The Hunger Games: Death of the Mockingjay

Chapter 19

Plutarch and I head out to the white clinical room outside the lounge. I need to talk with him alone, need to explain things to him, but before I can even get a word out he starts his defence.
"You know why this needs to happen, how it would look to the rest of the country. The President of Panem fighting for Panem, fighting for their freedom"

"I'm sick of this! Since we left 13 all we've had is your self righteous talk about how we can beat the Brotherhood and return Panem to its glory days. But you've kept us all in the dark, right from the beginning. And yet here we are back at the arena and you expect us to lay down everything just to try and kill a few crazy terrorists!"

"Katniss I..."

"I don't wanna hear it Plutarch, we've given everything to this country, ever since the 74th Hunger Games Peeta and I have always fought for you. We've never really known any different.

Plutarch puts his hand up to silence me "Katniss just listen for a second" I stop my rant and fold my arms waiting for his explanation.
"I know you're not happy with the way I handled this, and I'm sorry. But you really do need to look at this from the country's point of view. Panem is gripped in fear by the Brotherhood of Retribution, everyone is looking over their shoulder for where the next attack is gonna come from, people have started to miss-trust their own friends just in case they're a member of the cult"

"And?" I press

"But here we are, the few who fought for the country all those years ago have come back to once again save the nation from the oppression that's the Brotherhood of Retribution"

"I'm sorry Plutarch, I just don't see it" I say as I turn away to return to the cauldron.

"Katniss wait" he says emotionally

I sigh and turn to face him. "What, what is it that you can possibly tell me that's gonna convince me and Peeta to go in"

"The country needs you Katniss, it needs the both of you. I can send the others in but they're not you. Nobody in the country really knows who Gale is, or Steph or Alek. Annie has kept herself out of the spotlight for many years and I doubt people would remember her and as for Haymitch, well he won it over 30 years ago. Where as you two....."

"Are recognisable" I say sadly

"Exactly, what we need are icons in the arena, to show both the Brotherhood and Panem that we're not afraid to take back what's ours. And as far as I know there's only two that fit and that's the Mockingjay and the President of the country. This whole plan doesn't work without you two, we need you Katniss, for our children and our children's, children. What happens now will shape the future of Panem for years to come, but, it's your decision. If you really don't want to go then I can't force you"

And with that Plutarch pushes past me and makes his way out of the room leaving me on my own. I'm so conflicted with what to do. I'd like nothing more than to pack up and go home with Peeta and the kids but would we be safe there, how long would it be before the Brotherhood came for us? Plutarch is right, this is the only way to beat them although I've a gut feeling that no matter what happens here the fight will go on. We've still gotta find out who the Chairman is and it's clear to all that he's not going to put himself in the arena. I curse under my breath in frustration and join the others in the cauldron.

Plutarch leads us back to the warehouse where we'll enter the arena. Beetee thinks we've only got about 30 minutes before the first of the Brotherhood arrive. Gale and his soldiers hand in their guns then take my packing case from the dropship which contains my arrows and bring it to the warehouse while Alek secures the dropship.
We all stand in front of the door which leads out into the arena, all ready for our trek across to the bunker, Plutarch pulls down a large handle next to the huge door and it slowly creaks open. Straight away we can see it's overcast and damp in the arena which is a stark contrast to the warm sunshine outside the building.
I look at Plutarch as I take my first step over the threshold into the arena. He smiles weakly "good luck, I'll be in touch" he says as we all make our way out into the dunes. The door closes behind us but I don't even bother to look over my shoulder to watch it close as I know it'll be disappearing, to be replaced by a holographic depiction of the continuing mdunes which will hide the entrance. We walk on in silence, I get the impression that no one is particularly happy to be here and we're all a little worried about our chances, no matter what Plutarch says.
Peeta finally breaks the silence and whispers in my ear. "Just like old times" he says chuckling slightly. I can't help but smile back at him, even when we're in the arena, again, he still seems to find some way to make me smile.
Then all of a sudden Cato starts to take charge of the gloomy group. For him this is normal, the Hunger Games, the arena. Like he said he's bred for this.