So this chapter's a bit longer, but it's still kind of introducing the story, the next chapter should be more exciting as I think I'll be doing Katniss' meeting with Coin next chapter and possibly confrontations with Gale/Peeta. Reviews pleaseeeeee!
As I walk through the halls, I expect to be confronted; by Peacekeepers, maids, even Snow himself.
And that's when it hit me. I stopped dead, breathing as lightly as I could. Snow doesn't know about the bombs. He couldn't have. Why would he render most of his defence lines defenceless themselves? Knowing that he would then be open to attack? He wouldn't do it. I sigh. But it was a Capitol hovercraft? I shake my head. Now isn't the time to be concerned with the past. I've got to concentrate on what I'm about to do.
I trawl the mansion, searching for any signs for life, constantly on guard. Then I freeze as I hear the murderous cackle coming from a door on my right. Silently, I arm my bow with a regular arrow, the sharpest in the sheath. I shove open the door, pull back my bow...and see thousands of dead tributes faces staring back at me.
The room is huge, and 3 of the 4 walls are covered with framed photos of dead tributes. The fourth is half full and I see Rue's smiling face looking straight into my eyes. Then I see him, stood by a clinical white cabinet, a small pile of framed photos next to him. I notice with a shudder that the images are of Mags, Finnick, Me and Peeta. He is still cackling to himself. I wonder how he can be so guilt-free after all the children he's led to their deaths. Then again, he has a room with all their photos on the walls; something is not right with this man.
'Katniss,' he hisses, finally noticing my presence. 'You're here, at last.' He chuckles.
'Surprised that you're missing the party.' I commented.
'Pah. Your petty rebellion will never work. Besides, I as to add to my Room of Fame.' This man surely must be demented.
'That petty rebellion is about to jump up and slap you in the face if you're not careful. Your bubble is about to burst, old man.'
'I wouldn't be so sure of that, Katniss, dear.' he hisses. 'Me and the President have an arrangement.'
'You don't know what you're talking about!' I'm yelling now. 'You're going to pay for what you've done!'
'But what have I done, Katniss,' he purrs. 'I'm sure your best friend could tell you about it!'
I snap at that, and pull my bow back, aiming it at his head.
'You're lying.' I stated, arrow poised.
'You're right,' he replied. 'The boy knows nothing. But I have had talks with Coin. Ahh but you know that, surely.'
'I know Coin hates me, I know you want me dead. Anyone can work thy much out.' I lower my bow, wanting to know what he's hiding before I take his life.
'You can kill me if you want, Katniss, but my legacy will carry on. I have my followers.'
'In case you haven't noticed, there's a full scale rebellion happening in Panem right now.'
He looks shocked. I don't understand. What has happened to the evil, calculating man who sent all those tributes to their deaths, the man who threatened my family. It's as if he's lost his mind.
I sigh. I've lost too many people to this war, and it's because of him that it even started.
'This is for Rue,' I whisper as I pull back my bow and release the arrow into his temple.
He collapses to the floor and beckons to me, murmuring something inaudible. I walk to his side hesitantly and hear him say;
'Do what Boggs said, Katniss, she wants you dead and won't think twice about using him.'
He exhales and is then still. I thought that if I killed him, the Games would be over. But it seems as though they've just begun...
I'm back in District 13 before I know it. Cressida and Peeta stayed hidden in the Capitol, so they got out alive. Once the Peacekeepers learnt of Snow's demise, they deserted those of Snow's followers that were left and Gale was released. Pollux was killed in the cross-fire between the rebels and Peacekeepers. I went to his funeral, even though I barely knew him; he had been invaluable in the underground tunnels.
I've been back in District 13 for 2 weeks now. Coin's left me alone thus far as I've been 'recovering' and she's been busy cleaning up after the war and being the President of New Panem. But I can't avoid her forever, I know that.
I've been avoiding Peeta and Gale, too. I had some thinking to do. Ever since I overheard them talking in Tigris' basement I've been trying to 'choose' between them. I can't. What Snow said before he died has been floating around my head too. I can't kill Peeta. I love him...I think...