Phoenix Rise
Chapter 20: Goodbye
Gale's POV
Siobhan and I waited for the others in the sitting room, however Haymitch arrived alone. "It's madness out there. Everyone's been sent home and they've canceled the recap of the interview on television."
Instantly Siobhan and I ran to the window to see the whole commotion in the city circle.
"What are they saying?" I asked.
"Are they demanding President Snow to cancel?" Siobhan suggested.
"I don't think they know themselves what to ask. The whole situation is unprecedented. Even the idea of opposing the Capitol agenda is a source of confusion for the people here," Haymitch announced. "But there's no way Snow would cancel the Games. You know that, right?"
Siobhan sighed with a disappointed look. I know Snow wouldn't do such a thing not when the game is still on between us. The only way to beat Snow is a taste of his own medicine. But that's impossible. But I can strike back, and I'll do it hard in my own way.
"Where are the others?" Siobhan asked. "Did they go home?"
"They were order to. I don't know how much luck they're getting through the mob," Haymitch said.
"We can't say goodbye to Effie," Siobhan noted. That's right, last year we didn't see her in the morning of the previous game. "Can you say thanks to her for us?"
"More than that," I added. "It's Effie Trinket we're talking about."
We all snicker before sighing as Siobhan continued. "Can you tell her that we appreciated her and she's the best escort we ever had, also we send our love."
Afterwards the room was engulfed in silences. Haymitch took a deep breath and spoke again. "I guess this is where we say our good-byes as well."
"Last advice?" I asked.
"Stay alive," Haymitch said gruffly. Then he gave us a quick embrace before pulling back. "Go to bed. You need your rest."
I know I want to say more but I didn't know what to say. So I walked up and patted his back. "Take care, Haymitch."
Siobhan on the other hand hugged him again. "Thank you, for everything Haymitch. You were like an uncle to me."
Haymitch was surprised again before hugging her back and whisper something in her ear. I sorta had forgotten, those two known each other more than any tribute or kid in district twelve. They were like a family between Underwood and Abernathy. Once they pulled apart, we headed back to our room. When Haymitch stopped us.
"Gale, when you're in the arena," he started scowling at me. "You just remember who the enemy is. That's all. Now go on. Get out of here."
What does that mean? Before I could ask, Siobhan took my hand leading us back to our room. I stood there confused while she went to the bathroom to shower. I try to figure out what the message mean in Haymitch's last advice while taking out my tuxedo. A moment later I headed to the bathroom to find Siobhan sitting on the corner stool in the shower, naked without her prosthetic leg. She seemed in thought, unable to move to clean the makeup off her body. Sighing, I stood next to her, as I turn on the faucet activating the hot water. As water spills onto tile floor, I adjusted my position knelling in front of her and washing the smoke and paint off her body.
The look on her face was expressionless that I cradle her cheek making her look at me. She blinked a few times that I could see what she was feeling: scared, upset, tired, and love. Without thinking, I lifted her up so we were standing and held each other in the shower. I picked up a bottle of soap and lathered it on her arms, washing the flames off. Siobhan did the same as she spread white foam over my chest and we kept it quite, just washing ourselves. Once done, I looked at her with concern eyes.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"My parents are dead…" She started out almost choking as she shook her head. "My Uncle is all alone, and there is nobody left."
I didn't what to say as she sobbed but I embraced her in a hug, holding tightly, and kissed her forehead. "You have me."
"I love you," She whispers.
I looked at her while she held her hands on my shoulder for balances. I smiled and leaned down to kiss her neck, her jawline, chin, and finally capture her lips. We rested out foreheads together and hold on to each other.
"I love you, too." I replied back.
With that said I carried her to bed and we made love…for the last time.
.o0o.
Siobhan's POV
The next morning Cinna and Portia had woken us up before the dawn. They simply knocked on the door instead of barging in leaving some privacy for me to put on the prosthetic leg and robe while Gale and I helped each other get dress. Before I left the room, Gale wrapped his arm around me to give a passionate kiss that took the breath from me.
"I'll protect you," Gale said with promise.
"Be Brave," I replied back kissing him on the cheek for the last time.
Cinna and I went to the elevator that went up to the roof where the hovercraft waited with some of the other tributes. I aboard the flying contraption and handed my arm to a nurse holding a syringe gun as she injected the tracker into my arm. Afterwards, we headed to the waiting room where breakfast was being served. Cinna suggested I take a seat and he get food. I obliged sitting by the window that was blacked out.
When we got to the arena, back into the launch room, I showered. Cinna afterwards braided my hair into a fishtail braid and helped me dress into undergarments. This year's uniform was very different compare to last year's outfit. It was a fitted blue jumpsuit, made out of some sheer material, with a zipper in the front. Also a purple plastic belt and a pair of nylon rubber sole shoes.
"What do ya think?" I asked Cinna as he examines the fabric.
A frown covers his lips as he pinches the fabric, rubbing the texture. "I don't know. It will offer little in the way of protecting you from the cold or water."
"Sun maybe?" I asked, light material meant heat so a desert was the arena?
"Possibly. If it's been treated," he said. "Oh, I almost forgot this." He takes the medallion from the clothes pile on the table and latched it around my neck.
"The gown was beautiful last night," I said.
"I thought you might like it," he said with a tight smile. No words were said as we sat down on the couch. We just held hands until the announcment tells us to prepare for launch. He walked me toward the launch pad and secures the jumpsuit in proper place. "Remember, lady of fire. I'm still betting on you." Afterwards he kissed my forehead and steps back as the cylinder came down.
"Thanks," I mouths lifting my chin, head held high waiting for the plate to rise. However, it doesn't.
Confused, I look at Cinna only to receive a shake of his own question. Why are the Gamemakers delaying this?
Instantly the thought came, the door burst open behind Cinna and Peacekeepers barged into the room. Two tackle Cinna, securing his arms behind him with cuffs while the third peacekeeper punches him in the temple with brass knuckles. I screamed watching Cinna fall onto his knees and the peacekeepers continued to beat him up, breaking any possible bone from torso to head. I screamed, banging my fist to the wall demanding to stop, but the Peacekeepers ignore me as the dragged Cinna's unconscious body away. All that was left in the launch room was blood on the concrete floor.
Shock in what I had witness, I feel the launch pad begin to rise. I collapsed onto my knees, shaking violently from what just happen and the sense of claustrophobia. Breathe; you are not in the mines.
Taking a deep breath wiping tears away and catching myself, I got to stay strong. Cinna wouldn't approve if I appear head down in defeat. My stomach churn feeling sick, the urge to vomit except I swallowed it down. Images of Cinna beaten body consumed my thoughts. Are they killing him? Interrogating? Gale, I need to find Gale. I keep telling myself this until surfaced from the catacombs. Something wasn't right, it was too bright. The air held a familiar yet foreign fragrance as something wet touches my feet. Looking down to see water, crystal blue water. Raising my gaze from feet to straight ahead, my eyes widen to find practically everything was submerged in water.
I chocked back a gasped and thought of one thing.
This wasn't the place for the Lady of fire.