Chapter 18

No one says a word. Across the room Henley takes a couple of steps backward out of shock, just as Faust's uncontrollable twitching returns. Even Livia is speechless, her jaw practically falling to the floor.

Haymitch's voice rings in my ear again. "What's going on? Did you get his name yet?"

There's no point in lying. Not when everyone in this room already knows the truth. So I tell him. "It's Peeta."

Just as his name leaves my lips everything on Haymitch's end becomes garbled. It's clear that he's speaking with someone else. Probably Paylor. However, each word spoken is either silenced or distorted. There's no telling what's being said about the bomb I just dropped on him. Meanwhile here in Livia's old house, no one is exactly thrilled with our newly revealed companion.

"He's not sup-posed to be here!" Faust stammers.

Over on the other side of the room Henley remains quiet but alert, tightly gripping his firearm in case Peeta makes any sudden movements. Then there's Livia.

Drawing a sword from her back she heads straight for Peeta. "We need to deal with this now," Livia emphasizes.

"No!" Immediately I jump between Livia and Peeta. "You're not going to touch him," I command.

Livia doesn't budge. "Katniss, I'm not going to stand aside and allow this boy to put all of our lives in jeopardy."

"I'm not moving and you're not touching him," I say unwaveringly.

Peeta watches me with a mixture of confusion and surprise. Then his eyes dart away towards an extremely irritated Livia.

"We should hear what Haymitch has to say first," Henley reasons. "Let's just wait and see what all of our options are."

Even though the annoyance has not yet vanished from her face, Henley's recommendation does make Livia back down. I highly doubt whether or not Henley cares about Peeta's life at this point. However, I'm grateful to him nonetheless. He's bought us a few extra minutes before Haymitch's echoing voice returns inside my head.

"Katniss, I need you to listen to me. I'm going to ask you a few questions, and you need to be very careful with what you say in front of the others. Especially Peeta. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

"Good girl. Now can you tell me how Peeta got out of his cell?"

"He was released."

"Do you know by whom?"

"No." I lie, but Haymitch knows me well enough to know better.

"Are you sur-" Haymitch's voice cuts out. Instead I hear Effie and Bonnie speaking out all at once.

"It wasn't Katniss!"

"She had no idea."

"Peeta is better now."

"He can help."

Frustrated Haymitch raises his voice while trying to remain quiet simultaneously. "For crying out loud, will both of you shut up! I'm getting too old for this." Haymitch waits for Bonnie and Effie to calm down before he directs his attention to me again. "Katniss, I need you to pay close attention to what I'm about to tell you. No matter what I say do not respond or react. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. The first thing I'm required to tell you is that you need to lose Peeta. Paylor says he's too unpredictable and he cannot be trusted in his condition. You need to get rid of him by whatever means necessary."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. Is Haymitch actually suggesting we leave Peeta? How could he side with Paylor on this? I want to scream at him. Reach through the earpiece and shake him. But I can't. As enraged and betrayed as I feel right now, I can't give myself away. If Livia finds out what Haymitch is saying she will surely kill Peeta. Still, my head burns red hot with anger and I don't think I can stop the color of my face from changing.

"The second thing you need to be aware of is that you are on your own now Katniss. The streets are flooded with peacekeepers by us, so we can't make a move. It's up to you and your group to make it to Commander Tiberius."

We're on our own. With that bit of information I'm sure my face has drastically changed from a darkened red to a sickly pale color.

There's more commotion on Haymitch's end, but I can't tell what is happening.

"Katniss I have to go now. There's just one last piece of information you need. As far as Paylor is concerned I've told you everything that she wants you to know. However, as I said before you're on your own now. What you do with this information is up to you. No one around you will know if you decide to leave anything out. Trust your instincts. And above all stay alive."

He's gone.

Carefully I remove my earpiece placing it back in my pocket. In front of me all four of the others anxiously wait in anticipation for what news I've received. Haymitch was right. By keeping my reactions and words to a minimum, none of them know what to expect. Thanks to Haymitch, how we proceed is now up to me. He's given me the opportunity to use my own judgments and make my own call. Even more he's given me the opportunity to save Peeta.

"What did Haymitch say?" Henley asks inquisitively.

I've made my decision. I know what to say.

"He says we're on our own," I begin. "It's up to the five of us to get to Commander Tiberius."

"What do you mean five of us?" Livia interjects.

"Peeta is coming with us," I answer absolutely.

Taking Livia's side Faust jumps in. "I highly doubt Commander Paylor would authorize-"

"Well she did," I cut Faust off before he can finish. "Now do we want to wait around for them to call back, or do we want to get out of here?"

I'm not backing down. And they all know that I won't. Even though Livia and Faust still look skeptical, we don't have time to wait around. "Fine," Livia gives in. "If Paylor and Haymitch think it's a good idea to bring the head case, then we'll bring him." She says this almost mockingly, her words filled with suspicion. "However, if he is going to tag along, then he needs to turn over all of his weapons right now. No exceptions."

Without hesitation I agree to Livia's terms. It seems like a reasonable request. And if it means Peeta can come with us, then who am I to argue?

I look to Peeta, who reluctantly strips himself of each weapon. However, he isn't happy about it. Disarming himself is a compromise he clearly doesn't want to make, but at this point we don't have a choice. To show his disapproval Peeta leaves every gun, knife and cartridge of ammo in the center of the room, allowing each to hit the ground with a loud thud. Once finished Livia divvies the stockpile up among the rest of us before leading us all out the back entrance of the house towards the edge of the woods.

For the most part Livia keeps us hidden in the tree line, but all the way Faust insists that he knows a quicker route. Irritated with Faust's constant interruptions Livia finally turns around. "We already tried things your way and look where that's gotten us," she says icily before turning to examine two structures up ahead. "You've got to be kidding me. You mind explaining what all of this is mister all-knowing?" Livia questions Faust while pointing to what reminds me of the coal mines back in 12.

Faust begins to twitch again as he mumbles something that's completely inaudible to the human ear.

"I'm sorry, what was that? Speak up!" Livia commands.

This time it's clear what Faust says. "The cobalt mine," he admits halfheartedly.

"The same cobalt mine that you had us risk our lives to avoid?" Livia begins. "You told us that those mines were not just operational, but also heavily guarded. Now what does that look like to you?" she points at the abandoned mines, an accusatory tone in her voice.

Defensively Faust stammers trying to explain. "Last I was here, they wer-"

Livia cuts Faust off and calls for Henley. From what it looks like she's planning out a new route and explaining to Henley in exact detail how we can get to Commander Tiberius and the old Mayor's mansion from where we currently are.

I stay with Peeta. Even in his current condition I feel like he's the only one I can trust. I admit that Henley comes close. He's a hard person not to like. But right now he obviously has more allegiance to Livia, than anyone else. And Livia maybe an old friend of Haymitch, but she certainly is not mine. And definitely not Peeta's. I know she won't hesitate for a second if comes to killing him. She's one of the few mockingjays who has never even met Peeta. Not the real one at least. Which is exactly why she'd have absolutely no problem taking him out of the picture.

Then of course there's Faust. A man we know so little about as it is. For all we know Livia's suspicions could be correct and Faust is actually leading us astray on purpose. Livia would be the only person who could confirm that one though. The two of them are the only ones who grew up here. They know District 2 like the back of their hands. The very hands our fate now rests in.

Peeta nudges me, pointing his finger towards something far out deep into the forest. A figure in a dark blue hood. The same figure that I had seen prior to arriving in town.

"They've been following us since we arrived at the District 2 border," Peeta whispers.

They? I wonder if there could actually be more than one of them. If so, how has no one else noticed? "Do you think that's how the peacekeepers knew we were coming," I ask.

Peeta shrugs. "They seem to be keeping their distance from the villages. Either way we're going to need to be more careful out here."

Gazing out into the woods the figure vanishes from sight just as Livia appears by my side, grabbing my attention. "We're heading out now."

"Aren't you leading the way?" I ask.

"Change of plans. We're all following Henley now," Livia explains. "I've instructed him where to go, so I can bring up the rear. This way I can keep an eye everyone," she says while glaring at Peeta and Faust.

With that Henley takes lead, all the while I feel Livia's eyes looming over the rest of us. Even though I'm not the one she's necessarily worried about I still feel anxious. I'm afraid that one wrong move will justify the end to Peeta's life. Especially now that I notice the faint outline of a gun strapped to Peeta's ankle. Standing still his pants may have done a good job of concealing it. However, now that we're sprinting along the edge of the forest all I can do is hope that Livia won't take notice.

As we continue running, even I have to admit that Livia's route is perfect. It may take longer than cutting through town, but we remain hidden the whole way until we reach a darkened mansion with deteriorating pillars and overgrown hedges. The front entrance is guarded by an enormous iron gate with barbed wire coiled tightly around its edges. Immediately Faust jumps to the front of the group punching a pass code into a keypad off to the side of the gate. The gate swings open without delay allowing us all to race swiftly forward up the front steps and into the Mayor's house.

Inside the place looks as though it has been raided. Framed artwork ripped from the walls lay scattered along the floor with many pieces of demolished furniture. Blackened portions of the floor along with holes in select walls suggest that there must have been some sort of fire here.

Across the empty room emerging from the darkness is the silhouette of a man. Faust is the first to speak up. "I found them Commander. We made it just in time."

As the shadows fade from around the man's face two stern looking eyes emerge. The man is clearly older. Probably older than even President Snow. His face is covered with pronounced lines, both wrinkles and scars, while only a few wisps of gray hair remain atop his head. I remember some of the older men in District 12. Those who were lucky enough to attain such an age would often grow thin and frail. However, looking at the man standing before us, frail is probably the last word that would come to mind.

Slowly he scans the five of us over and finishes by giving a hardened look to Faust. "Was it really necessary to wake up the entire District just to get them here?"

Before Faust can stutter off a response Tiberius already turns away. "Follow me."

Silently we follow him down the stairs into the basement, a section of the house that looks relatively unscathed. Finally we arrive at an open room in the back corner, which has a long wooden table with several metallic chairs laid out around it. The room itself seems a bit out of place in comparison to the rest of the house. As if it was an extension to the basement that was added in later. At the very back of the room is a rather large steel door, even more out of place than the room itself. I feel like I've seen doors like that in the Capitol, but never in the districts before. The five of us make our way to the far side of the table directly in front of the strange door. Then I take a seat in between Peeta and Livia.

"Welcome," Tiberius' tone completely shifts, and now he sounds almost cheerful. "I'm so glad you all made it here safe and sound. Faust, would you go fetch our guests something to drink. I'm sure these four have had a long and tiresome journey getting here."

Before Tiberius even finishes his sentence Faust instantly rises and leaves the room on command. To my left Livia and Henley exchange confused looks. Henley then begins mouthing words to Livia while Tiberius' back is turned. "Why is he being so nice?"

I've never met Tiberius before. In fact I don't know much about him other than the fact that he was one of the first Victors ever. And that he was also once Livia's mentor. However, based on all the stories I've heard from Livia, Henley and even Haymitch, I know that Tiberius isn't exactly the most pleasant person to be around. Livia knows him better than anyone and she herself openly admits to her hatred of the man.

Henley raises a valid question. Why is Tiberius being so nice?

To my right I notice Peeta's face. Burning red hot with anger, he looks as though he could attack at any moment.

Something's not right here.

"I must admit that I am a little surprised by this particular grouping," Tiberius explains. "Most of you I heard were dead. Lieutenant Mellark and the mockingjay blown away in a volcanic eruption. Henley Townsend, the replacement mockingjay, who perished with the rest of District 9. And then of course my lovely Livia, who's been missing for far too long."

Livia smiles politely, leaving no trace that she suspects something is off. "Well we are all here now. That's what is important."

"Indeed it is my dear. I was only wondering if this was all of you. I had hoped to speak with Commander Paylor at some point. Especially after the awful events that took place last she was here. If I had known that Lyme was going to betray us all, I would have acted sooner."

"Of course you would have," Livia assures while keeping her voice calm. "We did arrive with others, but I'm afraid we were separated."

This whole conversation is making me uneasy. Watching Livia and Tiberius go back and forth is like watching two people play a game of cards in which no one ever gives up their hand.

"That must have been what all the commotion was about earlier. I didn't think those peacekeepers would ever stop firing," Tiberius mentions while attempting to express concern. "Do you know where your friends are now?"

"No." Peeta abruptly cuts in without any further explanation. He also makes no attempt to hide his disdain for Tiberius.

This triggers an odd sort of expression on the District 2 commander's face, which suggests that he would be angry if he wasn't trying so hard to play nice.

For a brief moment Livia finds herself caught off guard. Thankfully she's quick to react. And just in time to cover up Peeta's outburst. "What he means is that we aren't exactly sure at the moment. It's been so long since we've heard any word from them."

"But you have heard from them?" Tiberius counters. His intensity grows with every question he asks.

Luckily at that moment Faust arrives with the drinks. It's probably the first time that anyone has ever been relieved to see Faust.

"Wonderful," Tiberius exclaims as Faust wheels in a cart full of drinks. Carefully he passes a glass to each of us. "What should we toast to?" The table is eerily quiet, so Tiberius doesn't bother waiting for a response. "Here's to cheating death and bringing old friends together again."

I reach for my glass, but Peeta stops me, gripping my wrist so tightly that I almost lose feeling in my fingertips. Holding back a surprised gasp I end up wincing instead. Peeta notices and releases me immediately, while also giving me a look of warning.

The drinks. Is he trying to tell me that he thinks there is something in the drinks? Across the table Henley takes notice and gently sets his glass back down before allowing it to touch his lips. A hint of panic in his eye, he looks to Livia, but it's too late. Her empty glass already finished; practically in one gulp.

"So now where were we?" Tiberius begins casually. "Oh yes, you were saying how you were separated from the rest of your group. Where exactly were they the last time you heard from them?"

No one responds. To my right I can feel Peeta shuffling his legs, reaching for the gun strapped to his ankle.

Faust steps forward. "Well from what it sounded like the others are all hiding out in the-"

Without hesitation Peeta fires a single shot which rips straight through Faust's throat.

Falling to the ground the man gasps for air, choking on his own blood. Before anyone else can act, two faces emerge from behind Tiberius. Two faces that I know all too well, having last dealt with the pair back in the arena. Enobaria and Murellus.

Livia stands in protest about to speak up when she promptly collapses to the ground, undoubtedly from whatever was in her drink. Peeta pulls me out of my chair and jumps in front of me as a shield, preparing to fire another shot off at Tiberius.

Only it's too late. Enobaria has gotten hold of Henley, pressing a blade steadily against his neck. "I hear that gun so much as click and I'll slit the boy's throat," she hisses.

Peeta holds his fire. I glance over at Livia checking for signs of life. She's breathing. Whatever toxin the drinks were laced with was not meant to kill us. I suspect that it was some kind of sedative.

"Let's just all take a few deep breaths now," Tiberius growls.

The whole thing was a trap. Faust coming to District 8. The peacekeepers waiting for us in the streets. Everything. "You set us up," I accuse, rage boiling inside of me. "Snow was never coming to District 2 was he?"

"Of course not," his gravelly voice confirms. "But that may soon change once he realizes that I have the mockingjay."

I can't believe it. "Why are you doing this?"

He laughs, allowing a hideous smile to creep across his face.

Then it dawns on me. "It wasn't Lyme who betrayed the rebellion. It was you."

Tiberius laughs again tauntingly. "Bravo Miss Everdeen. You know, you're actually a smart girl contrary to what I've seen of you on camera."

"Shut up!" Peeta commands, keeping is gun steadily focused on Tiberius. "Katniss, get the door."

Quickly I turn to the steel door behind us. The one that I had thought seemed so out of place before. In order to unlock it I spin a large mechanical wheel which rotates in the center.

"Well this is something. Both star-crossed lovers back together again," Tiberius sneers. "Tell me Katniss, has the new and improved Peeta told you what he's done? Have you any idea what your precious Peeta is capable of now?"

"Let's go," Peeta mutters, pushing me past the steel door, all the while Tiberius roars with such ferocity, spit flies out from his mouth.

"Women! Children! Countless families! All dead by his hand!"

Peeta forces me through to the other side just as Tiberius grows even louder, attempting to pierce the steel door with his voice alone.

"CAN YOU REALLY TRUST HIM AFTER EVERYTHING HE'S DONE?"

The door slams, finally sealing us off from the old Mayor's house inside a long darkened tunnel. I barely have time to process what just happened. And everything Tiberius just said. Could it be true? I remember back when I first woke up in the Capitol Bonnie had referred to Peeta as the Capitol's own personal assassin. At the time it seemed too outlandish for me to even consider. But now I fear that Bonnie and even Tiberius may be right. To be perfectly honest I really don't know what Peeta is capable of anymore.

As I sort through all of the recent events in my head Peeta leads us through the dimly lit tunnel. Meanwhile he makes zero attempts to explain himself. Peeta remains focused solely on the present, telling me where to turn and when to pick up speed. He doesn't acknowledge anything that Tiberius said before our escape, which only makes me more uneasy.

At a narrow cross section we stop. Peeta perks up staring off into a tunnel that trails to the right. "I think these tunnels connect to the underground prison," Peeta speculates.

Without any idea of what Peeta is talking about I follow behind him, turning to the right. "Prison? How do you know that?"

"Because I was here before," Peeta responds.

While I'm grateful that Peeta may have a way for us to get out of here, the question of how he knows this place so well is disconcerting.

"Hurry up, the prison is this way."

Up ahead I can already see it. No guards. Just dirt cells with iron bars. When we finally reach the prisoners one by one they cry out.

"Save us!

"Come back!"

"Help me!"

Noise breaks out and I know others are now chasing us through the tunnels. Probably Enobaria and Murellus. Still I pick up speed and race as fast as I can past cell after cell. However, it isn't long before I notice something odd about these prisoners. "Why are they all women?" I ask Peeta.

"Tiberius kills the men," Peeta answers swiftly without any further explanation.

Suddenly I realize that I need to warn Haymitch. I need to tell him that it was all a trap and that Tiberius can't be trusted.

After we put some more distance between us and our pursuers I reach for the earpiece in my pocket placing in back on my head.

"Haymitch it's a trap! The whole thing was a trap!"

Before I receive any response my left leg jerks backward, and the rest of me falls to the ground. One of the prisoners has her whole arm stretched out between the bars of her cell and wrapped around my leg."

"Katniss!" the woman cries out. Her voice is familiar, but her face lies hidden in the shadows.

Peeta returns, prying the woman loose and bringing me to my feet. We take off running again, this time our pursuers gaining on us. I call out to Haymitch once more, but then realize that the earpiece is missing. It's gone. In all the chaos it must have fallen out back by the prisoner who grabbed me.

I know we can't go back. Whoever is chasing us is too close as it is. All I can do now is hope that no one else will find it, and that Haymitch and the others will remain safe wherever they are. It's just Peeta and I now. We're on our own.

Up ahead I see the end of the tunnel, soft gleams of daylight illuminating the exit. Peeta sprints towards it pulling me along by his side. Whoever was chasing us must have stopped because I don't hear them anymore. All that is left is the sound of our own heavy footsteps and tired breaths as we emerge from the edge of the tunnel into the woods.

The cobalt mines.

That's where we've ended up. It must be one of the entrances to the underground prison. Disguised as an abandoned mine, the opening is left unguarded and in plain sight.

Surrounded by forest I spin around in an attempt to gain my bearings. That's when I see the hooded figure again. Peeta sees it too because he takes off running, ready to kill.

"Peeta!" I chase after him. Part of me wants to stop him, but the other part wants to discover the identity of the person who's been following us.

When Peeta meets the hooded figure he doesn't slow down. He speeds up, bolting forward and tackling the mysterious person to the ground. The impact alone knocks the hood back revealing the blond hair of a young woman.

I'm just about to urge Peeta to stop. Warn him even. Tell him that we know this girl and that she's a friend. But before any words reach my lips, Peeta stops on his own.

"Madge?"

End of Chapter 18

M. Cooper Jinks