I have to mirror Iolathealias thoughts on this matter, President Snow has pushed the wrong buttons this time. True he knows most of Clark abilities and his weak spots, but sooner or later you push a person too far and they break.
Rebellion is in the air.
“I’m afraid he is, Clark. The Peacekeepers tried to help — they really did — but there was nothing they could do. Your father just … he died.”
Good to know not all the Peacekeepers are monsters. Even the supervisor had threatened Thread when he refused to stop flogging Clark. Martha has to be applauded, despite her husband's unexpected death, she is still Clark's tower of strength. A rare woman indeed. One cannot help but imagine what Lady Lara would think of this simple farm woman who raised her son.
“You saw what they did, Sid — what Snow did! Clark didn’t do anything wrong, but that power-mad bastard made him suffer anyway, just like he’s done with every other victor since he became president! It’s not enough to survive when all the other tributes die — surviving just means that you become a pawn in Snow’s power games.” She got up, flinging herself into her husband’s arms. “Remember what he did to us when I tried to stop playing his games?” She started sobbing.
Sid stroked her hair gently. “Shh, Mattie. Of course I remember. But this isn’t the time or the place to go over it.”
We get a clearer picture of Mattie and the trials she suffered during her early days as a victor. No wonder the poor woman drinks.
“I’d help you with the livestock,” Haver said, “but to be honest with you, I wouldn’t know where to start. I grew up in a factory family. I do know how to cook, though — I’ve been doing it for years. I can check on Clark, too — I need to talk to him anyway.” He set the papers on the table. “Dr. Greenlaw needs you to sign these, but it can wait. He’ll pick them up tomorrow when he comes to check on Clark.”
Haver continues to emerge from this terrible chapter in Clark's life as a true gentleman.
Revenge for Lysander’s death was the other plausible reason for what Snow had done to Clark. Lex Luthor was a tremendously wealthy and powerful man, and Clark had seen both men on television together, so it was obvious they knew each other. Most parents who lost children in the Hunger Games could only mourn them and try to move on, but Luthor had the power to take revenge. He might well have convinced Snow to punish Clark for killing his son — despite the fact that killing other tributes was legal in the arena, and despite Clark’s obvious shock and remorse when he’d realized what he’d done.
Nope, when Luthor wants something done he does not leave it to chance. Besides, why let Snow have the 'fun' of hurting Clark? If he truly cared about Lysander he would do something equally nasty himself.
“I talked to the Head Peacekeeper earlier,” Haver said. “He knows what happened today, and he doesn’t expect you to go home tonight … and believe it or not, they don’t usually check anyway. Speaking of Peacekeepers …” He waited until he had Clark and Martha’s full attention. “… Thread’s gone. He packed up his belongings from the barracks and left with Snow and his entourage this afternoon, wearing a new uniform indicating a higher rank. Where he’s gone is anybody’s guess, but he’s not in District 9 anymore, and not many people will miss him.”
Glad to see that the Peacekeepers are not completely heartless. Thread is going to be the personal guard for Snow...
Clark put his head down, his mind racing. My fault. It’s my fault. I was too much of a mess after the Games for them to tell me something so important. If I’d hidden things better … or acted like a normal person who’s won the Games … they would have told me, and I could have gotten Dr. Greenlaw to see Dad. If I hadn’t done whatever it was I wasn’t supposed to do in the arena, Snow wouldn’t have had me flogged, and Dad wouldn’t have gotten so upset that he had a heart attack. He’d still be here.
Dear gentle Clark, he
was a mess! Martha and Jonathan were only trying to protect him. Also, I suspect even with the best care, Jonathan would not have survived the trauma of seeing his son flogged. The blame for all of the Kent family troubles lay squarely on President Snow's elegantly shod feet.
Amazing part.
Don't be too late posting the next part!
