At the District 12 train station, Katniss stands in front of a train. Peeta and Taylor stand on opposite sides of her. Katniss and Peeta know about train travel more than a lot of people. Since the end of the war, the two have been back to the Capitol on two occasions. Once to attend Paylor's coronation, and second to have a small interview with Caesar.
"So, who is this guy you know?" Taylor asks.
"Edan Jones. He's a close family friend. He worked with my father down in the mines. After my father died, he started working as a train engineer." Katniss says. Katniss has a small memory of her father, before a voice grabs her attention.
"Katniss!" Edan calls out walking towards the group. Katniss lets out a small smile, before walking over to him. Edan wraps his arms around Katniss, giving her a tight hug.
"Good to see you again Ed." Katniss says.
"You as well. What are you doing down here?" He asks.
"Long story, but I need your help." Katniss says.
"You got it. What do you need?" He asks.
"Long story short, I need you to engineer this train. President Paylor isn't as good as we all thought. Need to make stops in each district, starting with 11." Katniss says.
"Alright, anything for you." Edan says.
"Let's move it then." Katniss says as the train's doors slide open. Taylor walks inside, followed by Peeta and Katniss. Edan makes his way to the front of the train. Taylor plops down on one of the chairs. A small sofa sits in the corner, and that's where Katniss sits alongside Peeta.
"So, who's your person in 11?" Taylor asks.
"Not my person. But, a friend. Grayson Ryback. We don't talk much, but he's old friends with Rue's family. So, I consider him a friend." Katniss says as the train jolts forward, almost knocking Taylor out of the chair.
"He won't be a problem in convincing, Will he?" Taylor asks.
"Once he knows what's going on, he will be on board. I guarantee that." Katniss says. Taylor gives Katniss a small wink. The train that they are riding in, is one Paylor provided District 12 after the war. A standard Capitol train. It's relativity fast, and can get anywhere in no-time.
"Katniss. Can we talk in private for a moment." Peeta whispers in her ear. Katniss gives him a nod, and she stands up.
"We'll be back." Katniss says to Taylor. Peeta takes her hand, and walks into one of the many dining rooms the train houses.
"What's up?" Katniss asks leaning against one of the white painted walls.
"Look, I'm all for taking Paylor down. We didn't risk our lives for this to happen again. But, can we trust everyone? That seems to be the problem in the first place." Peeta says.
"We just have to believe in who we are. If we trust them and they turn on us, then we can only blame ourselves." Katniss says.
"I just want to keep you safe. That's what I've been doing since the beginning, right?" Peeta asks with a small smile.
"Seems that way Peeta. But, you don't need to protect me just like I don't need to protect you." Katniss says. Peeta smiles and places a small kiss on her cheek.
"Guys, we're here in 11." Taylor calls out from the living quarters.
"Alright, we're coming." Katniss calls back walking out from the dining room, soon followed by Peeta.
"Seems 11 hasn't changed a bit.." Peeta says looking out one of the windows.
"Now that Paylor knows we're onto her, she might start inflicting pain on the lower districts." Taylor says. The train comes to a stop, and the doors slide open. Taylor walks out first, her black boots hitting the hard dirt. Katniss follows her out, and Peeta is the last out of the train.
The District 11 train station is located in the middle of the district. The farms make up most of the district's population. Since the war, there isn't as many poor families, but there are some. The Victor's Village, the Justice Building, and the really nice houses are in the northern section of the district.
"So, where does your friend live?" Taylor asks as they walk away from the train station.
"His family was wealthy, before the peacekeepers killed them for siding with us during the war. He lives a couple houses down from the justice building." Katniss says as the group walks past the multitude of farms. It's around sunrise, and everyone has gone in for the night.
The group walks by the array of houses that the middle-waged families love in which are located right alongside the farms. Walking through 11 takes Katniss back to Rue. The young girl she was allied with during her first Games. A girl that died too young, just like her sister.
Soon, the Justice building comes into view, along with 11's Victor's Village. It's almost an identical match to her home district's. A dozen houses alongside a pathway, six on each side. All of them empty. Katniss remembers the two victor's from this district, Chaff and Seeder.
The three walk by the village, and walk by the Justice Building. Katniss and Peeta both having advid memories here. Katniss saying a heartfelt eulogy to Rue and her family, along with the old man being killed by the peacekeepers. Peeta promising a month of their winnings to Rue and Thresh's families. A day they both remember well.
The rest of the houses are lined up across from each other, just past the Justice Building. Not just normal houses either. Not as nice as the houses located in the Victor's Village, but nice. Multiple floors, marble stoned steps, wooden doors, etc.
"So, which one's his?" Taylor asks looking at the rows of houses lining the street.
"That one." Katniss points to the fourth house down on the left. A really fancy looking house. Marble steps, a black bench in the front yard, and marble columns surrounding the house. A house that looks like it belongs in District 2, not District 11.
"Well, shit." Taylor blurts out. Peeta slightly chuckles, as they approach the house. Katniss breathes in slightly before walking up the marble steps. Peeta and Taylor follow close behind her. Katniss brings her hand up to the wooden door, and knocks three times.
The wind howls in the background, as Katniss hears footsteps inside the house. The door slightly opens and Grayson stands in the doorway.
"Katniss? What are you doing here?" He asks opening the door all the way.
"Long story. But, we need to talk to you about something." Katniss says.
"We?" Grayson asks.
"Yeah, I'm not alone." Katniss says motioning to Peeta and Taylor. Grayson gives a nod to the two.
"Ah, I'm not doing anything, so come on in." Grayson says. Katniss, Peeta, and Taylor walk inside the house, before Grayson closes it behind them. He leads them into the living room, and he sits on the leather couch in the middle of his living room. Taylor sits beside him, as Katniss and Peeta sit on separate reclining chairs.
"So, before we start, this is Taylor Bernstein. She's from District 1." Katniss says.
"Nice to meet you Taylor." He says.
"You as well." Taylor replies.
"So, you know President Paylor?" Katniss asks.
"Yeah, she seemed shady to me. What about her?" Grayson asks.
"Well, you were right to think that. She's been bombing the upper districts, and it probably won't be long until she starts terrorizing the lower districts. She's reinstated peacekeepers in District 1, and probably in Two as well." Taylor says.
"So, she's basically Snow without the Games?" Grayson asks.
"Worse.." Taylor says.
"Okay. So, why does that involve us?" Grayson asks.
"I didn't almost get myself killed in a war, to have some woman ruin it. I'm putting together a team with the help of Taylor. A team that will end in District 1, and we're going to end Paylor's reign of terror. I only have one question." Katniss says looking Grayson right in the eyes.
"And, that question is?" Grayson asks.
"Are you in?" Katniss asks.
"Simple. I'm in."