I'm sorry for not updating yesterday! The computer wouldn't let me log in.

I hope you had a merry Christmas!


Joy didn't know where her father was, but he was probably dead. She remembered hearing her mother cry a while ago. It broke Joy to experience that. The peacekeepers told them Seneca was on a long business trip to District 11. If he was still alive, maybe he could persuade the rebels to have mercy.

Now Joy knew she was desperate. Wishing for her father was something she never imagined herself doing. She barely knew the guy! A father is supposed to know and care about you.

"Joy, I really want to talk about this." Castone was close to tears.

Joy softened. "Let's go to our room, then. Castone, you'll be fine." Lies.

"It sounds like you're reassuring yourself."

They sat on the springy plain gray bed. Castone gave a look of glum amusement. "They're so... Ugh. Revenge won't help."

"They don't know that."


Joy lazily lifted her eyelids. It's so bright, she thought. Did I miss the bus? Great. She sat up and saw Castone… on her bed!? Joy was about to scold her brother when she remembered she was in a shelter for Capitol citizens. Stupid! She thought. Joy made her way to the Ladies' restroom.

The restroom was vacant and smelled uncomfortably sterile. What Joy saw in the mirror frightened her; puffy grey eyes and dull hair. She imagined her breath smelled bad too. She looked to her right and a row of showers seemed to look at her expectantly. She stepped into one cautiously. She didn't see any buttons, so she assumed it was a late model.

She tried voice control. "Water. On." Joy said clearly, and waited patiently for the water to come. Joy grew impatient after a while, though. Then Joy had an epiphany moment! Of course! I forgot the temperature.

"Water! On! 65°!" Joy practically yelled.

Suddenly the flimsy shower let someone in.

"Hi." A boy said with a broad smile.