Chapter 59 – A Dark Foreboding
AN: Thank you for all my readers who have posted a review, alerted or favored Destiny. It's been two years since I posted my first chapter. Whew…and 55+ chapters later! For those who have been around since the beginning, a hug and thank you. This is definite a labor of love. Sorry, I don't mean to sound as though this is the last chapter. Lol My thanks to following for leaving a review: NeyoLovesFanFiction, kelmikmag, Zubes, pumpkinking5, LACR, Dizzy, baldcoder, TwinK21, and guests. This chapter contains Rye and Haymitch's POVs and is rated R or strong language.
THG belongs to Suzanne Collins. Any mistakes are mine. Happy reading.
Rye POV ––
My heart beat hard against my chest. The rifle nestled in my hands felt foreign. It was heavy. Not what I imagined or expected. I've seen peacekeepers marched down the street, carrying it with ease. The first time I held one a chill ran up my spine. How something so inanimate and cold could wipe out a life with a single shot? I held the power of death in my hands. I thought of Peeta running for his life. I wondered if he had to take a life in order to survive. I miss my brothers.
"Rye," Dad called me breaking my stupor. After speaking to Madge I sprinted towards the Justice building. I remembered the armaments Darius left behind. Darius. He was dead. My mind recounted the moments when the shot rang and he dropped dead on the floor. Madge held onto the rifle not believing what she had done in an instant. She reacted quickly and decisively saving our lives as Darius was determined to escort us to the Capitol––to become Snow's guests.
But instead of running towards the Justice building as I first planned, I turned towards the bakery. I didn't understand how Darius turned on us so quickly after warning us about the mass exodus of peacekeepers leaving District 12 earlier that day.
Flashback ––
Darius appeared at the doorway of the bakery with a somber look on his face. His expression didn't bode well.
"Darius, what's wrong?" Dad asked him as he wiped his hands with a towel. The rest of day started pretty normal with Delly in the midst of another hormonal breakdown. She was pregnant suffering morning sickness in midday. How could it be morning sickness when she had bouts that last all day and well into the evening? No matter. She was carrying my child and could want for nothing else but a happy wife and healthy baby. I took her rants in stride.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Mellark," he said in a firm tone. "But I just received orders." He turned his head to the side then looked back, a look of regret and guilt painted on his face.
"Orders?" Dad's Adam's apple protruded from his throat. It was like he swallowed something and it was obscuring his airway. Delly appeared with Tyler in her arms. He had just awakened from his nap and was fussing. Moments of watching Delly made me realized what a wonderful mother she would be with out unborn child. I was looking forward to becoming a father despite the fact we had not planned having children early in our marriage.
"What's going on?" she repeated. "Darius, Dad?"
"I received orders from…President Snow to take all of you into custody," he explained.
"What for?" I inquired as fear and anger filled me. This was it––the moment I dreaded.
"You are all charged of treason against President Snow and the Capitol," he declared.
"We have done nothing," Dad stated. "What proof do you have?" Proof? What was Dad talking about?
"You are charged with conspiring with Garrett Everdeen also known as the Mockingjay. For committing treasonous acts against––"
"What?" I screamed. "We're bakers. Five generations of bakers. We are not soldiers or rebels for Mockingjay's army––"
"But you knew of his identity and existence," Darius pressed. "You are complicit with his act of terrorism against the Capitol and President Snow."
"No, I did. I alone knew that Garrett was Mockingjay," Dad confessed. "I had known for years. Rye is innocent. You only need to charge me."
"Dad, no––" I yelled. I wasn't going to be separated from my father. I had already lost my older brother Graham and Peeta was a fugitive. I wanted the rest of my family to stick together. "I am just as gui––"
"Rye, stop," Dad said his voice calm but determined. "Darius, Rye doesn't know anything."
"So tell me? the young peacekeeper inquired. "Where was Rye? Where were you?" He turned to me. I kept quiet. Darius looked at dad. "He had been…absent for a couple of days. And, don't tell me he was sick in bed all this time." I swallowed a ball of saliva in lodge in my throat.
"I told you Darius," Dad started. "He was sick––"
"He was sick," Darius repeated. "So sick that the didn't visit you while you were with me in the Justice building, interrogating you."
"Yes!" I said hoping that he would believe my lie.
"And what of you roaming around after curfew?" Darius reminded me. 'Shit!' I forgot about that.
"Listen, Darius," Dad said.
"Peacekeeper Darius," he interjected. "I'm here on official business. You will address me as Peacekeeper Darius." 'Oh, okay.' I wondered what happened to the guy who was a friend to us. Where did he go or rather what turned him to treat us for coldly?
"It's a moot point," Dad stated. "I'll come with you willingly." Dad was trying to protect Delly, Tyler and me as he was resigned to his fate. Again, I felt the desperation, frustration and anger build within me. The same emotions I kept to myself when Peeta 'visited' Snow months before.
"Dad, you can't. You know what will happen," I said my voice shook with anger and fear for his life. Once he was in the Capitol I was certain I would never see him again. It was bad enough to see Peeta when he returned from his 'visit.' He never knew that I heard him in the night as he had nightmares.
"Sorry, but I am to take all of you per President Snow's orders," Darius decreed. Once a peacekeeper always a peacekeeper no matter if his blood was from District 12. Darius had his allegiance and his job. There was nothing we could do but comply to his demand.
End of Flashback ––
I came home just in time for the mutt attacks that plagued my district. I was so scared as we ran towards the bakery even though I told Madge to meet her at the Justice building. We weren't leaving 12, not as we planned. I needed to get our bags that we packed in case we needed to evacuate. However, we had to stay and fight for our lives and for the lives in District 12 as both peacekeepers and the citizens were attacked by mutt dogs.
We barely reached the bakery when a mutt dog appeared at the doorway. Its' nose pointed upward smelling the air as it took a whiff at the storefront.
My first introduction to using the rifle was embarrassing. I almost dropped the rifle from the recoil. Once I fired my first shot, it more than startled me. But I gritted my teeth and tried again. I'm a baker by trade and not a soldier. It was impulsive of me when I stowed away in the hovercraft when Mockingjay left District 12. But he was right to make me go back home. It was where I belonged.
I felt Delly's fingers as they bit into my arm. "Rye?" she whispered my name low, but I heard it despite the noise that bombarded us. Sounds of blood curdling screams surrounded us, windows crashed, and gunfire resonated in the air. Suddenly, it turned its' head as if it smelled us. The mutt turned around completely. The dog before me was large. As a matter of fact, it looked larger and fierce with his teeth bared and eyes blood red. It didn't look like the rest. This one was different. It had a metallic cover over its head like a helmet with a single light on top of it.
Dad pulled Delly back as I placed myself between the dog. Its' nose crinkled, sniffing.
Its' teeth were razor sharp and long with protruding canines. Without any hesitation, I fired hitting on its shoulder causing to whimper and fall back. But it wasn't enough as it returned to its feet, angrier than ever growling at us. I shot again grazing the left ear. "Dad, Delly, run," I shouted.
"No," Delly returned as we inched backwards while the mutt dog prowled closer.
"Damnit, Delly. Dad, run," I ordered frustration and fear percolated in my stomach. I had to concentrate but I heard no motion or movement behind me. People around us were screaming and dying. The air started to turn murky as I smelled ash. The ground rocked as an explosions burst from the horizon. "Run, damnit."
"No, I'm not fucking leaving you," Delly swore. What was she thinking? She had Tyler with her tucked in her arms. And where was Dad? He should be dragging my wife and nephew to safety.
Then the next thing I knew–– "Dad, stop," Delly screamed. "Let go of me. I can't leave Rye."
"Delly, you have to think of Tyler," he reminded her. I heard her struggle with Dad. Tyler whimpered then screamed with all the commotion scaring him. "No, no."
I knew I had to think of something––something to distract the mutt dog. My hands shook. Then I recalled my wrestling days. The number one rule was to never hit the groin or throat. It was dishonorable and considered cheating. Hitting the groin only maimed an opponent but aiming for his throat was paralyzing. So I aimed and fired hoping that I hit the area where I throat was located. At first, the mutt dog stood still. I thought I missed and re-aimed the rifle at its' throat. When suddenly the dog bent his head forward and took a step forward. It stumbled on its' feet. I heard a whimper and a gurgling sound emanating from its' throat. Blood pooled on the floor.
I shot again aiming between the eyes. The shot entered his left eye instead. It finally lost balanced and landed on the ground. I turned around. Dad and Delly were gone. I ran passed the mutt dog and entered the bakery.
Taking two steps at a time, I ran upstairs to my bedroom. Throwing my closet door opened, I reached inside and picked up our duffel bags. Mine was especially heavier. Inside my bag was a manuscript––a book. Why did I risk my life as well as my family for a book? It was no ordinary book. It was a manuscript of recipes handed down from generation to generation from the first recipe that was written decades ago to the last and current recipe that Peeta added months before he was reaped. This was the Mellark legacy––one that was supposed to be handed down from Dad to Graham. However Graham didn't want the bakery or become a baker. He fell in love and married the butcher's daughter. Thus changing his profession from baker to butcher. Dad never him resented for it.
I remembered the day after Graham left the bakery to become a butcher when dad approached me. He held the book in his hand with care and a touch of reverence.
Flashback ––
"Rye, I need to talk to you," he said his voice solemn but firm. Graham had left to work for his fiancée's butcher shop. It was his first day as an apprentice.
"What's going on, Dad?" I inquired. I was nervous and a little scared. He had a look on his face I've never seen before. It was difficult to read.
"I didn't think I was going to do this since…"
"What, Dad?"
"Since Graham no longer works for our bakery…you will become my…successor," he intoned.
"What?" I repeated. "Me?"
"Well, yes. You are my second son who will carry out my––"
"Um, no Dad," I said in forceful manner interrupting what I knew to be his speech. Graham and I laughed about his speech when he turned 18. It was corny but it meant something to dad.
"Rye?" he sighed. "You are my successor."
"Dad!" I chortled "Successor? You sound so formal and so serious––"
"Rye, this is serious," he exclaimed in exasperation. I had never really been interested in the contents. I was a baker by trade but not by choice because I was born into the profession. Not that I knew anything else. Delly's father offered me a job with the mining company, but that wasn't what I wanted either.
He opened the book. The pages were brown from age and use. Different penmanships were written on sheets of paper delineating from one Mellark successor to the next adding recipes or refining ones by the next generation. They even kept the recipes that never made it to the store front. I recognized Peeta' fluent and smooth handwriting––the recipe for his famous cheese buns.
With the turn of each page I read the history of the bakery. Recipes and stories passed from father to son carrying the Mellark name. Each page was touched with care and love from the first bread recipe to Peeta's cheese buns. How could I mock it and deny its importance after he showed me the book's contents? But I knew that the book didn't belong to me.
"Dad, as much as I appreciate the gesture, you should be giving this…legacy to Peeta," I said.
"Rye, you are my second son. It is by right that you should be my successor," he explained.
"Yes, by birthright I should be next to succeed you, but you know…we both know who is the real baker in this family," I returned. Did I resent Peeta for being a better baker than me? I should, but I don't. I never wanted to own the bakery.
"That's not right. I can't hand the bakery to Peeta." Dad said. "The bakery belongs to you as my second son––"
"I don't want it," I said in firm tone. Dad looked hurt as if I slapped him. "I know that by tradition it is passed from father to son. But Graham rejected this…legacy to become a butcher. Who says I have to get the bakery?" I looked at the book between us. "This book should be kept by a Mellark whose heart belongs to the bakery. Someone who will keep it alive and working. Someone who is the baker in this family and it's not Graham or me."
"But if you don't own it, does that mean you don't want to work here either?" Dad asked.
"It's not like I have a lot of options, Dad," I admitted. "It's not a bad life. I work, go to school. I'll marry Delly after her last reaping. I have a good life." I had better than most. I was lucky. "I don't need to own the bakery. Not when it's Peeta who deserves to own it."
"Are you sure you can work here if…when Peeta takes over?"
"I'd rather have Peeta be my boss than anyone else," I said. Dad smiled and relented.
End of Flashback ––
So much had happened. Dad never gave the recipe book to Peeta. He had wanted to present the book to him on his last reaping. He didn't' have the chance. I didn't want to take any chances of the book being lost or destroyed. But I also had another reason.
I knew that one day Madge and I would help evacuate 12 leaving behind not only our life in the district but also out history and legacy. The book was all we would have left. Everyday the book sat in dad's office after Peeta was reaped. It broke his heart knowing that Peeta wasn't going to live long enough to survive in the arena. We both knew but never acknowledged the fact that Peeta would make sure that Katniss survived––that he would sacrifice his life for hers.
I didn't know the outcome for this day––would we survive the mutt attacks? Would ever give the recipe book to Peeta. So I grabbed all backpacks I could carry incase we needed to leave 12 immediately. I ran down the stairs shifting my weight as all the bags were heavy and cumbersome. I took one last look at the bakery seeing my life in each room––eating, sleeping and working. I never thought I'd ever leave, but then I never thought my life would change ever.
I stuck my head out of the doorway. Peacekeepers and Merchants fought with mutt dogs attacking the town. It was a sight too horrifying to describe as blood and corpses both human and dog littered the floor. The town was painted blood red. Sensing the coast clear, I sprinted out the doorway and didn't look back.
I reached the Justice building nearly stumbling over bodies on the ground. Madge was at the doorway waiting for me with rifle in hand. "Run, Rye, run," she bellowed her voice sharp and clear over the din of noise. She pointed her rifle in my direction. I turned my head.
"Fucking shit," I cried as I pushed my legs to move faster. Two mutt dogs appeared running after me. I was so focused in reaching the building that I didn't know they were after me.
"Run, run," Madge repeated. With the last of my energy left, I ran as fast as I could. I barely felt the steps beneath my feet as I sprinted feeling the exertion on my lungs. With the few feet left, I jumped and leaped into the doorway as I crashed on the ground.
I heard Madge fire her rifle then slammed the door shut with a resounding bang from the wooden panels.
"What the hell, Rye," she screamed. "What the fuck took you so damn long?" I crashed through the door just in time as the impact of the mutt dogs hit the doors with a hard thump.
"Sorry, Madge but I had to get our stuff from the bakery," I explained out of breath my chest ached from exertion and my legs on fire.
"Why?" she seethed in anger. "I nearly came after you when your dad and Delly showed up without you telling me you went to bakery. What was do goddamn important––"
"I…I told you," I muttered, my breath harsh from running with three backpacks and a rifle in my hands. "I just needed to get our things." Madge had changed her clothes. 'When did she have the time?' She reminded me of Katniss as she wore pants, shirt and dark boots with her hair in braid.
"Rye!" Delly screamed as she ran towards me. I was still lying on the ground elbows on the floor with all the backpacks around me. Delly straddled my legs wrapping her arms around my neck with tears in her eyes and nose red. She cried into my chest for a few seconds then grabbed my shirt with both hands. My shirt was wet with tears and snot. "You idiot! Don't you fucking do that again? Do you hear me? Don't you ever send me away like that?"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," I repeated. I felt relief seeing my wife safe and unharmed. I held her tight in my arms feeling her heart beat against mine. I closed my eyes and sighed in relief. I knew I took a big risk, but the family recipe was important to me. But, I never took it for granted that Delly was my world. "I'm okay."
"You fucking scared me," she sobbed. I smiled. "Why are you smiling?" Her face was blotchy pink, tears smeared her cheeks as her lips trembled.
"Well, Mrs. Mellark. I don't think I have ever heard you swear so much before," I explained. Delly wiped her eyes and turned to our audience––Madge. She had a hand over her mouth. "You got quite a potty mouth." Delly giggled, hiccupped then shoved me backwards hard. She stood up and straightened her dress, pressing her hands on the wrinkled fabric.
The world was crashing around us but seeing Delly and Madge safe gave me hope.
"Where's Tyler?" I asked as I stood up.
"With dad," Delly responded.
"Come on, you two," Madge interjected. "You can continue your lover's squabble later. We have a more pressing matter to take care of. Why meet here, Rye?" Popping sounds of explosions burst in the air. Dad appeared with Tyler.
"Rye, thank God you're safe," he said as he hugged me.
"Dad!" I said as I greeted him and my nephew. "Thank God all you of made it safely."
"I'm not going to ask Rye. You'll explain it to me later why you needed to go the bakery," he said. I nodded my head.
"Were you able to get your family here, Madge?" I asked. There was no time to lose.
"Yes," she said. "It took a lot of yelling but I got them to come here." She tilted her head. "They are in one of the conference rooms." The conference rooms were basically the room they interrogate people. It was secure and a safe place to hide.
"Good," I said as I turned to Dad and Delly. "Dad, Madge and I have to get to the communications room."
"What? Why?" Dad inquired.
"I need to get to the PA system and have everyone…who is still…around to get to the Justice building," I explained. I could see the cogs in my dad's head working.
"Only the peacekeepers are armed and Darius left me the key to their weapons storage," Dad muttered. 'Ding, ding, ding.' I knew my dad would get it. No one knew what Darius had given the keys to the weapons storage room incase we needed to supply ourselves with weapons before an evacuation.
"We need to send a message through the PA system and let everyone know that we have guns and rifle to use––"
"Rye, are you sure that's a good idea?" Dad asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you sure that your classmates will listen and come?" Dad interjected. "How do we know…if anyone out there is still alive? And do any of your classmates even know how to use a gun for that matter?"
"Dad, I can't stand here and do nothing while my friends are dying out there," I voiced. "What about Sonja's parents and her sister? Delly's family?"
"My parents Rye? I don't even know where they are and if…" Delly couldn't complete her sentence.
"And what about Graham's in laws and Katja? They are out there defenseless," I reminded him.
"I'm sorry. You're right, Rye," Dad stated. "I just…please be careful. I can't lost another son. I don't even know how Peeta..." He was worried. There was nothing he could do for Peeta. I was all he had left.
"Both of you go the conference rooms," I ordered. "Madge and I will be busy. So don't leave the building." The Justice building was heavily constructed in case of an attack or riot with walls made of three feet of concrete and indestructible glass. It would take a bomb to destroy the whole building and foundation. The basement themselves were constructed to withstand an explosion. It was a bomb shelter for the high level peacekeepers.
How did I know this information? One of my classmates was the son to the head clerk in the Justice building. In one of our meetings he showed up the floor plans to the Capitol made structure. I didn't know at the time how important it was to know the floor plans of this building.
Madge and I looked around looking for communication room. Three floors later and after searching from one room to the next we finally located it. "Shit, Madge," I swore as I entered the room. The room was big––20 x 20 feet to be exact with monitors and displays all over the walls. One side was a wall of windows overlooking the Merchant area. Installed with the windowpanes were turrets with large, heavy long barreled machine guns aimed towards the courtyard. They looked complicated and intimidating.
"I think the radio transmitter to the PA system is over here," Madge said as she walked over to a panel with a large monitor. The system was still functional as the Capitol logo was displayed on the screen. On the desk was a standing microphone. The ones they used whenever the head peacekeeper made announcements. Madge pressed a few buttons and nothing happened. "Damnit. I don't know which buttons to press to get this thing to work."
"Just keep going," I said as I watched her press one button after another. Then, the familiar song or anthem from the Capitol filled the air. It filtered into the courtyard so we knew it was working. "Yes! You found it."
Madge cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "This is Madge Undersee. If anyone can hear me…" She struggled to find words to say. "If anyone can hear me, please head over to the Justice building if you can. I know that your scared but please listen. We are on our own. The Capitol has abandoned us––both locals and Capitol personnel. We have to fend for ourselves or we will be annihilated. I repeat head over to the Justice building. This is Madge Undersee." She repeated her message two more times. I was perched at the windows when I finally saw a few of my classmates run towards the building. I gasped in shock at what I saw.
Several peacekeepers stayed behind as my classmates ran toward us. The soldiers were shielding my classmates shooting down mutt dogs. They were working together. Then I shifted my eyes to the horizon and squinted due to the ash and smoke that filtered into the area. Beyond the horizon, I saw a group of men dressed in black from head to toe wearing masks. I didn't know how many they were but I thought I was seeing things. They weren't peacekeepers, that was for certain. 'Where is Mockingjay?' The thought popped in my mind. Who were these dark dressed men? Then, it dawned on me where I have seen the uniforms before. Gale Hawthorne wore the same outfit when I last saw him. I didn't know if I was relieved or angry. Maybe a little of both? They were headed towards us.
District 13 had made an appearance. They were here to help and rescue us. My question was, 'How did they know?'
Haymitch POV ––
The mask was suffocating and tight around my face. Every time I took a breathe I could hear it echoing in my helmet. At one point I stopped just so I could hear the noise around me. It was a mistake. I heard nothing but explosions and screams everywhere. The cacophony of sounds was nightmarish––a horror I'd never forget. The Seam was a blaze, homes burned down to its' foundation with burned bodies littering the ground––women, men and children. Despite the ash and smoke, I saw human carnage––limbs torn apart and seared skin. Nearly eighty percent of the Seam was destroyed.
This was not what I expected when we arrived at District 12. I knew that Snow released the mutt dogs in the Merchant quarters, but this…I did not expect this horror in the Seam.
A soldier walked ahead of us scanning the area with a hand held device. "Sir, movement two hundred yards," he informed Boggs.
"How many?" he asked. How many? What were they scanning––people, the dogs? How many dogs did Snow release? Were the Merchant area affected as well? It was too difficult to see the horizon with all the smoke and ash floating in the air.
"I can't get an accurate reading, sir. They're moving too fast," the private answered.
Suddenly, a man appeared before us as he ran from his burning home. His clothes were on fire as he was singed with dark burns and melted skin. "Help me, help me," he cried in a pained and agonized voice, blood oozing through his eyes. He dropped to his knees and fell face down. He continued to burn through the clothes. One of the soldiers, the medic approached the man. He turned him around and removed his black glove to feel for his pulse on the man's neck. "He's dead," he said in a somber tone.
Two loud booming sounds filled the air rocking the ground below us. "Shit," I muttered. It was two large explosions, one after the other. I knew where the sounds came from––the mines. "Oh my God. They didn't?" I was stunned and shocked at the realization that District 12 was under fire as Seam and Merchants areas were attacked simultaneously.
"What was that?" Boggs asked. Ash and debris fell from the sky pelting us.
"The mines. The explosions are coming from the mines," I answered back.
One of the contingency plan Mockingjay ordered was that if the district was attacked, the rebels would blow up the mines. Blow it up to smithereens that even Snow and the Capitol couldn't have access to it. We were cutting off one of the Capitol's much needed resource. District 12 was Panem's main coal distributor. Coal fueled and built Panem. Without coal, production for electrical generation or steel would cease. Two resources the Capitol depended on that built the high rises in the Capitol––electricity and steel.
I just wished Garrett told me of his plans. That upon Peeta and Katniss's rescue he was going to reveal his identity. I thought I knew Garrett Everdeen. He wasn't impulsive or rash. He was a resourceful and thoughtful man that thought of the consequences. Lately, I'm not sure what is going on with him. Did he not know the repercussion of his actions? Because with his reveal––it was last minute. It had to have been. I needed to know why …what drove him to act so…impulsively and recklessly with everyone's lives? Not just his own and his family but the lives of District 12.
Once the escape/rescue plan for Peeta and Katniss was into play, I knew there would be consequences. That Snow wanted vengeance––he wanted the Mockingjay and my tributes. Now that Garrett revealed his identity there was no turning back. This was the price for freedom and District 12 would be the first casualty.
"Incoming," the soldier with the device screamed. "Everyone get ready."
"Where? Where are they coming from," a voice screamed in my helmet.
"Everyone be quiet, "Boggs yelled. "How many?" Before the soldier got an answer the drones appeared like a dark cloud in the sky taking the sun away.
I took two deep breaths. All around me was death and chaos in District 12––my home. Suddenly, a swishing sound floated above me. I looked up to see ten drones fly passed us. They were Capitol drones. I was horrified as I watched the belly of the devise opened. An orb appeared then fell onto the ground. "Holy fuck," a voice screamed in my microphone/helmet. I would have repeated the expletive myself but I was too stunned to react. The orb exploded upon impact causing a large and loud explosion. Then licks of fire appeared on the horizon followed by screams so loud, they permeated through my helmet.
"They're dropping incendiary bombs," Boggs alerted his team. "Fire at the drones." The order was short but precise. His team raised their guns and fired at will.
"Oh my God," I said as I watched bits and pieces of the drones rain upon us. "Shit." The debris were hot and sharp hitting me on my arms and shoulders. Someone shoved me backwards.
"Watch out," Boggs's yelled. "Keep firing." I closed my eyes and tried to drown the noise around me. Boggs continued to shoot into the sky. Images of my arena experience popped in my head––the sights and sounds so familiar. I was a boy again, reaped and trained for the games. Feelings of horror, despair and anger resurfaced. It's been years but…I was chanting in my head. 'Stay alive, stay alive.'
I was lost and confused as Boggs's tapped my shoulders, "Abernathy, are you okay?" he asked. I heard his voice but I was stuck in the past. "Mr. Abernathy?
"Boggs?" I returned and opened my eyes.
"We have to move now," he ordered as he grabbed my upper arm. "Move out." I didn't know what happened. I guessed that Boggs and his team took out the drones that were pelting the Seam with bombs. The smoke was so sick I was amazed that anyone could see through the murky soup.
"Where are the rest of your men?" I asked as I noticed a few were missing.
"I've sent them to look for survivors. And, I also requested for emergency and medical staff to be sent," he explained. Boggs' face was grim. He was quiet and serious man who exuded strength and calm in his demeanor. But despite his tough exterior I knew that what was happening to 12 was affecting him. He wasn't heartless man.
As my mind cleared, I thought of the Merchant town. Jimmy, Rye. The Undersees and the Cartwrights. As we walked towards the Merchant, my heart raced in my chest. What would we find there? More dead bodies?
My heart felt like lead. We quickly made our way toward the Merchant area. Through my helmet I could hear screams and gunfire. 'Please don't let us be to late,' the thought formed in my head. Suddenly, the head medic raised his hand. "Stop," he ordered.
"What's going on?" Commander Boggs asked as his voice filtered into my microphone nestled in my helmet.
The medic held a devise scanning the area. "Sir," he began. "I'm detecting a foreign biological substance in the air." He pressed a button. "It's nothing I've seen before."
My patience was thin. "What's the holdup? Can we go already?" I sniped. I was worried of my friends. If a majority of the Seam was annihilated what about the Merchants? What was happening to them?
"Is it contagious?" Boggs' inquired.
"I'm not sure but I'll take a sample." The medic pointed a long tube in the air. Nothing happened but I noticed that a yellow light appeared. "It's not lethal. It's some pathogen that I've never seen before. But I do know one thing. It's man made."
"How can you tell?" I asked, my curiosity peaked.
"There's a mutation. It is not biologically identifiable. It has a bit of synthetic substance mixed with it," the medic explained.
"Is it safe to go further or do we retreat?" Boggs questioned.
"As long as keep our helmets, don't touch anything without our gloves and decontaminate when we return to 13 we'll be okay."
I sighed. "Then let's go," I pressed. Time was of the essence. It was bad enough that many lives were lost in the Seam. Now there was biological contaminate in the Merchant quarters. How was this new threat affecting the district? I hoped that my friends were all right. Jimmy and his family were as close to any semblance of family I've accepted. Damn, Peeta,' I inwardly chortled. I'm going to smack that kid on the head when I see him again.
Fifteen minutes later, we crossed the border of the Merchant quarters. I couldn't discern which was worse seeing a man badly burned alive with melted skin down to his bones or woman screaming for her life as she held onto her arm. "Help me, someone help me," she bawled. She was in shock. Her arm was torn apart from her elbow. Blood gushed from her limb as she sat next to a man whom I assumed was her husband. A large portion of his shoulder was bitten off revealing his clavicle and muscle underneath. A large mutt dog lay a few feet away from them, a hole in the middle of his forehead.
"Oh, God," I said to myself. The street were littered with pools of blood, bodies of men, women and children with the limbs bitten off or heads crushed from the mutt's jaws. My stomach percolated as bile rose to my throat.
"Reload," Boggs ordered. Once completed, they aimed their rifles the air. "Fire at will." Then Boggs holstered his rifle over his shoulder harness. I was confused as to why he unarmed himself while his men fired at mutt dogs ravaging the town. He pulled out another rifle. It wasn't the same as the regular issue. This one was slender and had a round five inch ball at the end of the barrel with a three inch opening. He peered through the scope and pointed into the air scanning the sky.
"Sir, four incoming," the private said beside him as he stared into a device in his hand.
"Don't fire until I'm done. Leave one for me," Boggs said in a firm tone. Thirty seconds later. Four drones appeared. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath.
"Wait," Boggs said. The drones flew closer. "Wait." Then he fired. A round ball exited through the rifle with a long rope attached to the front of it. It was like a harpoon but instead of a spear it was an orb or some sort. I couldn't tell what it was made of but it struck the closest drone. Once it made contact, the ball spread a net capturing the drone.
A second later the drone stopped in midair and then…plummeted to the ground. I was too fascinated and annoyed that I didn't realize the other soldiers around me was firing at the rest of the drones.
Boggs walked over to the downed drone and packed it into a brown bag. "What the hell, Boggs," I said. "We don't have time for taking souvenirs."
"I had orders by Coin to capture a drone," he explained in a monotone. "For further research."
"Whatever," I returned. "Come on. Let's go." The few minutes the soldiers were continued firing at dogs attacking the townspeople and peacekeepers. The area itself was destroyed as building were damaged–––broken windows, door and walls smeared with blood. I saw the same carnage but instead of burned bodies, I witnessed dismembered bodies and dead dogs on the streets. While the District 13 soldiers were busy firing at drones in the air and mutts dogs that have ravaged the area, I headed towards the bakery.
"Abernathy, where the hell are you going?" Boggs screamed. I ignored him. My stomach plummeted when I found a dead mutt dog at the bakery's front steps.
"Fuck," I whispered. "Jimmy, Rye?" I opened the front door. The bakery was empty as the display case was untouched. Bread, cookies and pies sat inside the case. The door to the kitchen was left ajar. It was empty as well so I ran up the stairs taking two steps at a time.
"Abernathy?" Boggs appeared but I ran passed him. "We don't have time for this. Stay close." I refused to carry a rifle. In place of one, Boggs handed me a long knife that was sheathed on my belt.
"Jimmy, Rye," I called out to them as I entered each room––living room, kitchen and bedrooms. "Where the hell are you guys." Then I heard a voice transmitting on the Capitol PA system. "If anyone can hear me, please head over to the Justice building if you can…." I walked towards the window and looked outside. The Justice Building? I hoped and prayed the Jimmy and his family were there with Madge.
"Who's that?" Boggs asked as he appeared beside me.
"Madge Undersee," I managed to say then bolted out the house.
"Now wait a second," Boggs yelled after me. I didn't stop. People were dying around me but I had to get to the Justice building. I thought of Peeta. I hope that he made it safely to the main rebel camp. So much was going on that my mind spun––Lily, Effie and District 12. I knew if there was one thing I needed to do, it was to make sure that Peeta's family survived and was safe from Snow. He had escaped the arena, fleeing for his life. I knew he was determined to sacrifice his life for Katniss. That he would die for her, but he was saved. How would Peeta feel if his family didn't survive after everything he'd been through? It just wasn't fair if anything happened to them.
I remembered his last interview when he was given an opportunity to send a message to his family the night before the Hunger Games.
"Dad, Rye, there are no words to describe how much you guys mean to me. Don't be sad, Dad. I'm okay. I really am. And Rye, don't be angry too long. I expect you and Delly to have more kids and live happily ever after. Live the life you were meant to have. Honor Graham and I by living your life to the fullest and happiest you can be. And Delly, let Rye have his sugar fix every once in a while. He loves you so much. I love you all. Live for me that's all I want."
The kid had a way with words that even I was misty-eyed. Effie, our Capitol reaping escort who had never shed a tear for any of our tributes, broke out her frilly handkerchief to dab her eyes. He had the whole stadium in tears. Peeta knew his fate as he broadcasted to the world his sacrifice and love for Katniss. Now that he escaped, I didn't want to fail him.
I was so focused on my task that I didn't notice a dog behind me. Someone fired at it. However, the impact from the blast sent the dog to my direction hitting me my back. I heard something ripped as I stumbled but kept going. I was pumped up by fear, anxiety and the feeling of helplessness. Death was everywhere but I focused on my thoughts of Jimmy and his family.
People were running as well towards the Justice building––both Peacekeepers and Merchant. Madge's voice hovered in the air. I didn't know what she was saying as I couldn't hear beyond the gunfire, screams and noise. My only objective was to get to the Justice building and pray that Jimmy and his family were there.
If not, my next stop was the Victor's Village. I remembered telling Jimmy had he and his family needed a place to stay they were welcome to my home whether I was there or not. Maybe that is were I should have headed. It was too late to turn direction as I sprinted through the courtyard. Someone was firing from the Justice building on one of the turrets.
We reached the Justice building courtyard. "Boggs spread out your men," I ordered. "I'm heading inside."
Boggs and his team had a job to do––help District 12 to rid of the dogs that has attacked the district. I hoped that Mockingjay and his team would make it in time to assist us but until then we were on our own. "Do not leave the building unless you have one of us with you," he demanded. "President Coin expects me to bring you back to District 13. So don't do anything…stupid and get yourself killed."
"Aw Boggs, I didn't know you cared," I snickered.
It was pandemonium in District 12. The Seam ravaged by fire while Merchants attacked by mutt dogs. Boggs and his men scattered into the district while Peacekeepers were busy shooting at mutt dogs.
"Peacekeeper, where is your commanding officer?" I asked.
"We don't know sir," one of them shouted back.
"You peacekeepers follow me." They were desperate and scared. I could tell by the look on their faces. Where was Darius? Did he leave and abandoned his men knowing about the dog attacks? Was he a casualty?
"You're not my commanding officer," the soldier sneered as he aimed his rifle at my head. The men behind him followed suit and raised their gun at me. I counted at least ten of them. "I don't take orders from you."
"No I'm not, but I'm the next best thing you got," I snapped back.
"You have no authority over me," he returned.
"Have you seen Peacekeeper Darius, Mr. Abernathy?" another peacekeeper asked.
"How the hell do I know, I just got here."
"Why are you here? What makes you think I should be taking orders from you?" the soldier said. He was angry but probably scared and lost as Darius was obviously missing.
"Listen to me boy, I am victor Haymitch Abernathy from District 12," I announced. "I've lived here most of my life. I know every nook and cranny in this district. I can kill you and hide your body and no one would ever find it." Brave words for a man who didn't have a rifle on him. "As far as I know, Darius might be dead."
"What's going on here?" Boggs asked as he walked over with rifle in hand, aimed at the peacekeepers. Six of his men flanked him. 'Shit.' Things just got worse. I thought he had left with his men. Now I had nervous and scared peacekeepers scare and out of control while District 13 soldiers ran rampant in my district. How much more worse could it get?
"Who the fuck are you?" the peacekeeper yelled. I raised both my hands and stood between Boggs and the white armored peacekeeper.
"Now everyone calm down," I said, my tone neutral and firm.
"I won't fuck the calm down," the soldier in white returned.
"Boggs, let me handle this," I implored. "Listen." I turned to the peacekeeper. "We don't have time to be fighting amongst––oh shit––look out." Too late. A mutt dog jumped out of nowhere and bit the peacekeeper between his neck and shoulder as it landed on top of him. Boggs quickly fired onto its spine. The dog whimpered then dropped dead. A fellow peacekeeper turned to their injured comrade. He was dead as the dog bit into his jugular vein causing him to bleed out.
"You," Boggs pointed to another peacekeeper. "Name and rank?"
"Ron Murphy, private," he returned.
"I am Commander Boggs," he announced. "We don't mean any harm. We are here to…help."
The peacekeepers looked among themselves. One stood out for them. "Private Knowles, sir. We're…I'm at a loss and….scared. I'll admit that. We have no idea where Peacekeeper Darius is." He stopped and looked around him. "I don't know who you are, but we'll gladly accept your…assistance. I…just can't…take orders from you, sir. No disrespect intended."
"I understand, soldier," Boggs stated. "Then I advised that under these circumstances you listen to Mr. Abernathy. He is from this district. He is best to guide you in this situation." He quickly turned to his left, aimed and fired his shot hitting a mutt dog on its hind leg. It was running down the street dragging a young boy between his teeth by his left leg. The dog stopped and dropped the boy and ran off.
One of Boggs' soldier ran straight to the boy. Knelt down and checked his injuries. She turned and shook her head. 'Dead.'
The peacekeeper turned to me. "What are your orders, sir?" His face as white as a sheet.
"I want two of your men to head to the train station," I stated.
"Why?" Boggs inquired.
"The trains that dropped off the dogs should still be here," I said. "With how many survivors we have left, we need to confiscate the train to get out of 12."
"You mean to evacuate the town by train?" Boggs asked.
"Yes, we'll take as many as we can."
"Where?" Private Murphy asked. "You can't take the survivors into another district. That's illegal. I can't authorize––"
"What do you mean you can't authorize…bullshit. You're one of us now. Snow abandoned you and left you to die."
"He's right," Boggs agreed. "President Snow left you here," Boggs added. "You should really start to think where you loyalty lie." Private Murphy remained quiet for a few seconds. I didn't want to waste my time trying to convince them to change their allegiance. But if they were smart, they should be angry at Snow for abandoning them and left them to their fate with District 12. . It didn't take long for them to decide.
"Fuck Snow," Private Murphy seethed. "Mr. Abernathy is right." I sighed. It was moment of relief.
"You and the rest of your men will come with me to the Justice building," I instructed him then turned to the District 13's commanding officer. "Boggs, Mockingjay should be here soon. Meet him at the cemetery. It's located three miles north from here." Boggs's brow furrowed. "It's the only place closest and large enough to land his ship."
"Be back as soon as he arrives," Boggs stated. I nodded my head in appreciation.
I concentrated on the task at hand as I crashed through the double paneled doors. "Jimmy, Rye?" I screamed. Realizing that the helmet was an impediment, I removed it. "Jimmy, Rye. Where are you?" 'Where would they be hiding?' I pondered.
"Peacekeepers, upstairs." I didn't need to say anymore since they knew about the guns on the third floor. I walked into the building main foyer.
"Haymitch?" Rye appeared, his brows raised and mouth in a smirk. "Why are you wearing––"
"Haymitch!" Jimmy spoke as he too appeared, interrupting Rye's question. "What the fuck are you wearing?" He was mad as he recognized the uniform. I wore the same uniform of the man who tried to abduct Peeta weeks before. I was wearing District 13 attire. A look of hurt and betrayal appeared on his face.
I was too happy to see them alive and together to explain myself. "I don't have time to explain but we need to help Boggs. Mockingjay will be arriving soon––"
"Who the hell is Boggs?" Rye asked.
"Mockingjay is coming here?" Madge queried as she appeared next to Rye. I hardly recognized the mayor's daughter as she wore dark brown pants and light blue shirt with black boots. Her hair was in a braid. It reminded me of Katniss as it was braided to one side. She also had a rifle in her hands. "When?"
"Good question," I started. "Why did you risk your classmates' lives to come over here? Where's your father? Where is everybody?"
Madge's brow lifted then scrunched together. "Rye, I'm going to our classmates in the basement. Why don't you explain to Mr. Abernathy what we've been doing for weeks in his absence?" She left in a huff reminding of Effie. Her head high and shoulder straight.
"What's going on, Rye?" I asked a bit impatient. He ignored me. "Jimmy?" I turned to my old friend for an explanation.
"When is Mockingjay arriving?" Rye asked instead. "How many rebels does he have with him?" Then, suddenly we heard familiar whistling sound. It was coming from the train station.
"What the hell?" I blurted. For security reasons, all train activities were monitored. Incoming train arrived in the morning and left after lunch. All deliveries were after four in the afternoon three times a week. While it was stationed here, the peacekeepers did a thorough inspection for contraband or any illegal activity or entry into the district. The whistle of the train at this hour was unusual, telling us that another train had arrived unscheduled.
"Oh, shit," Rye cursed. Jimmy, Rye and I knew or suspected who our new arrival was about. "Sorry, Haymitch. Gotta go and help Madge." He ran towards the direction Madge exited and joined his friends wherever they went.
"Jimmy, where the hell is Rye going? Will somebody please tell me what's going one?" I asked again as I grew frustrated. "Where is Darius?"
"Darius is dead?" Jimmy explained. He said so…perfunctory like it was normal and not unsettling. It was no wonder that the peacekeepers were running amok with no direction. Darius was dead.
"What? How?"
"I have don't time to explain, Haymitch," Jimmy said. "When will Mockingjay get here," he inquired. I shook my head. Suddenly, Madge appeared with her classmates.
"We're ready, Mr. Abernathy?" she stated as she gripped the rifle in her hands. This girl…the mayor's daughter was unrecognizable. As if Madge Undersee grew up, matured in days instead of years. She was confident, strong and determined. She definitely reminded me of Katniss.
A peacekeeper barged into the building. His face was red from exertion, blood all over his pristine white uniform. He had to have been only 20 years old. "Mr. Abernathy…the train station… more of them…mutt…dogs," he stumbled as he caught to catch his breath.
Everyone gasped in horror. "Fucking hell," Rye expelled.
President Snow had sent a second wave of mutt dogs into the district. He meant to kill every citizen––man, woman and child, Merchant and Seam. Why didn't he just bomb the district in one full sweep? Why prolong the attack? It would have been faster and more effective.
I didn't know why but something felt off. Why didn't he bomb the merchant quarters? He had completely destroyed the Seam. Why mutt dogs?
District 12 wasn't like District 3 with their nice, clean buildings, stores, and homes surrounded by lush green parks and paved streets. District 12 was second poorest district with only water and electricity as their resource, but the town functioned and survived because Snow needed coal. It was the only reason why District 12 existed.
I guessed by sending dogs, it would be an easier cleanup while maintaining and keeping the town in tact. Kill the occupants and replace them with new people to start over. Had Snow bomb 12 it would have taken years to rebuild. But wouldn't that been easier? To start over? No, there was something I was missing. Something wasn't right with arrival and appearance of second dog attack. I felt that something bigger was planned for District 12. Something more ominous and deadly.
AN: Thank you for reading this chapter. I hoped you enjoyed it. There will be two more chapters before this story ends. I will make an announcement at the end of this story to let you guys know when I will start uploading Book 2.
I do thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience and for sticking around for the conclusion of Book 1 of Destiny – Heart of a Baker, Soul of a Hunter. Have a great rest of the week.