In the days that followed Marvel's victory tour visit, Katniss was able to forget what Peeta had said to her. She watched the rest of the stops on the tour as everyone else did, and though Marvel's general demeanor grew worse, Katniss didn't find she cared much when viewing it through a television screen.
She never told anyone how difficult it had been to watch Marvel face Rue's family in District 11 and read his lines. Prim insisted that he looked like he'd wanted to say more to them than he was allowed, but Katniss had scoffed at the idea, visions of Rue's murder still vivid.
The conclusion of the tour in the Capitol only made her loath Marvel more. He was back in his element in the refinery of the Capitol, the pain gone from his features. His nauseating smirk had returned once he was in One again, and it remained firmly in place as he greeted Snow and a contingent of victors.
The bulk of the party held in his honor wasn't for the average citizen to see, but Katniss could use her imagination to see him chatting with the wealthy who had funded his win and pulling favors out of them as someone who had earned a tight grip on their emotions.
Once the rush of the victory tour subsided, the Capitol citizens on TV began turning their attention to the next big event: the upcoming Quarter Quell.
Not having lived through one before, Katniss had almost forgotten it was coming until she'd heard the prattle on the television. Her mom grew restless once it began, saying little more than that the last Quarter Quell had been unbearable for her. Katniss figured it had something to do with Mrs. Undersee's sister, but she didn't ask any questions.
Haymitch, Twelve's only living victor, had won the last Quarter Quell, and the new one was drawing attention to one of the victors often ignored by anyone outside his district (and even those within it). Almost nightly, it seemed, the news programs featured segments where the anchor claimed to have spoken on the phone to Haymitch earlier in the day. They would read Haymitch's statement, which was never anything Katniss could picture coming from the man's own mouth.
"Haymitch" would express excitement about the upcoming Quell, talk about how he looked forward to mentoring the new tributes who would get to honor the Capitol with sacrifices of their own.
People in Twelve took to mocking the statements. Though they stopped doing so in Haymitch's vicinity after he yelled at a vendor in the Hob while buying his liquor.
Katniss had arrived at the tail end of the tirade, just in time to hear Haymitch growl, "Get some damn earplugs for when that godforsaken TV switches on. It would do the lot of you a world of good."
Then he'd gathered up his case of glass bottles, which clinked together as if backing up his statement, and disappeared back to Victor's Village.
The scene had increased Twelve's anticipation of the Quell announcement in a way the Capitol's propaganda hadn't managed. No matter Haymitch's own feelings, after all, he would be further in the spotlight during the 75th games, and that meant Twelve would be under scrutiny. Some, like Mrs. Mellark, were excited. She had taken to reminding people that she'd attended school with Haymitch. She even denied having banned him from the bakery years ago for looking "little better than the morphling scum."
There were a few derisive comments about how the woman hoped to be interviewed once the games rolled around. There were sinister whispers about how she hoped one of her own children were chosen for the arena so she could reap the benefits.
Katniss didn't dare dare spread that talk further, but as she watched Peeta's mood worsen, she was sure he had heard what people were saying regardless. He had grown quieter when they were in the woods.
His footsteps were louder, somehow, as he stomped through the forest, but Katniss didn't feel the annoyance at that she once would have. All she felt was concern as she watched him.
By the time of the official announcement, Katniss was ready for the Quell to be over with. She hated the way her stomach tightened at the thought of learning what this year's gratuitous torture would be.
Caesar Flickerman's large, smiling face appeared on their television screen. The camera was far too close. That was Katniss' first thought. She hated when the cameras did that, got up so close that you could see every crease in someone's makeup. It made her uncomfortable.
Flickerman's eyebrows were a bright electric blue, and when the camera zoomed out far enough, it became clear that his hair and entire outfit were too.
"Hello, fellow citizens," Flickerman greeted, smiling his nauseating smile.
Behind the camera, a crowd of Capitol citizens could be heard, ready for the Hunger Games excitement to start earlier than usual. Katniss wondered what it was like to get joy out of such a thing.
"Tonight is a very exciting night," Flickerman continued. "Tonight we begin looking toward this year's Hunger Games. For the first time in twenty-five years, this year's rules won't be what we're used to. President Snow is joining us tonight to remind us what this is about. Give it up for President Snow, everyone!"
The applause grew as the camera revealed President Snow sitting in a chair next to Flickerman. The confident man raised a hand towards the audience as if he were seeing them for the first time.
Snow had chosen a simple outfit that made him stand out next to Flickerman. His hair was stark white, as were his eyebrows, and his suit was a soft brown that wasn't unlike the color of Katniss' beloved hunting jacket, though it was crisper and made from velvet.
"Thank you for joining us, Mr. President."
Snow chuckled, prompting the audience to do so as well.
"Thank you for having me, Caesar. As you've said, tonight is an important night. I'm honored to share it with you and the rest of Panem."
Flickerman hummed in agreement.
"As am I, sir. As am I. Please, do tell us more."
Snow shared a smile with Flickerman that made Katniss' stomach churn before he turned to look at the camera, giving it his full attention.
"As you know, each year we celebrate the Hunger Games as a stark reminder of that horrible rebellion that ended with great loss of life. With so many years having passed, it's more crucial than ever that we take time to remember such a horrific moment in our past, or the mistakes of our great nation are doomed to be repeated.
"The founders of our treasured games knew that, as time passed, many would be tempted to forget what we commemorate each year, so they instigated the Quarter Quells. Envelopes were sealed during the institution of the games, with one set to be opened every twenty-five years.
"Within each envelope, we find a new rule or a changed rule that must be followed during that year's games. Tonight, we discover what the 75th Annual Hunger Games, our 3rd Quarter Quell, has in store for us in a few months' time."
Flickerman began to applaud, with the audience quickly following his lead. Snow quieted them with a wave of his hand. He stood as a cart was wheeled out by a woman dressed head to toe in bright red. She disappeared, leaving Snow standing behind the cart looking satisfied with himself.
The camera zoomed in on the lone envelope propped up on a shining silver tray. Across its front "75th" was emblazoned in looping calligraphy. It looked crisp, not like paper that had been lying around for 75 years.
Without another word, Snow picked up the envelope. There was a soundtrack that accompanied the action, one that urged those watching to feel the immeasurable tension of the unknown. Katniss shifted in her seat, clutching her hands in her lap. She looked away from the screen, but made herself look back when she saw the fear in Prim's eyes as she clutched at their mother's arm.
Snow smirked as he tugged out a small card, careful not to wrinkle it.
"This year," he announced, holding the card for the cameras to see, "the tributes will be reaped from the entire population of each district, excluding only the current victors. All previous tessarae slips for an individual will be included."
Mrs. Everdeen gasped, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. Prim looked at her, eyes wide as she tried to decide how to best comfort the woman.
It took several minutes for Mrs. Everdeen to begin crying. Flickerman encouraged the audience to applaud louder than they ever had before. Snow smiled and accepted their gratitude at having been provided a grand show for the summer. Then Flickerman offered his thanks to Snow one more time, Snow waved, and that was the end.
The television shut itself off, and Katniss became intensely aware of the way her mother's body was shaking as she tried to hold in her sobs.
"Mom?" Prim said, reaching out to place her hand over Mrs. Everdeen's.
Their mother didn't answer her with words. She shook her head, hiding her eyes from her daughters.
"I'll be fine," she said, struggling to sound as if she were telling the truth. "Completely fine. What matters is that you girls have a much smaller chance of being chosen. We'll all be just fine."
XXX
Katniss forgot about Gale until the next day. For years, they'd bonded over the fact that each of them shared a number of tessarae slips, but Gale had always been the one person she knew with more than herself.
With so much else occupying her mind, she hadn't spared a thought that this games had been meant to be the first where Gale wasn't part of the reaping. He was nineteen, out of school, and working. It should have been the first year that Katniss didn't worry about him.
The miners streamed out of the mine, a few talking and laughing with each other but most just focusing on getting home as quickly as possible. It took awhile before Katniss found Gale amongst the crowd. She weaved her way through the miners until she was at his side.
He looked hesitant when he saw her, but he slowed down and directed her off to the side, out of the way of everyone walking by. Once they were alone enough that they could talk without being disturbed, Katniss spoke.
"Are you okay? I can't imagine…"
She wasn't sure what else to say, so she had no choice but to let her words trail off. She couldn't imagine having felt the relief of being safe only to have danger forced on you again.
"I'm fine," Gale replied, not looking at Katniss. "At least I can volunteer if one of them, especially Posy—"
"Wait. Posy?"
Her brow furrowed as she stared at Gale in confusion.
"Yes, Posy," Gale said slowly, looking at Katniss as if he were working out a puzzle. "You realize that Snow said everyone except the victors will be in the reaping? That doesn't mean everyone twelve and up, Katniss. It's everyone."
Ice ran through Katniss' veins.
"My god…" she breathed. "But Posy, she's four. And babies. They can't send babies in there. How are they meant to fight? There wouldn't be a fight. Not even the Capitol could see that as anything but murder!"
"If I had any hope left in the humanity of the Capitol, Katniss, then it's gone. They're monsters who cheered last night when they heard that more innocent people, children, are going to be up for murder. They don't deserve the benefit of the doubt."
"As much as I hate them, they might not realize the rule means younger kids. Babies. I didn't realize it. Maybe, when they do, they won't be as excited. Snow could—"
"You and I both know Snow would never have allowed the rule to be implemented if he expected backlash from the Capitol, and he knows better than anyone what he can get away with. There won't be anyone trying to stop this, Katniss. Not there and not in the districts. We're going to sit back and let it happen like he have been for seventy-five years."
"Gale," Katniss whispered, eyes flickering around them. "What you're saying is dangerous."
These were the types of complaints that got people killed. They were taught in school about past "criminals" who had been subjected to death for those very sort of words.
"I don't care, Katniss. I'm tired of living in fear and offering myself and my siblings up for slaughter every year. Putting my baby sister's name in is the last straw. They hold all the cards, and Snow believes he's safe, that no one will do anything to stop him. And he should. No one's done anything for decades while children were being killed. And I don't just mean in the games."
Katniss felt anger warring with fear.
"You're talking as if the districts have had a choice. We both know what happened the last time the districts tried to fight the Capitol. What do you think they'd do if we did it again? Bomb us to dust like they did Thirteen?"
"Just like they want us to think they did to Thirteen," Gale snapped.
Katniss froze. The world around them had blurred.
"What are you talking about?"
Gale sighed, running a hand through his hair. He glanced around to make sure no one was in earshot.
"There's been talk in the mines," he whispered, leaning in close. "Everyone knows the Capitol uses the same old footage of Thirteen on their news broadcasts. People used to think it was because it was too dangerous to travel there, but not anymore. The Capitol could easily send a drone if they wanted us to see it."
"What are they saying in the mines then? They can't possibly believe Thirteen's still there without us knowing about it."
"But they do." Gale looked pained to say it. "More people believe it every day. I'm not sure who started the talk, but at least half the miners have begun doubting what we've been told, and the number's growing every day."
"And you?" Katniss asked. "Which half are you in?"
Another sigh, one laced with frustration. Another pass of his hand through his hair as he considered his words.
"I can't make myself see it any other way anymore."
Katniss growled in frustration, and Gale was quick to defend himself.
"You know as well as I do that using that footage makes no sense. There hasn't even been any aerial views, which wouldn't take as much effort as shipping a reporter out there. That has to mean they're hiding something, and what else could it be if it's not the fact that Thirteen is still there, safe and sound?"
"I don't know, and it's safer if I stay clueless."
Katniss turned to walk away from him, but Gale hurried after her.
"Look, if you'd asked me a few months ago, I would have raised an eyebrow, but I can't after listening to what everyone has to say."
Katniss came to a stop, watching Gale with unease.
"But things are only going to get worse if we keep giving the Capitol what they want. If we have any hope of surviving, we have to fight back, and there might be a place we can go that's entirely free from Capitol control."
"Say that's true," Katniss said. "Say Thirteen is still there, still full of people, rebuilt. What's to say they'd accept refugees? What's to say they wouldn't turn anyone over to the Capitol to keep themselves safe? Taking in Panem citizens would make them a target for the Capitol.
"I doubt they'd want that if they've left us to fend for ourselves for so long."
"Because I have to believe the people of Thirteen would be better than the Capitol, and if they want to lock me in prison for entering the district, I'll take it as long as I stay in their custody and not the Capitol's. It's more hope for surviving than I have here."
He said it with such confidence that Katniss wanted to believe him, but the doubts rang too strongly in her mind. Getting Prim across the wilderness that laid between Twelve and Thirteen without being picked up by the Capitol would be impossible. To place their trust in another government when the only one they'd ever known would have happily seen them dead, was more than Katniss could manage.
"What are you planning?" Katniss asked, eyes narrowing. "You're not thinking of sneaking off in the middle of the night and trying to find it."
"Not yet," Gale said with an uneasy shrug. "Not until I can get my family prepared and not until I have a clearer idea of what we might find there. I'm not the only one who wants to go though. Others are talking about trying to find it, and they don't want to wait as long as I'm willing to."
She could hear the worry in his voice, the knowledge that, if anyone tried to find Thirteen, it would be harder for another to follow in their footsteps.
"If they do, they'll be killed," she said coldly. "You know that."
Gale gave a short nod, his jaw taut.
Katniss took a step closer to him. Leaning on her toes, she looked him square in the eye.
"Promise me you won't do something stupid," she said.
Her voice was close to cracking, and she swallowed with difficulty before she continued.
"Don't get yourself killed."
"I don't plan on it," Gale said.
He stared back in a wordless challenge for her to believe him.
Katniss took a step back, not tearing her eyes from his right away.
A/N: Word count: 3,003