A/N: This story won't be updated as fast as my other story, especially since this one isn't as popular.
Chapter Two – Fight To Unite
Katniss and Caesar exchanged empty comments and then he got to the important stuff.
"So, Katniss…what are your thoughts on Peeta blowing up the forcefield?"
"I don't think that Peeta knew what he was doing, honestly," She took a deep breath.
"What he's done can be considered traitorous. He's stirred up a lot of bad reactions, and they seem to be very anti Capitol."
"Peeta didn't know anything about the plan that the others had. He and I were just trying to stay alive." Her eyes narrowed and her hand twitched like she wanted to reach back into her invisible quiver, grab an invisible arrow, and shoot him with it. Caesar and Katniss talked a bit more about what happened.
"Would you like to say anything to Peeta?" Katniss nodded at this.
"Peeta, if you're watching, I want you to know that you need to do everything in your power to help stop this rebellion. It's not right for us to be fighting against each other," Her eyes hardened in resolve. "Use your words, and most of all, be careful who you trust." Caesar could tell she was done talking. He ended the show and Beetee turned the screens off.
"Still think we should get her, now? She seems oh-so against the rebellion." Haymitch sneered.
"You know that's not her actual thoughts. She was probably put up to it." I glared at him, still trying to think about the last words she'd said. Especially the be careful who you trust part.
"She didn't say anything too inflammatory. If we get her, we're leaving tomorrow. Get to work on the plan, men." Coin sauntered off, agitated. "Meeting adjourned."
I stiffly got up and walked out the door. I accidently bumped into Gale as we passed.
"Hey, watch out, Peeta." Gale glowered, pushing me a bit with his shoulder.
"Don't try anything stupid, Hawthorne." I kept walking, trying to get to the quarters I had been assigned. Gale left me alone, and soon enough I was in my room for Reflection before dinner. I wasn't exactly in the mood to see people, so I decided to try to sleep. Katniss, the girl I love, is going to be back to me soon. She will no longer be harmed by the cruel people in the Capitol, torturing her for information she doesn't have. I thought that would soothe me, but it only got me thinking of all the damage they could have done to her.
xXx
Upon waking up the next morning, I was extremely hungry. I could care less about the schedule that I'm supposed to follow, yet I still do, because I want to be on the rebels' good side. I take a shower and head to breakfast, feeling hungrier than usual. I get an extra large helping, since I missed dinner. I sat next to Finnick and Annie. Their happiness rubs me the wrong way. That's what me and Katniss would be like – if she was here. I looked disdainfully at the mashed beets, bread, and milk as well as some small serving of a type of meat cubes. I eat it slowly, listening to the conversation going on around me. I'm excluded, but it's my own fault. I'm not in the mood to talk.
Finnick and Gale rise, going to Command to ready themselves for the mission. I still wish I had been picked to go. Perhaps it was better that I wasn't, though. What would I have done if I had gone to find her dead? Even still, what will I do if they can't retrieve her alive?
"Peeta, if it's alright with you, Plutarch wants to film you for a short propo. Just a few words against the Capitol." Boggs said suddenly. I nearly jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Yes, it's fine." I finished quickly and put my tray in the return. I followed him to the studio and a team of makeup artists made me over, making me look natural but accenting the lines of my jaw, bringing out the highlights of my face, and making the blue of my eyes sparkle. For once, I looked a little like myself for the camera.
"Ah, Peeta. Okay, your line is, 'People of Panem, we must unite to defeat our one common enemy! Together, we can bring down the Capitol and stop their harsh and torturous ways. Together, we can become a stronger, more unified and spoken people'." Plutarch said, smiling. He lived for the outcome of the cause. I took my position and put on a brave, confident, yet defiant face.
"Three, two, one, action!" A cameraman yelled.
"People of Panem, we must unite to defeat our one common enemy! Together, we can bring down the Capitol and stop their harsh and torturous ways! Together, we can become a stronger, more unified and spoken people!" I delivered the line as best as I could.
"Cut!"
"And that is how you help to win a war." Haymitch smiled, and it was almost a genuine, full on smile.
The camera crew quickly got to work on editing, although there wasn't much to edit. Within a half hour, they deemed it ready to be broadcasted on television. Beetee was going to try and air it a good forty-five minutes into the mission in order to draw some attention away from the activities that the squad was performing, though they were sure to succeed. So everybody says. There seemed to be a little too much assurance in their voices as they said it, and it wasn't fooling me.
Two hours passed and it was finally time to air the propo.
"I've finally got it! Ah, yes, yes, yes!" Beetee exclaimed.
"You've got wha –" I started.
"Shh, sit down, the propos are airing!" Beetee was the first to sit (well, he was already sitting since he was temporarily in a wheelchair, but still). I sat obediently and the screens popped up. Everybody in the studio's sitting room was attentive to the airing.
A golden mockingjay emblem shows up on the screen, and it slowly burns off of the screen, as a strong, perfectly carried man rises up from the ashes. Oh, that's me. Even though minimal makeup was used, it doesn't look like me. He's too brave, too cocky and confident. His inviting blue eyes seem to be whirlpools in the water as they draw you in, threatening to never let you go.
"People of Panem, we must unite to defeat our one common enemy! Together, we can bring down the Capitol and stop their harsh and torturous ways! Together, we can become a stronger, more unified and spoken people!" His – er, my – face contorts to the words. Even though they are few, they seem to speak legions. Flames devour me and words are superimposed onto the consuming flames.
FIGHT TO UNITE
A mockingjay swoops in and takes the words in its beak. The screen burns to black.
There were cheers from all around.
"Such a good propo to air in the Capitol." Beetee smiled sadistically.
"You really got it through? Good job!" I smiled wholeheartedly. I was pleased with the performance, although I wasn't at the same time. How can they present me as that man? I'm not that person. I have never been that person. But it's still pretty good. The cameramen seem pleased because of my way with words.
"How much longer until the rescue team is back?" I ask, trying not to sound impatient.
"With that performance, who cares if they return?" Coin smiles. It seemed almost malicious. I'm overreacting.
"I care. I love Katniss and if she doesn't come back to me…I'll have nothing left to live for." I duck my head downward so they don't see the tears in my eyes. Beetee opens his mouth to reassure me, but suddenly my gaze is yanked up toward the televisions where the Anthem is playing and the Capitol seal is being shown. President Snow is outside of his mansion where Katniss is surrounded by Peacekeepers who are armed with whips and guns. The whips seem to have metal barbs on them; long, spiked ones. Katniss is wearing only her bra and shorts, her shirt is on the ground. The Peacekeepers seem to have done this for a reason. Perhaps so more of her body is exposed for pain? I'm outraged. My temple throbs and I clench my teeth together.
"People of Panem, here is seventeen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, Victor of the now nonexistent District 12. Prepare to watch her suffer for the evil deeds she has bestowed upon our nation. This will bring justice to our people."
Katniss doesn't show emotion. She stares into the camera, seeming to accept her imminent death. A Peacekeeper sends the first lash upon her back, and she barely seems to wince.
"What are we going to do? What are we going to do!" I yell. The only response I get is silence.
A/N: Wow, I hope you liked this chapter. Interesting turn of events, eh? See you in the next installment. Review please!