A.N: Readers, just a little note that this chapter will refer to some contents in Katniss's dream from Chapter 1 of this fanfic :) Just in case you've forgotten her dream, from my pov I think it would be best to quickly skim over the first chapter to refresh memories...other than that, as alwayss, enjoy :P

also, very very very unfortunately, I may be leaving town for the Break, so the next update will have to wait :( It hurts me terribly to say so. But as a gift of my gratitude, I gave you all multiple POVs to consider in this chapter :D

-smyle94-

Darius POV

I lock eyes with Lurena, begging her silently to tell me what is happening. But I see the fear in her eyes...and I know, she is just as frightened as I am.

Devastation settles in, and I feel the tears stroke down my cheeks. With my back pressed against the glass of the window behind me, all I do is stare as Johanna writhes in her place, spasming like a deforming...mutt.

One more glance at Lurena, and I know this isn't what was supposed to happen.


Katniss POV

"Where are we?" I mumble absentmindedly although the rest of my body is still on the verge of unconsciousness.

"We're going to the Capitol."

The voice causes my eyes to flutter open, and I am met with the gaze of Peeta. Quickly, I lever myself off the cold floor, but I fall back down when I suddenly catch on to the unbelievable pain coming from my abdomin.

I search around me, finding some random tools I would only recognize in my mother's "first-aid" kit but actually holds any kind of medical supply available. Confused by the show of gleaming tools, I face Peeta again.

"If you give birth," he answers my unspoken question.

I can't stop myself from bursting out laughing. Peeta's eyes study me quizically, his mouth a line of seriousness.

"What is it, Katniss?" he says.

"You're going to help me give birth?" I cry out in hysteria. He gives me a hurt look, but nevertheless, shakes his head. I suddenly regain my senses.

"Then who?"

Peeta points a finger at someone I had not noticed existed in our cell. I raise my head to see her and automatically grab at Peeta's hand when I do lay eyes on her.

She looks no older than ten years old, but her blond hair, distant eyes, and powdery, ancient dress brings me back to the dream I had so...not long ago. The last dream I had before leaving the ship I had been placed on right after the Games ended in disaster. The one I had escaped because I believed Haymitch would do nothing to get Peeta back. And now, Peeta is still in prison, with me.

"Y-you're that girl!" I nearly shriek. Remembering her, carrying around that doll while the district buildings exploded around her. I had gone to believe for a while that she was supposed to symbolize my child...

The girl at the other end of the cell stares at me blankly. I feel my body begin to tremble. What had been just a dream is now so vivid...it exists right before my eyes.

"Katniss, what are you talking about?" Peeta asks in a hushed voice. I look back at Peeta in horror.

"She was in my dream," I explain in cut words. Peeta has a face of solemn meaning, his eyes going between me and the girl.

"Who is she?" I ask him.

"She's an Avox," he begins, "I believe she has some practice in medicine because the President appointed her as your obstetrition if anything were to happen. I heard him telling his Peacekeeper that the doctor he had brought on board from the Capitol went missing."

For a second, I was reminded of Prim and her abilities, making me not doubt the fact that this girl could aid me during my times of labor.

"She doesn't speak?" I ask, my voice becoming quiet. Peeta shakes his head. I turn back to face the girl, expecting her to be frightened by my seeming hallucinations, but instead, she gazes at me with fixed eyes.

"I'm sorry," I apologize in an embarassed voice. She reaches behind her and retrieves a piece of chalk. I gaze at her small hands as she prints something out on the floor of the prison. Peeta and I move in closer to her to see what she is attempting.

Once she moves away from her work, I study the words she had inscribed lightly on the ridged floor.

"I can help you"


Madge POV

The final tears leave my cheek, and I wipe them away with a hurried finger. I press my hand against Gale's chest, and fail to feel a hearbeat. I hope desperately it is because of my untrained sense of feeling anything medical-related that led to that conclusion. I feel hopeless, lying there beside Gale as a battle occurs around me.

After moments, I regain my senses, realizing if I don't do something to place Gale in a safe environment, he will be too vulnerable out here to even have the chances of survival.

I begin by trying to drag him by his arms, then his legs, then his torso.

I can't imagine how much he weighs if I can barely move him inches from his original position.

"Gale," I beg, shaking his body with trembling hands.

No reply, of course.

I continue to call his name until the undeniable sound of growling claims my attention. I rotate my head around, gulping down my numbness, as I meet the deformed body of none other than a mutt.

I spread myself out in front of Gale's body, hoping to protect him with the most I can offer.

The mutt lunges at me...and suddenly recoils in his place, his hands over his ears.

My eyes leave the writhing being and looks around, noting how all the other mutts are in the same position.

Not wasting a second, I pick up the sword from Gale's motionless hand and send the blade into the mutation's back.

"That's for Gale," I whisper as the mutt heaves out vomit, causing me to jump back automatically. I gulp down any form of vomit or nausea I may begin to feel.

I raise my head, looking beyond the mutt, beyond the battle, and to a being situated miles away. I barely make out the form of a man who brings me to the memory of Cinna, Katniss's stylist who had made her so lavish during the Games. I shake my head, laughing at actually considering him being here.

I turn back around, and become startled when I don't see Gale. I feel my heart pumping in my ears as I try to recall ever seeing him move from his position.

Like a psycho, I begin to twirl around in search of him until somebody catches me by the shoulders.

Gale, looking more tired than ever, smiles at me as his body leans against me without meaning to.

"You killed a mutt," he says in an amused tone. I hadn't realized how much I had been trying to keep back tears until they begin to stream down my cheeks like a river.

I begin to feel that flicker of hope.