Embers Chapter 2:
Taylor walks past the steps that lead upstairs, and take a seat on one of the reclining chairs. Katniss plops down on the gray colored couch. Katniss observes Taylor's body language, as she watches the young female. Taylor messes with her hands, cracking her knuckles.
"Why did you come here? I let someone I don't know into my home. I better not regret it. Who are you?" Katniss asks.
"I told you why I came here. President Paylor is torturing the upper districts. And, my name is Taylor Bernstein. I'm 21. Glimmer was my sister, and I knew you would understand the problem." Taylor says looking Katniss square in the eyes.
"And, what problem is that?" Katniss replies.
"She's becoming Snow, but worse. She's already implemented peacekeepers in all upper districts. Districts One and Two mostly. Peacekeepers that are worse than before. More volatile and more aggressive.
"Okay, but it's hard to be worse for Snow. He killed 23 innocent children every year. That's hard to beat." Katniss says as Peeta makes his way into the living room.
"Trust me, I know better than a lot of people how bad the games were. I lost one of my sisters, and my parents to them. But, she's already bombed most of District 1. She only left the victor's village in-tact. She's killing innocent people. More than Snow did during the games." Taylor says. Katniss turns her head to the wall, and stares at a picture of Prim. She wipes a tear away, and turns her attention back to Taylor.
"Let me get this straight. Paylor is killing innocent people by taking their homes away. Making them homeless, and forcing them to go without food or water?" Katniss asks.
"That's exactly what's she doing. If you try to steal, she has her new peacekeepers execute you in front of the entire district." Taylor says running her fingers through her hair.
"If she is doing all this, why hasn't it been on the news?" Katniss asks the blonde.
"No idea. My guess is she called for a media blackout. Wants to make the country think she's some great savior." Taylor replies.
"Hold up. If she has such a tight grip on the district, how did you get out?" Katniss asks.
"Wasn't easy. Had some help. But, everyone in District 2 and 1 are in danger. She won't hesitate to kill everyone." Taylor says.
"Okay. What do you suggest we do?" Katniss asks.
"I see only one option. We storm the Capitol, and remove her from power. It's the only way." Taylor says.
"That's easier said than done. If Paylor has become a dictator, than the Capitol has probably reinforced it's protection protocols." Katniss says.
"My parents were well known throughout the country, and they were well respected. I have some old friends in the upper districts. Some in even five and six. Plus, I know one of Paylor's daughters." Taylor says. Katniss shakes her head, and gives Taylor a weird look.
"Wait. She has kids?" Katniss asks flabbergasted.
"Yeah. I only know one of them. I think her name is Jordan." Taylor says.
"Okay, but I need some kind of proof. I have friends in other districts, but just a verbal rant isn't going to work. I need physical evidence." Katniss says looking over at Peeta, who is leaning against the counter.
"Hard to get that with a media blackout. You would need to hack the Capitol servers." Taylor says. A small smile comes to Katniss's face.
"I might be able to get that done." Katniss says standing up. She walks over to the wall, where a phone sits. She spins the dial a couple of times, and puts the phone to her ear. The phone rings for a few seconds, and then a coughing noise comes from the other line.
"Ahem, Beetee Latir. How may I help you?" The middle aged victor from District 3 asks.
"Beetee. It's Katniss." She says.
"Well, hello fire girl. Nice to hear from you." Beetee says.
"I wish it was under better circumstances. I need a favor." Katniss replies.
"Alright. How may I help you?" He asks.
"I have a girl here from District One. Her name's Taylor. She has allegations surrounding President Paylor. Not good one's either. I believe her, but I need physical proof. But, it seems that Payor has a media blackout on the Capitol TV stations. I need you to hack into it. Can you do it?" Katniss asks.
"Certainlly." He replies, before Katniss hears typing coming from his end. Katniss looks back at Taylor, who is messing with her hands.
"Okay. I can do it. If she's watching, she is going to know." Beetee says.
"I need to know. Do it." Katniss says. Beetee presses a couple of buttons, and sighs.
"It's done. Turn on the TV." he says before hanging up abruptly. Katniss hangs up the phone, and turns to Peeta.
"Turn it to the Capitol TV station." Katniss says looking at him. he gives him a nod, and he grabs the remote off the coffee table.
"Katniss, look." Peeta says staring at the TV screen. Katniss snaps her head around, and has to brace herself against the wall. It shows the main square for District 1, and it's in flames. Buildings collapsed, more burned corpses then the eye can see, and fires everywhere.
"Firebombs." Katniss says leaning against the wall.
"Believe me now? And, that's not the only district. She's threatened to do it to Two as well." Taylor says.
"I have no reason to think you're lying. We need to get going. I have a friend that drives trains for a living. he works here in 12 at the train station. I'll get him to drive it." Katniss says.
"I'll get Sae to watch Else and Trev." Peeta says walking up the steps. Before Katniss can walk towards the door, the phone rings loudly. Katniss reaches out, and shoves it to her ear.
"Hello?" Katniss says.
"Mrs. Mellark. You're smarter than I previously thought. My rouse didn't fool you forever." President Paylor says.
"I thought you were different than Snow and Coin. I trusted you!" Katniss spits angrily.
"You've never learned you pitiful girl. After all that you've been through, you would thank you would learn to trust no one." Paylor says.
"Well, obviously that was my mistake. I didn't almost kill myself in a war to have it ruined by another dictator!" Katniss yells.
"Well, sadly you won't be as successful this time. Because, I know your one weakness. People you care about." Paylor says.
"What are you talking about Paylor?" Katniss snaps.
"I wonder what you're personal mindset would be if you lost Gale, Effie,your mother, and Haymitch. Gale and your mother are you're only links to your pre-Games life. And, Haymitch and Effie are like you're extended family."
"You're starting something you can't win Paylor. If you knew me so well, then you would know I'm not the person to back into a corner. I will end you!" Katniss says slamming the phone against the receiver on the wall. Katniss looks back at Taylor, and gives her an assuring nod. Peeta comes back down the steps with a box in hand.
"I told them to keep their door locked, until Sae got here. We'll let her know on the way to the station. Plus, I think you might need this." Peeta says handing her a large box. Inside, is her mockingjay battle suit, her bow, her quiver, and her color coded arrows.
"Thanks, now let's go take down another dictator." Katniss says before walking out of the house. She's soon followed by Peeta and Taylor.
"Couldn't have said it any better myself." Taylor says looking off into the distance, as they make their way from the victor's village to the train station.
