The Mockingjay's Melody

Chapter 3: Jasmine Byrd

We step out of the elevator into a wide dome, much bigger than district twelve, that is covered in a forest of spruce trees. Like the ones outside our district in the meadow. I take in everything and he walks me through the arena. We find a few water sources and go through how to desalinate it. At that moment, I know, Like I KNOW, that he will not leave me alone in this arena. His job was never to dress me up. Because now, we're walking through the arena, he's brought me here probably illegally, to save me in the arena. He will not let me die. He pulls me into a hug when we get back into the elevator. I don't know what to say. He said that he won't hurt anyone if he does what's right and now I'm afraid he's right- I'm afraid he's hurt himself beyond repair.

When we get back to the apartment, Rowan is on his feet but leaning on a cane. I'm struck with worry and it must've shown because he knows it. "I'm fine!" He laughs but I can see he's in pain. He must see that I know, too, because he stops laughing and frowns. I help him onto a couch and I bring him his dinner. I sit with him on the couch and we watch previous hunger games. I'm struck by the thought of watching Katniss and Peeta's hunger games. We put in the recording and I'm struck with the shock of them drawing a twelve-year-old named rue in the reaping. We watch as Katniss tries to save her from her death.

I cover my mouth with my hand as we watch the video. tears run down my cheeks and Rowan's mouth is open in shock. Everyone else has left, including the prep team, Flick, Katniss and Peeta. I'm reeling with shock from their games. Who could've expected the Capitol to be so gruesome?

I get in bed but I can't sleep. Tomorrow's training day and Effie's coming to get me up at dawn. Katniss showed me the basics of shooting and I kind of shot an arrow. I realize I don't have ANYTHING that I'm good at that will help me in the arena. I begin to worry, and with Rowan in this condition, well... let's just say that's not helping either. I lean into his shoulder, trying to think of ways to keep Rowan alive. But the only ways I can think of is when Lucy Gray Baird, my Great-Great-Great-Grandmother, was in the hunger games, and she used rat poison. When Rowan is fast asleep, I get up silently and leave him with a light peck on the forehead. I mumble a good-bye and head off to the arena. I step out of the elevator and I walk towards the forest. I make my way across the field beside the podiums, running on silent feet. I feel it before it explodes. A bomb, planted beneath my feet.

A scream escapes my lips and then I'm thrown into a wall. I glance up, my vision dotted with white....and I see Flick LockFlake standing maybe 10 ft away with a triumphant smile on his face.