Hurray! Chapter Ten! Three updates in one week! This is... different!

Disclaimer: Am I one of the best writer's in the world? No, didn't think so. Therefore, I don't own it.

Chapter 10

Hospital

I stared out at the destruction. It was quite similar to what Twelve looked like from the air, actually, just not as bad. Eight was only hit by a few bombs, just to scare and severely injure the population, rather than completely decimating it.

I sigh and turn from the window, looking at my companions. There are eight of us in all. Of course, we are not the only ones going to Eight: there are a group of soldiers going as well to do real work. We are just heading down to do the propos.

Peeta and Finnick are talking on a bench in the middle of the small compartment. Cressida and her assistant, Messalla, a slim young man with many body piercings, are fiddling with their equipment. The head of our little group is Boggs. I was glad that he'd be with us; even though he seems to be in Coin's pocket, he's nice enough, and seems to have his priorities in the right order. He also seems smart, unlike some of the other soldiers I've seen.

The seventh person in our group is Haymitch. As it was his idea, he has been allocated controller. He is the brains of this mission. I have to wear an earpiece so he can talk to me at all times. I don't really like the idea: I prefer to be able to make my own decisions. But, since he'll be staying in the hovercraft, I figure he'll have a better view of what is going on.

"So, we go in there, find the Commander…"

Oh yeah, the eight member of our group.

"…Go into the hospital…"

I always get angry whenever I look at him. He's too young. Way too young.

I know why Coin sent him. It's to keep me in line. Because, clearly, it is not enough to have the boy that I have felt closest to in my life in danger. It's not enough that one of my best friends is here with me. Not enough that there are two people who don't seem to understand the severity of the situation here, just to get some footage. And it's most certainly not enough that they force my mentor, the man that has saved my life way to many times to count, who has watched hundreds of kids die, come and see a little more blood.

"… all that should get their spirits up…"

Nor is it enough that my very best friend, my brother in all but blood, is being held prisoner, probably being tortured.

"… because that's all they need…"

No.

"… A little inspiration…"

They have to send Rory in as well.

"…When they see Katniss…"

He's only thirteen. Thirteen. I don't understand how Coin's mind works. She refused to send me in because it was 'too dangerous.' Well, I agree with Peeta. I survived the Hunger Games. I can deal with this. But Rory…

"… very injured. But don't be sick…"

Well, Rory's young. Sure, he's had to watch the Hunger Games his entire life. Every kid has. So it's not like he hasn't seen the gruesome stuff. But he's seen it on T.V. I know how different it is from seeing it on T.V too seeing it in real life. It's like… well, I guess it's like watching the footage of a storm, what they call a Hurricane, in District Four. You see the destruction. You see the people struggling to rebuild their houses. But you don't understand the magnitude of what it feels like until you actually see it.

I know, I haven't experienced a Hurricane. But, I got those feelings when I went back to Twelve. Everyone in Thirteen gives their condolences, but, they don't get it. All of the people that actually witnessed the bombing of Thirteen are now dead. They have the records, they have the scars. But not the memories.

"…find the Commander…"

I know that I'm young too. But I was thrown in without a choice. Rory is too young to witness this. Coin has a twisted mind. I understand that she is doing what is best for the rebellion. I understand that one child is not as important as the rest of Panem. But try telling that to the child.

"… hospital. Visit the people-"

"Will you stop it! I understand, we're all nervous! But we all know the plan! It's simple! Find Paylor. Go to the hospital. Film Katniss with the injured people. Film Peeta and Finnick with Katniss with the injured people. Leave. Short, sweet and simple. Now, lie down and find something else to do!"

Rory started shaking. I glared at Haymitch.

"Stop it. Don't you think he's nervous enough already?"

"Yeah, I do. That's why I helped him see how easy it is to just-"

"Well it's not helping!"

"Katniss, I'm fine, really, I just, I just want to do something, you know? I need to. Now Gales out there… I just have to do something to help him! I thought I couldn't, because I'm too young, but then Coin came. She told me that she understood how I was feeling, and that she thought it would be good for me to come and help protect you, seeing as Gale isn't here. But then I said that you don't need protecting, and she said that I could come anyways, and do something to help my brother!"

"I know, Rory, and I'm proud of you, but don't you think it would be better to-"

"Coin also wanted the boy to come, sort of as Gales representative. Even though he was never in the Games, the whole of Panem knows Gale, from the interviews, and now from the Capitol broadcasts. But-"

"Broadcasts? Broadcasts? As in, plural? There were more?"

"Well, er, anyway, the point was, Rory," Haymitch hurriedly changed the subject, glancing at a fuming Boggs. "You are right to be a little nervous, but tone it down, okay? Stop repeating the plan, or you'll make Finnick nervous, too. And believe me, you do not want to do that."

"Hey!"

Rory grinned at Finnick, and Finnick motioned for him to join in with his and Peeta's conversation.

I stayed and glared at Haymitch. He glanced at Boggs, and when he saw that he was watching Rory, Haymitch pulled me closer to him.

"I'll fill you in later, I promise." He whispered. I was about to protest when the hovercraft jerked. We had landed; I hadn't even noticed our descent, I was so caught up in our argument about Rory.

"Alright everybody, get ready," called Boggs.

I walked to the others and grabbed Peeta's hand. He smiled at me and started to rub soothing circles into the back of my hand.

"Before we leave, I have to give you all something." Boggs reached into his pocket and pulled out a container of purple pills. "We named these Nightlock in your honour, Katniss. When swallowed, they will kill in less than a second, and you will feel no pain. Here." He handed one out to each of us, and showed us how to put it on a tiny pocket on our shoulders. I could twist my neck and bite through the soft material, even if my hands were tied behind my back.

"But, Why would anybody want to take poison?" Asked Rory.

"If you're caught, and there is no means of escape. We cannot let some information you all know reach the wrong ears."

"But I would never-" started Rory.

"You might think you wouldn't, son, and I'm sure you're right," said Boggs, "But once they've tortured you enough, you won't be you anymore. Just look at your brother." Boggs suddenly stopped, looking uncomfortable, sure that this was the wrong thing to say. I grabbed Rory's hand with my free one, and rubbed it, just as Peeta was doing to me.

"It's alright," I said. "He's strong. He won't give up. We're going to beat these monsters and bring him back, okay?"

Rory nodded, determination etched across his face.

"Right then team," said Boggs in mock enthusiasm, "Let's get this show on the road!"

~~0~~

"Brace yourself," said Paylor sadly as she stood outside a factory. Paylor was the Commander of District Eight's recovery program. We had been introduced a few minutes ago, after we had disembarked the hovercraft. "The people in here are in a terrible condition."

Everybody nodded. I felt a little ill. I had always run away whenever anybody came to our house in need of healing, back before I volunteered for the Games…

I squeezed Peeta's hand.

"Stay with me."

"Always."

When we walk through the factory doors, I am assaulted by a wave of putrid, warm, moist air, thick with the scent of decaying flesh and vomit. I swayed on my feet, almost ready to faint. I tightened my grip on Peeta, and heard him wince.

Then I saw Paylor, watching me out of the corner of her eye, trying to see what I'm made of, and whether or not Coin was right to count on me.

Then I remember why I am here. I am here to inspire these people, these people who have nothing left. They all look up to me. If they see me fainting and vomiting just at the sight of them, what will that do to their confidence? What will they think of me then?

I take a deep breath, and force myself to shove the stench to the back of my mind. This is better than being in the games. I am much better off than the people in there. I'll be in and out in a matter of hours. They'll be in there for who knows how long. And not just that. They're injured so badly, they're close to death. District Thirteen has advanced medical technology, but not as advanced as the Capitol. And they have nowhere near enough for everybody. Nor do they have the means to get it out here.

I let go of Peeta's hand, and took a step inside the ware house.

What I saw will never leave me.

The whole place was packed with rows and rows of beds, all full of people; sometimes two to a bed. In the aisles between the beds, still more people are lying on the floor. Rebel medics are hurrying around, trying to help where they could. The air is full of groans and screams. Children are crying for their parents, husbands and wives are moaning as they watch their other half slowly slip away from them.

I steel myself, and force myself to move between the beds, stepping around the prone forms on the ground. I don't get far, before a hand reaches out and grips my arm. I look at the person, and I see a woman. She doesn't look much older than me. Maybe eighteen or nineteen. She looks like she was once beautiful, but there is no evidence left now. Her skin clings to her bones, and her brown hair is knotted and matted in blood. But that's not all.

Her leg is covered in bloodied bandages, covered in flies. She has a terrible burn on the side of her face, and It looks like her left arm has been amputated; all that is left is a stump, and it too is covered in bandages.

The one part of her face that still looks alive are her eyes. I think they were dead, but as soon as she looked at my face, they lit up and sparkled, a bright, bright blue, similar to Peeta's, only a little deeper.

"Katniss? Is that really you?"

"Yeah, it's me."

Happiness flashed across her face, mingled with hope. Almost like the sound of my voice can wash away her pain.

"We thought you had died! But you're here! You're actually here!" Her eyes focused on something behind me, and then she gasped. "And Peeta too! We thought you'd both died!"

"We got pretty banged up, but we got better." I said. Peeta walked closer to her and stroked her cheek.

"Just like you will."

She grinned.

"Wait until I tell my brother!" She twisted on her bed, grimacing in pain, then calls to someone a few beds away. "Eddy! Eddy! It's them! They're here! Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!"

A young boy forces himself up and struggles over to us. He looks about twelve years old. The whole side of his face is covered in bandages. Although he is clearly in pain as he stumbles towards us, the sides of his mouth are turned up in a grin.

"Look Eddy! It's them!"

The boy nodded.

"I see them!"

Peeta walked towards him then crouched down in front of him, holding out his hand.

"Hey, I'm Peeta. What's your name?"

The boy's eyes lit up with amazement, as if he couldn't believe Peeta was actually talking to him. He soon got over it though, and took Peeta's hand.

"Eddy Mallowitz. This," he motioned to the woman, "is my sister, Tina."

"Nice to meet you Eddy." Said Peeta, smiling. The boy was staring past Peeta by this stage.

"Is that… Finnick Odair?" Peeta nodded and grinned.

"Yeah."

"How many Victors did you bring?"

"Oh, just four of us."

"Four?" Eddy glanced around as if another victor was about to jump out at him. "Who else?"

"Haymitch Abernathy. He's outside, talking to the people who are helping with the recovery," lied Peeta. I knew what he was doing. He didn't want the kid to think Haymitch was shunning them or something.

"Oh, okay." Said Eddy. "That's probably a good thing. We don't want him falling over all the people in here." He said with a smile.

We just stared. This kid looked like he'd had his ear sliced off or something, yet here he was, making jokes at Haymitch's expense. Then we all chuckled.

"Nice one, kid," Said Finnick, coming out from behind us. "I think we'll het along just fine."

If Eddy looked awed, that was nothing to Tina. She just about jumped out of bed, despite her state. I smiled at her.

"Finnick Odair?" she shrieked.

A few people turned to stare at her now. It seemed like they had been in so much pain that they had missed our conversation. But her shrill exclamation had caught a few people's attention. Finnick had now taken Peeta's place, crouching on the ground, so Peeta and I were fairly taller than the rest of the people around us.

The people that saw us passed on the message, and soon everyone was calling out to us, wanting to just touch us, to prove to themselves that we were alive.

"Katniss! Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!"

We left Tina and Eddy, who were now chatting to Rory, and walked through the hospital. We grasped their hands, patted their foreheads. We wished that they would get better, just saying hello. They didn't need an inspirational speech. They just needed to be shown that we care.

After a few hours, and what seems like three laps around the factory, we end up back near the door, next to Tina and Eddy. Rory had felt a little ill, but he refused to leave the building; he did not want to insult anyone or feel like he was weak. He had stood talking to Eddy for the whole time, and they had become friends in the short time we were there.

Peeta, Finnick and I waved to the masses of injured people, said goodbye to Tina, pried Rory away from Eddy, and went back out to meet Boggs.

"That was brilliant!" Exclaimed Boggs.

Well, I didn't run. Looking back on it, I didn't even feel slightly nauseated after that initial blast.

"We got some brilliant stuff in there!" exclaimed Cressida, while Messalla bobbed his head. I had forgotten they were filming me.

But what she said bothered me. I know that was the reason we came. But the whole time I was in there, I was feeling horrible. I was the one that started this. I mean, sure, the rebellion has been building up for a while now, but I can't help but think that if I had just toughened up and killed myself in the arena, and Peeta had lived, none of this would have happened.

Those people had nothing, they were in pain, they were dying, and yet they smiled when they saw me. Why? It's my fault. I closed my eyes and remembered the group of injured men in the back of the factory. They had tried to fight the peacekeepers, and many of them had died. I remembered what they told me.

"Katniss. We fought for you."

But why?

~~0~~

We were sitting in the shade of a small tree, on a hill just away from the town. We had come here to eat something in peace before we went back down to get a bit of footage of us in the rubble.

"I don't think I should have come."

I glanced at Rory.

"Why?"

"All those people… They were happy when they saw you. When they saw me, they hissed and said Gale was a traitor. I don't think I helped."

I was lost for words. Even they thought Gale was a traitor? Couldn't they see he didn't mean it?

Luckily, Peeta came to the rescue.

"Of course you did. You had to be there. You helped that boy, Eddy. He listened to you. You made a few minutes of his life a lot less painfull. Don't you think that's worth something?"

He nodded.

"I… I guess so."

"See? Now, how about, while we film stuff outside, you can go and talk to Eddy again? How about that?" Rory smiled, and looked out over to the roof of the large factory.

"That'd be great."

Right at that moment, we all heard a screaming fill the air. We looked up.

A single jet plane was shooting across the sky. As it passed us, I saw the Capitol seal on the tail.

"Bomber!" I gasped. We all jumped up just as it dropped a bomb.

A bomb that landed on the factory.