I step up onto the podium. I don't really want to look up from my feet because the moment I do, I will find someone that I don't want to lose, and break into tears. Tabia knows me and doesn't ask for anything. She just simply walks over and pulls a name out of the bowl.
"Annie Cresta!" My head jerks up at that because, I, I won't kill her. I won't let someone else kill her either. I hear a faint cry from the very back of the group of people. Mags emerges from the crowd and some Peacekeepers help her walk up the stairs.
"Okay, shake hands," Tabia instructs us. I shake hands with Mags and I do look at her. I know that she knows that she has no chance. That means she did this for two reasons: to help the rebellion or to save Annie, and with saving Annie, me. She looks at me like a grandmother. I didn't know my grandmother, but Mags could be mine.
I walk off the stage and am lead into the back of the government building. I find the room where I will have my meetings with my family and friends for the last time. My mother and father are first.
"You'll do fine. You got out once, you helped some others too, and we all know you can do it again," my father says first. I know he believes it, not just saying it to help me. My mom sees what I'm trying to do though. She has realized what is going on and just keeps to herself, fighting off tears and pulling on her sweater.
"I'll try. But if anything happens, just know that I love both of you and that everything happens for a reason," I promise them. They are taken away by a peacekeeper and Annie comes in. I wrap her in my arms, as she sniffles.
"I love you," I tell her, pulling her in closer, breathing in her scent that smells like soap and the ocean.
"I love you too," she whispers in between sobs. Our moment lasts all too quickly. I give her one last kiss.
"Be strong!" I shout as she leaves and she whips her head around to look at me. The door slams shut behind her. Next, Daniel and Noah come in.
"You can win. We know you can. Never stopped believing from the first time," Daniel says first. I think he'd been planning it out in his head because he knows me and this is something I would do.
"I look forward to seeing you again. And…" Noah finishes his sentence, implying the things that hang in the air. I die.
"One thing though," I ask them. They both nod because they would do anything for me at this point.
"I don't care what you have to do, but get Snow out. No more Hunger Games. If you can't do it for me, do it for your kids and their kids. This can't go on and we are so close, closer than ever. Lead them here. I'll lead them from away. But, I can't do it alone. You both have the tools to do it. So, just do it." I tell them and the Peacekeeper opens the door for them to leave. They quickly nod and leave. I know that they are going to do it. Those might have been my last words to them. No one should take their last words for granted.
After that, I am told I have one more visitor. I don't know who else it would be, but when she walks in I can tell. It must be Rosie's mother. She has the same blonde curls, naturally rosy cheeks, and is dressed in a floral dress with a pair of white sandals.
"I know that you are going to do everything to get out, just like you did for… Rosie. I just wanted to let you know, from behalf of the entire population of 4, that we all believe in you. You've done so much for us. Enjoy," she explains, passing me a wicker basket filled to the brim with something that must have been collected from every shopkeeper. From just the top of the basket, I notice things that couldn't have been cheap. Oranges, candy, rope, and some seaweed bread have filled the basket and I see more at the bottom.
"Thanks. I couldn't have done it without your and their support. I know it must be hard for you to do this to me, I could've saved her," I say, my voice dropping off at the last part. It embarrasses me.
"No. She died for a reason. It was a catapult. It's been going on now for a while and she started it. Katniss pushed it over the edge. Everything happens for a reason. I don't blame anyone except the horrid Snow. Sorry. I shouldn't have. Just, win, I guess, and um, thanks," She says stumbling out of the room as the Peacekeeper holds the door open. He winks at me, which I guess means he isn't going to say anything about our conversation.
I grab the basket and head out of the government building, onto the train platform, and onto the train. I stare out the window as long as I can waving to people as we speed off westward. Then, I just look at the ocean. It feels the same way it did the first time, like a rollercoaster. But, I don't know if I'm ever going to get off.
I'm so sorry about the long wait for this chapter! I've been really busy with school stuff and all the homework this year is just terrifying. Please review!