It was getting dark and Katniss Everdeen had to get home fast. She promised her mother that she would be back by 6 p.m. Now it was 7. At least she managed to hunt a few animals from the forest.
Curse Gale for taking me out here! After the Games, she didn't know what to feel about him. She was genuinely confused if she should just drop her romance with Peeta or continue, just for appearance's sake. They weren't in love, she told him. But were they? She didn't understand how she should feel.
Just then, a burst of light came out from the bushes. A bright blue light that blinded her. After another flash, it was gone. Katniss drew out her knife and went to investigate. Like a curious kitten, she peeked her head out and saw a man in a dark grey suit pick himself up from the ground.
Katniss slowly followed him. Keeping unseen was easy for her. During the Games, she and Peeta could disappear at will. They wouldn't be found unless they wanted to, and they used that to their advantage. Although it was no longer required, she still kept her skills sharp with hunting and stalking animals in the forest.
She followed the man some time before he jumped over the fence. Seeing a Peacekeeper walk his way, she quickly disappeared behind a bush and took cover.
Earlier that day
The flight landed at about noon. It took him around another hour to get to his fortress in the woods. After meeting Alexi, he travelled to a country mansion where the scientist lived.
After a long nap, he was woken by one of his men.
"We're here, sir."
Makarov got out into the afternoon sun. He saw the old house and walked towards it with his men. The door was made of solid thick oak. It was probably battered by the rain and the wind. Alexi banged on the door fist his fist. Slowly, it opened. A gasp escaped the men as there was nobody behind it.
"Come on, it's electric." Makarov chuckled as he pointed to the wires connected to the door.
Makarov's men laughed and continued to walk in. Suddenly, a voice boomed overhead.
"Welcome to my house gentlemen. What brings you here today? Anyway, I'm in my lab."
"Where is his lab, Alexi?" Makarov inquired.
"Down in the basement. This way." He gestured towards a flight of stairs.
"Wait here." Makarov told the rest of his team.
He and Alexi went down the stairs and saw a dark room illuminated by a pale yellow light. It smelled of a coffee and alcohol. In the corner stood a strange contraption, with an old obese man working on it.
As soon as they reached the bottom, he turned around.
"Oh, it's you. Anything I can do for you?" He had a thick British accent.
"You said your time machine was finished?"
"Yes, why it is! But it still leaves the question; why does this concern you?"
"Nothing. I was just curious. How is it working?"
"It is working fine, thank you very much. Yesterday, I managed to transport a dog to the past!"
"But how do you know it worked?"
"It was 2 minutes in the past. For a brief period of time, I had 2 dogs! Very peculiar!"
Makarov took a while to take this in.
"Can you try that again?"
"Of course!" He whistled. Seconds later, a dark brown German shepherd ran to him. He pointed towards the machine and the dog obeyed. The scientist pressed up some buttons. At that point, a bright blue light filled the room. Then, a dog, the exact same one, materialized out of thin air.
"Wow."