Chapter Eleven

Ruby's POV

"You have to kill him." We turn to see Johanna stood by the bathroom door.

I sigh, "We'll try, Jo, is that enough?"

"No." I rise from putting on my shoes and she makes her way towards Katniss, giving her a quick but warm hug and a kiss on the cheeks. She then turns to me, kissing me all over my face before landing on my lips for a few seconds, yet it is filled with passion. "I love you."

"I love you too." I turn to Katniss, "Let's go." She nods and we rush towards the helicopter where Coin waits for us.

"You're late, soliders." She scolds, pushing us onto the helicopter.

"Sorry, President." I apologise, taking my seat next to Gale.

"Nervous?" He asks softly. I just shake my head and close my eyes for the rest of the journey. When I am awoken again others are already setting up tents for us all, of which I'll be sharing with Cressida.

"Come on, it's late and you need rest." She says, dragging me into the tent and pushing me to lie down.

"Take me to dinner first." I say, smirking. She scoffs before leaving me to sleep and I can't help but smile.

"Alright, let's go again, this need to be perfect." Cressida shouts. "Plutarch won't be happy if he isn't convinced with it." We don't hesitate, and actually have a laugh for the first time in ages. Peeta's here now, and at first it caused a lot of tension, but now it's not so bad. Our laughter is abruptly interrupted by the sound of a large explosion. We turn and see Boggs laying, screaming. His legs blown off, and Katniss is trying to stop the bleeding, but I know there's no use.

"Troops, press forward."

We are currently in the underground section of District 13, we've been walking for a few hours now I'd imagine. "Alright, Squad, let's rest now. We need to get moving again by 7 am sharp, okay?" We all lay down, me being next to Cressida, who looks just about as exhausted as I feel. But, alas, sleep doesn't come to me for the entirety of the night, which is probably for the best - we need as many people alert as possible.

By the time 7 o'clock rolls round, everyone is up, bar Peeta, and are eating breakfast. "Okay, it's time to move." Gale says, helping me to my feet as Katniss wakes Peeta and gets a can ready for him to eat on our journey.

"Wait, what is that?" We all turn to Katniss, waiting for her to explain, "can you hear that?"

I listen carefully, and begin to feel that she has lost it, and then I hear it. Very faint, and if the Capitol hadn't fixed Katniss' ear I doubt she would've heard it. Whatever it is is clearly trying to get to Katniss by repeating her name. Mutts.

"Mutts." She voices my thoughts.

"Let's get out of here." I says pulling her after me, but she holds her ground.

"No, we can't stay down here, it's not safe." I groan at this, but know she's right. She and Pollux lead the way our of the tunnel and we find ourselves out on the deserted streets of the Capitol.

I all happens very fast after that. One minute we are running, and the next we are climbing a ladder. I look down, disoriented, to see Finnick being dragged into the pit of mutts and let out a cry as Gale helps me out. "Shhhh, okay? We can't have them find us, we need to keep pushing forward." I nod, still not really with it, and he realises this, picking me up and carrying me the rest of the way towards our intended destination. Tigris, an old acquaintance of Cressida's, is at her desk when we enter, and looks up in panic.

"We need your help." I don't listen much after that, to distraught at the loss my friend, yet I vaguely feel Gale lowering onto something soft; a sofa, I believe.

"Try and sleep, Rubes." I hear Katniss say softly. I try, and finally succeed.

"We have to leave soon, but you can't leave looking like that, you'll all be recognised instantly.

We are all thrown into expert makeovers, provided by Tigris, who has yet to show signs of betrayal. As I look at myself in the mirror in horror at the person standing in front of me. "God I'm glad I'm not from the Capitol." I say openly, despite Tigris' presence. As expected, I am scolded by Cressida, before she pushes me out of the door behind Katniss and Gale.

"Show time." Gale says grimly, leading the way into the manic street of the Capitol.

AN : Well, there's that. I find it difficult to write when Johanna isn't with Ruby, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter anyway. THANKS.