Chapter Two.

Prologue, Part Two.

The unknowns were the biggest threat.

Kindra had been informed of Capitol loyalists within their very own rebellion. Loyalists that had been quickly put down with a bullet through the skull, leaving them in the dirt and shadows. They could have persuaded them back to their side. Or they could have gone for the safer option by securing their eternal silence. Taking their lives did just the trick.

That way the Capitol would not get the information they so hungered for.

She sat in front of her fireplace, once again, days after word from the Capitol had been sent to her. The piece of paper still sat, crumpled by her feet. They were losing traction. People within the Districts, scared like flocks of sheep and herds of cows, would not do anything with the Hunger Games looming so close on the horizon yet again.

As much as Kindra loathed what had to happen to those children that did not deserve such a fate, she couldn't afford the Games to be a distraction. In fact, with the Capitol so preoccupied, now was an opportune moment to gather intel and pull their forces together.

Though the innocent might not want to face the reality of what the future might hold, Kindra had others that could use the Games for the rebellion's gain. The Capitol weren't the only ones with spies.

Both sides could play the same card.

The door to her chambers opened at that moment. It creaked against the floorboards, dust motes swirled through the air as it slammed shut on its hinges, leaving Kindra and her guest in a tense silence.

She'd been offered District Eight's Mayor's house. Kindra had come from poverty. She would not insult those that were still suffering by plotting amongst riches.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled warmly in the direction of her newest guest. Though Kindra's age was slowly getting the best of her, she still had it in her to work well amongst those that were more vocal about their loyalty, and those that thrived by being inconspicuous.

"Ma'am."

She had a soft voice, when she nodded at Kindra, sitting in the worn armchair opposite her. She was an odd sight amongst all this wear and tear. Although she was disguised in a brown shawl, her hair tied up in a bun on top of her head, the colour of her eyes and shine in her cheeks gave her birthplace away if you looked close enough.

Still, she was useful. More than useful.

"Don't call me ma'am," Kindra laughed, gently. "I'm nothing more than Kindra, your rebel friend."

"I don't like the word rebel. Makes our cause sound… dirty."

"Dirty?" The older woman laughed again.

The fireplace lit up the two of them in a red glow. Kindra, hardened through experience, fighting a war for far too long without the Capitol knowing, and this young thing. She had so much to learn. Fourteen years old and working for the rebellion. Unheard of.

"The Capitol calls you rebels. I don't want to label our cause with the same title such a place gives you."

"You're from such a place."

"I am," she nodded. "Still, my heart is with the Districts. Now and forever."

"Good to hear."

They were stalling.

Kindra wouldn't admit to it but she was nervous. The information spies gathered could make or break a cause. If they had intelligence of the Capitol's knowledge of their rebellion's movement too early, they would fracture under their attack. But vice versa, if they were told the opposite, they knew they were doing their jobs well.

She looked into her eyes, hoping to see something of what she'd gathered for their cause. The Capitol rarely looked within their own city for rebel accomplices. The government would always be under strict watch but never the citizens.

They were too proud for their own good. The President would never believe that his grasp over his people would ever be contested with. Those that lived in the Capitol didn't know any better. The Games were a television show. Exciting. A game to laugh and hunger for.

How little he knew of the real world.

"You looked scared."

Kindra bit her lip. In front of anyone else, weakness was not an option. She wasn't the leader of their fight against the Capitol, but she was important. If she faltered, others would follow.

But something made it easier to show such a thing in front of the girl before her. Possibly because she was the only one who would even propose Kindra was scared. Perhaps because she was only a little girl. Perhaps because she felt sorry for her. Pulled into a battle that would ruin her childhood.

Whatever the reason, Kindra nodded and then smiled. "We can only be brave when we're scared. Otherwise there'd be no reason for courage."

"I suppose."

Kindra watched her shuffle forwards in her armchair. She kept her eyes trained on her every movement, every flicker of emotion in her eyes, cast under the shadow of her shawl. Everything. Spies were dangerous people. Even one of her age.

But her worries about her accomplice soon turned to nerves over their situation. She smiled when she met Kindra's eyes and moved her hand towards her arm.

She handed her a piece of paper, tucked into her sleeve. A very important piece of paper. That's all it seemed to be these days. Pieces of paper that could change a war.

Kindra's eyes hovered over the words, letter by letter, until a smile curled into her cheeks. Good news made her heart warm. They hadn't had good news in a long time.

"I hope everything's in order, ma'am?"

Kindra nodded. "There's that ma'am again. What should I call you, dear? After all this time, I still don't know your name."

The young girl laughed, hidden behind her hand, those bright eyes glistening in the firelight. She'd been blinded like so many others. The Games had been everything to her naïve, oblivious mind.

Until she'd seen the truth. Until she'd opened her eyes.

"Teanna," she smiled. "My name is Teanna."

A second prologue!

I don't normally do these but with a three week wait between the first chapter and the intended second, I thought I'd add something in. To keep things going, I guess.

Those who read Lonely Hour hopefully remember Teanna. She's back in a vastly different way!

Submissions are still open. Anyone who hasn't already and wants to, feel free to send in a form. Or two. Or three. Only one per submitter will be accepted, but there's no limit on how many you can send in.

Thanks to all those that have submitted so far! The tributes are looking great :D