Chapter 2
The Capitol
In a dark room, the doctor faced two Peacekeepers, one asked the questions and the other held a whip. "I'm going to ask you one more time, why did you kill the president's daughter?"
"I'm not going to say," the doctor answered and then, the second Peacekeeper lashed the whip at the doctor's back. The Peacekeeper kept lashing at him until blood streamed out.
"You're a rebel," the first Peacekeeper said, "You gained the president's trust, so in order to harm him and his family, but you killed his daughter and grandson."
"He must know the pain the districts are going through," the doctor finally admitted.
The second Peacekeeper resumed the lashing, the whip cut into the doctor's back, breaking the skin. The doctor could not take the pain, although he tried, but he was a coward.
"Alright!" the doctor shouted and the second Peacekeeper stopped lashing the whip. "I killed both the baby and the president's daughter! I knew President Snow desires a grandson, to continue his legacy of tyranny!"
The Peacekeepers looked at each other and nod. "The president said that if you confess to the killing, you will face life imprisonment, but since you are a murderer, we will have you executed," the first Peacekeeper said and summoned the executioner.
The doctor was placed on the floor and the executioner filled a syringe with poison. The doctor did not resist and the needle went through his skin and into a blood-vein.
The poison went to work, killing the doctor from the inside, and it was agonizing. He tried to scream, but his voice made no sound and after a few minutes, he finally died.
The two Peacekeepers went to report President Snow. In the mansion, the president and his granddaughter were wearing black and were offered sympathies from the Capitol's powerful figures.
"President Snow," the first Peacekeeper said and the president looks at him. "We had the rebel confess and we executed him."
"Good," Coriolanus said and adds, "Display his body to the public, let it be a warning to all rebels everywhere."
The two Peacekeepers nodded and left.
Snow sat back in his chair, thinking of what to do. He mourned the loss of his daughter, mostly due to the fact that she died and his hopes of having a grandson were slashed.
He did not have any other children as his wife left him years after Abigail was born. Snow became very bitter about that and he chose not to trust any woman.
However, if he was to have a male heir, he had to take a mistress. He had done it before, but he would dismiss them after one night, as the Capitol women he picked were not to his liking.
Snow decided to do something different and he summoned his secretary.
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District 12
"Berenice, can you recite in what I just told you?" a teacher asked the young woman.
Berenice hated the memory test as she had to remember what the teacher just said a few minutes ago. If she was to be a spy, she had to recite important information, word for word.
"Berenice, you can't take more than a minute to remember, this is really important," the teacher informed her.
"I do remember, I just need-" "No, you can't take your time," the teacher cut in, "But I want to hear it. Recite now."
"Remember who the enemy is, if he is not what he seems, then you know he is your enemy," Berenice said, although she was sure she failed.
"Not bad, I did also say 'she'. If he or she is not what they seem, then you know they are your enemy," the teacher replied and Berenice released a disappointed sigh.
"Men of the Capitol are not just the enemy, but women, too. However, since President Snow is male, then he cannot be trusted the most," the teacher said to the class and then the bell in the courtyard rang the hour.
The students were dismissed and they hurried home to be with their families.
Berenice hurried off to find Katniss at the fence and she found her, holding a bunch of rabbits. "Sorry, no pheasant today," Katniss said, but Berenice just smiled.
"This is just fine," she replied, "C'mon, we better go."
The two of them went to Berenice's garden where she grew strawberries and melons. This year, the fruit grew to mass proportions due to the abundant rain.
"Here are a few good ones," Berenice said, picking the biggest strawberries and melons in the bunch. In exchange, Katniss gave two of the rabbits to her.
"I wish I didn't have to go to school," Berenice said to her best friend. "I want to hunt like you."
"Hunting is not that easy," Katniss informed her, "It takes patience and time. You have to be perfectly silent, too."
"I can do that," Berenice replied, but Katniss chuckled.
"What did you do today?" Katniss asked and Berenice frowned.
"I took a test, but I think I failed miserably," Berenice replied. She could not tell anyone, not even her friends of what the school was training her to do.
"What kind of test was it?" Katniss asked, again.
"History of Panem," Berenice lied.
"I thought you were good in history," Katniss said and Berenice shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know what happened, I just froze and could not concentrate," Berenice replied, which was partially true.
"You'll get the hang of it," Katniss said and bid her best friend goodbye as it was getting dark.
Berenice took the two rabbits to the kitchen and began to skin them. She saved the fur in order to trade them for food.
She cooked the meat over an open fire in the stove. Berenice always dreamed of having a big meal, so she would not go hungry at night.
Just then, Kallea entered and Berenice immediately went hostile. "Why didn't you wake me up this morning?" she asked in a vicious tone.
"I did, three times, and you said you were getting up," Kallea replied in a calm tone.
"Liar," Berenice said and the two did not speak for the rest of the night.
Ever since their father died, both Berenice and Kallea blame each other for their problems. Before, they loved each other and looked out for each other, but not anymore.
Berenice mostly blamed Kallea's job at the Hall of Justice as she seemed to be consumed by her work. Kallea at times refused to come home and would work long hours.
Kallea had changed a lot and she became strict and spiteful.
"Hi Berenice!" Phillip exclaimed upon entering the kitchen, but then frowned when he saw Kallea. "I thought you were working late tonight," he said.
Kallea didn't say a word and left the kitchen. Phillip helped by setting the table and the four of them sat down for their evening meal.
No one spoke and ate what meat was on the rabbits, but there was barely enough to fill their stomachs.
"So, Phillip, what did you learn today?" their mother asked.
"Not much," the young boy answered.
"And what about you, Berenice?" she asked her daughter.
Berenice quickly replies, "History of Panem."
"Didn't you tell us that last week?" Kallea asked and Berenice looks at her with hate in her eyes.
"Since when do you want to know?" Berenice replied. Kallea never asked how everyone's day had been or what they have been doing.
"I remember that you told us the same thing last week," Kallea answered.
"So? We went back a little bit, why do you care?" Berenice asked.
"If the teacher is not teaching you at the right pace, then it is a problem," the older sister replied.
"A problem for what? For the district? Or for you?" Berenice said, rather angrily.
"Girls, lets not fight at the table," their mother insisted, but her daughters ignored her.
"You know, ever since you started your job at the Hall, that's all you care about," Berenice said.
"It's because I make money and get the things we need to survive, while you and Phillip slave away to stupid teachers who can't teach," Kallea replied and that made Berenice tick.
She took her glass of water and splashed it across her sister's face.
"Berenice! Apologize to your sister!" her mother shouted.
Berenice did not and ran from the table and headed outside. She ran down the path that went into town. Whenever she got angry she took walks around town before the lights went out, but Berenice could see well in the dark.
"Someday dad, I will leave District 12, and be my own person," Berenice said in a whisper.
Then, she heard something out in the square and she quietly went up to investigate.
She hid herself by the side of a wood shack and saw three Peacekeepers, unmasked, putting up a wooden pole in the middle. When the pole was set, the Peacekeepers then pinned two pieces of paper, one on each side of the pole and they left.
When Berenice sensed that the coast was clear, she tiptoed up to the pole to see the message.
It was from President Snow and it read:
"To the People of District 12. I, Coriolanus Snow have decided to visit your district and partake in a hunt in the woods surrounding your district.
"I request that a maiden be at my side during the hunt. The maiden must be 21 years of age and must have a sharp eye and good hunting skills.
"If the maiden proves herself to have these talents, she will be my companion during the remainder of my presidency.
"Her family will be awarded riches beyond imagination.
"I will arrive on the morning of the 21st and take the time to choose the eligible maiden from your district."
Berenice re-read the message and hurried back home.
"Mama! Everyone, I have some news!" she called out and her family came together. Berenice recited the message that was posted in the square.
"Oh my word," her mother said.
"I am 21! That means I am eligible!" Kallea exclaimed, but Berenice's stomach dropped.
"But you never hunted before," she said, but Kallea gave a sniff.
"The president doesn't need to know," she replied, "Besides, it will be good for all of you. Riches beyond imagination," she added and she hurried off to her room.
"She is right Berenice, we need food and clothes and this is a wonderful opportunity," Berenice's mother said.
"But mom, the message said that if the maiden proves herself to have these talents, she will be the president's companion for the rest of his campaign. I think he is looking for a mistress to take to bed and bear him children," Berenice explained and her mother looked shocked.
"I'm sorry to say Berenice, but if that is what the president desires than Kallea will have to do it," she replied and Berenice sat down on the worn-down couch.
She did fear for Kallea's safety; what if she could not bear children? What would President Snow do to her if he grows tired of her?
Berenice's mind whirled around with questions and she realized that her hopes were dashed. If she was 21, she would be able to get information straight from the source and report back to District 12.
However, there was a possibility that if Kallea did become the president's mistress, then Berenice would be able to get the info from her sister.
In a short while, Berenice dozed off on the couch, listening to her mother and sister's conversation of how to impress the president.
From the author: How do you like it so far? I do have a favor to ask, please leave reviews and I will continue with the story.