Oh I hope he knows how to land this thing, I think. The occasional lurching of the hovercraft as it descends is a constant reminder that he let the crew go back just outside of Twelve. What was I thinking telling him to let the crew go? When I let him take me hostage I had some kind of expectation we'd make it there alive!
In the forty-five minutes it took to get here from Twelve the crew should be seeing the fence of the district. Dr. Aurelius was nicer than most captors would be and let the crew have food and water along with the correct direction for their hike. On top of all of that he let me give one of the crew a letter for my parents without even reading it. It was coded… but still.
The sounds echoing through the craft tell me we have landed and I let go of the breath I've been holding. A minute later there's a tap on my door before it slides open. Had this not been a situation of my design I might've taken pleasure in the disheveled appearance of the good doctor. I at least got some sleep last night.
As we get off the craft he is careful to make sure I stay a good pace ahead of him so he can make sure I'm following orders. When I first step on the grass I resist the urge to collapse to the ground and cry 'Land'. Good thing since the guards are now coming towards us and I don't think they'd appreciate my theatrics.
I stop mid-step when I see someone in the doorway. He actually came outside to meet us? I think.
In front of us is Leader Steev, Coin's successor. The two men exchange salutes before Steev says, "Welcome home, Marus."
"It is good to be home, brother."
Wait… what? How did I miss that? I think looking from one to the other. I already know they're from the same district but the same family? Something clicks in my head, Oh right they all call each other brother or sister around here.
Steev motions to me, "You must tell us of your adventure and of the company you keep."
Dr. Aurelius keeps his voice soft, like most people do here. "We have travelled all night. Might we have a dispensation from the kitchen?"
He didn't know about the snack room? I raided that thing twice last night.
We all step in the elevator and the doors close removing the last bit of sunlight I think I'll see in awhile. Memories and mannerisms come flooding back to me as soon as the doors open again. Everything is structured halls, quiet voices, and the hideous gray uniforms.
People give respectable acknowledgement to Steev as we pass but quickly go back to their job. From what I can tell, little has changed here in the months following the rebellion. Out of all of Panem, Thirteen remains the most unchanged after the war.
We're all brought into Command and I'm escorted to a chair. Lijah Steev studies me for a moment while a few people place food and drink in front of us. I know it's a challenge to look him directly in the eye but I also know it'd be a mistake to be the first to look away and so I hold his stare.
So, what are you going to do with me now that I'm here? His neutral expression cracks just enough for me to see he's pleased.
I've been through the scenarios in my head. Being let go or being killed are both out unless circumstances change. That leaves either a holding cell or close supervision. I'm hoping for the latter otherwise I'm going to be very bored… either that or break. Break isn't the right word. No, if I don't keep ahead of my nightmares I'll shatter.
A beeping to the left catches his attention and focuses on the computer in front of him. My eyes go down to the small meal placed in front of me. It's not anywhere near close to my usual fair back at the Capitol, but then nothing in my life was like that before the war.
Once Aurelius finishes he explains to Steev about his adventures. "It was as easy as the games we played as children."
So, a bit of a rebel. Steev also.
"I waited for the guards to check on me, disabled them using the weapon slipped into my cell with Effie Trinkett's visit, followed the map out of the facility…
Which I provided.
"…boarded Vixen Welkin's hovercraft…"
Which conveniently was leaving just in time for a quick escape.
"…and took control of it."
Men, I think. He's not even the slightest bit suspicious that he had help. All right, maybe there was a hint in there that he acknowledges Effie helping him out.
"So you are back and all is as it should be," says Steev. His expression breaks completely and he is extremely pleased with the situation. That and probably impressed with the break out.
Hello… you have a hostage sitting here. How is that 'as it should be'?
Aurelius shakes his head, "No, brother. Since District 13 has not disarmed and I am a fugitive, I fear Panem's President will send troops. We are weak in number here and vulnerable."
Seriously? That's what you get out of this situation?
Sighing I speak up, "Weak in number, but not in strategy. Once my father knows I am here, he will work to keep the President from using force."
There is a look of bewilderment on the good doctor's face. He has no idea what he's brought into his home district… or that I want to be here. This might prove to be entertaining later.
Steev nods his head, not in agreement but understanding. "We can discuss more of this later. Right now I think you could use some sleep."
And a doctor. That shoulder has to be hurting him.
"Thank you," says Aurelius. "If you wouldn't mind I'd like to see young Welkin to her quarters."
"That will give us time to figure out the best course of action for this unexpected turn of events," says Steev. He turns to one of his advisors, "For now Miss Welkin is to be treated as a high security guest. If she proves to be uncooperative then more suitable accommodations will be made for her."
"I'll arrange the guard schedule, sir." A few taps on the computer and he announces a room number for me a few more stories down and far from the hard core secured areas of the district.
Aurelius salutes one more time before ushering me out of the room. A pair of guards, Steev's own, come with us one in the front and the other following. Once we're on my floor the doctor quietly asks, "Why would you agree to be a pawn?"
I want to scream, Because I am so messed up right now and I can't afford to be!
Instead I shrug, "I thought it might be time for me to work on my issues. You might be a fugitive, but you are also the best head doctor in all of Panem. I thought we could make a trade."
The doctor considers this for a moment, "I use you as a shield for my District and you get therapy?"
"Well that… and I get to see what you do with my Grandmother's journal. I'm pretty sure you can't resist trying to cook up a cure for Peeta."
I get a real smile out of him, "Am I that transparent?"
'Open book' is what I want to say, but I hesitate. "Not in all things, Doctor. Not yet."
