The Mockingjay Returns

Part 6: The Capitol

The next morning, I wake up thinking about what had happened at Peeta's. I think of how I did everything wrong. What was I thinking, with my distant questions and my formal greetings? A year ago, everything was different: he was the one who I would look to when I was in trouble; he was the person I could talk to about anything; he was the person who would comfort me at night when the nightmares invaded...

I should have hugged him. I should have welcomed him back home with a smile. "You were always the nice one," I'd said to him. It was true.

My thoughts are interrupted by Sae coming through the door. "Katniss, you have a letter."

She hands it to me and, curious, I rip it open, finding myself looking at a formal-looking message:

Katniss Everdeen
2 Victors' Village
District 12
Panem

Katniss Everdeen,
I am writing to inform you of my becoming interim President of Panem until the emergency elections in a year's time.

There will be a ceremony in which I am inaugurated, held in the Capitol. I know it is a big ask, but I urge you to join me for the event, at which I would like to address the whole country about our plans for the future.

I feel that the only way that the peace of the country will be assured is if you publicly back me in my campaign: you have moved a nation into revolution, and it is you that Panem wishes to hear from.

If you need convincing to attend, I have invited all of the remaining victors that we're involved in the rebellion, including Johanna Mason, Haymitch Abernathy, and Peeta Mellark. As for Peeta, I firmly believe that seeing the transformation of the Capitol will hugely benefit his recovery.

Finally, I thought that the time is right to pardon you for what was seen as a criminal rebellion by Snow. This will happen at the ceremony. Once pardoned, you will be free to do as you wish, even if that means never coming back to the Capitol.

I will see you in two weeks time. Effie Trinket has offered to meet you at the train station at 3:15.

Sincerely,
Paylor, interim president of Panem.

I ponder this news for a while. Paylor makes it seem like I have a choice in whether I go to that Capitol or not. It is the last thing I want to do, but it brings me comfort that someone else is going. Besides, being free, after my pardoning, to avoid the Capitol forever does sound attractive.

I don't bother knocking on the door of Haymitch's house when I walk across the road- I just go straight in.

"Hello, Sweet-heart."

I turn round to see that Haymitch stood by the lounge door in his nightclothes. It's 3 in the afternoon.

"I don't think you're here to bring me a drink?" he says, laughing.

"No," I reply. I pick up an unopened letter lying on the floor. "You need to check your mail more often, Haymitch. They want us in the Capitol for Paylor's presidential ceremony."

Haymitch stops laughing. He considers for a moment. "And Peeta?"

"All the Victors from the rebellion are going to be there."

"You've got to be joking."

"Nope. And my guess is that Peeta's already found out - he always was so meticulous about checking the post - there's no hiding it from him."

"I don't think we have a choice, then," says Haymitch. "God knows what the news has done to the boy. I think you should go over there and see how he took it."

"No," I say, "you can go."

"Katniss, you're the Girl On Fire, you can handle it," he laughs.

"You're right; I can."

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And the plot thickens...
Thanks for reading guys :)