AN: Not Beta'd Sorry!
Chapter 39: The Spark That Sets Panem On Fire.
Several hours later we had strategically picked which weapons we would keep and which ones we will destroy, the house will also have to be destroyed. This would mean the Kings and Peacekeepers would know we were here and will be able to close in the search area, adding to the danger we were already in. With the perk of added weaponry we now posses, it was worth the exposure.
We were taking a break to eat and discussing our next course of action.
"We will move south-east from here. District 10 has lots of uninhabited areas dedicated to the livestock. They let them roam and graze until it's time for slaughter. Is the house ready for our departure? We need to be on the move when it goes up. Give some much-needed space between us and the Peacekeepers." Zafrina says between bites.
"The explosives are set and the delay switch just needs to be set." Senna replies.
"We are well packed and will be ready to leave at a moments notice." Kachiri adds.
"Good, we will be on standby for the time being. I'd like to stay here for a little longer to give our friends in D13 time to contact us. Are you up for leaving Edward?" Zafrina asks as she finishes off her meal and looks at Edward.
"Yes, good as new. Will you be needing me or Bella for anything else? I'd like to spend a little time together before we leave."
"That's fine. Stay close-by." she answers.
Edward takes my plate and his to the sink, where Kachiri waves him off and starts cleaning the dishes. He reached for my hand and leads me to the bedroom we shared earlier.
"So..." he says.
"So." I says right back.
"Look Bella, I know we have a lot to talk about but, I just need to hold you for a bit...Please, before everything gets hectic again."
I nod and lead him to the bed. He climbs up and sits against the headboard, legs separated. I climb in-between his legs and settle with my back to his chest. We interlock hands.
"I'm sorry." he says simply.
"Why didn't you tell me? It hurts to think you didn't trust me enough to tell me." I say and even I could hear the hurt weighing down my words.
"I do trust you! It's just you've been through so much and I didn't want to burden you with my problems."
"We have both been through a lot but, we should learn to rely on each other not hide things from one another. We are married, we are a team, we need to trust each other above all others."
"You are right and I'm truly sorry. I have to stop underestimating you. You are by far the strongest, most selfless, caring person I have ever met, and I am lucky to be able to call you mine."
I don't reply right away. What do I say... We both have been changed physically and have suffered emotionally. He already knows all that. So, how do I make him understand we have to accept and adept to our new circumstances. We have both survived so much in our short lives but we are needed now to fight for a better Panem. We must put aside our internal battles with our self-hatred in order to fight for a better future, one without fear and oppression.
"Edward, we...
Before I could continue a projector probe pops out of the headboard, I hear a beeping sound somewhere within the house, and then a grainy picture of Leah appears in front of me. She's holding an old cell phone fiddling with it wearing a confused expression.
"How do you work this thing? Hello, can anyone hear me?" she calls out then brings it to her ear and tries again.
When she clearly doesn't hear or see any kind of response she starts muttering to herself. Oblivious to the fact that she is being broadcasting nationwide.
"Why won't this stupid thing work." she stamps her foot like a petulant child.
"Everyone keeps telling me to be a good girl and to keep out of adult matters. I'm supposed to study or do chores, while the sister to her high and mighty gets to do as she pleases! I'm not a baby! She is only a year older yet she gets to help! I'll show them! I can so be useful!"
She must hear or see something we can't because her attention is pulled from the device in her hand. She looks momentarily panicked. You could tell she was about to take off running when a very clear gun shot fills the air. She drops the phone on the ground. Now the camera is facing up and you could see several peacekeepers and a couple of hovercraft. Gravel crunches and a shadow covers Leah's small frame. Next a voice everyone in Panem would recognize begins speaking.
"Aww, if it isn't one of the little coal shovelers. Where is that big bad brother of yours, Hmm? Lurking in the shadows somewhere, ready to jump out and attack at the right moment?" the voice is now joined by a picture of Aro. His mocking tone was matched with a patronizing scowl aimed at a very frightened looking Leah.
"A bit far from home aren't we? Shouldn't you be at the bottom of that great big bottomless pit I sent the rest of your dirty loving district into?"
Leah gasps making Aro chuckle.
"Oh, didn't your big brother tell you? You see little one, your district was doomed from the moment their so-called 'Victor' (he sneers) decided to rebel against us. That is why I'm here. I plan on destroying anyone and everything she holds dear. My own brother thought he could side with her. Look how that turned out for him." he says with a note of disapproval.
"Now be a good lass and show me how to get into the bunkers of District 13." he changes his tone to a sickeningly sweet one.
When Leah doesn't answer right away. Aro gets mad and he reached out and shakes her demanding access into D13. Leah is now quivering under his murderous glare and looked ready to throw up in pure fright. He shoved her out of his grasps and motions a guard closer. So quick even the peacekeeper couldn't respond Aro grab the peacekeeper's gun and aimed it at Leah's head.
"TELL ME HOW TO ENTER THE DAMN BUNKER RIGHT NOW YOU INSOLENT CHILD!" he demanded.
What happens next will haunt me and many other for the rest of our days...
Leah was frozen in place. If you looked carefully you'd see she had wet herself after Aro pointed the gun at her. She looked so scared and vulnerable in that moment it was heart wrenching. Then the unimaginable took place. Aro lost what little patience he had and he fired the gun. The bullet hit her between the eyes. She slumped to the ground while blood trickling out of the hole Aro just put there, she stares blankly right at us since the phone was lying next to her.
Shock, anger, grief, sadness, all those emotions and more washed over me as I stare into poor Leah's lifeless eyes.
Then all hell breaks loose. Gunfire and shouting could be heard so clearly it felt like I was there. Peacekeepers and D13 guards broke out into a full on battle. Aro looked only momentarily startled and mildly concerned before retreated to an awaiting hovercraft. With everything happening on the screen I didn't notice that some of the commotion was coming from right outside the room we were sitting in.
Senna came running in, "They found us! We have to move, NOW!"
Edward and I swiftly took action. Running to where we put the bags and weapons we had ready and Zafrina was there issuing orders.
"Katchiri, find us a way out. Edward, help Katchiri. See if you can pick up anything useful with your new heightened senses.
"Senna, arm the explosives you've placed around the house. Looks like we will need to set them off as soon as we get clear of this place. I'll cover you all by drawing there attention to me while keeping them at bay for as long as I can.
"Bella, here is the cell phone. Now is the time to call to arms anyone and everyone who wishes to take action against the kings and Capitol. After that little show everyone just saw I'm pretty sure we will be getting a lot more help then we had originally anticipated.
"I want to be on the move A.S.A.P. now, GO!"
I held the cell phone as if it were a live wire. One of these devises brought an end to a beautiful little girl... No! Aro, was responsible for her demise. I knew the public would be looking for an outlet to their shock and anger from what they saw and heard. They will feel betrayed and want answers. I'm not even sure what to say... I was still in shock after witnessing Leah's execution. But the time has come. We must fight and we must win, for if we do not I fear Panem and all that inhabit it, will fall! I find a quiet place to make the call. I fiddle with the phone shortly before I see the signal has connected. I hold the phone away from my face and speak into it.
"People of Panem, we have all just witnessed the depraved acts of one of our leaders. You saw and heard him testify that he ordered the destruction of a whole district simply because I would not be controlled. He also murdered his own flesh and blood for not agreeing with him. What will be the cause of him to turn on you? No one is safe with this mad man in charge. Caius is no better. He also took part in the demise of both District 12 and his own brother.
"But, this isn't the only time he plotted against his siblings. I telling you this while standing in a hidden room full of weapons he planed to use against his brothers and anyone else that stood in his way of overthrowing and taking-over as soul ruler of Panem." I pan the camera showing the public my surrounding.
"Loyalty and Trust is something our so called KINGS are not capable of. So why trust me? Who are my loyalties to? I proved my loyalty not so long ago when I volunteered to be a tribute in the games. I was willing to die so my sister could live another day. I fell in love and learned to trust someone who was supposed to be my enemy during those games. I have many flaws but, I am loyal to those I love and you can trust me when I say I will fight so my loved ones can experience something many of us did not dare think possible, A BETTER TOMORROW!
"Imagine a place where you can speak your mind without fear of the consequences, imagine a life where you do not fear starvation while other fill overflowing plates, imagine a life where you will not be treated as a slave and worked to death, imagine a life where you can live at peace knowing your children are safe.
"Citizen of the Capitol, the king have turned on each other. Brother against brother, do you really believe you are safe? Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride are the capital vices once known as deadly sins. You have lived this way for far to long. Turning a blind eye as the rest of us suffered. Letting the children of our districts die for your entertainment. I know there is good in you, I have witnessed it, and I've even befriended some of you, but the old ways must die with the kings!
"You can either learn from your mistakes and do what is right or die trying to protect a way of life that is morally and ethically wrong. Help us fight, help us win, and the bridge to forgiveness between us can begin to be built.
"So I ask you, will you stop stand in the shadows of this corrupted Capitol and help me take down these dishonorable rulers, will you join in my fight for a better tomorrow, a better Panem!" and I disconnect the transmission...
AN: I normally let the story write it's self but, this chapter has been in the back of my mind since I started this story. I wasn't sure who would face Ao until in walks Leah demanding her 15 minutes of fame and the rest is history. Hope you like it/Thanks for reading/Please review.