Hey guys!

So the last chapter was depressing huh? Yeah, I thought so too. Good news is I don't think it's going to get any worse...for now. Granted the next couple chapters aren't going to be all rainbows and sunshine, but there will be happiness later on, bear with me on this one.

Coming up we are going to see Mags return to the Capitol for all that fun victor stuff, throughout the whole ordeal we will be seeing how she deals with everything she's been through, and how different people help her to cope. After the Capitol she will return home to what remains of her family and Felix! Yay! (I really love Felix!) and I hope you guys will like him more once you see more of him. He hasn't really gotten much face time has he? Oh well, I am going to remedy that situation.

So here's the chapter, and as always reviews are much appreciated and humbly asked for! Later Hamiltons!


Chapter Twenty-nine: The new me.

The scream that ripped out of me still reverberates around the arena as I run from tribute to tribute, begging them to get up, sobbing in horror at all the blood. Deep down I know that they are all gone, already passed into whatever awaits beyond the veil, but somehow I can't accept that, I won't!

"Steel please!"

I beg, shaking his cold body.

"You have to help me through this! I can't do this by myself!"

He remains still and lifeless, his face almost peaceful. I think of all the moments he helped me so much with just the simplest of gestures. A calm hand gently placed over mine, a rare smile when I needed it the most, a firm word to make me see what was best, and the faith he had in me, the trust. It's all gone now, and I'm left with his cold body.

"I...I don't know what to do."

I say quietly, sinking to my knees and staring down at the blood I'm covered in. My friends blood. My mind reels and I am confronted by the memory of holding my dying brother in my arms, his blood staining the ground and me. I scream and force the image away by digging my nails into my skin, and raking them down my arm. The pain forces my mind into the presence, and I stare at the blood seeping out of the claw marks.

I slowly push myself onto my feet and walk slowly backwards from Steel and Ruby's bodies, tripping over Champion's arm and landing next to his crushed skull. I scream and back away as fast as I can, slipping in a puddle of Suzan's blood and landing with a squelch on my back.

"No!"

I scream, struggling to sit up, my arms sliding uselessly in the blood. I cover my ears with my hands and squeeze my eyes shut tight, willing myself not to think about the stickiness on my face. I lay there panting, focusing on my breathing. In, out, in, out.

Suddenly my ears pick up on another sound, and I force my eyes open, seeing the metal hovercraft suspended above me, I scream and slide through the blood to firmer ground, standing up and looking around desperately for a way to escape.

"No! Leave me alone!"

I run over to Troy's body and cling to the tattered remains of his shirt, panic coursing through my veins.

"Troy please don't let them take me! Don't make me go back there!"

He refuses to answer me, to move, to do anything but lay there and remain dead. I glance back at the hovercraft and my eyes widen in horror as a ladder descends, bearing around half a dozen men in white suits. My crazed mind warps them into some sort of Capitol mutt, and I scream in panic, standing up and bolting towards the forest.

"Don't let her get away!"

I hear one of them shout, the sound twisting into a rough growl in my ears. I am about to reach the treeline, when I hear another growl behind me.
"Drop her!"

I feel a searing pain in my left shoulder, and my body instantly falls to the ground, convulsing painfully as I vomit what little food I had in my stomach onto the ground. After the convulsions stop, I'm left slowly writhing on the forest floor, gasping raggedly as I struggle to breathe normally. My heart feels like a hammer against my ribs.

The men stand over me, one of them holding a still sparking contraption in one hand. I hate myself for surviving through all of the horrors in the arena, only to be stopped by a taser. The men grab me and drag me after them towards the hovercraft. I regain control over my limbs enough to move them feebly, but before I can retaliate, the men force me to grip the ladder, and I feel my entire body freeze. I'm hauled swiftly into the hovercraft, where there are many more men and women dressed in white, all wielding terrifying looking metal instruments. The second the ladder releases me, I scream and back away from them all.

"Stay away from me!"

I scream at them, my voice sounding sharp and grating, almost like an animal. They hesitate for a moment, eyeing me warily. I sob and feel my back come in contact with something smooth and cool. I turn around and see that it's the side of the hovercraft, the metal polished to being reflective. I feel my heart stop in fear at what I see.

An emaciated wild creature stares back at me with wide, filmy green eyes. Something that could have once been blond hair, covers the head in a wild mess, greasy and matted with blood and dirt. The body looks like a skeleton, bones sticking out horribly, covered in blood, dirt, and sweat. It barely resembles a human anymore, it looks more like an animal, like a mutt.

I sink to the floor in front of the reflection, reaching a hand forward and pressing it against the metal as if to convince myself that it's really just a reflection, and not some horrible trick. For a moment I am completely numb, shocked beyond the ability to think. Then I let out a long shriek.

"What am I?!"

Strong arms grab hold of my shoulders, and I instinctively jump, whirling around and slamming both of my hands into whatever attacked me. A man goes sailing across the hovercraft, looking completely shocked. Despite my emaciated state, I'm stronger than I was before, and my reactions are ten times faster. I feel a sharp needle stab my arm, and I kick that doctor across the hovercraft as well. I pull the syringe out of my arm, and stare dumbly at it as my senses disappear and I crumple into a heap.


"My dear, don't you look...wretched."

Horrid laughing follows the comment, and I suddenly snap open my eyes and look around the small cabin, whimpering at the voice.

"Oh aren't you just savage? Don't worry, I know how to deal with animals!"

It's him! I know it is. Where is he? Why can't I ever see his face?

"Who are you?!"

I scream at the empty room. The laughter sounds out again, and I cringe, scooting back until my back rests against the wall. I fold my legs up to my chest and bury my face into my knees, sobbing as I hear the voice draw closer.

"You know who I am Magarida! Deep inside you keep me locked away, I'm inside your mind! You'll never forget me no matter how hard you try!"

I scream as loud as I can, the sound ripping out of me painfully. The windows in the cabin shatter and the laughter disappears.

I sit bolt upright and gasp, my body trembling in a cold sweat. I blink several times and look around confused at the white room I am currently in. I'm lying on a bed, wearing a pair of white shorts and a tank top. There's several machines hooked up to me by tubes sticking out of my arms. I narrow my eyes as I struggle to find my thoughts.

The arena. Will. The Rivals. I am the victor.

All of these hit me like a tsunami and I gasp as my breath leaves my body. It takes me a moment to recover, and once I do, I take a deep breath and force myself to calm down. I grope for the tube sticking in my arm, and once I find it I rip the needle out and toss it aside. I repeat this four times, and then my arms are free. I slide my feet off the bed and stand up shakily. How long has it been since I stood up? It feels like years.

I walk over to the wall, and search for the door, finally my hand lands on the knob and I twist it savagely. I hadn't realized I was leaning my weight against the door until it swung open and I fell forward. Before I can think my arms snap forward and I catch myself in a push-up position. My arms tremble with the pressure of supporting my body, and I slowly manage to stand up.

"Mags!"

My head snaps in the direction of the voice, and my eyes widen in surprise as I see three people, two are obviously doctors in their white clothes. The other... I don't know how to react, I never thought I'd see this person again, I don't know if I really wanted to. The games rush through my mind in a split second, and I decide to react like I have been with everything. Go with instinct.

"Dash!"

I scream the name, my voice still rough, but it sounds more normal. I run towards him, my legs gaining confidence and speed as I close the distance between us. He smiles, a mixture of relief and pain on his face. My mind is racing faster with every step I take, building up all the emotion that instinctively rushes to my mind as I look at him.

He's stopped in the hallway, and the doctors have disappeared, through a door or just to the side of the hall I don't know, I can only see Dash. He braces himself for impact and opens his arms wide. His expression changes into confusion as I slam as hard as I can into him, knocking him off his feet and onto the floor. I'm sitting on his chest in an instant, my nails raking down his neck and ripping his shirt as I screech.

"YOU KILLED HIM!"

He cries out in pain as my nails draw blood, and he struggles to grab me. His large, strong hands finally close around my wrists, completely circling my slender bones. I wrench against his grip, screaming as I push against his strength, my nails stretching for his face.

"YOU KILLED WILL! YOU KILLED HIM!"

The screams rip from my throat without hesitation, as I feel hate burning in my eyes. He tries to stand, but I manage to get my legs onto his chest and lean all my weight on my knees, digging them into his ribcage. He gasps as the air is pressed from his lungs.

"Mags please...I couldn't do anything. You have to-"

I cut him off by pressing harder into his chest.
"No! You lied to me! You told me you would keep him safe!"

I feel a several strong hands grip my shoulders and yank me off of Dash. He gasps and coughs several times as he sits up weakly. Several large men dressed in black have me held between them, having to hold me with all their strength as I struggle to break free.

"You promised! I was never supposed to be here!"

He faces me, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Mags I'm so sorry..."

"No! You betrayed me! I will never trust you again!"

The words hurt him worse than the scratches that are bleeding on his chest. I can see in his eyes that I've broken his heart. Good. Now we're even. The two men start to drag me back to my room, and I laugh insanely.

"You may think you saved me, but you're wrong!"

I scream over my shoulder, I twist my head around and manage to look into his eyes.
"I died with Will in the arena, Dash...you killed me when you refused to save Will!"

His head drops as I am dragged into my room, one of the men holding me down on the bed while the other attaches restraints on my arms and legs. A doctor comes in and quickly injects something into my neck, I immediately feel the effects as my body becomes limp, and I relax onto the bed. The doctor says something as he reattached the IV's into my arms, and checks my restraints. I ignore him, seething inwardly at him, this room, Dash, the Capitol, everything.

Curse everything. Why couldn't they have just let me die?

I don't know how long I'm in the hospital for, but it feels like I've always been there. They have me taking some sort of light blue pill once a day. It makes me feel...different. I don't know what it is, but I'm forced to remain calm all the time. It cuts off my emotions and leaves me feeling like a zombie. Or a ditz...I don't know the difference. All I know is that I can't seem to feel anything. I just sit around in my room and wait for them to bring me my medicine and meals. Soon I see the color return to my skin, and I fill out some. Finally I have someone come and tell me something about being moved. I just do what they tell me and soon I find myself facing a familiar looking building that seems like I saw it years ago.

I am escorted to the fourth floor, and then left standing in front of the elevator. I look around the front room of the floor I called home in the training center. And I feel something...a twinge of emotion deep down. Pain, sadness, loss.

"Mags!"

A shrill squeal brings my gaze towards the entrance to the bedroom hallway. Pixie looks the same as always. Same yellow hair, fuchsia flower tattooed arms and neck, and same bright smile. For some reason, I actually feel happy to see her.

"Pixie."

The name sounds strange to my ears. I realize I haven't spoken a word in days. She runs over and grips me in a tight hug, tears causing a wet spot on my shoulder.

"Oh dear! You don't know how wonderful it is to see you!"

She sounds sincerely overjoyed, and I can hear the happiness through her sobs.

"I'm so sorry for everything that's happened to you! I really am ecstatic to see you darling, but I'm so sorry that it is you..."

She trails off, and I know what she means. She is glad to see me, but she sorry for me because she knows I wanted it...I needed it to be Will here instead. I'm touched by her concern over me, and so far she hasn't mentioned anything a normal Capitolite would. Like how wonderful I was in the games, what was it like being in there? And how exciting the whole thing was.

"I can't believe how horrid it was! I swear I didn't enjoy one second of it! Will shouldn't have been in there, it was wrong to kill that poor boy!"

She claps both hands over her mouth the instant the exclamation is out of her mouth. She looks around to see if anyone overheard, and then clears her throat.

"I mean...Ruby was wrong to kill him. He would have won if it wasn't for her."

She's covered up nicely. If anyone had heard her statement, it would be counted as treason against the Capitol. She outright accused them of murdering Will, she admitted that the games were wrong. Maybe some good has come of these games. We've proven to a Capitolite that this is wrong. That in itself is a small victory.

"You poor thing! You must be tired and drained beyond explanation!"

I shrug.

"Not really...they have me taking these pills."

Pixie frowns, and takes a closer look at me.

"Mags, can I see the pills please?"

I obediently hand the bottle to her, and after quickly scanning the label she gasps and puts a hand to her mouth.

"Oh you poor girl..."

For once, her voice isn't a chirp, and she actually sound...normal? There was no Capitol accent. I don't have time to think about this as she shoves the bottle into her pocket and hooks her arm in mine.

"Come along, you are going to your room and sleeping off those horrid drugs!"

I follow her down the hallway, and my eyes linger on Will's bedroom door as she opens mine and steers me inside. She rummages through my dresser and pulls out a pair of fluffy pajama pants and a soft tank top. She puts the clothes in my arms and then raises her eyebrow.
"I want you to get changed and relax you hear? Take a shower, take a nap, I don't care but you are going to stay in here until those drugs are out of your system. Alright?"

I nod and she smiles, giving me a quick peck on the cheek.
"Good girl! I'll check up on you every couple of hours, and send in some dinner around six."

She clips in her high heels out into the hall and shuts the door behind her. I stare down at the soft clothes, and decide to take a shower. I walk into the bathroom and stare in the full length mirror. I look more like myself now that my hair has been washed and combed. I've gained weight, still not quite what I was before the games, but not near as thin as when I first got out. How long ago was that I wonder?

My eyes are still missing their luster, looking back at me with a dull green stare. I pull my shirt off, and am about to take my pants off, when I notice the scars on my arm. I trace the different marks with my fingertips, remembering where each one is from. My hand trails down to my waist, where a scar circles my torso just above my hips. This scar was from the rope that caught Will when he slipped on the cliff. Will...

I suddenly can't breathe, and my knees give out under me. I fall forward, my hands catching my fall on the shower panel. Ice cold water begins to rain softly down on me, accompanied by the soft smell of cocoanut. I slide down the shower wall and sit on the cool tile, bringing my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms tightly around my legs. Tear run down my cheeks as I re-live the horrors of the arena. Facing the worse horror of a life without Will.

I'm not sure how long I've been sitting there when I hear the door to the bathroom open. I can't bring myself to look up, just staring into space as my body shivers slightly. Whoever is there just stands at the door for a long moment, and then slowly walks over to the shower. I see a pair of black shoes...mens shoes.

I know who it is, but I don't care.

Dash steps into the shower, and slides down beside me, his jeans and white shirt growing more soaked by the second. I can just see his profile from the corner of my eye. He doesn't say anything, just sits there beside me, and in spite of myself, I am grateful for his company.

"Are you cold?"

He asks gently, with more tenderness in his voice than I've ever heard before. I just nod slightly, and he presses a button. The temperature changes to a relaxing warmth, just hot enough to keep me warm. The ocean feels this way. We sit in silence for a while, and then I start talking automatically.

"He's gone Dash."

He nods.

"I couldn't save him."

He turns to look at me, his arms resting casually on his bent knees.

"It wasn't your fault."

I slowly turn and meet his soft gray eyes. I shake my head.

"It wasn't my fault."

He nods in agreement. I take a deep breath.

"It wasn't your fault either."

He looks surprised.

"There was nothing anyone could have done..."

I now realize this, and it gives me more peace than the most powerful drug ever could. He doesn't say anything, but just stares at the tile floor of the shower. I stare into space as everything slowly starts to sink in. Admitting that Dash wasn't to blame for Will's death has opened the door for everything I've experienced in the games to finally sink in. And the realization that Will is gone forever stabs me through the heart.

"He's gone..."

I repeat, more to myself than to Dash. He's looking at me, his light brown hair sticking to his head in slight curls from the water. I meet his gaze and let out a small strangled sob.

"He's not coming back."

Dash slowly lifts his hand, and brushes my wet hair out of my face. As his fingertips graze my skin, I close my eyes as a warm shiver flushes down my back. My mind drifts off, and there is nothing but this moment, this time right here. It doesn't matter what happened, it doesn't matter what will happen tomorrow. There is only Dash, and me, in this moment together. And right now I need comfort, I need someone to tell me that everything will be alright, I need someone to help protect me from everything I've been through, and everything I have to face in the future.

I open my eyes and slide closer to him, his arms automatically wrap around me and I bury my face in his wet shoulder, clinging tightly to his wet shirt. His arms are circled around me tightly, holding me close to him with a firm, yet gentle, desperation. One of his hands is resting on my shoulder, the other on my hip. I draw my legs closer to me, and he slides me onto his lap, holding me tightly. He buries his face into my wet hair and I can feel his lips gently resting on my neck.
"It's going to be alright Mags...I'm here."

I nod into his shoulder, sniffing loudly as tears mingle with the water on my cheeks. Dash very slowly moves the hand on my shoulder up to my neck, and carefully pulls my hair all over one shoulder. His fingertips caress the gentle curve of my neck, sending shivers down my back. I lift my head and meet his gaze, our faces just inches apart. We stare into each others eyes for a minute, then he very slowly leans forward. I hesitate before tilting my head back ever so slightly.

His lips just brush mine, he's hesitant, moving cautiously, not knowing how I'll react. I stand perfectly still, letting him figure me out.

"Dash..."
I murmur softly, and by just saying his name he can hear what I can't form into words, that I need him right now, I need someone who understands...I need a victor. All that is said in that one little word, and he knows what to do.

His hand slides quickly up my neck to the back of my head, his fingers twisting in my hair as he pulls me forward and presses his lips against mine. I slide one of my hands around his neck, the other one resting on his chest. This kiss is different than the few we've shared before. This one is much more passionate, as each of us opens up and lets all of our pain and emotion flow into the kiss, leaving ourselves completely vulnerable to the other. We've both been in the arena, we've both seen things no one should live through. And in this moment, we share that pain with each other.

I suddenly remember I'm only wearing a bra as Dash's hand slides down my back, sending tingles down my spine with his soft touch, his fingertips barely brushing my skin. My hands move to the front of his shirt and quickly undo the buttons, I place my hands on his bare chest and slide his wet shirt off his shoulders, he wraps his arms tightly around me and pulls me up against his chest. I slide my hands over his well toned torso and wrap my arms around his neck. He pulls his face away slightly, and I'm about to say something when his mouth lands on my cheek, trailing soft kisses down my jaw line and then my neck. I tilt my head back to give him more room and curl my fingers in his hair. Then moving my hands over his chest, shoulders and back, feeling a long scar on the left side of his spine.

"Mags..."

He murmurs against my neck, suddenly growing still. I pull back slightly and look at him confused.

"Yes?"
His hands are resting lightly on my hips, while mine are one his shoulders. He avoids eye contact with me, staring at my neck as his fingertips slowly move up and down my side.

"I...I can't."

I frown, sliding one of my hands around the back of his neck.
"What?"

He shakes his head and lets out a heavy sigh.
"I can't do...this. Not with you."

I feel an ache in my chest as I nod slowly, my hands sliding off his shoulders and landing in my lap.
"Oh..."

I say, unable to keep my voice from breaking. Why did he let it go that far then? He could have just said something. Maybe he didn't want to hurt me by rejecting me. Maybe he knew how much I needed someone who understood. But he still should have just told me. It's much worse this way.

"Well...maybe you should leave then..."

He shakes his head, frustration on his face as his hands tighten slightly on my hips.
"No. It's...it's not like that Mags,"

I can see intense struggle in his eyes as he finally meets my gaze.

"You're beautiful, and strong, funny, confident, hell you're every mans dream. But...I just can't do this with you."

I nod, swallowing hard, fighting the tears.
"I understand...I won't bother you again."

I quickly move off of him and stand up, pushing my wet hair out of my face as my face turns red. I'm such an idiot. How could I do this to him? I practically forced myself at him, I just needed someone, so badly, that I didn't even think about him. I know he did like me once...but a lot has happened since then, and I wasn't exactly throwing myself at him when we were together last...quite the opposite in fact.

"Mags please!"

I hear him stand up and follow me out into the spacious bathroom, his hand lands gently on my arm and he turns me around.
"I'm sorry Dash...I shouldn't have put you in that situation. It was selfish of me...and arrogant to think that you still..."

He shakes his head, rubbing the back of his hand down my cheek.
"No Mags...I shouldn't have let it get that far. And I'm the one who should be apologizing."

His hand lingers on my cheek as he says softly.
"I love you Mags. I think I have since that first snarky comment."

For a moment I can't breathe, a thousand thoughts rush through my mind at once, to jumbled to make sense of even one.

"But I...I can't."

I bite my lip, feeling the tears well in my eyes.

"Why not? Is something wrong with me?"

He shakes his head quickly.

"No, you're perfect...which is why I can't."

He takes a deep breath, and runs his hands through his wet hair.

"Mags...you would regret it."

I open my mouth to protest, but he quickly holds a finger to my lips and continues.

"You will...trust me. I can't do that to you, I care about you too much."

He takes a deep breath, and I can see tears in his eyes as well as he struggles with what he has to say next.

"What we have...it can't ever come to anything. I know that now. Mags, you love Felix, more than you could ever love me. And I know he loves you more than you could ever imagine. You are meant for each other, you were meant to get married, and have a family. I can never have that with you."

The tears flood over my eyelids and run silently down my cheeks. He wipes them away with his thumb and gives me a sad smile.
"Mags...I want to be with you more than anything, but I love you too much to be selfish..."

A tear runs down his right cheek as he inhales shakily, what he says next is barely a whisper.
"I have to let you go."

I sob and wrap my arms around him tightly. Burying my face in his chest. I cry because I know he's right, I know that if it had gone any further I would have regretted it. Everything he said was true, and it hurts so much to know that I've hurt him like this.

"I will always be here for you Mags."

He lightly kisses the top of my head, and then I feel his muscles tense.

"Mags...I need to tell you something."

He rubs my back slightly and suddenly walks into the bedroom.
"Get changed into some dry clothes...I'll wait out here."

He closes the door, leaving me standing confused and dripping in the bathroom. I quickly change into the pajamas Pixie picked out for me, using the automatic hair dryer to leave my hair in a soft glossy curtain. I walk into the bedroom, stopping and looking around at the empty room.

"Dash?"

I look to the door as it opens and Dash walks in wearing a pair of grey sweat pants and a form-fitting white T-shirt.

"Sorry, I went to change."

I nod, noticing that his hair is now dry and fluffy, lying in its usual waves around his head. He motions to the bed and I sit on the edge of it. He joins me, twisting his fingers nervously.

"I...I've never told anyone this before..."

He clears his throat and his knee starts to bounce nervously. I reach forward and carefully take his hand in mine. He calms down and takes a deep breath.

"A few years after I won...I was called to the Capitol. They said it was for a party..."

I give his hand a gentle squeeze as he trails off.

"Anyway, once I arrived the President himself summoned me. I couldn't say no, so I met with him. He told me that I had been attracting lots of attention in the Capitol, and he gave me a proposition."

He broke off, his eyes haunted as he stares at the floor.

"I would visit the Capitol whenever I was called, and while I was here I would...entertain women."

I can't help the gasp that escapes my lips, and I cover my mouth with my hand quickly.

"They had to pay...heavily. But as long as they got what they wanted they didn't care. I became nothing more than a toy, sold to the highest bidder to do with as they pleased. Then I was back on display, waiting for the next customer."

I slide closer to him, and rest my head on his shoulder.

"I was...seventeen, when I got my first summons."

He shudders.

"It's hard to think that was only three years ago...it feels like a lifetime."

I wrap my arms around him and hold him tightly. All of the vague things he said before the games now make sense. He's being used by the Capitol, he's a love slave.

"I...I've tried to stop, but they won't let me."

He chokes out, resting his forehead against my shoulder.

"They threatened to kill Pearl...the President said if I ever tried anything he would force me to watch her die."

I feel a stab of pain as I remember watching the life leave Will, and I would never wish that on someone, no matter how evil they are.

"Dash I'm so sorry...I had no idea."

He sniffs and wipes his cheeks off with a bitter laugh.

"Still think I'm this way because I like it?"

He turns and meets my gaze.

"I was forced to change who I am, to be molded into the perfect Capitol boy-toy, so that I would have no problem bringing in business."

He sighs and places his hand over mine.
"Mags...I'm worried...terrified that you face the same fate."

My eyes widen and my jaw drops.
"What? I...I can't do that..."

He brushes a strand of hair out of my face.

"I desperately hope that I am just being paranoid...I would do anything to keep you away from that."

I feel my breath coming in short gasps and I swallow the lump in my throat.
"What do you tell your family?"

He shrugs.
"That I have been invited to another party, or interview. The Capitol always covers up the true reason why I'm there."

I shudder at the thought of what he goes through, and feel sick thinking that I may face the same fate.

"You have at least until after the victory tour...by that time you'll be almost eighteen. If you're called at all."
He adds quickly. The fear evident in his voice. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
"I'll be fine Dash, whatever happens to me. Promise me you wont blame yourself?"

He nods slowly. Then wraps his arms tightly around me, holding me in a warm embrace.

"I will do everything I can to keep you safe."

"Thank you."

He smiles and brushes his fingertips down my cheek.
"You should get some sleep. The victory interview is tomorrow evening, and I'm afraid we can't put it off any longer."

I frown.

"How long has it been postponed?"

He thinks for a minute.
"Well it's been about a week since you were retrieved from the arena."

My eyebrows shoot up.
"A week?"

He nods.
"Okay...I guess I'll try to get some sleep."

He smiles and plants a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Goodnight Mags."

He stands up and walks out of my room, quietly closing the door behind me. I think for a while about the information Dash has just given me. I may be forced into prostitution by the Capitol? Would they really kill my family? I shudder. Anyone evil enough to send innocent children to their deaths, wouldn't bat an eye at forcing a young girl into being a prostitute. I crawl underneath the cool sheets of my bed, and rest my head on the pillow, trying not to think about that last time I slept in this bed...Will was with me. I held him tightly and told him not to worry. Everything will be alright...


I sit bolt upright in bed with a scream, my body trembling and covered in cold sweat. I whimper and hold my hands over my ears, trying to block out the sounds of the screams I heard in my dream, the screams of Will...Dash...my family.

I push the covers off and quietly exit my room, padding down the hall in my bare feet until I reach the door to Dash's bedroom. I hesitate, then twist the knob and creep inside, silently closing the door behind me. I walk over to the bed and pause as I look down at Dash. He's laying with one arm under his pillow, the other resting across his side. The sheets are tangled in his legs slightly, and only reach his waist. He's breathing deeply, his chest rising and falling steadily.

I struggle whether or not to wake him, but then I hear a sound and my hand instantly lands on his shoulder. I give him a gentle shake.

"Dash."
He props himself up on one elbow and rubs his eyes quickly.
"Mags? What's the matter, are you alright?"

I nod, then slowly shake my head.

"I...I had a nightmare..."

He nods sympathetically and looks around with his eyebrows drawn together sleepily.

"Do you want to sleep here?"

I nod and he slides back, allowing me to crawl into bed. He pulls the covers up over us and lies back on his pillow.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

He mumbles sleepily. I shake my head.

"Could you just...make sure I'm safe?"

I don't know how else to put it, but he seems to understand what I mean as he pulls me closer to him and wraps his arms around me. I rest my head on his chest and close my eyes, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Goodnight Mags...I'll always be here for you."

"You said that already."

He slowly rubs his hand against my back.

"Well I mean it."

I close my eyes, and feel unconsciousness slowly sinking in.
"I know you will."


Authors Note: So that's to all of you Mags/Dash shippers out there, hope you like it! I had to wrap some things up in this chapter since the next is the last one for this story...I needed to explain that Dash was in a "Finnick" situation with the Capitol, and that his and Mags complications got smoothed out. Originally I was going to have her hold her grudge a TON longer, like for years. But I decided this would work better for the story.

Anyway! Next chapter will be pretty long, we'll be going through the crowning ceremony, victory interview, and then the arrival back home! Yay! I hope this chapter kind of leaves you with questions...like "What's up with Pixie?" "Does this mean Mags and Dash still have a shot at a relationship?" "Will Mags be forced to sell herself to protect her family?" And finally, "When is the last chapter/sequel coming out!" Well let's just say that the last chapter should be up soon...like next week or possibly tomorrow! But definitely soon! And then the sequel will be coming out...soonish after that.

I'm not sure how long the sequel is going to be, but we are going to see some things cleared up there. Who Mags ends up with, how she copes with the Capitol, and life after the games, you guys will FINALLY find out who that creepy guy is who haunts her dreams, and much more! So it'll be not too short and not too long. After that I'm going to be doing a story about Finnick and Annie's son, it will follow the storyline of the original series, so no reinstated Hunger Games or anything like that. Oh no...this is much worse wahahahahah!

I've said too much already! It's late, I babble, blah, blah, blah.

So be sure to leave a review and let me know what you think and where you think I'm going to leave it! Love all you Hamiltons!

Wendy