Reverse Mockingjay - Fanfiction (uncompleted)

Chapter 1

This story begins with similar dialogue as that of Chapter 26 in Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I've changed most of the actions, though.

Chapter 1

The anthem begins, but there isn't a single face in the sky tonight. I picture the audience, bored and restless. After a while, Katniss and Finnick determine that we should start to head to the twelve-o'clock wedge. The moonlight is our guide as we follow the edge of the forest to where the lightning strikes twice each day.

We make it to the tree where Beetee requests assistance from Finnick, the rest of us guarding their backs. Beete unrolls what seems to be an unnecessary amount of wire from the coil, but I don't question it. He is brilliant enough to know what he is doing. It's his plan, not mine, and I have no room to step in.

Finnick secures the coil tightly around a broken branch before laying it on the group. Passing the coil back and forth, Beetee and Finnick wrap the wire around the trunk. Just as it's completed, we hear the tenth wave begin.

The plan seemed very vague when Beetee was explaining it to us, but now I guess he is deciding to tell us the rest of the details. He proceeds to suggest that Katniss and Johanna take the coil down through the jungle and to the beach, making sure the wire sinks in the water. I am not fond of being separated.

"I want to go with them as a guard," I say immediately. I don't think I could bare the thought of being separated from Katniss.

"You're too slow. Besides, I'll need you on this end. Katniss will guard," says Beetee, not willing to negotiate. "There's no time to debate this. I'm sorry. If the girls are to get out of there alive, they need to move now." He proceeds to hand the coil to Johanna.

I look over my shoulder at Katniss, seeing that she doesn't agree to this plan any more than I do. How will I be able to protect her from a distance? My leg would slow them down drastically but there's no way I'm leaving her side. Plus, I wouldn't trust Johanna for a second with her.

"It's okay," Katniss tells me, seeing the concern in my eyes. "We'll just drop the coil and come straight back up."

"Not into the lightning zone," Beetee reminds her. "Head for the tree in the one-to-two-o'clock sector. If you find you're running out of time, move over one more. Don't even think about going back on the beach, though, until I can assess the damage."

I decide that it is better for her to go on without me, because I will just slow them down and create more problems. I feel the soft touch of Katniss as she takes my face in her hands. "Don't worry. I'll see you at midnight," she whispers. I'm about to object when her lips press against mine.

When the contact breaks, I stare into those gray Seam eyes I've grown to admire. I shake my head and turn back to Beetee. "There's no way I'm leaving her," I say simply.

He looks up from his work with the wire, unsure of how to respond. "I'm going to go whether you allow me to or not," I add. He looks back at his wire.

"If you think it will be best for the group, then I guess there's nothing I can do to stop you," he responds after a short pause. Finnick doesn't make eye contact with me but I can tell that he's unsure of this change in plan.

I look over at Johanna and see a dramatic eye roll. "Well, if you two lovebirds can't stand to be a second apart then I guess we can drag you along. You better not slow us down or I'll leave you behind like that," she grumbles, snapping her fingers.

I'd like to think she was kidding but considering her character, it's highly unlikely. It doesn't reassure me that we're safe with her, but if she tries to attack it'll be two against one.