Chapter 2: Katniss
My name is Katniss Everdeen. My home is District 12. I was a victor in the 74th Hunger Games along with Peeta. My Peeta. I always intended for him to live. Where is he?
"Miss Everdeen. So happy you've been able to join us."
I look at him, President Snow, staring at me with his snake-like eyes. "Where is Peeta?" I demand to know.
"Mr. Mellark was removed from the arena before the Capital hovercrafts arrived. We suspect he is in District 13."
"District 13?" I reply. I'm completely shocked. District 13?
"Indeed. As we have discussed previously, there has been talk of an uprising in several of the districts. I believe, strongly, that I have been betrayed by my very own gamemaker. Plutarch Heavensbee is missing. As is your very own Haymitch Abernathy. We suspect they are in District 13 and planning to lead a rebellion against the Capital."
"No!"
"Oh yes. You've been left behind, my dear Miss Everdeen. And it will be your district, and you, that will pay for this," he grins at me, laughing at the expression of horror on my face. He turns toward a monitor, and I follow the direction with my eyes. I watch helplessly as I see my home burning to the ground, hear screams of people who were unable to escape the fire bombs.
Tears roll down my face as I begin to hyperventilate. "You killed them. You killed them. For something I didn't intend? For an uprising I had no intention of being used as a symbol for?"
"No Miss Everdeen. I killed them because Peeta escaped. I killed them because this rebellion began in District 12. I killed them because they showed loyalty to you and not the Capital. I killed them because a rebellion is alive and well throughout every district now."
"I did everything you asked. I was prepared to live the rest of my life with him. In the Quarter Quell I was prepared to die for him. You have to know we knew nothing about this. You have to know he had no idea," I whisper frantically.
"I do know that, Miss Everdeen. I strongly suspect he has no interest in helping the rebellion. He loves you, you know. For him it has never been an act. How will he react being held captive by the people who left you behind? It will destroy him to know that you have been hurt. And I do so intend to destroy him." As he laughs maniacally, allowing the peacekeepers to drag me from the room, I begin to sob uncontrollably. For my precious boy with the bread. For my home, and the people who lived there. Prim? My mother? Gale? The Hawthornes? Madge? Oh my God. Is everyone dead?
