Chapter 72: Departure
Almost immediately after the Broadcast there are Peacekeepers at Katniss' and Peeta's door. In spite of their protests, Katniss is placed under house arrest and the family are ordered not to leave the apartment until further notice. Katniss knows she has challenged the Government by producing and airing her own Propo which has given people further insight into her motivation, and uncovered potentially damaging information about the final aftermath of the Rebellion. From Paylor's point of view she is proving to be a threat right now, but the people still see her as both a leader and a symbol of the Rebellion so the Government cannot be too heavy handed. Rather than imprison Katniss in the Capitol, she will have Katniss, Peeta and the children returned to District 12 where they will be kept under house arrest. This will give Paylor a chance to sort this whole mess out.
Gale is not permitted to have any contact with the family and is beginning to see another side to the Government, one which is making him rethink his loyalty to them. He had been having doubts for a while, after seeing how the Government had treated Katniss since the Rebellion, and now Gale feels the time is coming for him to make a decision... a decision about whether he can continue to support the Government, and also whether he can continue in his role as Peacekeeper. Gale wants to serve the people, he wants to protect them, too. But he can't do his job effectively if the decision makers, the people in power, are corrupt. He doesn't like the way Paylor has apportioned blame to Katniss for Snow's escape, saying the uproar caused by Coin's assassination was the reason the Government had failed to notice or respond to his disappearance. It was their duty to follow up on Snow and they had been derelict in that duty. Gale knew. He also knew that Katniss had been unaware of the plans of the Capitol Resistance, so her assassination of Coin was irrelevant to the outcome. Gale has a lot to think about.
The following morning preparations are taking place to deliver the Tributes into their various Arenas. Katniss has been told that she will not be permitted to see them before they go, but the other Mentors are allowed to bid them farewell and give them any last minute advice. Peeta tells Katniss he will do what needs to be done, and will make sure the Tributes know how much she regrets the circumstances, and not being able to say goodbye. Katniss holds Peeta for a long time, as those tears of regret spill down her cheeks, before she is willing to let him go. As Peeta walks out the door, Katniss retreats to their bedroom where she gathers Pik in her arms and holds him tightly, vowing not to forget that Snow is the real reason for the Tributes suffering.
Peeta enters the Tribute centre to find his four Tributes dressed and ready for the Arena. They look very much like he and Katniss did on their first incursion into the Arena. He cannot travel with them. They must go alone. But his presence is immediately comforting to them and he tries to be strong.
"Katniss could not be here today" he begins. "She has been placed under house arrest for airing a Propo last night which challenged both Snow and the current Government in relation to their actions. What I want to say to you is…remember Katniss when you go into the Arena. Remember her courage. She has never once failed to remain true to herself, her sense of right and wrong, and her sense of justice. What is happening to you today may seem unjust. It was also unjust when Katniss and I were thrown into the Games. We did not ask to be there, just as you have not asked to be here today and none of you are guilty of any crime. In other words, you do not deserve to be here, but what you do deserve is to be acknowledged and supported. Katniss and I have tried our best to prepare you. The rest is up to you now. The Games could be stopped at any time if Snow is recaptured, so I want you to hold onto that thought as well. Never give up hope. It might just save your life".
Peeta takes Verity in a hug and reminds her that it was his artistic skills that helped him remain hidden until Katniss found him. They could come in very handy and she should focus on those. He takes Ramsay by the hand and the two of them acknowledge each other with respect and understanding. It will take an element of maturity to survive the arena. Ottilia is shaking and Peeta gives her a long hug to help reassure her, promising he will do all he can to make sure the Games are ended as soon as possible. In the meantime, he reminds her to use the skills she has now learnt to keep herself alive. Lorcan looks at Peeta with respect and admiration. Out of all the Tributes, Lorcan is the most like Peeta and their understanding and appreciation of one another runs deep. Lorcan is not afraid. He wants to make Peeta proud and Peeta wants Lorcan to survive. There will never be another Katniss, so Peeta doesn't know how Lorcan will make it through this ordeal, but maybe Lorcan will be able to survive on his own. He hopes they will all survive. Peeta takes his leave as the Tributes are led to the hovercraft that will bring them to their destination. He makes it as far as the outer area of the Training Centre before he breaks down, punching the wall and slamming his head against it, then slowly sliding to the ground and sobbing for what he knows will be lost.