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Chapter 21
Katniss' P.O.V.
I run straight down to the armoury and find my bow and mockingjay suit. Beetee doesn't say anything to me as I furiously stash all the weapons I can get my hands on. Silently, he manoeuvres his chair over to me and slides a large document across the table. I pick it up and stash it in the bag with all the other weaponry. On my way out I pause and look over to him. He nods at me and I nod back a silent understanding that what I'm doing is not to be mentioned until I'm away from thirteen, where Coin cannot get to me.
I then quickly stop off at my room. I run to the bedside table and scramble around in the drawer until I feel it's smooth cool surface. I take out the pearl and put it safely in my pocket. I'm not an overly superstitious person but this pearl has brought me luck so far and I want to keep it close. I fumble around in the drawers and pull out some spare clothing. I'm careful not to look at anything that reminds me of Rosie for fear of changing my mind. I do one last survey of the room before rushing off again. Satisfied I haven't forgotten anything, I race back to the hangar and run smack bang into Madge, I take a step back and notice she's dressed ready for combat. My brain makes the connection but I can't seem to form the words, so I just stand there violently shaking my head.
"You're not coming." I manage to stutter.
She crosses her arms defensively, "Yes I am, you need all the help you can get."
"You're not even trained!" I try to reason.
"Yes I am!" She snaps, "I got given training when I first arrived here and besides Gale has taught me a thing or two!"
I stifle a laugh at her double entendre and she blushes furiously,
"You know what I mean." She says lowering her voice. I give her a once over and decide that there is strength in numbers, and if Gale persevered with teaching her she must be somewhat okay.
"Fine you can come." I relent and she jumps up in triumph. We enter the hangar and wait for Haymitch to arrive. I sigh when I see that the hangar is deserted of people, they must all be in the control room trying to figure out what went wrong. We sit on the floor and I pull out the document Beetee gave me. I place the document in-between us and we flick through it. Madge's brow knits in confusion,
"What is all this?"
"It's maps of each district including the Capitol, and routes to take to get through them."
"How come you have it?" She asks, "Wouldn't something like this be with the star squad?"
Her question troubles me; this document is very sensitive it wouldn't have any copies, so why did I have it and not the star squad.
"There must be two copies I reply." Trying to quell the panic rising within me. Madge nods and we silently flick through the rest of the documents. There are pages and pages of in-depth information about each district; if they've aligned with the rebels or the Capitol; their important figures such as past victors, peace keepers and mayors. The last page of the document shows a complete map of the capitol including its underground sewers and tunnels. Certain parts of the map are highlighted, but I don't know why. Madge and I sit there digesting the information when suddenly someone emerges from the shadows making us jump. Instinctively I shove the document back in my bag. Annie steps forward into the light, it illuminates her making her look like an angel.
"Sorry!" She squeaks, "I didn't mean to scare you."
Madge and I rise to our feet and close the distance between us.
"Don't tell me you want to come too." I say playfully nudging her shoulder.
"Oh no." She gasps, "I just wanted to wish you luck and just make sure you take care of Finnick okay."
I raise an eyebrow at her somewhat strange request, but I don't push her on the matter.
"Of course we will." I say, and she pulls be into a fierce hug. She pulls away slightly and tugs Madge into our embrace.
"Be careful." She says pulling back,
"We will be." Madge ensures her.
"Help my mom and Prim look after Rosie." I say and she nods, wrapping her arms around her stomach.
"I should go before they realise something's going on." She says retreating into the shadows. I open my mouth to say goodbye but she's already gone. I turn back to Madge and we pick up our bags. I check my watch impatiently and look back up to find Haymitch strolling in, duffle bag in hand.
"You know they really shouldn't leave these things unattended, someone might try to steal one." He jokes, lowering the ramp to the craft so Madge and I can board. He doesn't ask about Madge and I take his silence as an approval. He locks the door and sets all the dials up. It's a small craft, but plenty big enough for our little mission.
"Cover your ears." He instructs,
"Why?" I protest, I've been on a hovercrafts many times and I've never found the noise they make that deafening.
He smirks, "Suit yourself."
He pushes the ignition lever forward and the craft begins to lift. We barely make it three feet off the ground when an ear splitting siren pierces through the air. Instinctively I bring my hands up to cover my ears. I see Haymitch shoulders shake with laughter at my shock. The higher up we go the louder the sirens sound. I walk over to the window and see the floor of the hanger flooded with armed soldiers. They bring their guns up and I begin to panic.
"Haymitch!" I yell, "They're going to shoot!"
"Keep your knickers on sweetheart!" Haymitch yells back, thrusting the lever to full throttle and pulling out into thirteen air space so fast it makes me lose my balance. I take my hands away from my ears and straighten myself out. Haymitch inserts a set of coordinates into the control system and puts the craft into auto pilot. He joins Madge at the table. I stay by the window.
"So sweetheart you got a plan, or are we just making it up as we go along here." Haymitch asks.
"I have an idea, but I can't confirm anything until we reach the others." I say without turning round, "If they're still alive." I add as an afterthought.
"They're alive." Haymitch says and I spin around to face him.
"How can you be so sure?" I ask,
"You're not the only one who doesn't trust Coin." Haymitch says cryptically. I narrow my eyes at him and motion for him to elaborate.
"Bogs gave me a communicuff before they went out, he told me to keep him informed of things happening on the home front and in return he'd give me inside information his end."
"Why didn't you tell me any of this!" I seethe,
"Because I didn't want you jumping to conclusions and going in too early all guns blazing."
"Then why did you let me go today?" I ask, "Why was today the right time?"
"I don't think there will ever be the right time, but today seemed like the best opportunity."
I move to sit with them at the table, "So where are they then?"
"Two." He replies simply, "It's about fifty fifty there right now, a lot of the district have seen sense and have joined the rebel alliance, but the other half are still gunning for the Capitol."
"Was anyone hurt in the blast?" Madge speaks up,
"Gale's fine if that's what you're asking." He replies and Madge blushes scarlet. I glare at Haymitch. It's one thing to tease me, but Madge is just trying to help.
"What about the others?" I ask,
"A few were knocked unconscious from the blast and there were a few cuts from shards of glass, but no permanent damage." He says, "I think the blasts were intended to scare rather than kill."
"Why would they do that?" Madge asks, "Scare them I mean, wouldn't it just be easier to kill them all?"
"Because Snow wants to get revenge on the traitors and a quick relatively painless death isn't fun." I reply matter of factly and the colour drains from Madge's face. I reach into my bag and pull out the document. I push it across the table to Haymitch.
"What do you make of this?" I ask,
He picks it up and flicks through it, "Where'd you get this?"
"Beetee gave it to me when I went to the armoury to get weapons and my suit."
Haymitch studies the document some more his eyes clouding over with confusion. He looks up, "I don't know." He replies honestly.
He stares at me and his features soften, "I dropped Rosie off with your mom and Prim okay." He says and I look away trying to hide the tear that falls down my cheek at the mere mention of her name.
"Did she cry a lot?" I ask,
"No, she was fast asleep, I suspect she'll cry later though when she realises you're not there."
I nod my head, unable to speak for fear of a sob escaping.
"It'll be okay, we're going to win this." Haymitch says, and I take his hand thankful for his rare bout of optimism.
"You two should try to sleep a little so that you're at your best when we arrive in two."
He gets up and sits at the controls. Madge lies down across the seats and closes her eyes. Within minutes she's fast asleep and I envy how easy sleep comes to her. I sit there for what feels like hours but can only be a matter of minutes, before my eyelids begin to droop. I fight sleep for as long as possible, fearing the distorted images I'll see in my nightmares, but I can't hang on any longer and I begin to drift off.
I wake a few hours later to find Madge and Haymitch playing cards. Judging by the scowl on Haymitch's face he's losing.
"Good morning sunshine." He says gruffly, "You'll be pleased to know we will be arriving in two shortly."
I sit up and watch them play; Madge smiles wickedly and places her hand on the table.
"Full house."
Haymitch's eyes almost pop out of his head at her hand and he packs his cards up in defeat.
"You said you'd never played before!" He exclaims in shock,
"I may have lied a little bit." Madge giggles and Haymitch just shakes his head a small smile appearing on his lips. No one can stay mad at Madge for long. He gets up and goes over to the control desk; he sits down and straps himself in.
"Strap yourselves in ladies, we're ready to descend." He commands. Madge and I lock eyes and we both take a deep breath as we lock in our seatbelts. I expected Madge to be scared but she has a steely determination in her eyes and I realise how much I've underestimated her. My stomach flips as the craft suddenly descends; Madge reaches out and grabs my hand. I'm surprised by the gesture but I'm also thankful for it. I keep hold of her hand until we hear the small thud which signals we've arrived safely on the ground. We both let out breaths we hadn't even realised we'd been holding and unbuckle ourselves. Haymitch unlocks the door and lowers the ramp. Madge and I gather up our things and slowly make our way to the ramp.
He's the first thing I see, my eyes zero in on him and everything else becomes a blur. My hear begins to pound alarmingly fast as he steps towards me and I run to him discarding my bags in the process. I launch myself at him; he catches me and spins me around. I wrap my legs around his waist and cling on for dear life. I plant soft kisses all over his face, leaving his lips for last. His tongue traces my bottom lip begging for entrance, I eagerly oblige and have to stifle a moan when his tongue enters my mouth. I wrap my arms around his neck and entwine my fingers through his hair. Behind us some one clears their throat loudly, and I pull away. I look down at him and am filled with an overwhelming sense of joy in being in his arms again. I then immediately feel guilty as the mission was not to reunite myself with Peeta, but to fight to end this hideous war.
"Put her down!" Rye yells playfully. I unwrap my legs from Peeta's waist and he gently lowers me to the ground. I look over and see Madge in Gale in a tight embrace; it makes me happy to see Gale so happy with someone. I look back up at Peeta and his features become suddenly serious,
"Katniss you shouldn't be here." He says reaching out to stroke my face, "It's not safe."
"I had to come; I couldn't just sit idle by any longer Peeta." I say burying my head into his chest. He rubs my back soothingly,
"Are you mad?" I mumble into his chest.
"No." He chuckles, "I'm happy you're hear where I can protect you."
I hug him tighter afraid that this isn't real and if I let go he'll disappear and I'll be back in thirteen.
"Did you leave Rosie with your mom?" He asks and I tear up again at the thought of her; my tears soak through Peeta's shirt. He lifts my chin up and brushes my tears away.
"Hey, hey, It's okay, she's fine she's safe with your mom." He says, I look into his eyes, two crystal clear pools of blue and believe him. He pulls away and takes my hand leading me other to the others. His brothers embrace me in a tight hug, and so does Johanna and Finnick. Haymitch ambles over and actually gives a small smile when he sees Peeta; Peeta's always been his favourite.
"Alright kiddiewinks, your presence is required." He says quickly before sauntering off and expecting us to follow suit. Everyone moves to follow him, I begin to move forward but Peeta tugs me back. He pulls me into his arms,
"I really am glad to have you here." He says leaning down to kiss me again. I know that we should be going with the other's but Peeta's kisses taste so good and I've missed being with him. I jump back when Haymitch starts yelling at us,
"Peeta, Katniss stop feeling each other up and get over here."
I feel my cheeks burning but Peeta just laughs and drags me over to where everyone has gathered around a table. I push my way to the front and see that Haymitch had laid out the document Beetee gave me on the table.
"This document was given to Katniss shortly before we left to join you. Just in case some of you are as thick as pig shit I will explicitly explain that Katniss, Madge and I aren't supposed to be here so for all intents and purposes we're not okay?" He says and everyone nods, "Good. I've been talking with Boggs and we've come to the conclusion that this document was supposed to go with you on your mission, it contains all the information you need to know. However it was deliberately kept from you to make your work harder."
"Who would do that though?" Finnick asks flipping through the document. His question makes me admit the fear I've had since I first read the document,
"Coin held it back." I say and Haymitch nods.
"Katniss is right, we believe that Coin held back the document in the hopes that your mission would fail."
"But why would she do that, we're her best chance at winning this war." Johanna voices,
"That's not strictly true." Boggs says, "In fact you're the least likely to help in a way, you're valuable for filming propos because you're well known and the people trust you, but when it comes to actual combat you're high risk targets, you're too recognisable."
"So she basically set us up to fail." Gale rages.
"She wants you all dead." I say what everybody's thinking.
"But why?" Finnick asks, "I still don't get what all this means."
"Coin's not a fair leader; she's a dictator just like snow. She knows that if she ever came to power she could never do anything with the past victors still hanging around, the people love you and you'd put a stop to any tricks she'd try and pull." Haymitch says and everyone falls silent digesting the information.
Gale finally speaks up, "So what do we do now."
Haymitch sighs, "Well now we have this document it'll make storming the Capitol a lot easier, so that's one less thing to worry about. The key is to not let Coin know we're onto her plan, first things first we get rid of Snow then we can worry about Coin."
Boggs nods in agreement, "We'll lay low here for a few days finalizing our plans for the Capitol storm, and then we can move forward." Everyone nods in agreement, "You're all dismissed go and try to get some rest." Boggs finishes.
Later that evening I can't quite believe that I'm snuggled next to Peeta again. Rye kicked up a fuss about having to move tents but he relented in the end. Gale kicked Finnick out of their tent so that he could share with Madge and so Finnick ended up sharing with Rye. I look over at Peeta, he lies there shirt less with his hands lazily behind his head, it's almost like we could be home and not in the middle of a war zone. He catches me staring and shifts so that he is hovering over me; I smile up at him and reach out to play with his dog tags that dangle from his neck. I gently pull on the tags and he lowers his head to meet my lips. I kiss him greedily making up for all the weeks we were apart. We break apart breathing heavily, he settles back down and I scoot up to rest my head on his chest. We fall asleep in each other's arms and it's the first time in weeks I sleep without a nightmare.
Hey guys hope you enjoyed that! Fun fact the inspiration for the fluffy ending came from a scene in one of my favourtie films Pearl Harbor :)
Thanks for all the favourites, follows and reviews, they mean a lot! Special shout out to one reviewer called pmcqueen27, you're review was so nice i teared up a little, and I've read Fangirl and found it very relateable and i loved it :) (Although My Englishteacher told me that relateable isn't actually a word and ever since then i've been having an internal crisis)!
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