The Hunger Games: Death of the Mockingjay

Chapter 8

I follow Commander White and one of his Lieutenants down to the armoury where Beetee used to have his weapon's testing area. The rest of the level is still given over to advanced weaponry but since the end of the war the focus has shifted from weapons development to other things, namely the rebuilding of the country.
I'm led over to a quartermasters station. This consists of a fenced off area which houses all the light guns and rifles, the quartermaster and his staff stand behind the wire fence with only a small access hatch for recruits to get access to the weapons and equipment. There was a time back during the war when this area would take up an entire floor but now it'a been scaled down to just this. White walks to the hatch and calls over a uniformed soldier who's sat at a desk entering details into a computer.

"I need a gun for Mrs Mellark, she needs a Pistol and a leg holster"

"By who's authority, it need's to be signed off" replies the officer nonchalantly.

"It's by order of the President of Panem Peeta Mellark himself. I'll sign the gun out if that's okay?"

The officer suddenly changes his attitude and looks nervously at me, a flash of recognition glints in his eyes as he nods obediantelty then scurries off to the rows of shelves that are spread out behind the fence. In only a few moments he returns with a matt black pistol and matching leg holster. The gun looks similar to what I had during the war but it seems a bit more modern than what I had before. White signs for the gun then checks it, ejecting the clip and reinserting it before handing it to me.
I hold the weapon loosely in my hand and feel it's weight, it's much lighter than the guns I used to use, it feels a little strange.

White picks up on my frown "the new modern guns are made from a special type of plastic, they're easier to use and not as heavy as the ones you used to have during the war. Other than that there's no difference, do you wanna go to the range and fire off a few rounds?"

"No I think I'll be fine, I'll probably never use it but it's a comfort knowing I can at least defend myself"

I strap the holster to my leg and insert the gun into it. I'm about to head off back to our quarters when a thought occurs to me. I wonder if I'm allowed to go above ground now? Since we arrived we were forbidden to go up to the training ground or visit the town but now I'm armed and can take care of myself surely I can at least go out and get some fresh air?

"Commander can I go topside, to the training ground and maybe a walk into the new town, I've never seen it before and I am armed, don't forget I used to be the Mockingjay, I can handle myself"

"White looks at me closely and pouts in thought then nods. Okay Mrs Mellark, I'll let you go on one condition, Lieutenant Stone goes with you" he says nodding over his shoulder behind him. I start to protest but White puts his hand up to stop me. His lieutenant steps forward at the mention of his name and comes to White's side.
"Stone, I want you to stay with the First Lady, she deserves some time above ground and we wouldn't want any harm to come to her. She's armed and can protect herself but I want you there just in case, understand?"

"Yes sir, I'll make sure no harm comes to her" he replies formally.

I tut and curse under my breath as White takes out his phone and makes a call while Stone and I head toward the elevator. Why do I need a chaperone, I've survived 3 different Hunger Games, fought in the war and after all that I'm still here. I'm not saying I'm indestructible or anything but I know how to handle myself.
The elevator doors open onto the training ground and the fresh cool outside air hits my face, to say it's a breath of fresh air is most definitely an understatement. I step out into the warm morning sunshine and listen to the sounds of the birds and insects. The smell of the pine trees and the freshly mown grass of the training ground make me smile.