Everything seems to explode. Trees are catching fire, and dirt is being showered into the air. I'm paralyzed with an odd mixture of fear and confusion. The sky is lit up in a thousand colors. At first I think it's bombs, but then I see it's fireworks. What? Did I just end the Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games? But I am not the sole survivor. I don't know what's going on.
A hovercraft appears above me without warning. The claws pick me up as if I was a dead tribute. Am I dead? I don't know. I want to run away or scream, but I can't. The Capitol is going to kill me. And I'm positive it will be very painful and very public. The person waiting for me in the craft is Plutarch Heavensbee, the Head Gamemaker. Surely, he's angry at me. No, angry is too calm of a word. He must be furious. Two figures I can't make out wrap me in something. Restraints? No, it's a blanket. I didn't even realize I was shivering. He reaches his hand out. I recoil in defense, with an expectation that he is going to hit me. He doesn't. He strokes me cheek. The gesture is odd and very unexpected.
My eyelids droop and I can't help to close them. My heart is pounding in my ear a mile a minute, and my make-shift bandage is bleeding through onto my stomach. I begin to fade out of consciousness. I discover a realization. Johanna did this to me. Maybe this was the plan, to destroy the arena. Maybe they knew I would do this, and knew I would be captured. Maybe she did this so that the Capitol couldn't hurt me. Before I black out, I manage to whisper a quiet thank-you to Johanna. By ending my life, she saved me.
Sadly, it didn't work. I wake up again, and this time I'm on some type of table in a room. Maybe a hospital? I can't open my eyes. They're keeping me alive. If I just die on my own, Snow won't get his vengeance. I can sort of feel my arm, but it still seems numb. I think there are tubes in it. With enough focus, I manage to lift my arm up. I flip it around enough that a rip the tubes out, and there's some beeping noise. I fall back out of consciousness before I can see what happens next.
The next time I wake up, they've tied my hands down. I'm not sure who they exactly is. I can open my eyes, and lift my head a little, but only to the right and left, not up and down. There is bright, florescent lights, and no windows. It must be a hospital. I make out another figure, and with enough focusing I can make out that it's Beetee. He has at least a dozen machines looked up to his body. I only have two. Why won't they just let us die? I try to sit up, and maybe I can escape, but they're pumping something into my veins that drags me out again.
The next time I wake up, I realize this is for real. I can sit up. There are no restraints, and no machines attached to me. It takes me a little bit of effort to focus myself, but I manage to and look around the room. Beetee is still knocked out. Where is everyone else? Finnick, Johanna, Gale, and Gloss, if none of them died in the terror I created. I don't even know what to do.
So, I decide to go on a walk. There's a maze of hallways, and no guards anywhere. I'm only in a thin nightgown, so I hold it close to my body. I lean against the wall of a heavy metal door that's slightly open. I listen to whoever's talking inside. "Seven, Eight, Ten and Twelve are down. We can maybe get some food out to Eleven." It sounds like it could be Plutarch, but I'm not sure. A voice asks a question. "No, Haymitch. You can't see her." Haymitch! He's here. I don't know what that means for me. "Don't be stupid. She doesn't know what's going on. After everything, just give her a couple days to calm down." Plutarch says again. Haymitch! I bust through the doors, tripping over a chair. Haymitch stands up and catches me. Our eyes meet. His show some expression of remorse and hurt, mine probably show hatred. I don't say anything to him. Haymitch nods at me, and sits me down at the table next to him. We're in a conference-type room, and there's sunlight coming in through the windows. We're in the air.
Plutarch puts a bowl of some type of soup in front of me. "Eat." He tells me, kindly, giving me a spoon and a roll of bread. I have too many questions.
Haymitch sits across from me. "Katniss, I'm going to explain everything. I need you to listen, and don't interrupt until I'm done." I nod weakly. This is what he tells me.
Ever since the Quell was announced, there was a plan to break the victors out of the arena. The tributes from 1, 3, 4, 7, and 11 all has some information about it. Plutarch was part of an underground group that was planning to overthrow the Capitol. He made sure Beetee's wire was there. Beetee was supposed to blow a hole in the arena's forcefield. The bread was code for when we were to do it. The third day (District 3's bread), at midnight (there were 24 rolls). We're in a hovercraft from District 13, which apparently still exists, and was just playing dead all these years. We're on a journey there. Most of the Districts in Panem are in a full-scale rebellion.
It's a lot to take in. Again, I was just a piece in someone else's games. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
It's Plutarch who answered. "If we weren't able to rescue you, the Capitol would try to get you first. We couldn't risk it."
"Why do they want me so bad?" I'm just as valuable as Finnick, Johanna, all of them. I'm not that special.
"You're the mockingjay, Katniss. As long as you live, the revolution lives." Suddenly, it all makes sense. The bird, the pin, the watch, the dress that burst into flames. I am the symbol of the rebellion.
"Where is everyone else?" I ask.
"Finnick's wandering the hovercraft. Beetee's in the hospital, you know that." Haymitch tells me. His eyes drop. "Gloss and Johanna, the Capitol captured them. And Gale – we don't know." I'm not armed, but I guess nails can do a lot of damage. I jump across the table, screaming at him. A guard pulls me off, and carries me over his shoulder. I'm causing too much trouble, I know, but I really don't care.
I'm pulled back onto my table, and hands are tying me down, restraining me. Someone pokes more needles in me, it doesn't knock me out, it's just a sedative. Finnick leans over me and kisses my forehead, squeezes my hand. "Katniss, Katniss I'm so sorry. Let me explain, please. I didn't lie to you about anything, I swear. I love you, and I've never done anything just for the sake of the press, never. In the arena, we couldn't tell you because we didn't want you to get hurt." I nod, unable to do anything.
After what seems like a life time, but in reality is only three days, we're loaded off the plane, and into District 13. I'm brought to a doctor's office. The doctor must be from District 13, because he doesn't look like anyone I've ever seen. He doesn't speak for a few moments, and when he does, his words are careful. "Miss Everdeen. Would you like to hear the good news or the bad news?"
"Katniss." I correct him. "Please, call me Katniss." I have to think about what I want first. "Good news first, I guess."
He looks at his clipboard, and then up at me. "Your head has no long-term damage, and your wrist is healing up nicely. You did get a minor concussion, and you might have some short-term memory loss. But nothing permanent." He sighs, and puts his hand on my shoulder. "The bad news. You were slightly electrocuted by the forcefield to some extent. This didn't affect your body that much, but that in combination with stress and trauma caused an accidental miscarriage. Miss Ever- Katniss, I'm sorry. You lost your baby."
A million thoughts run through my head, and it's all so overwhelming I have to grip onto the desk counter. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad or just confused. I was pregnant. I lost the baby. I'm not pregnant. I'm not pregnant! "Thank you." I say, and I wander back to my hospital bed.
I guess I get lost, because I end up in a hall where there's a bunch of people yelling and screaming. They all come to a stop. I see familiar bronze hair. I can't help but yell "Finnick!" He whips his head around, and I run towards him, knocking some man over. That's not important right now. He picks me up and pushes me against the wall. My lips find his and the whole world fades away. It's just me and him and ohmygod I missed you so much. I'm pretty much naked in a hospital gown and so is he, but none of this really matters right now. I have him in my arms, and while the world is falling apart, we have each other. And that really seems good enough. I realize I'm sobbing and that everyone is staring at me but I don't really care.
Finnick sweeps me up and carries my like a baby to my hospital bed. Beetee is awake and talking to some nurse. He pulls the curtain so we're hidden from them, and sits me down. "Are you okay?" He asks, sitting down next to me. I lay my head on his shoulder. "I heard you got called down to the doctor. It seemed serious." I sigh, and I tell him everything.
Everything. I tell him the whole story – from when Gale lied to me about the test, to when I found out there was a 50-50 chance in the arena, and to now. I explain that I didn't tell him because I thought I was going to die anyways, and that there was no way you'd let me die if you knew that I had a baby on the way. He doesn't interrupt once. I look up at him, and he just hugs me tightly. I tear up again, and Finnick just kisses my cheek, holding me tightly. "Sh. It's okay, it's gonna be okay, Katniss." I don't know what I'd do without him. Finnick keeps me grounded, keeps me okay. "I have to get settled in. I'll find you at dinner, okay?" He kisses me goodbye one more time.
I lie back in my hospital bed, not wanting to do much. Someone gets wheeled in next to me, but I don't look. "Are you seriously going to ignore me, Catnip?" It's Gale. I roll my eyes and sigh, taking him in. His arm looks burned, and it's in a sling. There's a boot on his foot. "Broke a few of my toes, and my arm, how bout you?" He tells me.
"I had a minor concussion, which really isn't a big deal. You know what is a big deal? I miscarried, Gale. I didn't even know I was pregnant! What kind of best friend are you?" I accuse him, becoming very angry. I'm trying hard not to yell.
"I was trying to protect you. I'm sorry." He tells me. His voice is so raw, and I can tell he's telling the truth. I hug him tightly.
"It's okay." I tell him. "Did you hear anything on anyone back home?" I ask, hopefully. The fact that there is absolutely no word on Prim and my mother is a bit worrying. Gale shakes his head no.
Before he can worry with me, Haymitch busts in, looking frazzled. "You two need to get to the hovercraft landing. Come with me right now." Gale stands up and hobbles along, an arm around me for balance. We walk quickly to the landing. When we get there, I don't think me or Gale are prepared for what we see. Four bodies, almost completely covered in ash and coal. They all stop talking and slowly walk over to us. I can't make over who the four figures are, except two of them have blonde hair. "Wow, that's it." Haymitch says quietly.
"Wait, what do you mean?" I ask him.
Haymitch sighs, and looks around. "Katniss, now's not the right time. But I don't think there will be a right time. These four were the only rescued from what was District were the only ones that were alive after the bombings. "
"Wait what do you mean? Bombings?" Gale asks.
"After Katniss broke the force field, the Games stopped airing. Less than fifteen minutes later, the Capitol dropped fire bombs on the whole district. Now, there is no District 12." I let his words sink in, and I can't breathe. My face must look somewhat like Gale's. The four people make their way over. One yells Katniss! It's Prim. I run and hug her, picking her up.
"I'm okay, I'm okay." She reassures me. "Did you lose weight? You look smaller." She points to my stomach, poking. I frown. No, I miscarried. I can't say that though, so I just shrug.
I see that Rory and the other blonde girl is in Gale's arms, and Prim and the other girl are walking towards me. It's Madge and Leevy. She was my neighbor before the move. Madge runs over to Haymitch and hugs him tightly. What? To my knowledge, Haymitch has no family, and nobody that really like him. Leevy smiles at me, and comes over, kissing my cheek. Madge squeals and wraps her arms around me tightly. I missed her so much, and was expecting to never see her again. Thankfully, that didn't go according to plan.
A gray cloud settles over my mood. My mother is not here. Hazelle is not here. Vick, and little Posy are not here. They must be dead. I turn to Gale, and whisper mom. He nods, and looks down. Madge lost her parents too. Leevy had a younger brother. There will be a time for mourning. But that's not right now. First, how did they survive? Rory explains everything.
Before the bombs hit, Leevy came over to tutor Rory and Prim with their math homework at the home in the Victor's village. My mother was out on a house call, somebody had measles. Madge was at Haymitch's house because she was looking for something for her mother. The Victor's Village was the only place untouched by the bombs. Having no idea where to go, the four of them went to the woods. They walked for a while, and found an abandoned house. They stayed in the house there for a little, and a hovercraft from 13 came by yesterday to look for survivors. The hovercraft saw the smoke in the chimney and took them here.
"I'm so happy you're alive." I tell all of them, trying not to tear up. If Prim had died, it would have been my fault. Prim hugs me again. She's really gotten tall, and she's an inch or two taller than me. Oh crap. "Happy birthday." I tell her, smiling. Yesterday or the day before was her fifteenth birthday. Wow, she's gotten so old. It still seems like yesterday when she was reaped as a twelve year old. That changed my life more than it changed hers. *
District 13 is all underground. There isn't a lot of room for us, only twenty rooms, so we're all squished together on floor 3, which is pretty 'high up' - only three stories underground. I only know of the rooms we were put in - Beetee and Haymitch in 310, Finnick in 311, Prim and I in 312, Gale and Rory in 313, Madge and Leevy in 314. It's not that bad, but I'd prefer to be home. I have to remind myself there is no home.
Everything is so gray here. It's depressing. I know, I shouldn't be complaining. It's better to be here than in an arena, or the Capitol, or back in District 12. But I really want to color in everything. I'm positive the people here have no fun. Life here must be very boring. But boring is better than sending teenagers off to be slaughtered, so I think I'll be just fine here.
Six thirty on the dot is dinner. I change into my District Thirteen-approved grey shirt and pants, and braid my hair down my back in the way I always have. It feels secure, having that small continuity throughout everything. It really does make a difference to me. Prim and I follow the crowds up a few flights to the so-called dining room. It's by no means a dining hall, and loosely resembles District 12's school cafeteria, with the large circular tables, posters on nutrition and lines where food is served. The only difference is that food is served here, and it wasn't back home.
We get on the line behind the District 13 residents, grabbing trays. They serve us a roll of bread, a bowl of soup with some type of meat, and a leafy vegetable. It seems here that they give us just enough food to keep us satisfied, but never full. I don't know where District 13 gets their food – they must grow it somehow, but I don't know where they would do so, everything is underground.
Prim and I look to find a table, but someone calls us over. I turn around see Haymitch, Madge, Leevy and Finnick all chatting pleasantly. We sit down next to them, Rory, Gale and Beetee join us later. I feel slightly uncomfortable: my boyfriend with my close friends and family. Gale and Rory count as family. I try not to think about it too much. It still feels weird that I'm alive. I said goodbye to everyone already, and that seemed so final that I honestly did not intend to see them again. Not that I'm upset, really. I'm happy, but it feels strange, like it's all a dream.
Gale seems to be a bit less hostile towards Finnick, which is awesome. I also notice he's looking at Madge a lot, and she's doing the same to him. It doesn't last long though, due to me tuning back in to the conversation. Finnick is having some type of argument with Beetee, and it seems serious. I turn to Gale, and he shrugs. Haymitch decides to intercept. "Both of you are wrong. Think of Natalie, think of Wiress. Finnick, that was you a few years ago. Don't judge." I don't ask. Finnick squeezes my hand.
"Hey, Katniss?" Prim asks me. I nod at her so she knows I'm listening. "Can I hang out with Rory for a little? I'll back for light's out at ten-thirty."
"Go ahead." I tell her. Prim and Rory go off, holding hands. "Are they dating?" I ask Gale. He nods. I groan. "But she's just a little girl. And who knows what they're doing-"
"She's fifteen, and very grown up. I know it seems weird, since you've grown up with her, but she can take care of herself." Finnick reminds me, cutting me off to do so. He looks around and lowers his voice. "We both know what you and I were doing when were sixteen, so don't go there."
I shrug, finishing my soup. "True. What are you guys doing now?" I ask everyone.
"I'm going to bed." Madge says, yawning. Gale nods in agreement. Are they a thing too? I see the way Gale is looking at her, and he used to look at me that way. I smile. Maybe they can be happy together. I would never be able to give him happiness, and besides I love Finnick. Everything is falling into place, for once.
"What do you wanna do?" I ask Finnick, since everyone else seems to have plans already."
"You." He winks. Gale makes a gagging noise. Haymitch mutters something about Finnick needing to keep it in his pants.
"Sorry, Finn. You're gonna need to wait a little. I know how hard that is for you, but grin and bear it." I turn to see who's talking. It's a young blonde man who looks vaguely familiar. Finnick stands up to hug him. He looks very Capitol, and I can't place where I know him from. He looks around Finnick's age. The man turns to me, and gives me a small bow, the Capitol greeting. "Hello, Katniss. Do you remember me? I sure remember you."
Suddenly, I remember where I know him from. He's one of the men I've slept with. Thomas Diamond, a Capitol actor. He gave me some information before we- oh. He must be part of the rebels. "Thomas, right? I never expected I'd see you again. How do you two know each other?"
"His stepmother destroyed my parents marriage." Thomas shrugs, as if he's talking about the weather. "Anyways, Plutarch wants to see you guys about some secret rebellion thing. I'll debrief you on the way downstairs. Haymitch, Beetee, you coming? Gale, I forget why, but they didn't need you." I ignore the pleased expression on Finnick's face. Gale and Madge excuse themselves.
Haymitch rolls his eyes and grumbles. "Sorry, I can't. I have so many plans." He stands up, and turns to Leevy. "We need you." She smiles, and looks down at her feet. Finnick takes my hand. We all follow Beetee and Thomas to the elevators.
"I didn't know you'd be friends with anyone who paid to fuck me." I point out quietly.
"That dick..." Finnick mutters. "Fuck you Tom, she's mine."
"Yeah, yeah." He smirks, closing the elevator doors behind us. "I don't regret it. She's good." I roll my eyes, Boys.
A/N: How was that? Don't forget to review if you want me to continue!
I'll probably finish up and pot the next chapter of Trident tomorrow. I have homework :(