Cressida couldn't help by shake, secretly regretting having all those glasses of champagne, as she watched the two men comb through the wreckage. Both had guns on them, and the larger of the two had his gun fixed right at Cressida's chest, waiting for her to do something remotely threatening. She kept her hands behind her head and stood next to Pollux, who just stood there, saying nothing like usual. That tends to be the case when your tongue is cut out. Still, Pollux rarely ever showed emotion. Even when the second man kicked the dead body of his brother, the only reaction coming from Pollux was him scratching his elbow. Cressida envied him. Being able to scratch himself without having to worry about getting shot. In the eyes of District 13, Avoxes were just another victim of the Capitol. At one point, Pollux started walking around and the larger man did nothing. Pollux even helped them in their search.
Eventually the second man finished with his search of the wreckage. "All clear. These two are the only survivors."
"Okay," said the larger man.
"Yeah, it looks like these guys were posing as journalists so they could get information for the Capitol." The second man held up a broken camera.
"Got it." The larger man grinned. "Let's take her back for questioning. See what she knows."
"Sounds like fun," said the second man.
Cressida didn't like the tone in his voice and started shaking even harder. "Look...I don't know anything. I'm...I'm just a reporter."
"I'm sure you are." The larger man cocked his gun. "Now be a good little girl and follow me, unless you want to get shot."
Cressida fell to her knees. "Please, you've got to believe me. I'm not a spy!"
The larger man fired a warning shot at Cressida. She could practically feel it whizz by her ear. "The next one won't miss. Now get up and follow me."
Cressida clasped her hands together. She wasn't going to be one of those people District 13 shoved in front of a camera in some attempt to intimidate the Capitol. "Look, I hate the Capitol as much as you do."
The two men looked at each other and laughed. The second man spoke. "That was a good one. Thanks for the laughs."
"I'm being serious," said Cressida.
The larger man rolled his eyes. "Here, let me just shoot her."
Cressida broke out in tears and started talking as fast as she could. "No! Please don't shoot me! I hate the Capitol. I swear on my mother's life. Yes, they wanted me to spy on you, but I wasn't going to do it. I planned to defect the first chance I got. Look, I could help you out. We known how to operate a camera. We could make your propaganda. PleasejustdontshootmeIwanttolive-"
"Shut up!" said the second man. "We don't know what the fuck you're trying to say."
Cressida took a deep breath and pointed to Pollux. "Here, ask him. We talk."
The larger man snorted. "You mean you talk."
"Fine," said Cressida. "I talk to him. He knows how I feel about President Snow."
The two men turned to Pollux, who didn't say anything at first. Cressida's heart was pounding so hard, she thought it would explode. She began to doubt whether this was a good idea. She really had no idea what Pollux thought of her, and being an Avox, he would probably relish the opportunity to get her shot. Finally Pollux nodded.
The larger man begrudgingly holstered his gun. "Alright. Your story checks out."
"Come with us," said the second man. "We'll get you cleaned up."
Cressida breathed a brief sigh of relief. She began following the two men, when an unsettling thought hit her. What if the Capitol managed to recover her. When they found out she had aided the enemy, they probably wouldn't be too understanding. She decided not to worry about it right now and just hope District 13 won the war. The larger man turned around. "Is something wrong?"
"No," said Cressida. "Just, I might need new pants."
