Mocking Jay

too short for even him to fashion into a usable noose. His fingers move rapidly, automatically tying and unraveling
various knots as he gazes about. Probably part of his therapy. I cross to him and say, "Hey, Finnick." He doesn't
seem to notice, so I nudge him to get his attention. "Finnick! How are you doing?"
"Katniss," he says, gripping my hand. Relieved to see a familiar face, I think. "Why are we meeting here?"
"I told Coin I'd be her Mockingjay. But I made her promise to give the other tributes immunity if the rebels
won," I tell him. "In public, so there are plenty of witnesses."
"Oh. Good. Because I worry about that with Annie. That she'll say something that could be construed as
traitorous without knowing it," says Finnick.
Annie. Uh-oh. Totally forgot her. "Don't worry, I took care of it." I give Finnick's hand a squeeze and head
straight for the podium at the front of the room. Coin, who is glancing over her statement, raises her eyebrows at
me. "I need you to add Annie Cresta to the immunity list," I tell her.
The president frowns slightly. "Who's that?"
"She's Finnick Odair's--" What? I don't really know what to call her. "She's Finnick's friend. From District
Four. Another victor. She was arrested and taken to the Capitol when the arena blew up."
"Oh, the mad girl. That's not really necessary," she says. "We don't make a habit of punishing anyone that
frail."
I think of the scene I walked in on this morning. Of Octavia huddled against the wall. Of how Coin and I must
have vastly different definitions of frailty. But I only say, "No? Then it shouldn't be a problem to add Annie."
"All right," says the president, penciling in Annie's name. "Do you want to be up here with me for the
announcement?" I shake my head. "I didn't think so. Better hurry and lose yourself in the crowd. I'm about to
begin." I make my way back to Finnick.
Words are another thing not wasted in 13. Coin calls the audience to attention and tells them I have
consented to be the Mockingjay, provided the other victors--Peeta, Johanna, Enobaria, and Annie--will be
granted full pardon for any damage they do to the rebel cause. In the rumbling of the crowd, I hear the dissent. I
suppose no one doubted I would want to be the Mockingjay. So naming a price--one that spares possible
enemies--angers them. I stand indifferent to the hostile looks thrown my way.
The president allows a few moments of unrest, and then continues in her brisk fashion. Only now the words
coming out of her mouth are news to me. "But in return for this unprecedented request, Soldier Everdeen has
promised to devote herself to our cause. It follows that any deviance from her mission, in either motive or deed,
will be viewed as a break in this agreement. The immunity would be terminated and the fate of the four victors
determined by the law of District Thirteen. As would her own. Thank you."
In other words, I step out of line and we're all dead.