Always

Checkmate

Please ignore all errors in spelling, I didn't have time to edit them. But I will as soon as possible! Enjoy!

I watch as my schedule is quickly printed on my arm, as I stand waiting for my day to begin. Completely ignoring what has just been written in ink on my skin, I move to open the door. Today my duties as the Mockingjay begin, and I know that I'm doing this for him. I'm fighting for him.

Walking through district thirteen is unnerving and the bright lights make my eyes squint. It's an artificial light, and it is nothing like the actual sun. It reflects off the dark gray walls that cause this place to have such a depressing atmosphere. I don't know how the people stay down here. How they don't just wake up one day and bang their head against the gray wall, because they can't take it anymore. I won't lie and say that the thought hasn't crossed my mind, but then I feel the babies move or I hear a whisper, and remember how hard Peeta is fighting. It's sullen and dark. Sad and quiet. I would hate to think what would happen if Rye pulled one of his pranks.

The thought almost causes a smile to form on my lips.

"Hey wait up!" Gale runs towards me through the halls and catches up to me easily. "You're wanted in command."

I snort at this and shake my head. "I always am."

"Well you kind of signed on for that when you became the mockingjay. Besides I thought this was what you wanted." He tells me.

I stop walking through the halls and turn to face Gale. "This," I say waving my hands around "this wasn't what I signed up for. I didn't ask to be paraded around like a show horse, and I didn't ask to be brought to command every five minutes. Gale, the only reason I'm doing any of this is for Peeta. It's so that I can get him back."

He looks down at his shoes and runs his hands through his hair. "What about the rebellion? Why aren't you doing it for that cause?"

"I am, but right now the flaming fire you all want me to be. The raging blaze of heat you want me to have for it, is a mere spark. I can't fight without him."

"Apparently." He says under his breath, but I don't think I was suppose to hear.

I push the door to command open and Plutarch rushes to my side almost before the door can close. "Katniss, dear are you ready to start your first assignment?"

Gale looks at me from the side and smiles slightly. I scowl. "Yes, Plutarch." I say annoyed. "Where do I start?"

"Well we have a surprise for you, Fulvia and I." He tells me excitedly and motions me towards the door. "It's on floor 5."

As we move towards to the elevator I notice Fulvia pick up a brown leather binder and bring it with her. Only when the silver doors slam shut and the machine begins to move, does she turn towards me. "This is for you." She tells me handing the binder towards me.

The pages crinkle as I open it up and my breath is caught when I recognize the drawings; the rebellion in each pencil stroke. "Cinna," I whisper as I run my hand along the sketch of my mockingjay pin.

I'm still betting on you, girl on fire.

His handwriting below the sketch makes my eyes water, but I mange to blink the tears away.

"He made is promise not to give this to you, until you agreed to be the mockingjay. On your own." She tells me.

"These outfits are beautiful."

"They're here and they're ready to be worn." She says and I nod my head.

"He's dead isn't he?"