Ashes from fire

Chapter 26: Run this Town

Life's a game, but it's not fair

I break the rules, so I don't care

So I keep doin' my own thing

Walkin' tall against the rain

...

Victory's within the mile

Almost there, don't give up now

Only thing that's on my mind

Is who's gonna run this town tonight

I sat down listening to an old song in Simon recording room trying to think when I randomly found this song. Something about the female singer voice felt right in her words that I could relate to. The number one question is who will run the Capitol tonight? Yesterday was all about recovery, as Dr. Caduceus examined my arm and used some sort of Capitol medicine that healed the bruising while the fracture part he however couldn't mend. The advance medicine for that relies in a hospital, which the rebels haven't confiscated yet. So I resign on drugs that numb the pain and create the ability to make the body function.

But out of all the stress in planning an attack waiting for Snow to trigger the chip inside my head, instead Simon had a surprise for me. A moment I could ask what it was, the door open to reveal somebody I thought I would never see again. Standing by the door dress less flamboyant with natural golden locks curled in different location, vibrant pink heart lips and eye shadow wearing the old outfit from the reaping. Unable to control myself, I jumped up and hugged Effie for dear life. She stumbled on her leather heels but didn't falter or phased by the act.

During the Rebellion, Effie had no participation in the chaos but Snow being cautious had Effie on house arrest. In the back of the room Cinna, Varick, and Simon watched the reunion of old friends. No matter what our behavior of our relationship is with Effie with her aloof behavior and my stubbornness, we were a family. When sitting down, she told her story on the night of the Caesars interview before the Quarter Quells. After Peeta gave the announcement of Katniss being pregnant, Effie tried to head towards the elevator to check on us when a peacekeeper order her to go home and that Hermes was waiting for her. After Hermes drove her home, a few peacekeepers were at her house along with Damon (or by her term, a tall man dress in black). He simply sat down asking questions, quite rudely about Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, and I. Asking if the pregnancy was true, which Effie responded. "I didn't know she was pregnant till today."

Damon going deeper and deeper by asking questions to a point she became hysteria saying she doesn't know. And it was true, Effie didn't know anything. Katniss wouldn't want to get her involved if things come at hand, Peeta would agree as well as Haymitch while I kept my fair amount of secrets. After the integration, Damon answered a phone call which he told her that she was under house arrest until further notice.

"I asked him why," Effie said in her proud capitol accent. "But he told me I had possibly encountered a rebel. A rebel, nonsense! But he didn't believe me. So he asked me about Cinna, Portia, and Hermes if they've been acting particular since joining the business."

"Is Hermes alright," I asked. Hermes was the victor's driver who drove me everywhere around the Capitol for business. He was a kind elderly man in his fifties who focused on his job or entertained himself with Effie's rants.

Effie shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know."

I looked at Simon and Varick for any answers. By their faces they didn't know about Hermes other than being a Capitol driver not an insurgent or a rebel. Taking a moment praying Hermes was alright before Effie started asking question about what happen and stuff the propos couldn't answer. Simon and Varick did their best to elaborate the circumstances when she looked at Cinna. "Your mother is worry, Cinna. Chenal thinks you are dead."

Cinna stiffened when Effie mention his mother. Although I called Chenal, Channel for she always channel into you. Now that I think about it, he hardly talked about his family let alone the connection with his mom. So far the Pontmercy family is strange, for Mr. Pontmercy is an insurgent while Chenal was a Hunger Games stylist. Now I started thinking if Chenal was helping the insurgents through me. She knew about Snow selling me out the first few years until last year. I looked at Cinna who looked at Varick.

"Was Chenal an insurgent?" I asked suddenly.

Nobody answer as Effie looked confused. Taking the silences as an answer I stood up needing some space walking outside to breathe. On the roof tops of the studio the winter was here as it began to snow. Counting the days I realized I have forgotten my birthday. With all the chaos of the battle and name of days just became hour codes in numbers, there was hardly anything to conclude. Twenty-one, wow, not impressive than what most young adults put it. Guess this is how Johanna felt on hers…it really didn't matter. Age is just a number after you come out of the area, because a piece of you is already dead anyway. Suddenly my thought went towards Chenal. She was Cinna's mother and the woman who taught me how to survive this cruel world in a dark way.

I remember the day I met Chenal during the seventy-first Hunger Games.

.o0o.

Flashback

After going through a painful remake, the prep team handed me a silk robe and lead me to where my stylist shall be. The room had two crème-golden accent push couches facing off a low table. Three walls were painted ivory while the forth was entirely glass, providing a view of the city. However, this wasn't a sitting room, for a tall mirror stood, a vanity full with makeup, and a manikin wearing tonight's costume.

"Hello?" I called out, walking into the room. I stood up to the manikin tracing the skimpy shorts discovering the material wasn't just leather, but coal trimmed on the edges. A stand stood beside it, where a metal shape head rest wearing some sort of headdress crown seen in book from ancient foreign land wore…what was it called Egyptian? It wasn't a golden vulture, but some sort of detail of fire while the top held a glass chamber where a flashlight rested. I traced my fingers over the golden flames of the headdress.

"Well, don't just stand there, Blaine, try it on." A female capitol voice startled me, turning around to see a woman wearing a prim metallic suit. Her face surgically alters though wore little make-up and left her orange hair down in volume curls. "You'll find it fits perfectly."

"I don't wear stuff like this." I sneered, flicking the top piece.

"As a style choice, or because you're not use to it?" She asked.

"Because it's ugly," I answered.

"And you're beautiful. Effie was right about that much." The stylist smiled walking in, platform heels clicking on the tile floor. She walked around me, plucking the robe off my body examining me, not touching me, though those green eyes felt like feathers on skin.

"So what?" I asked unimpressed. "You're the one that's supposed to teach me how to walk and talk, woo the blood lust audience?"

"My name is Chenal," She said with amusement. Oh great, this is the woman who put humiliation in District 12's appearances. All her designs base on skimpy wear for the tribute parade. Haymitch said that before her, previous tributes wore baggy annual miner wear. "And I'm the one who's going to show you how to embrace your beauty and use it to your advantage. Your journey begins right her in this chair." Gesturing towards the ivory plush chair ready for its next victim.

"I'm not smearing that crap on my face." I said, crossing my arms.

"I remember six years ago, a little girl who wanted to wear lip sticks." Chenal chuckled handing the robe back. "Put on pretty dresses and let me mold her hair into art, calling me Channel because you couldn't pronounce my name."

I yank the robe back putting it on. "That was a long time ago."

"It's not like this will be the first time. You've reinvented yourself, Blaine." Chenal said, "After all, you lost your mom and spent six years caring for your father who I sadly have to say, is a disappointment."

"Shut up!" I exclaimed furious. She hit a sensitive topic. No one dare talks rudely about Haymitch in front of me. He already has enough humiliating himself in the Capitol. "I don't need a constant reminder."

"What kind of sixteen year old district girl would come here?" she inquired. "Someone who was brought here against her will, on a train, with many other teenagers just like you."

"Not like me," I corrected, tears veiling my eyes. "I was cursed. The reaping was rigged."

"Your government, yes, but not the genetics you were born from. You're a warrior, Blaine. You made it through hell; you'll make it through this. It's in your blood. Blaine Abernathy, daughter of Haymitch Abernathy. The victor of the second Quarter Quell," She said reassuringly, cradling her artificial nails around my cheek caressing it. "All I'm here is to show you, you don't have to be hard to survive. Sometimes vulnerability can be our greatest weapon."

End Flashback

.o0o.

"Yeah, vulnerability becomes your weapon." I muttered.

"Always talking to yourself?" Simon asked joining me on the roof.

"It's the only way to control my sanity," I said. "Besides Dr. Caduceus said I need to let my thoughts out."

Before Simon could respond to that, an electrical buzzing blare out through the streets. All the soldiers stopped covering their ears as glass on building started to crack. I on the other hand stood still feeling the signal overpowering that my mind went blank. My body stood paralyzed receiving orders to return to the President Mansion. I felt scared, but I couldn't do anything as I faced Simon who covered his ears from the noise. Grabbing Simons head, I slammed it against the wall till he fell unconscious. As his body dropped with blood on his left temple region though continue to breath. With that done, I took his gun and knife before using the emergency stairway, down an alley way using the given routs coordinated in my head.

I started running. I hear the electrical buzzing stop and soldiers demanding what that noise was and the winter breeze blowing against my ear. I shake my head and keep running, jumping a few steps or skipping ladders. I held my breath, wincing when jumping ten feet and continue to run. The air is crisper, the sky dark from the snow ready fall. I stay discrete in the streets, hidden in the alleyways, unnoticed to the public transportation or pod location and peacekeepers. I run like I never done before, climbing on ladders, jumping over roof tops or fences. Already my lungs burn, my muscles ache along with my sprain ankle and wrist begging to stop. But the orders was so intense I feel like I have to follow or my brain might explode. I don't know why I'm running. I just had to get to President Snow mansion.

I don't know where I was going. Every time I close my eyes I find myself in a different location. When I'm near people or peacekeepers they hold their weapons at me for a second then dropped them letting me pass. In the cold dark hour of nonstop running, I found myself a block away from President Snow mansion where the garden was. Walking slowly, there were a couple of sets of stomping behind me. I paused turning around to see no one was there. Arching a brow curious then shook my head deciding it is nothing. So with a deep breath, I walked to the thirty foot tall wall cover in vines grazing at them thoroughly. All the vines were dead, shrivel, and fragile that one touch they would break until touching cold metal. The orders demanded finding the secret passage door and with a strong push the door pull back sliding to the side.

I stop center of the rose garden waiting. Just standing there waiting at attention. A few Capitol Guard come out with their guns surrounding me while one person. Damon.

"Seems the program still works," Damon said, cradling my cheek roughly to look at him. "You can hear and see everything, yet your mind is not fully accepting it. Now what is your name?"

"Blaine Maysilee Abernathy," I answered in a monotone voice.

"Good, who is in charge of the rebellion?" Damon asked.

"Plutarch Heavenbee, Xavier Varick, and Alma Coin," I answered.

Damon nodded walking around me like a predator seeking its prey. "Is the Mockingjay dead or is it one of the rebels cover ups?"

"She's dead," I answered.

"How?"

"She activated the Holo self-destruct system that explodes in a fiver meter radius."

"Any survivors?"

"Finnick Odair and I."

Damon continue asking question which my body responded giving the direct answer. Although deep down I try to break the trance not wanting to give information that would put the insurgents at jeopardy. As those I recall in the Nest, their identity exposed in a list. Those who are working in important position undercover in a bank, media, or anything of the important. When Cinna sliped out, Damon paused yanking my hair forcing me to repeat the name. Cinna. I could feel the pain but my body doesn't object let alone process it.

"You know what, it's time you wake up," He growled pulling out some sort of small remote and pressed the button. Instantly my body woken up along with my mind as the pain from the journey to get here wears on me. I had to bite my tongue from not crying and lock my knees either to not collapse. Damon shoved me back, "Alright Blaine, you're gonna talk or…"

"Or what?" I panted.

"Or this," he said punching me in the gut. I groan holding my stomach and collapsed on my knees. Damon smirked grabbing my hair forcing me to look at him, "You think I haven't forgotten where your weak spots are."

"I don't know," I sarcastically said. "I have a lot of weak spots lately."

"True," he said grabbing the gun out of my hand and fired between my feet. I quickly dodged the bullet falling on my back hard while crushing my wrist wincing a bit. He aimed at the gun at me with an amuse look. "You have been training well."

I swung my leg attempting to trip him, only Damon stomped on my bad leg and made another gun fire by my arm grazing it. I hissed covering the wound while glaring at him. Damon smirked kneeling down pressing the barrel into my right thigh where the tattoo was. His left hand went on my shoulder pinning me down.

"Yet you are not fighting back," he murmured. "Either those mutts did a good job or you finally given up. And knowing you, you know when to give up. The war was over when the Star Squad entered the street."

"You don't know me that well then," I grabbed the gun pushing up causing his trigger finger to fire the gun shooting one of the guards. Afterwards take the gun out of his hand aiming at Damon who stumbled back. I got up on my feet still pointing at him. "Didn't you once say 'everything is an act?"

"True," he replied, suddenly swing his arm knocking the gun out of my hand. As he was about to grab me, I pulled a knife out of my belt and slashed out cutting his palm. Damon seemed unfazed, grabbing my wrist into an angle causing a snap. I yelped, trying to break free however he still had a grip. "Still predicable." The flipped me on my back, I groaned on impact though tried to remain calm. "Where is your team now?"

"As if I'm gonna tell you," I growled.

Damon smirked twisting my wrist again. I bit my tongue trying not to scream even though we know he broken my wrist. "That's the thing, Blaine, you are always alone. You are nothing but a pawn and forever be a pawn on both ends. The rebels did the same to the mockingjay, so what makes you different?"

I chuckled which had the Capitol Guard surprise as was Damon, rolled over onto my back wiping the sweat off my face. "You got it wrong. I am never alone."

Instantly gun fire goes off killing the Capitol guard. Damon growled grabbing me by the neck forcing me up into a body shield, arm wrapped around my neck in a head lock while a gun pointed at my head. Cleo, Johanna, Acre, Varick, and Cinna came out pointing their riffles at us. I remained calmed controlling my breathing as Damon began to analyze the situation. This was all set up.

"You think you're that clever," Damon said.

"Better than you," Johanna sneered.

Damon smirked; adding pressure to my throat causing me to gasp. The others were going to fire but they didn't have a clear shot. So Varick signal the others to stand down and retreat leaving Cinna and Varick here on the stalemate.

"Stand your weapons down or I'll shoot her in the head," Damon ordered. "Your choice."

"You won't shoot her," Varick said. "President Snow Orders are to take her back to the mansion."

"Maybe we should just shoot you," Damon said aiming the gun at Varick but pointed it at Cinna. "Nice trick with the black box, you had the Circle really good there."

Cinna didn't reply as he glares at Damon. Damon saw this and smirked leaning into my ear saying aloud, "I still don't understand how you like him." I scoffed though unable to speak though the barrel soon pressed against my temple. "Now drop your weapons or this shall be the end for the rebel's birds."

Varick dropped his weapons followed by the others. Cinna kept a neutral face, though his eyes were burning, lowering the gun down on the grass then pulled out a knife and standing up arms straight in the air. Damon saw this and aimed the gun at Cinna. Quickly I used my left arm to misfire; Damon growled and grabbed my left arm yanking at the comp. The comp rapidly beeped indicating somebody try to steal it. Oh shit. Damon heard this and paused when suddenly the comp released an electrical discharge shocking both of us. The current shocked from head to toe that Damon let go over my wrist shoving me. Cinna took the opportunity and fired the ballistic knife. The blade ejected from the handle impacting to Damon's forehead between the eyes. He stood there shocked before collapsing on his knees and fell…dead.

I was on the ground shaken as the comp finished off the electrical shock. Once the emergency defense finished, I panted lying on my back numb. Shallow pats escape while chest moving rapidly body trying to get in order.

Then everything went blank.

…''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''';;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;'''''''''''''''''''''''' '''''''''….

This took forever.

'Run this town" by JAY Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West.

Inspired by Nikita and Divergent.

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