Chapter 57 –– Heroes and Villains, Disguised 2
AN: My thanks to those who alerted, favored and reviewed the last chapter. Much appreciation to the following who have left a review: LACR, pumpkinking5, pistonsfan75, baldcoder, kelmikmag, Aqua Rules, BDizzy and Browniangel. This chapter contains Haymitch POV and is rated R for strong language. The same drill, THG belongs to Suzanne Collins. Any mistakes found are my own.
Haymitch POV ––
District 13 was not as I expected. Primarily, the district was built underground. How many levels? I wasn't sure since they had blindfolded me. I scoffed and snickered at their attempt to hide their location––too late. I knew where they were located and who was in charge thanks to Gale who had revealed their secret long before he had betrayed us––Garrett and District 12. But then they didn't know that, as they walked Simms and I through what I assumed was elevator. The next thing I knew I felt the floor descend causing my ears to pop. So here I was blind and hard of hearing feeling the cold air seeped though my clothes.
The ride in the elevator was long and loud. The smell of disinfectant and metal assaulted my nasal passage. It was stifling, dry and a bit musty. How can anyone live like this locked underground with no interaction high above ground? The place felt cold and suffocating. It was…claustrophobic. Sheets of sweat sheen my forehead, my hands clammy despite the air conditioning circulating each level.
"This way, sir," Commander Ridgeley directed as he led us through a long metallic corridor. The sound of our footsteps clanged as it bounced against the walls. "Despite the late hour, President Coin is expecting you." 'She wants to meet me now?' It was way past midnight. Did the woman sleep at all? I was exhausted as the ride in their hovercraft was uncomfortably cold. I was running on lack of sleep, hunger and anxiety.
How was Garrett managing? Did Lily make it to the camp? Where was Cinna and Portia, did they make it out of the Capitol? But most of all did Peeta and Katniss make out of the arena unharmed? So many questions unanswered.
I remembered my last communication with Commander Reeves after leaving the camp to get Lily in District 11.
Flashback ––
"Commander Reeves," I addressed her. "It's best that you stay here in the ship. Your team will help me retrieve Mrs. Everdeen."
"I was ordered to accompany you, Abernathy," she argued. "Mockingjay insisted that I help you––"
"And what happens if we all get caught or captured?" I retorted back. "No one will know what happened to us. Reeves, just in case something goes wrong, you need to stay. Everyone's safety is my concern, not just Mrs. Everdeen but for all of us."
"I don't…I'm disobeying his order," Reeves stated. Garrett was the Mockingjay and he had entrusted me to retrieve his wife. I felt uneasy since leaving the camp––something was gnawing my mind, prickling my skin while the hairs rose on my arms. I felt spooked.
"Just give me an hour and if we're not back you must leave and get back to the camp."
"But if I come without you and Mrs. Everdeen, Mockingjay will have my head––"
"You can blame me. Mockingjay counted on me to get his wife back to him. And I intend to but if I can't, then he'll know something went wrong."
End of Flashback ––
I hoped that Lily is home with her family––Garrett, Prim and Katniss. And with Katniss safely back with her family, it's given that Peeta would safe as well.
My last thoughts were of Effie––how she was handling her new surroundings and living conditions? I chuckled as an image formed in my mind––Effie shrieking and wearing the rebel uniform and clunky boots sans makeup and her wigs. Cinna's style team was prepared to leave their home and family. They knew what they were getting into, but not Effie. I knew once I returned I would sincerely apologize to her even though my intentions were honorable.
Cinna! I prayed that he and Portia made it out of the Capitol. A hand on my arm pulled me back disrupting my thoughts.
"Wait. Stop here," Ridgeley ordered as someone removed the cloth from my eyes. I winced as it took time to adjust from darkness to the fluorescent glare. To my utter dismay a figure appeared in front of me. "Fuck this."
"Mr. Abernathy?" the voice spoke as I recognized him. "What are you doing here?" 'Ugh, Gale,' I muttered in my mind. 'I was hoping I didn't see that fucking piece of shi––
"Hawthorne," I said with a tinge of impatience. He was not who I had expected to see or converse with. As a matter a fact, he had a lot of nerve even speaking to me after what he had attempted to do to us back in the Capitol. "Isn't it past your bedtime?" '
Civil, I must remain civil.' I repeated in my head as my anxiety was replaced with irritation and impatience.
"I was asleep when I was summoned to see President Coin," he answered back as he shrugged his shoulders. Gale looked disheveled from interrupted sleep, as his eyes were drowsy. He wore a light gray uniform––matching pants and shirt with dark boots. My hands clenched into a fist, as I was tempted to hit him…hit so hard that I'd break his jaw so he wouldn't be able to talk. The more I looked at him the more I remembered his attempt to frame Peeta for Ivan's death. He was nothing but trouble in 12 with his big mouth about wanting to join the rebellion. For the most part, I had avoided or didn't even think of Gale Hawthorne when I was in 12, but after his mission in the Capitol, I couldn't tolerate him let alone walk along side him as I met Coin. At least he had decency to remain quiet.
We were led to a secured level where several guards patrolled the area. Two metallic doors swished open. Inside the room was the control center as it had many monitors on walls––each monitor displaying all the districts from 1 to 12. There was another one that was currently turned off. I realized that each district was monitored by their own hover drone. How did we miss all this after all these years? And how long had they been observing us?
"You wait here," Ridgeley demanded as he spoke to Simms.
"He comes with me," I said in firm tone. "Take or leave it. I will not engage in any conversation without my security with me. Just as I know Coin will have hers as well." Ridgeley looked conflicted. "He goes where I go."
"That is not necessary. You are safe here."
"I will feel safer with Simms," I persisted. "If I am safe, why can he not come with me?" They had already disarmed us. I didn't trust them at all. "We're not the enemies here. Need I remind you? Unless you make it so." Ridgeley nodded his head in resignation.
"President Coin will join you in a few minutes. Have a seat," Ridgeley commanded then exited the room to be replaced by another dark skinned man. On his hip was a revolver as he wore a black uniform from head to toe. I recognized the military uniform that District 13 soldiers wore decades ago. As I waited I wondered which of these men posed as Mockingjay while he tried to abduct Peeta months prior. On his left pocket was an embroidered patch, 'Atwater.'
The room was dark but lit by the monitors. In front of me was a long table with a screen as the tabletop. It was impressive as it had the map of Panem––each district and the Capitol. My eyes blurred from exhaustion as I was about to pass out when a diminutive woman around 5' 2" entered the room. Her silvery white hair against her pale complexion made her look sickly. She too wore a drab color gray dress that made of the same material as Gale's uniform. She was a striking woman with stern green eyes; her lips were drawn in a thin line. Another dark skinned soldier appeared beside her. He was younger than Ridgeley but no less intimidating with his grim face and disposition. On his left pocket was the name Boggs. Simms stood behind me.
"Welcome to District 13, Mr. Abernathy," she greeted me. "Please have a seat. I'm sorry for the late hour but when I heard that you––"
"Please Ms. Coin––" I huffed in exasperation and impatience.
"President Coin," she interjected.
"Excuse me?" I returned as she interrupted me. Already she got on my nerves with her air of superiority and stoic manner.
"I am President Alma Coin of District 13," she announced.
"Let us drop the pleasantries," I returned. "I am not here on my own accord so let us not pretend that we are…allies."
"I'm sorry to hear that," she retorted. "I'm afraid that you and I have not met in better circumstances."
"I have no time for games and neither does Mockingjay," I stated as I went straight to the point. "We both know that you sent Gale here to do harm to Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen in the Capitol the night before the games. You also sent your soldiers to come after Mrs. Lily Everdeen after Garrett revealed his identity. And to pretend that you didn't send another of your goons to kidnap Peeta months ago…please do not insult my intelligence. I'm too tired to play games and banter back and forth on how to you're going to deny my accusations." I sat back down and placed my feet up on the table. Dirt and grimes oozed out from the bottom of my shoes as I placed one ankle on top of the other.
A sneer appeared on her face. "I see you lack not just civility but manners." She eyed my feet.
"Respect goes both ways, Coin," I shot back. "Don't deny your attempt to usurp Mockingjay's importance and position in this rebellion."
"And what position is that?"
"A position which he is the face and leader of a rebellion. Whereas you are non-existent in Panem. District 13 perished and were annihilated as so we were led to believe."
"We needed to recoup and rebuild––"
"You hid while we continued to fight on our own." I placed my feet back on the ground and laid my arms on the table. "You need him––Mockingjay. He's the symbol and figurehead in the war against Snow. You…and District 13 don't even exist. The rebels follow him not you. So you tell me you don't know his position of importance," I challenged her. "We fight for and with Mockingjay and have been doing it without any help."
"Point taken, but how is your revolution going?" she ranted back. "With what little armory, weapons and supplies you have, you barely can call yourself…an army."
"And what about you, hmm?" I snickered in return. "You've been hiding for years…underground. Spying on us. Doing nothing." I gestured to the monitors. "Your men haven't seen or had any action. You kept yourself in a little bubble, self-contained and uninvolved while we've been fighting. Fighting the real fight while you're boys…trained?" I turned my head to Gale. He looked sheepish and…dare I say embarrassed. Why?
"What? Little raids and skirmishes here and there. Attacking production depots and stations?"
"Better than what you and 13 have been doing? And what is that? Nothing," I said with a bit of bite. "Nothing. We may not have a lot, but we've been fighting for our lives. Can you say you've been doing the same?" I stood up and leaned over palming the conference table. Big dark skin soldier, Atwater took a step forward but I persisted, not to be intimidated by his muscles. "We have men and women everyday, rain or shine through heat and snow risking their lives and fighting for Panem while you…"
"Enough," Coin slammed her fists on the table. 'Oh, did I hit a nerve?' "Sit down Abernathy?"
"I aint one of your toy soldiers to order around, Coin," I returned.
"Mr. Abernathy, I'd sit down if I were you," Gale interjected. I had forgotten he was in the room.
"Well, I'm not you, Hawthorne," I turned to him, my eyes hard and filled with disdain. The room remained quiet for a few seconds. Both Atwater and Boggs were alert ready to protect Coin as Simms took a step forward. Gale was shocked. Me, I was too livid and exhausted but capable to put up a fight if necessary.
"Mr. Abernathy, I didn't expect us to agree on many things but can we at least admit that our main goal is to remove President Snow from his reign and free Panem?" Coin was calm, eerily sedate that her demeanor creeped me out.
"I agree," I sighed and sat down. The stress of the day had finally taken a toll. I was running out of steam. I needed sleep.
"It is late," Coin stated. I scoffed at her assessment. 'Really, did she notice that now?' "Why don't you get some rest for next few hours and we will…reconvene and continue our conversation." Too tired to argue, I shook my head.
"So what was the purpose of bringing Hawthorne to this 'meeting?' I asked. Gale was bleary and quiet. His presence was unnecessary and wasn't conducive to the conversation. So my curiosity got the best of me.
"I wanted you to see that we have treated him well and that he is not prisoner," Coin explained.
"Well, it wasn't like he have the choice to come back," I replied. "We sent Hawthorne in guise of his death during the dog mutt attacks at District 12."
"I know, Gale informed me."
"So it still doesn't explain why he's here," I grunted.
"I admit that an alliance between Mockingjay and 13 must be made. I want to send Gale back with you as a liaison between us since he is one of yours," Coin revealed. This perked up Hawthorne's attention and interest, as he had been quiet for a while that I thought he fell asleep considering the hour.
"I know that there is ill will with my attempt to…aid Mockingjay." I snorted. So that's what she called attempted kidnapping and drugging Peeta. 'Aid.' She was delusional and she had…bal…nerves to assign Gale to me as a liaison. He was likely more her 'spy.'
"Of course, he will report to me on a daily basis," she continued.
I harrumphed and wanted to cackle but I was too exhausted. "So how is he one of mine but reports to you?" I sat back and crossed my arms. "Do you have any idea how much Hawthorne is…not welcomed right now. Let alone the fact his family does not know he is alive and you want to use him as a go-between with the rebels and District 13?"
Coin smiled, the kind of smile that made me feel uneasy. "Gale has made a couple of mistakes." 'A couple.' I shook my head. "But with the dire crisis that is happening in Panem, we need all the men and women we have."
"We don't need or want him after what you assigned him to––"
"Mr. Abernathy, I was only doing what I was ordered to do," Gale interjected I turned my head and glared at him. He withered and fell silent.
"I was not talking to you nor do I need your assistance. You betrayed Mr. Everdeen's trust."
"I didn't know it was him––" Gale yelled back.
"And that is your excuse? Because he wasn't someone you knew? Betrayal is betrayal, Gale. What if it had been your father hiding behind that mask?" Gale gasped, horrified and anger etched on his face. "I don't know how I or anyone can trust you?"
"Doesn't Gale deserve a second chance?" Coin interjected. I whipped my head so fast my eyes blurred for a second.
"Not after what he did to Peeta and Katniss. To the man who treated him and supported him like a son." Gale looked chastened. Good. "I don't trust him."
"But I do trust him to do what needs to be done for the sake of Panem. I need people like him," she admitted. "You see Gale sees the big picture… he operates on logic and necessity, nothing personal."
"I don't need people like him and I know people who'll agree with me," I stated.
"We need each other, do we not, Mr. Abernathy? Taking Gale aside, do we not agree on that?" she pointed out. I didn't know how to respond. Too many things and incidences happened with Peeta, Mockingjay and Lily. How could I trust her? How could I trust Hawthorne? His presence would disrupt the camp. Moreover, how could I deny help from 13? She was right we needed each other, but at what cost? It was like making a deal with the devil. Who was the lesser of two evils––Snow or Coin?
"What I can tell you is this, I will do everything in my power to free Panem from Snow's clutches. These are desperate times and we must do what we can by any means to ensure Panem's freedom. I am willing to make compromises."
"I believe you." I was hard pressed to make a deal without Garrett's input. We had talked about needing resources for the rebels but I felt uneasy. We knew we needed help but with everything that has conspired I didn't want to make the decision without him.
"The clock is ticking, Mr. Abernathy," she insisted. "I mean, isn't that the reason why you sought us out in the first place? Mockingjay surely trusts your judgment to make a decision on his behalf."
"He does," I sighed. "You are the president of 13, you can and have probably made decisions without consulting anyone for the good of your district, but I believe you too have to confer with your council, am I right?" She raised her brows. "But unlike you, I don't believe in making unilateral decision without conferring with my leader, the Mockingjay." The decision and deal should be made between Garrett and Coin.
"Yes, I seek advise from my committee, but ultimately the decision is mine alone." That kind of process did not sit well with me.
"I need to speak to Mockingjay." Coin nodded her hand.
"I understand, but I realize it's late so I will let you go and get some rest. We can discuss this much further when you are rested."
I didn't recall how I made it to my small room the size of a closet. The next thing I knew I woke up abruptly as Simms nudged my shoulder. "Sir, wake up," he said.
My mouth tasted chalky and dry. I must have slept with my mouth opened as the air made me choke. "Blech," I muttered as I rolled over almost falling off my cot. I ached all over and my head hurt. "What time is it?"
"You mean what day is it, sir?" he chortled.
"What?" I winced as I sat up right so abruptly that my head spun.
"Sir, you've been asleep for a day and a half," Simms informed me. 'Geez! I didn't realized I was that exhausted.' Considering that the last time I slept was the night Gale snuck into our suite, it was no wonder I passed out. "Why didn't you wake me?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "No one bothered us and you looked like you needed it. Besides, I tried and you took a swing at me." I bit his two lips as if he was trying not to laugh at me.
"President Coin didn't demand our presence?" I snickered. I didn't like the look Simms returned. Something happened while I was unconscious.
"What is going on?" I asked suddenly alert and…worried.
"I don't know. No one has approached me," he answered. "We've been sorta…" I raised my brows. "…under house arrest."
"What? House arrest, the fuck we are," I raged as I stood up and almost stumbled back the bed. I felt woozy. "Whoa."
"Sir, why don't you take a shower and I'll see about some lunch for you," he said. I nodded my head.
After a short warm shower and new clean clothes which consisted of a gray shirt and pants with dark boots, I waited for Simms to return. "I'm sorry, sir," Simms apologized. "It's too early to have lunch but the cook staff did have some breakfast left over." 'Ick.' He returned with a tray of watery oatmeal, a lump of bread, freeze dried eggs and their version of coffee? The meal was tasteless but I inhaled it as if it was my last meal. As I downed the brown watery cup of greasy liquid, my door opened unexpectedly. Simms reacted like a soldier and stood between and the interloper.
"Mr. Abernathy," the visitor greeted me. "My name is Boggs. I'm here to inform you that you are requested to meet with President Coin within the hour."
I smiled––a fake smile with my lips closed. "It's not like a I have a choice, do I Boggs?"
"I will be back escort, sir," he replied then acquitted the room.
"That guy has a personality of a gnat," Simms commented. I sighed and sat on my cot.
"How about you give me at tour around this…place?" I requested. "I need to walk a bit and clear my head."
"It's not like we're allowed to walk around, sir," Simms informed me. "The residential level and commissary are two places I've visited. We're not exactly…welcomed here, more like…I don't know. All I know is that I have eyes on me everywhere I go."
"It's doesn't matter. I need to walk and get a feel of this place. I need to assess this….compound." District 13 didn't feel like a home but a big concrete tomb.
"I agree." Simms walked me to the elevator and we stopped at the commissary floor. The room was large and spacious. What it lacked in style and comfort was replaced with functionality––the levels served it purpose to feed the whole complex. Row of tables filled the rooms from one end to the other. I noticed that on the wall was a large display––numbers of residents who were scheduled for their lunch meals.
On another monitor was the day's schedule as every minute was documented. The whole compound felt restrictive as all their activity was planned to the last minute from the moment they woke to time the they went to bed. And every activity was utilitarian in function––for the production of District 13's survival. Simms then related the activities in the underground compound––eat, work and sleep, repeat.
Everyone had job and tasks to complete each day. Men and women worked side by side. No job was of greater importance than the other from the dishwashers in the commissary to sweepers in the corridors. After the school hours, even the children were put to task from monitoring other children to their homework to sorting out dirty laundry and other duties. Everyone above the age of 12 worked.
By day's end, you were too tired to relax as they repeated each duty day after day and year after year. "Geez, these people don't know the meaning of fun," I muttered to myself as I watched a group of workers wash, press and sort out laundry.
"They have a job, sir," Simms commented. "In this compound, you are expected to work if you intend to stay in District 13 under Coin's protection. Relaxation period is slated between 7 and 8 o'clock before they turn in." 'What?'
I winced thinking about the enforced 'fun and relaxation' period. "What do they do for fun around here?"
"I'm not sure, sir" Simms admitted. "By 7 o'clock everyone is expected to be in their quarters." He hesitated for second as we watched three 12 year olds pass us by pulling a cart of clean sheets and uniforms behind them. "Also alcohol is not permitted, music is also prohibited and any form of gambling is definitely banned. It's not so bad living under these conditions and they don't have to worry about Snow and the games."
"Yes, but look at them––their faces. Are they really denied music or any form of entertainment?" Simms nodded his head. The compound was alive with activity but I felt no life there. If that made any sense?
"But at least, their children are safe from the lottery. There is no fear from the peacekeepers or from President Snow. Everyone eats and has a place to sleep. There is not starvation or poverty."
"True, but oppression is oppression, Simms. These people are no better––" I stopped as I noticed a worker side eyeing me and Simms. "Coin should at least let them unwind, have some fun and let them socialize––a basic human interaction. Freedom from Snow is well and good. I envy them of that, but this…this is no way to live either."
Simms led me to another level––the training facility. Groups of men and women trained from hand to hand combat to weaponry training with a bow, axe and guns. I smothered a laugh as I noticed Hawthorne sweeping around the weight room.
"So if you're working in the compound, you either work yourself to death or become a soldier and die for the cause! Nice options," I snickered. Is really freedom and living?
"Mr. Abernathy," Boggs's voice boomed in the air. His low timbre voice startled me. "President Coin would…requests to see you now." He turned and walked to the elevator access waiting for me.
"Simms," I addressed him. "Do you think he heard us? I mean, I didn't even hear him from behind me."
"I don't know, sir," he returned. "He surprised me too." Resigned to meet Coin, I bolstered my courage and bravado to confront her again but this time my strength returned from a day and of half of uninterrupted sleep. It was amazing what sleep and rest could do to one's state of mind and physical state.
Surprisingly Boggs led us to another section of the restricted level where Coin resided. "This meeting is not extended to Simms or myself," he said as he placed himself in front of a two panel metallic door. "These are President Coins' private quarters. Simms and I will be on guard outside while you meet with her."
Dumbfounded, I didn't even feel my feet as I walked through the door. Inside the quarters, the décor and design of Coin's residence was quite different from the compound. Though it was still encased in metal and plaster, the wooden furniture was comfy and…dare I say feminine with light purple floral print with matching oak coffee and end tables. So unlike the furniture in the compound, it wasn't metallic and sterile looking. Along the walls were bookshelves with hundreds of books. They were reading material that were banned or lost during the great war from the Dark Ages.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Abernathy," Coin directed as she entered the room with a silvery metallic tray. On the tray was a porcelain pot with two cups. "Would you like to join me for a cup of tea?"
"No, thank you," I returned as I sat across her. Wary but alert, I didn't like the sinking feeling I felt in my gut. "You didn't ask me here for a tea party. What's is going on?"
"I'm aware that you have been…resting for the past day and half so you do not know what is going on?" News from home, Peeta and Katniss? "I thought you would like to be abreast of the events."
"Tell me," I demanded. "Do you have any news regarding my tribu…Peeta and Katniss?"
"Why don't I show you instead?" Coin picked up a remote of some sort and aimed it at a monitor. My eyes were glued to the screen as I watched Peeta and Katniss escape the arena. Then it switched to another point in time. I didn't know when but all I know was that Peeta nearly died as a bear attacked him. The two soldiers that were assigned to help them were captured and both Peeta and Katniss were on their own.
All awhile Coin sat demure and silence as she drank her tea. As for me, I had been sober for months but after watching Peeta and Katniss, my nerves were raw. I itched and craved for a glass of whiskey. "These were broadcasted days after." Then Coin proceeded to tell me about the forest fire that the peacekeepers set to lure and herd Peeta and Katniss towards them.
"Where are they now, Peeta and Katniss? What happened to the soldiers who rescued them?"
"I'm not sure on both counts," Coin admitted. "We haven't heard or had any news from Mockingjay since the last broadcast." I knew she was lying. She had drones of her own flying all over Panem. She was hiding something from me.
I sighed and wondered what to do. The lack of news about everybody I cared for made me anxious. I needed to leave. "Mr. Abernathy, I believe that you and I had started on the wrong foot, so to speak," she charmed or at tried to charm me with a smile. I didn't trust her, I couldn't, but I had years of experience dealing with politicians and people who craved power. Coin was one of those. I didn't know her agenda but in my gut I knew she wasn't to be trusted. I didn't want to reprise our conversation about Gale.
I grunted in response though I really wanted to snicker and return with a snide remark but I was…Mockingjay's emissary in a way, representing him and the rebels of Panem who followed him.
My mission was to help Garrett, I needed to know about District 13 and its' inhabitants––how they lived, survived and managed to stay quiet and unnoticed. Maybe I could glean a bit of information from Hawthorne since he's been living amongst them. Could I stomach facing the bastard?
"You have yourself a nice setup," I started. "All these years you have kept your people safe."
"It was no easy feat, Mr. Abernathy," Coin returned. "It took years to rebuild but we…persevered. A lot of sacrifice and hard work built this district, everyone works here. There are no slackers."
"What do you mean?"
"Every abled-body from the age must work. No exceptions."
"How many are living in the compound?" I asked.
"Close to 3,000." She took a sip of her tea.
"Wow, that's a lot of mouths to feed and maintain." I was impressed I had to admit. But the number puzzled me. Decades underground and they only had 3,000 in their population. It was too low. "How do you sustain the conditions as your population grows? Aren't you worried of overcrowding?"
"Every citizen is accounted for," Coin started. "To maintain balance and overcrowding I have instituted that a couple can only have one child per family." 'What the fuck?'
"How can you––"
"Mr. Abernathy, we have been able to maintain control and order in District 13. We live underground and have been successfully keeping Snow from taking our children away from their family. As I said there are sacrifices, conditions and limitation in order to live here."
"But to control how many children you could have…" She was no different from Snow, but the complete opposite. She ran her district, controlling their livelihood, when to eat and how to dress. How many children you can have. There was no lottery, but there was no life either. She was Snow with her white hair and her totalitarian society? How was she any better?
"It works. We've been operating and functioning in this compound with no crime and disorder. If a crime is committed, punishment is swift and just." She shrugged her shoulders. I was dumbfounded. Coin even controlled the procreation of life and not just their daily activities as well. And what is the judgment for committing a crime?
"My purpose of my meeting with you is to discuss our alliance." 'Here we go.' "I believe that as a united front against President Snow we have fighting chance to free Panem from his clutches. With Mr. Everdeen as the symbol and figure of the rebellion and with my men and resources, we can and will defeat him." It was tempting the picture she was laying out if we joined forces, but I saw what was beyond the rebellion––the aftermath. Could I go back to Garrett and tell him to make a pact with a person who was just like Snow? What choice did we have?
"As Mockingjay take lead, and with the support of 13 I know we can achieve what has not been achievable or attainable since the creation of the Snow's legacy––the Hunger Games. We can end his tyranny, the games and subjugation upon the citizen of Panem once and for all."
"I have a couple of issues that I need to address first," I clarified. Coin looked surprised as if her impassioned speech was enough to make me agree and say, 'Yes, ma'am. I'll go back to Garrett and do what you say.' Nope that wasn't going to happen. Garrett trusted met to keep Lily safe but in turn I had to protect him as well. Coin had an agenda. She had never verbally spoken or revealed it but it didn't take a genius to know what she was after.
One, she needed men and women––an army that Garrett had build through the years. Two, she needed Peeta and Katniss. Besides the Mockingjay the Star Crossed Lovers of District 12 were popular, adored and the symbol of hope––hope for a better future. Coin knew it too. Peeta was already a Capitol favorite and it helped that Katniss was the Mockingjay's daughter. It was cherry on top.
"What do you need clarification?" Coin asked as she laid her hands on her lap, tea forgotten.
"Do you deny that you sent a fake Mockingjay to kidnap Peeta weeks ago?" My concern was trust. Like I said before, I couldn't trust her. She may have saved District 13 but what about the rest of the districts.
"I do deny it," she answered back without a blink of an eye. I expected it as she outright lied to my face.
"Do you deny that you sent Gale Hawthorne to do harm to Peeta when he was in the Capitol the night before the commencement ceremony?" Coin opened her mouth but shut it.
"It was not my intention to harm Peeta Mellark but to help him," she returned.
"Help him, how? By drugging him?" 'Yeah, deny that bitch.'
"I don't answer to you, Mr. Abernathy," she stated ignoring my questions. "My motive for sending Hawthorne need not to be explained. To you."
"To me? You won't explain it or do you deny it?" As a true politician, Coin distracted and diverted the conversation.
"I want a meeting with Mockingjay. If you can send word to Mr. Everdeen, I believe that we can both come to an understanding. A negotiation of some sort that would…benefit all of us." I wanted to slap her face and make Effie dress her with gaudy dresses and heavy makeup.
"Not going to happen."
"You need us to help you. You lack resources, armaments and supplies. You cannot keep going without our help."
"Just as you need Mockingjay and his men to help you," I fired back. Coin may have the resources but Mockingjay had the manpower. She took a deep breath and squinted her eyes.
"So then we both agree that we cannot fight Snow without each other. We…need to garner trust and cooperation."
"So how do you expect us to work with you if you cannot be truthful to us? We came to you for help. To help us throw a tyrant off his throne and stop the games which place innocent children into the arena for the Capitol's entertainment. To stop him from year after year while he works us to the bone and steals and pilfers all the resources."
"I don't need a history lesson of what's been happening––"
"No you don't, but what you do need to know is that while you were hiding all this time, hundreds of children, men and women have died while the Capitol thrived. Through starvation, poverty, injustice, we have lived under his reign while you kept your people safe."
"I cannot help that I kept 13 alive. We were almost annihilated from the last rebellion," she sneered back. "It took decades of hard work and determination to rebuild my district. We sacrificed––"
"Nothing, you sacrificed nothing and no one," I shouted. "You dug your self a big hole in the ground to hide your people while we endured the games, lack of food and human essential needs. So don't stand there indignant and telling me you suffered."
"We all suffered in out own ways, Mr. Abernathy," Coin stated.
"You suffered?" I spat. "There's a boy out there who nearly died from injustice, used by both Mockingjay and Snow for their own agenda."
"Peeta Mellark, you speak of the boy from your district?" she queried. "The boy that is in love with Mockingjay's daughter. So you admit that Everdeen used his daughter's boyfriend as a mean to––"
"Garret didn't know that would happen," I spat back. "He admitted that he used Peeta for his own agenda but he never imagined that Snow would single him out." It all comes back to Peeta somehow. "It was a private matter that blew up in his face."
"But Mockingjay still used him? How is he any different from Snow? He used what he had as I want what's best for Panem."
"All of you don't get it. All Peeta wanted was to be with a girl he was infatuated…nevermind." I stopped myself. She didn't need to know about Peeta and Katniss. She already knew if she had been spying for some time now. Then a thought occurred to me. The day of the mutt dog attacks––did they know and if they did? Why didn't they send help?
"So now Peeta is wanted more than ever and so is Everdeen's daughter now that he has revealed his identity," Coin surmised. "It's brilliant, you know. Even if he didn't intentionally want to cause harm and used Peeta, the strategy and propo he is building has been working. There are reports of districts defying and causing riots in the streets."
"Oh, which districts?"
"Most of them, not 1, 2 or 3 though you can imagine why." Those districts worked closely and benefitted by working with the Capitol. Which reminded me, how was Finnick doing and where he was at the moment. "Since Mockingjay blew up the cornucopia there has been unrest, reports of citizens destroying Capitol property, warehouses, train depots that deliver goods. And the most puzzling is District 12."
"What about District 12?" My heart pounded loud in my chest. I knew there would be repercussions when Garrett revealed himself. I prayed and hoped that he had a contingency plan to help our district. Snow would surely make District 12 pay and suffer the consequences.
"My scouts have reported that large groups of peacekeepers and Capitol personnel have been leaving."
"How many?" I knew all that since it had been happening for months.
"One hundred at a time by hovercraft and train, everyday since the reaping ceremony."
"I need to leave," I said in an abrupt manner as I stood up ready to leave her compartment. "I have to go back––"
"I'm sorry to interrupt Madam President but you are needed in the control room," Boggs said as he appeared by the doorway. Behind him was Simms as he has a worried look on his face.
"Is it important?" Coin asked, cool and calm.
"Mr. Abernathy should also join you, Ma'am," Boggs suggested. "It concerns his district."
My mind flashed images of…death, destruction that something horrible had happened. I wasn't wrong. The double door panel opened with a swoosh. On the largest screen was an image of District 12. "Fuck!" I screamed. On the monitor displayed chaos and mayhem as large groups of mutt dogs were attacking the Merchant area. I didn't understand why there were red circles littering the floor as the angle was from the air. Then a drone passed the screen. It dropped a cylindrical globe on to ground. Blood splattered as it hit a female merchant. There was no sound but I could tell she screamed and ran towards a building as mutt dog trailed right behind her. I didn't have to guess what happened. "Oh my god."
"How many hostiles?" Coin asked as she stared at the screen. What amazed me was that the attacks were not just district 12 citizens but peacekeepers as well. I knew that Snow was getting desperate. I just didn't understand why he was sacrificing his own men as well.
"We're not sure but we assessed about over 75," a female personnel spoke. She had headphones on with a microphone attached to it. She appeared to be the communication officer––a private in rank. "There is something else you need to see." She pushed a light on a panel and the image changed.
The image displayed the Seam. I placed a hand over my mouth. The drones didn't drop blood but incendiary bombs. Women, men and children ran out of their homes on fire. Their neighbors ran out with buckets of water helping them. It didn't matter as the drones hailed more bombs setting the Seam ablaze. "Do something," I turned and screamed at Coin. I held my breath for a second waiting for her to respond. "My people are dying and you're doing nothing to help them." Everyone in the control room was quiet and still as they turned to us. "Well!"
"I…I only have two functioning hovercrafts that carry ten men," she explained.
"Twenty is better than nothing!" I loomed over the president of 13. "They…everyone…citizens and peacekeepers are fighting for their lives and you're not doing a damn thing to help them.
"Ma'am, incoming message from an unknown source," the communication officer spoke again.
"Can you tell who it is?" Coin queried.
"It's…it's a Capitol signature," she returned, her eyes large and wide. "How did they know our transmission code?" Coin looked stunned. "It could be a trap." She placed a finger on her headphone.
"What is it, private?" Coin asked.
"It's very strange, Ma'am. The signal…it's beeping one and off, she explained. "I was trying to figure out if there was a pattern. And there is."
"What kind of pattern? Put it on the audio," Coin ordered.
The room was silent then three short beeps sounded then 3 long ones. It kept repeating over and over. I nearly laughed for joy as I knew who it was. "It's Mockingjay."
"Mockingjay? What makes you think it's him?" Coin inquired with a look of skepticism and disbelief on her face.
"For a long time, we didn't have long range radio communication with the other districts. We had to use old…archaic method of communication that was taught before the Great War."
"Oh, yes. My grandfather said…it's…um some code," Coin stated.
"Morse Code," I said. "Mockingjay is transmitting an S.O.S. Three short pulses followed by three long ones. It's Mockingjay. Answer him, damnit."
"Are you sure it's not the peacekeepers? What if they discovered your method of communication? They are transmitting it on a Capitol channel?"
"Peacekeepers are too lazy to learn Morse Code. Besides, only a few of us know SOS. It's Mockingjay. I know it's him."
Coin nodded his head at the soldier. "Mockingjay, President Alma Coin speaking," she began.
"This is Mockingjay. I know you have Abernathy, President Coin," Garrett said without so much of a greeting. "I don't have much time, but you need to send him and your men to 12 now. The district is being attacked by mutt dogs––"
"Hey, Garrett, it's Haymitch," I spoke out loud. "We're watching via 13's spy drones." Coin gasped. "What? You didn't think we knew about your drones flying around in 12? How else are you getting live video?"
I returned my focus to Mockingjay. "How did you find out, Garrett?"
"We intercepted a transmission a day ago," he said. "Listen, I don't have much time to explain. We confiscated two peacekeeper hovercrafts and I have only 40 men with me. We're flying to 12 as fast as we can. Our ETA is…35 minutes." So much damage could happen before they reached 12.
"Copy, Garrett," I said.
"Coin, how many can you send?" Garrett asked.
"As I told Abernathy I only can send 20 men," she replied. "They can be there in 20 minutes."
Garrett sighed, "It'll do. We don't have much choice and you can get there faster."
I strained my ears as I heard other voices in the background. "Sir, we've past District 10 entering 11's No Fly Zone." Someone gasped. The No Fly Zone was a 10 miles wide and 200 miles long chasm. It was fathomless. The danger of crossing was that for some reason you lost power if you were flying over it. There was an unexplainable magnetic atmosphere that caused many ships to plummet into the gaping hole.
To fly around would add half hour to Garrett's flight. "Garrett, are you crazy?" I screamed.
"I have no choice," he sighed.
"And you're flying over it makes sense? I have 13's support, we can be there in 20 minutes," I explained. "How do you think everyone will feel if you endangered your life––"
"12 is my home and family. I have friends there who I left…I abandone––"
"You didn't abandoned anyone when you left. You are Mockingjay, you always do what's best for Panem," I snarled back. "Go feel guilty on another day and stop risking your life."
"Listen to Mr. Abernathy, Mr. Everdeen," Coin added. "If we intend to fight together you must fly around the No Fly Zone." I was stumped by her support and encouragement sensing that she wanted control of the rebellion. I didn't speculate her agenda as I was too concern with the welfare of the citizen of 12 and for Garrett.
"But my district needs me," Garrett persisted.
"Well, your family needs you. Think of your family––Lily, Katniss and Prim." The radio was silent for a second. "Garrett? Do you hear me?"
"Mockingjay, proceed to 12 as best you can. I promise that I will assist Mr. Abernathy and your district," Coin pressed her oath. "I know that you have concerns about my… motives but I swear that I will help as best I can." I was wary of her promises but I didn't have a choice.
"Now, change course and head around the chasm," I ordered. "We will see you when you get there. Do understand, Garrett?"
"Yes, Haymitch," he sounded woeful and angry. I didn't have time to argue with him. He made decisions that caused a lot of harm to Peeta and our district, but it was done and over with.
"You need to be Mockingjay," I said to him. The decisions Garrett made tore at him but now was not the time to be careless. The time away from his family affected him and finding out our district was in danger added to his guilt. I looked and closed my eyes. "Garrett, trust me. Just…take care of yourself and the men who are following you. You are also responsible for them as well."
As I boarded the craft with Simms, Boggs and his team, Gale had the gall to insist that he join us. "Have you lost your senses and our mind, did you forget that you're supposed to be dead from the first mutt dog attacks?" I sneered.
"But I want to help?"
"Hawthorne!" Boggs' voice interjected before I could return a snide remark back. "You are not authorized to leave the compound. Get back to work."
"District 12 is my home too," Gale cried out as he was angry and frustrated. He had his whole family whom he left behind.
"You lost that privilege and right to call 12 your home after what you did," I reminded him. Gale looked ashamed and guilty. I didn't have time or felt sorry for him.
Crises averted if only for this instance since Coin will insist that Gale accompany me back to the rebel camp. I redirected my focus back to District 12. The trip was long, 22 minutes to be exact but it felt longer. After interaction with Gale, my hands shook from anxiety and fear of what I would find when we finally reached the district. "Five minutes until we reached the center of the district, Commander Boggs," the pilot announced. I looked the window. From a distance billows of smoke grew from the ground like pillars holding up the clouds above the Seam. I could see fire lining the horizon. A green light inside the cabin lit the compartment.
"Everyone suit up," Boggs ordered. I pulled on the helmet that had a mask attached. Coin had ordered that all the men and women wear fire resistant and oxygen face masks. I wasn't used to the helmet as it hindered my vision and made me feel claustrophobic.
I walked out of the craft and stepped onto District 12 soil. The air around us was smoky and dense. It was difficult to see past 10 yards as the smoke was thick. I heard screams and explosions through my helmet. There were trails of blood on the ground, trees and homes destroyed and on fire. There wasn't time to process what I encountered as Boggs and his team ran towards the horrific sounds of screaming everywhere. My only thoughts were of Peeta's family––Jimmy, Rye, Delly and baby Tyler.
So much time has passed since I saw the broadcast that I was prepared for the worse.
AN: Thank you for reading this chapter. I needed to bring all the characters up to speed so that the next few chapters will focus on Peeta and Katniss as the rebellion grows around them. The next chapter will be Peeta's POV and will be posted by next weekend. Thanks again for those you have continued to join me in his journey. You are guys are awesome. Have a great weekend.