"You survive against all odds despite what they try to do to you."

Chapter 8

Connections

"So that's what you took. How are my Father's files going to help you?" Ashton asks.

"The files are actually just a starting point. I believe they will tell us who these soldiers are connected to, possibly their schedules, and more importantly their strengths and weaknesses," Ovid replies.

"That's great and all but it's not really proof of anything," Ashton argues.

"You're correct, by their selves the files don't help to prove anything but I think that someone closely connected to the soldiers is the same person funding them. I also believe that their schedules will show us their activities and by knowing their strengths and weaknesses we will be able to better defend ourselves against them," Ovid says.

"Okay, so what's your plan on proving that they killed my father?" Ashton asks.

"That's not exactly what we are trying to prove," I say.

"Then what the hell are you trying to do because I am totally confused," Ashton replies.

I look to Ovid for help and am thankful when he places a hand on Ashton's arm. "We will get your father's murderers but it goes beyond that. Those same soldiers have been kidnapping kids for the past five years. Someone is paying them to do it. Our problem is figuring out why they are doing it in the first place and where these kids are ending up."

"How do you know all this?" asks Ashton.

"Because they tried to get me to help them," says Ovid.

"Why haven't you gone to the authorities with this, how many kids have been taken in between that time?" Ashton says angry.

"I couldn't take the chance of anyone from here being involved. Besides I needed more proof, do you really think they would believe me about the very same soldiers they are training?" Ovid argues.

"So what is your plan exactly? You have to have something in mind or are you just grasping for straws?" asks Ashton.

"I'm hoping to pin point their next move. If we can figure out who they plan on taking next we can catch them in the act and follow them. They should lead us straight to the other kids. With that information and the pictures we'll get the Authorities won't be able to ignore us," Ovid replies smiling.

"You just said we can't go to the authorities," I say.

"Not the ones here in district two but the ones in the Capitol," he responds.

"Especially with the election coming up. If the people knew…" Ashton adds trailing off.

"Exactly, if people knew what was going on there would be chaos. The voters would be questioning why they haven't done anything. There might even be another rebellion and the Capitol can not afford that, especially with how fragile it still is. They will have to help us or risk us going to someone else." Ovid says.

"Alright I'm in. What can I do to help?" Ashton asks crossing his arms in front of him.

"Okay. I could really use some help…"Ovid starts.

"What! No, you can't be serious. You can't involve him in this," I argue.

"Why not?" Ovid asks.

"Because," I say looking back and forth between the two. Why didn't I want him to be involved? It only took me a moment to think of a reason and I found three; Johanna with her sad eyes, a laughing boy in the clearing in the woods, a little girl with ringlets of auburn hair. No he couldn't do this because they had already lost a husband and father. They couldn't lose Ashton too. "Because his family needs him and if anything happens they would be lost."

"Nothing will happen and besides I'm already involved. Been so since they murdered my father and I need to see them pay," Ashton says.

I opened my mouth to argue some more but Ovid placed his hand on my arm and whispered "It will be fine, I promise. Right now he needs this; believe me when I say that."

I shook my head and looked away not wanting to actually agree but I had no choice in the matter. I knew that Ashton, like his father, would try to help regardless of what anyone said to him. At least this way we could watch each others back.

"So what do you need?" Ashton asks.

"What we really need is weapons. I'm sure your father has some," Ovid says.

"Yeah, my mom keeps them locked up though. It won't be easy getting them but I'll get them," Ashton replies nodding his head.

"Good, for now go home. Do not act suspiciously; we do not need your mother involved. We will get in touch with you," Ovid says.

Ashton nods, "Okay. I'll be waiting."

He turned and started walking away, waving his hand as he went. I turned to glare at Ovid once Ashton was gone. "I can't believe you are getting him involved after what that family just went through."

"I couldn't tell him no, not with the way he was looking at me. I owe him this okay. He'll be fine, we all will," Ovid replies.

I rolled my eyes and turned away walking in the direction of the apartment. I really didn't want to talk to Ovid anymore but with each step I took my anger at him for lying to me got worse until it was boiling over. He had to sense my anger because he followed slightly behind making no attempt to speak to me. It was the smart thing to do because at any moment I felt like I would blow up if he uttered one word to me. We walked that way, him behind me not talking, until I just couldn't stand it anymore. The whole way I had been arguing with myself on why I should ever trust what he had to say. He had saved me in district four but had he really saved me? Was he telling me the whole truth about his involvement with the black suits and just where did he go while I was doing a favor for him?

I turned to him and he stopped raising his head to look me in the eyes. "Why didn't you tell me the truth about why you wanted me to go there in the first place?"

"I thought it was for the best. If you would have known my part in Gale's death would you still have gone?" he asks.

"Yes because it was the only thing to do to get the files and I wouldn't have thought it was your fault in the first place. Knowing what I know about your own father and how you feel I would have understood. You don't have to lie to me, despite what you think I'm not a child and I hate to be lied to," I say.

"I know you're not a child, I didn't say that Ashton did," He replies.

"But you imply it by not telling me the truth, by not thinking I'm able to handle it. If we're going to work as a team I need to know everything. That way there is no secrets or surprises for me," I say.

"I'm sorry. I've told you the truth about everything else," he replies and despite my reservations, his voice rings true.

I nod my head, "Fine. Did you go see your acquaintances or were they a fabrication to cover up for not telling me the truth?"

"I did but they were not there. I'm going to have to try again tomorrow," he says before walking passed me.


It doesn't take us long until we are back at the apartment. As we enter Branden looks up from his spot on the couch and jumps up excitedly.

"I'm glad you're back. I found something," he says.

"Really?" I reply sarcastically.

"Oh shut up and sit down," he says.

Ovid and I both complied, while he took the chair I sat on the couch and then we both looked at Branden expectantly. When Branden was satisfied that we were paying attention he began.

"Okay, so we know these kids are being kidnapped. That over a period of five years they have been disappearing," we nod our heads in agreement and he continues, "Well from what I found out is that the kidnappings are spaced out evenly and that they occur about every month."

"So when would the next one happen?" I ask.

"Next week actually but that's not what has me excited," Branden says.

"What else is there then," Ovid replies.

"I'm glad you asked. After much digging and I mean a normal person wouldn't have even thought about it kind of digging I realized that there was indeed a pattern. Two kids have been disappearing each month, two kids both male and female from each district but they aren't just regular kids like we thought. Each one in some way is related to the rebels," he says grinning.

"You mean from the rebellion our parents were in?" I ask astonished.

"Yeah. So it tells me whoever is behind this has a serious grudge against the winners. So much so that they are striking out by taking what they love most," Branden says.

"You got that right. So where are they hitting next?" Ovid asks.

"Here actually but I can't quite figure out who they would strike next. There are actually a lot of the rebels here," Branden replies.

"Well district two offers the best opportunity for a job. What with the base and the mining. You would be stupid not to try to make a new start here," Ovid says.

"You don't think they'll go after the Hawthorne family do you?" I add thinking of Ashton and little Cassidy.

Ovid shakes his head, "No, they would be too noticeable. So far the soldiers have only taken kids that aren't from note worthy families."

"Not necessarily Ovid," Branden says.

"What do you mean?"I ask.

"One of the girls from district eight was actually our very own Presidents niece," he replies.

"Are you sure?" asks Ovid.

"Positive, I even double checked it because I wasn't sure myself," Branden says.

"Then my question is why she would keep that a secret. Wouldn't she want to find her niece?" I question.

"Remember the election. If it got out she couldn't keep her niece safe, people would question her ability to keep them safe," Ovid answers.

"So if she knows about this then maybe she will help us," I say.

"Then we go to the Capitol in a couple days before the soldiers strike again. We tell them what we know and get them to help us. They can't tell us no can they." Branden says.

"No, they won't be able to," I reply.


After finding out about the connection with the kids I couldn't dig into the files fast enough. We also found out that the group of soldiers was actually from the Capitol itself. It was strange because I always pictured people from the capitol as snobby and overly flamboyant not as soldiers. What really stood out was that through different people they were all connected at one time to President Snow ; whether it was being a child to someone who was his personal guard or working in the mansion they each were tied to the man and just like that we were getting the bigger picture. Everything was connected just like Ovid had said and I knew the more we learned the better the picture would become. Beyond finding that connection the files gave us little else.

Branden said he might be able to get into the bases computer files and retrieve the schedule for the soldiers but he wasn't promising anything. While he was doing that I set the files to the side, promising I would study our advisories weaknesses and strengths later. Right now I knew there was something I had to do even if I really didn't want to do it. It had been almost a month since I left my home but I knew Johanna was right, my mother at least deserved to know I was alright.

"Ovid, do you have a phone I can use?" I ask him.

He looked up from the file in his lap and nodded, "Yeah, there is one in my bedroom."

"Thanks," I say and move down the hall.

His bedroom like the rest of the apartment is done in blue and black. I spot the phone on his night stand and quickly retrieve it. I dial the number before I lose my nerve and wait patiently as it rings. After what feels like forever the ringing stops and Colton's voice come on the phone.

"Hello?"

"Colton, hey is mom around?" I ask.

"Sissy, where are you? You have mom real worried. You even missed your birthday. Dad made this awesome cake," he says.

"I know buddy and I'm sorry I missed it but I'm doing something real important. Can you get mom?" I reply back.

"Yeah sure wait a minute," he says. I hear the clatter of the phone as he sets it down and after a second mom's breathless voice comes on the line.

"Kaidence?" she asks. I could tell she had run to the phone and it made me feel really guilty for not calling before.

I don't answer after first too afraid to say anything and not really knowing what to say but finally I lamely say," Hi."

"Where are you? Are you okay?" she asks.

"Mom, I know Johanna told you where I'm at. Calm down I'm fine. I just needed to get away," I reply.

"That's what your father said. I was angry because he let you go. Come home and we will talk about what's going on," she says.

"I can't do that mom. I just wanted to call and tell you I'm fine and you don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. Tell everyone I love them," I tell her.

"Kaidence,you don't know what's out there…" she starts but I don't listen anymore I just hang up the phone.

I hated to think of the pain I'm causing her but she needed to realize that I'm not a child anymore and I can take care of myself. I know that all she wants to do is protect me but she also has to know that the times of the war and hunger games are over. You can't constantly live in the past and worry all the time. You have to live your life and that's what I'm going to do.


After the phone call I didn't really want to talk to anyone. Instead I grabbed my pack and went out onto the balcony. There was a light warm breeze and it was refreshing to sit there and watch the street below me. To forget for just a second what we were trying to do. I took out the music box from my pack and wound it up so I could listen to the soft melody.

I set the box on the table and took out the mockingjay pin and went to stand by the railing. I was studying the pin trying to understand how my mother fought and won even when everything was going against her when I heard the door behind me slide open and close.

I didn't know who it was until I heard Ovid's voice. "Is that what I think it is?"

I brush my thumb over the surface of the pin. "Yeah it is. Funny how a simple piece of jewelry can become so important."

"It wasn't just the pin it was what it symbolized. The mockingjay was a bird that wasn't supposed to exist. It was a slap in the face to the Capitol because despite trying to destroy what they had created through the jabberjays, the birds had found a way to survive and thrive. The same goes for all who rebelled against the Capitol. It became an important thing because the rebels were trying to prove that no matter what the Capitol did they still survived. Your mother became the mockingjay because despite what the Capitol tried to do to her she wouldn't let them choose her destiny. I may not like the fact that my father died because of her but I can be thankful for what she did. If she hadn't stood her ground in the games then they might still be going on now," Ovid says.

I smile sadly and hold the pin tighter in my hand. "Part of me wishes I knew the person my mother was before the games and the war. When I look at her I see someone haunted by the past not this strong person who defied the Capitol. You know I used to want to be like her. I would sneak and take her bow and arrows and go into the woods and pretend I was her. I realize now I'm not her. I'm not as strong as she was and maybe Ashton is right. Maybe I am just a kid. How can I go up against these people when even I don't think I can do it? "

Ovid grabbed my hand and turned it up slowly opening my fingers taking the mockingjay pin. He carefully pinned it to my shirt then tilted my chin up so I was staring into his eyes. "You become your own Mockingjay. You survive against all odds despite what they try to do to you. If there is one thing our parents taught us it's that we are able to make our own choices in life whatever they may be. Believe when I say that I don't see a child when I look at you, I see a girl willing to fight even though she doesn't have to. You say you used to want to be strong like your mother but Kaidence you have your own strength. It will be that strength that gets you through this. I believe in you."

I stood there, unable to move, unable to take my eyes from his. I'm not sure what I saw in those sea green depths but there was so much emotion reflecting back at me that it took my breath away. He was the first person to say they actually believed in me. Even Branden often attributed my accomplishments to my parents. It was actually nice to have someone think of me more then just the mockingjay's daughter, more then just a kid. Someone cleared their throat and I broke eye contact with Ovid and quickly stepped away blushing to find Branden standing in the doorway.

"I just wanted to let you know I'm headed to bed," he says before turning away too quickly for me to explain anything. Then again was there anything to explain?

"Well, it is late. We should all try to get some sleep, "Ovid replies normally before following Branden into the apartment.

Had I imagined the moment we had, the emotion I saw in his eyes? No I don't think so, then why had he run so quickly? Instead of thinking about it and reading more into it then there really was I placed the box back in my pack and headed to bed myself.


A/N: Sorry for not updating sooner. Please review if you can. I'm going to really try to pick the story up in the next few chapters. Now that they have a clear goal, hopefully it will move faster.