Prologue

Cinna

Standing there saying goodbye to Katniss, for what I'm sure could might as well have been the last; having the peacekeepers walk out and attack me was something I never expected. Although I should have really after the stunt I pulled with Katniss' wedding dress. I always said I express my emotions through my work and what the Capitol had decided for quarter quell, well, that was just sick. Out of all the things they could have chosen they had to pick that one. 'The star crossed lovers' enter the arena again, you can't help but feel sorry for them.

I will never forget the look on her face as they started to beat me, it's actually the last thing I remember before I blacked out. Katniss, the girl on fire, standing in her tube waiting to go into the arena, helpless as I'm beaten to the ground by the emotionless robotic peacekeepers.

When I awoke, I was in a dingy darkened prison cell, surrounded by at least a dozen spotless white peacekeeper uniforms. I rolled over to find that my wrists had been bound by chain to a shackle on the floor not even a foot away from me. My feet the same. I was starving and dieing of thirst, then I see the food inches from my hands. Stale mouldy bread and cloudy disgusting water. I would die for a bottle of sparkling Apricot spring water. I'm struggling to eat the bread when I hear the lock going on my cell, I wearily lift my head up as I'm dragged out by my hands. A flashback of Katniss' shocked and worried face flashes by my eyes and I know I have to survive whatever torture they're going to put me through. As they lift me up to make me stand I find my feet again, and instantly I have a rough idea on how long I've been out…A week at least. I stand straight and head held high, with my chin up, just like I tell Katniss to do, and with a swift move of my right arm, I manage to elbow the peacekeeper to my right, right in the windpipe and I kick him to the ground. I turn and elbow the other in the head, making him fall backwards to the ground with a thud. I realise I only have a matter of minutes before the others find out what's happened, so I grab the keys, unlock my chains and make a run for it.

I run past several shocked peacekeepers and then make a turn to the right, throwing off any that followed me. I keep running as fast as I can, untill I almost run smack into the ladder in front of me. Slowly turning so that I can see how many guards are behind me, when I realise there's at least 20 and they're all pointing their guns at me. Seeing the hooded cloak next to me I pick it up and throw it on, seeing the explosives underneath; with only seconds to spare on the timer I climb up the ladder and escape. I'm standing in the fresh, crisp spring morning air, taking in deep breathes and trying to get a bearing on where in this damned city I am, when I notice the huge screens in the middle of the square.

Katniss is bent over Peeta, crying and screaming at another victor to help him, to bring him back to her. I tear rolls down my cheek as I know she needs me, but I have no idea how I can help her. My Katniss. I throw my hand into my pockets and take a big sigh.

Only then do I find the note;

Cinna,

I know you'll hate me for this later, but we NEED you back. You have to be ready to help Peeta and Katniss. Something big is going to happen and we need you here to help us. Stay low untill you get the call from Haymitch. And yes he is still around. Everyone thinks you're dead so please, for the sake of all of us, stay hidden.

Love

Octavia and Haymitch

P.S Katniss and Peeta know nothing of this. You Will see her again. Soon.

Reading the note, I throw my hood up so that it covers my face and I walk into the world I once knew and loved. The country I called home. The country that now rules even stricter. Panem.