(2)

I had to have known they'd pull a stunt like this. The perfect opportunity to kill everyone I care about, and have an excuse for it. No doubt I will be the lucky victor to be targeted.

Plutarch Heavensbee gives me a sympathetic look, "You understand what this means, right?"

I try to explain my reasoning. "One former victor will be selected 'randomly' from the existing pool of victors to have 24 people who are their closest friends and family thrown into the Arena to kill each other. It is meant to torture the victor chosen. Am I right?"

"Right on, Katniss," he sighs.

I realize something just then that the Capitol may have forgotten, "But aren't I supposed to be dead? Then I can't be in the pool."

"I don't think it matters if you are alive. But you can bet all 76 slips of paper in the Victor Reaping Ball will have your name on it," he says in a flat tone.

I nod. You'd think the situation would make me depressed, but, in fact, it does the opposite. I feel ready to fight.

I get up to leave, but Plutarch has something else to say, "No matter how much they hurt your friends, no matter how many of them die, you have to promise me you will not try and rescue them. You must leave that to us. You're too important to risk losing. You're the mockingjay, Katniss. Without you, there would be no rebellion."

I hate this. Why do I have to be the one who stands for the uprisings? Why did I have to pull out those stupid berries? I don't promise anything to Plutarch. Instead, I reply with, "I understand."

I open the door and walk out, leaving Plutarch alone in his room. I let what's going to happen sink in. Any day now, the Capitol will draw my name out of the Reaping Ball and then all of my friends will be put in the arena. Some of them will die, but I'm sure they'll barely keep alive people like Peeta. I expect they will make his death long and painful.

I take my time to walk around the hovercraft. Who knew they could be so large? I spot Gale and Madge in the hall, talking in hushed voices. This makes me think they are keeping something from me. Gale has made me an eavesdropper. Before they can see me, I slip around the corner. I can only catch a few words from both of them.

Madge says, "Are you sure? What about… would she…?"

Gale responds, "Even if this isn't the best time… I'm sure she… I need you, Madge. We need each other."

Now I'm mad. Gale does not need Madge. I walk casually up to them to break the lovefest.

"How'd it go?" Gale asks me.

"I'm not shocked. I mean, they had to come up with some way to kill Peeta, right?" I reply angrily. I'm upset with Gale.

Gale and Madge frown, "I know you're upset about this. It's going to be ok. Haymitch is making a plan."

Great. Now I feel so much better. "Where is he?" I ask.

Before either of them can answer, Haymitch appears behind me and answers, "We've arrived." Right at that moment, the hovercraft lands smoothly on the ground and District 13, a far off and unknown place to me, becomes more of a reality.

Madge breathes in deeply and Gale puts his arms around her. I'm nervous too. Right now, I have no idea what District 13 will be like. I'm so overwhelmed right now; another surprise would toss me overboard. But I suppose there is nothing left to the rest of my life but lots of twists and turns.

The four of us walk silently, with Haymitch leading. I bite my lip until it bleeds and think of nothing but the warm blood in my mouth. I wouldn't know what to think about, anyways. There is so much on my mind. My life has officially turned upside down.

I haven't seen Finnick or Beetee for two days. Truth be told, I haven't really thought about them at all. Beetee is still recovery, Haymitch explains, but Finnick joins us right before we exit the hovercraft. He is handsome as ever, but something inside him has changed that you can see only through his eyes.

"Katniss," he says upon seeing me. His voice is no longer hoarse.

"Finnick," I say in return. I'm happy to see him, but I don't want to think about anything and talking to him would provoke some feelings for sure.

Haymitch rounds us up and lectures, "I'm not sure what's going to happen when we open these doors but no matter what, you've got to promise we'll stick together and no one will get distracted. You can socialize and have reunions later."

Reunions? What in all of Panem is he talking about? Gale and Madge look perplexed too but Finnick nods in understanding.

"Alright? Alright," Haymitch smiles, "Sweetheart, you look miserable. Lighten up."

I think I made some sort of an attempt to smile, because Finnick, who was staring intently at me started laughing. Yes, laughing. When was the last time I laughed for real? I can't remember it. Surely, it was a long time ago. Maybe even over 2 years ago.

Haymitch presses a button and the door blocking us off from District 13 rises.

Behind it, are hundred, no, thousands of blank, staring faces, all looking at us. They are expecting something to happen.

On impulse, I grab Finnick's hand. It is cold as ice. Then, I reach for Haymitch's hand and interlock my fingers with his. His hand is just the opposite of Finnick's. It is hot and sweaty. Haymitch understands what I am trying to do. He grabs Madge's hand, who was already holding Gale's, and together we all raise our hands up in triumph.

Everything is quiet for a few seconds. The people of District 13 are processing what is happening. They stare at us. The blood rushes down my arm. You can hear a pin drop. Then, the crowd erupts with praises. Everyone is calling my name. There is clapping, shouting and cheers. They are in love with me. These are the rebels and I am their leader. I look through the crowd. Their faces are filled with hope. So, for their sake, I hold my head high, just like Cinna taught me too. I show no weakness.

The cheers continue for ten minutes or so, at least, it feels that long. Finally, Haymitch releases my hand and motions the crowd to be silent. Obediently, they stop yelling.

"To my left, I present Finnick Odair…" Haymitch calls out across the square. More cheering. For the first time, I actually look around at the surroundings. There aren't very many trees. In the distance, I see several buildings.

"Katniss Everdeen," Haymitch gestures to me and the crowd goes wild. It takes Haymitch several attempts to get them to settle down, "To my right, Madge Undersee, daughter of the mayor of District 12."

Polite applause follows. I don't suppose they know Madge. I look at Gale. He makes eye contact with me and smiles. It is a friendly smile. Not a loving smile. My heart aches.

"Also to my right, Gale Hawthorne," Haymitch finishes his introductions. The crowd claps for Gale, but there is more chatter than cheering. Is this her cousin? People are buzzing about and making comments about Gale. How attractive he is, how similar we look and also, why is he still holding Madge's hand?

I look back at Gale again. He doesn't look the same as when Haymitch was announcing Madge. He looks completely shocked. Then I follow his eyes. There is a middle-aged man yelling and waving, saying, "Gale!"

Gale let's go of Madge's hand and runs out into the crowd. So much for sticking together and not getting distracted. Gale meets up with the man and they embrace. Who is this guy?

Another man is pushing through the crowd and is making a lot of noise. He's yelling, "Katniss! Katniss!" By the way he is shouting, you'd think his life depended on it. But as he emerges from the mob, I understand. Our eyes meet.

I'm looking at my father.