Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 20

I take the microphone and start to walk across the stage, looking deep into people's eyes, losing myself in the moment.

"Only together can we beat him, this man is the same as Snow, broken from the very same mould that governed us for all those years. Do you really wanna return to that existence?

I pause for effect....

"I often think back to the days of the last rebellion, those battles in district 2 and 8. Of how Snow had no conscience about destroying a hospital, or sending countless peacekeepers to their deaths. Wolfe is no different and he'll rule with the same iron fist that Snow used, preaching a better life, making everything sound perfect when we know deep down that our lives hang by a thread.
And so I ask you, do you want to live that life, the one that he's offering!!!" I scream.

"No!!" The crowd scream back.

"Are you going to join us in ridding Panem of Wolfe and his army?!"

"YES!!" They scream.

"So join us and remember, if we burn, they burn with us!"

I pull up my hood and walk from the stage with the crowd chanting Mockingjay, Mockingjay, Mockingjay over and over again.

I reach the side wings of the stage and once out of sight of the crowd I collapse into Peeta's arms, exhausted. He helps me over the small chair I used earlier and my squad gather round me, worried about my condition but it's not long before Johanna starts cracking jokes at me.
"Look at her, sat in bed for nearly a month and she's tired already!"

I smile at her humour and the others all chuckle at the joke.

"Right, let's get you back to our quarters beautiful" says Peeta as he scoops me up in his arms. I bury my head into his chest as he carries me back to our apartment.

I wake on our bed back in the apartment, I don't remember much, I don't remember getting back here, or being put to bed. The last thing I remember is Peeta carrying me back through the corridors. I look around for Rue but the only other person in the room is Buttercup, curled up against my leg sleeping soundly. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and sit up. I feel a wave of nausea hit me but I try to ignore it, forcing myself to get up I wander out the door and down the hall to the lounge. Peeta and Plutarch are sat at the kitchen table going over some reports and stuff when they both look up and see me shuffle across the room, I must look an awful sight with my hair in a mess still wearing my Mockingjay suit and all.

"Hey Kat" says Peeta as a he practically leaps from his chair to help.

"Hey baby" he helps me to a chair next to him and makes me some tea, then sits down and takes my hand.

"Katniss, I have to say your speech was far better than what I'd of ever dreamed up. The training team were overrun on the training ground with new recruits after the broadcast, you've got us back on track, thanks"

I nod at him and gently rest my head on Peeta's shoulder. Plutarch gets the subtle hint, says goodbye and leaves me and Peeta alone.

"Hey, we've got a free evening with just you, me, Rue and Buttercup"

"Really, you're sure your not gonna get called off to command or something?" I say hopefully.

"Nope, I've spoken to both Plutarch and Ellie, tonight I'm all yours" he says smiling.

That evening is utter bliss. We both get changed into something more comfortable and eat a fantastic meal of lamb stew with dumplings, my favourite! After, we spend time with Rue, playing with her and watching her play with her toys. When she finally falls asleep we put her to bed and lay the couch in each other's arms, kissing and cuddling. The sutures have healed over the wound in my arm but it's the muscle damage that's gonna take the time to heal. We both keep laughing each time I wince when I either catch my arm or Peeta touches it.

It feels so good to have Peeta with me though, his closeness and touch calm me and make me realise how much we've both missed this, to be intimate. The war has taken us in ways we never expected and we don't get that much time to spend together anymore. Before we know what's happening it's morning and we're both still wrapped up in each other's arms on the couch.

As usual Peeta takes off to command early while I stay behind feeding Rue and waiting for Megan to show up. Today I want to spend time with the squad on the training ground. I'm still not strong enough to get involved but I can at least watch and see what Steph has been doing with them. I get dressed in casual denim jeans, a sweater and sneakers when I suddenly jump out of my skin at the sound of the mobile phone ringing in the kitchen. For a second I hesitate, thinking that it could be Wolfe. I pick up the phone and answer.

"Hello?"

"Katniss it's me, Haymitch"

I let out a sigh of relief and plop myself down onto a chair.
"It's so good to hear your voice again, we miss you so much" I say almost sobbing.

"Don't be upset sweetheart. Watching your speech yesterday was so good for me to see. Wolfe was convinced that Thread had got you and he'd been enjoying turning the knife on me, making me suffer in my grief. It's so good to know you're alive Katniss"

I start to sob uncontrollably, knowing Haymitch had spent the last month thinking I was dead must of been awful for him.

"Katniss, calm down, I'm okay" he says trying to reassure me.

"Okay" I whimper out.

"Wolfe is still treating me well, why, I don't know but he's obviously got something planned for me"

"We want you home Haymitch, back with me and Peeta"

"I know sweetheart, maybe when all this is over we can be together, you Peeta, Rue and me"

"I hope so"

"How's your Mom, is she okay?"

"She's fine, all the better from hearing from you last month. She'll be even better when she hears about your call, I'll go and tell her straight away"

"Give her my love Katniss, I miss her, as I do all of you. I have to go sweetheart, but before I do I need to warn you. Wolfe went into a rage when he saw the announcement yesterday and he and Casper headed out to 6 last night. He really thought he'd beaten you and now you've turned the tables on him with your address yesterday. He's very aware of a possible Uprising against him as the people are beginning to fight back Katniss! I think he's gone to try to rush through his attack on 13. You're in danger Katniss, everyone in 13 is!"