Deja Vu Battle | Hunger Game 3 (Part 1)

19.

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ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕦𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 President Alma to allow Katniss outside District 13 involved intense negotiations, emphasizing the need for her to witness the revolution's impact and inspire hope. A similar struggle ensued for Aries White's release, as his charisma and defiance made him a symbolic figure. After prolonged discussions, both were granted permission to venture outside.

In the dimly lit chambers, Katniss passionately pleaded for the chance to breathe in the district's tangible energy. President Alma, understanding the emotional power of rebellion, agreed, realizing Katniss could become a beacon of hope.

The decision for Aries was more challenging, involving debates over the risks and rewards of unleashing his unfiltered honesty. Eventually, approval came, and both victors stood in a sleek hovercraft, poised for a journey to witness firsthand the effects of the revolution they ignited. The air hummed with anticipation as they prepared for the pivotal what was coming ahead.

The hovercraft makes a quick, spiral descent onto a wide road on the outskirts of 8. Almost immediately, the door opens, the stairs slide into place, and everyone spits out onto the asphalt. The moment the last person disembarks, the equipment retracts. Then the craft lifts off and vanishes. Katniss is left with a bodyguard made up of Gale, Boggs, and two other soldiers. While Aries stood steed on his own, not that he minded.

The TV crew consists of a pair of burly Capitol cameramen with heavy mobile cameras encasing their bodies like insect shells, a woman director named Cressida who has a shaved head tattooed with green vines, and her assistant, Messalla, a slim young man with several sets of earrings. On careful observation, you can see his tongue has been pierced, too, and he wears a stud with a silver ball the size of a marble.

And there was Pollux and Avox. Katniss notices how despite everyone obviously avoiding Aries due to the rumor now being head on can see why. Pollux was the first to approach him. Despite not being able to talk, he reaches out for a headshake with a smile. Aries glanced at the gesture, he let out an irritated scoff but surprisingly took the man's hand and shook it gently.

As Boggs swiftly guided the group away from the road toward a series of warehouses, a second hovercraft descended, bringing crates of medical supplies and a team of six medics dressed in distinctive white outfits. Aries discerned the medical personnel accompanying them, their purpose clear as they followed Boggs down an alley flanked by dull gray warehouses. Scarred metal walls, interrupted only by occasional access ladders to the roof, created an industrial backdrop that further underscored the gravity of their situation.

Upon emerging onto the street, the abrupt transition painted a stark contrast, as if stepping into another realm entirely. The exclamation that escaped Aries' lips, "The fuck," encapsulated the surreal and bewildering nature of the unfolding events, leaving the group to navigate the complexities of their surroundings and the enigmatic circumstances that lay ahead.

The aftermath of the morning's bombing unfolded before them, with the wounded arriving in various states of distress and agony. Some were transported on makeshift stretchers, others in wheelbarrows, on carts, slung across shoulders, and tightly cradled in arms. The injured, with their bleeding wounds, missing limbs, and unconscious states, were propelled by the desperate efforts of those around them, all directed toward a warehouse distinguished only by a sloppily painted 'H' above its entrance.

Aries couldn't help but frown, a wave of both disgust and guilt washing over him. His expectations of encountering bombed-out buildings were shattered, replaced instead by the stark reality of broken human bodies being ushered into the makeshift medical facility. The jarring contrast prompted a deep internal reflection as he grappled with the harshness of the situation. Was this the place where they intended to film Katniss, amidst the raw and painful aftermath of destruction?

His incredulous reaction was palpable as he scoffed, anger surging to its peak. The discomfort etched across his face mirrored the sentiments of others present. Katniss, quick to respond to the unsettling scene, immediately approached Boggs to address the disquiet that permeated the air. The collective unease resonated, forming a silent but potent undercurrent of discontent that challenged the intentions behind choosing such a distressing backdrop for their filming endeavors.

A figure directing the influx of patients catches sight of our group, executing a noticeable double take before striding purposefully toward us. Her dark brown eyes bear the unmistakable signs of fatigue, and the lingering scent of metal and sweat envelops her. The bandage around her throat, overdue for a change three days ago, hints at the relentless demands of her duties. The strap of an automatic weapon slung across her back digs into her neck, prompting her to shift her shoulder to alleviate the discomfort. A curt jerk of her thumb serves as a decisive order, directing the medics to usher the patients into the warehouse, a directive promptly and unquestioningly obeyed.

Boggs takes the initiative to introduce our group, "This is Commander Paylor of Eight," he announces, his words carrying a weight that signifies the significance of her role. In response, Commander Paylor, though appearing surprisingly young for her position, exudes an authoritative aura that dispels any doubt regarding the legitimacy of her appointment. Her early thirties betray her youth, yet there is a tone in her voice that commands respect, leaving the impression that her leadership role was earned, not arbitrary.

Beside her, Katniss stands in a pristine new outfit, scrubbed and shiny, embodying a stark contrast to the grim surroundings. The attire, while symbolizing a fresh beginning, also makes her appear like a recently hatched chick, navigating the complexities of the world with untested resolve. Aries, standing at the back of the group, observes the scene with a stoic silence, seemingly inured to the formalities unfolding before him.

Commander Paylor, acknowledging Katniss and then pointing towards Aries at the rear of the group, remarks with a sense of recognition, "Yeah, I know who she is. I know him too." Unlike the scrutinizing gaze she bestowed upon Katniss, there is a distinct air of kind respect in her assessment of Aries. However, Aries remains absorbed in the unfolding scene before him, unresponsive to the acknowledgment of his survival. Commander Paylor redirects her attention to Katniss, her tone shifting as she resumes the business at hand, "You're alive, then. We weren't sure."

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