The High Court of Panem was in distress. The rebels had broken out a few of the most important tributes needed to squash the rebellion. President Snow was angered by the fact that Finnick Odair and Katniss Everdeen had managed to get away. However, he still had numerous mentors, stylists, and prep teams, and three important prisoners.

They probably hadn't woken up yet, considering it was mere minutes after the arena exploded and they were picked up by the hovercraft. The President smiled evilly at the reaction the two tributes would get when they realised that precious little Peeta Mellark and Annie Cresta were in the Capitol's hold, along with the District 7 girl, Johanna Mason.

He kept Annie to torture Finnick, but otherwise they didn't touch her, except sometimes to give her food or water. She was still in a cell, but the Peacekeepers ignored her. The 4 girl was probably too mad to know about the rebellion anyway.

"Silence!" he bellowed at his advisors, who immediately stopped bickering, "Do you not see? We have a weapon of immeasurable power to bring down the Mockingkay here with us!"

His Court looked confused. Snow sighed at his subject's simple-mindedness. There was nothing he could do but explain. Besides, he needed them each for different reasons.

"When the arena exploded, we gained two tributes and one woman as our hostage. In our own cells we have Johanna Mason, Annie Cresta," there were some gasps in the crowd, "And," Snow smiled viciously, "The most important of all, the undoing of the Mockingjay, and the fall of the rebellion, Peeta Mellark."

No one said a word.

Then, slowly, a few of them caught on to what Snow was playing at. There were a few smirks and sneers, growls and mumbles, but no objection or intervention. They knew better than that. Snow was proud they weren't stupid. At least not completely.

"Let me explain to you. You all saw how Katniss reacted when Peeta hit the force field, the late night discussion they had. She loves him," he said the word with disgust. There was no room for love in a world of power.

"And now we have him at our complete mercy and dispense, dangling above her arms, just a little too high to reach, but alive. "

The High Court listened with careful fascination. Snow got the idea they knew what he met. Now, he had business to attend to.

"Meeting adjourned."

Snow was walking a fragile line, but he knew that he would never see it break. The President of Panem breathed into his cigarette, and gently blew out again, bringing smoke and the scent of blood, crimsoner than the roses in his gardens.

He had big plans for the boy. A puppet. A pawn. Just a piece in the game of deadly chess he was playing. But the Capitol was strong, he was sure they'd hold up for at least a year, if the rebellion had not been vanquished by then.

Yes, if the Districts had the courage and hope, then let it be. It would soon be replaced by pain, grief, and fear. The Hunger Games would resume, but there would be no Parcel Day. And only one victor. Himself.

.-

Effie Trinket was very busy.

Her wig was falling off, her lipstick was smudged, her makeup was smudged, her fake eyelashes were falling off, and her outfit was completely ruffled.

And she had no idea why.

It was all in the care of the two District 12 tributes she had hosted a long time ago. Was it really only just a year? And then they came back. Like bees to honey, she thought, except these bees are flying into a death trap.

She didn't know what Snow was planning. But she was in the Capitol. And recently, she had changed. Same Effie on the outside, bright clothes, new trends, radiant makeup, but on the inside . . . Something about her had been broken. Not broken, fixed, she corrected herself.

Her love of the Games and usual cheerfulness about who the victors were, the enthusiasm of getting sponsors.

It was all gone.

She was still optimistic towards Katniss and Peeta, no matter what, and of course she worked hard to get sponsors for them, but she was less interested in the fighting and bloodshed. Much less interested. Not interested at all. Disgusted.

What was wrong with her?

Or rather, what was wrong with her before?