Kim POV
I stare astonished at the screen. A twelve? This is the first time in history that they have ever given a twelve to a tribute. Even Katniss only got an eleven.
"You're in trouble," Katniss says looking down at Artemis, not a glimmer of happiness in her eyes.
"What are you talking about," I ask. "I got a twelve, people will be lining the streets to sponsor Ron and I."
"You think that the gamemakers care about who gives you stuff in the arena," Katniss fires. "You can be given everything you know how to use effectively in the arena, but it can't save you from the elements, creatures, and horrible things that the gamemakers will do to you in the arena. Not to mention the other tributes that, now that you have a twelve, will hone in on that giant, twelve sized target on your back. This also carries over to Ron because he is a weakness for you like you are to him. Both of you care so much for each other that if one were to fall, the other would be easy pickings."
Katniss finishes her statement with an icy glare, picks up Artemis, and heads to her room without looking back. I look over to Ron who is looking at me with disappointment in his eyes.
"Kim how could you," he asks and it breaks my heart.
His chocolate eyes are filled with shame and he has moved away from me on the couch so that there is a considerable gap between us.
"Ron," I begin, "I just felt sad and angry for that little girl and had to make someone feel responsible for this."
"You don't think that there is a higher meaning to this," he asks. "This may affect us short term, but we might not have to deal with long term consequences of this. I've heard the stories of the Capitol murdering people who step out of line, and you put a large target on one person besides you and I. They will think that Katniss is the one who instigated this and punish her, and she won't be physically hurt. They will harm the only person that fills her heart."
Ron says these words and my heart sinks. All that he says is true, and I am suddenly regretting all that I did.
"I'm sorry Ron," I say, "I hadn't thought that they would bring Artemis into this. Or even Katniss or you, I just wanted them to feel responsible."
"It's not me you need to apologize to," he says and walks out.
I am left alone on the couch, feeling like shit. At the beginning of the day, things were looking up. I had formed a bond with Katniss, moral was up, I had a plan to get a great training score, and then I blew everything up. The bond that I formed was broken to the point of no repair in my guess. I had even pissed off my husband who never gets angry at me. I heard a door to a spare room slam and I figured that Ron wanted to sleep separate from me tonight. This action brought on a fresh wave of tears that rolled down my face in buckets.
Katniss POV
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game
Too late for second guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes
And leap
It's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you won't bring me down
I'm through accepting limits
'Cause someone says they're so
Somethings I cannot change
But till I try I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost
I'd sooner buy defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you won't bring me down
So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky
As someone told me lately
Everyone deserves the chance to fly
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am defying gravity
I'm flying high and defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renowned
And nobody in all of Oz
No wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring
Me down
I finish up my song to Artemis and she is fast asleep. I think about the song that I have just sang to my little girl. It is from my favorite musical from my favorite singer. I parallel it to my situation here. I am about to fly free from the Capitol's grips and play by the rules of my own game. This song is the banner of the revolution that I have to take part in, and I need one more person to know. I call down to Finnick's room,
"Finnick," I say, "are you awake?"
"Am now," he grumbles.
True that I did wake him up around 11, but I figured that he would be used to that, with all the nasty things Snow is making him do. This however was top priority.
"I have some questions about Artemis," I say into the phone hoping that he figures out what I am getting at.
"Okay," he says groggily but I think he knows what I am getting at. "Where?"
"Have you ever been to the roof," I ask.
"Ah," he says, "the view is excellent up there. I'll be up in a second."
Before he hangs up I ask him one last question, "Do you think that Kim might be able to help?"
I hear a long pause from the other side of the phone. He is clearly having a struggle on whether to bring Kim in on the plan.
"She made a very interesting training day choice today that earned her that twelve, she takes after her mentor," I say, hoping he receives the rebellious message.
"Okay," he says, "I also think that Johanna might be able to help a little as well. We will be up in a few. There is also someone else that you should meet, and it may surprise you."
The line clicks dead and I return the phone to its holder. I grab a baby monitor, make sure Artemis is tucked in, and walk out of the room. I lock the door behind me with the only key to unlock it. I had this especially made for times like this. Now the only way to get in is to break down the door which I will clearly hear on the monitor and be to my room, ready to kill whoever has entered. I walk to Kim and Ron's room and knock.
"What," a voice says wearily. Kim still sounds so tired and upset from before.
"Kim can I talk to you," I ask with a lightness to my tone. It has been a while since I have asked someone to just talk. Prim is the usual one to ask me out to lunch, so I usually don't ask anyone for anything. Kim shuffles out of the room and looks at me with tear stained eyes.
"There is something that you should know about the events that are taking place that are greater than you or me. I'm am about to let you in on this, but you must swear on your life that in any circumstance, you will not talk about anything. Understood?" I say.
Kim nods her head and I motion for her to follow me to the roof.
Kim POV
I follow Katniss to the roof wondering what big secret she is letting me in on. There are numerous possibilities that I can't even imagine to begin. We climb the ladder to the door and walk out onto the roof. Katniss leads me over to the small garden where I can make out three figures amongst the plants.
"Finnick," Katniss calls out.
"Yeah we are here," he says.
I turn the corner and Finnick Odair stands in front of me. The tribute winner from district 4, now mentor. I've seen recaps of his games and know that he is one of the most liked people in the Capitol. Behind him stands Johanna Mason. Katniss has told me about her, about her vicious strategy. That is one person that I do not want to get angry. Then there is another girl leaning up against the structure for a tarp for the plants and I am astounded on who it is.
"Tris!?" I say.
"Hey," is what she replies with a slight smile to her face.
"What is she doing here," I ask Katniss who has a knowing look to her face.
Finnick answers for Katniss, "Tris is here, as with the rest of us, for a master plan. The Hunger Games has gone on long enough, and we mean to start a rebellion."
A/N
That is the end of Part 1: The Ember. This was mostly a set up part and in Part 2: The Spark is where the real fireworks begin
Song: Defying Gravity from Wicked