Chapter 29: Departures

A/N: This chapter involved a bit of 'I'll do it a little later. I'll do it a little later'. Sorry for the wait. I also have to apologise for not giving you a fair warning. This is the final chapter! More info at the bottom, and enjoy!


President Snow's mansion

In accordance to Capitol building codes of authority… expansion of North Eastern sector requires acknowledgment…respectively, Head of Industrial Management, Lucius Vlane

President Snow sits silently at his desk, skimming over the latest pile of approvals. With a quick, precise movement he signs the paper without a second glance and moves onto the next.

the induction of fifty trainee peacekeepers into District Eleven. Needed ASAP…

He signs and grants them an extra twenty. Things haven't quite settled down in the districts yet.

President Snow, requesting time away from current arrangement for... signed Finnick Odair.

He knew who this one was from before he had even read the tiny, almost undistinguishable name. Snow smiles at the request and promptly slides it off his desk onto the floor. With times as they are he needed his victors in the public eye. He couldn't afford the favourable ones running home to their little friends. But it didn't stop them from taking his attention away from more pressing matters. Picking up his pen once more, Snow skips the rest of the pile for a larger dark green folder at the bottom.

'Urgent Delivery. Flagged for HG ACT'

Now this was definitely worth his attention. It had taken longer than expected to get here. After all, it had been agreed upon by the Gamemakers more than a week ago. But none the less it was finally here. His pale wrinkled hand finds the folder's edge and flicks it open. However, only half way down the list of chosen Gamemakers, he's interrupted. There's a loud commotion in the hallway leading to his office, a flurry of harsh words followed by the sound of a vase smashing. Snow lifts his head just as the doors fly open and the source of his latest troubles stumbles in.

"That bastard broke my nose!" Seneca Crane, bloody and slightly off balance, storms in. With one hand he clutches a handkerchief to his nose but it doesn't stop him leaving a trail of blood behind him. Snow simply raises an eye brow at a man so normally reserved.

"Seneca. What can I help you with?"

"I was attacked and then dragged away like some common district dog!"

"So it would seem" Snow says indifferently before continuing to mull over the contents of his folder. He had heard about what happened tonight and who had actually caused the display. Either way both parties would need reminding of their place. "You said you had it under control"

"I did. I… I am but they're…"

"Victors? Perhaps you should remember that next time" Snow stands and walks over to his window overlooking the capitol. The lights are still sparkling as always. It used to be pleasant sight, now it just reminds him of everything he stands to lose.

"You wanted the problem fixed"

"Discreetly" Snow's eyes fly back to the younger man, "Seneca. Do you remember the first time you were in this office? I said that there were plenty of others, others more experienced, wiser. They were willing to take up this position but your family had a proud tradition of becoming Gamemakers and you seemed so keen"

"I remember but what does that have to do with this?"

"I also said that the position was a temporary one"

"I thought…"

"That a few good games changed things. Your father thought the same too, god rest his soul"

The sudden mention of his father has Seneca fidgeting in his seat. He wasn't a bad man but spending so much time in the capitol had changed him. His father had become cruel, uncaring and in the time he actually spent home he was holed up in his office, taking phone calls at all hours of the night. Usually it was after those phone calls that he disappeared on business meetings. One night he just didn't come back. Heart attack in his capitol office. It was Seneca's grandfather, the only retired Gamemaker he had heard of, that told the story differently. But by then Seneca was already in the system and he knew all too well how dangerous President Snow could be.

"You have the drafts for next year. It will be one of the best"

"Yes, I don't doubt that. Of course it will need some changes but the basis is there. My problem, Seneca, is that the damage has already been done"


Ira POV

My toes are ice cold. They verge on numbness as I walk through the long spidery grass. It's damp beneath and with each step, water splashes up the back of my legs. I wish I had worn shoes. Why have I forgotten to wear shoes? The question plagues me as I push on, further into the forest. My dress catches on a hidden obstacle, causing me to stumble. It rips a hole through the seamless lilac material. Petunia will not be happy with me. But then again she's not here.

My steps grow faster and more determined. The crickets fall silent as if sensing my presence and in doing so add to the dreaded emptiness of this place. The trees blur as I continue to stagger forwards. I leave the long grass and enter the clearing.

"Come on Ira. We have to go" My eyes flick towards the source of the sound. To the little boy who stands in front of a towering cornucopia. His hands hang limp by his side and his stare locked on me.

"What are you doing?" He asks calmly when I don't respond.

"Dany?" I whisper as a smile spreads across his face. It's the only sign he gives me before taking off into the forest.

"Dany!" I call out, giving chase.

I follow the blur of orange hair deeper into the darkness. Damp ferns whip at my knees and grab at the trail of my dress. I'm breathing heavily when I finally slow. Dany is nowhere to be seen.

"Nice try"

"Get off me"

"You know whatever this is, both of you don't stand a chance" Where I expect to find Dany, his childlike voice is replaced with one of a more menacing nature.

"Cato, please" I beg him. Only it isn't me. But it is.

I glance up, from my position and instantly freeze. The voice was my own. Something I had said long ago in complete desperation. I watch as Cato pins me underneath him. I remember this scene well.

"It's just me" I see myself pleading but Cato just smiles. I run over the memory in my head. He's supposed to let go. Right now, he lets me go.

"Do I look like a fool?" Cato laughs, "I'll make you a deal. I'm going to go and find your little friend. You can stay here and…bleed to death"

Cato sword enters my stomach before I can move. A sick feeling clutches at my insides as I watch myself die. I'm not supposed to die here. I live. Cato and I live.

"I told you I would do it again" He says facing me, not my dying form. He's covered in blood, my blood.

"Ira! Ira, we have to go!" Dany is at my side screaming, pulling at my hand to follow him. He's tugging on my dress in urgency. Cato approaches, coated in red.

"Ira!"

"Ira"

I'm startled awake by someone's hand upon my face. The touch, normally so warm and comforting sends me jumping from the couch I'm on. With a thud, I hit the floor. He killed me, Cato actually killed me. I think incredulously and scramble backwards. My mind jumps between rational thoughts and images of blood. Of course he didn't kill me but is that how it would have happened? If he did? My head connects with the coffee table and I'm reminded of reality. While the nightmare had me distracted, there's a reason I'm on Cato's floor and not my own. The thought of last night has me shooting upright with flushed cheeks.

"Remind me not to try and wake you up again" Cato is sitting on the edge of the couch with a look of amusement. The nightmare is replaced with better memories.

"Are you alright?" He asks, looking down at me. I swallow and make an attempt to flatten my unruly hair.

"Fine"

"Because you look like just saw a ghost. That or my prep has done a better job than I thought"

At that comment, I forget his mention of ghosts, and lob a pillow at his head. He smirks, catching it right in front of his face. I shake my head with a smile.

"You are so…"

"Wait. I know this one" Cato stands, quickly crossing to grab my waist. I try to squirm out of his hold but he just pulls me closer against his chest. I raise an eyebrow.

"Ignorant" He smirks and leans down to place a kiss on my temple. I feel my heart stammer. His lips lower to my cheek. Right, that's where we had left things last night.

"Conceited" He follows, reaching at the edge of my mouth. He is getting dangerously close to…

A sound of disgust causes us to freeze. Cato groans and I quickly spin out of his arms in embarrassment. I feel my eyes dropping to my feet but the sight before me is too good to look away.

"Please" Enobaria groans as she walks past the living room. However, it would be safe to say this woman doesn't look anything like the Enobaria I know. Her dark hair is ruffled; a once beautiful dress drags behind her, collecting dust. She carries a pair of heels in one hand. I almost smile at the thought of Enobaria partying into the night. She doesn't seem the type.

"I've vomited enough this morning. I do not need to see that. Whatever that is" She points a finger in our general direction before tip toeing into another room. My head follows her movements. "Prep team is back!"

There's another loud groan of disappointment from behind me.


"You know I picked you to win this thing. Right from the beginning I said, Ells, you should watch that girl she's got star potential. I mean, I had my doubts. You don't exactly radiate glamour but you've got a brain. Isn't that right, May?"

"I thought you liked the district one girl?"

"Well ofcourse in the beginning. But after you found Cato…" The twin fiddling with my hair holds her hand over her heart, cooing about young love. I understand now, why Cato was so happy to share his prep team. I scowl at the mirror, watching him snigger. When I get out of here…

"Ooh and when he ran in to rescue you"

The rambling continues between the almost identical girls as if I wasn't even in the room. They sigh and make strange sounds that suggest their voices have been altered in some way. The only difference between them is that one appears slightly taller than the other. I'm yet to identify exactly who is who.

"Ells, you want to use the flat brush"

"But this one worked fine"

"How long have you been working here? Hmm. Less than me, so budge over" I feel them start tugging on my eyebrows and I wince. I hear laughter from Cato's direction.

"Don't you have something you need to do?" I ask him.

"Nope. I'm completely free to enjoy your suffering" He smirks and put his hands in his pockets. I lose sight of him as walks around in front of me.

"Train leaves in an hour" Cato states, suddenly and without his usual humour. I look up at him to find his eyes turned away from me.

"No more strange food, high heels or early wake ups. I feel better already" I stop laughing when I notice his expression.

"I don't"

"You don't want to go home?"

"Yes and no. I hate this place but district Two doesn't have everything" His gaze is on me as he says those words. I can't help but feel there's more to what he's saying but the chatter in the background makes it impossible to concentrate. What does the capitol have that district two doesn't? And if he hates this place so much why would he want to stay?

There's a knock at the door before I can ask him what he means.

"Train" Enobaria says with a very annoyed voice. She pokes her head in and flings the door wider as our indication to leave. I'm the first to follow her words. Next is a strangely reluctant Cato.


The train station is even more crowded than when we arrived as tributes. Now as victors, it's worse than at the mansion. They scream. They jump. And some even push at the barrier of peacekeepers. I don't think I'll ever get used to this. Unlike the other victors that lap it up, the whole thing seems unnatural to me. I wish it were my last time doing this but this is only the start.

Cato has been separated from me since we exited the cars. Enobaria braves the crowds first, and I thankful for it. However, I'm less thankful that I'll be sharing the train with not only her but Brutus. He's back with Cato as far as I can tell. It seems both District Two and Six will be sharing the train. My face drops for a second but quickly recovers. I wave back at the crowds before disappearing into the side door of the train. Haymitch is waiting for me when I get on.

"Wait until the victory tour. Absence makes the crowds fonder" He places an arm over my shoulder and leads me further into the carriage. I glance behind, hoping to spot Cato but Haymitch is determined. He pulls me through carriages until by no coincidence we end up in the bar cart.

"Haymitch, I should find Cato. He was a little…"

"Smug? Bothersome? He'll live. We need to have a little chat" I sigh, accepting I won't be getting out of here in a hurry and slump in a seat. Haymitch fills a glass with ice.

"I don't want to talk about last night"

"Neither do I, sweetheart. Though details of how I ended up on our floor would be helpful"

"You mean how you and Enobaria got a little too frisky in the car and decided to get to know each other?"

"Now I'm sure I would remember that" Haymitch laughs with a wink. It's like talking about boys to a father. I cringe inwardly and quickly inform him of his attempts to find a bar on a capitol road. I also spare a glance down the hallway, trying to locate Cato.

"Good old Chaff" Haymitch responds at plonks down in the seat opposite me, "No, I wanted to talk about the others. Effie and the pink one"

"Petunia?" At least he's not avoiding the conversation. I have a feeling he doesn't hate these people as much as he lets on. I grow worried at his hesitation.

"Right, that one. There's a reason they haven't been around"

"Where are they?"

"Gone" He sips on his drink. Gone. I repeat the word in my head, trying to grasp its meaning. My eyes widen. Gone. They're capitol citizens, they can't be… Haymitch notices my change in demeanour.

"Oh, not gone gone. Just spooked is all"

"Spooked?"

"They took off while you were in the games. After the incident, they caught wind of some rumours. I saw Effie the other day, off to some meet and greet. I tell you I don't know where that woman gets her energy from. Must be on…"

"Haymitch" I try to put him back on track.

"The others I'm not sure of. Petunia, I think is on television. You can hardly blame them. They're not used to this type of thing"

"I don't think anyone is" I say solemnly, sinking further into the chair. The good news is my suspicion of their death has been disproved. Now I just have to face the fact that they've all abandoned me. The information while better, still stings. They are from the capitol. Yet they were there during the worst times of my life. Annoying or not, I would rather them here.

"You'd be surprised" Haymitch mumbles and leaves me to my thoughts.

I don't know what Haymitch has gone through but surely it can't be worse than this. I have Snow after my head for something I didn't even intend. The capitol is watching me for the slightest slip up but I won't give them the chance to punish me. Not after all this. From what Haymitch has just told things haven't settled down at all. And it's all focused on me. After all, Cato's prep team stayed.

I rest my head in my hands. Nothing makes sense anymore. I have strange dreams that are warning me about Cato. Yet I don't ever want to let him go. My prep team has left in fear of Snow. Yet he doesn't make any move to punish me for what I've done. I'm going home. This should be the end of it all.

I make the decision, right there that I don't care. I told Cato last night that I didn't care if he's not in complete control. I'm not either. I need him. I quickly stand and make my way back into the main carriages. I seek out Cato.

The hallways blink dark and then brighten again as the train sets off through one of the many capitol tunnels. The sound of the cheering is gone. A welcome relief. I don't need anything else confusing me. But something always does. It's when I pass by one of the bedroom doors that I catch something I probably shouldn't have. It makes my stomach clench and I feel ill.

"The official reason? Drug overdose. He took one too many painkillers. They found him in his bed this morning"

Through the slight opening in the door, I recognise Brutus' voice. I can see Cato's reflection in a mirror. He runs a hand through his hair with a concerned expression.

"Unofficial reason?" He asks.

"Two victors wasn't his best idea"

"Shit. He's the head Gamemaker. What does that mean for us?"

"You need to remove yourself from the situation. Snow has set his sights on the girl. It will only be a matter of time and you can't get caught in the cross fire"

My legs almost give in as the train shudders around a turn. I fall back against the opposite wall, barely managing to keep upright. Brutus' words ring in my ears. 'It will only be a matter of time'. Seneca Crane is dead, because of me and it's suddenly obvious I'm prep team was right to leave me. And now it seems everyone else is jumping ship, including the boy on the other side of this door.

"I understand" Cato says as if to finish the conversation. I hear movement and just before the door opens, I quickly step around into the next carriage. My back finds the wall just in time. Brutus and Cato step out into the hallway.

"We're careers" I imagine the words coming from Brutus' mouth and I shiver. He laughs and another carriage door rattles. I can tell Cato has remained and with me being in the last carriage, I'm trapped. I take a deep breath.

"I was looking for you" I say smiling and step back into the hallway. Cato's hair is ruffled up and he's breathing quite deeply. He's look as if he's about to kill someone. That's not something I want to think about. "Are you alright?"

"Can we talk?" He ignores my question with one of his own. Act like you heard nothing, I tell myself. Cato reaches forward to grab my hand and leads us back into the bedroom he had just left.

The door slides shut behind us, leaving the room oddly silent. The sound of the train is a distant rumble. I take another deep breath as Cato leads us over to the bed. We sit on the edge with a noticeable gap between us. He leans forward, his elbows on his knees.

"They'll stop at my district first" He says, fisting his hands together, "in a couple of hours"

I nod my head, not knowing what to say. He's caught in the cross fire. It makes sense that he would remove himself. The image of the star crossed lovers won't keep the peace forever, anyways. He takes a deep breath and before I know it he's clasping his hands around mine. Our eyes lock and he tightens the grip. I prepare myself. Cato can't die because of me. This is a good thing.

"Come to Two with me"


President Snow's mansion

As the news of Seneca Crane's unfortunate death circulates around his city, Snow watches from the window of his office. He adjusts the tiny bud on his lapel and walks back to his desk, stepping straight through the little spots of blood his Gamemaker had left the previous night. It reminds him that there's one last thing left to deal with. He clutches the dark green folder and promptly signs across the dotted line. Snow smiles and calls for his assistant.

"I want this delivered by tonight"

With a quick and simple sentence, he sets his plan in motion. Seneca Crane wasn't the only one to be fooled by two particular victors. He had merely been the public face that took the blame. Everything Snow had worked had been at risk, his control, his country, and his games. The head Gamemaker, who had caused all this, was only a minor problem. He was dealt with easily. However, the victors of the seventy-fourth Hunger Games would need something bigger. And as if it were a parting gift, Seneca Crane had given him just the thing.

"To where, sir?" Snow slides his white hand across the folder before handing it over.

"Plutarch Heavensbee"


A/N: Ah! I am a terrible person for leaving you with such a cliff hanger. Don't worry the sequel will be up in one-two weeks, so you won't be waiting long. But I need a little help. Should Ira head to Two with Cato? Or should she head home? I haven't spoken about her family at all but it means less Cato time! Anyways, let me know. And on the sequel, when it's up I'll add a chapter to this one saying so. Thank you to my lovely reviewers, favs, followers and readers. You are all gorgeous and I'll properly thank everyone next chapter. xxx