Gale's POV

As I hear Katniss's scream in disbelief and panic, I can't say I don't feel the exact same. But there's shock there too, and suspicion along with it. But the only difference is though I'd very much love to scream or at least rip out that television and smash it to pieces along with Snow, Coin, and a few other choice people, I can't. I can't because Rory is staring not only at the screen but at me for my reaction, looking for any indication of what I'm really feeling. It's a testament to my acting skills that I keep my breathing calm though my heart is racing and mold my face into an indifferent mask. Maybe the shock is helping, but in my mind all I can do is repeat one thing over and over, like a sickening chant that will let it sink in and tell me what this means.

Why is my daughter on that stage with Snow?

As Katniss continues screaming and crying in a panic every nerve in my body is urging me to go hold her, comfort her even though I need it too, but I can't. I glance over to see that Finnick is doing what he can for her even though I can tell it's not working too well, and Boggs comes over with a nurse who gives her something and she seems to instantly came down a little. I don't know what it is but she's definitely quieter now, and all I can hope is that she'll be alright until Boggs gives us whatever signal it is to stop pretending already. Because what's the point anymore?

The crowd of soldiers continues watching Caesar's interview with Kennie and I do the same, feigning just mild curiosity as I really silently watch her and Snow like a hawk, trying desperately to think of how this could have happened. Did someone rat us out? It's possible, but I actually trust those who knew about it so I doubt it. Maybe someone heard or saw us? No probably not or they would have taken her way before now. Or had they already and Snow's just been hiding her until now? I don't think so from what Boggs has told me, but you never know.

But the more pressing revelation is also the worst. No matter how Snow found out, he did and Makenna is now on that stage and not safe in District 7 with Johanna. And I know that Johanna isn't all that big on kids, but she would never just hand Kennie over to Snow, Coin, or anyone without a fight.

And if they succeeded in kidnapping Kennie from her grasp, it also means that Johanna Mason died in the process.

Finnick's POV

What have I done?

I know it seems ridiculous to ask after everything, but as I keep my eyes fixed on the screen that I'm not really looking at that's all I can think. And maybe it's not really my fault; maybe this was bound to happen anyway. But all I can think is that I basically suggested that plan just for my best friend to die.

I know Johanna like no one else. She keeps herself guarded, but I can get through her usually. And while I know she's strong, stronger than anyone should be in her position, she's also weak in a way much like I am. I would die for Annie and our child, I would have died for Makenna in the Games had the rebellion not gone as planned. Hell, maybe it would have been better than being captured by the Capitol just to be tortured, but that's the way it happened. And I know Johanna would have done the same as me.

Which means that I know that if I was the one in District 7 with Kennie, I know what I would have done. There is no possible way that I would have allowed anyone to so much as touch her without a fight. I gave Jo a gun for that purpose, but if they sent too many, if they took them by surprise…well, there's not much you can do about it. Oh sure you can give a valiant effort, but let's face it; if there's an entire squad of peacekeepers on you and all you have is two axes and a pistol the odds are definitely not in your favor. And like hell I would have just handed over Makenna to save my own ass when it more likely than not would have just ended me here in the Capitol, once again in a prison. No, I would not have given Snow that satisfaction. I would have died before that. Trying to win.

And yet…I can't get over the guilt that this was my fault. That I sent Jo there in the first place. That I came up with a plan to get Kennie there. That even though we delayed this very outcome, it happened anyway with unnecessary death.

"Time to move out, soldiers." Boggs's voice cuts through my guilt and shame, and as soon as I realize exactly what he's indicating I snap out of it enough to glare at him, feeling the shadow of undoubtedly my babysitter and others around me where I'm still trying to hold Katniss together so she doesn't fall off the deep end no matter whatever calming stuff they gave her.

"What? You can't be serious." I spit at him, angered by his indifference to the situation. Why hasn't he done anything yet to help us?

"I'm aware of the situation Soldier Odair, but time is of the essence. I've received word that President Coin will be doing a counter statement to this and we need to be on the move. It's what's best for the situation, I promise." Boggs tells me, a straight and commanding voice and yet…there's something else there. A hint of hidden begging to make me get up, and suddenly I have an inkling of hope. Is this where he's going to set us free and we can finally stop pretending already? God I hope so.

"Fine." I huff, and get Katniss off the ground but she doesn't seem to want to move. I'm trying to think of a way to get her moving without Boggs doing anything further, but the guilt and sadness is overwhelming and I can't seem to think past it at the moment, being sucked into it once again. But to my surprise, it's Rory who comes over to help, Gale standing a few steps behind him and very much looking like he could do something about it while at the same time worried and angry.

"Katniss?" Rory begins, a softer tone than I've heard from him since he started training here. Well, to anyone but Prim that is. She looks to him, but doesn't seem to be registering anything really, a haze enveloping her. "Come on, we have to go get Kennie."

"But she's…with him." Eventually comes out of Katniss's mouth, and I think she's going to go into that state again like she was after her house exploded because of the explosives Snow planted in her home apparently, but Rory apparently seems to know this too and goes for a different strategy.

"Yes, she is." He says rather harshly. Not the way I would go, but I guess he knows better than I do. He was actually there last time. "And unless you get up now and do something about it she's going to stay with Snow. Or is that what you want? To stay here and let Snow do anything he wants with her."

"No, but…"

"He could do anything, Katniss. Change her and make her like a Capitol citizen. Put her into the next Hunger Games. Or maybe he'll just plan an elaborate death for her and-"

"No!" Katniss shrieks, standing up and her eyes are fierce, hard, and anger is boiling over in her. Damn, didn't see that coming so fast.

"Well then let's go!" Rory replies, half pushing her towards her tent to get dressed. I glance to Gale and see that he's actually pretty impressed with his younger brother, and in Rory's success in removing the problem that could have arised with Katniss he momentarily forgets his post as Gale's body guard and strangely so does mine, leaving us behind as everyone rushes to their tents to change into armor and I find this is probably my one real chance to console him, since it's evident that his acting skills are good enough that no one is bothering to.

"I'm sorry Gale. We're going to get her back." I squeeze his shoulder supportively as I whisper. Even here seemingly alone we have to be careful. He squeezes his eyes shut and let's out a pained sigh, but turns his head to me with sympathy in his eyes.

"I'm sorry too. I…never would have asked her to do that." He says quietly, and I'm a bit surprised he knows exactly what I do, but then again maybe it's not so shocking. Despite him not knowing about the break out or really the rebellion, he has known Johanna for a while now and can guess exactly what I have from Makenna being here and not in District 7. It makes me feel a little better knowing that he's feeling guilty for her too though that seems selfish somehow.

"I know you wouldn't have. But that's Jo for you." I nod, turning quickly so that no one catches us talking but really I just don't want him to see how much agony I have for this situation, the guilt eating me alive.

But there's nothing left to do but make it worth it, so I go to my tent and change, knowing that at least for now I can't let this affect me other than motivation to move on. Because we still have a job to do, and her death will not be in vain, I can tell you that now.

Maysilee's POV

"Here." the gruff voice of one of the peacekeepers guarding me (or more likely making sure that I do not disappear) breaks the silence of this enchantingly decorated room which has become my jail cell, a tray of my meager meal upon it set on the ground and shoved further in before the door closes again. With a sigh I go and take the tasteless edibles, knowing that as long as I have a job here and I'm not dead I have to keep my strength up.

To say I was surprised by where I was taken after my practically pointless meeting with Snow would be an understatement. I for certain believed I was going to die and if that was not the case, be taken to a Capitol prison and left for dead or worse. But to come to the Presidential Mansion and taken to what I'm assuming was a bedroom of a former resident, most likely a little girl confused me further. I had gone pale with worry when I heard the screams of Makenna Hawthorne and the gunshots, believing she was dead. I knew it was more than I had expected to get for my contact when they had asked me to record my meeting with Snow which was more of just a way for me to get it off my chest than anything that he was a horrible person, and I could only hope that they could use it to their advantage while I grieved for the child I presumed dead.

And then when I was left alone in that room all night and fell into a restless slumber, I was woken up to banging on the door before it opened, and much to my surprise President Snow was at the door and behind him a group of peacekeepers who appeared to look rugged, as if they had not slept in a while. One of them was holding someone, and as I peered past Snow I was shocked to find the person in their arms was Makenna, the soft rise and fall of her chest indicating that she was alive. Alive and sleeping, or maybe in a forced sleep. Before I could even formulate what was going on, Snow walked into the room and motioned for the peacekeeper with Makenna to follow, stopping in front of me with the other peacekeepers aiming their weapons at me if I so chose to even try to assassinate the President. With what I don't know what they believed I could even attempt that feat with, but I ignored it all the same, my gaze switching between Makenna and Snow until he finally broke the silence.

"We have a very important job for you, Mrs. Undersee." He claims in a sickly sweet tone, and yet the malice behind it is distinguishable. But it's not just that…there's also…triumph there. As in he knows that he just drew the royal flush of the game of this war by having that little girl in his possession, and in a way I know that too. When I don't answer, he goes on, the peacekeeper putting a waking Makenna down and I idly wonder if he planned it out perfectly for her to wake now. As if she was put on something and it has an expiration now, because it's too perfect.

"Where am I?" a sleepy Makenna asks aloud. "Johanna?"

"Johanna's not here." President Snow answers her, and she freezes and her eyes go wide open as she starts to panic at the mention of her last caretaker, and I wonder where exactly Johanna Mason is. In a prison like mine or worse? Or could she have been the victim of those gunshots Snow had me hear yesterday? By Makenna's reaction the latter seems the more likely and I can't help myself as I rush over to her and take her in my arms without permission, shushing her as she cries.

"Dear Makenna, Mrs. Undersee here will be taking care of you now." He says in a calming tone that only makes me tense. "Do you know her?"

Makenna nods and turns out of my arms, tears still falling down her cheeks. "Why am I here?"

With a smile Snow places a hand on her cheek that makes me cringe to see it and I want to smack it away, but I resist the urge. Somehow I feel like it won't be helpful but if my job is to take care of her then I can set her straight in a way that she can handle. I may not be the best mother but I can certainly do my best for a little girl caught in the middle of a war like a pawn.

"Dear girl, you are here because we have saved you from harm. I'm going to make sure that you have only the best." Snow tries to comfort her, but she doesn't believe him.

"You're wrong! I was okay where I was." She shakes her head at him and he sighs.

"Miss Hawthorne, I promise that you will be better than okay here, but that means that you have to do one thing." Snow tries, taking a more authoritative stance since his horrible efforts to be sweet have undoubtedly failed. Looking up at him, she waits for him to continue while she still sniffles back tears. "All you have to do is be happy here. I have toys and games and people to teach you things."

"Why?" she questions him, and I am certainly asking the same thing in my head. What point does Snow have for all he wants her to be is happy? To trick Panem into believing that she wants to be with him? It seems highly unlikely that anyone would believe that considering he allowed her to be in an arena less than a year ago and the fact that her parents are on the opposing side though they apparently aren't on good terms right now. In fact, I hear that Gale was changed somehow in the Capitol and he's pining for another girl. And that is something I would only believe if Snow had a hand in that himself, and therefore it can't be really true even if he's been manipulated that way. Surely everyone can see this, even those who have not met them personally.

"Because I only want you to be happy. Is that so bad?" he smiles at her, and I know he has something up his sleeves but I can't figure out what.

And to this day, a few days later, I still cannot figure out what Snow's plan is. True to his word Makenna has received all he told her she would and more, and despite being sad over whatever happened to Johanna (she refuses to talk about it and since I guess she's not ready to do anything except cry, I don't push it) and missing her parents, she seems to be doing alright. She even has new dresses and outfits every day from a designer, though she did point out to this lady that she's not Cinna and he's better to which I smiled at.

The worst is when the peacekeepers come a few times a day and take her from my care as well as the peacekeepers (in disguise) that never leave the rooms, most likely to ensure that I do not tell her anything to make her go against Snow or to 'tell her lies' as they would put it. But they don't really interfere with anything and so I choose to ignore them much of the time. I worry about her when she's gone and I'm stuck in here but since she tells me exactly what she did in detail every time she comes back, I can see there's really no harm being done to her.

Which is exactly what confuses me the most. Since I don't honestly believe that all Snow desires is for her to be happy, I half expected him to harm her, threaten her, do anything bad to her at some point but he's given me nothing to work with. Nothing at all. It's frustrating, especially since I have little to do while Makenna is gone besides think.

But luckily she comes back not more than ten minutes later, excitedly telling me about her interview with Caeser and going to get ice cream afterwards while Snow sits down smiling at her. When she goes with her designer to change into play clothes I decide that I need to find answers on my own.

"If you don't mind me asking, what is your motive here?" I question aloud, and Snow seems surprised that I'm asking him but doesn't let it show in his answer.

"Surely you can see. I only want her to be happy and successful."

"I don't believe you." I shake my head and he only smiles much to my frustration.

"And I'm sure you have your reasons, but I assure you she's doing just fine." He states and gets up to leave. But I can't resist making a threat before he does and it comes out of my mouth really without my permission.

"She'd do better with her parents. They will come to get her and expose whatever it is your real plan is." I warn him to which he only turns to me with a hopeful smile much to my confusion.

"Oh Mrs. Undersee, I certainly hope they do." He replies, and closes the door.