Prologue

The horrible smell of disinfectant stung my nose. The cold metal pressed through the thin gown I was wearing. And there was another, underlying smell; Blood and roses.

Snap. My eyes flew open. For a few seconds, I was blinded by white, the clean unbroken white of the room. I winced. Confused and groggy, I tried to sit up, but found I could do little more than flex my hands and feet, and even then only slightly. Straining my head up, I saw strong, thin straps, the same nauseating white as the room, across my chest, wrists, knees and feet. Then the panic set in. My eyes flew around the room, and my breathing became fast and shallow, I strained against the straps and let out a growl of frustration.

"Let me out!" I snarled, flicking my hair away from my face. I breathed in, and choked, remembering the smell of blood and roses.

"Snow!" I yelled, and gasped in fear. I quickly glanced around the room, while still trying to free myself. Once I had, I would find Peeta. Whatever happened, I would stay with him, would be with him. I struggle again. On one side, there is a door, probably locked, and on the other, a table, with a bunch of strange, metal instruments that I don't care to examine closely. I face away from the door, and look for a window, vent, anything, when a cold voice speaks behind me.

"Katniss Evergreen".

I shiver violently, and turn my head, staring into those cool blue eyes, like chips of ice. He smiles in a mock friendly way, but it doesn't reach his eyes. The smile is more like a leer, full of triumph. He saunters forward, and sits down near me. I shudder. His snakelike eyes bore into mine.

"What do you want?" I whisper. He holds something tight in his hand. As I narrow my eyes, he opens his hand. In his palm is a tiny lock of black hair. For a second I'm confused. Then I start to scream.

I'm yelling in pain, fighting, sobbing. I'm exhausted, but I can't stop. Faceless people with unfeeling eyes and masks hold my arms, pulling me back. I scream, tears obscuring my vision, blurring the world around me. Snow stands before me, a white rose in his lapel, and a wailing bundle in his arms. I know only too well what it is.

"Let the baby go!" I shriek, clawing forwards. Doctors dive towards me, needles threateningly pointed. Snow smiles and walks away towards the door, pausing only briefly to look over his shoulder, as I feel something thin stab me hard in the arm.

The world goes black.

"You monster!" I lunge for him, but remain still, bound tightly. The straps stretch slightly, but I remain still. I struggle, hatred burning in my veins.

Snow laughs quietly, and idly twirls the rose in between his finger and thumb. He looks me directly in the eyes, and says slowly and serenely "Your 'problem' has been solved". No. He can't mean…my baby

I'm too shocked to speak. Then the tears come, silently.

"How could you…?" my voice breaks.

He gets up, and smartly walks away, then pauses with his hand on the doorframe.

"To tell the truth, Miss Everdeen, quite easily."