Hello again! I won't make any excuses for not updating, but I tried to make this chapter long to make up for taking so much time! I hope you enjoy it! :)

Chapter 4: Messed Up

"STOP THE TRAIN!" I yell, startling him awake.

"What?" he mumbles sleepily.

"STOP THE TRAIN!" I yell again as I reach up and yank the emergency breaks with all my might. The train screeches to a halt, throwing us both into the far wall.

The conductor is now wide awake. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Please!" I say. "We must go back to District 2! This is a matter of life and death!"

After pulling a few levers and things, the conductor gets the train going back to District 2. Since we weren't very far away, it didn't take very long. As soon as the train stopped, I flung the door open and ran out of the train. I saw Cato on a stage, making a huge speech about how he survived the Games.

"And after heroically rescuing Katniss from a trap, she pleaded for a chance to work with me in order to spare her life for a few more days." I heard him say.

"Oh, really? Because that's not how I remember it," I say as I walk on stage. Cato's eyes widened.

"Katniss, what a surprise! What are you doing here?" he asked through clenched teeth, trying to keep smiling for the fans.

"Well," I said. "I needed to come back because you...left something on the train! Or in your world, because I'm suddenly madly in love with you and couldn't bear to be away with you for so long!" I cried dramatically.

"Well, that's understandable. What did I forget?"

"A warning." Ignoring his confused look, I walked up to the microphone. "People of District 2, listen up! This could possibly save your lives! The boy you see behind me is not a victor, but an insane killer! He told me on the train the first thing he would do would be to kill a bunch of people to make his position known. So I beg you: lock up your children! Protect them as much as you can! Protect yourselves! Don't let him near any of you!"

A few of the crazed fan girls started crying, and I saw parents gather their children close to them.

"What are you doing?" he yelled. "Do you want to ruin my plans?" The whole crowd gasped.

"See!"I'm yelling now, my voice echoing throughout the audience. "Did you hear that? This boy...He's mad! He's crazy! He is a maniac who thirsts for innocent people's blood! Just like he thirsted for mine—and for Peeta's, too!"

"No—please—don't believe her!" My eyes glance up at one of the huge TV screens just in time to catch a glimpse of Cato's panic stricken face. His eyes…pleading, begging, innocent. It could fool anyone. Anyone but me. This boy, I think, is dangerous. Not just because he can kill, but because he can lie.

Suddenly something hits me hard, and I look down to see a sparkling jewel studded shoe lying at my feet. "You're the crazy one!" I hear a voice yell and look up to see teenage girl glaring at me. "He wouldn't kill anyone! He's too wonderful to hurt a soul! You're the one that's gone mad!"

This outburst is followed by swarms of agreement and suddenly I'm being pelted with shoes, all different colors, all different sizes and styles and shapes. Who knew shoes could hurt so much? But I am not getting off this stage. I am not running off in defeat. Let the crazed fan girls throw their whole wardrobe at me. I am standing my ground.

After a few minutes of being pelted with various accessories, I grew tired. I saw a shoe hurdling my way, and caught it with one hand. Did I mention my eyes were closed? With that, the crowd is silenced. "Now," I growl. "Does anyone else want to throw something at me?"

One brave soul lifted something else. Glaring at them, I threw the shoe and hit the person dead on. I grab the mic once more and calmly smile. "Now, you all don't know this, but he's a crazed maniac. And a killer. Do you all want to die or something? Cause I can shoot you all down if you like. Oh, wait. That wouldn't work. You'd rather die at the hands of your beloved Cato, who simply couldn't do anything wrong! After all, killing you for no reason must be self defense or something! Are you all blind?" Why don't they get this?

"SHUT UP!" Cato yells, shoving me to the side. "Why are you doing this? Do you want to ruin everything I've worked for? I should've killed you ages ago! I won't kill all of them! If I did that, who could I rule?"

Standing up, I walk over to Cato. "You're right," I say loud enough for the microphone to pick up. "I don't know what I was thinking!" I hear the crowd 'aww' as I give him a hug. Knowing only he can hear me, I whisper "You are such an idiot. I look forward to seeing you on the Victory Tour so I can see how your stupid empire is going. But hopefully, they'll still be an empire. If I were them, I'd start a rebellion. That, or kill myself to get away from you." With that, I let go, apologize to the crowd, and leave.

I leave not a moment too soon. Effie, her wig half off, and Haymitch, clutching a bottle in his left hand, appear at the edge of the audience, breathless and red faced. I calmly stroll down the aisle towards them, preparing myself for whatever will become of this.

"What on EARTH do you think you are doing, young lady?" Hisses Effie, grabbing my shoulders.
For the first time since Peeta knocked the wine glass out of his hand, Haymitch actually looks mad. Not just mad. Enraged. "Having the conductor stop the train! Marching right onto the stage, yelling murderous accusations about Cato to the whole Nation! Tell me just what is going on here!" My mentor grabs my arm roughly and starts leading me back to the train.

I struggle to escape his grasp, but it's useless. "It was all true! Every word I said-true!"

"I don't CARE if it was true." Haymitch shoves me into the train and I stumble onto the floor. "The point is, you are accusing the boy you are SUPPOSED to be madly in love with of murder!"

I hate myself for crying, but I can't help it. "What do you mean?" I say, glaring at him through teary eyes. "I thought I was supposed to be in love with PEETA!"

Effie lifts me up and brushes me off. "Oh honey, that was days ago. If you haven't noticed, Peeta's DEAD."

Thinking about Peeta's death just makes me cry all the more. "So what? Do I HAVE to be in love with someone? Is love a requirement for all victors?"

"Not for all." Haymitch steps towards me, glaring at me. "Only for those who messed up."

My tears get stuck in my throat. "Messed up….?"

"He means," Effie said. "You defied the Capitol, you and those berries. And the only reasons for doing that are a) you were trying to start a rebellion or b) you were so in love with Cato you just couldn't stand the thought of living without him. A isn't a viable option. The only one left is B."

I feel my heart stop.

Okay! So, what will happen next? Review and let us know what you think! :D