Disclaimer (I'm always forgetting these! Oh well, this'll count for the entire story): If you think I own the Hunger Games go check yourself into a mental institution because you're insane!
"This can't be happening," is the first thing I say and think after the television set shuts off.
I cannot believe this is happening again. After everything I've been through, we've been through. After I thought all of the death and the sadness and the blood, was over. Now even dead, Snow has me in his grasps once again.
"We have to move!" yells Johanna. Apparently the shock factor is over with leaving us pacing and scared.
"We can't move Johanna", Finnick seems to find his voice. "Plutarch said there would be a militia to protect us, appearing any time yet."
And is if right on cue, we hear the buzzing of a hover craft outside of the house, probably drawing even more paparazzi to our attention.
Johanna heads towards the door seeming as I am too broken to move an inch at the moment. She moves a curtain to see and hesitantly opens up the front door. As soon as she does however about ten soldiers rush into the house near us.
Before I can utter a, one of them, smaller than the others, approaches me in particular.
"Katniss Everdeen?" she says to me. I am about to inform her of my current name change but realize I am in no condition to do so. So instead I nod once.
Taking off her mask she reveals her face to me. Her very familiar face...
"F-Fulvia?" I question in shock for the second time today. Her face is different from the uptight woman I'd known years ago. She doesn't look aged at all, no difference. But her eyes scream vibrancy.
She smiles. "Yes. It is me. We can chat after we arrive back in District 13."
This comes as another shock. To all of us though.
"We're going back to thirteen?" asks Finnick, Marina still in his arms, fast asleep.
Fulvia nods. "We can explain everything once we are into safety. But for now you need to let me explain what you need to do now and the situation here."
The room is silent as she continues to speak.
"Well, as you already understand to my knowing, Plutarch informed you on some of the situation. The rest will be explained to you in thirteen. We are present to protect you for preparation. Now Plutarch may have also told you that you have three days while the truth is you need to leave today."
"Today!" Johanna screeches. But Fulvia holds up one hand as Johanna throws up her hands in frustration.
She starts once again. "Gather some of your belongings in haste in exception to clothing because that will be provided there. Now you may be wondering about Annie, Brennan, Gale, Tallie and Peeta."
Our trio gasps. I cannot believe I forgot about Peeta! Back in the hospital Dr. Dearings...
"Are they alright? Safe?" I say franticly.
"Yes. They have already been transported to the district. So has everyone else. Meaning Delly and her family, etcetera. No need to worry."
I let out a breath of relief, but remember someone else. "And Haymitch? Is he riding along with us? Have you all informed him also?"
I realize that he hasn't been over at all since the reuniting, his house empty of color.
Fulvia looks at me for a moment. "Katniss, Haymitch already knows. He's been well aware since day one. Right now he's with all of your families in thirteen."
I feel like I've been struck. He knew and he didn't tell us. Any of us this time.
"So he knew and didn't tell us?" says a furious Johanna.
"Johanna, that is the direct reason why he wanted you and Finnick here. It would be easier and more efficient to track you down. Plus you are the only remaining victors, meaning your safety is on edge."
We are all silent until Fulvia speaks again. "Also what Plutarch said about inviting friends? Is false."
What?
"What?" Finnick echoes. "We can't save any of our friends from certain death?"
Fulvia flinches. "No. This situation is another type of rebellion, through different circumstances. They will stop at nothing to kill you all."
This is all too much for me. And suddenly, those small children at the park, at Franny's, all of those happy families. Their bodies being discovered under the rubble.
"This is ridiculous!" I shout. "There is a rebellion, we conquer it and everyone thinks that we're safe! And now, when we are now just rebuilding, reconstructing our homes and our lives, we have to start over once again!"
"I completely agree! Even when Snow is dead, he still has some kind of grip on us!" shouts Johanna surprising me.
"I understand fully but-"
"No Fulvia, you don't! And you never will because you are not one of us!" screams Finnick. "You haven't lost anyone or anything! You haven't been played as a pawn in the games! Haven't had to suffer or see suffering like we have! So don't pretend to understand! God knows you don't!"
Finnick's words hang suspended in the air for a moment. But we well understand that what he has spoken is true. Residents of District 13 will never understand. No one ever will really, only us. The people who have been affected by it. The people whose lives have been distorted because of it. Fulvia will never understand.
"We will departure very soon. Gather your belongings," Fulvia says softly and she and the other D thirteen guards position them selves in and around my house.
I am the first to head up stairs followed by Finnick and then Johanna. Each of us soundlessly entering our rooms.
As I close the door behind me, many emotions build up in my chest. Sadness, anger, longing, love. Knowing that my house, my District might not be there if we return here hurts. Even though it was a few years ago. There is sure uncertainty.
Dara stirs in my arms. I look at my sleeping angel and do not want to set her down but I have to to pack.
I lay her down on Peeta and I's bed and start to gather my memories.
.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
"Are you ready?" asks Fulvia. We are all downstairs and finished packing. I moved onto Dara's room after mine as she is now in my grasp again. Bringing her beloved tutu and more special objects of her descent.
"Wait," I suddenly remember as our cat stalks in between my legs.
Fulvia turns towards me, as does everyone else.
"I need to bring a few animals along me," I say.
Fulvia starts to protest but I won't have it.
"Fulvia, my daughter needs at least these few comforts of home. And I think you can do this little."
She reluctantly nods and I pick up Buttercup, placing him in my bag and grab Sweetie Pie's cage with her inside.
"I'm ready," I announce as they lead us to the enormous hover craft parked outside. It is the most massive one I've ever seen of.
As we enter Fulvia shows us around. The walls are a warm beige color, with homely decorations and such. The vehicle itself is very big but the inside is larger, as I take in my surroundings, soldiers position themselves once more. Still carrying our bags, Fulvia leads us.
"The hovercraft is very large and spacious for your likings. It will take about two days to reach District 13," she informs us.
"Why so long this time?" asks Johanna.
"Well we are taking major precautions, our surroundings in tact. This situation is very dangerous for you all because if this vehicle is targeted, then that is the end," Fulvia says gravely.
We all understand the difficulty of at the very least transportation of this let alone everything else.
"Well let me show you around," we continue to walk. "There are seven quarters total in here. Three for the soldiers and I, three for you, and the last one is for the two children. It's a play room along with a bedroom," she finishes.
I'm not sure how I feel about the kid's room. I'd rather have my daughter in my arms while I sleep, with all that's going on.
We nod. "Then there is the kitchen and dining area and main area or living room as we call it. All of the necessities of a home in here. The bathrooms are in you rooms."
But this will never be our homes.
"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in your rooms if you'd like it to," says Fulvia.
I look at Johanna and Finnick as they nod and say, "yes, that would be fine. Thank you."
She nods. "Dinner will be served to you very soon. I will show you to your rooms," she says.
She leads us all to a narrow hallway, but that is to be expected. This is after all a hover craft.
"I will leave you to your business," she says to us once we arrive to our quarters and leaves.
I sigh and start to open the door to my room as I say "Good night."
"Night," Johanna and Finnick say in unison as they enter their rooms as well.
.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*..*.*.*
Moments later I am sitting on the couch in my quarters near the artificial fireplace. Eating my dinner consisting of boar and wild rice, Dara on my lap eating with me.
The room is fair, a simple bed, little furniture, paintings on the walls homey things to reassure us.
But I know better.
Dara woke a few minutes ago, starving. She hasn't asked where we are yet or where we are going. But that can only last for so long.
"Momma, I'm done!" exclaims Dara interrupting my thoughts.
I look down at her and smile, wiping her mouth and chin with a damp cloth. But then I notice her plate.
"Sweetie, you've hardly touched your peas," I say to her.
She pouts. "But they're yucky!"
I laugh as I brush the hair out of her face. "But momma eats peas. And daddy eats peas. You have to eat peas to get big and strong honey."
She looks back at the peas then me and then back at the peas. After taking a moment's thought about whether to place the food in her mouth or not, she decides not to. Throwing herself at me in a hug instead.
I sigh and hold onto my baby. Rubbing soothing circles on her back I hear a knock on the door followed by hysterical crying.
"Come in," I say hesitantly, Dara pays no mind.
Bursting through the door enters a frantic Marina and frustrated Finnick.
"Katniss, please help me- she won't stop crying and- oh God," he yells over the crying.
I place a confused Dara onto my mattress, as I cross over and pick up Marina. She almost immediately jumps into my arms, grasping my shirt she cries into my shoulder.
"Its okay sweetie, you're going to be alright," I softly say, bouncing her up and down, though this calms her only a tiny bit.
I meet Finnick's tired gaze. "What happened?" I ask him.
He throws his hand over his face. "I don't even know Katniss! She woke up from her nap and just started to fuss. I tried giving her some dinner and she burst into tears! I've tried everything!" he exclaims, desperately.
"Where's Johanna?" I ask, and he just shakes his head.
"Dead asleep."
And then it hits me. "Wait, Finnick, what did her dinner consist of?" I ask.
He shakes his head, "I don't know fish? Shrimp? Some rice."
I start to stroke her hair making her little body shudder with sobs. "She misses her mother Finnick, she misses Annie."
A look of remorse appears on his face as I sit down still clutched to Marina. "Do you miss your mommy honey?"
She screams and continues to weep harder, nodding into my chest.
"Aww, sweetie it's okay. You're going to see her very soon," I reassure her but she just cries harder so I do the only thing I can think of.
Taking a deep breath in I begin to sing, while rubbing her back.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take, my sunshine, away.
This simple melody has been around for hundreds of years. Some say before the 21st century.
I repeat this and repeat until she calms down to only a tiny sniffle, Finnick watches the entire thing amazed.
"Have you bathed yet sweetheart?" I ask Marina. She shakes her head, no, as I look at Dara.
"Honey, can you cuddle Marina for me? I have to talk to her daddy," I tell her.
"Okay momma."
Handing Marina over to her, I scurry out of the room into the contracted hallway, Finnick behind me.
"Finnick she's enormously homesick and she misses her mother," I begin.
He nods. "I know, and I don't know what to do about it. Even though we will be there soon, she won't be able to stay with Annie."
My eyebrows furrow. "What? What do you mean she won't be able to stay with her?"
"Look, I don't want Marina seeing Annie the way she is. It was too painful for me before and I can't let her go through that," he says.
Anger rushes through me. "Are you solemn about this? Marina is her daughter; you can't not let her see her mother!"
He seems irritated too. "But she's also my daughter and I get to say what's best for her in this situation."
"And you honestly think that not letting the two see each other is going to help either of them? I know Annie needs her daughter and Marina needs her mother!"
"Katniss don't start with me," he says in a warning tone.
"Oh stop it Odair," I retort. "You couldn't threaten me even if you tried."
"It's just your hormones acting up again," he says.
I glare at him. "Don't even put my pregnancy into this."
After a moment Finnick speaks up, his voice softer. "Do you maybe think that Marina could…stay with you and Dara tonight?"
I snort. "As opposed to her actual mother."
"Katniss! When I said don't start with me I meant it!" he yells.
I decide to say nothing and he continues to speak. "It's just that, your more of a mother than I could obviously be and its hard right now…I just don't want my daughter going through what I went through at such an early age and-"
I place a hand on his shoulder. "I understand Finnick. "
He smiles gratefully as we head back into the room.
"Marina honey, you're going to stay here with me and Dara and have lots of fun. So why don't you give daddy a night night kiss?" I announce.
She runs over to Finnick as he envelopes her into his sweet embrace, giving each other kisses with lots of love she crawls back to me.
Finnick leaves and I turn to girls. "Okay girls. Who wants to play…dress up?"
A chorus of me's and I do's ring through the air as we begin a night of fun, hoping to take our minds off of what disaster lays ahead.
Okay y'all I hope you liked the chapter!
-Jozette