Chapter 7
Time is running out. The sound of a ticking clock has echoed through my thoughts all morning. At one point I even thought I could hear Wiress's voice singing tick tock tick tock.
Everything is already set in motion. At dawn Johanna set out to collect Beetee and my prep team. Last night Thatch and Paylor planned on assembling their group in Finnick and Annie's compartment. Then there's Plutarch, who should already be waiting for us in the hovercraft hangar.
I only hope that everything with the others has gone according to plan. So far the only thing that's gone right for me was meeting up with Jackson.
Right away I knew my mother wasn't coming. She wouldn't leave the compartment. I don't know if she wouldn't or couldn't. It was hard to tell. Her mind had drifted off elsewhere.
When I first saw her today she seemed like she was better. I hadn't tried talking to her since I slammed the door on her, after finding out about Prim. But she seemed alright this morning. At least she was speaking anyway.
Then I mentioned leaving District 13 and she completely shut down. I didn't know what to do. I can't just carry my mother around and expect no one to notice. So I told her goodbye and that I loved her, leaving her alone to whatever world she's retreated to.
My second stop only went over slightly better. I went to Gale's compartment and Hazelle answered. With a smile she asked if I wanted to come in and wait. Behind her, Rory and Vick were carrying Posy around the room laughing. They were happy. I couldn't destroy that. I couldn't tell her what was going on. She has no reason to leave 13. Hazelle is one of the few who's actually safe here.
Last night Plutarch made it clear that we need to focus on saving anyone who would be in danger in my absence. Anyone who Coin is protecting just to keep me happy. I had to fight with Plutarch just so I could bring Gale's family. Paylor said it was fine if it helps bring Gale. I'm not sure why, but she seemed very adamant about him coming too.
Unfortunately I have no idea where Gale is. Jackson says we can try again on the way back. However, we still have one last stop to make.
The elevator doors open revealing a familiar white lit hall filled with red doors. Last night I had to convince even Paylor into letting us come down here again. After about an hour Paylor finally turned to Jackson and asked if it could be done. Jackson told her, "As long as we move fast."
Ahead of us the same two armed soldiers wait beside the first set of red doors. However, this time they aren't as eager to let Jackson and I pass.
"You aren't supposed to be down here."
"She wants to see the boy again," Jackson replies casually. "Coin already permitted her to go in."
"Well we're going to need to receive confirmation before we let you go any further," the guard signals to the other.
The second guard reaches for his communicuff as we approach them. "That won't be necessary," Jackson says cooly before knocking the first guard headfirst into the wall. As the man collapses Jackson grabs hold of his gun before he hits the floor. The second barely has any time to react before Jackson delivers one swift blow to the head, using the blunt side of the gun. Then she continues to the end of the hall, leaving behind the two out-cold soldiers. "Grab his keys and c'mon. We need to get this done before anyone else decides to show up."
Quickly I dig through their pockets until I find a whole ring full of keys. Tearing down the hall I reach out toward the door with the first key. I manage to get through three or four of them before I finally get the right one and pry the door open.
Upon sight Peeta gives a smug laugh ready to pick up our last conversation where we left off, but there's no time.
"Shut up! We're leaving 13 and you're coming with. I don't have time to play games with you," I hiss.
Nothing I've just said appears to be making any sense to him.
Searching for the keys to his chains I elaborate. "We're leaving District 13 now. If you stay behind, Coin will kill you. You're coming because I need you alive."
His furrowed brow tells me he's still somewhat confused, but I don't have time to keep explaining. Not when…
"Katniss?" I freeze as soon as his voice reaches me. Across the room Gale stands apprehensively in the doorway. His concerned expression suggests that he thinks I've gone completely off the deep end. "Katniss what are you doing?"
"Gale," I call out. "I tried to find you, but there was no time."
"No time for what?" He urges.
"We have to leave District 13. It isn't safe here," I explain. "Coin can't be trusted." Judging by the look on Gale's face, this statement hasn't made me seem any saner.
"And what, you think he can be?" Gale says pointing to Peeta.
I realize how crazy I must look to Gale right now. There are two incapacitated guards in the hall, and I'm standing with the keys to free the most dangerous prisoner in District 13. "Gale, Coin's not stable. She's been killing innocent Capitol civilians."
"Innocent!" Gale retorts angrily. "You mean those people who just threw us into the arena? The ones who've been forcing kids to kill each other off for entertainment. Those innocent people?"
"Gale, stop. You know they aren't all like that."
"Aren't they?" he snaps.
I can't believe what I'm hearing. Gale's met plenty of people from the Capitol that are on our side. Plutarch, Cressida, Pollux. Can he really have felt this way about them all? I thought he had gotten used to some of them, but maybe he was just being nice for my sake. I remember how quick he was to attack Caesar. I remember the look on his face when he would stare at that blank wall in his cell. And I don't even want to know how many capitol tributes he went after in the arena. No, I don't think he stopped hating any of them for a second.
Gale can tell that I'm upset by his comment, so he tries to reason with me more gently. "Look Katniss, Coin's not the enemy here. She's rescued us twice. I know it might not be the most comfortable living here, but District 13 has kept us all safe," he says walking toward me.
"What about Prim?" I say.
Before Gale takes another step toward me, Jackson hits him over the head with her gun.
"What are you doing!" I snap.
"We don't have time for this," Jackson states firmly. "You need to choose Katniss. It's too risky to bring Peeta if we have to carry Gale too. If Peeta comes with, we both need to be able to watch him. He can't be trusted in his condition."
That's when I realize she's right. There's no telling what Peeta might do if he's not under constant watch. And if we carry Gale, then Peeta will have the upper hand. I have to choose. I have to decide who we leave behind.
I know we could benefit more by having Gale on our side. Even though he's made it perfectly clear that he doesn't want to leave District 13.
Then there's Peeta. Or what's left of Peeta. All he is to anyone now is a liability. But right now I can here Plutarch's words racing through my head. We need to ensure the safety of whoever Coin is protecting for my benefit only.
With certainty I turn to Jackson. "Keep your gun on Peeta."
Jackson doesn't question me. She simply fixes her sights on Peeta, while I prepare to remove his chains. Peeta on the other hand, stares at me curiously. He looks across to Gale's unconscious body and then back to me, outright confounded by my decision.
The last chain clashes to the ground and I step away. "Let's move," I command.
He first looks at me as though he suspects it's some sort of test. Then finally Peeta rises and follows me out of the cell coolly, ignoring the fact that Jackson is prepared to fire at any moment.
One last time I get a glimpse of Gale, motionless on the ground. He'll be safe here I tell myself. Coin wouldn't hurt him. Not when she knows that he's on her side. And just to prove to Coin that Gale had nothing to do with our escape I give Peeta another order. "Close the cell and lock it."
I can only imagine what Gale will think of me when he wakes and realizes I've locked him in, but I know perfectly well that this is the only way to guarantee his safety.
Once Peeta finishes, we hurry back to the elevator before either of the guards can regain consciousness. But once inside I realize the real challenge will be in making it out. I should have thought about this ahead of time, but I didn't. Now Jackson and I are trapped in a five by five steel box alone with Peeta. Even though it's just for a few moments, I know that's all it would really take for him to kill us. But he doesn't move. The entire way up the only sound that is made is Jackson tightening her grip on her gun.
As soon as we reach our floor I know something is wrong. Further down the hall and around a corner I can hear District 13 soldiers yelling, followed by a very distinct alarm. In 13 there are about five or six different alarms that are triggered during various emergencies. Usually there are drills scheduled for each type every few months or so, just to make sure everyone understands the protocol. The alarm that's ringing right now signals a high priority lockdown in which all unauthorized personnel would have to return to their respective compartments immediately. Since we're on the same level as the hangar there are no compartments here. If we are seen, then security will know we are up to something. That is if they haven't already.
There's gunfire, followed by more shouting. One of the voices sounds like Haymitch. Quietly we hasten our pace as we move down the hall until we reach the source of the gunfire. The bodies of three soldiers lay sprawled out on the ground. Haymitch must have made it through.
I know we aren't very far from the hangar. All we have to do is turn down a couple more corridors and we'll reach the hovercrafts. But we have to be quick. The sounds of at least a half dozen soldiers are coming our way.
"Katniss take this," Jackson commands handing her gun to me. Immediately she picks up a couple more from the soldiers on the floor. "Whatever you do, don't let him out of your sight," she says pointing to Peeta.
"Wait. What about you. Aren't you coming?"
"No, we need more time," Jackson huffs. "Just make sure you two get to the hovercraft and I'll meet you there." Judging by the look in her eyes, Jackson knows she won't. Still she enters a code on a control keypad which seals off her corridor from ours.
For a moment there is only quiet. Jackson is gone. And that means I'm alone with Peeta.
Quickly I signal him to get moving, while keeping my distance from him. But I make sure he stays only a few paces ahead of me, so he stays within sight.
We're nearly there, just about to reach the last turnoff, when a searing pain in my left leg knocks me to the ground. I've been shot. Turning my head slightly, I can see that four District 13 soldiers have emerged from where we last left Jackson. Then I feel a strong grip around my shoulders dragging me backward around the corner. As soon as I'm out of the soldiers' line of sight Peeta releases me and reaches for the gun. I tighten my grip, but the pain in my leg leaves me struggling to focus. I can't hold on. The gun slips away as Peeta pries it loose from my grasp. However, once the gun is in his hands, he doesn't even blink before he fires off four shots.
At first the entire hall goes silent. Then there's the distinct thud of four bodies collapsing to the ground.
Peeta glances over at my dumbfounded expression and hands me back the gun. "If you're supposed to be my ticket out of here, then I assume I'll need you alive," Peeta justifies.
I don't know if I should be relieved or upset by this rationale. While I am grateful Peeta hasn't put a bullet in me, it's hard for me to grasp this situation. The boy with the pearl, who was willing to die for me, now just keeps me alive for his own agenda.
Effortlessly Peeta lifts me from the ground, leaving behind a small puddle of blood from my leg. Out of the corner of my eye I see the hovercraft. I suppose with all of the shooting I didn't realize how close we were to the hangar.
As Peeta carries me aboard I see that quite a few have already made it. Haymitch stands beside a worrisome Plutarch, and Effie, who seems to be hyperventilating. Across from them is little Cassie from District 4, who's seated beside Finnick, Annie and their son Tyler. Judging by most of their shocked expressions I don't think anyone believed Peeta would be here. In fact he's barely able to sit me down before Paylor and Thatch take hold of his arms and strap him down in the seat across from me.
Immediately Paylor turns to me disconcerted and pointing to my leg. "Did he do that?"
"Not him," I jump to his defense. "We were being chased by soldiers."
I can already tell Paylor isn't sure whether to believe me. "Where's Jackson? And Gale and your mother?"
"Jackson stayed back to buy us more time," I mutter regretfully. "No one else is coming."
As the words leave my lips I realize I'm the only one here who failed to show up with their assigned group. Paylor seems disappointed, but at least she's done asking about Peeta.
Once Paylor leaves with Thatch, Haymitch comes over to wrap my leg as best he can for the time being.
"Where are they going?" I ask.
"They need to prepare for takeoff," Haymitch explains. "Then they're going to be taking us to District 8."
I haven't considered where we would be going before. I guess I just figured anywhere would be better than here. It only makes sense that Paylor would be taking us to her district. After all, she's now leading her own rebellion. However, I can't say I feel too confident about our safety in 8. Especially since the last time I was there I watched a hospital filled with their wounded burn to the ground.
Outside the hovercraft there's the faint echo of someone screaming and swearing.
Johanna's here.
Infuriated she storms in followed by my prep team, all three of who are in tears. "That's the last time I'm ever letting you people talk me into saving that old fool," Johanna barks.
Haymitch is the first to ask. "Where's Beetee?"
"He's not coming," Johanna scowls. "He said he could keep the hangar open longer for us if he stayed where he was. Then he left me alone with these three blubbering idiots. No matter what I did, I couldn't get any of them to shut up! The entire District could hear us coming! Fortunately someone triggered the alarm. It was the only thing that could shriek louder than any of them."
Mom, Gale, Jackson and Beetee. Now that's four who didn't make it.
The engines are starting. Paylor and Thatch must be ready. Right away everyone finds a seat. Everyone except Plutarch.
"Wait," Plutarch commands. "Fulvia still hasn't arrived yet." He races to Paylor imploring her to delay the takeoff.
"We can't wait any longer," Paylor states firmly. "No one knows how big of a window Beetee can give us, and we only have one shot at this. I'm sorry."
Within moments I feel us beginning to rise up from District 13. However, just outside the Hovercraft I see a figure running towards us. I recognize her immediately by the vibrant colors in her hair. Below Fulvia Cardew is sprinting away from three District 13 soldiers. While running, she waves her hands frantically in the air, but it's already too late. The soldiers have descended upon her.
Plutarch must see her too because as I watch Fulvia cry out in desperation, all I hear is Plutarch pleading louder and louder for us to go back. He knows we can't. It's too risky and we can't waste what sacrifices have been made already. We need to keep going. For Jackson and Beetee's sake.
As we soar amongst the clouds I know we've made it. Coin isn't going to risk losing more men pursuing us outside her own territory. She has no choice, but to watch her precious mockingjay fly away.
We're safe now. I know we are. But I can't help feeling ill at ease. In the pit of my stomach I'm filled with uncertainty. District 8 isn't a fortress like 13. It's not built to withstand a nuclear strike, or any sort of bombing for that matter. Even though we'll be out of Coin's reach, we will now be vulnerable to the rest of the world.
My nerves must be showing because across the hovercraft Finnick's showing a look of concern. I try my best to give him a reassuring smile, but I realize it might come across as though I'm straining.
Finnick accepts the gesture anyway and smirks back at me. The truth is I don't think I've ever seen him so content. Now that he's been reunited with Annie and his baby boy, he's probably the happiest person in all of Panem.
Beside him Annie has her arms wrapped around their son, Tyler, who has two bright sea green eyes and a tuft of strawberry blond hair that waves across his forehead. In District 13 I had learned from Annie that he was named after a mutual friend of her and Finnick. I didn't ask about it any further since the tone in her voice suggested this friend was no longer alive.
Directly across from me is Peeta. He's been staring at me ever since Paylor and Thatch restrained him. For a moment I look back at him, but his eyes don't meet mine. Instead his gaze seems to be directed at my throat. Could he be planning to kill me at this very moment?
Defensively I pull my coat over neck, when I feel the gentle flick of a small chain. My locket. I completely forgot I was wearing it. Has Peeta really been staring at the locket this whole time? Just as I decide to question him about it, Peeta speaks.
"You abandoned your friend to save me... Why?"
I know with Peeta's lack of memory that I can't get into the specifics with him, so I give him as simple of an answer as I can. "Because Coin won't kill Gale. You she would have."
Peeta's expression doesn't change. He still looks as though he's trying to piece something together. "Why do you care what happens to me?"
There's nothing I can say. Nothing that he would remember. So I remain silent and avoid his gaze the rest of the way to District 8.
Within a couple hours I can see the District come into view as we spiral down to our descent. Rows of dull gray warehouses and old worn out factories stand clustered together in the center of the District. Judging by thick layer of smog in the air, I'd say the factories are still up and running though.
As soon as we land a petite woman, with short cropped black hair and deep blue eyes, climbs aboard joining Paylor and Thatch up in front. The woman has a sweet sort of disposition about her and seems genuinely happy to see us all. At the moment she's all smiles. However, she also looks as though she could burst into tears at any moment.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to District 8's third in command, Violet Shaw," Paylor announces.
It seems odd. I know I can't be the only one thinking it. Third in command? She doesn't seem at all like the type. She lacks the authoritative sternness and tough exterior that both Paylor and Thatch seem to have. However, with both of them imprisoned in the Capitol, this Violet Shaw must have been running District 8 for some time now.
Violet gives a curt polite wave before turning back to Paylor for orders. Meanwhile Thatch waves on a couple of District 8 soldiers and directs them to contain Peeta and escort him to a holding cell.
"Shaw, I'm gonna need you to catch me up to speed. You can start with District 9," Paylor commands.
Immediately Violet's posture straightens and she responds firmly. "We were able to rescue a good number of civilians undetected. In total we managed to evacuate forty percent of the population, including the boy,"
"Any of the other Victors?" Paylor questions.
"No, the bombs were dropped solely over Victors' Village to start with," Violet explains remorsefully. "It was just a matter of luck that he wasn't there."
Suddenly I reminded of the peacekeeper who killed Pollux in the arena. He had mentioned that a Victor from 9 was chosen to be the new mockingjay. Then Snow had the entire District decimated just to ensure that no replacement would survive. According to Violet's account though, someone must have.
"Alright," Paylor continues. "What's the status of the other Districts?"
"The Capitol offered exemption from all future Games, to any Districts who would surrender and rejoin the Capitol. District 1 was the only one that took the deal."
"Well I can't say that I'm too surprised about that one," Paylor mutters disappointedly. Then just as Violet turns to lead everyone off the hovercraft, Paylor addresses the group once more. "Welcome to District 8."
Stepping out of the hovercraft, I barely recognize any of it. What freestanding buildings are left have clearly been reconstructed and reinforced. There also seem to have been a number of underground mines created since I last been here. "Are you taking over coal mining for 12," I ask.
"Actually that would be District 5," Violet answers. "We've just taken a tip from 13 and started moving underground. After the incident during your last visit, we realized that we needed to take extra precautions."
As the others make their way off the hovercraft, I see a girl standing just beyond where we've landed. At first I feel like it's just my eyes playing tricks on me, but as I tread closer I know it's her. "Bonnie!"
She just smirks at me. "It's about time you all got here. I've been waiting for over a week already."
"How…How did you escape?" I ask still in disbelief.
"You know how I told you about those giant conveyor belts and garbage collectors?" Bonnie says.
I nod.
"Well I just waited for garbage collection day, and I hopped into one of the collectors. How I got out of that thing is a long story, so I won't bore you with the details. But eventually I ran into some rebel fighters and they took me home. Or what's left of it anyway," Bonnie says regretfully.
For a moment Bonnie's eyes glance toward the hovercraft. Off in the distance Effie's face lights up at the sight of Bonnie. However, Bonnie is too preoccupied to notice. Instead she focuses on a fast approaching Peeta, who's being escorted to a new containment cell by two armed District 8 soldiers.
Bonnie starts to shake. "What… How could you bring him here?" she stammers. Peeta continues walking by, but Bonnie's eyes remain fixed on him. "He can't be here!"
"Bonnie what do you mean? What's the matter?" I ask.
Three barely audible words escape through Bonnie's lips. She has to repeat them again before I finally understand what she's saying.
"He killed Twill."
End of Chapter 7
M. Cooper Jinks