Whispering Fire

Chapter Twenty five

Heading Home

The train ride home was long, for after we said goodbye to Portia and Cinna. I knew I was going to miss them. But we'll see them again. So I sat alone in the study cart of the train reading a book. Though stopped out of a head ache thanks to Effie. She decided to accompany us including Haymitch back home. Her bragging of our victory was a stab of a reminder of a silver blade. We had dinner and watch the television to watch the replays of the interviews. By tomorrow morning we'll be home.

I smiled at the thought. Home, I like the sound of that follow by gales promise of a Date; Thinking of my Uncle Mark, Katniss, Prim, Rory, Hawthorne family and our friends from District 12. Setting the book down, I went into my room to change from my dress to sleep wear. A simple black tang top and flannel pajama bottom, afterward thoroughly washed my face from makeup. Goodbye Lady of fire and hello Siobhan Underwood. A girl from the tea shop next too the Seams. Scavenger in the woods and healer in the shop.

I stared at the mirror in remembering who I was and what I am at the moment. By the time I was heading to bed, I heard a loud cry. Stopping . . . Gale. Immediately I walked out of my room and went into Gale's room without knocking. I found Gale awake panting from his nightmare in his bed cover in cold sweat. I ran to his side craddel his heated cheek to stare at me.

"Gale, Gale," I called to him as he started to fall into a daze. "Gale it was only a bad dream."

Gale didn't respond he took a deep breath falling back down. I lay down as well; my head hovered over his, still stroking his head. Something my mother used to do when I had a nightmare. Also my dad when he lost mom, nightmares of lost, made Liam shut down in some comatose and wouldn't come out when needed.

"Gale," I sighed kissing his lips, his cheeks and forehead. "It was a dream. Please don't fall into it."

Again and again I said this, soothing his nerves and kissing his face now and then. Even open my medallion as the flower song played. But my throat hurt to sing the lyrics, for watching the state Gale was in. A post traumatic shock, not like me dealing with emotionally as I cried it out while Gale tried to be the brave bravado he tries to be. It wasn't long that the fright faded from his blue eyes and body relaxes. He then blinked a couple of time and stare directly at me. I smile at him kissing his forehead.

"You okay?" I asked softly.

He nodded a small smile graced his lips.

"I love you," he whispered.

I gasped in shock, before I could say anything his lips claimed my own as he sat up and my legs straddling his waist. His kissed fierce and needy. Like a man who was closed to death but luck to feel it brush against him and by miricales to be alive. I was confused, knowing the outcome when it came to this. Having a few young minors attempted to kiss me after an explosion accident. Having no choice I returned it passionately. Gale comforts me, so I'm going to comfort him. My arms wrapped around his neck while he secured his around my waist if not feeling my body that he grabbed my breast. I moan aloud.

That one moan made him stop. Pulling back to breath resting his head on my chest. By instincts, I held him close when something wet caress my color bone. While feeling his shoulders shake as he cried silently. I stroked his hair and cheek till he calmed down.

"Haymitch has been couching me." Gale confessed once he got his bearing.

"What!" I said pulling us abort to stare at him, no in question id everything was an act. "Couching you?"

Gale took a deep breath holding my hand but not looking me directly in the eye. "He thinks I was rebellious, that I was challenging the Capitol. So Haymitch has been watching my attitude the past few days."

"But not me?" I muttered.

"We didn't want to overwhelm you." Gale said. "He thinks . . . he thinks they gave you your punishment."

As he said this he patted my fake leg. So I was right, they took my leg for no reason. They wanted me to suffer for the remaining days at the capitol. Taking my leg and watching Rue's death again, and putting me in her room. But why something short, while Gale has to be full alert? Gale was practically Apprehensive the past few days, always putting on a show. So confused I stood up off of him.

"So you're saying . . . this whole time . . . was a show? That you were playing me?" I growled.

Gale sat there shocked. "No, how can you think that?"

"I don't know . . . maybe you holding back from me. I been truthful to you but you still don't trust me. I don't even know if you say you love me is true and not some caught in the moment crap?" I said walking out to bed.

When I reached the door handle strong arms wrapped around my waist. I struggled to get out of Gales embraced, but he turned our position that I was pinned to the door. His eye piercing me dead on like a sharp blade that I gasped and closed my eyes.

"I do care about you Siobhan." Gale said almost yelled. "Everything I said is true. Don't think I'm playing you, cause I'm not."

I whimpered afraid, looking down. Gale sighed taking a hand to cradle my tear stained cheek. "Please stop. Don't cry."

I shook my head no; Gale sighed and kissed my forehead before putting me into a hug. "I shouldn't have yelled. I'm sorry. It's just; I fear the Capitol would take everyone I love away. That their watching me and waiting for the right moment. When I discover that you lost your leg. I fear it was because of me. That you were supposed to die in the arena or in surgery. But something stops them. The want something from us, that we're both still alive. It's driving insane in what they want."

I nodded wrapping my arms around him. I question in why am I still alive? Why the Capitol kept me alive or President Snow? The way he looked at me at the interview ceremony and the Victory Banquet. It was like he wanted something from me. I couldn't be his next prostitute . . . I'm a cripple. So there's got to be another reason?

"I love you Siobhan," Gale said. "You may not be ready . . . but I know you're there."

I nodded, I wasn't madly in love with Gale but I was falling for him. Falling for him hard that I couldn't imagine my life with out him. Thinking this through, the Capitol will be inspecting many things from the Star-crossed lovers. And I was willing to do anything to keep Gale and our love ones alive. For those who defy the Capitol loses something special. And that special thing would the lives of our love ones and punishment to our district. Gale picked me up and rested me on his bed. I stopped for a moment to remove my leg and set it aside not wants to make thing unconformable. Laying back down I rested my head on his chest staring at the lit candle he had.

"The fire is whispering."I said.

Gale nodded stoking my back. "What does it say?"

"Many things that are to come. Power, destruction, lost, warmth, wrath and love. For fire is more than a burning pain, it can stand for love. A balance between the two of good and evil; a hearth that keeps all warm or a blazing rage. For it whispers to us if you listen closely." I mumbled closing my eyes.

Gale was silent for a moment listening to the small candle cackle and hiss taking the air to breathe. "I think I can hear it."

I nodded snuggling closer. "I'm falling Gale."

"Then let go, I'll catching and bring you back on your feet." Gale murmured kissing my temple.

With that said, I closed my eyes and sleep hoping for a bright future. For even the smallest light can outshine the darkness.

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The next morning, I woke up and smile to see Gale asleep. He look so innocent almost a kid when he's asleep. Not under pressure or anything of that resort. But now, caring free Gale has matured to full alert, thinking that the Capitol is after him. Sighing I sat up in bed looking at the clock. It was early in the morning around seven. We'll be home about noon so it's better if I prepared my self.

So rolling my pant leg to attach my fake leg in. I kissed if not yelp at the electrical shock course through my body. A groan was heard as I was pulled down on the bed. Gale snuggling close to me.

"GO back to sleep." He mumbles in his sleep.

I giggled. "I can't, I got to get ready and Effie wouldn't be please if she finds us together in the same bed again."

Gale groaned annoyed by our escort name. "Fine."

I chuckled and kissed his cheek before getting out of bed to do my morning routine. Once freshen up I changed into a pair of black pants and a printed shirt that Cinna picked out for me. Taking his advice I brushed my hair and put in two small braids on the side with beads. After that I went for breakfast.

Breakfast was like the first day on the train. That I smile, Gale eating some food, Effie going over her schedule while Haymitch pour spirit into his juice. Sitting next to Gale, taking a sip of hot chocolate and enjoying the meal. Once done eating, the train made a stop to refuel. Gale and I went out for a bit a fresh air. We were silent but it was comfortable as I gathered some wild flowers from a bush. They were beautiful and reminded me of Rue. I would never forget about her. Never; she was like a sister I never had and once things settle out I would find for her siblings, making sure they are fed. Then a thought came to me, as I touched my stomach . . . maybe in the late future but not now. Smiling though as I turned to face Gale. He gave a small smile, like he read my mind and agreed to a simple idea.

Taking my hand we climb aboard the train, heading to the spare room of the library and sat there waiting. I picked up a random book from the shelf and sat down on the lounger. Gale sat on the other end staring at the window. I open the book and read the first verse. Until stop, for it discussed about the Mocking Jay. Staring at Gales pin and then at the picture, to realize a guess in why Gale was consider a threat or target. For the MockingJay was the symbol of the rebellion. Closing the book and stare out the window passed a group of mockingjay were taking land on a tree.

I wanted to tell Gale, that it wasn't him but his token that may spark another rebellion. The puzzles were all coming clear now. Why we were nickname the Fire couple. I Lady of Fire and Gale Lord of Flames. We were the symbol for an uprising or something along those lines. Could that be a reason why the Capitol kept us alive, another game? I shook my head, I couldn't tell Gale this. He would probably think it as a chance for the Districts to gain power and freedom, for he would want all to free man and not slaves to the Capitol.

It wasn't long before we reached District Twelve to see the rusty dim lit station. For we could see the platforms cover in cameras along with out love ones. Everyone eager for our homecoming. Gale offered a hand and I accept.

"Ready?" he asked eager to get out from this Capitol life and go hunt in the woods. To be back home.

I nodded taking his hand. I was ready for my same and yet new life with the hunter. Squeezing his hand tight not letting go as I prepare for the cameras. Until a phrase from an author came into mind. What she said in her short story about this world we live in.

'Winning means Fame and Fortune.

Losing means certain Death.

The Hunger Games have begun . . .'

And this was just the beginning.

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The end or is it?

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Oh my god. I have finally finished a story. YES! I want to thank all you reader for reading my story. Thanks for the 480 MORES and encouragement on continuing this story. It took a lot of work on this Whispering Fire. As I said I do not own the Hunger Games or its Characters, just Siobhan, Mark, and Zeek. Now here comes the important quest. Do you want me to make a sequel?

I was considering the idea but I would like your ideas. In order for the Sequel to come, I need twenty more reviews and it can't be from the previous reviewers (Sorry but you can still review). Another way to get me typing the sequel could be a fan art or video dedicated to this story. If you do, let me know and PM it. I would love to see it. Now one more thing. If I right a sequel what you want for a title?

Here are your choices.

Ember Blazed

Phoenix Rise

Mars Inferno

Tropic Burns

You decide?

And may the odds be ever in you favor.

Silent Wolf Singer