When The Canary Sings

How To Kill a Songbird (Songbird Versus Rattlesnake)

Third Person Point of View: 

* 

Katniss is seated between Plutarch and Finnick in District 13's command room. The screen black, but the promise of President Snow making an appearance causing everyone to watch with bated breaths.

The newest member of the rebellion, and a propo star, William Green Jones, is also sat at the silver table next to Haymitch. They've had him propos ever since they figured out he brought Becca's guitar and his mandolin with him. He plays gentle notes over the We Remember videos, and made a few begging for the people of the districts to rise. Rise Up. That is what he said, and it stuck.

Now he sat next to Haymitch, bouncing his leg nervously and chewing his nails that were already bitten down to the quick. All he wants is a glimpse of his girl, a reminder that she's okay. She's alive. But so far, President Snow had made no effort to say that any of the others were alive. People had hope that Johanna, Annie and Becca were alive, but they were pronounced dead after the Quarter Quell.

The TV screen blinking to life drew Will out of his thoughts, and he leaned forward, his once blue, now cloudy eyes narrowing in on the screen.

There stood President Snow on a podium, the same podium he would stand at for the chariot parade. In front of him, thousands of Capitolites stood, cheering and rallying in support for their president. Acting like they've known a day of suffering in their lives. And behind him was an incredibly large red banner that hung from the roof to the floor. In the center was Panem's seal in gold.

He smiles a sadistic smile and motions them to calm down. Then begins to speak.

"Citizens of the most esteemed Capitol." President Snow leads. "In these terrible times of rebelliousness, I have found myself lying to you."

"No way, Snow lying, who would've thought?' Will mutters, no one laughs. Becca would have laughed.

"I have led you all to believe that all other rebels besides Peeta are dead. However, a certain songbird is still alive..." Snow trailed, instead of looking to the audience, he looks into the cameras. Becca wasn't lying when she said he had black eyes like a snake. "However, she must pay for her crimes, her treason against the Capitol. Against Panem!"

Just like that, the banner drops to reveal a figure hanging above Snow. Dangling by fraying rope attached to their wrists. The camera zooms in, and there is Becca. Dangling in agony and dressed in a rainbow dress. Her head is dropped down, obscuring her beautiful and sunken face. "Her hair..." Is all Will can find himself to say, the grief lumping in his throat.

"To you all, she was a bubbly girl with a star-like smile and a blessed voice," Snow drawls, "but behind closed doors she had a haunting habit of bringing up parts of the past that are best being erased..."

Lucy Gray. Will thinks, his mind racing.

The camera pans down to a large glass enclosure that she's dangling right over. It's filled with water and something that's shimmering. "Those that you see, are an enclosure of Panem's oldest mutts. These beautiful snakes, her beloved animal, will kill her in one bite. Since they don't recognize her scent." Snow drawls. The way he was going to kill her is by cutting the ropes, sending her falling a short distance into the water and snake filled enclosure. So she is alive when she is attacked.

"to the rebels:

You've tried so hard to keep your precious girl safe. The defenseless little songbird. But really, songbirds are very...annoying creatures. Invasive, loud, their songs scare away the prey. You would know, correct, Ms. Everdeen?" He addresses, and Will can feel the atmosphere freeze. Katniss's lips curl into a sneer that quickly drops into a horrified expression.