Chapter Two
When our hopes are low, the flames will be high. When our knifes are drawn, their blood will drip. We are the Revolution.
DAY: 1: HOUR: 1
Seneca POV
His breath smelled like blood. His eyes were dark. His name matched his personality. He was cold as snow.
"Seneca? Do you know why we have the Hunger Games?"
This wasn't a very hard question. The Hunger Games were everything that our nation was built on. It was what the Capital made us into. It brought us peace. It brought us hope. "Of course." was my response.
He watched me as he twirled a single white rose between his finger tips. We were sitting in a courtyard and my eyes were trained on the small fountain that stood at the center with stone benches surrounding it. We were the only two people there.
"Why?" he suggested. "Why do you actually think we have the Hunger Games? They're much more than laughing when children are murdered."
I swallowed, buying myself time. I had to choose my words carefully or I would die a death much similar to the tributes that died in the games. President Snow was a powerful man. "It's so that-"
"The Districts know their place. Very good Seneca." he concluded. "We are the ones in charge. They are weak and we are strong. They must know that we are more powerful than them and they cannot rebel against us. The Games are to resemble the sacrifices made to end the revolution and how much freedom we give them. This is how we safeguard our future."
"So why are you bringing this up?"
"Because Seneca." He looked down at his rose for a split second and then into my eyes. Behind them I only saw caliginosity. "The districts have hope."
Katniss POV
"Katniss… table four."
I wiped my face onto my sleeve, barely muttering a "got it" as I took a deep breath while standing in front of a small mirror. Upon doing so I attempted to quickly fix my hair, but only making matters far worse than how they started. I brushed the strands out of my eyes, seeing that I had little time to make myself look somewhat presentable to the customers. If they had such a feverish job like this one, they wouldn't be talking.
"Katniss come on. These tables aren't going to clean themselves and these orders aren't going to taken and walk all the way over here. Get a move on will ya? Table four is waiting on you."
I huffed, grabbing my tray and holding it at my side. "I'm on it Sae" I snapped as I began walking towards the awaiting customers. I spotted Madge half way across the diner who was precariously balancing drinks on her tray that she was attempting to hold with one hand. She looked over at me with pleading eyes and I shook my head "no". I was busy enough dealing with my own tables and orders, there was no way in hell I was going to cover hers on top of that.
She pouted before dashing off, her drinks almost falling off her tray. At this point we were all from frantic. When I reached table four I wasn't sure if I was supposed to smile or groan.
"Yo Katniss!"
Or maybe just run away.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Ryan, Carter and Leo were all lounging in to booth acting as though they owned the place. Leo was the first to speak. "We dropped by to say hi."
"I came here to eat." Ryan grumbled.
Leo snorted. "Ryan here had a bad day."
I looked over my shoulder, only to find Sae glaring at me and with her hands she made a "hurry up" gesture. I looked at the boys. "Look, can you stall? Just keep ranting about whatever?"
Leo looked past my shoulder and then back towards me. "Busy night?"
I sighed. "You have no idea. Sae is busting our asses. This is worst than gym."
Carter laughed. "You don't even take gym."
I pulled out my notebook and pen. I chewed on the tip. "Yeah… that's because I'm too busy working at the brothel a few miles away from here."
Ryan gawked. "Oh my god! Do you really? I thought I saw you there!"
"Ryan, you idiot! She doesn't work there, and you've never been there!"
"Shut up Carter, how would you know?"
"I'm your twin brother you idiot. I'm always with you. Besides, if Katniss wants to feel like a whore, she doesn't need to work at a brothel. She would just go over to Leo's house. I hear his dad pays really well."
"Yeah he does." I replied nonchalantly as I drew little symbols in the notebook.
It was Carter's turn to gawk. "How would you know Katniss?"
"Your mom told me." I muttered. Leo and I burst out laughing
"Leo's dad is our dad?" Ryan shrieked. "Oh my god. I think I just puked in my mouth."
"Shh Ryan!" I proclaimed. "You're going to get me fired!"
"But Leo's dad and… and our mom…"
"Ryan they were joking."
"Shut up Carter.
"Well… on that note" I concluded. "What can I get you guys to drink?"
"Drink my puke"
"What the hell Ryan!"
"Shut up Carter"
"How about waters?" I proposed.
"Thank sounds great." Leo sneered sarcastically. "Three Mountain Dews."
"Fine." I countered. "Hey… where's Peeta? Doesn't he usually hang out with you guys?"
Carter and Leo shared a look. "He didn't want to come. He said he didn't want to be near a Seam whore, whom he described as you."
I bit my tongue. Hold it in. Hold it in.
"He also said how he didn't want you tarnishing his air with your filth."
Hold it in.
"Oh, and he also said that he didn't want you anywhere near him… didn't want to get STDs or some-"
I couldn't hold it in, so I stormed off. In the distance I could hear Carter calling Ryan an idiot and how if Peeta wanted to get STDs he could just have a visit with Leo's father.
"Better focus Katniss. Sae is a little pissed tonight."
I sighed as I began to fill the glasses with the soda. "Thanks Hazelle. I'm doing the best I can."
"Oh believe me honey" I rubbed my shoulder. "I know. Don't let her get to you."
I nodded and grabbed my tray, taking the drinking back to the pure ass merchants. "Here are your drinks." I snapped, giving them each a glass.
"What's up your ass Katniss?"
I glared at him. "Not your dick." I sneered. "Thank the Capital, otherwise you'd have STDs."
The boys looked at each other guiltily and with pained expressions they mumbled some apologies.
"Look Katniss, Peeta may be an asshole, but we aren't. Well… except Ryan."
"Hey shut up Carter!"
Carter continued. "We don't feel that way about you."
"Yeah bull shit you don't." I corrected. "I know what you guys say. I know how you treat us. At least be a man and own up to it."
"Katniss…"
My vision began to blur as tears starting to well in my eyes. I wouldn't let them see me cry. "I'll get you a new waitress… one who won't tarnish your precious air."
"Katniss wait-"
I rushed away as I shook my head rapidly, trying my best to keep the tears from falling but by then they had already hit the floor.
Seneca POV
"Freedom has a cost Seneca."
I nodded to the president, unsure of what else to do. Whatever Snow was about to propose, it was going to happen. No matter what the cost was. No matter how many people were going to get hurt. It was going to happen.
"We have to remind them of our generosity and forgiveness. The traitors must be defeated so this treason will never be known again."
"I'm not sure I'm following you."
"We kill them." He smiled viciously and began to cackle. I looked back towards the fountain. "We'll use a different arena."
It was my turn to smile. This was my specialty. "What do you think you have in mind?"
"The Districts."
"Don't you think that'll will be a little difficult?"
He gave a warm smile. "That is why you are head Gamemaker. Give them something they'll remember. Make everyone a tribute. Not a man, woman or child will be left unharmed. I want them all dead. I want to be able to control every single one of them. Make them turn on each other. Remind them who's in control Seneca."
Katniss POV
The air was crisp and chilling as the wind brushed through the trees. The colors of spring were inviting and revitalizing undeterred by the tension that rested upon my shoulders. The sun was tranquil as the sky was slowly turning a promising roseate hue.
My eyes slowly scanned the tree line as I knew it may be the very last time I would see it. My bow rested within the hallow tree that rested still against the ground. The leaves crunched beneath my feet. I walked away slowly; the trees cast shadows upon my silhouette. They left me alone. They left me torn in pieces.
The evening was still. It was quiet. It was much different than the noise of the town. Here it was calm. Here it was freedom.
I reached the barb wired fence and within seconds I was on the other side unharmed. I walked towards the Seam slowly, not wanting to return to reality so quickly.
A high pitch scream erupted and I froze. It was Prim. I sprinted towards town. My heart pounding, my braid thumping against my back. Another scream and I tripped over a root. I cursed and stood up, not bothering to clean off the dirt. Another scream. A loud humming came from the distance. I looked towards the horizon. In the sky, a line of hovercrafts were rapidly approaching. A yellow fog slowly brushed across the ground. Then the bombs were dropped.
