Chapter 13

                                    

                                          
Carson rotated the sword in the air, her body twisting as she dodged Finnick's trident with ease. The boy laughed as he stumbled forward. They were sparring, mostly for fun. Finnick was growing antsy, spending all day every day longing for Annie. He needed a distraction. This was their only option. 
Finnick turned, but Carson was quicker. Using the curve of the spartan sword, she ripped the trident from his grasp. It hit the floor with a clang. She pointed the blade at him. "That's four in a row, Finnick. You officially suck."
He playfully glared at her. "I'm just distracted."
Carson lowered the weapon. "There's nothing you can do here. She would hate that you're worrying this much. You're making yourself sick."
Finnick knew she was right, but he couldn't accept her words. "You wouldn't understand."
"No, I guess I wouldn't," she whispers. "Because, unlike Annie, Snow killed my family."
"Carson," Finnick begings. "I didn't realize-"
"Sage," Boggs's loud voice cuts through the room. They both turn to look at the man. "President Coin has requested your attendance at the debriefing."
That confused her. "Debriefing for what?"
"You're going to District 12." That shocked her. As did his matter-of-fact tone.
"Okay." Without looking at Finnick, she followed Boggs out the door. "Why am I going to 12?"
Boggs stared ahead. Something he always did. "Katniss thinks that showing Peeta what happened in District 12 will help."
Carson thinks for a moment. "I thought we couldn't broadcast in the Capitol?"
"We're working on it." That seemed to be the end of the conversation. The two silently walked down the hallway together. 
It takes less than a minute to arrive at the conference room. Everyone is there already. "Carson, hello," President Coin greets her. "I just finished explaining to the others, but I am sure Boggs informed you of the mission." The word mission is an interesting choice. Carson wonders why she chose it. It wasn't a mission, just an assignment.
"He did."
"I'm glad," there is no emotion behind her golden eyes. "We're sending you out now. Katniss, suit up. The jet will take off in thirty minutes."
~~~~~~~~~~~
The flight to District 12 wasn't nearly as long. It was much closer than District 8 was. They were expecting to be back before dark. It was still early in the day. Everyone was silent on the hovercraft. They all opted for the same seats as last time.
The lights above them flickered. For a second, the jet became dark. There was still visible light from the windows. Carson glanced at the ceiling, unsure of why they were flickering. Pollux noticed and quickly grabbed his notepad to write something down. Carson felt two taps on her foot. Her attention shifted to Pollux. In his hand was the notepad with one word scribbled across the paper. Scared?
Carson smiled. "That was supposed to be our secret." Pollux pointed at the ceiling, then placed a finger over his lips before finally pointing at himself, telling her that he wouldn't say anything. The way he gestured made her laugh. He spoke clearly without actually speaking.
"Prepare to touch down," Cressida stood up. The door opened, revealing the rubble left behind from a building. Carson stood up, holding her sword tightly. She had heard that District 12 was destroyed after the Quarter Quell but had yet to see any of the damage. The hovercraft landed on the ground. "I want to start with you in front of the justice building." They all got off the jet. Katniss walked ahead. "Bang." Cressida held up her hands. "First shot."