The Mockingjay Flies Again

Chapter 9 - Being Nice to a Bird

Recap:

"I have the video right here. It says 74" I instantly freeze.

I start to shake. Start with the truths I tell myself. "My name is Katniss Everdeen-Mellark. I am 38 years old. I survived twice. So many people died because of me. Like Cato. And Clove. And Glimmer. And Marvel. And Rue. And Gloss. And Wiress. And Finnick. And Mags. And Leeg 1. And Leeg 2. And Boggs. And Jackson. And Coin. And Prim. And..."

"Ummmm. Katniss." Johanna shakes me back to reality.

"I'm so-so-so sorry" I sob.

"It's okay," she says.

"Wait are you being nice to me" I say with a chuckle

"Gahh! What's wrong with me. First I was crying, now I'm being nice to a bird" we both started laughing.

"Should we watch the video later" says Nova

"NO" I yell. I lower my voice. "I need to see her again" Prim was reaped that year, maybe they'll show her face.

"Okay then" says a confused Nova

***

District 1 - Glimmer and Marvel

District 2 - Cato and Clove

I blur out on the rest until district 12

"Primrose Everdeen" says a young Effie. Then you see her. Beautiful as ever. Then the screen changes to me yelling "I volunteer!". All the kids are in shock. "Wait pause!" somebody yells. The voice soon registers in my mind to be Willow.

"Mom" she whispers

"Yes" I choke out

"Is that 'her'" she asks.

"Yes" I say. Oh. I want my kids to meet her so badly. I start to sob. Peeta leans close and whispers "We can stop it if you want to".

"No" I whisper back "I can't avoid it forever" he nods in response and then turns to Nova who has the remote and nods to her. Nova presses play. Effie reaches over and draws Peeta's name. All the kids' mouths were wide open.

"Pause" says Rye "I thought there could only be one victor?"

"Your parents had a...special...year in the games" says Haymitch "If you know what I mean" he says with a wink.

"Haymitch" I say

"Yes sweetheart" he replies in a singsong voice

"Maybe you should just stop talking" I say with an attitude.

"Okay then" he replies. "Looks like you still got some fire" he jokingly says.

"I always have and it's not going away for a long time"