Ember Blaze

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games

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Chapter 2: Living underground

Gale's POV

District 13 is nothing compare to the other districts or the Capitol. After the Dark Days-when 13 supposedly been obliterated between districts and the Capitol. 13 held a substantial underground facility, constructed over centuries ago where government leaders during times of war to occupy incase life for humanity is unlivable. Most importantly to keep nuclear weapons were being developed. A stalemate between the Capitol and District 13 for the capitol had the firearms, but Thirteen had the nuclear weapons while the Capitol had the codes (supposedly). So a bargain was created that Thirteen played dead in exchange to be left alone. It somewhat irritated me that the district that started the Dark Days ended up running away under the enemy contract. And they think many people would be please.

The moment Katniss told me of what had happen in District 12, how the Capitol firebombs obliterated the coal miners housing in the Seams, the market in town, including the Justice Building. The only area that hadn't been incinerated was Victor Village. I don't care why that area was spared other than District 12 is gone. How 800 people escaped and survive in the forest landed squarely on Katniss, Mark, Peeta, and Madge's shoulders. As soon as I blow up the arena and rescued…the power went out and people were confused. Fifteen minutes later, the skies were filled with hovercrafts bombing away the city in fire.

It was Katniss idea to take everyone to the Meadow, where there abandon shelters and source of food were. Mark got my family out to safety, and Madge and Peeta lead the heard to safety. They watch our home go into flames by the coal dust from the mines. By morning the bombing stopped while the fire cease. Katniss had two sets of bows and arrow while Mrs. Everdeen, Prim, and Mark help with the injured, as others give to help the eight hundred people. The next day District 13 evacuated everybody to their own, where it was sanitary, living compartments, plenty of clothing, and three meals a day. Little did they know that they weren't here for charity, but help restore the population as Dalton from Ten put it.

I no longer care anymore. The moment I met the District leader, President Alma Coin all eyes on deck. She was in her fifties, with grey hair that falls unfolded down to her shoulders. Yeah, the woman was intimidating with her just watching but her grey eyes pale as if she was blind. Yet she wasn't blind, she had her sight. President Coin, Plutarch Heavensbee, his assistant Fulvia, and other officals came up to me offering a position to be the symbol of revolution. The Mockingjay. To become a leader, I told them I don't want a team of people to dress me up, write speeches, and direct me as a puppet. I take my part as a soldier and follow orders. I listen to their orders; listen closely in meetings, and such. It wasn't long before Coin gave me a communicuff.

"I'm glad we rescued you first." Coin said.

My respects for Coin decreased after she said that. I'm thankful for them to save me but others weren't so fortunate. Beetee the inventor from District 3, who I usually meet is now Thirteens inventor in a classified area. Johanna Mason, the fierce symbol from the lumbering district, who kept Beetee alive and tried to cut my arm off. The officals wanted to transform her into a leader, except no one liked her, hell they are afraid of her. However she does play her part though focuses on Annie Cresta. A few days after the rescue, Annie was safely escorted here for her protection. Turns out many Victors were being hunted down to see which sigh they were on. A purge and a lot of victors dead. When Annie got word of Finnick Odair being captured she broke down in tears, falling into a catatonic state. It probably takes five times to get through her head or accidently triggering her episodes where she places her hands over her ears rocking like a scare child. And let's not forget Haymitch, I hardly see the guy who is now on sobriety and detox. Not spoken to him after breaking his nose. So there's no one to lead other than me out of the five.

But Siobhan is in the Capitol where god knows what is going on, also Odair and Enobaria. Every day I wonder what is happening to her. If she is alright or still alive? When news of Siobhan comes up I listen. . . . Only to hear she is alive and nothing more. The only thing keeping me sane is my family. To know they are safe, seeing them in the morning, meals, and at night. Hell, the rest of District 12, Katniss and her family, and some of Siobhan's family. I despise the Capitol, and I ready to beat the Capitol. I train, follow orders, and such.

Anyway, life in underground base isn't fun. Your life is on a schedule. By morning, you stick your right arm in a contraption in the wall that's temporally tattoos your forearm of the schedule in purple ink. 7:00—Breakfast. 7:30—training. 9:30—weapons. And so forth. The ink can only come off at 22:00—Bathing. Where the chemicals breakdown by some sort of solution in the water system rinsing the ink off. 22:30—lights out for everyone and it continues the next day.

The only person who has trouble following the schedule other than the young children is Katniss. She has become a rebel in following orders. Sometimes she tries to escape to go outside and hunt in the woods. The only time she ever follows her schedule is meal time. I have no clue where she goes. Peeta and Madge say she only shows up for training exercise and chores, though ditches lessons. I don't know how long she going to be able to disregard the schedule for the attendance by the host.

18:30—Dinner. I was walking down the hall with Katniss after finding her in the Education Center closet. No words were exchange. Though I wanted to ask her why she's ignoring the schedule? As we walk down the dining hall, my communicuff begins to beep. I look at the oversize watch to read the message. I sighed, looking at Katniss. "They need me in Command."

"I want to come," Katniss said.

"Catnip," I started, but she gave me the pleading look.

I sighed with nod before walking towards command. When reaching our destination Katniss linger at the doorway. Inside the Command, the high-tech meeting/war council room complete computerized walls, electronic maps showing the troops movement throughout Panem, and top it off with a rectangular control panel. All attention was not on the table but at the televised monitor at the corner where Capitol broadcasting is shown around the clock. I walked over to Plutarch who watched the program showing. What is the Capitol Broadcasting? War footage. Propaganda. Replaying the bombings on District 12. No, on the screen was Caesar Flickerman. Next had my stomach churn as Siobhan walked on stage dressed like a white rose?

I was shock to a point I point I can't hear the combinations of gasps and groans. I ignored them standing right in front of her, my hand at my side in a fist. I analyzed her condition to see if she was hurt, or any sign of torture and anything. The only thing I could see was how fatigue she look, other than that Siobhan seemed healthy as a horse. Her skin glowing, practically flawless from a full-body-polish. Her stature composed serious, yet apprehensive. The last time I saw her, she was bleeding, cover in scabs, and thin. Now she seems in perfect condition.

The interview goes by as silence followed; I noticed the stress in certain phrases if not the lines on her brow. She has been forced to or threatens to say the lines for the Capitol. But the Capitol has not killed or punished her physically. I don't know why, but I could tell. I drink in her words, her appearance, and such to understand. When she talks about the arena the memories flooded in. Siobhan doesn't need any material to draw an image from the Game. All she needed are her words and tone.

What the conversation lead to have the council room appalled. Caesar patted Siobhan shoulder. "We can stop now if you want."

"What else is there to talk about?" Siobhan said wryly.

"I was going to ask your thoughts about the war and your pregnancy, but if you're too upset . . ." Caesar began.

"Oh…yeah…" Siobhan hand unconsciously went over my stomach. I looked at this eyed widen. Wait, is she serious? The action of her hand caught Caesars attention with his eyes widens along with a huge smile. Hell, I lied about the pregnancy so the Gamemakers could cancel the games. That even now a miscarriage would be announced or misinterpretation of her cycle. Then again we did have sex the night before the Games. No one notice this except for Katniss who looked at me. I looked at the monitor as the footage keeps rolling.

"Congratulation, I hope you have a happy child." Caesar said. Instantly the audience gasped and awe at the information given. Cheers and applauses that rattled the stage.

"I hope so too…" Siobhan said. "Only the father wouldn't be here to help through it."

I'm sorry, I thought to Siobhan. I wish I could be there to hold her and tell her we are going through this. That we are going to be good parents. In the Capitol it might seem strange for young pregnancy but in the districts once out of the reaping most young adults would get married and have children since there is no contraception. Now the desire to get her out becomes desperate than ever before. I don't want our child born in the Capitol or being used.

The audience tears up taking in the sorrows. Caesar took a tissue and dabbed under his eyes to wipe the tears away. "And what would you say about the war?"

Siobhan took a deep breath and looked at the camera. "Anyone who is watching—Capitol or rebel or the one who hasn't picked a side…take a moment and think of the consequences that war would lead. A few centuries ago nature had desecrated our civilization. During the Dark Days those numbers decrease. Now our numbers are one a border line from surviving even at the condition each district makes. Is it the right thing to do? To kill ones brother off? Have we not learned from history the results of death, blood, and despair? If war is the answer then we sentence ourselves to death, to extinction."

"I don't really . . . I'm not sure I'm following . . ." Caesar said.

"I saying we shouldn't fight, Caesar," she explained. "War means death, which means there won't be enough of us. That there won't be people of Panem. If we don't put down our weapons—it's over."

"So . . . you're calling for a cease-fire?" Caesar asked.

"Hell yes I am, cease-fire!" Siobhan exclaimed then took a deep breath, "Sorry…if you'll excuse me, I would like the guards to escort me to my room so I can draw."

Caesar faced the camera, "All right. I think that wraps it up. So back to our regularly scheduled programming."

The music plays them off, and then a female voice reads the shortage of fresh fruits, batteries, soap and such for the Capitol. I took a deep breaths comprehending the information given from all this. Siobhan is alive and pregnant. She is cooperating with the Capitol to protect our unborn child, her defense for my innocence in collaborating with the rebels, and obliging to any orders with the Capitol now that she called a cease-fire. President Snow discuss about the whole system collapsing. He warned me that I should imagine thousands upon thousands of people dead. Damn, Siobhan makes it sound like she is condemning both side of the war. A cease-fire would only result in returning to our previous status.

Just watching Siobhan dressed like a white-as-snow rose left a personal message to me. It spoke unfinished business. As if he says, I can find you. I can reach you. Perhaps I am watching you now. But most importantly I have what you want.

The people in the Command room were accusing against Siobhan. Some calling her a liar, enemy, and traitor. I bite my tongue so I wouldn't snap out and punching somebody, for these people are my seniorities. I decided the best option is to leave to prevent problem. Katniss agreed as she took my hand leading me out. Coin's voice rises higher than the others, "You have not been dismissed, Soldier Hawthorne, Soldier Everdeen."

Commander Boggs laid his hand on Katniss arm. Katniss not use to being touch jerk her arm and ran. Boggs attempted to go after Katniss but I blocked the door, which lead to an elbow to the face. Blood trickle down my nose. I didn't care for I didn't want somebody touching my cousin. In result Coin took my communicuff and demotes me before dismissal. I did a sarcastic solute then went to search for Katniss.

When I do she hid in a supply closet, curled up against the crate of chalk. She looked pissed and when she's pissed it's not a pretty sight. With a sigh, I sat down beside her.

Her eyes widen at the blood from my nose, "What happened?"

"I got in Bogg's way." I answered with a shrug. She leans up using a sleeve to wipe my nose, yet not so gently. "Watch it!"

"Which one is he?" she asked, gently patting my nose. However her trying to wipe the blood away was making it hurt. The trickle of blood turned into stream of blood.

"Oh, you know. Coin's right-hand lackey. The one who tried to stop you." I said pushing her hand away. "Quit! You'll bleed me to death."

"You fought Boggs?" she asked.

"No, just blocked the doorway when he tried to follow you. His elbow caught me in the nose." I explained.

"They'll probably punish you," she said.

"Already have," I hold up my wrist. She stared at it uncomprehendingly. "Coin took back my communicuff."

Katniss bit her lip, "I'm sorry, Soldier Gale Hawthorne."

"Don't be, Soldier Katniss Everdeen." I grinned. "I felt like a jerk walking around with it anyway." We both started laughing. "I think I like the demotion."

"Who are these people?" She asked.

"They're us. If we'd had nukes instead of a few lumps of coal," I answered.

"I like to think Twelve wouldn't have abandon the rest of the rebels back in the Dark Days," Katniss said.

"We might have. If it was that, surrender, or start a nuclear war." I said. "In a way, it's remarkable they survived at all."

I give District 13 credit for all this. The early years must had been difficult for them, all huddle up in these chambers underground while their city be bombed away. Their population decimated, unable to find aid from previous allies. Over eighty years, Thirteen taught themselves of be self-sufficient, becoming an army, and built a new society. However their sufficient society was corrupted by a pox epidemic which decreases the birth rate and a lot of citizen barren. So this militaristic colony that is overly programmed, and lack a sense of humor are still alive.

"Still, it took them long enough to show up," She said.

"It wasn't simple. They had to build up a rebel base in the Capitol, get some sort of underground organized in this district," I guessed. "Then they needed someone to set the whole thing in motion. They need us."

"Also Siobhan, too, but they seem to have forgotten that." She said.

My expression darkens. I took a deep breath looking at the wall. "I don't know what they think. I find it hard to believe I'm a soon-to-be father. Yeah, I get what she said is protect our kid…But most of the rebels will dismiss what she said immediately, of course. But there are districts where the resistance is shakier. The cease-fire's clearly President Snow's idea. But it seems so reasonable coming out of Siobhan's mouth."

"Do you think she's pregnant and that is the cause?" she asked hesitantly.

"I guess so. Or persuaded. My guess is she made some kind of deal to protect me and the baby. She'd put forth the idea of the cease-fire if Snow let her present me as a stressed out teenager who had no idea what was going on when I was taken prisoner by the rebels. This way, if the districts lose, there's still a chance of leniency for me. If we play it right . . ." I said. "Katniss . . . She's still trying to keep me alive."

Trying to keep me alive. Even now the Games are still on. We might had left the arena, but Siobhan and I aren't dead, her desire to keep me alive. My idea is to have her lay low, remained safe and imprisoned, as the war play out. Which side should win? If the rebels win, then this would disastrous her. If the Capitol wins . . . maybe both sides would live—if I do it right—as the games continue to play.

Flashbacks ran through my head: the spear piercing Rue in the arena. Mags running into the poisonous fog. The morphling dying on the beach. Wiress throat being slit by Gloss and so forth. The news of District 8 uprising. The victors locking hands the night before the Quarter Quell. And the so accident, of me shooting the arrow at the force field in the arena.

Katniss suddenly sat up causing a box of pencils to fall and scatter on the floor.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"There can't be a cease-fire." She leaned down, fumbling of cleaning up the pencils and shoving it in a box. "We can't go back."

"I know," I said sweeping up a handful of pencils and taps them on the floor into perfect alignment.

"Whatever reason Siobhan had for saying those things, she's wrong." Katniss said. Sadly the pencils she was cleaning up weren't going in the box. Some in fact snapped to a point she made a frustrated groan."

"I know. Give it here. You're breaking them to bits." I chuckled, pulling the box from her hand and pick up the pencils in constant motion.

"Do you think she knows what has happen in Twelve?" She asked.

"Katniss, I guess so. If I could hit a button and kill every living soul working for the Capitol, I would do it. Without hesitation." I put the last pencil in the box, closed the lid and put it away.

"What are you going to do?" Katniss asked.

I took a deep breath recalling the hybrid dress Cinna made for my girl.

"I'm going to continue to be the Mockingjay. Even if it means I don't have my Phoenix by my side."

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