The Hunger Games: Death of the Mockingjay

Chapter 11

I put my plans in place and then go back to my life of living with the children and standing at Peeta's side when he addresses the nation on TV or when I'm needed around the base. I'm not so involved in the hunt for the Brotherhood anymore but Peeta give me updates on their progress when he returns to our quarters every night.
Since the attack on my life security on Panem's rail network has been stepped up as it seems that's how Kira managed to make it to District 13. Hovercraft coverage is patchy at the best of times so the train is the only possible way for her to reach 13. She could of walked but that would of taken much too long and she'd of needed a lot of supplies which she didn't seem to have.
Last week there was another attack in the Capitol and this time the target was Enobaria. It was thought that she wasn't in danger because she wasn't directly involved with the rebellion against the Capitol but she was targeted anyway. She was out with her husband for a dinner to commemorate her victory in the games when there was an explosion outside the restaurant they were eating in. She was killed along with her husband and many others who were also attending the party.

For days it was on the news with regular reports of other attacks, the rising number of dead and then with that a panic started to spread around the country. It seemed that the Brotherhood had no interest in protecting the innocent in their fight and people had started to figure out that no one was safe. Everyone was in danger, either by being targeted by the Brotherhood or as collateral damage in the crossfire, Panem was a country under siege and the Brotherhood knew it.

Peeta said that it would only be a matter of time before we started receiving demands and ultimatums from them, the question was, what were we going to do about it and, what would happen if their demands weren't met, would it mean more killings, more Retribution?

"You okay Momma?" says Kyler, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Yeah I'm fine, just thinking that's all" I say as I
lean against the kitchen counter. I smile at my son who's sat on the lounge floor watching some kids program on TV. He smiles at me, blows me a kiss and goes back to his TV show. Rue's busy with her homework with her school books all spread out across the kitchen table. I smile to myself at the thought of my children, of how much I love them.
The last few years since Kyler was born have been something akin to a wonderful dream, each day a new adventure in the lives of Peeta and I watching our kids grow. And then just when everything's perfect something comes along and ruins it. This damn brother-.

A tremor of some sort resonating through the floor suddenly brings me back from my reverie. I look at Rue and Kyler but they both continue with what they were doing. Maybe I imagined it but I could of swore I felt something? Then there's another one, this time much stronger than the first which makes the crockery rattle in the kitchen cupboards. Rue slowly raises her head to look at me while Kyler looks down at the floor in confusion.

"What was that Mom?" asks Rue.

"I dunno" I reply thoughtfully as I turn and grab the phone from its holder on the wall. I dial up the number for command but get no answer then try medical so I can at least get hold of my mother but once again there's no answer.

I place the phone back in it's cradle as a massive shock suddenly travels up from the ground. Pictures fall of the walls and masonry from the ceiling rains down on us. Kyler cries out in fright while Rue instinctively ducks down under the table.

"Kyler, under the table with your sister, quick!" I shout over the sound of the rumbling which seems to be coming from everywhere.

He whimpers slightly then crawls on all fours from the lounge and joins Rue under the kitchen table. I try the phone again but this time the line's dead, there's nothing but static. The lights go out as the tremor stops and for a few moments we're in darkness until the emergency lighting takes over blanketing the room in a strange greenish hue. For now the tremors and shocks passing through the ground have ceased, Rue breaks the silence.