A/N: Thanks to xx-Want-A-Sugar-Cube-xx and Koryandrs for reviewing the last chapter! :)
Again, I've had to go for something slightly different in this chapter, in order to avoid rewriting tonnes of text nearly word-for-word from 'Catching Fire' later on in the story. Hopefully you can all enjoy this chapter, despite its lack of action :)
"Red alert is the colour of panic
Elevated to the point of static
Beating into the hearts of the fanatics
And the neighbourhood's a loaded gun."
- Billie-Joe Armstrong, 2009.
The 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Third Quarter Quell) - Day 2, 6.45 pm
Katniss Everdeen (17), District 12 Female (victor of the 74th Annual Hunger Games)
Green Day - American Eulogy (2009)
I surface from the waves once more and brush my hair from my eyes. It's not a difficult job; so much of my hair was lost to that horrific gas last night, when Mags died. It was only just over twelve hours ago, but it feels like days. I guess times like these will be able to help me think.
I swim lazily about in the temperate waters close to the shore, meandering aimlessly. My allies - at least, those that are still alive - seem content on land for now, and I allow myself just this little bit of breathing space to take in my situation. There are eight of us left. The five of us in our alliance; Beetee, Finnick, Johanna, Peeta and myself. Brutus and Enobaria, the District 2 Careers. One other. It's either the woman from Five, the man from District 10 or Chaff. I'm not sure who I'd rather be alive, really. Maybe I'd prefer Chaff, but that means there's still the possibility that I might have to kill him myself, and I'm not sure I could put myself through that. Then again, he must die. We all must die if Peeta is to make it home alive.
Looking back at the shore, I can see my district partner, my ally, my friend sitting on the beach in quiet conversation with Beetee. Peeta might appear worn down, but we all do by the arena. Even Finnick's beauty has been marred by these Games. The thing that worries me about Peeta is that for all my efforts, I know that he will still want me to be the one to live through all this. Maybe sometimes I take his compassion for granted, but it says a lot if he's willing to lay his life down for me. Still, that's now become a trait that lists him among my enemies. His plans for the conclusion of the Third Quarter Quell differ to my own, so he must be stopped. Only for the first time in the arena, 'stopped' doesn't mean 'killed'.
It's strange how quickly everything has changed. A year ago I was a frightened girl trying to do everything in her power to get herself home. Now, I'm a young woman desperate to play a part in the liberation of Panem.
I've heard the rumours. I know of the discontent building in the other districts, of the first steps taken towards revolution during the harsh winter. Several districts in uprising. It didn't last long, but it gave us hope.
Months pass, and I become aware that I'm the one that the districts are rallying behind. That it is my influence that has stirred up the districts, encouraged them to stand together against the Capitol. Thinking about it, the Quell was something that I should've seen coming. I may have been the first, but the Hunger Games victors, with their celebrity status and relative freedom, have more power than any of the rest of us in the district. I may have been the first to hint at rebellion, but I'm sure that others would follow. That's why Snow has held the Quell; a convenient solution to quell not only the victors but the promise of a better Panem that they symbolise.
When this is all over, we need a victor who will be prepared to make a stand against Snow's regime. Pulling myself out of the water to sit in the sand at its edge, I look around at my allies. Any one of them could have any number of reasons for wanting to confront the Capitol. I think our small show of resistance in the City Circle on interview night two days ago is enough to show that I'm not the only one thinking of dissent. I have my own reasons for hating our nation's leader, but I'm sure that many of us have had far longer to grow to despise President Snow than I have. Take Finnick, for example. I can tell from his reaction to the Jabberjays that he's led a troubled life. That he knows what the Capitol is really capable of as he heard the screams of his loved ones pierce through the arena. Johanna's no better. She's been talking of uprisings - albeit rather covertly - all day, as though she's daring the Capitol.
Any of us - maybe even Chaff or Haymitch, who are almost always drunk - could make a stand if we had the guts. After this Quell, I think most of us might be able to. I certainly would, if it wasn't for the safety of those that I love. But Peeta would be able to. It's not a kind thought, admittedly, but it would break him if I were dead. He would commit himself whole-heartedly to continuing my wishes after I am gone. He knows what I'm after, anyway. I've spoken to him about it enough at home in District 12. And if anyone is going to be able to get the districts on our side and ready to fight, who better than Peeta? I might be the catalyst for what is to come, but really my face is all that the future rebels would ever need. A martyr for the cause. Someone to rally behind. A grief-stricken Peeta would do a far better job of winning over the districts than I would. Than any of us would, really. He has not yet had time to be corrupted by the Capitol like some of the older victors, like Finnick or Cashmere. His is still a district boy. They will follow him, I'm sure of it.
Maybe some of why I want Peeta to win the Games is because last year, he did everything to help me win, and I owe him for it. I'd never have made it home without him. Now, I'm willing to do the same to keep him alive. Haymitch and I owe it to him. Well, maybe that's some of the reason. The other reason is that I know there will be repercussions for these Games, no matter who wins it, for the defiance shown at the interviews. I'm almost certain of it. Maybe, if Peeta wins and the districts rebel once more, they'll have a true leader to follow. A proper figurehead, not some short, skinny girl who's half decent with a bow and hopelessly out of her depth.
Maybe, if I can get Peeta out of this arena alive, everything will be better for those that I love.
A/N: I'm not sure about how this one turned out... Hopefully you enjoyed my musings on Katniss' emotions, the rebellion, the quell, the other victors, and most importantly, Peeta. If you did enjoy it, the please review! More than ever, constructive criticism is welcomed :)
