Chapter 4
My fingers grip the door knob, my knuckles turning white as the blood leaves my hand. That sound, such a familiar sound I swore I'd never hear again. I violently get snapped out of my reverie when Gale opens the door, me flying backwards in an attempt to avoid getting my face hit. He's carrying Lucian on his back, a panicked look in his eyes letting me know nothing is okay. "We have to go!" He yells, I'm on my feet in an instant. "Where?" I ask frantically, my eyes scanning the room for any open window. Gale looks around, nodding silently to the window just next to Lucian's bed. Gale sets Lucian down, running over to push his dresser in front of the door. I open the window, the cool ocean breeze reflecting a mood of calm. Calm is the last thing I feel, I don't understand what's happening right now. I feel breathless, like any sense of security I'd built up throughout the years has disappeared in the matter of seconds. I motion Lucian towards the window, but Gale stops me. "You get out first, take Lucian, then I'll follow" He says, his brow furrowed deep in concentration. They're at the door now. "They" being whoever has the guns. They throw themselves against the door, I wince every time one of them hits the door. I nod, there's no time to waste. Quickly I hop out of the window, Gale hands Lucian over to me as gently as possible. He's just out of the window when the door gives in. The peace keepers jump over the dresser and grab the collar of Gale's shirt. A high, despaired scream escapes my mouth. Gale's hand outstretched towards mine, begging me to grab it. We both know I won't be strong enough to pull him free, but I take his hand anyway. He pulls me close, resisting the peacekeepers pulls. "Annie, get out of here! Save Lucian! I love you Annie now go!" He yells, his face a mirror of panic and pain. Tears are streaming down my cheeks, turning the gentle green of my shirt a darker shade. I reach up and pull his face to mine, pressing my lips forcefully against his. This is kiss says everything we may never get to say again. It says I love you, life goes on, stay strong, and so much more. I'm holding his gaze when they tear him away from me, back into the window and out of my life. Even when he's gone and only one peace keeper remains I stay staring into the window, willing him to come back. The remaining peace keeper looks at me and winks, he tosses a single white rose out the window and I shudder. A thought suddenly comes to my mind, there haven't been peace keepers since Paylor became president. Their uniforms were tattered and helmets cracked, but they were still clearly peace keepers. Suddenly I laugh, a thought comes to my mind and it just seems so surreal I laugh. A rebellion against a rebellion. Lucian tugs on my hand, pulling me from my reverie. I look down at him and notice he's shaking, this is all new to him. These are all things I thought Lucian would never have to endure, but of course I should've seen this coming. I crouch down in front of him, taking him in my arms. I hope he feels safe in my arms, he's so little now and so innocent. "Shh love, it's going to be okay" I whisper against his hair. "Momma, can you sing for me?" He asks. So I sing an old district 4 lullaby "Sway softly the sea is calm, sway softly the air is warm, lay down in bliss, a starfish and a gentle kiss. Sway to the waves and sway to the breeze, fall asleep in warm sand, lay down in bliss, a sea horse and an ocean prince." I sing in a soft gentle voice, his shaking noticeably calming. This moment is calm, but I swear to myself I'm going to get Gale back. I've already lost Finnick , the capitol rebels are not going to take Gale from me too. I've lost so much because of them, they won't win. I pick up Lucian in my arms and cradle him like a baby. I smash the rose under my foot as we walk towards the front door. President Snow may be dead, but the capitol it seems is still very much alive.