When The Canary Sings

All That's Left.

First Person Point of View: Becca Blue: 

* 

"What is this?" I ask.

I stand in a large room with a circular table. Haymitch, Beetee, Johanna, Annie, Peeta, Finnick, and Enobaria.

"We're not sure." Haymitch responds gruffly. I can tell he's a bit hungover.

I glance around the room, taking in the sight of the last of us. The last survivors of the games. Over the years, there have been 75 victors, only for nine to survive. What makes me so special? How did it end up being me instead of someone like Mags? Chaff? Ruth? Cashmere?

I glance at Annie, she meets my gaze with a look that I can't really decipher. Maybe gratefulness? I take a seat next to Peeta and Johanna. A little bit after me, Katniss walks in, and asks the same question: "what is this?"

"We're not sure." Haymitch says again, "I guess it's like a gathering of the remaining victors." Ha. I figured that out before him.

"We're all that's left?" Katniss asks, almost horrified.

"The price of celebrity," Beetee finally responds, "we were targeted by both sides, the Capitol killed anyone they thought to be aligned with the rebels. The rebels killed anyone they thought were aligned with the Capitol."

Johanna gives a scowl to Enobaria. "So what's she doing here?"

"She is protected under what we call the Mockingjay Deal. In which Katniss agreed to be the Mockingjay for the immunity of the captured victors." She says, "Katniss has upheld her end of the deal, so shall we."

Enobaria smirks at Johanna, so Johanna quips back. "Don't look so smug, we'll kill you anyways."

"Sit down please, Katniss." Coin says, then begins talking. Straight to the point.

"I've called you all here to settle a debate." Really? "Today we will execute Snow. In the previous weeks, hundreds of his accomplices in the oppression of Panem have been tried and now await their own deaths." She says. I look around the room, looking at everyone's scars. Finnick's claw and bite marks have been stitched up, and he has the same skin graphs as Katniss. Annie grips his hand so hard I see her hand is completely white. Finnick lets her.

"However, the suffering in the districts has been so extreme that these measures appear insufficient to the victims. In fact, many are calling for a complete annihilation of those who held Capitol citizenship. However, in the interest of maintaining a sustainable population, we cannot afford this."

"So whaddya want us to do 'bout it?" I ask, "make a speech?"

Coin ignores my question. "So, an alternative has been placed on the table. Since my colleagues and I can come to no consensus, it has been decided that the victors should decide. A majority of five will win the vote. No one may abstain." She says. "What has been proposed instead of illuminating the entire Capitol population, is we have a final, symbolic Hunger Games, using the children of the people who held the most power."

All nine of us turn to her. "What?" Asks Johanna.

"We hold another Hunger Games using the Capitol's children."

"Are you joking?" Peeta asks, I can see the anger on his face.

"No. I should also tell you it will be known that the idea got your approval, although the individual breakdown of your votes will be kept secret for your own security." She tells us.

"Was this Plutarch's idea?" Haymitch asks.

"No, it was mine." Coin says. "It seemed to balance the need for vengeance with the least amount of life."