A/N: Sequel to "Echoes of the Past".

Shadows of the Future

Five minutes was all I had to say good-bye to the girl I loved. When I stood outside those doors, I had expected to be there for Maddy when she left from saying good-bye. But when the doors open, it wasn't Maddy that walked out.

Looking at the clock, I knew the hour for saying good-bye was over. The official was friendly towards my family so when I ask how many minutes are left he gave me those few short minutes that I shouldn't have gotten.

Every morning I wake up hoping it was just a bad dream. I get up, get ready, and go over to the Donner house. When Maysilee opens the door, I know it happened. Maddy took her sister's place. The sister I promised I would take care of.

With only eight tributes in the arena left, the district is swarmed with reporters. Everyone wants to get who they think is Maysilee's story. My parents know about the switch and how much trouble we'll be in if that's ever discovered so they had no problem helping me with practice questions for the interviews that were coming.

Haymitch's family and his girlfriend didn't get the same amount of grilling, but as mayor my father wanted to make sure they didn't embarrass the district. At least that's what he told the officials when they asked why he wanted to see them in his office the other week.

I don't think I could loathe myself any more than the time they spent downstairs in my house learning how to say things to keep Haymitch alive while upstairs I was secretly hoping for his death so my girlfriend could come home. When I thought they were gone, I went downstairs and ran into Robyn Holcomb and my self-loathing hits a new low.

While Aster is considered the beauty among the merchants, Robyn is the beauty in the Seam. We've been in classes together since we started school. She's one of those rare people that actually liked me regardless of being the mayor's son. Our teachers usually had her partner with me for school projects because no one else wanted to. We used to sit at lunch together until our meal periods were changed. When they were again put together this semester we were dating other people and ate with them.

Over the years I've considered her a good friend. The problem is she's also Haymitch's girlfriend.

"Hey," I say feeling awkward.

"Hi. So, um, your father was telling me what to expect tomorrow when the reporters arrive. Sounds like it will be crazy."

"Yeah. The last time reporters were here we were both in diapers."

She smiles and then we stand their awkwardly again. "It's weird having my boyfriend and your girlfriend's sister in the arena together."

I want to tell her about Maddy, but I can't. For one I know the house is bugged and two the fewer people that know, the easier it will be to protect them.

"And partners to boot. I like their chances much better now. We might just have a District Twelve victor this year."

"And you're hoping for Maysilee," she says with a glum smile. "I'm not mad. I just think it's unfair that you and I are hoping for someone to come back home knowing that the other one will have to lose the one that they love."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well, if it ends up being Maysilee, then at least I can be happy that your girlfriend will get her sister back."

There. Now the self-loathing meter has found its new low.

"Well, I better go. See you tomorrow?"

"If the reporters let us," I say.

A small crowd has gathered in the market place, but not for the Hunger Games. Sure they're on in the background, but when Cedar Everdeen sings, everyone stops what they're doing to listen. In front of him is a hat that has a few coins in it and will have even more when he's done.

During one of his songs, Robyn walks up to me.

The song ends and I turn to her, "I liked your answer the other day."

Robyn smirks. A few days ago a reporter shoved a microphone in front of her demanding her feelings about Haymitch putting his coat on Maddy the previous night. Did she think that Maddy was a threat to her? She brushed it off and said she expected nothing less from him.

"If they are developing romantic feelings and one of them comes home, they'll have to face me."

It was a good thing they didn't ask me. When he put his coat on her, he also moved some of her hair away from her mouth. Watch it, pal. He soon when back to keeping a look out, but I started keeping a closer eye on him. Maddy's uncle fell for someone from another district in the arena so I know it's possible.

"So," says Robyn catching my attention. "Cedar is collecting for Maysilee and Haymitch… I didn't think he knew either all that well."

A small smile creeps up on my face. Cedar does know Maddy. She confessed to me that she had been going into the woods and getting hunting lessons from him. I owe it to him that she's still alive right now.

"You know something don't you."

I point over at Aster Staunton. "See the girl standing next to Maddy? That's one of Maysilee's best friends."

Aster Staunton is right in the front row of listeners. Of all the people Cedar could be looking at in the crowd, he always goes back to looking at her. He has for the past few months.

"Oh."

"Look, they're breaking through the hedge!"

Everyone turns to the screens where Maddy has set the hedge on fire. With them dominating the screen, we move further into the square to watch.

"Impressive."

That's my Maddy, I think.

On the other side is, well, nothing really. That's a bit of a letdown.

"That's all there is, Haymitch," says Maddy. "Let's go back."

"No, I'm staying right here," Haymitch replies

"All right. There's only five of us left. May as well say good-bye now, anyway. I don't want it to come down to you and me."

"Okay."

Maddy stays on the cliff waiting for the same thing I am: Haymitch acknowledging her.

"Haymitch, say something to her," says Robyn who until now I hadn't realized was still next to me.

But he remains silent as he stares at the bottom of the cliff. Maddy, never one to stick around for something that won't happen, leaves him. She takes her time walking to the hedge giving him one more chance to say something, anything. With one last look at him she passes through the hedge and strikes out on her own.

Whispers bounce around the square about them breaking up. Some say Maddy is right to want to break it off before it comes to the two of them and that the alliance had to break sometime while others shake their heads at the idea. There are still three other tributes out there and two of them are fully armed Careers.

For the last few days I've gotten a little defensive about how their relationship was shifting to more than just allies. Now I'm worried about her leaving him. If something happens to Haymitch, she'll never forgive herself.

The screens show Haymitch for a little bit, but then shift to Maysilee walking back into the woods. She looks around deciding which direction she wants to go. After a few minutes she stops.

"Come on, go back girl," says one of the miners and the sentiment is echoed by others in the district.

Maddy grips her token, a mockingjay pin given to her by her father, a pin given to him in honor of his brother. Before she even takes a step, I know what she's about to do. A small cheer is raised when she sighs and turns back to the hedge.

She only gets a few steps before something catches her attention. Without an explanation, she runs as if her life depends on it, not towards Haymitch but away from him.

No.

A flock of candy pink birds starts chasing her through the woods. Mutts.

Maddy runs but the birds are too fast for her. The first one dives for her neck and she screams.

I can only stand in horror as the girl I love gets skewered in the neck over and over. But she isn't the only one screaming. Behind me, Maysilee grips her neck screaming as if the birds are landing in her neck. Aster tries to catch her as Maysilee collapses, but ends up landing on the ground next to her.

"It should have been me!"

Everyone gets out of my way as I run for her. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the Capitol media getting excited about Maysilee's reaction. I have to get her out of here. Desperate, I look around for someone to help me. Being the son of the mayor, my options are slim. But Robyn is right behind me. Without having to say anything, she knows exactly what I want to do. We support a hysteric Maysilee between us and hurry through the crowd while Cedar appears and helps Aster to her feet. Members of our district make way and then quickly close ranks blocking the swarm of cameras heading our direction.

Mr. Staunton is waiting for us and signals for us to come inside.

Aster wiggles away from Cedar and tackles Maysilee with a hug forcing Robyn and me to let go. They hug each other with such intensity that I know Aster will be able to comfort her far better than I ever will right now.

As required, the Staunton's have their TV on and I watch as Haymitch tears through the woods, finding Maddy just as the last of the birds fly away leaving her neck soaked in blood. Skidding to a halt, he knees next to her and screams out in frustration. There's nothing neither he nor I can do for her now.

But then there is something he can do. He takes her hand and she holds on as she bleeds out.

"Maysilee, I'm sorry."

She whispers something to him and then stops moving.

A cannon fires. She's gone.