Katniss arrives, and then Haymitch, and we all sit down to eat, and to talk about our strategies for the next part of the games. The young people serving us are unnaturally silent as they glide from place to place, keeping our cups and plates full. When dinner is through, a beautiful red-haired girl places a delicious looking cake in the center of the table, and I'm surprised and amazed, when she makes it burst into flames. They die down soon, and when they do, the cake is still in perfect condition. More of Cinna and Portia's special fire, I assume.

"What makes it burn? Is it alcohol?" Katniss asks from across the table, "That's the last thing I wa - oh! I know you!" she blurts out. True shock, confusion, and something else, are evident on her face. Something about this girl is causing Katniss pain. But I don't understand. How could she know her?

"Don't be ridiculous Katniss! How could you possibly know an Avox?" snapps Effie. "The very thought."

"What's an Avox?" Katniss asks, echoing my thoughts.

"Someone who committed a crime. They cut her tongue out so she can't speak," says Haymitch. "She's probably a traitor of some sort. Not likely you'd know her."

So this girl betrayed the Capitol? I didn't know anyone did that. I feel a deepened respect for this girl, and I want to help her somehow. Why would they cut her tongue out? So she couldn't spread her beliefs? Or so she couldn't tell anyone what else they did to her? Probably both. Suddenly, even though the cake in front of me smells scrumptious, my appetite has vanished.

"...of course you don't really know her," Effie is saying when my mind returns to the conversation.

Katniss stirs her mushrooms with her fork. "No, I guess not, I just-" she stammers.

"Delly Cartwright." I say, snapping my fingers "That's who it is. I kept thinking she looked familiar as well. Then I realized she's a dead ringer for Delly." The lie was easy, and Katniss catches on quickly, even though it's far from true. I haven't thought about my lumpy, smiley, childhood friend since I got on that train, and I'm surprised to find her name is still in my mental filing cabinet.

But Katniss is smart. "Of course, that's who I was thinking of. It must be the hair." she says.

"Something about the eyes too." I agree, pretending to analyze the poor girl's features.

"Oh, well if that's all it is," says Cinna, obviously relieved, "And yes, the cake has spirits, but all the alcohol has burned off. I ordered it specially in honor of your fiery debut."

The cake is delicious, and I eat three whole pieces before we move into another room to watch a recap of the opening ceremonies. None of the districts are to be pitied for their stylists this year, but we are obviously the favorites.

"Whose idea was the hand holding?" asks Haymitch.

"Cinna's." Portia is quick to say.

"Just the perfect touch of rebellion." says Haymitch. "Very nice."

That word sends a stab of excitement and anxiety into my heart. You belong to yourself, dad told me, not to the Capitol. I know now what he meant. And I know I'm going to make him proud.

"Tomorrow morning is the first training session. Meet me for breakfast, and I'll tell you exactly how I want you to play it," Haymitch says to us. "Now go get some sleep while the grown ups talk.

Katniss and I walk down the hall to our separate quarters. I'm itching to say something to her. Anything. But I can't think. Then, when we get to her door, a split second impulse makes me lean on the frame of it and say, "So, Delly Cartwright. Imagine finding her lookalike here."

She stops in her tracks, hesitating. Whatever explanation Katniss has for her recognition of this Avox girl can not be safe for him to hear. We need to talk somewhere absolutely private. "Have you been on the roof yet?" I ask. She shakes her head, not getting it, so I throw in someone I know she trusts more than me, and deepen the hint. "Cinna showed me. You can practically see the whole city. The wind's a bit loud though."

"Can we just go up?" she asks. Now she understands.

"Sure, come on." I say, and lead her up onto the roof, and out to the edge.

After I explain about the invisible electric wall she asks, "Do you think they're watching us now?"

I remember what Cinna said about the garden, and suggest we go there. The garden is probably stunning in daylight, but for now all we can see are the dark silhouettes of flowers and small trees. But the wind is picking up, and the many wind chimes will be enough to drown out our hushed conversation.