A Healing Mockingjay

Chapter 3

"Roomies!" Finnick says in a high pitched voice while throwing a pillow at Johanna and claiming his bottom bunker to the left of the room. I take the bottom on the right side, leaving Peeta on top of me. Johanna scowls. She picks up a pillow then sets it down quickly.

"You know, maybe Annie kept quiet once she found out you were bunking because she'd rather have a room to herself in a hosptial than share it with a three-year-old."

Finnick sighs. "Peeta, why don't you come over here and take the top of my bunker instead of Johanna. I'm not trying to dwell in negativity all night."

I laugh while Peeta gestures a wave of dismissal with his hand. I feel him turn to his side above me and before any further discussion, we somehow drift off to sleep.

...

"Did you guys sleep well?" I ask those around me but only stare at the roof of my bunk.

"Yeah," Peeta says

"Comfortable enough," Johanna murmurs.

"Amazing," Finnick says with a hint of sarcasm.

With that, we begin getting ready for the day ahead of us. The compartment Coin assigned us is larger than usual living quarters here in 13. I assume the others like Beetee, Haymitch and Enobaria are likewise with the size of their own. Small but comfortable, two bunk beds on opposite sides of the room, a small living room area tied to a small kitchen with a tv only used for propaganda purposes I assume. And a bathroom and shower. Great for that of four.

While getting out of the shower, I see Peeta accompanying Haymitch.

"Haymitch!" I call.

"How are you doing?" says Haymitch. "Peeta was just giving me the latest scoop on the secret stashing of alcoholic beverages."

Peeta rolls his eyes and chuckles. "I was telling Haymitch that I think this whole 'double bunking' thing is a good thing for the tributes."

"How? I'm okay with it and all, but I just dont see why Coin would think this is beneficial," I say truthfully. "Haymitch, what do you think?"

"Well, I think Peeta was trying to say that in the final days of Snow's control.. us, or, you guys preferably, bonding will help you trust eachother more for actual combat. Because this time no one will watch you, no mentors, no hints, nothing. Everything will be on you guys. So I'd take this as a test. To make sure you guys could handle being out there under pressure, Coin wanted to see you guys connecting in real life," says Haymitch.

"You got all that from having new roommates?" I ask.

"That makes sense," Johanna comes from behind the bathroom counter brushing her teeth. "I agree with Haymitch."

"Why else would Coin put us here," Finnick chimes in.

"So you think we're all going to be put in battle together then," I say.

"Yes," Peeta says.

"Basically." Haymitch repeats, "Except for me. Because everyone knows my time in the ring is overdone, as well as Beetee."

"What about Enobaria?" asks Johanna.

"We've never really gotten along in the quarter quell, I assume that's why Coin and her crew didn't bother putting Enobaria in the mix with us," Peeta continues, "They'll probably throw her in a defense group with different people. Less familiar faces. It could be a good thing."

"It is on our part," Finnick laughs.

"All in all, she was trying to defend herself. We all were, but since we were allies then in the Quell, they wanted to pair us up as allies now," I sum up.