Chapter 3

Johanna's POV

I knocked at the door with Annie next to me. She's doing the hands over ears thing again. Oh well. I can't blame her. With all thats happened tonight I feel like doing the same thing.

Katniss comes to the door. "Who is it?"

"Its me, brainless."

She opens the door wider and almost smiles at the memory. "Hey Johanna." She looks over at Annie, and says in a softer, less sarcastic tone, "Hey Annie."

"Well? You gonna let us in?"

She steps away from the door. "Come in."

I walk in and see Haymitch on the couch. He looks about the same, but older. Obviously drunk. I roll my eyes. Nice to see he's staying sober. I see Peeta sitting next to him. Just worried, but obviously not about himself. He keeps glancing at Katniss and at the doors I can only guess is the girl's rooms. Peeta and Katniss's room probably isn't one of the ones with bright pink flowers on them.

"Hey Peeta. Haymitch."

"Hey Johanna."

Haymitch looks at me and gives a gruff "Hey Johanna. Mind telling us what's going on?"

I sigh and begin. "Sources, being Plutarch, believe that Snow expected his death and he gave orders to Peacekeepers to kill who evers in office...and bring back the Hunger Games. Snow's daughter may take office. I've met her. She's no better than the snake himself." I stop because Katniss just about has a breakdown. Peeta's arm encircles Katniss and whispers lies like "We'll be fine." Yeah, right. She's no fool. As for Haymitch, well he just sits there in shock. We stay like this for a few minutes until Katniss speaks.

"Well, what do we do? We can't have another rebellion. We'd kill ourselves off completely."

"I...don't know." I admit, defeated. We can't continue discussing strategy because then a loud beeping comes on. Everyone jumps besides me. I roll my eyes and turn on the television and go sit on the couch.

Peeta's POV

When Johanna turned on the television our worst suspicions were confirmed. Sitting at the desk on the screen is a woman who looks exactly like Snow did. This woman says that her name is Evelyn Snow and she is the new president of Panem. She goes on to tell us that the Hunger Games will come back to make us pay for the rebellion and ensure it will never happen again. She begins to tell us how the Games will work. The living Victors will mentor the children. The districts without mentors will be given a capitol one. The escorts will remain the same, giving the districts who need a new escort a new one. "Effie." I think to myself. The age limit is now nine to sixteen. The two tributes can win rule still stands. Katniss is fighting back tears. Its a good thing my flashbacks are long gone because they would destroy me now. And I need to be here for Katniss and the girls. The girls. Rue. Prim. No. The girl tribute...nine to sixteen.

"The girls..." I say under my breath as I come to the realization. Big mistake. Katniss heard and this sends her into hysteria. We both know we've landed one of the in the Games. I give Katniss's hand a squeeze as a reminder that we must be strong for them. She gives me a nod and makes her face her emotionless mask effortlessly. I look into her beautiful grey eyes that show the pain and fear she feels. We stay like this for a moment then turn back to the screen to see Snow's daughter concluding. She says the Reapings will be tomorrow. One of our children will be sent to the Games tomorrow.