Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate. This writing is for pure entertainment only.
Summary: Peeta's lie about Katniss' pregnancy is tested by the Capitol, leaving the Lethal Lovers only one option going into the Quarter Quell.
CHAPTER 25
KATNISS POV
It has been a little over a week since it was decided that I would be able to go to District 8. Since then I have spent most of my time in our tiny living quarters or in the dining hall. I avoid as many people as I can, only interacting with a handful of people including Gale, Prim, my mother, and Effie.
I have had to spend some time with Beetee as well, but Gale is always by my side for this. It's because Beetee is showing me all the weapons he has designed to fight the Capitol. He showed me arrows he had designed specifically for me and a bomb that Gale had helped him design. It is strange to think of Gale as someone capable of designing such a threatening thing. But he reminded me, in the end, this is war.
The only time I have seen President Coin is when I am getting briefed on the situation in District 8 which usually happens once a day.
And today is no different. After my bout of morning sickness, which is becoming increasingly more consistent, I am escorted by Gale to meet Coin and Plutarch.
"Feeling any better this morning?" Gale asks as we walk along the hall. He asks me it every morning, but I don't understand why. I can see the pain in his eyes every time he looks at my stomach and the bump that is growing bigger. I am nearly three months pregnant now and others are finally starting to notice the bump I have been seeing for weeks.
"No better then yesterday," I say with a sigh as we make our way into the room to find Snow, Plutarch, Beetee, Haymitch, and Boggs there. It is a full crew. There are also a handful of people in the corner I don't recognize.
"Katniss, welcome," Coin motions for me to sit.
I slide down next to Haymitch and Gale quickly sits next to me.
"We have good news," Plutarch starts. "We have been monitoring District 8 and all looks safe. We plan on bringing you all over there later today, if you are up for it Katniss."
I nod feverishly. I have been waiting days to go. I am more than ready. "I'm ready."
"Excellent. Boggs and Haymitch will be going with you, and I want to introduce you to some other people," Plutarch motions to the corner of the room, to the individuals I do not recognize.
"This will be your camera crew," Plutarch finishes.
I make a face, and it must show my confusion.
"We need it for the promotions," Haymitch leans in and whispers to me.
i nod understanding. This will still be a show and I will be the star, but if it helps get Peeta back that is all that matters.
"This is Cressida, Messalla, Pollux, and Castor," Plutarch moves down the line. "Cressida will be the director for propos."
Cressida, the only girl of the group walks forward and shakes my hand. "A pleasure, Katniss."
I take her hand and shake but I cannot stop looking at her face. She looks well fed, not much older then me, and half of her head is shaved with a tattoo running along it. There is no possible way she is from one of the Districts, so I have to ask.
"Capitol?" I raise an eyebrow at her.
"I am...well...former Capitol. We all believe in what you are doing here, Katniss. We want to help," Cressida says.
I merely nod hoping that I am not being set up for a slaughter, hoping I can trust the camera crew.
"When are we leaving then? We need to get ready," Gale's voice breaks my thoughts and I remember now that he is coming with me. At least I can trust him.
"Effie is going to get Katniss ready. Except to leave in an hour. You will have two hours there, see a few of the survivors, shoot the propos and then quickly return here. If at any time we feel it is unsafe, we expect you all to leave accordingly," Coin gives the instructions.
Before I can say another word, Effie is pulling me to my feet and I am being led off to get into my Mockingjay outfit. I have to keep reminding myself and this is all for Peeta and the chance for his child to meet him.
PEETA POV
I am being poked and prodded, getting ready for my next interview with Caesar. This time, they have me dressed in a black suit and have put a rose in my lapel. It's a red rose, which I find ironic. I know Snow prefers the white ones but red seems more real.
When my hair is combed and the bruises on my face covered with pounds of makeup I am brought into a small room with two chairs and a very small camera crew. I am led to one of the chairs and immediately the cameraman is trying to get a good angle.
Apparently, they don't want the fact that I have lost a good ten pounds to be visible to the camera, but it's impossible. Even though the suit covers my shriveling shoulders and the bones of my collarbone, the cameraman quickly comments that it's impossible not to notice in my cheeks.
"Do the best you can then… it is live so we won't be able to edit it," Snow's voice is loud as he enters the room.
I glance over my shoulder and watch him carefully. a huge chair is quickly brought out for him and he relaxes in the corner of the room. I guess he is going to watch the interview to make sure I do not make any mistakes in his eyes.
Before I can watch Snow long, Caesar enters the room. His hair is still the same shade of purple as it was for the Quarter Quell and he is wearing a gold suit. He sits down across from me with his ridiculous smile.
I want to knock the smile right off of his face.
"Peeta, my boy, how are you," Caesar grabs my knee and gives me a squeeze. "I must say you have looked better."
I just give a soft chuckle.
"Now I want to just run through the interview with you so we are all on the same page," Caesar tells me.
"Okay," I nod and let him continue.
"Well, obviously we want to talk about Katniss and the rebellion. A lot of people are angry with her Peeta," Caesar says.
"Well they shouldn't be. None of this was her fault," I say quickly. I will not speak badly about her, I already told Snow that, I just feel like I need to remind them all. "So if we are only going to talk about her and how you want to make this all look like it's her fault, I won't do it."
"Of course, of course," Caesar shakes his head. "That's not my intent at all. This is obviously about calming down the Districts, but you can't really sit here and tell me the Districts aren't upset because Katniss has given them hope."
"Hope isn't a bad thing," I snap back.
"But that hope is getting a lot of people killed. The hope that Katniss gave them. Whether she is aware of having that effect or not. It's the reason for all the fighting. Would you deny that?" Caesar says to me.
And for a split second I cannot concentrate, all I can think about is how so many people are dying because of what Katniss did, because of the hope she gave them. I realize I am nodding in agreement with Caesar. "Sure…"
"So you agree? It is at least partially Katniss' fault?" Caesar pushes.
And as quickly as my anger for Katniss came, it goes, and I am ashamed of myself for even thinking it. I shake my head, trying to clear my own thoughts. "No...I mean, no not at all. Katniss has nothing to do with this."
"But you just agreed-" Caesar says.
"No, but I didn't mean to…" I am trying to sort my thoughts out, trying to understand what is happening in my head. "I was just confused for a second..."
I glance up to find Caesar nodding at President Snow who seems pleased with my confused response. Suddenly, I feel like they are having a conversation about me that I do not understand, like my confusion is there doing.
I am quickly enraged and my knuckles move tightly around the arms of my chair.
"What did you do to me?!" I growl at President Snow.
I go to stand, but the President's guards quickly toss me back down into my seat.
"You made me angry at Katniss!" I accuse both Snow and Caesar at once.
Caesar puts his hands up in defense, and I realize he probably did not have anything to do with it directly, but he knows whatever it is the President has done to me.
"Relax, Peeta. You have an interview to get ready for," Snow does not seem phased by my anger and dismisses my accusations with silence.
KATNISS POV
The ride to District 8 is rather quiet. I sit between Gale and Pollux who I find out is a mute after I try to talk to him for a few minutes. I was quickly informed the Capitol cut his tongue out by his brother, Castor. Pollux is an Avox, and with that knowledge I selfishly feel more relaxed about being with Pollux and Castor. They seem to hate the Capitol as much as I do.
The only commotion is when a bout of nausea hits me and I nearly get sick all over Gale's boots. Luckily, Cressida seems to notice the warning signs and gets my a small bag to get sick in.
When we finally land, Boggs and Gale have pumped at least two cups of water in me, afraid would be dehydrated.
"Are you sure you want to do this?' Gale asks when the doors of the Hovercraft open.
I nod. "Yes. I need to do this…"
"Okay," Gale nods. I think he wants to say something else but he doesn't. Instead he walks ahead of me down the ramp.
The sun is bright in District 8 and as I step off out of the Hovercraft I realize we are in what was the center of District 8. I remember it from the Victory Tour, though it is hard to recognize now. The buildings are all piles of rubble.
"The Capitol did a number on this place," Gale says to me.
I glance up at him, almost shocked by his lack of compassion for all of it. His brain is thinking like a soldier. I hate it.
"Now, Katniss...we are going to film you walking through all of this and to the Hospital. Then maybe you can give a little speech outside the Hospital to call for help from the other Districts," Cressida says as she points her crew to follow me.
"Hospital?" I feel sickened by the word. "I thought I was seeing survivors?"
"You are...but most of us are in the hospital trying to help the injured heal," An unfamiliar voice comes from over my shoulder.
I turn to see a tall and lean women with dark skin walking toward us with a small group of armed men behind her.
"Katniss...this is Commander Paylor," Boggs introduces me to the new woman.
"Nice to meet you Miss Everdeen. We appreciate you coming to District 8," Commander Paylor says.
She looks fairly young to be a commander, but the way she shakes my hand and speaks makes it clear that she is a natural leader.
"Just hear to help," I say weakly because truthfully I don't know what kind of help I can be I just know I need to do whatever I can to rescue Peeta.
"Well, we will bring you over to the Hospital. I think just your presence will be enough to lift some spirits," Paylor says.
I nod and we follow her through the rubble, the film crew following me the entire time. I allow Paylor to lead me toward the Hospital building. Half of it is rubble but there are at least three walls standing.
We enter through a canopy flap and immediately I am overwhelmed by a horrible smell. I gag and try not to breath, though I am certain I will be sick again.
"Sorry...I am used to it now," Paylor says.
I realize that the rest of my team looks just as sick as me.
"What is it?" Gale asks.
Paylor gives us a grim look and motions to a pile of something under a sheet next to us. "It's our dead...we haven't had time to bury them since the last bombardment of bombs...and honestly we don't have enough manpower to move them right now."
I suddenly feel my stomach drop. I realize we are surrounded by dead bodies. This is what the Capitol does to good people.
"Come on...let's go see the living," Paylor says, leading us into the next room.
I am overwhelmed by the sight in front of me when we get into the next room. There are beds spewed all over the place, people on top of one another, women, children, men, the old, the young, some are hardly alive. Bodies parts missing, death looming in the air.
One hand goes over my mouth and the other to my stomach as if I can somehow protect my unborn child from these images. I realize, I don't know what I am doing here. I can't help these people.
"I can't do this Gale…" I whisper to him.
"Just keep walking," Gale whispers back to me.
I want to turn and run when suddenly I realize I cannot, because everyone is staring at me.
"Katniss Everdeen?" I hear a small voice behind me and I twirl to see a girl who looks so much like Rue, no older than Prim looking up at me.
I merely swallow and nod, forcing a smile.
"Are you here to help us?" The girl asks.
I can feel my eyes swell with tears because I don't know what to say to the girl. I don't know what I can do to help her. "I came to see you."
"And the baby is okay?" An older woman speaks up and motions to the small roundness of my stomach.
I nod again, tears spilling over now. Despite everything that has happened to these people, they are worried about me and my child. I feel so selfish. "The baby is fine."
"That's good," The woman gives me a small smile and I can see now that the left side of her mouth is stitched shut. Yet she smiles for me and my child. Can I really bring someone that sort of hope?
"Are we going to fight with you, Katniss? Are you here to help us fight?" Another voice calls out of the crowd.
I turn to see a small boy; he can't be much older then Prim and his blonde curls remind me so much of Peeta my heart hurts and my tears blur my eyes. This boy looks so bruised and beaten and yet he is fighting. This is what President Snow does to the kind and innocent. This is what war does.
"I want to help," I nod and my voice is hardly a whisper.
But the whisper seems to be enough and suddenly I watch as every single able bodied person in the room kisses their three fingers and raises them into the air. The symbol of defiance. The symbol of the Mockingjay.
PEETA POV
I am stiff in my seat, partially because my prosthetic leg is sore and partially because I don't like the wave of feeling that fell over me when Caesar asked about Katniss. Even if it was only for a minute, I was angry with Katniss, and that was enough to scare me. I don't know what snow is doing to me, but I can't let it happen again.
"Here we go, Peeta," Caesar says to me and then the lights cut bright and he looks directly at the camera. "And welcome back Panem! Tonight we are here with special guest, Victor of the 74th Hunger Games, Mr. Peeta Mellark!"
The camera turns to me and I merely nod and clear my throat, signaling for Caesar to continue.
"Now Peeta, we all know there is some unrest in the Districts. We want you to speak to them about all of this," Caesar says.
I nod and glance down at my hands. They look so bony and thin, so foreign, so frail. "We need everyone to think about what is happening. So many lives can be lost." I glance back up at the camera, knowing I need to stop this war if I ever have a chance at peace with Katniss, even if I don't fully believe Snow will give that to me, I need to still keep Katniss safe. "Is this all worth it?"
"Well, certain individuals think it is. Certain individuals want to see a war," Caesar stresses the word certain and it makes me stiffen even more. I know he is referring to Katniss.
"I think everyone wants peace. Everyone wants a chance to live," I try to deflect the question but I can feel the unfamiliar angry rise at the thoughts that Caesar is putting in my head. Does Katniss really want a war?
"Certainly, certainly. But the only way to achieve that is for the Districts to back down, don't you think? Maybe...not listen to Katniss?" Caesar suggests.
I stare blankly at him for a moment. the anger on my tongue at the mention of Katniss is like poison and it scares me. I shake my head to shake the anger. None of this is Katniss' fault. Its Snow's fault.
"Peeta?" Caesar pushes and I realize I have yet to answer him.
"Katniss just wants peace. We all want peace," I say simply.
"She does? Well then why is she with the rebels in District 8?" Caesar catches me off guard with his question.
"She is?" I ask. I am confused as to why she would be in a war-zone. She is pregnant.
"We just got word that she was spotted, visiting the rebels...helping them. That doesn't sound like someone who wants peace…" Caesar says.
My mind races as I try to sort out what is being told to me. Part of me is angry at Katniss for a reason I cannot justify and the other part of me is worried that she is pregnant and somewhere she can be injured. Haymitch promised me that Katniss would be safe. She doesn't sound safe. In fact, she sounds like she is in the direct line of fire from the Capitol.
"If she wanted peace she would stay away from them all...from all who challenge the Capitol, don't you think?" Caesar continues.
I glare up, trying to be tactical. Katniss and the baby's lives depend on my answer. "What's in District 8?"
"I told you, the rebels," Caesar says. "And Katniss is with them."
I shake my head, Caesar has cornered me and is making Katniss look unfavorable. I told Snow I would play along with him to keep Katniss safe, not to speak ill of her. I won't turn anyone against her.
"Would you like to address that, Peeta?" Caesar pushes.
"She doesn't know what she is doing…" I say finally.
"So you are saying she was forced into what she is doing? Did the rebels force her into this?" Caesar asks.
I know I need to answer the question carefully but it's so hard when I know what is at stake. I know the rebels need to unite if they are ever going to beat Snow but I also know I need to keep Katniss safe. Right now, Snow still has the upperhand.
"Yes...they probably did," I sigh.
"Well...if you could speak to Katniss right now, what would you say?" Caesar asks.
Again I sigh and turn to look directly at the camera. I know the next thing I say may cost me my life but right now there are bigger things at stake. If Katniss is in District 8, that means the revolution is putting Katniss and my child in danger, and she isn't safe anyway. Snow knows where she is and he could kill her at any time. If they know she is in District 8, they may be on there way to kill her right now.
"I would tell Katniss to keep herself safe...no matter what the cost. I would tell her to make sure our baby has a safe world to grow up in," I say.
"And surely that safety can only come with a ceasefire?" Caesar pushes again.
"Maybe..." I say and I can see out of the corner of my eye Snow doesn't like that answer, because it doesn't necessarily stop a revolution, but it doesn't condone it either.
"Cut it!" Snow whispers and suddenly I am being pushed to the ground by two Peacekeepers.
I can feel a few of my fingers break in my left hand as I am pinned down. I glance up to see the President towering over me. "I told you, Mr. Mellark, that we need to be tactical. Your child's life depends on it. Next time you are asked, you push for a stop to all of this. Black and white...no maybe...no grey area."
Before I can say anything, the President glances at the door frame and I notice two of the doctors who visit me in my cell are standing there.
"I want you to up his intake in the morning…" Snow commands and the doctor's nod.
"Intake? My what?" I panic now, wondering what Snow is talking about. Surely it's got to do with whatever they have been pumping into my veins the past week.
"And send the troops to District 8. I want them to burn. Let them see what kind of destruction follows those who befriend Katniss Everdeen," Snow orders.
And now I am panicking for a new reason. Katniss is in District 8 and now is going to attack them. I try to wiggle free, to attack Snow for attempting to attack Katniss. I manage to get partially free from one of the Peacekeepers and I make a grab for snow, yanking on his leg and nearly pulling him down. He is visibly shaken but manages to get out or reach.
"You promised to leave her alone!" I yell at Snow, making another grab for him but as soon as my hand touches the material of Snow's pants, my a fist is connecting with my cheek and everything goes black.
KATNISS POV
Commander Paylor shows me around the rest of the hospital. There are so many sick, so many wounded. There are so many orphans. With each child I pass I notice my hand graces my stomach. I don't mean to do it, but I can't help think that one of these children could easily be mine in a few years if we do not stop Snow.
Suddenly I realize it's not just about getting Peeta back; it's about building a better future. I owe it to the child inside of me. I may not be the best mother, in fact I am sure I won't be, but i at least owe the child a chance at a safe life and a chance to meet their father.
"Katniss...we would like to get you to say a few words," Cressida says.
I glance over my shoulder and realize the film crew has been filming me holding a small child on my hip. The boy can't be older than four or five and he is now missing an ear because of the Capitol's attack.
Cressida's request makes me remember why I am here in the first place; to film propaganda to fight Snow's propaganda. I am still a piece of the Game, just playing for a new side now.
"Can we get you near the entrance, Katniss? I would like to be able to show the sick and injured but also the destruction on the outside," Cressida instructs.
I nod and let Gale and Boggs lead me toward the entrance. They both want to make sure it is clear before we set up for the shot.
Once we know it's safe I get into my place and Cressida gives me the signal to begin speaking, this time there is no script; they will let me speak from the heart and after all I have seen, I hope I have something to say.
"This is Katniss Everdeen and I am sitting in District 8...among the rubble of a Capitol attack…" I start off strong but am not sure where to go, or rather am distracted by a nose in the distance.
"Incoming Hovercrafts!" Boggs yells.
Suddenly, Gale is pulling me back into the building and I see two Hovercrafts fly overhead, dropping bombs on the far side of the District.
Panic overcomes the hospital and Gale continues to pull me, with the camera crew and Boggs around me, toward our own Hovercraft.
"We have a shelter...that way!" Paylor points to our right.
Gale begins moving me in that direction without another word, but I need him to let go. I can't be shuffled away. There are too many innocent people in the Hospital, they need help.
"Gale! We need to help them!" I push against Gale.
"Katniss! Come on! We can't!" Gale tries to continue to pull me toward the shelter as we hear more bombs drop.
"NO!" I manage to get out of Gale's hands and run back toward the hospital. Surely there are people who I can help.
"Katniss!" I hear Gale yell and I know he is following me, Boggs too.
I run to the hospital and motion a few children in the direction of the shelter and that's when I see the Hovercraft circling back. Its coming right for the hospital. I have to stop it.
And so I run to the doorway of the makeshift hospital and then up a flight of broken stairs.
"KATNISS! STOP IT!" Gale is so close to me now but I can't let him stop me.
When I reach the top step I stop and Gale is right next to me.
"What the hell are you doing?" Gale asks me.
"Stopping this," I am surprised at how calm my voice is as I pull one of Beetee's special arrows out and place it in my bow.
Without a word, Gale realizes what I am doing and loads his crossbow and for a moment things between us are completely uncomplicated. Its as if the Games never happened, as if Peeta and I never spoke, as if Gale never kissed me, as if Peeta never got me pregnant, as if there was no rebellion. Its simply as if we are in the woods hunting together. no words are needed. Gale and I zero in on our prey - the Hovercraft - and we shoot together.
And within seconds the Capitol Hovercraft explodes from our arrows and goes tumbling to the ground below us, a ball of flames.
I glance down at it and begin to cry. The Hovercraft was set to kill all those in that hospital. This is what the Capitol as done, this is what Snow will continue to do, kill helpless, innocent people. He needs to be stopped.
"Katniss, what are you thinking?" I hear Cressida's voice from behind.
I turn to see she is filming. I realize this is the footage that will make the perfect piece of propaganda and I am angry enough to do it. Anything to stop Snow.
I turn and face the camera, tears running down my face. "You all know me. I am Katniss Everdeen...I am the Mockingjay...and I am in District 8. Behind me is a Capitol hovercraft that was sent to destroy a hospital filled with helpless and innocent people," The words flow so freely from my mouth i don't even have to think.
I look back at the burning plane and then back to the camera. "If President Snow wants to kill his own people, then he needs to be stopped. No one should stand for this. None of us should fear for our lives like this. None of us should burn like this...and if we are going to, then President Snow needs to burn with us!" I say and then glance down at my stomach. "We should have a secure future. All of us need to stand together for that future! "
And ass my eyes linger on my growing belly, the place where Peeta's child is growing, I lose my train of words. This baby deserves so much more then I will be able to give it if things continue like this.
I feel so tired, and I sink to my knees, my eyes never leaving my stomach as I notice a few tears fall on the black material of Cinna's Mockingjay costume. I don't have the strength to stand and I don't care. My thoughts are only about this baby and Peeta and a future I cannot secure for any of them. I don't even notice Gale lifting me up in his arms and carrying me back toward our own Hovercraft until he speaks.
"Come on Katniss...we need to get you back to District 13. You need to rest. This can't be good for the baby," Gales says.
And despite everything else, this is the first time I notice that Gale speaks about the baby, Peeta's baby, without sounding disgusted or angry.