Chapter 14 – The Rescue 1
AN: Thank you for those who alerted, and favored Destiny 2. I want to personally thank my FAB FOUR—LACR, Browniangel. Hgfanaticeverlark and stjohn27 for consistently leaving a review. I really do appreciate that you took time to write one. THG belongs to Suzanne Collins and this chapter is rated R for strong language and is in Katniss' POV.
Katniss POV –
My hands shook. I didn't want Prim to know that I was troubled, stressed and really worried because Mom's life was basically depended upon a man that Peeta and I didn't know or trusted. We didn't have a choice. I was too concerned about her well being while she was being held captive, was she hurt, did they hurt her? I thought of unimaginable things they did to her, awake and in my dreams. Nothing else mattered, not even the chance to head home since Stu was capable enough to help us get there. Should I head home and gets help from Dad? Time was of the essence. I couldn't wait.
After my bouts of crying and feeling helpless, I reverted to my old ways—cold numbness. I had to focus my energy not to feel as if I was about to burst into tears again especially in front of Prim. At least I have Peeta to comfort and support me. He would never laugh at my moments of weakness. Not long ago breaking down was something I did often or at all. Crying to me was a sign of weakness or getting emotional when I felt overwhelmed. Normally, I felt hatred, bitterness and anger. Those feelings sustained me when all was lost or hopeless. When the sharp pain of hunger was a frequent occurrence or the sight of my mother as she tended to Dad while Prim was cold and hungry fueling my resolve to keep going. For her.
I meant what I said to Peeta, that I wasn't the type of person to cry or give into weakness. But how can I regret the emotions I felt when it brought him into my life. That love was something I never wanted or desired. Anger I was accustomed and familiar with, but love and kindness was a rarity in my life. It was lacking until Peeta came along.
However, at the same time, loving Peeta meant the fear of losing him too. I love Prim but the thought of losing Peeta or Prim for that matter, would devastate me. He is my strength, hope and my courage. I know I'm a strong person but loving Peeta made me more than I ever hope to be. I am a better person just knowing him let alone loving him. I glanced towards Peeta. He looked handsome in his uniform as it was form fitting, showing off his lean muscles and waist. He needed to gain a few pounds but he still took my breath away. The metallic hat on his head covered his luscious, blond hair while at the same time it couldn't hide his brilliant blue eyes which were now brown to hide his true color, nor his aquiline nose and strong jaw line. For myself and Johanna we were given green contact lenses. Johanna volunteered to cut her long dark hair and dyed it red while my own hair was tucked inside the helmet.
'Concentrate, Katniss,' I told myself. We'll be fine as long as we stuck to the plan.
Mom. The thought of losing her punched a hole in my heart that I walled up when she had abandoned Prim and me. I never hated her, just placed her aside so she couldn't hurt me anymore. I held back years of anger and resentment. It was easier to revolve around her, keeping Prim alive while I became both parents and sister to Prim and not acknowledging Mon as the mother I missed and loved. A dull ache bubbled in my chest. I spent years punishing her for loving my father while abandoning us. I thought of the years wasted in anger and bitterness, pushing her away. What if I lost her now? I couldn't think that way if I wanted to rescue and take her back home to District 12 not just for Prim's sake but also for myself.
So with the last remaining strength I could muster, I steeled my nerves like those times I was in the forest stalking after my prey, but except this time I was the hunted and not the predator. "Stay close, don't wander off," Marty ordered. He wore the same uniform but was dressed in an orange vest on top of the suit. Once we reached the entrance of the prison, Marty punched a few buttons on a console, spoke his name and placed his hand on a small pad on the wall. Security was tight as there were several prison guards and surprisingly also peacekeepers with rifles in their hands. They were stationed on every door and room. "Relax and try not to look...nervous or suspicious."
"Right, we have peacekeepers and security guards everywhere you're telling us to stay calm," Johanna snorted.
"Be quiet and don't talk to anyone," Marty demanded as he led us further into the compound. We walked through a corridor with white walls, floor and lights. Everything was so bright that it was easy to see or notice the small bubble ports on the ceilings that were definitely hidden cameras. The floors were slick and made of lacquered wood—all white and shiny.
"Hey, Marty what are you doing here so late?" a tall lanky guard spoke at a station. His name tag read Cmdr. Hawkins. His demeanor was friendly towards Marty which was a good sign.
"I need to complete the last security installment for the tower suites," he said as he was greeted by four security guards.
"Aren't you working a little late for the installation?" Hawkins asked. Meanwhile, the three guards walked around us, eyeing Johanna, Peeta and me. Stay calm, stay calm. Don't look at Peeta,' the words screamed in my head.
"It's on the work roster," Marty explained. "This is a delicate, complicated procedure and requires my best men to complete the final installation. Some of the parts were delayed in delivery. It just arrived today." His voice was calm and firm revealing nothing. "Um...I have a confession, I'm late installing this and if the head contractor finds out he's gonna kick my ass, you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I heard he has you guys doing double duty hours," Hawkins replied. "Something about the special guest that arrived really early this morning." My eyes turned to Peeta because we knew Hawkins was probably referring to Mom.
"Do you know who's up there?" Marty asked.
"Sorry, I can't tell you unless you have level 3 security privileges but this person is very special. Even President Snow is making a visit."
"Wow." Marty pretended to act surprised. "Then I better get up there fast, huh?"
"I don't know—"
"As a gesture of thanks let me give you this." Marty handed Hawkins a box, inside was four bottles of Snow's very expensive and rare wine. Even Finnick was impressed with Marty's form of bribery. "We'll keep this a secret between the two of us." Just when I thought we were in the clear...
"What's this?" a short red haired guard named Parker addressed Shane and Maddy. They had a long cylindrical case strapped to their backs. One hid their rifles while the other was a real device. Meanwhile, Peeta and I carried a long metallic carrying tool box/case between the two of us. Hidden on the bottom of the storage was my bow and arrows and two rifles that Stu supplied us. At first Peeta was against using a gun but I convinced him since his machete was useless if we were being shot at. I doubted we would encounter hand to hand combat which Peeta excelled at.
"They are carrying two electrical battery packs for the private cell up on the tower suites." The suites as Marty called it was the highest priority floor which we learned where Mom was being held. While the three prison levels had cameras, sensitive floor plates and lasers. The suites also had armed gun turrets and vents to emit gases in case a prisoner tried to escape. "They are back up batteries in case we have a blackout."
Hawkins looked at his pad. "And your electricians are—"
Marty pointed to Johanna, "Oh sorry, let me introduce Jane Demeterius, computer tech. She will be installing the program for the security devices" To Peeta and me, "Padric Hydecraft, my nephew, will be installing the units with Kelsey Mandrake, and Sean Peters and Mara Wells, my electricians." I held my breath Parker stared into my face.
"Why aren't their names in the system," Hawkins inquired in a suspicious manner. "I don't recognize their names."
"Like I said, this device was designed for the suites on the tower, these people are specialists. Do you think that President Snow would hire substandard people for his...new building. With the chaos going around don't you think he would only want the best and people who are assigned to work on this project? They have clearance." Like Marty informed us earlier, no one knew of Snow's new compound which was dubbed The Dungeon.
"I don't know," Parker spoke. "This one looks familiar. "Kelsey here reminds me of someone but I just can't figure out who. Take off your helmet so I can see." He reached over to remove my hat but I batted his hand away.
"Your nephew sort of reminds me of someone as well." The guard named Ellis that stood next to Peeta spoke. Granted, since leaving the rebel base camp, Peeta didn't shave days at at time. When we arrived at Stu's safe house, he disregarded shaving. Now Peeta sported at least three days worth of hair growing on his face. Kissing him tickled my skin. He didn't looked like the clean cut tribute with the coiffed hair and groomed face that escaped the arena months ago. His hair was long as well. I love the way the ends of his hair curled. I coughed as I refocused my thoughts. No time to be ogling at Peeta's current look.
Ellis was eye to eye with Peeta staring him down. My free hand clutched to my sides, ready to grab a knife hidden in my pant pocket. It was kill or be discovered as I wasn't hesitant to act. Not that I wasn't prepared in case something went wrong.
"That's funny you might as well say I remind you of District 7 victor, Johanna Mason," Johanna blurted out loud. "Because I get that a lot and it's annoying. I mean I think I'm prettier than her."
"Yeah, you don't know how many times, Jane has been mistaken for Johanna," Marty joked. "It pisses her off most of time because—"
"Besides, do you really think anyone can just walk into this facility? I mean look at all the cameras and security devices installed. You got to be crazy insane to walk in here and be recognized, right? Imagine Johanna Mason here of all places, why would she?" Johanna interrupted him.
"Yeah, Jane's right, that would be suicide," Marty chortled.
"Enough," Hawkins barked. "Parker, Ellis get back to your post, right now."
"But sir," Parker started.
"Now!" Hawkins pointed to the station behind him. He then to Marty. "How long do you think you'll be?"
"Two hours at the most," he answered. "The programming will take longer, installing the batteries will be fast but making sure it's working and syncing with the program takes time. Just let us do this and we'll be out of here as fast as we can."
"Just do what you need to do, okay?" Marty nodded his head. "Make it quick." He lifted a gun from his belt. I held my breath when he scanned the bar code patch that was embroidered on the jumpsuit. "Okay, you now have clearance to go do your work."
"Thanks, Hawkins, I owe you one," Marty said.
"Just do your job and get out as soon as you're done. That is all the thanks I need." He lifted the box of wine in his hands.
Once we passed the double steel doors, I exhaled a breathe I didn't realized I was holding. We all did. "All right, as soon as we get passed the door and up the elevator don't touch anything either," Marty instructed. "The walls are sensitive to temperature and touch, if you touch anything your prints will be scanned, downloaded, analyzed and filed. So don't remove your gloves ever."
I turned my head and glanced back at Shane and Maddy. Both was at the rear while Marty led us ahead. Johanna was right behind him while Peeta and I were at the center. I thought about Prim, glad that she stayed behind. For a second I turned to Peeta and winced looking at the bruise on his face. The one he received before we started the mission to rescue my mom.
Flashback –
"Sorry, Finn but Peeta's right, you need to stay behind and—" Johanna said, her brows furrowed from worry and sympathy. Maddy and Shane stood next to Peeta as he delivered the news.
"What the fuck," Finnick screamed. "I'm going and no one can stop me." I flinched back as he stomped over to the kitchen and ran his hand through his hair. He stared at the coffeemaker for a second then with a quick swipe of his arm, it ended on the floor, splattering dark brown liquid everywhere.
"Hey, what the hell, man," Stu moaned. "Do you know how hard it is to get a self grinder combo coffeemaker at the black market?" His woes was ignored.
"Finnick," Peeta started. "Johanna is right, you can't go. You're too...recognizable. Everyone knows your face."
"I need to be there, Peeta."
"And what do you think is going to happened when'someone recognizes you? You can't go," Johanna emphasized.
"And you can? Your face is just as recognizable than mine," he persisted. Johanna snorted as she pointed to her hair and new contacts.
"It might be stretch, Finn, but no one will question my red hair and eye color. People will just think I look like me. I have enough women and men in the Capitol copying my looks to get away with impersonating myself," she tried to convince Finnick. "Please, Finnick. You know we're right."
"And besides, Johanna should come with us," Peeta said. "Annie and Mags don't know any of us. It has to be Johanna not you." Finnick shook his head, his eyes closed and mouth shut biting his lips. "Finnick, you can't go."
"I'm going. Prim can cut all my hair. Dye it blond or pink, I don't care. I need to go with you," he insisted. "Peeta and Katniss are just as recognizable as me. In fact, more famous as the two who helped destroyed the arena."
Shane stepped forward. "No, you'll endanger all of us. From what Marty said the construction crew has been building the compound, missing the mandatory viewing of the games. They don' t have any idea what they look like but they all know you." They were eye to eye, same height but Shane was more muscular and heavier while Finnick was lean.
"You going to stop me?" Finnick threatened.
"Finnick, please be reasonable," Johanna begged. I have never seen her scared. She was all boisterous and loud, no filter when she spoke and not caring who she offended or addressed.
"If I have to," Shane returned. The air grew tense and heavy like smoke filtered into the room. It was so quiet, you could hear the ticking of the clock. Prim stood behind me, a hand grasped my upper arm.
Suddenly, Finnick swung his arm, hitting Shane in the jaw. Maddy turned to her boyfriend to intercede but then he recovered and flung his arm back in retaliation. Prim screamed as Finnick and Shane threw punches at each other. Meanwhile, Peeta dove between them, trying to stop the altercation. In this attempt to separate them, Shane accidentally punched Peeta in the eye. He didn't respond as if he was tapped on the face with a towel. The punch didn't faze him nor did he hesitate as he pulled Finnick away from Shane, but Finnick was strong and quick escaping from Peeta's grasp. For a millisecond, I wondered if Peeta reacted the way he did because that kind of pain was something he was used to, to the times his own mother hurt him. Not giving into any reaction of pain or showing weakness. "Peeta" I screamed. Hoping he would hear me, but he was too focused on Shane and Finnick.
"Shane, Finnick, stop," he yelled at them as they continued to assault each other. Meanwhile, Stu comically grabbed items in their path.
"Shit, not the vase," he bawled as he held onto his chest when it nearly crashed on the floor. "This was my Moms. Hey, stop." He walked over as another item fell victim to Shane and Finnick's tumble. "Shit, someone stop them before they destroy the place."
"Shane, Finnick stop," Peeta repeated, his voice loud as it echoed in the cavernous room. The safe house had tall vaulted ceiling at least 14 feet high. The building was part warehouse, part living space. So any noise made echoed loudly. "Stop, stop."
Shane stopped for a second only to have Finnick pommel him with an upper cut to his jaw. Shane reeled backwards, stumbling on his feet.
"Shane," Maddy screamed.
"Shane," Prim hollered as well as he fell backwards onto his back.
"I said stop, Finnick." Peeta wrestled him face down while he pulled Finnick's arm backwards on the small of his back. Finnick was taller than Peeta, but height didn't matter as Peeta pushed him down immobilizing his moment. The victor from District 4 wriggled underneath like a fish out of water struggling to breath, not finding any purchase as Peeta pinned his weight on top of him.
"Finnick stop, stop," he repeated. "Stop, please stop, don't move or I'll break you arm, Finnick. Just stop."
"Get off me, Peeta," Finnick wheezed, his teeth gritted together as tears flooded his eyes. "Get off me."
"Not until you stop and listen. I'm not going to let you up until you do," Peeta persisted and nudged his arm. "Just swear to me you'll stop." We all held our breath. Finnick nodded his head, sat up crossing his legs in front of him. "Just slow down and listen." Peeta sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Shane was bent over, his face red and flush from exertion, air escaping through his mouth as if he ran a marathon. Next to him was Maddy, a hand on his back comforting her man as she looked over his bruises, looking for other injuries. "You okay," she asked him. He nodded his head. I was surprised that there was no sign of anger in his face, just concern and relief. A bruise already forming on his chin.
"I know you're scared, you're scared and worried about Annie and Mags. Everyone appreciates that fact. But you have to see reason. I think I can say from all of us, we know what are you going through."
"No you don't," Finnick interrupted. "You don't understand...Annie is different..delicate. If she sees you and not me, she'll get confused and will start to panic." He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. His eyes filled with sorrow and worry. "She won't respond to strangers."
"That's why I'm going, Finn," Johanna insisted. "She will respond to me." She sat on the other side of Finnick as he was between them. We were tributes, victors and allies, tied together by circumstance and fate. Complete strangers relying on each other. It was difficult to trust them since we knew little about them. Not a day goes by wondering how these people came into our lives, affecting us in different ways. But one thing was certain, we need...wanted our freedom from Snow. He was our common interest—our enemy.
"I don't understand or know Annie or Mags, but what I do know is that all of us here have someone we love. Someone that we would do anything for, to die for and even kill for." Peeta's words must have reached Finnick as his demeanor and posture relaxed, his shoulders slumped and head bent forward.
In truth, they had nothing in common. They were celebrated victors from theirs games while Peeta and were tributes that escaped our own arena. But then this is Peeta, kind and gentle always thinking of others even with the likes of Johanna and Finnick—people I would have sneered and avoided. He was patient and empathic to those around him—friends, family and strangers. I neither had the patience or understanding for other people's problems.
"Okay," Finnick relented as he turned to Johanna. "Just...if Annie and Mags are there...tell her..."
"I know, Finnick,I know" Johanna sympathized. "If they are there, you will tell her yourself when we bring her back."After a few minutes when hearts slowed and mind cleared, Finnick relented.
End of Flashback –
My poor, kind hearted Peeta. The skin around his eye was purple and swollen. He said that he didn't feel the impact from Shane's fist until hours later. Shane had apologized repeatedly, for hurting him. But Peeta being Peeta waved him off. "Don't apologize, Shane. Not unless you really meant to hit me," he joked. The Peeta I fell in love with was unrecognizable with the bruise, contacts and unshaven face. To a complete stranger he looked like Peeta Mellark but more worn and ragged, like he had aged years instead of appearing his real age. As for me, I too lost weight, my tan faded and wearing no makeup. Everyone in Panem knew me as District 12 tribute, the other half of the Star Crossed lovers—Katniss Everdeen with layers of makeup on her face, skin polished to flawless perfection and dressed to the nines wearing Cinna's beautiful creations. A bit of melancholy burst inside me as I thought of my dear friend Cinna.
The elevator was large, so large that it could accommodate 10 people comfortably. Before reaching the compound, Marty informed us that behind the back panel of every elevator there was a camera to record everything you did or said, documenting and storing each file at the underground sub level where all databanks were kept. Curious, Johanna leaned over to a panel, tapped the wall and eyed it. "Maybe I should give whoever is watching a show and strip naked," she guffawed. "But then that is something Johanna Mason from District 7 would do." We laughed nervously after her joke but knew if given the chance, she would have done just that. I wouldn't have put it past her.
The heavy double door hissed opened. We were greeted by two guards, standing feet apart with rifles in their hands pointing upwards. Behind them was black sign with red letters, L5 MS—MS for maximum security for the most dangerous prisoners housed on the floor. I scoffed, wondering how a middle aged 40 year old woman was considered dangerous. The two white uniformed guard with matching white helmets led us to the end of the corridor to a small room where the batteries were being installed. As the door slid after us, I noticed a table with four monitors. I gasped in horror as I stared into one of the screens. "Mom," I mouthed to myself. On the screen, Mom was sitting on her bed, her hands clasped together. She looked unharmed and healthy.
"Quick, place the batteries into that slot," Marty instructed Maddy. "We only have maybe ten minutes when the batteries will sync with the program. Johanna find out which room Mrs. Everdeen is located." This was happening so fast. My heart thumped hard against my chest, air escaped through my mouth while seconds passed.
"Figures," Johanna stated. "She located at the very end on the north side." She was close yet so far away. Suddenly, a voice sounded through the speakers in the room.
"Marty, this is Hawkins. I need you guys to speed things up if possible," he asked, as his voice filtered into the room like a cold chill. My skin pimpled just listening to him.
"Um...I can't I need another an hour, why? What's going on?" Marty returned.
"President Snow is about to arrive in 30 minutes," Hawkins returned.
"Shit really, President Snow?" Marty acted surprised since he wasn't supposed to know that detail—Snow visiting mom.
"Listen, no one knows about this visit. I allowed you entry because I know the job needs to be done, but he's arriving two hours early." Shit, what the hell. Snow was arriving in 30 minutes. Did have enough time. I started to panic.
"Peeta," I called out to him.
"It's okay, Katniss. We have time," he said, his voice firm but soothing. "We need to get to Mrs. Everdeen now."
"But the battery—" Marty exclaimed.
"Fuck the battery," Johanna bellowed. "We need to book it now. Get Mrs. Everdeen out. But first let me check their prisoner roster. I need to check to see if Annie and Mags are here." She punched the console a few times. "A few prisoners are located on the first level. They are low priority but let me see...oh fuck me."
"What, what?" I asked. Johanna cussed frequently at any given moment when she needed to express herself, but this time her tone carried worry, surprise and fear.
"Fucking hell, I don't see Annie or Mags names but look who I found," She pointed to the screen. Both Peeta and I stood next to her. Shit, and fuck me. In the screen was Cinna and Portia. They were held in two separate cells but on the same floor. Cinna and Portia was alive. Alive and held prisoner all this time. How? I stared into the screen watching Cinna. He was lying on his side turned so I couldn't see all of his face, just his profile. I couldn't tell if he was hurt. The same goes for Portia as she too was on her bed, curled up into a fetal position.
"Hey guys, no time for a reunion and chitchat because we need to go now if you want to get out of here before they find out we took Mrs. Everdeen," Shane mumbled as if to remind us of our main mission.
"What about Cinna and Portia?" Katniss asked.
"Hey, will you guys stop and listen. The battery has to complete it's installation," Marty exploded. "We don't have time to be rescuing anyone besides Mrs. Everdeen." Sheesh, what was his obsession with the battery. Then he dropped a bomb. "It's not just a battery. It's also a device that syncs to all the electrical power units in the building. All of them."
"So, so what?" Johanna explained, impatience and annoyance lacing her tone.
"You don't understand," Marty continued. "It feeds into the whole building like an electrical circuit power grid. The program is building energy to capacity in every battery unit in every floor." I scrunched my brows because I still didn't understand what he was saying.
"Oh fuck," Peeta spoke under his breath. "I'm not an electrician but if I'm understanding you correctly. The batteries in each unit, on every floor is charging to maximum capacity." Huh?
"Yes, each unit is monitored each day to perform to normal capacity, storing energy and transferring it into a reserve or bank next to it. So in case if there is a black out, electricity and energy is restored to minimum voltage flow. This was they have emergency electricity during a black out."
"So?" Johanna repeated. Then I got it.
"So the unit you're installing is feeding into all the batteries throughout the whole building."
"Meaning," Johanna asked.
"Meaning that Marty devised a battery to overload every single battery device causing itto explode once it reaches overload," I explained. "Basically, you planted a bomb in each floor and an electrical overload will cause it to explode."
"Whew," Shane whistled. "How much time before reaching maximum capacity to activate each battery?"
"Two to three hours," Marty finalized. Plenty of time to rescue Mom, Cinna and Portia. At least Annie and Mags weren't here was my consolation.
"When does it start, the countdown?" Maddy inquired.
Marty looked at his watch. "About...20 minutes." Shit.
Shane said. "Then we still have time if stick to our time table. Get Mrs. Everdeen out of here before Snow reaches the compound."
"If we're lucky, Snow might still be in the building when it explodes," Marty gleamed with evil intention.
"Yes, baring if we don't run into any problems," Johanna stated then turned to Marty. "Why didn't you tell us all this before."
"I had orders to complete this mission months ago," Marty explained. "We just didn't anticipate Mrs. Everdeen being capture and held here this time around."
"By whom?" I queried, Truthfully I had an idea but I needed to know. "Who gave you the orders months ago."
"Mockingjay," Marty confirmed. "We had initially wanted to blow it up the same day when the arena was destroyed, but we ran out of explosives. So was our alternative—overloading each battery cell. Mockingjay said that it was probably better that we waited."
Peeta gasped. "You were going to blowup this building with people still in it." His eyes were round like saucers. Marty shrugged his shoulders. "No, no. You can't do that."
"This is war, kid. There will always be casualties," he returned. "Besides, most of the prisoners here are criminals, mostly Capitolites that Snow imprisoned for trying to steal from him."
"They are still people, who has families and loved ones," Peeta exploded.. "This isn't right."
"Sorry, kid but orders are orders," Marty commented. I remained quiet. Mockingjay sent the orders to destroy the prison compound. Did he know people were in it? Was he willing to kill them as an act of war against Snow? Killing innocent people?
"Katniss?" Peeta turned to me. I couldn't focus, all my thoughts were rescuing Mom, Cinna and Portia. We couldn't say everyone, right?
"Peeta," I sighed. "We have no choice but to—"
"We always have a choice," Peeta interjected.
"Hold up, Peeta," Johanna interrupted. "Clock is ticking, you need to chose who to save, your girlfriend's mom and your friends or complete strangers."
"But...but," Peeta sputtered, disbelief in his eyes.
"Let's go, time is wasting. We need to be back at the hangar in 30 minutes," Marty crowded us, displeasure and impatience in his tone.
"Not until we agree to get Cinna and Portia as well," I demanded.
"We don't have time for this. I don't give a fuck who they are. My job is to blow up this compound and rescue Mrs. Everdeen."
"You listen to me," I said as I stepped over to Marty, pushed him onto a wall and jammed my forearm into his neck, cutting off his breathing. "After we rescue my Mom, we are going to take a detour and get my friends as well."
"Yeah," Johanna agreed. "I know Cinna and Portia. He is one the best designers in Panem and a part of resistance. We can't leave him here."
"Oh for crying out loud," Marty said as he pushed against me. "I didn't sign up for this. So what else are we going to do, free everyone?"
"Why not?" Peeta stated.
"Peeta, we don't know how to free everyone here," Shane said. "They are not our responsibility."
Peeta looked devastated but I didn't have the luxury or time to console him. I wanted my mom and my friends safe. The choice wasn't easy but saving my family and friends was my priority. Before we acquitted the room, I grabbed Peeta's hand. "Peeta, please understand. Remember what you said, we chose love and family. They are what matters."
He pulled back his hand as if he was...disappointed and disgusted with me. His gestured angered me. "You can't save everyone, Peeta."
"Hawkins," Marty spoke into a microphone. "I need to have the other battery installed at the other electrical room, can you send the two guards to open the room for me."
"Will do," Hawkins replied back. "Let me know when you're done."
"Okay, over and out. Everyone get back."
With Shane and Maddy placed behind the doorway once the security guards entered, they struck their heads with the butt of their rifles making them unconscious. "Quick, change into their uniforms."
Two minutes later, Shane and Maddy donned the security guards clothing including their helmets. "Okay, Mrs. Everdeen's holding cell is at the end of the corridor. North side." We marched down the hallway, trying not to look suspicious as we knew cameras were trained on us. Suddenly, the lights blacked out.
"Marty, what's going on up there?" Hawkin's voice boomed into speaker designed into the walls. Marty walked over to a panel.
"Sorry, Hawkins," Marty started. "I'm rebooting the electrical system to have all the batteries sync into the electrical mainframe. It has to link with the programming turning most of the electrical in this floor. This should take at least 20 minutes to get to reboot and get electricity back on his floor. Emergency reserves should kick in about 5 minutes."
Hawkins sighed loud enough for all of us to hear through PA system. I wasn't sure what he was saying all I knew was that all the security systems on this floor was terminated, long enough to open up Mom's cell and free her. "Okay, just hurry. President Snow will be here soon. I don't want him to see you guys up there. Over and out."
"Come on, this way," Marty ordered. This was it. I was going to see my Mom soon. It was only a matter of seconds until we were reunited and take her back home to Prim and Dad. The door hissed opened—
AN: Sorry guys but I had to cut this chapter here. The story was getting too long and editing it was becoming a headache. Don't worry. I will be posting The Rescue 2 on Monday. April 1st and no it's not an April Fools joke. I wouldn't do that to you guys. I hope that all of enjoyed reading this chapter and look forward to the continuation. Please leave a review at your leisure.