Chapter 60 –– Rebirth of the Mockingjay
AN: My apologies for posting this chapter way later than I anticipated. My thanks to those who alerted, favored and left a review: pistonsfan75, LACR, kelmkmag, baldcoder, Aeigns, TwinK21, WizMonCruWil, ClintonBush43Obama, Katnibellamione, StarPotterTwilightHunger, LawrenceDaddarioWatson, Stewart, CaliforniaTexasNorthCarolina, SomethingSemperDux and guests. RL has kept me away from completing Destiny.
This chapter contain Mockingjay's POV and is rated R for strong language. The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins, and any mistakes found are mine. I own them! This is a short chapter 11K word count. Lol It was longer in length but I cut most of it in half to post this one. One more chapter to go…
Mockingjay POV ––
I knew that Haymitch was right. We had to fly around District's 11 no fly zone. It was dangerous and reckless to fly through it but my need to get the district over rode logic and sense. District 12 was being attacked and I knew it was my fault.
The hovercraft we confiscated was old. Replaced by sleeker and faster models that flew stealthily, these were large, bulky and loud. Even the engines reverberated inside the compartment causing tremors inside the cabin. But, they were still functional and useful to travel long distances across Panem.
The ship banked left then righted it self. Several moans followed. Most of the soldiers that had volunteered had never ridden a hovercraft. This did not bode well for our trip to District 12. How were we to fight when my men were struck with motion sickness?
The knots in my stomach multiplied and spread to my chest. "Sir, are you alright?" a soldier questioned me. I stared back at him. He was young man, still a boy really at the age of 18 barely at the cusp of manhood. He was wide-eyed, gung ho and brash with a tick of nervousness about him as his right knee bounced up and down. He reminded me of myself at his age. Strong and confident with a lot of fire in his blood. His knuckles were death white as he gripped a rifle in his hands. It didn't look right seeing him that young holding onto an instrument of death. Nor was it right that he volunteered to join the rebellion but we needed abled men and women. Who was I to deny his right to fight for freedom and justice? That was what I told myself each and every time I saw a young man or woman in our rebel camp. Young people who chose to follow me and my cause––correction, our cause because this fight was theirs as much as it was mine.
"I'm fine, soldier," I returned covering my nervousness and fear as I had a habit of talking to myself.
"I don't mean to…interrupt but you were…mumbling, sir," he said. I flinched realizing that my nervousness was causing anxiety amongst the people around me. All eyes were turned to me. I had to set an example. So sat upright, focused my eyes ahead of me and straightened my shoulders.
"I'm sorry. I know we met but I'm not good with names and faces."
"It's all right, sir. I'm Ben, sir. Ben Nagasaki from District 5," he answered. He smiled––crooked but wide. Ben had a scar that ran from corner of his left eye to his mouth. It looked raw about a couple of months old. I had recognized that kind of injury––scars that never healed properly.
He had told me once upon meeting him how he had received the gift from a peacekeeper. A punishment he received for stealing food from a market. Food he was stealing at the time to feed his starving family––his grandparents, mother and sister. I recalled the story after he appeared one day, rescued by Finnick as he helped them escaped from their district. They were starved, oppressed and sick from malnutrition. When Ben had regained his health his sister and him joined the rebellion. They had lost another sister from the lottery three years previous. She was 12 years old at the time.
The ship lurched as we encountered a bit of turbulence. More groans and the sound of retching filled the air. Ben looked pale from the motion. He quickly reached into his breast pocket and popped a green leafy plant into his mouth. With eyes closed, he chewed for a few seconds then he sighed in relief. I wondered who taught him––
"You're daughter is a god-send," Ben spoke interrupting my thoughts again. "Prim gave these packet of herbs to all of us before we boarded the ship." He gestured to my soldiers as I realized they were munching on bits of mints leaves. The fresh scent permeated the stale air in the compartment. I smiled and thought of my daughter's kindness. The thought of her made me think of Katniss, my other beautiful daughter. Lily was furious as I told her that I would not be around when Katniss arrived at the base camp. Our little reunion via video was short and bittersweet. I could not reunite with my girls as my position as the rebel leader kept me away from them. Other lives depended on me.
Parting with Prim was bad enough, but even my interaction with Lily had me reeling in despair, sadness and frustration. The night I departed from District was fresh in my mind and it played in my head over and over.
Flashback ––
I packed my duffel bag carrying as little as possible, but Lily had insisted in taking extra clothing. "You need to pack extra clothes," she said as she stuffed a pair of pants, shirt and socks in my bag. She was so focused, too focused that her behavior bothered me. I knew she was sad and angry, but what could I do? I'm the leader of a revolution. People depended on me. I have hid and kept silent for too long. I had placed both Peeta and Katniss's lives in danger. How could I ask men to fight and die for me if I could not do the same for them as well?
It was the main reason why I had finally revealed my identity. I needed to take responsibility for my actions––my careless disregard for Peeta's life when I used him in my broadcast, letting men impersonate me in other districts while I hid in 12 and for hiding behind a mask as the Mockingjay.
Lily continued to mill about the room thinking of other provisions I may need. She was stalling and was heartbroken. I had to leave her behind and alone in District 12. She begged me to take her with me.
"Lily," I called out to her and grabbed both her hands into mine. "Stop, please." She struggled against me for a few seconds. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"I need…to help you pack," her voice broke as she rubbed her nose. It was red as was her eyes. I was leaving her alone. Prim and Katniss were gone, far from her reach. She missed our children horribly. I knew she was in good hands leaving her with the Hawthornes and with Jimmy Mellark. He would watch over my wife and take care of her. . I trusted my old friend, Jimmy. He was her first love until she met me. I had no reason to doubt or distrust both of them. He loved Evelyn despite who she had become.
"I knew…this day would come," Lily stumbled with her words. "I never resented your decision in becoming the Mockingjay." She sniffled as she wiped tears from her cheeks. "My eyes were wide open. Even after your accident I knew you wouldn't stop being Mockingjay. It's who you are…the man I fell in love with." She sobbed as she sat down on our bed hands in her face her elbows on her knees. "So this…" She gestured to my backpack. "It was only a matter of time you would leave me…but at least I thought the girls would be with me." She sobbed, her body shook from despair.
"Lily," I said her name soft as a lump on my throat manifested. "I'm sorry––"
"Don't you dare," she lifted her head with fire in her eyes. "Don't you dare apologize to me for who you are." I swallowed a ball of bile threatening to rise from my throat. "I couldn't deny who you are as I could any more deny that Katniss resembling you in every way––your strength, courage and passion."
"And my stubbornness," I quipped back. Lily smiled.
"Well, she gets that from me too," she returned. "She is more like you than by your looks."
"Just as Prim is like you in every way," I complimented her. "She takes after you and not just by your blond hair and eyes. She is sweet, loving and compassionate."
"They are the best of us," she said. Lily's lower lip trembled. "And I miss my girls so much." Tears ran from her eyes. "I miss them, Garrett. I don't know how they are or if…they are okay."
"Lily, I swear to you. They are safe. Prim is safe where she is. And as for Katniss…" I stopped. "Peeta…Peeta would never let anything happen to her. He would die for her."
"That is what I'm afraid of." She wiped her nose with her sleeve.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused by her statement.
"And if something happens to Peeta when we're not around for her? What will happen?" Oh, I see. Lily was scared for Katniss. Her state of mind if anything happened to him. "She is a lot like me more than she can admit."
Lily reminded me of her reaction when I got hurt. How she broke down emotionally as well as physically turning her back on our daughters. She was so scared and focused on my recovery that she neglected them. I never reproached her for her treatment of the; her guilt was enough for me to add to it. I was also too busy with my own recovery. The affects from the accident took years for me to get over both physically and mentally. I too became a neglectful parent. It is no wonder how my girls, my beautiful girls turned out the way they did.
Though our abandonment affected Katniss the most. Her resentment and anger grew towards her mother.
"Katniss is a lot stronger than you think," I said. Lily shook her head.
"She…loves him. She loves Peeta so much," she returned. "I don't know how she would react if––"
"They will be okay, Lily. I promise you," I swore. She knew of my plans to rescue them from the arena though I didn't give her any details. It was enough for her to know that I was helping them escape from the games and from the Capitol. "Don't give up on faith and hope. It's all we have."
Lily nodded her head. "I know, Garrett. You keep your promises, but…hope is a dangerous thing to cling to."
"If it is in my power to keep our girls safe, I would do anything, Lily. Anything," I promised her. Even if I sacrificed my life for theirs. I wanted to kiss her troubles and fears away. We made love last night, slow and soft. Our passion never wavered since the first time we laid together. Even with my––disabilities, Lily never saw or treated me less than a man. "I'm bringing Katniss and Prim home to you. You will be reunited with our girls." It was a promise.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," she returned. "Each time you wear your Mockingjay clothes, I wonder…if it'll be the last." I shook my head. "You're a man of your word, but you can't make promises like that. It's too much…I feel as though I lost my girls and I won't see them again. That I won't get them back."
"Lily––" I didn't know what else to say to comfort her so I held her in arms as she wept.
"And you leaving...this is it. The war has begun. My daughters are in the thick of it. And if anything happened to them now…I…I feel like I'm losing everything––my heart, my mind. The thought of all you…its soul wrenching. Don't make promises and give me hope." The anguish and despair in her tone broke me but she was right. I couldn't give her any false hope. My strength and courage waned and I didn't know if I could leave her now.
"But I know that you are doing the right thing. I love you more now then the day we married. And I have to trust what fate as in stored for us…and it is selfish of me to keep you from your destiny. You are best friend, my lover, my husband and the father of my children. But most of all…you are Mockingjay. I'm not the only one who needs you. Panem needs you."
With her words of comfort and encouragement, I stored them in my heart and mind. Lily is the best of me and my girls are my strength. I had a job to do and with her blessing and courage I knew we had a fighting chance.
End of Flashback ––
I trusted Haymitch to get Lily safely to our base camp. There was no doubt in mind that he would just as I knew he took care of Katniss when she was in the Capitol. But I could not rest easy until she was reunited with her mother and sister. From last I heard she was travelling north with Peeta. They were safe. However, just as I thought I could breath, we intercepted a transmission of three trains scheduled to arrive in District 12––three special deliveries. I feared the worst. Our drone was dispatched once I heard the news.
The last transmission I saw was the district being attacked by mutt dogs. From high above I could tell they were larger than the first groups of dogs. They looked different––larger heads with razor sharp teeth and broad shoulders, their legs strong with heavy paws and sharp claws.
Unfortunately the drone was shot down during the attack. It was mistaken as a Capitol drone.
"ETA in ten minutes," the pilot's voice filtered through the PA system. "Please prepare for the drop off." The room was silent. The only sound you could hear was the roaring of the ship's engines. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath. I knew I had to say something.
"Listen," I started. "These animals––mutts are mutations created by the Capitol. They have three points of weakness––between the eyes, their throat and the base of their back located near their tail. If you don't have a clear shot on the any of the three areas, aim for their legs. This will only contain them for a moment. But a moment is all you need to shoot them at their critical spots." The soldiers all looked stunned and bewildered.
Fear filled their eyes––they were scared. I could hear Haymitch in my mind. 'Nice speech, Mockingjay. I don't think it's what they wanted to hear.' I flinched.
I cleared my throat. "I'm not good with speeches," I confessed. Everyone snickered. "Really, I'm not." I waved my hands. "What I'm trying to say and doing a very horrible time in saying is that…" I took a deep breath.
Think from your heart. Jimmy once advised me. "I'm scared like you. And it's normal to feel that way. Just trust your instincts. Keep your head clear. Take a deep breath. And most of all cover each other's back. We are a few in numbers and alone." Shit, where am I going with this? This was not encouraging. "We need to be careful. To watch for one another."
I didn't know if I was scaring them more or encouraging them so I kept on going. "I'm not just talking about our selves. I'm talking about the other districts. Too long have we ignored and turned our backs from the rest of Panem. We all have suffered from Snow's hands. We need to unite as one. For it is impossible to become a nation if we are divided. I look at all of you. District 5 sitting next to 7…4 next to 8. We are not different because of where we live but how we have divided ourselves from each other. And President Snow has initiated and encouraged the division from each other. We will to fight together. But I ask of you today, we will fight for District 12. They need us as much as we need them."
The compartment was deadly quiet for a second then a round of applause filled the air. I encouraged my men as best I could, but I wondered if it was enough.
The craft hovered 30 feet off the ground over District 12's cemetery. I didn't want to desecrate the burial ground but it was the only area spacious and far away enough from the town. If there were peacekeepers left in the district, they too have to been handle with besides the mutt dogs. We rapelled down the craft one by one. I was last to descend. Careful not to land on a tombstone, my fake foot touched the grassy ground with a solid thud. Once I knew everyone was accounted for we were met with four men dressed in black uniforms from head to toe. They also wore helmets concealing their identities. I knew who there were. My rebels wore black as well but their clothing was new, not ragged or worn from weather and abuse. District 13 soldier's clothing were crisp and pristine and tailored to fit. Due to the lack of seamstresses, our clothes were reused and confiscated from the dead.
The welcoming committee wore the same uniform that Gale had worn when he visited Peeta and Katniss the night before the Games. Gale Hawthorne. An image of the young man I used to know flashed in my mind. The young boy I knew and the man he had become disappointed me. I shook his image off and focused on the men who greeted us hoping he was not amongst them. A tall man stood before them, his rifle was latched on his back, his hands in air in gesture of surrender. My men reacted quickly pointing their rifles to the intruders. They knew nothing of the soldiers from District 13. As a matter of fact, no one knew of their existence; only a handful. So they reacted justly in my defense.
The tall man approached me. "At ease, fellas," I said to my men. "No need for bloodshed, not just…yet." I was wary of anyone from District 13. Haymitch was there. I didn't know if by force or by invitation. I still didn't know how or why he was at 13. The little conversation we had made me uneasy. When Lily was escorted to the camp without Haymitch I feared for my friend's safety.
"Mockingjay," the man extended his gloved hand. "I'm commander Boggs from––"
"District 13," I interrupted and added. "I know who you are." My men mumbled amongst themselves with the look of disbelief on their faces. "What's the situation in town and the Seam?"
Boggs proceeded to describe the Seams condition and what was happening in the Merchant quarters. "Mr. Abernathy sent me to meet you," Boggs explained. "We don't have any more time to spare. There is another wave of mutts delivered and attacking the township as we speak." The feeling in my stomach plummeted. The situation was worse than I imagined.
I wasn't surprised as we met Haymitch at the Merchant area. A battle between mutt and man unfolded before us. There were peacekeepers and Merchants alongside District 13 soldiers fighting beside them. Bodies of dead dogs and Merchants littered the ground. It was utter chaos. The town was unrecognizable with blood splattered everywhere.
What did surprised me was Rye and Heath Undersee's daughter, Madge as they were in the middle of the fight. I didn't recognize her at first until Rye yelled out her name. "Madge look out," he screamed as she ducked and Rye fired at the mutt who pounced at her. Seeing Jimmy's boy in action with a rifle was something I had never imagined. I knew I was right to send him back home because Rye was not a soldier. He was a baker. He was still wearing his baker's uniform smeared with blood, grime and dirt. His blond hair plastered on his head from sweat. Yet here he was in front of me fighting along side Madge. Jimmy would be so proud of him.
I looked upward. Capitol drones hovered above us. From their underbelly, orbs dropped to the ground splattering blood in its' wake. It rained on both human and mutt. There was a distinct order of iron and a scent I couldn't identify. I raised my bow and fired hitting the drone causing it to explode into ball of fire.
By sundown, I'm exhausted and wired at the same time. I couldn't rest or eat. Amongst the peacekeeper, soldiers from 13 and my own men were able to contain the mutt dogs. We realized once we killed the main alpha dogs, the mutts turned and ran away in to the forest. We lost…I couldn't fathom the number which we were still counting as night fell upon us. After the second wave of dog attacks I had ordered Haymitch and the peacekeepers to blow up the tracks that led to District 12. When we intercepted the message I knew I had stop the third invasion. Boggs disagreed, Haymitch was on the fence but I was adamant.
"We cannot survive a third attack," I told them. "Look around us." Bodies were placed in neat piles. I saw neighbors, friends and co-workers from the mines. It didn't matter the skin or hair color––they were dead by mutilation or by fire. "We need to stop the next invasion or there will be nothing left of District 12."
Haymitch and Boggs' concern was that we were cutting District 12 from the rest of Panem. I was isolating us from any resources that we needed. Little did I realized that was Snow's plan.
"That's the point," I insisted. "We are on our own. We have been." I turned to Boggs.' "Do you honestly believe that Snow does not know of 13's existence? You're a fool if you if you believe that. He just doesn't know where you are located. This is my home and my decision." A decision I hoped I wouldn't regret making. And in the end, Boggs and team derailed the tracks with explosive that shook the ground shattering windows from most of the buildings.
After we blew the tracks, Haymitch and Boggs's team gathered all the dead mutt dogs, dosed their bodies with gas and burned them. By now, the air in District 12 was ashy blocking the sky that I couldn't tell what time it was. The smell of smoke was debilitating, as it was hard to breath. The Seam was no more as not a single home was saved. People were homeless. Only a third of the Merchant quarters were undamaged. It looked like a war zone with red paint splattered on the buildings. But it wasn't paint it was blood.
"I hope you know what you're doing, sir," Boggs stated. "You have basically cut yourself off from the rest of the country." In hindsight, it was not a good tactical move. How could I provide food, shelter and water to the survivors? We had no proper medical facility or supplies for the injured as the building was destroyed by the bombs. But would we have survived if train transport arrived with a third wave of mutt dogs? I had to think of the lives left and it was a better option from complete annihilation.
I set up groups of men to shoot down Capitol drones that entered 12. A few minutes later, Commander Boggs and his men were nowhere to be seen. It didn't matter since his men did not take orders from me. I had a job to do. After the attacks my first priority was to find the Hawthornes. As disappointed and disgusted as I was with Gale, I still cared about Hazelle and the rest of her children. To my relief, I found them past the fence hiding in the forest. Rory led them to safety once the bombs started dropping. He kept his family safe from harm.
"You did a great job, Rory," I told him. They were scared, hungry and alive. He looked at me dumbstruck. Then it dawned on me that he realized who I was. He had always known me as Mr. Everdeen, Prim's father not the Mockingjay. "Had your father been alive, he would have been very proud of you."
"I…just wish…Gale was here," Rory stated. "I miss my brother." I flinched inwardly. To his family, his brother Gale died during the first mutt attack. His death devastated Hazelle that I nearly revealed that her son was alive and in District 13 but something stopped me. How would she react knowing about Gale's betrayal and duplicity? Hence, I kept my mouth shut but I knew once day soon I had to tell Hazelle. She would be overjoyed to know that her son was alive.
"I miss…Prim," he added. I shouldn't have been shocked by his admission. Rory had a crush on Prim. It was obvious, but the fact he had admitted it now––that surprised me.
At the temporary camp, I made sure they were provided with housing, water and food for all of them. My thoughts led back to Gale, his betrayal still fresh in my mind. I thought of Katniss, her decision for choosing Peeta over him. I knew Gale loved Katniss but his personality was wrong for her. She needed someone like Peeta, patient and gentle not Gale who was brash and forceful.
After I had them settled, I found Jimmy and Rye setting up fire pits to provide food for everyone. The bakery was nearly destroyed as mutt dogs ransacked the storefront. Nothing was left as glass and the display cases were shattered. At least the kitchen was spared but two ovens were not enough to cook or bake for everyone in the district. Delly and Madge were out gathering wood for the pits along with their classmates.
A few hours later, Haymitch returned with Heath, the mayor of District 12. "Where have you two been?" I asked. Bonfires lit our surrounding as the sting of cold wind bit into our skin. Cold front was approaching upon us.
"We've been…taking a…body count," Heath answered as a puff of condensed air escaped his mouth. "We need to know the casualties…how many survivors we have left."
"We're not done," Haymitch added. "It's too soon to get an accurate account but…"
"We have counted at least 2000 dead," Heath informed me. I gasped. "Eighty percent are Seam folk."
"Eighty percent?" Heath nodded. The Seam population were higher in numbers due to the lack of birth control. The number of deaths were staggering from the attacks. I couldn't understand how 200 mutt dogs managed to kill close to 2000 people. Then I remembered that it wasn't just the dogs but the explosives that were dropped in the Seam. Bodies were burned or crushed from the bombings.
Then he delivered news that astounded me. "There are at least 1,000 missing both Merchant and Seam." I should be relieved because it was not a complete annihilation of District 12. There were 5,000 survivors.
After speaking to Haymitch and Heath, I went to look for Jimmy. He was clearly busy cooking and feeding the hungry masses. Rye was back in the bakery baking bread with his wife Delly. The Undersee took in the Cartwrights and Edgewoods as their homes and businesses was destroyed. I even saw his Jimmy's ex wife Evelyn setting up tents and living quarters for both Seam and Merchant. "Hey, you've been on your feet since you arrived," Jimmy reminded me. "Take a seat and eat. And I won't take no for answer."
I sat down not realizing how tired and sore I felt. I rubbed my thigh above my fake leg. Sometimes I would feel pain on my lower limb as if it was still there. The doctors called it phantom pain. I would experience aches and pain to a limb no longer attached to me.
Jimmy placed a bowl of soup containing potatoes, carrots and black beans with a slice of bread in front of me. "Most of the meat was contaminated during the attack. I told Mr. Edgewood to ration whatever meat he had left in his cold storage. Rye and Delly will be arriving with enough to feed us for today but we'll need to get more supplies and ingredients." Jimmy looked exhausted as he sat across me. "It's good to see you, Garrett." He smiled.
I felt odd. I never wore my Mockingjay outfit out in the open without my hood. There was no point trying to hide my face since everyone knew who I was by now. "I'm sorry," I said. Jimmy looked perplexed his brows scrunched together.
"Why are you apologizing?" he inquired. I looked around me. People were dead––men, women and children. Families homeless as everything they possessed or owned destroyed.
"How could I not be apologetic?" I answered back. "This…" I gestured around us. "…is all my fault. Peeta has been targeted for months because of my video, your son Graham is dead––"
"Listen to me, Garrett," Jimmy started. "Peeta and Katniss have escaped because of you. The arena has been destroyed. There will be no more games. You did the impossible. You ended the Hunger Games."
"But…at what cost?"
"Garrett, we are free because of you," Jimmy returned. I couldn't revel in his enthusiasm and optimism. I carried Panem on my shoulders––sons and daughter, wives and husbands, brothers and sisters. All their lives in my hands.
"With 3000 dead and a1000 missing? It's not a justifiable cost." I was doubting my decisions. My confidence shattered. I felt every bone in my body ached: my skin beaded with sweat, my eyes burned from the ash floating in the air and my nose clogged with soot. The knots in my stomach tripled.
I'm the Mockingjay, I knew the consequences and the risks. For years, I was careful keeping District 12 and my family safe but after Prim being reaped, Peeta volunteering and Katniss was chosen, it was difficult to stand by and let other's take the risk––men who imitated me and others who fought in my name.
"Garrett Everdeen, I swear if you are giving up now when we need you––"
"No. I'm not. Jimmy, I don't think so." How could I?
"Garrett, I am not a violent man," he said. There was fire in his eyes as his hand formed a first and shook it. "You put my family…my son through hell…my eldest dead. Graham believed in you." He stopped and took a deep breath. "Do I need to say more?" It was suddenly difficult to breath––shame and guilt choking me. I shouldn't feel like this whining like some teenager who knew right from wrong but chose the latter and damn the consequences only to feel remorse later.
"I know, I know," I repeated. Lily would be ashamed of me for doubting myself, but after losing 3000 people in District 12. I knew it was my fault and I couldn't help but feel guilty.
'Suck it up, Everdeen,' my Mockingjay persona berated me. 'Remember Lily's words of encouragement and support. You can't give up now.'
"I'm not going to sit here and listen to this. You are the Mockingjay. People need…will be looking up to you, to lead us. You've been pushing this cause and people followed. They placed their lives in your hands. You started this and you fucking will finish it." My brows lurched upward. Jimmy swore––
"Dad?" Delly's voice disrupted my thoughts. "You swore!" Rye stood beside her. Despite the late hour and the darkness around us I detected an amused look on his face, ruddy cheeks from the heated ovens. He obviously changed his clothes as he wore a plaid shirt, a white t-shirt underneath and pants that were powdered with flour. Rye was pulling a cart of baked bread behind him. Delly held Tyler in her arms. She too looked as if she dove in to a bag of flour. Her hair white like puffs of snow landed on her blond locks. Madge stood beside her like a bodyguard, her rifle gripped in hand looking around us. She appeared worn out like the rest of us with soot, grim and blood smearing her clothes and skin.
I smirked. "You're dad and I was just having a…lively conversation," I explained. Rye's amused look changed from amusement to concern.
"The last time Dad swore was when…Peeta…did something happened to Peeta?"
"No, Rye," his father barked. "No, Peeta's fine. Right, Garrett?"
"Yes, the last I heard he and Katniss are safe and faraway from Snow and the Capitol. You don't need to worry about Peeta." Rye sighed. "We're discussing about…our situation." Madge snapped to attention. Then I turned to Rye. "By the way, I'm proud of both you. Madge, Rye. I never expected your involvement and how you handled yourselves. Haymitch told me what you two have been doing all these weeks. Thank you for your diligence and your dedication."
"It wasn't like we had a choice. We had to do something," Madge spoke. "Since the first attack, Rye and I knew or at least sensed that we needed to prepare District 12 for an evacuation just in case." She took a deep breath. "No one supported us. Not my own father or the town counsel. We were on our own."
"After everything that has happened," Rye added. "…and with Peeta and Katniss reaped. We…I…couldn't just stand by and waited for…I don't know. I just had this feeling in my gut that something bad was going to happen." Rye side eyed at his dad. "I'm not a fighter. And I knew after….I knew that my place was with my family. I had to protect them but it didn't stop Madge and me from doing what we can to protect our family and our home. I know we're not soldiers but…"
"You trusted your instincts and took charge despite the opposition and not having any support…that's commendable," I praised them. "You didn't have to take arms or train to become a soldier. You both have courage and strength for your beliefs. Those are qualities I admire. You both have a place by my side if…you chose to fight with me."
"Garrett––" Jimmy began, a look of disbelief and tinge of anger on his face.
"I'm not saying that you need to be soldiers," I interjected. "Everyone has a place, a position whether they are a soldier, a medic or even a baker. Those positions are needed as well."
"I want to help as much as I can without…killing anyone," Rye said. "I shot at mutt dogs today. I knew I had to. I just don't think I have the stomach…I'm not a coward but––"
"Rye, don't doubt yourself," his father interjected. "I know that if it was choice to protect yourself, Delly and Tyler, you will make the right choice. Just like Peeta did. He is amongst the three of my boys the most kindest and gentlest in nature and yet…he took a life to protect Katniss."
"So Rye doesn't have to volunteer to become a soldier to join you?" Delly inquired. I shook my head.
"Like I said, everyone has a place. I don't need killers but defenders," I stated. "I will depend on the Mellarks to provide sustenance to keep this army fed. That is just as important as a soldier who will fight beside me."
"I want to volunteer, sir," Madge said. "I don't need my parents permission. I am of age to decide my own fate and I want to fight with you." I eyed the young woman for a second. I wondered how Heath would react once he realized that his daughter was joining the cause. She was right; Madge was of age to decide for herself.
"I welcome you to the ranks, soldier Undersee," I returned.
"Thank you, sir," Madge beamed with pride. "You won't regret it."
"I know I won't but if you realize that if it becomes too much for you, I need you to tell me," I insisted. "There is no dishonor in backing out. Like I said before, we all have a place in this rebellion."
"I won't know unless I try," she returned.
"Well, then as a new recruit, I will give you your first order," I started. "You will go straight to your family and tell them that you have volunteered and have joined the rebellion. I respect your father and as a father myself, I would appreciate the consideration and honesty of informing them of your decision."
"Madge!" Heath yelled for his daughter. "Where have you been? You're mother has been sick with worry." He wrapped his arms around her tight and firm. "What have you––why are you holding a rifle and is that blood on your clothes?" Heath was frantic, scared and angry. The veins on his forehead protruded. I didn't blame him for being angry but he should be proud of his daughter for what she did today.
"Dad," she returned. "I'm okay. I was just talking t––"
"Garrett, good God man," he started. "You're a sight for sore eyes. When I heard you came…it's…it's really good to see you."
I was certain that my reception back at District 12 would have been a tense one. I basically abandoned them when they needed me. But my mind and thoughts at the time were focused on Katniss and Peeta. I owed Jimmy so much that the thought of the rebellion was the farthest thing in my mind. I had to save our children because both Lily and Jimmy wouldn't have forgiven had I not tried. But in my singular purpose of saving the kids, I brought harm to my district and the result––3000 dead or missing. The number echoed in my head over and over––men, women and children. Our homes and business destroyed. I had also isolated us from the rest of Panem.
"Listen, we'll settle here for the night," I started. "The next couple of days we need to look around for supplies and provisions."
"Why?" Heath asked.
"We can't stay here," I said. "We need to leave this place.
"Why do we need to leave?" Jimmy inquired. "Garrett, you're asking to mobilize 5000 people to go where? This is our home––"
"Our home that Snow attempted to destroy," I interjected. "He made sure a large number of peacekeepers were transferred out then sent the dogs and bombs to annihilate us. He meant for all of us to die by fire or mutt attack. This attack was planned for weeks."
"But why move? It's a logistical nightmare," Heath whined. "Where would we go?"
Just as I was about to answer, another large explosion resonated in the air. It wasn't loud or shattering but it was enough to caught everyone's attention. "What the hell?" the mayor of District 12 said as he jumped in place.
"I told Nathan to seal the mines," I explained.
"What? Why?" he asked.
"I'm not about to let Snow to take 12 sitting down. He wanted to destroy us. He made sure to eliminate the as many people with minimum damage to the Merchant quarters. Snow can rebuild and repopulate District 12."
"You blew up the mines so that Snow has no access to the coal," Jimmy guessed. "He will have to start over." I nodded my head.
"He may have other resources from District 11 for his coal. But 12 has the largest supply. I told Nathan bury the coal mine deep that it will take Snow's new slaves years to rebuild and be one hundred percent functional and operational." I want Snow to know he made a mistake by trying to murder all of us. He needed us…he just didn't know how much.
"We have to think about this, Garrett," Heath stated. "How are we to move thousands of people? To where? How will we feed them? Not all of us are in any condition to be trekking though the forest, sleeping on the ground and the problems that might arise. What about the injured? Are going to make them travel to God knows where? And that's another thing where will we be going?"
Heath's questions and concerns were legitimate and reasonable. I had thought of them myself, but we were not safe in District 12 anymore. Even though I had the tracks destroyed so that no more trains could arrive, Snow still has his drones. He completely destroyed the Seam as no homes were intact or standing.
Heath continued, "Oh my God, what about the dead? Don't you think we should bury them before we leave?"
"Pile them in mass grave and burn them," Bogg's voice startled me as he suddenly appeared. I didn't even realize he was present. His suggestion disgusted me. What the fuck? How dare he suggest that?
"What?" Heath said. "Burn them? I don't know where you come from, mister, but civilized human beings bury their loved ones…not burn in a mass grave."
"My apologies." Boggs lowered his head. "I mean no disrespect. I should have clarified why we should burn the bodies."
"Damn right, you better explain yourself," Heath seethed in anger.
"Heath, I'm sure Commander Boggs did not mean to insult us or be insensitive or our situtation," I added. "Please go ahead and explain yourself."
"My field medic analyzed the contaminate in the air when we first arrived," he explained. "At first we didn't pay any mind since there was a dire situation at hand. But now, hours later he sent a sample to our medical lab and I'm afraid to tell you that we have been inhaling a biological contaminate, a virus."
"What kind of virus?" Heath asked.
"The kind that we cannot identify or find in any medical books. Something we have never encountered before and…we are certain it was manufactured. And also… "
"And what?" I queried.
"It's contagious," Boggs added. "Some of the citizens who have been affected have shortness of breath and complained about headaches and vomiting. The contaminate is also aerial. We are inhaling it."
"So it's in the air?" I asked. "We are all breathing it?"
"Yes, but…mainly it's being transmitted if you were in contact with the blood that was dropped from the drones. With direct contact on your skin especially if you have an open wound."
"So we are all infected," Jimmy said. "It didn't matter if you never touched the blood because it's the air anyway. We're breathing it?" Boggs nodded his head.
"The researchers in 13 are doing their best to figure out what it is. For now we don't' know if it's deadly or not but we won't know until another 12 hours to see what real affects are."
"So basically we sit and wait," Heath stated. "For all we know the people who are infected could drop dead." Boggs ignored Heath's rant.
"You ordering us to blow up the tracks was good call," Boggs said. "We not only need to be isolated but no one is allowed to leave incase the contaminate is contagious. We are officially under quarantine under further notice." The news was dire and frightening. Boggs turned to me. "This is your home. What you tell your people is your decision to make and you'll need to do it sooner than later."
"I need to make an announcement," Heath started. "As mayor of District 12, it is in our best interest to tell people––"
"You can't do that," Jimmy interjected. "Everyone is already scared and angry. Who knows how everyone will react when they find out we're under quarantine from an unknown contagion."
"Everyone has the right to know what is happening to them," Heath argued. "I'm not going to keep secrets from everyone. That is a betrayal of our trust." Voices were raised and emotions were high.
"Listen, we are all high strung, exhausted and scared," I began. "We must keep this information amongst ourselves for now."
"Garrett, as Mayor of District 12 it is my duty––"
"Fuck duty, Heath," I spat. "Do you know what's going to happen? I'll tell you. Jimmy is right. People will panic. This thing that we're breathing is an unknown entity that may make us sick or worse, kill us. We have a responsibility to make sure it doesn't spread."
"But we can't lie––"
"You will lie even if it kills you," I continued. "Snow knew what he was doing when he sent those dogs. The first attack was a dry run. This last attack was planned. Do you understand? He…may have found a way to annihilate us. Killing us slowly. Do you really want to spread this virus to the other districts?"
"Please everyone calm down," Boggs pleaded. "We're getting ahead of ourselves. We really have no idea what we're dealing with. We don't want people to panic. No sense in telling them anything until we have an idea what we're up against. This contagion might be harmless." Heath snorted in disbelief. Madge glared at her father.
"So what do we do in the meantime? Wait for some of us to get sick, spread the contaminate to others; the ones not infected and we all start to drop dead? We need to do something now," Heath debated.
"Do what?" Jimmy asked. "There is nothing we can do. Look around us. Our homes destroyed. Thousands are dead or missing. If this thing is contagious we have to make sure it doesn't spread to the rest of Panem. And Commander Boggs is right. There is no point in saying anything until we know for sure."
"Guess when people start dying, that will tell us what's going on. I mean, what's a few more thousand dead?" Heath snickered.
"Dad, what is wrong with you?" Madge berated her father. "All of us are scared. And if you tell everyone that we're all infected by a deadly contagion, you know what will happen? Panic, chaos, fear and anger."
"Enough," I yelled. "We're just fighting amongst ourselves. This is what Snow wants. To divide us. We need each other to survive. All we have is each other." Heath looked repentant if only for a moment but I knew him. He was a politician. But could I trust him to keep his mouth shut? Heath was great friend but years dealing with Snow and his politics left me wary of his motives and intentions.
"For now, until Boggs gets more information about the contaminate, we say nothing." I demanded. "No need to cause panic. And that is the end of this discussion."
Our group agreed with Heath relenting albeit reluctantly. "What do you want to do in the meantime? President Coin has…assigned me to you. To follow your orders," Boggs informed me. Everyone gathered around waiting for my response. I knew what had to be done but my idea would be an undertaking and overwhelming.
"For tonight, we need to get everyone settled for the night," I said. "But for the next couples of days, we need to formulate a plant to evacuate the district. We can't stay here with the contagion in the air." The fire and smoke from the mines continued to burn. The smell of coal and ash continued to hover above us like a dark cloud layer. With the ash and contaminate in the air, our lungs would be affected. I couldn't even smell the trees or earth beneath us. We were suffocating. A light reddish orange glow painted the landscape. The fires from the Seam hadn't subsided as the embers lit the sky.
"Garrett, you're asking thousands to leave their home––" Heath said in shock.
"What home? Have you looked around us? There is nothing left here in 12, Heath. The Seam is destroyed… a third of the buildings in the Merchant quarter is painted red with blood containing an the contaminate. No one can live there."
"Mockingjay is right," Boggs agreed. "It's not safe for all of us to stay. President Snow can send another attack. We are vulnerable here. We need to leave. And the longer we delay, our odds for survival gets slimmer for each passing day." He sighed. "I don't mean to scare you––"
"We are already scared," Jimmy admitted. "We need to know what you have in mind Garrett. What do we do now?"
"Like I said," I began. "We cannot stay. It is imperative that we leave right away."
"But how can we leave?" Heath inquired. "What about food, water and medial help? How the hell do we mobilize the survivors? Where will we go?"
"I know where we can go. Someplace where will have fresh water," I said. "It'll be a trek."
"How far is it?" Jimmy asked.
"Northeast from here is an area I've scouted years ago," I told them. "It's about 50 miles away."
"Fifty miles?" Heath gasped. "We're going to move thousands of people 50 miles? That's insane! We can't possibly move close to 5,000 men, women and children 50 miles."
"We have to," Jimmy insisted. "Like Garrett said we can't stay here."
"You're making your family walk 50 miles to God knows where. You'd drag Rye, Delly and Tyler to an unfamiliar territory filled with danger, leaving your home and business that has been in your family for decades?"
"If it guarantees my family's safety? Yes, I would," Jimmy answered.
"Sir, Mr. Undersee, do you want to take chances on your family's life?" Boggs asked. "I believe that Mockingjay has it in your best interest. If we need to move the surviving District 12 away from here, you need to listen to him and comply."
"But how can we move thousands of people north? How is that logistically possible?" Heath demanded answers.
"You know, Dad," Madge spoke up. "I've been telling you for weeks that we need an evacuation plan and you refused to listen." She was frustrated and annoyed. Her temperament and impatience reminded me of Katniss.
"It's a good thing that Madge and I have been working on a plan for weeks," Rye said. I squinted my eyes.
"What have you two been doing?" I inquired. Rye and Madge turned to each other and smiled.
"Well…" Rye began.
A few hours later, it's midnight and I'm alone standing before an electrical fence that once contained and trapped anyone from leaving District 12. The fence was 12 foot high with wires as thick as a pencil four inches apart forming a mesh. The black ashy clouds of smoke made it barely visible to see around me. The fence was off as I could not detect the low buzzing sound when the fence was turned on. Just to be sure, I threw a rock at it. Nothing, it yielded no electrical charge or noise.
"You shouldn't be walking around alone and unprotected, sir." Boggs's voice startled me. He had approached me silently like an experienced hunter or killer? I could hardly see him as he was in his black uniform his rifle perched on his back.
"I'm home, Boggs," I told him. "I doubt Snow will be sending out anyone to come after me or even know if I'm here at 12."
"I disagree," he returned. "It is not safe for you anywhere in Panem as long as Snow is alive. He knows you're here." I nodded my head. I was being reckless and impulsive. Boggs was right that I shouldn't be out alone. I had a target on my back. "What are you doing?"
I took a deep breath which was a not a good idea as I inhaled smoke and bits of ash that floated in the air. I coughed then pointed to the fence. "This part of the fence needs to come down," I explained. "I have a few things that must be done before we District 12 and head out. I need everyone's cooperation."
"I understand, sir," he returned. After speaking with Madge and Rye, they had formulated an evacuation plan that they have been working on for weeks. It was feasible operation that included a major of their classmate's involvement in order for it to succeed. However, because of the attack, both of them lost their friends and classmates––the most casualties were from the Seam.
"Do you?" I asked him. "Technically you don't fall under my command. President Coin is your commander. You're only following my orders because you were ordered by Coin. I know where your allegiance lies. " Boggs nodded his head. I continued, "We are on our own, isolated and outnumbered by men and guns. Our resources are low––food, water and medical supplies. No one can leave but then no one can enter either to help us."
Boggs added. "I haven't heard from 13. That worries me."
"Me too," I confessed. "I need you to trust me."
"I am a soldier, sir. I take orders but trust must work both ways. You lead and I will follow."
"I just need one thing from you. I need your trust and honesty. I believe you are a man of honor and integrity. You are a soldier but I sense you know what we are up against. Too many lives are at stake. But in the end, I make decision for my people…all five thousand of them. They are whom I am fighting for. I have no interest in power or politics. I fight for Panem. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," he replied.
"If you have any objections or any conflicts with my decisions, I expect honesty from you. I'm relying on you to help me keep my people safe and from any more harm. If the times come you cannot or will obey my commands, you will tell me and step down."
"I don't expect any conflict between us," Boggs returned. I sighed. He truly was a soldier who did his duty and took orders but soldiers need to be more than just mindless men with no opinion. I needed transparency. Coin was a different story. We both are fighting to free Panem from Snow's grasp. But, who will lead and who will follow. We both could not take control or command with two armies who barely knew each other or have worked together.
From past experience, I've been met with resistance and betrayal from District 13. I couldn't trust them. Gale's duplicity came to mind. He was quick to turn his loyalty from me to Coin. I couldn't blame Gale since District 13 had more to offer. However, his attempt to poison and abduct Peeta was the last straw. And who knew what he had planned for Katniss.
Three days later the sun peeked from the horizon. However, due to the continual fires that burned in the Seam and the mines, the sky was dark and the air ashy. Day still looked like night. I barely slept as my thoughts kept me awake. Too much to do with so little time and resource. By mid-day it was hot and humid.
Rye and Madge were busy organizing the evacuation plan––collecting bags for food and clothing. They made a stockpile of canned goods that they confiscated from the peacekeeper commissary. Horses were hitched to wagons to carry necessary supplies such as food, barrels of water, tents and any cooking implements. I left them and their classmates to continue with the preparations. It was a big undertaking but I trusted them to get the job done.
"We're ready, Mockingjay," Boggs said as he stood beside me. He handed me a small black device that fit in the palm of my hand. It was square with three buttons on top with a one big round button in the bottom. Each button had letters S, M, and T on the smaller buttons, J displayed on the larger one.
"Just press the buttons one at a time."
Snow planned to annihilate us by bombs or mutt attack. We survived but our future was uncertain because of the contaminate that hovered in the air and the blood from the drones. Snow meant to keep the town intact. I wasn't about to let him take our homes and our business as we were being driven away.
"Is it all clear?" I asked. Boggs nodded his head. After the attack everyone settled at a large field north east of the district. Citizens of 12 were scattered in all direction 2 miles away.
"Are you sure you want do this? Maybe you can come back when everything is over," Boggs suggested. "The virus might not be fatal or contagious. If you do this and come back, you'll have to start over."
"And come back to this?" I gestured to the Merchant buildings painted in blood with broken windows, door off hinges, and the stench of dried blood in the air. "We don't know how long this war will go on. Snow can have this district." I pressed one button.
A loud booming sound exploded from the direction of the Seam area. Puffs of dark smoke rose from the ground ascending towards the sky. I ordered Boggs to destroy what was left of the Seam––my home.
I pressed the other button. This was louder as the explosion came from the train station destroying any means of transportation and communication outside of District 12. We both walked away from the Merchant quarters. I asked Jimmy to join me but he passed on my invitation. Two days after the attack, I asked Merchants to salvage around the quarters making sure we cleared the homes of food and anything people could bring on our backs or on wagons. They packed personal belongings that meant something to them. It took 12 packs of explosive to the level the town from its foundations. I recalled my conversation with Jimmy the night before as he and Rye had returned to the bakery to pack their personal belongings and say goodbye to their home and business.
Flashback ––
Jimmy had his back to me as I entered the bakery. With my hunter's treads he didn't even realized I entered the store as he was busy packing pots and pans into a large cart. The same cart he used to delivery his cakes to his customers.
"Jimmy," I called out to him. He jumped and placed a hand on his chest.
"Geez, Garrett. You startled me." Jimmy had dark circles under his eyes.
He had barely slept worrying over Peeta. To ensure the safety of the camp and it's location I couldn't radio them incase Snow intercepted our transmissions.
Jimmy knew Peeta was safe but since we couldn't risk where he was located, I ordered a no- radio communication between us. Even Boggs was forced to remain quiet and not report to Coin. It was necessary because a Capitol drone was spotted in town. Luckily one of Boggs's men shot it down before it flew away. So now I set up air patrol in case more drones 'visited' District 12. So far for the past two days we encountered twenty. They kept coming; we kept shooting them out of the sky.
Because of this it prevented us from communicating with District 13 for the results of whether the contaminate was deadly and contagious. Boggs sent two of his men back to District 13 to report to Coin, gather any news about the contaminate and report to me at the new location––our new home away from District 12 township.
"Sorry," I apologized. "I came to see if you and Rye needed any help." The bakery was unrecognizable. The storefront was destroyed while the kitchen was mess. Jimmy knew he couldn't take all his baking supplies such as canisters, cupcake, jelly and bread pans. He didn't want to part with them because every single baking pot, pan or utensil was passed down from son to son. He was leaving behind not only his home but also his family's legacy.
"I'm almost done, Garrett. Thanks anyway," he returned. Jimmy looked around and spotted four aprons hanging on a wall. A name was embroidered on each apron––Jimmy, Graham, Rye and Peeta. Peeta's being the most colorful had smudges of variations of blue, yellow and red on his apron. He was the decorator in the family. Jimmy pulled each of the aprons one by one of its' hook. As he removed Peeta's a miniature apron the size fitted for a baby fell on the ground. On the tiny apron was Tyler's name on it.
"Tell me he's okay," Jimmy spoke with his back to me as he held onto his sons' aprons.
"Jimmy––"
"I've haven't spoken to Peeta in weeks. I know he's safe and away from the Capitol but he's out there, Garrett. I miss my boy."
"The last I heard he was on his way to the main base camp," I told him. "Peeta is with Katniss and he's okay." I was comforted with that fact––Peeta and Katniss would protect each other. I never needed to worry about them.
"I need to see him," he began. "I need to talk to Peeta. I need to know he's all right––"
"Jimmy, Peeta is okay. I promise you––"
"You don't understand," he began. "Since all this has happened, since his experience with Cray and Ivan, he's been…having nightmares. He…didn't want me to know but…his experience in the Capitol haunted him. He's been targeted by Snow, drugged and nearly kidnapped. So much has happened to him. I'm afraid for him."
"What are you afraid of?" I asked.
"Peeta has a kind heart and gentle soul," Jimmy stated. I knew this about his youngest son. That was why I knew he was perfect for Katniss. How I could I not appreciate the young man who had loved my daughter since he was five? "I never ever thought he could…take a life. I'm scared of what his experiences has done to him. I don't want the war to change my boys."
I knew what has talking about––Rye. With Peeta away and we're quarantined, he had no chance of reuniting with his son as I had no chance of leaving 12 and reuniting with my family. Also, we had no idea what we were dealing in terms of the virus or contaminate.
"Jimmy, what's wrong?" then I realized that Rye was not with him. He was alone in the bakery packing. "Where's Rye? I thought he'd be here to help you?"
"Jimmy?" Jimmy's eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.
"Rye is getting sick, Garrett," he informed me. "During the attack, Rye was scratched. He didn't think anything of it but yesterday, he started coughing and vomiting a lot."
"He could be stressed or…" Many of the survivors were getting sick. I almost allowed Boggs to break protocol and speak with the doctors in District 13. He volunteered to return to 13 but I refused. I needed him to help me with the evacuation. Thus, he sent two of his men back. This uncertainty with Rye was killing Jimmy let alone not being able to contact Peeta.
"Garrett, is there any news about the virus," he mentioned. I shook my head. "I can't lose Rye, Garrett."
"You won't," I said. So far the virus made people sick with blinding headaches and uncontrollable vomiting. Mrs. Oma Heinz our resident herbalist was helping ease the pain and discomfort for those afflicted, but it wasn't enough. Many more became ill and Rye was one of them.
End of Flashback ––
I was determined to evacuate District 12 and lead my people north. However, the number of sick grew each passing hour. Could I risk their lives trying to get them to safety while they were ill? Could they even make the trek up north? My only solution was to burn down District 12. Burn everything to the ground and hope the virus would diminish and not affect any more people.I didn't have any other options. Evacuating District 12 was the only solution.
The sound of the explosions in the Merchant quarters was deafening that I covered my ears with my hands. The ground shook beneath us. The air smelt of burn wood and earth. I wasn't about to give him the town on a silver platter after he destroyed what they worked for and murdered the occupants.
There was one button to press and I wasn't about to witness its destruction alone. Two hundreds yards away, the survivors of District 12 gathered––man, woman, children, young and old. This one display of defiance needed to be witnessed; so I had Boggs's videographer tape this demolition. This destruction was more than symbolic. And its demolition held more meaning to one person who deserved to be there.
I looked at the crowd. Jimmy and his family stood apart as everyone else were behind them. I nodded my head to him as he walked towards me. The look on his face was unreadable. I couldn't blame because this one structure alone held so much pain and traumatic memories for him and his family. How many times had Jimmy thought he lost Peeta every time he entered the building? How many people we knew entered and never to return?
I turned to Boggs' cameraman. "I stand here today not as the leader of the rebellion, but as a husband, father and friend," I started. "My name is Garrett Everdeen and I am the Mockingjay." I pointed to the horizon of smoke and fire. "This is my home, District 12. President Snow, you tried to kill us. You took away our sons and daughters. Well, no more." I pointed to the white tall building that was the symbol of Snow regime and power. "You're power over us is over."
I extended the detonator devise to Jimmy. "For Peeta," I said. A knot formed in my throat. This was his moment. Jimmy turned around and looked at Rye. His son looked deathly pale and I could tell he was trembling even though Delly had his arm around his waist. The Cartwrights, Undersees and Edgewoods gather around them. His former wife, Evelyn was off to the side appearing like a complete stranger; she was an outsider.
"For Peeta," Jimmy repeated loud and clear. His lips formed a straight line and his eyes hard. He was remembering everything that had happened to youngest son. "For my sons." He closed his eyes and pressed the button.
The Justice building was rigged in a time-delayed bursts of explosions. It blew up the foundation starting from entry door in counter clockwise sequence towards the rear and back to the front. The building crumbled like a waterfall accompanied with the rumbling sounds of metal and stones. Puffs of white smoke rose from the ground. The concussion from the explosions was felt as the surrounding trees, earth and plants crashed and splintered onto the ground.
Once the display of destruction was over it was deadly silent. Then the cameraman turned to the crowd. In the center of the mass of people Rye and Madge stood out. They held their hand upward three fingers pointing to the sky. Soon the crowd followed suit. I saw Rye's lips moving but couldn't hear what he was saying. I looked at Madge and she too was speaking in cadence to Rye. They were chanting. Their mumblings grew loud until their voices were clear, "Mockingjay, Mockingjay, Mockingjay."
For years I felt alone, shouldering a burden that ate through my soul. But each time I floundered and wondered whether I should give up, I gazed into my daughters' eyes; their faces filled with fear. Katniss and Prim marched down the same road I walked as a youth in my own reaping years. Each step they took reminded me of the paralyzing fear and anxiety as the reaping escort pulled out a piece of paper from a large crystal bowl filled with names of my friends, relatives and classmates. My ears strained and my heart beat hard in my chest praying that my name wouldn't be called.
Their chant turned into a thunderous noise as everyone joined Madge and Rye. "Mockingjay, Mockingjay." Jimmy smiled for first time in days. Even Boggs has smirked on his face.
What I saw and heard lifted a thousand pound ache that took resident in my chest. I felt humbled and honored for their support and infectious enthusiasm. And suddenly something inside me snapped as I felt like a man reborn and revived aching to be free from Snow's control.
I am Mockingjay. And this is my destiny.
AN: Thank you for reading this chapter. My apologies if this was too long but I needed to wrap up a few characters arcs before proceeding to the next one which will have Peeta and Katniss's POV. The epilogue will be posted after the Thanksgiving weekend. More likely two weeks from now. Thanks again and happy reading.