Phoenix Rise

Chapter 11: fact or fake

Siobhan POV

Ever had the feeling that all you wanted to do is drown yourself in something intoxicating and mellow through the motions? That is how I was feeling, standing in front of the canvas as I blank on pure white paper, debating on what to draw. I had this urge to draw the Hob as it was a blazed but that wouldn't do. Then the urge to draw Gale being flogged was a mental argument. I totally needed to do something; otherwise this cabin fever is going to kill me literally if not going insane. While the house was completely silent as Uncle Mark was at his shop and Gale was back at his house resting. It was Marks orders that he get complete bed rest followed by the Photo shoot will be arriving in three days and we need to erase all traces of the blood. If news breaks out that a Victor was whipped, the paparazzi will go buzzers.

Sighing in defeat; I gave up and dropped the charcoal to the floor and left. I needed some fresh air, maybe a walk might help. So grabbing my coat and gloves, I went outside on this quiet winter afternoon. I scowled how bright the snow was, that I put on my sunglass and walked towards the fences. I can't believe the wedding is actually going along with Haymitch approve such a stunt. What I thought could be a life saver to the Capitol turn out to be the worst strategies I ever created. For President Snow wasn't happy about it . . . except, when the crates arrived full of wedding dress with a note from Effie saying President Snow approved of them. I don't know what to believe.

Are the Districts actually breaking up or was this some sort of misunderstanding? When Haymitch told Gale and me that after Rue's Death, District Eleven went on a riot. Then, announcing Gale's character of his rebellious self, challenge the Capitol on their word in surviving. Seneca Crane changing the rules: for two victors from the same district. My honor and respect in contributing to Rue and Thresh family along with the speech? It doesn't make sense, how does this all rise up to be a threat of two teenagers trying to survive?

President Snow acts like he doesn't approve of this ceremony of binding Gale and I; and yet he's acting like he's actually going to plan through it. Hell, he could tie the knot this instant if it weren't for the Quarter Quell along the way. A wedding was promised so a wedding will be given . . . then what, a honeymoon six feet under? I'm totally confused!

But who can I ask these questions too?

Haymitch would but he's a total ass at the moment.

Uncle Mark would just tell me to rest.

Gale was in no condition to hear rabble rants and besides he's stubborn at the moment on his delusion philosophy of an uprising.

Katniss? No, she not politically socially adept to this situation for her survival instincts and blunt.

Peeta might understand then again he's not a girl.

Also Madge was the Mayors daughter so I can't drag her into this without her dad knowing.

There was completely no one I can personally talk to!

I walked by the fences to daze at the forest to remember the times I spend with my father in the past. How he taught me how to scavenged, the acknowledge plants, and hunting. Sure, Katniss taught me how to use a bow and arrow, but my father taught me how to use knives and guns. Yeah, wonder how a miner could possess a gun? Simple, family heirloom before the Dark Days and everything else. But now, what I consider to be a haven of another world was a dark forest of the past. I can't go in unless facing my crucibles. One step forwards and makes two steps backs. Maybe, maybe it's time to face my fears otherwise the dictatorship has won over my courage.

Quietly, I snuck behind Rooba the Butcher's shop for there was a weak spot in the fences. But the moment I reached the whole, I heard a humming. I stopped shock to hear this as I grabbed a stick and tossed it at the fences. An electrical spark snapped breaking the stick in half. You got to be freaking kidding me! Thread turned on the fence! I sighed in defeat; guess it's no use in facing your fears. Slowly, I headed back to the square to buy anything; when I heard crunching in the snow. I turned around to see Katniss. Oh Shit!

"Katniss stop!" I yelled the moment she was a foot from the electric fence. She stopped automatically as she listens to the buzzing noise. We looked at each other with fear for this didn't seem right. It must be a trap that Thread created so he could catch any poachers, including Katniss. Sure the electrical fences would be on time to time, however during the winter seasons it would be off to consume energy. No Peacekeeper in sight or any casualties in the area.

"What now?" Katniss asked.

"Can you burrow out?" I replied.

She bends down to examine the snows condition around the gap of the fence. Except, the snow was compacted into ice, so that's a definite no! I looked around to see if there was a possible option to this problem. Not all the fences perimeter could be activated? So nudging my head to the side, we walked along the fences towards the meadow. Katniss hid amongst the tree's away from prying eyes of curious people. It wasn't until a mile that we reach no sittings of the Seams or people that we reached a maple tree. Its branches seemed to hover over the fence and avoided the barbwire that. Although, the height bugged me, for it was practically twenty feet in the air.

"Think you can handle this?"

"I'll try," Katniss said as she climbed over the slick bark. I stayed closed as spotter, waiting the moment she would need help. Once she was at least five feet over the fence. I bit my lip afraid for of this dangerous drop. Sure, Katniss and I used to climb trees but this was a single branch over two stories tall. Also it was getting late as night has fallen and the tempter dropping.

Katniss nodded, and then jump onto the trees. I was a mere foot from her landing, only to be terribly wrong as she jumped on me. We both fall to the ground while tasting snow and back hurting. I groan in protest, slowly sitting up while sitting up to check on Katniss condition. She said she feels pain on her left foot. The question is how badly?

"Let's spend the night at my house?" I tell her.

"Alright," Katniss agreed. It was common that Katniss spends the night at my house and with the whipping last week she needs to have her face check. "Also I told my mom I was coming anyway."

I nodded and wrapped an arm around her waist as she did hers over my shoulder and we walked back to victor's village. We were discreet and cautious as we got back to my house. Uncle Mark was absent; when we got into the kitchen I found a note saying he was spending a few nights at the old house to help with a small fever break at the Seams. This was a relief, as I help Katniss sit down on a chair and removed her boot to see her ankle gently probing around till seeing her wink.

"Congratulation, you sprained your ankle." I announced like Caesar. "And as a prized you win an all night stay here with a brace."

"Whoopee," Katniss replied sarcastically. We laughed to that before getting serious, bandaging her leg. Once done with that, I made some stew and bread and we ate in the living room dressed in our pajamas. Katniss seemed lost in her thought while gazing at the fire when she said. "Do you believe District 13 was destroyed?"

This caught me by surprised. "Yeah, I mean they show it constantly on the television. Why do you ask?"

Katniss explained to me that while she was hunting, she bumped into two girls from District 8, who fled from the riot that was going on there before the peacekeepers intervene. I scowled when she mention a revolt for it was irrational in what the districts are doing is life threatening. Anyway, Bonnie and Twill said they are heading up to the ruins of District 13 to see if there are any people there. I said that was stupid for the radiations of the bombs are unstable to survive the aftermath seventy-five years ago.

"And what proof do these girls have in running away?" I asked.

"They said the Capitol have been using the same footage, the rubble of the Justice Building in Thirteen." Katniss said.

Curious, I turned on the T.V. where they prodcast the District 13 footage and reminder of its drastic history. Katniss leaned forward and pressed something that was on the screen. I look closely to see something small flies by, watching it again and again on this blur until realizing it was a mockingjay. Oh my god, the Capitol has been reusing the same documentation. I refuse to belief this evidences on a slight theory.

"So, maybe animals have populated the area. It doesn't mean anything." I said.

"That's what I told them," Katniss agreed. "But then Bonnie says they're hiding underground and that the Capitol leaves them alone before the Dark Days. I told them they we're Graphite miners, not that advance."

I shook my head, "Not quite, they were also nuclear development industry, the mines were dense that getting graphite from one to produce diamonds was difficult along with the monopoly. So they had to work on advance weaponry and energy to help sustain the other districts." I said then realized what just came out of my mouth and cover my hand over it. Katniss looked at me in shock.

"How do you know that?" Katniss asked.

I sighed; guess the cats out of the bag. "Promise not to tell anyone?"

Katniss nodded.

I sighed, "My great grandfather was from the Capitol. I don't know much about him, but he worked in the government before the Dark Days and helped the Capitol. How I know many things about the Capitol, on districts and certain things is because we Underwood's process some journals from him. All that we read in school is nothing compare to this."

Katniss eyes widen to hear this. I sighed again and turned off the Television. Although this information was useful, I couldn't possibly believe that the citizens of District 13 be alive at this very moment. Sure they're the nuclear advance district on manufacturing better solution than district 3 and 5 combined, but radiation wasn't healthy. Too much of radiation from a bomb is by far deadly that it could lead to cancer to which leads to death. And if there was a slights bit of them surviving all this time, why haven't they helped us?

I glared out the window and loathed to such ideas to this un-proactive theory of an underground city. It was ligament if not crazy to wonder around the woods to find nothing. But, there was a gut feeling that what Katniss was telling me, might be true. I may not be a nuclear engineer, but to prevent a catastrophic event on the public, you must have a bombing shelter. Could everything we know about Panem be a lie, a simple game?

"You can't tell Gale or anyone about this." I told Katniss.

"Why not?" Katniss protested.

"Because it's irrational and by far means an act of treason towards the government. Those who are part of espionage are considering executed immediately. Bonnie and Twill maybe lucky to survive this far, but this is a wasted journey."

Also, a make believe game that I don't want to be involved in.

.o0o.

Several days later the news started that caught my attention. The newscaster was discussing about a shortage of Graphite affecting the manufacturing production in district three. As the cut the footage to a female reporter live in a hazard suit in front of the ruin Justice Building in District 13. She announced that the mines were still unstable if not toxic to approach at the moment. As she continues to explain the reasons, I looked into the background to see that same mockingjay.

I growled wanting to punch something so badly.

It was a fake!

The Capitol camera crew or anybody was at the district. They were incorporating the previous footage to think they were actually there.

Then the question is . . . who is?

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