CHAPTER EIGHTEEN!

COMING HOME.

THE TORMENT HAS NOT STOPPED. Elena has remained angry at Gale since their last conversation, his sudden lack of empathy making her despise him. She once didn't think she was capable of not liking someone — well she's reached a new point in her life apparently. Gale Hawthorne is not the man she thought he was and whilst she'll be civil to him, more for Katniss' sake than anything, there will be no friendship there. Not after all the things he said about a boy who has been through more in his life than Gale could ever imagine.

"Tonight, we've received reports of derailed trains, of granaries on fire, and of a savage attack on the hydroelectric dam in District 5," Peeta speaks as he appears on the screen, his face more sunken in and sickly than the previous time they'd seen him. "I'm begging for restraint and decency,"

Elena blinks slowly as emotion floods her face, her fork pushing around her food rather than actually bringing it towards her to be consumed. All she wants is to see the boy happy and healthy again — she's sick of seeing his fear and hurt, it does nothing but completely destroy her emotionally. She knows Katniss feels much the same despite what others are saying.

However, soon his face is replaced with that of said Girl on Fire, her propaganda video on display for all to see. Elena has not been involved with such videos because she knows her impact would more than likely not be as beneficial and it would cause her unnecessary pain and her brother agreed. Her mind is already fragile and one move in the wrong direction will completely shatter it.

"Katniss?" The pain in Peeta's voice causes Elena's breath the hitch, her eyes welling up with tears. He looks almost as if he is hopeful she's there, that he will save her from his horrid fate. "Katniss are you there? I-is Elena with you? Finnick? Katniss, are you there?"

"Peeta, please continue. You were telling us about these savage attacks," Caesar interrupts the young boy who nods and looks back at the camera.

"The attack on the dam was a callous and inhuman act of destruction—" Peeta begins just before the video of Katniss interrupts him again. "Think about it. How will this end? What will be left? No one can survive this. No one is safe now. Not here in the Capitol. Not in any of the districts. They're coming, Katniss. They're gonna kill everyone. And in District 13 you'll be dead by morning!"

Elena breathes heavily as the boy is pulled away from the screen. Angrily, the young blonde gets to her feet and storms to the command room where she knows Coin is watching. She doesn't bother knocking, barging into the room which makes all of the people in there look at her.

"We need to get him out. Now," the last part comes out as an uncharacteristic hiss. "They'll kill him,"

"Elena—" Haymitch starts but Coin interrupts him.

"We will talk about this later. It's time for an air raid drill," Coin speaks and then said alarm goes off — the drill no longer just a drill.

Elena gives her one final glare before moving to head towards the lower levels, where everybody will be situated for a period of time.

"Proceed to your nearest stairwell and descend to level 40. Blast doors will be sealed in six minutes,"

Elena scales down the stairs, her eyes desperately searching for her older brother in hopes that he has already made his way to level forty. She hadn't seen him before dinner, she has no clue where he is. Therefore, it urges her to move faster.

"Jace?" She calls quietly. "Jay?"

"I saw him walking down the stairs," one of the citizens speaks beside her and she exhales a sigh of relief at their words, offering them a quiet thank you.

Then the lights go out and panic rises within her, only increasing when water begins pouring into the stairwell. It makes her move faster, wanting to be with her older brother.

"Continue to the Supply Station and claim one pack for each member of your compartment. Please keep all personal items within your assigned area. Be courteous to your fellow citizens. This is a code red alert. All citizens should be inside the bunker. Blast doors will close in two minutes,"

Elena makes her way into the bunker and sighs in relief when she spots Jace, running over into his arms and holding him tightly. He returns the embrace, holding her to him almost protectively as more people begin to crowd around them. Not liking the close contact, Elena turns her head into his chest and shrinks further into his embrace.

The computerised voice continues to count down to signal when the doors will close and Jace watches as Katniss, Prim and Gale manage to just get inside — the cat that Elena has come to like in the youngest girl's arms.

Elena lets a small noise of terror slip from her lips when they feel a blast at the hands of the Capitol. Jace holds his younger sister tightly and rests his head on top of hers. More blasts are heard as Finnick moves to stand beside them, wanting to check on his fellow District Four members. Jace gives the man a nod and Finnick returns it.

"She okay?" Her former mentor asks.

"Yeah. Just scared like everybody else," Jace responds, one of Elena's hands moving from behind her brother to clutch one of Finnick's.

"Elena, Elena," Her name is called multiple times, awakening her from her slumber. They've now moved from the bunker and are back in their own beds — a relief for the young girl.

"What's up, Jace?" Her voice is croaky and tired.

"I have something to talk to you about,"

"What is it?"

Jace offers her a soft smile and sits at the end of her bed. Curiosity flies off her in waves, her eyes watching him carefully as he plays with his hands almost nervously.

"They've gone to the Capitol," Jace begins and Elena perks up at his words. "To get Peeta, Annie and Johanna,"

"Why didn't anybody wake me? I could've gone with them," Elena speaks.

"You know you're not ready for that, Lena. I made the decision to not tell you until I knew they were well away from here. I also decided that I would stay with you. I know you might be angry, but trust me, it's for the best," Jace explains and Elena pouts lightly, however she knows what he is saying is right.

"I know. I just hope they're all okay. I-I want to see Peeta again," Elena comments.

"And you will, I promise you that,"

For the first time in what seems like forever, a genuine smile pulls at her lips. Peeta is coming home, he's coming home.

NOTE!
Thank you for reading! I just noticed how short part one is actually going to be because of how the movie plays out — I hope that's okay with everybody! I didn't think it fit Elena's character at this moment to be involved so greatly in the rebellion but of course, that will change in the second part of Mockingjay! Hope you all enjoyed!