Gale's POV

"You are quite a handful, Mr. Hawthorne." Sneered a voice that I've grown a deep hatred for. "You are only making things worse." President Snow stood over me, smirking as if he had won the victory. Like he thinks I'm at my breaking point. He is mistaken. I want to yell, tell him I will never surrender and the rebellion will prevail. But a gag prevented any response. All I could manage were muffled growls. I felt like I was losing blood fast from the cuts they just made, and my bound hands did not allow me to attempt to make it stop. But knowing the capitol they would make sure I didn't die until they got what they needed.

"Gale, if you will just tell us where they took Katniss then we will gladly return you to her. What is the term… 'Kissing Cousins'?" He said with a chuckle. I growled again. Like I would believe him, even if I did know something, I wouldn't tell them. I do remember faintly something Haymitch told me.

Flashback

"Haymitch, please make sure she doesn't die." I said barely above a whisper. I had to come see Haymitch before Katniss went back into the Quarter Quell. I was glad I was able to catch him while he was sober.

"It's her own choice, but you might need to watch yourself." He replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It is highly likely you will need to take Peeta and Katniss's family's to safety. I don't want to tell you too much, but remember thirteen."

End

What could he mean? Possibly District thirteen? I felt myself being dragged back into that horrid room. I was once again placed on a cold hospital bed. It is very ironic, hospitals are supposed to make you feel better. Not give you excruciating pain. My stomach grumbled, They fed me a week ago. I am getting skinnier every day, not like I wasn't already skinny enough. But I can handle hunger; I've done it for so long.

"Proceed." Said Snow. Once before I felt scalpels scraping along my skin, opening old scars and stitched up cuts. They tried that, electrocuting me, cutting off my breathing, and trapping me in a small room with high pitched sounds bouncing around. But I never broke. Once they were done with me, I was literally thrown into my prison. They removed my bonds and my gag, and threw me some food. It wasn't much, just a dried up biscuit and a mug of dirty water, but I'm not very picky. I forced myself to sit up and eat no matter how painful it was. I took a small bite, savoring it when I heard a tiny whimper next to me.

"F-f-food." She strained. I recognized her, it was Johanna. A Hunger Games victor, she must have been a part of the rebellion. I felt a pang of guilt; she looked even skinnier than me which was saying something.

"Here you go." I forced myself to give her the remainder of my food. I gave myself a sip of the water and slipped it to her through the bars. I felt a little better after resting. The capitol doctors had come and patched me up to keep me from bleeding to death. Then to my misfortune a pair of Capitol men appeared and dragged me by my hair down the corridors. I closed my eyes and waited for our arrival. I was pushed into a chair, and strapped in tight. I popped my eyes to see I was once again on the stage but instead of Caesar it was President Snow sitting across from me.

"Well, Mr. Hawthorne. Are you enjoying your stay at the capitol?" asked Snow with a sneer. I replied with a glare and leaned my head back again. I haven't been granted a mirror but I know I must look like a wreck. It's been a while since I've been in something comfortable and I was resisting the urge to fall asleep. "Now do you have anything you wish to tell Miss Everdeen and Mr. Mellark?"

"I turned my attention to the cameras. "Katniss..Peeta..Don't you even think about giving up. I'm fine, you've got bigger problems than me."

"I see you are not on board with us quite yet." Said Snow smugly.

"Yet? I will never be on board! Never!" I snapped. I was going to pay for that later, but it was worth it. To see the shocked faces of those pompous airheads who call this wretched city their home. My stomach began to rumble again, I then saw Snow shove a tray my way.

"Please, as a gift of my hospitality." He sneered. I turned my head away and refused, it likely had some capitol concoction that forced me to tell the truth. But what truth was there to tell? All I knew was Haymitch telling me thirteen. But they might force me to make a confession of my love for Katniss, which I truly held. I love her with all my heart and I am so glad I'm the one here and not her.

"Don't even try and make it seem you are treating me like a guest." I snarled, and looked away from the food. I tried to push away the alluring aroma of the morsels but it was really hard. I turned straight towards the cameras, and gave a determined glare to whoever was watching. "Katniss…I know you are safe and I don't want it any other way. Now don't you dare even think about giving yourself up for me, fight the capitol and win. Because I know you can. You are the spark that we need!" I said quickly, before I felt a pairing of strong hands around my mouth. I then noticed the cameras were still on.

"Such a pity…" jeered Snow, rising from his chair. "If you would have only cooperated."

One of his goons held a knife dangerously close to my eye, but I didn't dare flinch. They pressed down on my forehead and began to drag it across my skin. They used enough pressure to pierce the already delicate skin from past torture. My blood began to pour over my eyes, I saw then Snow take a bow to the crowd.

"This will be the end of our broadcast, . I know you are watching, how much longer can Gale take this? No one can take it forever." Sneered Snow, he walked over to me and took a hold of my hair. "You would want his handsome face permanently damaged?"

Then the cameras shut off, and I was once again dragged back to my cell.

Katniss's POV

The air felt cold, I was sitting in Peeta's arms…broken. I miss Gale so much. It has been a week since I found out he was taken, I am planning to go back to District twelve. But it would be very dangerous. Yes, I would have the rebellion's protection, but I never feel very safe unless I know Gale has my back. Something I always took for granted until it wasn't there. In the Hunger Games I knew Gale was back home and safe. His protection shaded over me, not for myself but for my family. I knew he would not let them starve and that was enough to make me feel safe. But now Gale has been taken from me, instead of vice versa. He isn't protecting me or anyone. He is helpless for the first time in his life. No that's not true, he was helpless to save himself when he was whipped for killing a turkey. He can't protect me now. No, I was wrong again. Gale is protecting me by taking the lashes for me. My door slides open, my eyes adjusted to the light pouring in. I noticed Finnick rushing into the room.

"Katniss, it's Gale! He on another broadcast!" he exclaimed. Next thing I knew, I was running with Finnick towards the control room. Peeta was trailing along and the only reason I hadn't passed Finnick was because I still didn't know my way around that great. We arrived and I saw the Capitol's seal upon the screen, and Coin standing with Haymitch.

"Katniss, we think you better see this." Said Haymitch solemnly. The seal faded and I saw Snow sitting crossed legged smiling..at me. My heart sank when I saw Gale. His face had bruises, his eyes were hollow, and he looked even skinnier than when he was in District twelve. That was saying something. They had him still dressed in the very clothes he was taken in. His hair hung in his face, and his skin looked sickly pale. I nearly cried at the scars running over his neck, cheek, and whatever skin I could see on his lower body. Gale's eyes looked shocked at the sight of Snow, he must have expected Caeser. I heard Snow begin taunting Gale, asking if he was enjoying his stay. I smiled on the inside when Gale shot him a glare that has sent many bullies at school running. But President Snow wasn't an insecure teenager.

"That boy is digging his own grave." I heard someone say behind me.

Peeta spoke up. "I think it is brave of him."

"Yes it is brave, but it is suicide. A rather foolish move." said Coin walking up behind them.

"Do you realize how ungrateful you sound?" I growled. "He is taking the pain for me and Peeta, and you are calling him foolish?" How could anyone say something like that? If Gale had cowered down they would call him a coward, but now they call him a fool. People can be so ungrateful.

"Katniss is right." Said Finnick, behind me.

President Snow asked him he wanted to say something to me and Peeta. Gale turned his still handsome face to the cameras. His face could only be described in one word. Defiance. That word is a death sentence in Panem. Gale once again told us not to give up for his sake. Snow retorted a comment sending Gale on a rampage. I'm proud of Gale for keeping his anger under control this whole time, but I'm astounded he kept it cool until now. He knew what was at stake.

I ran to the monitor when I saw the bulky capitol guys creeping up behind Gale. I reached up and touched Gale, as if I could pull him to safety through the screen. I screamed as they clamped their hands over his mouth, cutting off his speech. Why were the cameras not shutting off? Obviously they had shut Gale up because he was going too far. That should mean they were done. Snow rose from his chair and taunted Gale again. I pushed away the tears not allowing anyone here to see me cry, but I did scream when the Capitol men sliced across Gale forehead with a knife. Pools of Gale's blood poured over his eyes. But he didn't cry out. Snow held his victorious complexion but I knew he was seething with anger. Then I noticed that Snow was talking to me.

"That will be the end of our broadcast, Mrs. Everdeen.I know you are watching, how much longer can Gale take this? No one can take it forever."

He walked over to Gale, I was so proud of him. I know his head wound must hurt but he acted like he never got it. But that must be nothing compared to what else he has had to endure. Snow took a handful of Gale's hair, but Gale simply glared back. I could see the hatred in his eyes. Snow made another comment but his last words still rang in my ears. 'No one can take it forever.'

Not even superhuman Gale can. Not even Gale who never backs down. How did this happen? How did the hunter become the prey? If I cannot save Gale in time, they will figure out he knows nothing and kill him. Or try and lure me in. Even if I tried to turn myself in Peeta and everyone else wouldn't allow it. I wondered if Peeta felt as guilty as me. Even though it is more my fault, Peeta is the type who would blame himself. See that if he had let them take him, there would be no need to take Gale. I wish I knew how the Capitol took Gale. Was he with his family? Was he in the woods? Was he simply walking through District Twelve? Gale must truly be a handful. He is the poster child of rebellion. The broadcast ended showing the capitol's emblem and fading to black. I turned back to everyone in the control. I must have made quite a scene, everyone had worried expression on their face. Except for Coin.

"Katniss.." Peeta approached me. I knew he must feel hurt, as if I just proved I love Gale more than him. I honestly do not know who I love more. No. Gale is my best friend…I think. We have kissed before. But…no sparks. Maybe they were there, just snuffed out by our friendship. I've had sparks with Peeta before, but before I met Peeta there were few people I would take a bullet for. Of course Prim, my mother…and Gale. I haven't faced Gale's family yet. I'm such a coward. I'm hiding in this underground prison and he is experiencing pain far beyond the mind's comprehension. Peeta tried to pull me into a hug, but I pushed him away. A pathway cleared as I made my way through the crowd out of the room, I found a small room where I hoped no one would find me. A curled myself up in a ball and let my emotions take control. Like Snow said…No one can take it forever. I can't take it forever. Gale as a hostage was my torture, and it was getting to me. I don't care how many Districts were on our side. I don't care how well any of our attacks go. I don't care how well we are progressing. I am losing to Snow. No matter how many missiles, bombs, and other items of destruction we have. As long as the capitol has Gale in their clutches, I am losing the war.