MOCKINGJAY - MK UNIVERSE (FINISHED)

LOST IN THE PALACE

My Lewis is missing.

I can't hold any longer my sadness. It's been days, weeks without notice.
I'm always calling my friends, who were busy but could hear me a little bit everyday.

Mom was really concerned about me, just like my sis Juju. I was getting thinner, didn't feel like eating nor exercising, and I was getting weaker with lots of sleeping pills. Not even Rosé, the pug puppy, is making me feel better.

That's how I am dealing with the reality.

I was at home, watching something on TV while I was procrastinating, when I heard the bell ringing.

- Who's this? - I said.

Mom opened the door for Talisa.

- Hi Ms Barton!
- Hello Talisa, welcome! Just come in, I was waiting for you.

I wasn't thinking about a visit, but it may help.

- Hi, Tali - I waved my hand at her and she came to me, giving a warm hug.
- Hello my dear. Are you okay?
- It's been three weeks and I'm not - I answered.
- I can't handle seeing you like this. Your mom called me right away when I heard about your...
- You mean the craving for sleeping pills? Talisa... That's how I can see Lewis again... - I didn't want to cry, but I entered in despair once again - What's the point of living without him?
- You have a child to take care... I don't know how many weeks you're pregnant, but don't be desperate... Lewis wouldn't like to see you like this. Honor his seed. I'm sure that you'll be an amazing mom.
- Talisa... - I embraced her while I was struggling to say something without crying - Please, is there a way to relieve the pain?
- I... I believe that Brie, Ludi, Max and I will always be grateful for what you did. If it wasn't your idea to rebel, we would probably not be here to be honest. So, thank you for existing and believing we could survive.
- Oh. That's the least I could do.
- No! You could just ignore us and kill us all. But it's in the past. Let's look for the future.
- I'm trying... But thank you for coming - I nodded.
- Well, I wish I could stay more, but now I need to go and take care of my kids...
- Once again, thank you for stepping by.
- We are all concerned about you, sweet heart. We'll be there for you!
I gave her another hug and she left the apartment.

Even with the sorority of Talisa I could not get better.

Mom was serving our lunch, while Juju was gathering her books and backpack for her first day at D13's uni. She turned the TV on, and the news were going on.
Nothing new on the horizon, until I heard something about Hunger Games that made my stomach hurt.

- Hunger Games D2 winner Joe Taslim has been found alive at the old destroyed arena of the 55th edition.

- Huh? - I left my fork drop at my plate. Then I stared at the TV again.

- According to the Games' advisory, Taslim was found between the ice rocks that fell after the explosion caused by the rebellious group of former tributes Talisa Soto, Max Huang, Ludi Lin, Brie Larson, Fernanda Barreto and Lewis Tan. While some of the group managed to escape, the crew from the TV transmission may have found someone else alive at the arena. We still don't have the information of who's the one that was left out there. We're going for the break.

Tagawa wasn't playing with me... But... Is there a chance that Lewis is alive?!?

I don't believe that Taslim is, even after I craved a sting filled with poison. Maybe we were fooled by the arena thinking it actually was a poison sting. But one thing is certain... If he's alive there must be a chance for Lewis too.

After I ate my lunch, I went straight to the Tan's apartment - one floor above mine. I was received by my brother in law and his baby girl, a beautiful asian baby whose smile looks just like Lewis and that made my heart saddened.
- Sam, I think your brother is alive.
- You're kidding me? - He was surprised.
- No, I'm not. Have you seen the news? Joe Taslim was found alive. Maybe we can find Lewis too!
- If so, the Capitol would publish it knowing that he tried to rebel? Of course not.
- So, what you are thinking of? - I asked with hope.
- Fernanda, I'm afraid he's a prisoner of the Capitol. - Mr Tan showed up with his eyeglasses, looking at me - what happened to you?
- I'm just lost... All I want to do is sleep... That's how I can see your son again. - I couldn't hold my tears again. The baby girl brought me one of her dolls, and gave it to me.
- Hey, will you help me find your uncle? - I smiled between my tears as Mr Tan showed some respect for my pain.
- We are just like you are, lost. But we will find him.
- I want to help, Mr Tan... Can I call Karen?
- I don't think it's wise. If you want help, call one of your friends, his friends...
- I will. So, what are your plans?
- As a politician, I have to take care of D12's business, but I am using my influence to stop giving profits to the Capitol - they will not have any coal or natural ways if they keep my son there. We need to see if he's alive or not.
- What about Mr Tagawa?
- He's pissed off. But he can't start a war now.
- So, what can I do to help?
- If you want to, call your friends - we are going to the Capitol.
- Okay, Mr Tan. Thank you, your words are being a relief for me.

I got back home, and immediately called Talisa. She must come with me.
- Hi, Fer! Is there any problem?
- Not a problem... A chance. I'm going for the Capitol with Mr Tan. We need to see if Lewis is alive indeed.
- Oh, sorry, I can't go. We're going to Ludi's wedding. You received the invitation, right?
- Actually I did. But I said to Annie that I will not be there.
- So, all of us are going... Why don't you show up there?
- I'm not in the mood, sorry. I already told Ludi about it.
- I understand. I hope you have some good news for us when you come back.
- I hope so... Bye, Talisa!

The wedding day. I know that I am being really egoistic, but there's not a single chance to go to a wedding with my anxiety and depression holding me.
I need to set myself free before I get back to my life and dedicate myself towards my main plan.

I want to kill Tagawa. For all the pain that he and his Games brought me all along.

I woke up on the next day with Rosé licking my face. How did she got into my bed?
- Morning, sis.
- Good morning... Juju?
- Hey, you slept too much... Why don't we go to the park with our pugs?
- Maybe it's something to be considered.
- Rosé learned to jump onto your bed and she's sleeping next to you every day. You didn't realize it.
- Wow, she's going places like this! Well, I am sorry but I am not going anywhere. I need to get my packing.
- Where are you going?
- To the Capitol. Mr Tan believes that Lewis is being kept as a prisoner of the Capitol and I am going with him.
- Isn't it too risky? You're pregnant!
- I've been worse.
- Fine, you can go. But Mehcad is going too!
- Why envolve him into this?
- He's our friend. He always cared for you too, but you never realized that.
- Are you saying that he had a crush on me?
- Well, sort of. Not now, since you were with Lewis all along, but...
- I can't think about it now. I really like Mehcad and how he helped us with hunting, but I don't want to envolve him into this mess...
- Fine, sis. I'm going to the uni, I have exams to do.
- Okay then! Have a nice day and good luck.
Juju gave me a hug, and when she was about to leave, she said with honesty in her words.
- I love you sis. Stay strong.

That's what I will be from this day on.

Started to do my packing, but I don't know why I had this feeling that I will have trouble there. So I got some shurikens and my small blades, putting it inside my small luggage. My mother-in-law is coming with us too.

We left out from the heliport straight to the Capitol, but we could not leave from D13. We had to go back to D12, where we would not be found... So that's what we did. There were some hours flying... I got really sick and had to throw up after the helicopter landed.
- Are you okay, Ms. Barreto? - a worker from the hotel we would stay helped me with a bucket. Never felt so anxious and ill like this before.
- I'll be fine...
- Okay, ma'am. On your room we have some goods and meds if you feel sick again. Is your baby okay?
- Yes, sir. Thank you for not wanting me dead.
- Hey. Just between us... I loved the rebellion. I am a big fan of your bravery.
- Thank you. I hope it will motivate you and other people to make a difference from now on.

That man's words just got me inspired to react. If I influenced someone to do something good with their life and react to something that makes their life in danger, that's how it will work.