AN: Please check out my new Percy Jackson story 'Right Here Waiting'. Sorry for the wait but I'm here now! Not many chapters left until the end. Sorry if there are any spelling/grammar mistakes. Enjoy the chapter…
Katniss
A while later the same man from earlier walks back in, carrying a small quiet bundle in his arms. Tears fill my eyes before I even see my baby. The peacekeeper takes a seat on the wooden chair beside the hard surface I'm laying on.
I turn my head and look down, my eyes falling on my son. I gasp. He looks just like Peeta with his curly blonde hair and button nose. His lips, just like his dads, are a rosy red and in a small smile. He's beautiful.
He's not as small as I'd imagined him to be with his pale chubby cheeks. He's the exact opposite of his sister who looks exactly like me except she has Peeta's eyes. I wonder if my son has blue eyes. Right now I can't tell since he's sleeping.
"Can I hold him?" I ask, even though the man had told me no earlier. "Please," I quickly add.
The man suddenly looks uncomfortable. He stands up and walks to the door. I open my mouth to tell him not to go, that I won't hold my baby and I'll stop asking but he's back in the room before I can say anything. I frown in confusion.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"I'm a spy from District 13. I've been told to take care of the baby, which means I get to look after you. I was lucky to get the job. That window," he points to the screen that to me looks like a mirror but from the outside I guess is a window. "Let's anyone from the outside see you," he whispers.
"You are not meant to be able to touch anything- no one after you killed Snow," he explains in a whisper.
"Are there camera's here?" I ask. He shakes his head as he undoes the restraints with one hand while using the other to clutch my son to his chest.
"No and since I don't know if anyone is watching through the window I'll have to keep checking. Stay on the bed so if anyone is coming I can tie you back up. That's why I couldn't let you see the baby earlier."
"What do you think the Game-makers will decide about me killing Snow?" I ask.
"Personally, I think you are going to be found guilty. Plutarch is the only other person here on the rebel's side. He was meant to escape to 13 with everyone else but he didn't make it on time but no one thought he was trying to escape. I think he'll try to convince the other's to let you go but you have to remember that everyone else is on Snow's side."
Once I'm free I quickly sit up and hold my arms out. He gently lays my baby into my arms and I sigh in relief when I feel that spark I got when I held Hope for the first time, too. I press a kiss to his forehead, making his eyes flutter and body stir.
I bite my lip, waiting for his eyes to open. When they do I am met with a familiar grey. I smile and whisper, "Hello, baby. I'm your mommy. I'm sorry you didn't get to see me sooner."
He makes a gurgling noise and I find myself laughing and crying at the same time. I feel relieved and scared but at the same time happy.
"What's your name?" I ask, looking up at the Peacekeeper.
"Mark," he replies as he walls over to the door. He opens it a little and pops his head out. "Mark Myers."
"So, you're a spy?" I say. He closes the door and leans against it.
"Yeah, the only one here if you count Plutarch," he explains.
"What will happen to me if I'm found guilty?" I ask, not expecting to hear what comes out of his mouth next.
"You get executed."
I gasp. "What? But if I'm labelled mentally ill then surely I should be able to go free."
"You killed the President. That's a big thing to do and the biggest crime possible over here. But don't worry I have a plan. Oh and can I ask you to do something for me?"
"Anything," I reply, knowing that I owe him for taking care of my baby.
"Kill Coin. She wants power. She wants to be the next President of Panem and she won't stop until she gets her way," he says.
"But I thought you were on her side," I frown.
"I'm on the rebel's side, not hers. I just know from our conversations over the phone she's not as good as everyone thinks."
"Oh," I mutter. Hope is in 13 with Peeta, Prim and hopefully both Peeta's parents and mine.
Mark opens his mouth to say something but then closes it, his eyes wide. "What?" I whisper, worry filling me.
"Someone's coming," he says and runs towards me. He takes me baby out of my arms and starts putting my restraints on.
I lay down, making it easier for him and I hear him curse as he struggles. I can hear the footsteps from outside and I bite my lip nervously. The door flies open seconds before Mark has done up the last restraint.
A Peacekeeper walks in. His hair is grey and gelled back. There are wrinkles taking over his face and his mouth is in a firm line. I instantly don't like him.
"What are you doing?" he snaps.
"I thought I'd undo the restraints because her hearing is soon," Mark says. I sigh in relief. Good and quick thinking.
"What's the baby doing in here?" the man snaps, he seems to want to find something he can blame Mark on, get him in trouble. They don't act like the best of friends.
"I thought she could at least see her child once before she finds out if she's guilty or not. If she is guilty she won't be able to see the baby ever again if she's dead," Mark replies, his tone sounding calm yet stern.
"Hmm. Very well. The Game-makers are ready for her," the man says and walks out.
Mark sighs and turns back to me. "That was close."
I nod in agreement and he starts undoing the restraints again. When they are off again he let's me hold the baby for a few minutes before taking him off me and handcuffing me.
"Act like a crazy woman," he whispers as he leads me out of the room and down the long hall.
I can smell roses and blood even though Snow is dead. I swallow the bile in my throat and wonder how I'm meant to act crazy. How does a crazy person act?
As we near the room in which the hearing is being held the baby cries out. I bite my lip, forcing myself not to yell at Mark to hand me my baby so I can quieten him. "Ssh, Tyler," I whisper, looking at my baby who is still in Mark's arms.
Tyler's cries stop and his eyes meet mine. It's as if he can understand that as long as I'm here he's safe and it's the truth. If anyone lays a finger on him then they'll have the same fate as the President did.
"Tyler?" Mark questions.
I nod. "Peeta and I thought it was a nice name."
"I agree," Mark says.
We arrive a few minutes later and I'm lead into a room. I've never seen a courtroom before so I'm surprised to see so many people here. Mark hands my baby to Cinna who is sitting in the front row with Peacekeeper's on either side of him.
Despite the situation I offer him a gentle smile that he returns. He looks well, as if no one has touched him except from a purple bruise just under his eye that tells me otherwise.
I force my eyes off my stylist and look around the room. There are rows upon rows of seats that are filled with Capitol residents, each looking bright and creepy in their colourful skins.
I'm told to stand in a box and a small wooden door is locked behind me so I can't escape. I wasn't thinking of going anywhere without Tyler and Cinna. Besides, I don't see how I'll escape with my hands tied behind my back.
I'm told to say my name and other stuff that I don't really pay attention to as I stare at Tyler in Cinna's arm. If I'm found guilty I will never be able to see him again. I won't be able to kiss Peeta, I won't be able to visit Prim and my parents, everyone I love I won't be able to say goodbye to. My mind flashes back to what Mark said earlier. Act like a crazy woman.
I scan my eyes around the room, looking for him. He's standing in front of the doors at the back of the room. Our eyes meet and I can barely make out the nod that he sends my way. He's telling me to do it.
"What am I doing here?" I yell, turning around in the stuffy box like I hope a mad woman would.
I kick the sides of the box and let out a loud scream. "Let me out of here! I want Peeta!"
"Mrs. Mellark, calm down," a man growls. I think he's the judge.
The Game-makers are the jury, I guess. I didn't know that until Mark mentioned that it was up to the Game-maker's whether to let me live or not. My eyes quickly fall on the many men sitting on cushioned seats to the side. They shake their head at me as if in pity.
"What am I doing here?" I scream, pulling at the handcuffs, pretending that I'm trying to get them off.
"You are on trial for killing the President," the judge snaps, his voice echoing through the room.
I let out a cackle and say in a loud whisper, "I would've killed Snow before if I'd had the chance. He deserved to die!"
The audience gasps.
"Quiet, Mrs. Mellark. As soon as I deliver the verdict then you can go."
I keep my mouth shut but still spin around like a mad woman. I start humming an old song my dad and I used to sing together. The hanging tree, it's called.
I tune out of what the judge is saying and carrying on humming while I spin around. I start feeling sick and dizzy so I stand still. My eyes fall on Mark again at the back. He smiles. I'm doing well. I turn my attention to Cinna and Tyler.
Cinna actually looks worried. If he believes I'm crazy then everyone should. I remember something else Mark mentioned earlier. Everyone else is on Snow's side. I gulp before turning to face the judge.
His eyes bore into mine as he growls a sentence. And that one sentence is something I desperately didn't want to hear.
"Mrs. Mellark, the evidence has been discussed and I can now reveal you are guilty of murdering the President…"
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