Author's Note:

Yes I know, this chapter is a bit late, and not as long as I would like it too be, but to be honest, the events of this chapter weren't something I could exactly write 6000 words on. It is kind of like the Danix chapter, except longer than that.

Now also, I have noticed that there have been very little reviews per chapter as of late, and I understand that I may have lost some readers during that period when I was not able to upload, but still there have been some that have gone for many chapters without reviewing. I get that some people do read it even though they don't review, but I have to admit it is kind of disheartening to write 6000 words and get little notification that people are actually reading it.

I really would like to know your guys thoughts on the chapter, and even just some review showing that you are reading would suffice. Thank you to the people that do review each time, and hopefully more of you will join in. Otherwise, I may just assume you aren't reading anymore.

That's all I had to say really, so let's begin.

Phionex Blast, 16, D7:

"Good evening Phionex! I must say I adore your dress."

"Uh, thanks I guess."

"So tell us, how has your time been in the Capitol?"

"What, you mean District 0? Just as I thought it would be, surrounded by pompous arrogant douches that think they are better than everyone."

"Oh, uh well surely you have met some nice people from the Capitol?"

"Very few, the rest are assholes."

"So how confident are you for the Hunger Games?"

"Ha! How confident would you be going into a closed arena where the majority of the people that enter are trying to kill you? Midas," I hiss, my eyes narrowed. Regina leans forward and buries her face into her hands. I believe I can hear a slight moan of impatience come from where her mouth is.

Her luscious blue bubble-gum coloured hair falls in waves covering either side of her face. Her right leg rests on top of her left, giving her something to rest her elbows on as she momentarily takes a break. Seconds later, she raises her head, showing her face which has her bottom lip puckered out as if she was a small child that just dropped their ice-cream.

"Phionex… please, I'm not your enemy, I'm trying to help the two of you out. I want you guys to win!" she pleads weakly, expressing her pain through hand movements. I shake my head in denial.

"You may want to see us win Regina, but the rest of District 0 want to see us die. They want all of the Rebels to perish in a slow, painful, and entertaining matter," I say bitterly. Regina cringes when I say that.

"Please Phionex, most Capitolites don't respond politely to that term," she says softly.

"What term?" I ask shaking my head. Regina looks around briefly just to see who is near us. The stylists are nowhere to be seen, and Atlas lies on the other couch reading over potential questions that Midas may ask.

"District 0," Regina whispers. I laugh in bewilderment about how stupid that is.

"Why do you have to check if people are around?" I ask, chortling. Regina creases her eyebrows in frustration.

"Phionex it's a serious matter for me, and any Capitolite."

"Okay, before you go on," I interrupt, "stop saying Capitolite that sounds really fucking stupid." Regina huffs appearing flustered.

"Well, fine whatever, but if someone from the Capitol gets caught even uttering that word, they get the Death Penalty," Regina states looking rather frightened. I pause for a moment.

"You get the Death Penalty, for saying District 0?" I say, raising my eyebrow in question. Regina once again winces when I say that name.

"Yes, that's exactly what happens!" Regina cries. I roll my eyes in disbelief. What type of place is this? They kill any citizen that says the name that they used to go by? Now I hate the Capitol, through and through. Anything or anyone from it, with a small number of exceptions. But even I feel a slight twinge of remorse for those that get killed for saying District 0, despite them being from the Capitol.

"Wait, how come I haven't gotten killed for saying that? I say it all the time," I say.

"Well, they can't kill a tribute. They most likely think sending you to the Hunger Games is enough," Regina says bitterly. Regina is one of the few people that I have met in the Capitol that is against the Hunger Games. She has told me that there are others, but doesn't want to give a name in case they somehow get in trouble. Most of the time I think she is saying it to get me to like her, and not be so hateful to absolutely everyone here, but I suppose if she really is against the Hunger Games, I would rather be around her than someone completely Pro-Games.

I sigh, shaking my head.

"Fine, whatever I'll refrain from saying it in the midst of you people," I say shrugging.

"Well I appreciate that Phionex," Regina says smiling.

"But, that doesn't mean I'll act polite and energetic to the people that intend on me dying," I say. Now it's Regina's turn to sigh. She rubs her tired eyes and returns her gaze to mine.

"Please, you've got to understand Phionex. These interviews is what gives the Capitol an insight to who you truly are," she says placing her hand on my shoulder.

"This is who I really am," I grunt, my face tensing up into a scowl.

"That is not what you want to show the Capitol. We are trying to change that look of you to something the Capitol will approve of and even adore," she comments.

"Wait what? You're trying to change me?" I shout, standing up.

"No, not in a bad way!" Regina says grabbing my wrist. I tear my wrist from her grasp and fold my arms.

"You're just like the rest of them Regina. They've already been changing us. Taking the opportunity to experiment on us and bend us to their desires when they please. I don't want to become something I'm not," I shout, my eyes beginning to water.

"Phionex, plea-" Regina tries to speak.

"You don't want to help us! You just want to change us," I say interrupting her.

"Phionex! Listen to me!" Regina screams. The entirety of the District 7 living quarters goes silent. Atlas looks up in shock, while my mouth drops open as I stare absolutely dumbfounded at Regina's outburst. This is the first time that Regina has had to raise her voice, the first time that she has just lost it. Her frosty blue eyes are swimming in a pool of shiny tears as her lips quiver in angst.

"Please, sit back down, and just listen to what I have to say," Regina says so softly it could be a whisper. I allow my legs to bend and place myself back down on the plush sofa. Regina sits down next to me, wiping away the tears that swell in her eyes.

"I care for you both, Atlas and you. I am trying my hardest to get the two of you in the best positions you can be. I'm not trying to change you, I'm trying to influence your attitude towards the Capitol to be more likeable to them. I am doing this, so that they sponsor you," Regina explains hoarsely.

"Sponsor me," I ask, confused.

"Yes, sponsor you. That means I'll be able to buy things and send them to you while you are in the arena. If you need water, food, weapons, shelter, so much more, I can get you that with money that people give to me. That only will come if people like you enough to give money," Regina informs us.

"So basically you're saying, the only way we will survive is for them to like us," Atlas speaks up, slamming the stack of questions on the table.

"Not necessarily Atlas, most of the Capitol don't particularly like Fletcher Wilds that much, but a lot of them think he is likely to win," Regina says.

"Besides, you don't really have to worry, most of the Capitol see you as the hunk of the Tributes, they already like you and I hear that they believe your odds of winning are pretty high," Regina says smiling. Atlas shakes his head in annoyance.

"I don't want to be seen in that way, I don't want to be remembered for looks, if I win, I want to be remembered for who I am as a person. For someone that strives to mend the rift between the Capitol and us from the Districts, to become equal just like we all were before the Dark Days," Atlas says throwing up his hands in the air.

"Why are you worried you won't be seen in that way? You're the leader of our alliance, an alliance made up of rebellious District inhabitants," I say trying to explain my point.

"No offense to you Regina, but the Capitol people don't take that stuff into account. A lot of them are horrible people that prefer to think with their cocks and sexual organs. The government may care, yes, but they will also try their best to shield the public away from seeing any hint of rebellion that especially their favourite tributes may show. They want to show that they have stamped out the majority of rebellion and that the few that will show it suffer," Atlas says sighing.

"That is true, so why do you still want to show that rebellious side to you?" Regina asks. Atlas looks at her, blank faced.

"I don't know if I want to anymore," he says emotionlessly.

"I don't know what to do in general. I don't want to show any form of gratitude to the Capitol. They are about to fuck up our lives. Condemn us all to death besides one. One person will survive. How can that person, whether it be the most venomous tribute here, or the most innocent, recover from what will be the most scarring, traumatising experience of their lives. The Capitol just expects us to take that? To think of them as the saviours? To express gratitude for the opportunity? No," Atlas says bitterly. The room is filled with silence as Atlas' speech sinks in.

"I made a mistake. I thought I could handle this, that I would have no problem with it. However, the more I have come to know people, the more I realise that likely all of them will die. The more I stay here, the more I realise the Capitols true intentions, of punishing us, selling us, changing us," he says, glancing at me at those last few words.

"Then again, what's the point of putting myself through an even worse time just by showing my true thoughts to such an oppressive populace? The rebels are a dying race, almost extinct. If we all die, then who will strive to see a better tomorrow?" Atlas asks. Regina reaches out and pats him on the back.

"Atlas is right Phionex. If you really want to show your true emptions and outlooks, then you have to be prepared to face the Capitol. It's true that they want to exterminate any form of rebellion, and that counts for people as well. The Gamemakers will make your life hell in the arena, and you will likely not make it out," Regina says.

"Way to be pessimistic Regina," I say folding my arms.

"I'm not sugar coating it Phionex, I'm being straightforward, anger the Gamemakers, make them dislike you, and expect a world of pain," Regina says, tone completely serious.

"It's so stupid! I'm not attacking them, I may be showing passive aggression, but why do they have to make this so damn serious?" I complain.

"Because it is serious Phionex," Regina conveys.

"Atlas gets it, but you seem to struggle to understand what I'm trying to say, or at least not take me seriously. You may be not showing them physical abuse, but verbally can be just as deadly, I absolutely do not suggest you go passive aggressive on Midas. The reason we have spent the last hour with me pretending to be Midas is so that you can practice not upsetting the entirety of the Capitol," Regina says getting flustered. I lean back on the backrest and groan in annoyance. This whole situation has become way more serious than it needs to be.

"I'm going to take a break. This is too stressful," I say shaking my head. Regina sighs as I get up and walk away. I still can't work out if she really wants to help us or is just pretending to. I find myself taking a turn towards the elevator rather than my room. I don't really know why, I don't even think there is anywhere that we are allowed to go.

When I step into the elevator, I look at the buttons. My eyes land on Level 10, and I contemplate going up to visit Vince. However, I feel like that's weird, especially since I don't really know his tribute partner Cassia, or his Escort. Am I even allowed to go to other District's floors? I don't see why I wouldn't be able to, but I decide against it anyway.

My eyes go further up and land on the R button. I haven't taken notice of this particular button before, yet, there it is, plain as day. It is the only button above the Floor 12 button, so I presume it is the roof. Would a tribute be allowed on the roof?

My finger finds the button and presses it, causing a beam of yellow lighting to embrace the button. The elevator shoots up very quickly, causing me to experience the usual fluttering stomach occurrence. It slows down once it nears the top, eventually stopping at a halt. The doors open causing me to shield my eyes from the bright sun.

I step out onto the roof, a subtle breeze blowing a few strands of hair onto my face. The sun is warm, warmer than the often overcast and chilled air of District 7. It hits my arms and face engulfing it them in a toasty atmosphere. Wind chimes can be heard from somewhere, not to loud but rather distant. I must say, despite my hatred for the Capitol, I do commend them on their impeccable weather.

Honestly, I believe it is the first time I have even felt the sun since I left District 7. I have been inside for the entire time I've been here besides for the Chariot Rides, which had an opening at the top. Unfortunately at that point it was night, and even if it wasn't, the tree that grew from my costume would have blocked me from the sun.

It' s a nice change, had I have known about the roof I would have gotten the entire United Pack to meet up here every night, potentially to enjoy a moment of stress free bliss. I'm sure that it would be absolutely lovely up here during the night. The city lights would be a phenomenal sight, and much nicer than a window that changes scenes at a buttons press. No, the real, non-artificial thing.

I walk up to the barrier, leaning on the arm rest and looking down below. It's a long drop. An excruciatingly high drop. The people walking below look like ants, or maybe fleas would be a more suitable description. I notice a large cluster of the stand outside the front of the building below. Large cars and flashing lights can easily be spotted despite the great distance. I leer at the lot of them, media reporters, new press, all just trying to get a crumb of information about anything. If they waited for tonight, they would have a whole 24 interviews to deal with.

I am very tempted to spit a wad of phlegm at them, yet somehow I feel like that won't go down well. I don't need them telling every citizen that the District 7 girl Phionex Blast is a no good rebellious scum. I'm certainly not scum, but every ounce of me is rebellious, right down to the core. Which is exactly what Regina wants me to hide. Ugh, I came to the roof to take a break from Regina, and now I'm thinking about what she has told me? Great.

I look up slightly, looking at the building in front of me. It is very large, very luxurious, and very grand. It stands taller than the Tribute Tower, built up my slabs of marble and accented by licks and stems of gold. The windows themselves look like they are made from pure crystal, which I would honestly not be surprised by if that was the case.

The name of the building is located over the doors, written in extremely precise calligraphy.

Altitude Heights.

Well it must be some building, because it is appears to be equally as important Tribute Towers. Fancy sport cars are parked out front while the media crowd seem almost as interested about this building as ours. Quite interesting, I wonder what is so important about it.

"You're not thinking about jumping are you?" a voice calls from behind me. I gasp and turn around in an instant, only to be facing Atlas.

"God dammit Atlas, you scared me to death," I moan as I clutch my chest. He laughs and stands beside me, overlooking the street below.

"Is this the first time you've been up here?" Atlas asks.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I came up here to be alone," I snap at him, still annoyed from before. He doesn't reply as he looks down below.

"Why did you come here?" I ask.

"Well, I saw that you went into the elevator, so I figured I would check on you, and I assumed you would be on the roof because to be fair, where the fuck else would you go?" he says.

"Maybe I wanted to be alone," I retort back. He strokes his chin for a moment to consider this.

"Nah, you would prefer to be with your bud Atlas," he says grinning. I shake my head trying not to laugh.

"You know we are only friends because of these Hunger Games right?" I say.

"I suppose that is true, but who isn't to say we wouldn't have become friends back in District 7?" he asks, shrugging and looking at me.

"Well to be quite honest, I always thought you were kind of a douche," I reply chuckling. He raises his eyebrow in question.

"Really? Well, I thought you were always kind of bitchy," he says. I put my hands on my hips as my mouth drops.

"Shut up, no you didn't," I say in denial.

"No, I really did," he protests. I punch him in the arm and he laughs.

"Okay, okay. You were always one of the nicer people out of the rebels, and I assume that you would have been very similar before that," he confesses. I smile and nod my head.

"Much better," I reply. He rubs the spot that I punched.

"You know, that was actually a solid punch, I think that it might even bruise," he says.

"Boo hoo, you going to cry?" I tease. He chuckles and stops rubbing, eventually his smile disappearing.

"Do you remember much of what it was like before the war?" he asks quietly. I glance at his still face, appearing rather sad.

"A little, but not all that much. I mean, the war raged on for many years, I was about 9 when it started," I reply. He nods in agreement.

"That was similar to me, I was 11. It feels almost like I never got to experience a true child hood. Everything that I have from it is gone. My parents, my best friend, my home, all destroyed because of District fucking 0," he says bitterly. I remember Atlas' parents. Alexia and Jules Verdini, very respected throughout District 7. Alexia was a fantastic medic, saved hundreds of rebel lives. I was a medic for some time during the war, although I don't have an awfully good memory of it, since I was very young at that stage, maybe 11. I worked alongside Alexia Verdini, and I remember she was a very pleasant woman.

I had always wondered at that point how she was so nice and Atlas was such a douchebag, but I was naïve. His father was very much like himself, a fantastic warrior and was one of the few to lead District 7 in the Storm of District 2. His best friend I can only remember briefly, Charles Hebilus, very rowdy like Atlas used to be. Atlas changed after all this happened. He became silent, dark, and relentless when attacking District 0. I am surprised how well he has done so far.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did your parents die?" I ask softly. Atlas grits his teeth as he looks down below.

"Two soldiers, or Peacekeepers now, they raided a bunch of our homes. I'm sure you remember that night. The two of us, Charlie and I, we were out that night, at one of the celebrations over the District 1 forces joining ours. We arrived in our street to find it stained in blood, people slaughtered on the ground, gores soaked into the crevices of the road. I remember, I ran to my doorstep, flung open the door, and ran into my parents' bedroom.

The two men, stood over my mother, who feebly rolled around on the floor, crying out in pain, hands and feet tied to the bedside table and bed legs. My father, already lay dead on the bed, throat slashed so hard his head was almost decapitated, multiple stab wounds to his chest, stomach, and even his left eye.

I'll never forget those faces, of the two men. Maniacal, savage, bloodstained. I remember there features, and I remember their names. They escaped through the window, but instead of chasing them down, I kneeled by my mother. She was a beautiful lady, I had been told that many times by the rebels. And there she was, that beautiful woman that had so many men proclaim their love to her, tied up, clothes torn to shreds, naked raped and violated, body viciously ravaged by those soldiers to their every desire.

She had been stabbed in the stomach, they most likely had planned on torturing her, but either way she was dying. I tried to stifle the blood flow as the two of us cried. I tried so hard to do everything that she had tried to teach me, but it was too late. I held her in my arms as she told me it was going to be okay, as she told me to move on, as she finally passed," Atlas managed to say. My hands covered my mouth as I listened to Atlas. My eyes began to water as I listened as well. Now that the story is over, I weep for him.

"I never knew. I never could have known it was that bad," I say. He shakes his head.

"I killed them. I killed those two soldiers. I killed one in the exact same way they had killed my father. And I killed the other in my own way. This is why I hate the Capitol. That is why I volunteered for these Games, so I could confront the Capitol personally. With Charles dying to them as well, I honestly had nothing to live for anymore," he says glumly.

"You do now," I say patting his back.

"You have Libra. I know that she feels something for you, and don't deny you may feel something back." He smiles at those words.

"You've got Vince as well," he says, smirking now. I instantly feel my face becoming hotter, presumably going a bright cherry red in colour. I splutter a couple of words, before turning away.

"I knew it," Atlas laughs.

"Shut up," I say, trying to cover my red face.

"That is why Phionex, we need to at least try to act nice in the interviews. If they get any wind of knowing who we care for just after we go complete rebellion mode at them, then it puts both us and them into danger," he says softly. I sigh as I look back at Atlas.

"Are you sure Regina didn't just send you up here to convince me?" I ask. Atlas rolls his eyes.

"Yes Phionex, I am positive," he replies. I let out a deep breath and shrug my shoulders.

"Fine, whatever," I say casually.

"Okay good, now speaking of Regina, let's go back down and tell her that we are both ready for her to train us in the art of speaking to the Capitol," he says grabbing my shoulder and escorting me to the elevator.

I hate to do this, but if this is what it takes to be safe, then I will have to suck it up and put up with it. I am not going to let my actions get Vince killed.