Shattering Secrets [2]

Six

   It has been weeks since Plutarch left, and my mind still rattles with ideas as to why he came and told us valuable things about the other Districts. Finnick went back to the Capital for a few days, telling me he was going to talk with President Snow about the rebellions. He came back with love marks on his neck and chest. I pretended like I didn't see, but deep down I was disgusted with his choice and lies. The rebellious behaviors have not stopped, but only have spread into more Districts. District Four now has new Peacekeepers, trying to keep the rebellion under control. We no longer are shipping out seafood to the Capital. We have shut down any and all shipping to other Districts. The Peacekeepers have been nothing but rude to the citizens, and have no respect for the victors. I see them beating down men and women in the streets, not having a care in the world what damage they do. I once tried to stop a woman from getting beat, but I got hit with the but of a gun into my lower stomach. I could have killed the Peacekeeper right there and then, but I intend to do no more killing now that I am out of the Arena.

   Word from Katniss has been scarce. New Peacekeepers have come into her District also, creating a whipping stand, where the rebellious hearts get whipped into shape in front of the towns people. Some have died from the bleeding. Her mother tries to help heal some of the wounds, but the medicines are running low. We only talk on the phone once a week now, since the weather there has been so bad. The mines have shut down, and food is being rationed. Who knows, maybe this rebellion will come to some good. Like my mother used to always say - there is always a storm before the rainbow.

{~}

   "You need to eat" Finnick pushes my soup in front of me again, but I push it back. "How long are you going to act this way?" His tone is getting angrier and angrier the longer I refuse.

   "I am not hungry Finnick. Go give it to someone who needs it, God knows there are children out there starving, not knowing when their next meal will be" I snap at him. He knows I have been stressed because of the rebellion, especially when they chant my name down the streets , calling me the 'Goddess of the Sea'.

   "I know it's stressful for you right now with the guards outside your front door, but like I told you yesterday and the day before, I'm not going to let them anywhere near you. You are safe here with me. This is not the Arena"

   "Stop treating me like a child Fin, I know I am safe. I know how to protect myself. I only asked you to stay because I felt more comfortable. I can ask you to leave at any time. I know this is not the Arena, but I'm not like you. I can't compress my emotions into nothingness , I'm sorry I show them so easily. I'm sorry I wake up in the middle of the night screaming, but won't let you in. I'm sorry I'm such a wreck, and I'm sorry you have to deal with me" I scream at him. I throw my soup at him, hitting him right in the chest. The soup spills all over his dark blue shirt.

   "I wish you would just talk to me instead of locking me out"

   "Says the one that doesn't talk about anything to anyone"

   "You know I talk to you about things, we read together. We share our good moments"

    "You know what I mean Finnick. You never tell me the stuff that you keep hidden from everyone"

    "Maybe I can't talk to you about things because you always have to laugh at something, or throw soup at me" he raises his eyebrows at me, and laughs at how the soup drips down over his eye. He cracks a smile at me, and then joins in my laughter. Before realizing his next move, I'm in a bear hug with mushy soup and Finnick. "And maybe I can't talk to you about things because you won't talk to me about anything. Talking is two sided. Not just one"

   "This is so gross" I laugh and try and push him away. He only holds me tighter. "Maybe one day Finnick. Maybe one day"

{~}

   "The rebellions haven't died down at all" I say over the phone to Katniss. I'm sitting in my study, a blanket draped over me while Finnick is reading a new novel on the coach opposite of me. "The Peacekeepers are still standing outside my front door because a lot of the townspeople want me to join in. I don't feel comfortable. We can't fight fire with fire Katniss"

   "Well we need to do something, because these rebellions are only going to get worse. I went into the woods today and -

   "Why would you do that? Katniss it is the middle of winter and there is nothing out there for you. You need to stay safe in your home. Knowing you, you probably fell out of a tree trying to get over something"

   "Let me finish Coral. Yes, I may have done that" she laughs on the other line and I join in too. Finnick only rolls his eyes at us, he doesn't understand how two human beings can be so close. "I went into the woods today , to get some alone time and you would never have guessed who I found! At first I thought they were Peacekeepers, because of the uniform. Then they told me about how they ran away from District Eight, how the rebellions got so bad there that the Capital had the factory where they make the Peacekeeper outfits blown up. Now these two girls , Bonnie and Twill , got out with two Peacekeeper uniforms. They were on their way to District Thirteen when Bonnie sprained her Ankle-"

   "What are they doing trying to go to District Thirteen? There is nothing but rubble there now" as I say this Finnick raises an eyebrow at me, obviously interested in the conversation now. I put her on speaker so he can hear what she is saying too.

   "They think all the citizens of District Thirteen have gone underground. A little community"

   "I've heard chatter about that in the Capital. They have sent hovercrafts over the remaining District to see if they can spot anything or even anyone" Finnick says leaning into the phone.

   "Have they found anything?" Her voice has fallen to a whisper, and I know something is wrong. "I have to go, a broadcast is coming on the television and two Peacekeepers have arrived"

   Before I could say anything , the phone goes dead. I look at Finnick, and all he does is shrug. "Probably making sure she watches it. You know how she is with things about the Capital" he grabs the remote control from besides me, and turns on the television. Right on time to see President Snow appear on stage with a little girl dressed in white.

   "I forgot that the Quarter Quell is this year" I wrap the blanket around me, knowing that bad news is about to come out of this mouth. Picking from a small box with yellowed cards in it, he holds it in front of him and starts to speak -

   "On the Seventy-Fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the Rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors"

   I hear the book fall from Finnicks lap, and I hear the click of the television being shut off. I hear my heart pounding in my chest, and I can hear the phone begin to ring. I do nothing, I am frozen. I am frozen in fear, but out of everything, i am numb.