Recap: My heart drops in my stomach when I see who is waiting in the middle of the room. "Why Mr. Mellark," He says, swollen, blood-red lips parting in a sinister smile. "I was wondering when you would join our little party."
President Snow stands in the middle of the room, all dressed up in a suit and tie, his famous white rose resting in his lapel as if it sits on a throne. Snow continues to talk, "You know, I was beginning to think that you wouldn't show up. That would have been quite a shame…" he says with the start of a frown at the ends of his lips. Glancing over to Ruffles and Dr. Creely, I reply in a careful tone. "Well I wanted to make sure that I was dressed appropriately if I were to meet you." In reality, I am still in the clothes I wore in the arena. Dried blood, burns and other unknown substances riddle my jumpsuit, and I haven't showered since before the Quarter Quell. How long ago was that? I wonder, A week? Two days? I decide not to care and focus again on Snow. He is staring at me with a look of disdain clear enough that it could have been written on his face.
"Yes," he says, regaining his icy cool composure "well we can fix your mouth and clothes later." He begins to walk towards me, his snake-like eyes meeting mine. "But for now," he says as he dusts off my shoulder "I think I can use that mouth of yours." Disgusted, I shake his hand off my shoulder and am instantly rewarded with a swift punch to the gut by Ruffles. I double over, resisting the urge to puke.
Looking up at Snow, I can see that he is smiling. "Now Mr. Mellark," he says "that just will not do." Catching my breath I stand back up and look him straight in the eye. He continues. "I think you will find that obedience and respect for your elders will be greatly appreciated." Like you deserve any of my respect! I shout in my head. You have killed thousands of children and ruined families! The only thing you deserve is a slow and painful death! Not saying anything I clench my fists and stare past Snow to the wall on the far side of the room. Snow straightens the rose and begins to speak again. "Now, as I was saying before that rude incident, I might be able to use your mouth to help my cause. As you may or may not know, your friend Katniss has stirred up quite a lot of trouble in the Districts lately, enough trouble that many of them are rebelling."
President Snow pauses, "This is not much of a problem, as the peacekeepers have been keeping them under control. However, I believe that with your help we can keep them even more subdued." My body stiffens at the thought of helping Snow. "If I am to be perfectly clear," he states "in your next interview with Ceaser Flickerman, I want you to call for a cease-fire." I cannot hold it in any longer. My hands are shaking with rage and I can feel the heat rush to my face.
"You really think I would help a man who sends twenty-five kids to their death every year?!" I yell as I strain against Ruffles tight grip. "I would never help you! You destroyed not only my life, but the lives of countless others! Why would I help you after all you have done?!" Finished, I glare at Snow, breathing heavily. Snow does not look surprised, in fact, he is laughing. "Oh Mr. Mellark," he says mid chuckle "I was hoping you would say that." Snow motions to some peacekeepers I did not notice before, and they march over to him, stopping at attention. "Bring in the prisoner," Snow orders "he is needed."
Confused, I watch as the peacekeepers leave the room and return dragging a man between them. His clothes are torn and ragged, and the tips of his feet drag uselessly on the floor. They drag the man to a metal chair in the middle of the room and strap in his arms and legs. Wires that I recognize as jump-starter cables are connected to batteries on the ground below. The clamps of the red wires are connected to the back of the chair, the black clamps lay hanging, ready for use. The man's head still hangs, concealing his face in shadow. One of the peacekeepers walks over and forces his face up into the light. My stomach flips when I see who it is.
Even though his face is battered and bruised, I recognize him immediately, some of his gold eyeliner is still in place. "Cinna…" I whisper, as a feeling of dread settles in. Cinna hears me speak and his eyes dart to where I am standing. My muscles tense and I prepare to launch myself at Snow, but Cinna sees and shakes his head ever so slightly, signaling to me not to. The peacekeepers are standing at attention waiting for orders. The hair on the back of my neck stands rigid and my heart pounds in my chest as I realize what is happening. Oh no… I think Oh no no no no no… President Snow nods and the buzz of electricity fills the air. One of the peacekeepers takes the black wires in his hand and attaches them to the back of the chair.
The buzz gets louder as the clamps meet metal and sparks fly through the air. Cinna screams in agony, his back arching and his face screwed up in pain. "CINNA!" I scream, straining against Ruffles as tears stream down my face. President Snow snickers as a drop of crimson blood trails down from Cinna's nose and falls to the floor. Cinna's screams fill the air as his arms and legs spasm in the straps that bind them to the chair. "NO! STOP!" I beg, falling to my knees. "I'LL DO IT! JUST STOP! PLEASE!"
President Snow looks at me, a cold grin playing across his lips. "You can stop now." He says. One of the peacekeepers disconnects the wires from the back of the chair, and the buzz stops. Cinna collapses in the chair, trembling and panting while sweat runs down his face. Snow stares at me with a smug smile on his face. "So," he says "we have a deal." He glances over from Cinna to me, snakelike eyes narrowing. "You may take Mr. Mellark back to his room, I would like to have a word with Cinna… alone."
A pair of rough hands that I recognize as Ruffles pulls me up off the ground, setting me back on my feet. "I am glad, Mr. Mellark," Snow says "that you have agreed to do this for me." Not saying anything, I start to walk towards the door. As I near the door, Cinna looks over at me. "Peeta," he says between breaths, a look of forgiveness on his face "tell Katniss that I am still betting on her." I look over at Cinna, trying to convey how sorry I am. "I will." I say quietly. We leave the room and go walk down the hallway leading to my cell. Behind us, a single shot cracks through the air.