Rory is alive.

He called a ceasefire.

His wish remains- he's trying to keep me alive.

The games are still on.

I must become the mockingjay.

I stare blankly at the ceiling as thoughts float through my mind. I'm supposed to be sleeping but I just can't. I've accepted it'll be a sleepless night already. I pull out the pearl from my pocket and rub it against my cheek. It's cold and smooth. It is a constant reminder of Rory and I wish he could be here with me in person. There are so many things I haven't said to him yet and I don't know how long he'll live.

"Prim," Katniss whispers, sitting up. "Why are you awake, go to sleep."

"I can't," I tell her, scooting closer to her.

"Why not?"

"I don't know, just a lot of things to think about. And um...I've decided I'm going to be the mockingjay."

She sits quietly for a moment then tilts her head. "Do you really want to do this? You aren't just giving in to the pressure?"

I shrug. "Do I have a choice? I mean, I have to do it, and I want to do it."

Katniss eyes me warily but soon turns her suspicious look into a grin.

"My sister is more important than me now, eh?" Katniss jokes. I just smile and blush. I never meant to become this big of a person.

"You know, important people get what they want," Katniss says. "If you're worried about Rory well...you could keep him alive."

"I can?"

"Yeah, of course. Give a few conditions when becoming the mockingjay including his immunity."

I give this a thought.

"You really think it could work?"

"They need you, and they'll do anything to have you on their team."

"Thanks Katniss, that's a really good idea. But how do we know they won't back out?"

We both stay silent for a moment. There cannot be any loopholes in this operation.

"I'll have to do it in public, that way that they can't back out," I say after consideration.

She nods. "Good idea, I'll come and help. Now you should go to bed."

"Okay, thanks, good night Katniss."

"Good night Primrose."

The next morning I get my schedule, which tells me to have breakfast and then Command 30 minutes later. I meet up with Katniss and we walk to the cafeteria together. We sit at our assigned table with the Everdeens and Hawthornes. Little Posy and Vick are already there with Hazelle.

"Hello Hazelle, how are you?" I ask politely as I take a seat with my tray. Breakfast is the usual- hot grain, milk, and a small cup of vegetables or fruit. Today we have turnips.

"I'm doing well for someone who's lost two children the last few months, thank you," Hazelle replies with a sigh. It must be hard for her. That reminds me of Gale, wondering what could have happened to him. Katniss must be hurting inside. She never mentions it though. She's never been the type to openly share how she feels.

"Mom, I'm still hungry," Vick complains. His tray is empty and we all know he can't get seconds. No one ever does. Portions are strictly given according to age, height, and work required each day. Vick is small and doesn't work much. But that doesn't mean he doesn't get hungry. I scrape off some of my food for him, receiving a look from his mother and a pleased smile from the little boy.

"Oh Prim, please take it back, Vick shouldn't be asking for more," Hazelle says.

"No it's fine, I'm not hungry," I tell him, "And he needs it more than I do."

"See mom? It's fine," Vick says with a large grin and digs in. The way he smiles reminds me of Rory, bringing me back to my sad thoughts.

"It would be nice if I could go hunt for food," Katniss thinks aloud.

"Maybe you could," I say. "Mockingjay conditions, remember?"

Katniss slowly smiles. "You would do that?"

"Of course! And I decided to add Buttercup to the list too; the District 13 citizens don't seem to be fond of 'useless pets'."

"Good thinking."

Soon Katniss and I are at Command. Some people stare at her but no one comments on it. I ask for pencil and paper and Coin delivers the supplies to me herself. I write down my list. Buttercup. Hunt. Rory. Snow. Public announcement.

When I finish, I look up and find everyone looking at me. I clear my throat and start talking.

"I've decided to be the mockingjay...under these conditions." I take a deep breath and start small. "I get to keep my cat, Buttercup."

Plutarch and Fulvia seem to be fine with that but the District 13 people disagree. There's a bit of an argument and in the end I get to keep her. But they are moving our family to a room with an aboveground window so that she may come and go to do her business, and they will not be providing her food. Oh yeah, and that small thing about if she causes any security issues they'll shoot him.

"Um next, Katniss get's to hunt, but she'll be giving all the game she catches to the kitchen."

There's a dispersal of views but eventually they say yes to this too, provided that I go along with her and we're both given tracking devices. I look down at my list. Rory.

"All the victors will be granted immunity, meaning they won't be punished for what has happened. This includes Rory, Enobaria and Johanna...and Annie Cresta. Don't forget Annie Cresta."

"No," Coin says immediately.

"Yes," I shoot back. "It's not their fault you ditched them in the arena! And if you don't agree, I won't be your mockingjay!"

I know it's not that strong of an ultimatum. I just hope it works. Everyone is silent for almost a full minute. It's like they're all weighing the odds.

"Fine, is that all?" Coin finally says. I let out a sigh of relief.

"I get to kill Snow."

A smile tugs at Coin's lips at this one. Seconds pass. She doesn't say a thing.

"President, what do you say?" Plutarch asks, his assistant Fulvia by his side. Coin purses her lips for a moment and finally answers.

"Very well," Coin says, "as long as you perform."

"I'll perform once you make the announcement public, all the conditions included."

She nods and Command ends. Everyone starts filing out and soon it's just Plutarch, Fulvia, Katniss, and myself.

"Welcome to the team!" Fulvia exclaims with a smile. She reminds me of Effie. I wonder what happened to her. Fulvia claps in excitement then pulls something out- a sketchbook bounded with leather.

"I know your decision to become the mockingjay was not 100% by choice," Plutarch says. "And so we were hoping this would help you feel sure about your decision."

[Plutarch slides the sketchbook across to me. For a moment, I look at it suspiciously. Then curiosity gets the better of me. I open the cover to find a picture of myself, standing straight and strong, in a black uniform. Only one person could have designed the outfit, at first glance utterly utilitarian, at second a work of art. The swoop of the helmet, the curve to the breastplate, the slight fullness of the sleeves that allows the white folds under the arms to show. In his hands, I am again a mockingjay.

"Cinna," I whisper.

"Yes, He made me promise not to show you this book until you'd decided to be the Mockingjay on your own. Believe me, I was very tempted," says Plutarch. "Go on. Flip through."] (page 43 lines 1 through 13)

I flip through the book, looking at all his sketches carefully. I'm blown away by his work. His sketches are so detailed and it's almost like he's here. Every sketch is beautiful. But the last page has to be the best. It's a simple sketch of my mockingjay pin with the words I'm still betting on you written under it.

"But when..." my voice abandons me but the message get's through.

"After the announcement of the quell, a little before the games," Plutarch tells me with a smile. "We've got the actual uniform too, as well as something special from Beetee in the armory. I won't tell you anything yet, it's a surprise."

"You'll be the best dressed rebel ever, little duck," Katniss says with a smile on her face. The words evoke memories of life before the games. Little duck. The games have forced me to grow up. I am no longer a little duck but the mockingjay.

"Here's the plan," Plutarch starts. "We'll be airing an Airtime Assault and make propaganda shots called propos and broadcast them to the whole country of Panem."

"Doesn't the Capitol control all the broadcasting though?" I ask.

"Yeah, but we got a 'Beetee'," Plutarch chuckles. "We have a mockingjay and the costume, so now we just need something to air."

They explain some more and soon we're in an old elevator going deeper to the core of the earth. Thirty eight floors down. It's scary knowing Dad died underground. We get off the elevator and the metal grate comes down. We walk down a hallway, flanked by plain rooms with red frames.

Suddenly, a guard materializes and makes us stop.

"I believe you have the wrong room number, no one comes to this floor," he tells us matter-of-factly.

"No, we're on this right floor alright," Plutarch says, showing him his notes. 3809.

Not too far away, I hear a whimpering sound, much like a dog, but surely human. There's someone down here. I drop the sketchbook and bend down to pick it up at the same time as Katniss. Our heads bump and Katniss holds onto the guard as if to steady herself, turning him sideways. I take the chance and dash for the room. Inside I find my prep team, bruised, bloody, and shackled to the wall. But more horrifyingly, Rory, in the worst condition I could imagine.

~A/N~ That twist! Maybe not as epic as hoped but there will be more to come.

Hey guys! It's been over a week and I apologize for that, hopefully it was good enough to make up for it. Prim has become the Mockingjay! I know the interview in Captain Fire made it seem like Rory could be one too and that possibility still lives!!

I was going to post a chapter yesterday but I watched Captain America: Civil War, which by the way was amazing~ it came out yesterday in our country but Allegiant's coming out in May, go figure.

I will be posting another chapter tomorrow so heads up :)

-Monica

P.S. This is 100% rhetorical but who would you bring back- Bunny, Rue, Noah or Cinna? Bunny's death received the most comments by far so I was just curious :P