Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 11

Peeta and I return to our quarters and he helps me get ready. I take a shower and Peeta helps me get dressed into another new Mockingjay suit. This one is coloured differently with varied strips of grey green and white to blend in more with the winter weather I guess. As I stand after lacing up my boots I see Peeta standing before me with that same look of dread on his face that I've seen so many times.

He takes my hand and holds it between us with my palm facing upwards. He places something in my palm and I see the pearl, our token of love taken from the games all those years ago.

"Remember, keep it safe and whenever you feel alone hold it in your hands, I'll always be with you, wherever you are, okay?" He says as he closes my fingers around it.
I throw my arms around and kiss him passionately.

"I love you" I say as I pull away.

"Always" he replies looking down at his feet. He reaches down and picks Rue up out of her seat and holds her in his arms. A single tear traces down my cheek as I gaze at her sweet face and rosie cheeks. "Bye sweetie" I say as I kiss her forehead.
I go to the door and turn to them one final time. I remember that we've played out this scene before, but this time it's harder. Leaving Peeta and Rue is what's made this so much more difficult.

"See you tomorrow" I say trying to smile.

"See you tomorrow, stay safe" he replies with a look of worry on his face.
I pull up my hood and walk out the door.

As I reach the landing pad I see the squad already milling about the front of the drop ship and for a minute I think it's me that they're waiting for but as I look off to my right I see Alek and Steph being interviewed by Cressida with Pollux stood behind her filming. Steph stands in front of Alek with her back to him and his arms placed protectively around her waist.

So Alek managed to convince her to go ahead with Plutarch's plan. To be honest I feel as if they're being used by the rebels and it's almost as if you have no personal life here. As I watch them wrap up the interview and walk back toward the others hand in hand I smile. Hopefully one day soon they'll be able to go and live their lives in peace and privacy and enjoy each other without the eyes of the country looking on. As I reach the drop ship I see Cressida rushing over with her microphone in hand ready to interview me. I roll my eyes and sigh, Can I just get on with this I think to myself.

"Katniss can we just have a few words before you leave?" she asks.

"Yes of course" I answer trying to be as sincere as I can.

"Where are you going, what's the mission Katniss?"

"Now Cressida, you know as well as I that I can't tell you that, it's classified"

I start to walk on toward the drop ship and the rest of my squad who are all looking on waiting.
"How did the squad training go?" She asks as she hurries to keep up.
"It went well, we've got a good group of people to fight for us"

"How hard was it to leave Peeta and Rue today?"

I immediately stop in my tracks and turn to face her. This question is too much, I've given enough of my personal life away to Panem and for me this is the most private part of my life, my daughter and husband. I just glare at Cressida and then to Pollux who drops his gaze, stops filming and lowers the camera. Cressida silently clicks off the microphone and drops her eyes to the ground.

"I'm sorry Katniss"

I don't reply as I turn away and stride off to the drop ship competely ignoring her apology.

As I reach the drop ship I smile at the others and order them onboard then take one last look around before I board. I look back toward the elevator to see my Mom standing at the doors watching on. I try to smile and I throw her a casual wave but she just turns away and enters the elevator. For an instant my heart sinks but just as the doors close she manages a tentative wave and I smile to myself. Just this simple act has settled me knowing that she's accepted my new role. I turn and climb the ramp just as Alek starts the engines ready for our departure.