Disclaimer: I still don't own The Hunger Games..... Suzanne Collins could share, though. Right?

Chapter 2

Luce

I always hated being interviewed. All the stupid, irrelevant questions that the Capitol is so prone to asking, and the meaningless comments: "Oh, Lucinda! Your dress is gorgeous! Did your father have Cinna make it?" "Where did you get those contacts? I must get my hands on some!" And here, getting a compliment on clothes, or your latest hair style means that the person envies what you have; being the President's daughter, you learn this quickly. To my avail, I've been a mystery to most of Panem, except the Victors, tributes, and Capitol residents.

They always like to make me look like someone I'm not. Like now, I'm in a sky blue dress that has a hem stopping just above my knees; much like Azalea's pink one. I have matching shoes, and there's a small bow in my perfectly curled, brown hair. This is not me, at all. I'm the type of person you'd see coming from the mines, or walking off a fishing boat after a long day at sea. This is more of Azalea's world; she's accustom to the glamor, and the superiority over everyone. I've heard stories that my mother was like me; outspoken, strong, and never did anything she was told. Aside from conceiving Azalea and I. Now, I know what that sounds like... But it's not like that; at all.

My father usually does an incredibly impressive job at breaking my thoughts. But, lately, I think he's ashamed of me, so he's been ignoring that I even exist. I've had to learn to wake my self up from daydreams and put on my best interview face when ever I need to.

"We're here with the most powerful family trio in all of Panem," starts Briar Gingham: One of the Capitol's most unknown reporters, but he's making his best effort not to throw up from being nervous around my father. So, I'll give him that. "Now, we will be talking to President Snow in a few minutes but first, we will start with one of his lovely daughters," Please be Azalea. Please, please be Azalea. "Lucinda Snow." Goddamn.

"So, Lucinda. Your father is quite obviously a very important figure when it comes to authority." I roll my eyes; only because I know the cameras aren't directed towards me at the moment. "How has your family been handling this whole..." He pauses, searching for the right word. "...ordeal. Especially with your current standpoint."

"Well, I suppose that you're talking about the rebellion. Correct?" He nods. "Well, it's been hard on all of Panem, primarily Districts 8 and 12." Dramatically swooping my gaze in the direction of my father for a moment, I continue. "And, I was hoping that this wouldn't have to happen again, but District 12 has been-" Azalea kicks my shin. "Ow!" I mumble through a clenched jaw.

"What Luce means is..." Azalea chimes in. "District 12 is being...secluded and detained. Due to their rebellious acts." Our father smiles at her and nods his head into the camera. Of course, the Capitol "can't handle the information of the tragedy that is District 12." As stated by my father.

"Lucinda..." Starts Briar, again. "What has your father told you about the rebellion? You seem to have quite the range of knowledge when it comes to this subject."

I catch my father giving me the "don't blow this, there is too much at stake" look. I take a deep breath and bring myself to answering the question. "I do have quite the amount of knowledge, thank you for noticing. And, my wonderful father hasn't really been able to disclose any unnecessary information to me, or Azalea." Lies.

Interviews usually consist of keeping my mouth shut, and my father standing by as Azalea steals the spotlight. And that's the way it should be. Azalea can handle the crap that the Capitol people throw at her much better than I.

* * *

Lucinda Snow,

Here at the Mockingjay Head Quarters, we are very aware of you, and your power. It is understood that you are ready to rebel against the Capitol, therefore, we are sending you this invitation to come fight with us.

We have been planning an operation to save one of the most important prisoners in all of Panem: Peeta Mellark. Preparation for this operation has been going on for the past three months. You are a vital part of a successful completion of this mission.

The person who handed you this letter should have explained the mission, but just in case his stupidity got the best of him again... Here you go:

We are sending in our strongest team of Mockingjays. They will all be disguised so that their somewhat recognizable faces will go unnoticed. As previously stated, we will be saving Peeta Mellark, and if possible, Annie Cresta. Your role in this operation is to release them. It sounds simple, but even we know that you will have to find a way to maneuver them from the high-security prison, to the parking garage. But, once you complete that, you will have to them safely to the black hovercraft that will be there on the night of the mission.

It is much more elaborate, but until we can get Hunt back there to tell you more, this is all you have to work with.

Signed,

Haymitch Abernathy

PS- Get that sister of yours to help you, if you need it.

* * *

At first, I didn't quite process the true meaning of this letter. But as suggested, I did ask Azalea for her help, but I didn't tell her anything specific; only that I was running after Hunt and wanted her to come with me. As expected, she declined. So, it's me against the Capitol until the hovercraft shows up.

I thought about leaving a fake suicide note for my father, just to freak him out, so that he wouldn't come after me. I settled with just a typical "I'm leaving. I'm not happy here, the Districts will be a better fit for me" note. I almost threw something about my mother in there, but I know that there's no chance of me finding her; so, I decided against it.

With all the gunk from the interview scrubbed from my face, curls flattened, and signature ponytail to match, I still have this horrid dress on. I couldn't bring myself to take it off for at least three hours. Maybe because I knew I would never see myself like that again; though I still hated it. The Capitol is where I'm from, and all it's crowning glory will forever be a part of me, but I can't wait to leave, and move on with my life.

I kick off the dress after fifteen minutes in front of the mirror, and pull on my cargo pants, and my light green t-shirt. Digging around the bottom of my huge closet, however, resulted in a failed attempt at finding my hiking boots.

"Looking for these?" A voice rang from behind me. The voice. So utterly familiar, yet so irritating. I turn around to face the frilly, perfectly made-up figure that is my sister. But Azalea isn't dressed in a nightgown, or a sundress. She has pants on, and a tank top. But at least she's wearing boots.

"Azalea, that's not funny, give them to me," I say, reaching for them.

She pulls them back, with her arm outstretched behind her. "Take me with you." This surprises me, but I know Azalea too well, and she does not change her mind this quickly.

"What gives? You didn't want to come forty-eight hours ago. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I knew you would say that." She says, tossing my boots toward me. "Which is why I brought..." She trails off as she reaches into the bejeweled pockets of her pants. "These," she finishes, dangling a few shiny objects on what seems like a key ring...

"Oh my God! Azalea! You got the keys?!" I exclaim with the biggest grin on my face.

"Shh! And, yes. Yes I did. You're welcome, by the way. It's a wonder Dugan trusted me with them," she says, casually examining her fingernails. She tossed them next to my boots, and began fixing herself in the mirror. Typical Azalea...

I slid on my boots and put the keys and Haymitch's letter in my pocket. "Are you ready?"

"Am I ready? Please, I've been ready for hours. It's you we're waiting on here." After that she mumbles something, probably about me, that I decide to brush aside. Judging by the position of the moon, it's almost 1 a.m. Which is perfect timing.

Azalea and I make our way down the hall, but she stops in front of our father's room. "What is it?" I whisper. "We have to keep moving!" She motions me over to the door, which her ear is pressed to. "Yeah, that's wonderful, just come on! We have to-" What cuts me off is the glistening tear running down her face. Is she serious?She's crying? Unbelievable.

I roll my eyes but let her have her silent sob fest. She would be so pissed if she knew how much her mascara was running right now. After about five minutes, I tug on her arm signaling that Selvina and her heels would be crawling around this floor of our house at any minute.

She sniffles and begins to protest, but stops herself. I guide her down the stairway as quietly as possible. She stops a couple more times, but reluctantly continues when I yank her arm. But, when I stop, she looks confused.

"Look. If you can't handle this, then back out now. I don't think you realize how serious this is. And, I'm not going to babysit you the entire time. So, either toughen up... Or leave."

She's seems taken aback, but in this damn lighting, she might as well be ecstatic. "I can handle it. Please, Luce. Don't leave me. I want to help. Truly."

I continue to walk, until we're outside of the house. Although it's hardly a house. Mansion is more like it. I direct my attention to Azalea, who is ready to pee her pants. Obviously this girl has never had to worry about getting in any kind of trouble before. So, I'll let it slide now, but it's not going to fly well when she finds out she actually has to help with the hard work.

I turn to face our mansion for the last time. Ever. I realize now, standing in front of my home for seventeen years, that this plan, is much more elaborate than I had anticipated. I knew from the beginning that saving the two most watched prisoners in all of Panem was not going to be easy, but putting the plan in action, is just confirming what is at stake.

A/N: I just want to put it out there, that I know this chapter jumps into a huge event in the story, but I want to move things along because I want to focus more on the rebellion, and District 13. So, I apologize if this is moving too fast for you. *shrugs*

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy the story so far! Please Review!