days they were quiet and secretive, talking between themselves. I knew Peeta was anxious about his family and if he was in distress, Katniss was there to comfort him. She would literally do anything for him.
What was Katniss thinking taking her little sister to fight their way back home to District 12? What fool hardy and misconceived idea compelled them to take such a risk with their lives as well as Prim's. I will never forgive Katniss for this...act of rebellion. To be selfish and stubborn, for not thinking of Prim's safety. Just the thought of their leaving, reignited my ire and fueling the anger I could not abate. My stomach churned thinking about their thoughtlessness,impulsive and reckless behavior.
During the day I kept busy attending to the sick. I was useful and had a purpose. But at the end of the day, with night as my only companion, I couldn't help but let my anger take over. It was easier being angry because if I let myself feel anything but anger...the feeling of helpless, fear and doom would overwhelm me. I would become the very same woman who abandoned her children and thought only of her husband. In truth, Katniss was right, I had failed as a mother. When Garrett was almost killed during an explosion in the mine, I was paralyzed with fear of losing him. I was so focused on his recovery, determined that he wouldn't die and leave me alone, that I had lost my children in the process.
I will never forgive myself for what I had put them through. For what I had forced Katniss to become; both a provider and mother to Prim and for not being there when they needed me the most. I tried not to imagine the pain, loneliness and heartache they suffered because I had become a shell of woman, only concerned for her husband. I didn't realized that my action caused them to not only lose their father but me as well. I had isolated us in order to prevent them from seeing their father in pain and misery. It took years for him to recover. By the time I realized my mistake and the error of my ways, they had grown up to not depend on me as a mother who had needed them. That my love was only preserved for their father and that I had cast aside our relationship. I couldn't blame Katniss for not turning to me, and for Prim who turned Katniss when she needed a mother. '
And to my horror, my actions affected Katniss the most. She was determined to never fall in love and marry, so she would not become me. But in essence, she was more like me than she realized.
At the moment, I was crushing herbs with a pestle and mortar, grinding the leaves into fine powder. When they left, Prim had taken all my herbs and healing salves, whatever she could pack for her travel. At least, I am thankful that Prim foresaw the need for medical treatment. She would take care of their needs when or if necessary.
I was so into my head that I hadn't noticed that I had a visitor. "Mrs. Everdeen, are you okay?" Amelia asked. I jumped slightly scattering a bit of the powder onto the table. Once I recovered I smiled at Snow's granddaughter. Surprisingly she was sweet girl who reminded me of Prim and Katniss at her age. That that she was sweet a bit spoiled but otherwise, a kind and thoughtful child, the granddaughter of President Snow.
"Amelia, you scared me," I said as I placed a hand over my heart in mock fear. She giggled, her cheeks dimpled and eyes laughed. "What are you doing here, young lady?" I bent over to face her eye to eye. She wore light gray pants and light pink blouse, dirt smeared rubber shoes. She wore an outfit not fit for a child raised with silks, wool and linen. She looked ordinary, plain unlike a privileged child from the Capitol. I stood erect gazing out of my housing, a small one bed tent with a wooden table that worked both as a work and dining table. It was much smaller to the accommodations I shared with Katniss and Prim back at the main rebel base camp.
A week after my wayward children and Peeta escaped, the commander of the rebel base transferred me to another camp. I had insisted to be taken home, back to 12 no matter what my...Mockingjay ordered. When I heard that District 12 was once again attacked and infected with a virus my first impulse was to go home and be with Garrett. But he had ordered us—Katniss, Prim and I to stay away and I had obeyed him because his orders were from a husband, not Mockingjay. I obeyed his wishes. But my children had other ideas, one that they didn't share. So after being left behind, I nagged and pressed to be transferred, if not to District 12 but to some camp close by. I remembered my last conversation with Shane as he tried to convince me to stay put.
Flashback –
"Mrs. Everdeen, you can't leave; you need to stay," he began. "It's bad enough that Prim, Katniss and Peeta left the camp. It was irresponsible and foolish."
"Also dangerous," Maddy added. Shane sent a look, his eyes narrowed and head tilted.
"Nevertheless, they are gone. You are our priority now. And we need to keep you safe. Mockingjay—"
"Mockingjay is your leader. He is my husband, Prim and Katniss are my children, I am their mother," I reiterated. "They are out there, alone and in danger." Tears prickled my eyes but I refused to let them fall. "I should have known they were up to something. What kind of mother..." I choked up with the feeling uncertainty and helplessness. I needed to do something and I didn't feel useful.
"I'm sorry," Shane blurted. "Had I known I would have stopped them."
I smiled, the corner of my mouth curved upward as I shook my head. "No, Shane. Even if they confided in you, they would do whatever they wanted to do. Nothing and no one could have stopped them."
"Not unless we had locked them up," Maddy snickered.
"Nice try, but knowing Katniss and Peeta, they would have found a way," I proposed. They were smart and resourceful, had they hinted about leaving the base camp commander would have had them watched closely.
"I'm not surprised that Prim went with them," Shane said. "Where Katniss goes, Prim follows." I nodded my head.
"And where Peeta goes, Katniss would be right behind him," I added. That was a statement of fact. I hadn't realized the strong bond Peeta and Katniss shared. I mean, I knew Peeta loved her, but Katniss? I never knew she felt that strongly for him since most of her life, love was something she protested and sworn not to do.
End of Flashback –
Little did I realized that Shane had plans to go after them himself, that he had left in an official capacity volunteering to find them and bring the back. He and Maddy didn't sneak off into the middle of the night.
However, with Maddy leaving she was not cleared to leave. She had disobeyed orders and left with Shane. Shaking my head in disbelief, I wondered if her decision was influenced by Peeta and Katniss's impulsive behavior. I mean, I knew she would want to accompany Shane since he was about to go after the kids alone.
"Sorry, Mrs. Everdeen," Amelia said, her cheeks pink and eyes filled with laughter. "I didn't mean to scare you." In her hands was a brown bag. "Mommy said to give this to you." She handed me the bag, it was a bit heavy made of leather with a drawstring used as a fastener.
"Where is your mother by the way?" I asked as I peered through the tent I occupied. "How did you get here on your own?" At this particular camp, children were not allowed to wander and was always to be accompanied by a parent. The ratio of children to adult was 1 out of 15. There was at least 200 bodies at this camp.
"I ran ahead so I can say hi first," she giggled. The joy in her laughter filled the void in my heart if only temporarily. Seeing her made me wished that Prim and Katniss were with me. I missed them so much. With Garrett still in District 12 and despite the destruction, I was alone, homesick and lonely. I wanted to be with my family.
"Amelia Snow, what did I tell you about running away from me," Roberta Snow scolded her. She tugged at Amelia's arm to her side. "Do you remember what I said about walking alone in this camp?"
"I remember, Mama," she said, her lip trembled slightly. "But I didn't run away from you and I wasn't alone. I ran straight here."
"Do not do that again." Her were words slow and succinct. "Promise me." She nodded her head.
"I'm sorry," Amelia voiced, her words wobbled and voice shook as she wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.
"Mrs. Everdeen," she started.
"Please, no formalities. Just Lily," I said. In some way, Roberta Snow intimidated me not because of her father-in-law who was the President of Panem, but because she was a bonafide doctor. A woman who attended a real medical school unlike myself who learned healing and medicine through my mother. And, she was young, beautiful who stood with an air and stature of royalty though she never acted as one. She was surprisingly humble and interacted with everyone as if they were her equal.
"Sorry, Lily. You must forgive my impulsive daughter for her intrusion," Roberta spoke.
"No harm was done, Bertie." I responded back. "You're daughter is welcome to visit anytime." For a few seconds her eyes stared into mine. I felt as though she was sizing me up. Since Garrett revealed his identity, I would catch people's stares and whispers behind my back. It was an uncomfortable feeling because she must have read my the expression on my face. I hated the attention—one I haven't gotten used to—to be known as the wife of the Mockingjay. Bertie blinked when her daughter caught her attention. I inwardly snickered because she too was a person who garnered attention as well. Everyone at the camp knew who she was.
"I gave Mrs. Everdeen the bag, Mommy," Amelia boasted. "See?"
"Thank you for this.. You have no idea how much this means to me," I said as I turned to my table. In the bag were bottles of sedatives, tranquilizer, syringes and painkillers that I requested. I held them in my hand, holding them as if they were made of gold—valuable and rare. Medical supplies like these were uncommon, items that I never had in my possession when I tended to the sick and hurt. It wasn't as if District 12 could afford them, even the apothecary at the Merchants township couldn't supply them. They were expensive. Only the Capitol funded health center afforded them. They were reserved for the peacekeepers.
"Are you going on a trip?" she queried as she noticed my clothes and supplies were neatly packed.
"I'm trying to convince the camp commander, I forgot her name—to fly me back home to District 12," I told her.
"Really? Why? I thought Mockingjay placed District 12 in quarantine," she reminded me.
"He did," I confirmed. "But it's been months and I heard that they found a cure for the virus. It's time I went home."
"I'm sorry to hear that your home was...destroyed."
"It's not your fault." It really wasn't her fault. She couldn't help who her father-in-law was. She couldn't help being related to one of the most evil men in Panem. A man who was hunting down my daughters and Peeta. There were times I wanted to strike out and scream at her but that wouldn't be fair since she too ran away from him. She ran and took his granddaughter so she could live a life away from his lifestyle and influence while Amelia was young still young enough to not be corrupted.
"Why does it feel like it is?" Considered me surprised that someone with the surname like Snow would care about the fate or lives other than their own. She genuinely felt guilty.
"It isn't. You shouldn't feel responsible for what your father in law did to my home."
She sighed, "It's just so hard now. I thought if I ran away from Cornelius, take Amelia far away from him our life would get..."
"Easier, simpler?"
"I debated and thought of leaving for a long time, telling myself that I had to get Amelia away from him. Deciding to leave was an easy decision, but I also knew it was going to be hard, being the daughter in law to the most hated man in Panem." I watched Amelia as she stared at the children playing outside. She didn't interact with them not that she couldn't but the parents were not pleased knowing who she was. "Taking Amelia away from everyone she knew, her home and friends. It was the hardest and most selfish thing I have ever done."
"Nonsense," I chided her. "What you done was not selfish. Tell me? Did you take Amelia away to get back at Snow? Was your decision based on hurting him or protecting your daughter?"
"Amelia is all I have left. I couldn't let him...he was going to groom her, to be just like him. He wanted her to continue the Snow legacy. And that also meant The Hunger Games. I even fought tooth and nail to prevent him from putting us on display at every event or function. I was fine staying away from the cameras but with Amelia? I couldn't let it happen to her. For her to become like him." Bertie barely held her emotions in check as tears dripped from her eyes. Through her tears I felt her heartache, anger and loneliness because she and Amelia were alone, away from her family and friends. What she done had to have been the hardest thing any mother had to do to protect her only child. "But since we left, she has been isolated and alone. Children her age are scared of her. I could live with the sneers and recriminations, but Amelia is only a child born of circumstance. She doesn't understand why people...hate her."
"I don't envy you," I admitted. "But you know deep in your heart, you did the right thing by her." I've seen the looks of derision, hate and disgust in people's faces when she arrived, the stigma carrying Snow's name would follow them wherever they went. The anger and hate was palpable and undisguised. Even as so much that the commander assigned a bodyguards for her and Amelia's protection. Their road was a long and lonely one. Her journey was of forgiveness as well. Not just for herself but to those she would encounter in her life.
"What are your chances of leaving?" she said as she changed the topic of conversation.
"Slim, but I'm not going to stop trying."
"Look at me, I'm a mess." Bertie's fair and flawless skin was pink and blotchy. I handed her a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes and runny nose. It must be hard trying to defend herself not just from people but a whole nation who hated anyone related to Snow. Maybe it was time to revert back to her maiden name and leave her history behind.
"You're fine, Bertie," I assured her. "You just hold you head up high and be proud of what you have accomplished." I gestured to Amelia. "You did a great job in raising her." I sighed. "A much better job than I did with my own girls." That familiar ache in my chest resurfaced.
"Any news? Their whereabouts?" I shook my head.
"Nothing, not a word," I stated, feeling the ache in my heart multiply. The bag in my hand suddenly felt heavy, like an invisible emotional load that I carried. "Garrett has people looking for them. I don't understand how they can disappear like that. I mean shouldn't have Garrett's people found them by now? At least have some information where they are? The not knowing is killing me." Bertie placed a hand on my arm.
"Peeta and Katniss are pretty resourceful and level headed." I snorted. They wouldn't have left if they were level headed. With Katniss I wasn't surprised since she was impulsive, but I guess with Peeta knowing that his father, James was sick. It was enough of an incentive to leave.
"Your children are fine," Bertie said. "Peeta would make sure of it." Her words were meant to comfort me. It did briefly. But she was right, Peeta would never let anything happen to them. That I had no doubt. It was mind boggling that no one saw them after all this time. If they made it to District 12 there was no way Garrett would turn them away. I would never forgive him if he did.
Suddenly there was movement and thunderous noise of voices from outside my tent. "What's going on?" I said more to myself. People were running and screaming—men and women entering their tents then appearing with guns and their backpack in their hands. Women grabbed their children and pushed them inside.
"Are we being attacked?" Bertie yelled as a woman passed us, seizing her forearm since everyone was in running around in a frantic state. Amelia latched her arms around her mother's waist, fear filled her eyes as the noise of shouting grew louder.
The young woman's eyes bulged in her sockets. "Wow, sorry Mrs. Everdeen, Mrs. Snow," she blubbered. "Excuse me, I didn't mean to..." She stopped, her mouth opened then closed.
"Well? What's happening? Are we being attacked," she repeated. The female soldier continued to gaze at both of us. Then I realized how strange and impossible it must look to see the both of us together—Snow's daughter-in-law and Mockingjay's wife standing together like we were long lost friends.
"Sorry, it's just...wow. Seeing the two of you together—wow. This is an historical moment. I mean—wow."
"Mommy, why is the lady staring at you and Mrs. Everdeen? You said it was rude to stare at people," Amelia spoke, tugging at her mother's sleeve.
"Sorry, but patrol spotted of group of peacekeepers 20 clicks from the camp," she finally explained once she gotten over her moment of astonishment. For a second I tried to calculate what she meant—20 clicks as in twenty kilometers. In school I wasn't good with math and to make matters confusing she was using military jargon? It was difficult to understand and keep up. But with Bertie, she was familiar somehow.
"That's at least 12 miles away from here," she calculated. "That's close."
"Yes, ma'am. They're practically at our doorstep," the young woman returned. I swore there was excitement and glee written on her face. We were soon to be attacked and she was...excited? The woman was at least 19 years old, the same age as Katniss. She was taller than my eldest girl with brown and eyes. "Also drones are flying ahead of them. Commander Talley says they will be here in 10 minutes. So I gotta book. I have a date with my rifle." That's was when I noticed what she held in her hands—a high power sniper rifle with a large scope. I recognized it because the rifle was the same one Shane carried. An image of him unexpectedly popped my mind. I wondered where he and Maggie were, how they were doing? Had they found Peeta and my girls?
"Commander Talley has assigned a squad to ambush them before they reach this camp," she continued. "Sorry gotta go." But before she left, she grabbed my hand. "It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Everdeen. I've been meaning to introduce myself but we were told by the commander to leave you alone." I appreciated the privacy but wondered if isolating me was a good idea. Maybe if I had interacted more with people I wouldn't have left lonely and alone.
"It is nice to meet you as well," I returned. I was about to ask her name since she knew who I was.
"I don't think you remembered me but you were very kind and...helpful when I first met you at the other camp." My mind filtered through my memories. She looked familiar but I couldn't place her face.
"I volunteered to be part of the squad that escorted you here to this camp." I didn't know what she was talking about. But she continued, "Back at the camp, I had a problem with my...I was having really bad cramps. You know, my monthly and you gave me something for it. I've been taking them ever since."
"Oh, yes, I remember you now," I recalled. I recommended an extract from the bark of pine trees. "I'm glad it helped you."
"Maynard, let's go," someone called out. The young woman turned her head.
"Sorry, I gotta go," she said. "Again, it is a honor, ma'am." She raised her hand, her arm upraised with three fingers pointed upward in a salute. I have seen that gesture a few times, it just never dawned on me what it meant. I mean I knew what it symbolized, but the significance and how it was important to me. The gesture itself was in respect for Mockingjay and what he stood for.
Both Bertie and I watched at her as she joined a group of men and women, their age ranged from 17- 25. They were all so vibrant, young, fresh faced and innocent. A few of them high-fived each other as if they were rallying for a game. "For Panem, for Mockingjay." Their voices grew louder, spirit and adrenaline escalated with each passing minute. "Mockingjay, Mockingjay, Mockingjay." They all raised their arms, pointing three fingers into the air repeatedly as they continued to chant. "Mockingjay, Mockingjay, Mockingjay." They were mesmerizing.
"Let's go, Lily," Bertie started.
"Where?"
"We need to prepare and get ready. We better get the emergency rooms prepped for triage." Bertie said as she ran towards the building at the center of the camp. She gripped Amelia's hand as she struggled to keep her mother's pace. I turned to my room and gave it one look before I left because I knew it would be a while before I slept in my bed.
Five hours later bodies started to pile into the hospital rooms as injured men and women either walked in or were carried by gurney. Most cases were injuries from laser gun or rifles, tearing and boring holes into skin, muscles, organs and bones. The less fortunate lost limbs, eyes or were on conscious due to head trauma from nearby explosions that rained down on them from superior and powerful armaments.
"We have another head trauma, contusions and three degree burns," a medic announced as they brought the injured inside and placed him on the next available operating table. Bertie was busy amputating a lower arm while I had just finished suturing a six inch cut from a woman when schrapnel tore into her her right thigh. She was lucky as the metallic piece didn't cut into her fermory artery because had it tore deeper hitting the vein, she would have bled out in the field.
"Nurse, I need—" I stopped and gasped from horror and surprise. The young man was a man but the same person Bertie and I encountered before the attack. She was barely recognizable as goey blood oozed from her head, her pony tail hair singed off and her face was partially burned on one side from ear to shoulder. Half of her clothes was tattered from the fire leaving roasted skin burns all over her body.
"Help me, please, please" she wheezed between breath, tears tracked down her face. Her pleas for help was shallow and soft that I was surprised I heard from above the din of shouts inside the room. I gently placed a hand on her forehead in a gesture of comfort, brushing off her greasy hair from her eyes. Sweat, blood, and grime smeared all over her face. She was hot to touch. I looked at her clothes, they were tattered revealing the rest of her skin covered with long scratches that were deep.
"Sh, sh. Just close your eyes," I instructed. A nurse handed me a syringe. It was a sedative, to calm but also relieve her from agonizing pain from the burns as I needed her asleep while I tended to her injuries. "Breathe slowly, relax. Just think of home, your family and friends." A few seconds later, her eyes drooped and mouth went slacked. For the next hour, I concentrated on her, pulling out little pieces of metal all over her body. It was difficult since I also didn't want to acerbate the burns she sustained. I didn't even know her name but I felt a kinship because she reminded me both of Katniss and Prim. By the time I was done, the hospital unit still bustled with activity, it was nonstop of injured men and women seeking medical attention both in a life or death situation.
"Hey, you should take a break. You look like you're going to pass out." Bertie appeared by my side. Her clothes was smeared with blood as her face displayed hours of stress and exhaustion.
"What is that idiom? The pot calling the kettle black?," I retorted back. She looked the same way I felt—tired to the bone, ours limbs numb after the adrenaline had worn off. Standing for hours while administrating the injured and dying. I lot count of the deaths that surrounded me.
"How is she doing?" she asked.
"She's in great pain. I dug out at least 15 pieces of schrapnel, head contusion and third degree burns," I diagnosed. "It will take weeks of physical, emotional and mental recovery. That's if she wakes up."
"But she's alive," Bertie reminded me. I was exhausted to formulate words. Yes, she was alive, but would she want to go on living? She had third degree burns all over her body, at least sixty percent. Her hand was fractured as her bones needed to be re-set. Her road to recovery was going to be long, painful and hard both in spirit and body
"Come on, let her sleep," Bertie coaxed me. "It's been a very long day and I know you haven't eaten."
She led me to the commissary. It was deserted and quiet. How she managed to have food prepared was a mystery. We ate in silence, deep into our own thoughts. The food which consisted of some unrecognizable meat soup with soft vegetables was tasteless and the tea was warm. I took a bite of the day old bread, gnashing it between my teeth since it was hard and crunchy. I was so tired that I actually fell asleep on the table.
The next day was the same—ate, slept late and worked early til my bones ached. There was nothing to do but keep busy. Word spread that we were able to push back the peacekeepers before they reached our location. Drones were first destroyed then a battle between peacekeepers and rebels, that lasted hours preventing them from attacking the camp. In the meantime, I learned the name of the young woman I attended. Her name was Private Dixie Maynard from District 2. Due to her head trauma she was placed on a induced coma to help her heal. I guess it was fortunate because her pain level would have been excruciatingly high had she been awake.
Another day passed and not word from Garrett. Meanwhile, the camp was being rebuilt from all the damage it sustained from the attack. Then word came that the camp had to be dismantled and moved to another location. It made sense since Snow knew where we were located. Everyone was quickly working to move at a moment's notice. Where we were heading I knew not since I was only a civilian. No one would tell me anything. So I worked and remained vigilant at Dixie's side because she was proned to infection due to her external and internal injuries.
"Mockingjay has sent a hovercraft to pick you up," Captain Jaine Talley said as she entered into my tent after a 10 hour shift. She was tall woman, 6' 3" with short jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. Jaine was a former peacekeeper who was the head peacekeeper that guarded the Gamemakers at the Capitol. Her story was intriguing. Once Mockingjay destroyed the Gamemaker's Headquarters Captain Talley escaped as she was one of the spies Mockingjay recruited to help him destroy the central building that stored all the games, computer codes and database. In truth, she had replaced the original Jaine Talley. But that was another story to tell.
"When?" My heart raced at the prospect of seeing Garrett and going home.
"The ship will arrive tonight," she informed me. "You are leaving in the dark of night to help transport you through Panem. We're hoping to avoid detection. I must tell how dangerous this is not just for you but for those taking the risk to get you back to District 12. But you are being transferred immediately against my wishes. I understand your need to be with your husband and your home, but I strongly advised that you remain with us. Mockingjay agreed as well."
"I don't understand, then why am I flying back to 12?" The conversation was confusing. I was leaving but Garrett did agreed with Captain Talley that I should stay away?
"Mockingjay's conflicted. Against his better judgment, he needs you. You are his wife, but as Mockingjay he knows it's not prudent to send back home. You are safe away from him, but as a husband? I guess his heart won over logic. I hoped to change your mind."
"There is nothing you can do to make me change my mind," I said. I had several heated discussions with Captain Talley. She was adamant that I stay away from District 12. But with my family gone and Garrett alone to deal with the district, I knew he needed me. I knew I was being selfish, insisting that I fly back home but I needed to go home where I knew I was more helpful.
"Please Mrs. Everdeen," She begged. "I can guarantee your safety. Going back to 12 is dangerous"
"I'm sorry, it's not that I don't trust you, but you cannot guarantee my safety wherever I am," I asserted. Yes, she would try to keep me safe but I didn't feel safe. The last attack convinced me otherwise. I was wound up and tense, not sleeping or eating well. Since the attack, my mind raced with images of my family. I missed them, worried about their safety and health especially Katniss and Prim. "It is better that I return home." I was surrounded by pain, misery and death. It made me ponder what was happening back home, how Jimmy and Rye were doing? If Hazelle and her children had survived? Also, I never thought I missed the Seam, but I did. It wasn't home unless my husband and children were there but regardless I missed it.
Talley sighed. "I tried. I told Mockingjay that I try to change your mind."
"His idea or yours?" I snickered, a smile on my face. The feeling of relief and joy filled me. I haven't felt happy in a long time. I was going home.
"Mine," she admitted. "I thought I could to appeal to you as woman to woman."
"Nice try, but if Garrett can't make me change my mind? No one can."
The next couple of hours, I checked and rechecked my bags and supplies. I wasn't carrying much but mostly my clothes and a bag of herbs and medical supplies. With a heavy heart, I forced myself to do one last thing before I departed.
Dixie was still where I left her—unconscious and alone. From within the large tent that housed the soldiers in recovery she was noticeable, her body clothed with just a sheet so it wouldn't aggravate her burned skin. An IV stuck into her arm to supply nutrients into her body since she wasn't capable of feeding. "Hey," I started. "I"m sorry but I'm leaving soon. But I know I'm leaving you with the best and capable hands." I stopped for a second and took a deep breath. "There isn't anything more that I can do anyway. And I wanted to say goodbye before I left that I'm very glad to have met you, Dixie. Even under dire these circumstances...and I also wanted to say thank you. Thank you for volunteering not just to help me but also for believing in Mockingjay. I'll tell him all about you."
I was excited and scared as I buckled myself onto the seat. Commander Talley demanded that my flight was scheduled an hour before midnight. The visibility was low but it was perfect if we were to fly undetected. No commercial ships were supposed to be in the air after 9pm per Snow's mandate.
The ship's engine roared and the compartment rocked. I sent a prayer for Katniss, Prim and Peeta, hoping that I would see them at District 12 and another prayer for myself—for a safe journey through hostile airspace.
Suddenly just as I expected the ship to take off, the hatch opened. Bertie appeared at the door with bags in her hands. "What the—" Behind her was Amelia carried into the ship by a solder, she was fast asleep. Before I could complete my sentence another soldier appeared and assisted them to their seats. The soldiers were from District 13 as their black uniforms revealed their association. Finally the shipped took off, I felt floor below me lift from the ground.
"For your safety, please remain buckled to your seat during the duration of the flight," a voice crackled through a speaker. I exhaled a long and cleansing breath. The only thought in my mind was...I was going home. I was so ecstatic that I had forgotten to ask Commander Talley how long was the flight. It didn't matter. I was finally going home.
Ten minutes later, despite the low whirring sounds from the ship's engine, Bertie advised, "Keep breathing through your mouth or you'll get dizzy and get motion sickness." Breath, breath, I told myself. The last thing I needed was to greet my husband in disarray and smelling like vomit.
"Is she okay?" I asked as I pointed to Amelia who slept next to her mother.
"I gave her your sleep serum," she explained. I felt a touch of melancholy as I watched her lovingly traced a finger on Amelia's eyes and cheeks. I recalled nights when I watched my girls sleep, staring at their long lashes and freckles on their nose as I mesmerized small details I took for granted when they were awake. Like how Prim's hair was thin and straight while Katniss's was thick and curly.
"I'm sorry, baby," Bertie whispered to her sleeping child.
"Why are you on board?" I finally addressed Bertie as curiosity got the best of me. Or were we taking another stop before reaching home?
"I begged and nagged Commander Talley to take me and Amelia with you," she explained.
"Why? How?" I was still perplexed with the turn of events. Roberta and Amelia Snow was heading towards District 12.
"I don't feel safe," Bertie admitted. "Truthfully, I'm more worried about Amelia's safety. And where else can I keep her safe but by the protection of Mockingjay?"
"But District 12? There is nothing for you there," I inquired. "Is this because you feel guilty?"
"Yes, no...I mean, I meant what I said about not feeling safe. And I was given complete protection and sanctuary from Mockingjay so...Captain Talley wasn't happy me going with you. I also pitched the idea that your district needed me—to help with the sick and injured. What better propo, right? Watching Snow's daughter-in-law attending the sick in District 12, the district that he bombed?" I stared at her District 13 bodyguards.
"If you're being sent to District 12 why are you being escorted by District 13 soldiers?" I inquired. I would have thought that Garrett would send his own soldiers to retrieve Bertie. He never trusted Coin who he thought had another agenda. It was difficult being a leader of a rebellion when one part of the revolution was being questioned by another faction.
"I believe there was a debate or rather the president of District 13 was butting heads with your...Mockingjay," she explained. "President Coin offered sanctuary as well but I don't know her. I at least know you so I accepted his offer with the condition that District 13 would supply my security detail." It sounded like Garrett not only had to deal with the aftermath of the attack but with President Coin as well. He must be feeling the pressure from both sides—Snow and the president of District 13.
Since becoming Mockingjay, Garrett wanted to spare me his troubles, the responsibilities that he took onto himself as the leader of a rebellion. In all these years, I had never questioned or doubted his abilities because I was busy trying to reconnect with Katniss and Prim. It made me wonder if I failed all of them. I had failed as a mother to my daughters but did I fail as a wife and partner who should had been more actively supportive to Garrett as well? The engine droned in rhythmic pattern causing me to feel drowsy.
I settled into my seat, hoping to at least catch a couple hours of sleep as I didn't know how long the flight was.
I was jerked awake when the hovercraft jolted during the flight. Bertie stared out into the inky night from a small circular window. There was no visibility as the cabin lights were shut off. A soldier unbuckled his seat and entered the cockpit, shutting the access door behind him with a loud thud. When suddenly, the ship banked to the left then righted itself. "Mommy, what's happening," Amelia cried out.
"I don't know baby. We might have encountered some turbulence," she explained to her frightened daughter. The soldier reappeared and addressed us.
"What is happening, soldier?" I queried, my hands gripped the arm rest as I tried not to show how scared I was.
"I'm sorry but the pilot said that we're trying to evade a group of hovercrafts behind us," the female soldier explained. My heart thumped inside my chest.
"How many are there?" Bertie also asked. The soldier kept quiet for a few seconds. Her eyes drifted towards Amelia.
"Four, ma'am," she answered. "We should have arrived at District 11 airspace two hours ago but the pilot has been evading unidentified ships for the past hour. He had to veer off his original flight plan."
"How long until we reach District 12 airspace," I asked.
"The pilot said about another hour." That was too long of a time to be in the air. We held onto our breath as time passed. A few minutes later, the pilot appeared, his face twisted in anxiety.
"I'm Captain Emil Pierce, your pilot. We have incoming ships 50 miles trailing behind us. They have been hovering on our tail for half an hour," he explained.
"So what's the plan?" a District 13 soldier asked. He was a man in his early thirties, not hard or worn like the rebel soldiers who had been fighting for years. His clothes were crisp clean and new.
"I have a two parachutes," Pierce started. "One of you will parachute off this ship with Mrs. Everdeen before they catch up to us."
"What about Mrs. Snow and her daughter?" I asked. "They should come with me. They...if those peacekeepers find her, they will send her back to her father-in-law." The look of panic and fear was palpable on Bertie's face. Her fate was worse than death, to be returned to her father-in-law. Who knew what would happen to her and Amelia if they were turned away.
"I told you, we only have two parachutes on this ship," Pierce repeated. Bertie sighed as if she was resigned to her fate. "My job was to get you to 12 per Mockingjay's orders. You will get off this ship before we are forced to land. You will be taken prisoner and sent to the Capitol. Do you understand?"
"I''m not jumping" I began. "If you can't take all of us, then no one is going."
"I'm sorry Captain," the District 13 soldier interrupted. "My orders were to accompany Mrs. Snow and her daughter to District 12. Per order from the President of my district."
"This is not up for discussion," Pierce muttered in frustration.
"I don't take orders from you, sir," the soldier returned. "No disrespect intended, sir." He looked genuinely sincere. "I am responsible for Mrs. Snow and her daughter's safety."
"We're wasting time, Captain Pierce," I stated. Before he could object a voice crackled through the ship's speakers.
"Captain, sir" a voice sounded. "I have an incoming message from...the ship that is following us. He demands to talk to you."
"Patch him in," the captain instructed and sighed.
"This is peacekeeper Abel to the unidentified ship, you have disregarded Aerial Mandate code 053. Flying after hours without permission and in restricted airspace" Shit, shit, the words echoed in my head. "Please identify yourself or I will be forced to shoot you down. You have been warned."
"Can they do that from their range?" District 13 soldier asked.
"Oh shit," Pierce mumbled as he scrubbed his chin with his hand. He pressed a button on his headset. "Baker, how long until they reach us? Until they have full visibility on the ship?"
"4 minutes, sir," Baker responded over the speakers.
"Identify ourselves, tell them we have Mrs. Everdeen and tell them we surrender," Pierce ordered. "Tell them that we will not resist and will comply to their demands."
"We're surrendering?" I was aghast that Pierce submitted to a surrender without a fight.
"This is a transport ship, it's old and not equipped with any firing mechanism. We're up against ships that are faster and can fire at us long range. We would not survive if I keep trying to outmaneuver them. I've been evading them for hours and we're losing fuel.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked.
"Okay, so this is what we're going to do. You two.." he pointed at the District 13 soldiers. "Will parachute down with Mrs. Everdeen—"
"No," I interjected, loud and firm. "I told you, I will not jump and leave Mrs. Snow and her child behind so that the peacekeepers can capture them."
"Ma'am, Mockingjay said you are the priority," Pierce informed. "His direct order was for you to reach District 12 safely."
"No," I repeated. "We are wasting time. You will let these two soldiers parachute Mrs. Snow and her child to safety. I will stay behind."
"Lily, I can't let you do that," Bertie implored. "I...it was pipe dream to think that I could escape from Cornelius. It's okay. Escape while you can."
"Listen, Bertie. You know your father-in-law better than anyone. Think hard and fast, what will happen to you and Amelia if you go back to the Capitol? If you get captured?" Bertie's mind raced, on her face was fear and anger. Emotions that mirrored my own. I felt helpless and scared for a long time. I was done feeling that way.
"I will lose Amelia, he will separate me from her. I will never see her again and I..." She gulped as if something vile was in her mouth. "He would...not kill me but...make sure I endure pain and misery, live a life without Amelia forever." The images of the Avox entered in my mind. Those were people who defied Snow.
"Mrs. Everdeen, please," Pierce begged. "I cannot let you do this." With enough courage I could muster, I grabbed the parachutes.
"Mrs. Snow and Amelia cannot be captured," I insisted. "I will suffer the consequences for my decision. You will do this for them."
"I cannot allow this," Pierce argued back.
"Too bad, because we can stand here all night and let those peacekeepers all capture us or you will let Mrs. Snow and her daughter escape. I am not leaving." Pierce relented and nodded his head in silent agreement.
"What about you?" Bertie asked as she was strapped to the soldier while the other soldier harnessed Amelia onto his chest to execute a tandem jump.
"Mockingjay will find a way. I know he will." For some reason a sense of calm and peace settled inside me because I believed in Garrett's ability to rescue me. He would find a way. "Just make sure you that you reach District 12 safely so you can tell him. Hurry, we don't have much time."
Once they were secured with their parachutes, Bertie reached out and hugged me taking the soldier strapped behind her into our embrace. Amelia giggled.
"You and Mrs. Everdeen look funny, Mommy," she said.
"Thank you, thank you," Bertie whispered in my ear, her voice shook as tears glistened in her eyes. I felt her tears graze my earlobe. "I can see where both Katniss and Prim got their courage."
"Well, that's debatable," I quipped back holding back tears of my own because this was either brave or really stupid of me, sacrificing my life to two complete strangers. Well not complete strangers since I got to know her and Amelia in the short amount of time. I just couldn't live with myself knowing what Snow would do if he caught them. If...no. When I see Garrett again I know he will kill me just as he would kill Katniss and Prim for leaving the base camp all those months ago. Like mother like daughter.
"Good bye, Mrs. Everdeen," Amelia bid her farewell. The door to the ship opened. I felt the cold crisp air swirl around the compartment as the noise from the engine outside filled the room.
"Good bye Amelia, I will see you in District 12, okay?" She nodded her head. Looking at her innocent face, I knew I was making the right decision.
"Amelia, honey. Don't be scared. Mommy will be right behind you, okay. Just close your eyes." Right before they jumped, Bertie raised her arm and pointed three fingers into the air. She said one word just as she slipped into the night and disappeared. "Mockingjay." My heart jumped for a second.
"Wow, I never in my life would have ever thought that I would see the day when a Snow would ever do that?" Pierce commented. I was dumbstruck myself. Then I turned to Pierce when I noticed that he was looking at me.
"What?"
"Of all the stupidest and bravest thing I have ever heard," Pierce mumbled under his breath. "Mockingjay will definitely kill me."
"He has to rescue the both of us first," I reminded him. Pierce scoffed as he shook his head.
"Sir, we have incoming ships approaching us," his co-pilot announced.
"Buckle up, Mrs. Everdeen. Company has come calling," Pierce advised. My hands shook while I buckled the belt on my waist. I looked out the window to see several ships flying beside us. "Looks like Snow has called reinforcements." As he too looked out to see outside the ship.
"Why so many?"
"Why do you think?" he said as he turned to me."Before they board this ship and take us to who knows where. I want you to wear this." He placed a pin in my hand—it was a Mockingjay. "Hide if you can. Never take it off. If they find it insist that you want it with you as a token or memory of your husband, the Mockingjay. Just promise me you never take it off. It's...the only way the rebels will identify you."
My brows raised in confusion. "Listen, for the longest time Mockingjay has kept his identity a secret. It worked to our advantage. He wanted to protect his family—his wife and children. Now Panem know who is and what is he looks like. But not you, Mrs. Everdeen. Not a lot of people know what you look like. All the rebels identify themselves with this pin, understand?"
I nodded my head. "Only a few high ranking people have this pin. Not all our soldiers have them. And since you're not a soldier and while you wear this pin, our people will know the significance of you wearing this."
"I don't understand why you are giving it to me if only the soldiers from Mockingjay's army carry this," I told him.
"When we land...you will be taken to secure holding facility. I don't where me and my co pilot will be taken," he explained. I was about to open my mouth when he raised his hand. "I knew the risks when I was ordered to fly you back to 12, Mrs. Everdeen. We all do when we volunteered. Just keep the pin close to you, please."
He turned to enter the cockpit. "Good luck, Mrs. Everdeen," he said as he raised his arm with a three finger salute. I sighed and closed my eyes. Today had been one of the longest day of my life. However, I knew the day was far from over.
AN: Thank you for reading chapter and continuing this journey with me. Please leave review however short or long and letting me know how I'm doing so far. I would greatly appreciate it. Have a great week and I will try to update soon.
