Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 25- The Truth
I'm escorted by soldiers to a chamber within the mansion, and as soon as I'm pushed inside, the door is locked. The room has no other openings, so I know immediately that I won't be getting out of here until somebody lets me out.
I make my way across the room slowly, wondering what's going to happen now. Surely, my killing of Coin will not go unpunished. I wonder what form my punishment will take, wonder if my mother and Prim will be punished as well. Oh, why didn't I think before I fired that arrow.
I walk slowly across the room, removing my quiver and bow and setting them against a chest of drawers. I then sit down in a chair close by and slump in it a little bit, looking down at my hands, not sure what to think or do.
I don't know how long I'm sitting there, thinking about what I've done. I feel like I've guaranteed my death, or at least a very sincere punishment. But, at least, I saw the Cabal defeated. At least there's only Taskmaster left, and I know the rest of the team could handle him.
As I sit there, lost in my thoughts, I think back on my ancestors. Hawkeye and Captain America. I wonder if either of them would've done what I just did. Maybe not Captain America. But Hawkeye probably would have. I feel a little bit of calm, at least feeling like I haven't disappointed my heritage.
I don't even know how long I've been sitting here. Maybe hours. Maybe days. The time has just blurred together. Someone has brought me several meals, but other than that, nobody has come to see me.
Suddenly, I hear the door open. I slowly turn my head and see Robert walking slowly into the room, with Vision following behind him. They slowly make their way over to me, both rather quiet.
"Well, Katniss. I must say. You do not disappoint," Robert says.
"You were expecting me to do that?" I ask.
"Honestly…yes. At least, I was half expecting you to," Robert says with a slight smile.
The three of us are quiet before I ask, "So, what's my punishment? Or do I have yet to be tried?"
Robert smiles. "There is no punishment. And you're not being tried either," he says.
I look at him, a little confused. "What do you mean?" I ask.
"You're not in an kind of trouble for killing Coin. In fact, by this point, most people are glad you killed Coin," Robert says.
Now I feel really confused. It takes me a few moments before I'm able to ask, "Robert, what are you talking about? Why am I not being punished?"
Vision now speaks up. "Your arrow did not immediately kill President Coin. Right before she died, she uttered two words. Those words were…'Hail HYDRA.'"
I look at Vision in shock. I remember when Robert told me about HYDRA. Not long after I agreed to become an Avenger, Robert told me about HYDRA, and about my ancestor, Captain America, fighting with HYDRA.
"HYDRA?" I ask in shock.
"Yes. Vision and I investigated Coin's personal files, and found irrefutable evidence that she was in fact not only a member of HYDRA, but the leader of HYDRA. We presented her final words and the evidence we discovered to the rebel leaders and Plutarch, and they agreed you won't be held responsible for killing Coin. You'll be let go, and be free to retain your position as the leader of the Avengers," Robert says.
I sit there, shocked, thinking on what Robert just said. I had concocted many possible scenarios as to what was going to happen to me for killing Coin. Being let off scot free was not one of them.
It takes me some time to find my voice again, but when I do, I say, "So, I'm free?"
"Yes. I've come to take you to your quarters until you're sent back to 12," Robert says.
I sit there for several moments longer before I get to my feet, I gather up my bow and quiver and slowly follow Robert and Vision out of the room I've been held in.
As I follow them through the halls of the mansion, I ask, "How long have I been here?"
"About two days. It took us some time to get the evidence we needed to convince everybody of Coin's real allegiance," Robert says.
"What's happened?" I ask.
"There's an election tonight to see who will take Snow and Coin's place as President. Paylor is expected to carry the vote," Robert says. He pauses, then says, "Enobaria has been undergoing the final phase of her procedure, and it's expected to be completed tonight. By tomorrow, her body will have adjusted to the adamantium, and she'll be ready to fight as the Wolverine."
He pauses again, then says, "I also have more good news. Boggs is still alive. When Vision got him back to camp, we were able to give him a blood transfusion and put him on life support. He's since been sent back to 13, and a team of doctors I've been working with for some years are working to replace his legs and damaged arms with highly advanced cybernetics. Once the procedure is finished and he's begun to rehab, I'm planning to ask him to become the Winter Soldier."
I feel some relief knowing that Boggs is alright. Then, I ask, "Any sign of Taskmaster?"
"Nothing. Still no sign of him. I think it's clear now that he went rogue from The Capitol. And I have absolutely no idea what he could be up to. And he's dangerous. So, I'm not entirely sure what to do about him," Robert says.
"We'll find him, and take him down if we have to," I respond, drawing a smile to Robert's lips.
We make it to me new quarters, and Robert escorts me inside. I set down my bow and quiver and sit down on the edge of the bed.
"You need to rest, Katniss. You're going to need it. The final battle is yet to come," Robert says.
I look at Robert in confusion. "What are you talking about?" I ask in confusion.
"Katniss…things are worse than we thought. Both sides of this war have been played for fools. There's another villain in the background who has played us all against each other, waiting for the opportune moment to strike," Robert says.
Dread begins to fill me. "Who?" I ask.
And, I'll end there. Hahaha! I'm evil!
So, next chapter will be the final battle, and show who this mystery villain is. It'll be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!