Sasha Flame (22) D5 Victor

The smoke that arose in front of my eyes engulfed me completely, making me forget the situation that we were in. Somewhere in my mind I knew that people in that room were even more annoyed because of my smoking, but at a time when both alcohol and drugs were out of reach, cigar was the next best thing.

"Can you just stop?" Haley said in annoyance, breaking the deadly silence that was prevailing in the room.

"No," I said.

"Then just leave the room."

I turned away from her to look at Regal. The poor boy looked broken as he rested his face in his hands. He had not said a word since we got the news. Of course, he was torn between duty and mission. If he surrendered, the rebellion would die-again- and if he didn't, there were more than two hundred rebels' lives on stake. He was also alive when Snow was a vice-President (most of us were), but he was almost the same age as now, and knew how he worked up close and personal. Attempting a rescue mission would be a suicide attempt, maybe. From my experience with Snow, it probably would.

"We can try to… bargain," I said hesitantly, my voice echoing in the silent hall.

"Sasha," Ryder said, "Shouldn't you be with Ruby? She's going to give birth to your child."

And there he hit the nerve! I knew I should be with her. When I was hospitalised, she had always stayed by my side. And right now, when she needed me, there was nobody with her. Suddenly I didn't want to smoke any more, and I put it out immediately.

"He's right," Anya whispered softly, "Come, I'll accompany you."

"I'm not going."

"But-"

"No."

Right now, there were pressing matters on hand. Ruby was a lioness, she didn't need anyone. But here, there were hundreds of people who needed saving.

"I'll surrender."

As soon as the two words left his mouth, every pair of eyes turned to Regal. Most of us gasped, unable to believe that he was ready to give up so easily. Sage, on the other hand, just frowned at him.

"And how do you know he'll spare them?" he and Roslin asked together. Funny how they both voiced it simultaneously while Raylic just watched in a sad silence.

"He'll just kill all of us!" Anya exclaimed, "And then there'll be no one left!"

"I said," Regal answered slowly as he looked her in the eye, proceeding to do so to each of us, "I'll surrender. Not anyone else."

The idea didn't appeal to us. Considering that ninety percent of the people joined the rebellion only because their leader was back somehow, I didn't think it was a good notion. Nikona, being the smart guy that he was, voiced my thoughts better than I could.

The Capitolite smiled at that in a way that was very… business-like. I didn't like what I saw, hoping he didn't have some notorious idea in his head.

"Don't worry. I'll handle everything."

Charles "Chip" Chevrolet (19) D6 Victor

I couldn't believe I was feeling so sorry for somebody.

The rebels had their own hospital with really gifted doctors. But the woman had nobody by her as she barely managed to remain conscious. I had been watching her for some thirty minutes now, but there were no tears, no crying, no complaining, nothing. Her eyes and twitching lips expressed her pain but she was a brave woman and I couldn't believe I was admiring her from behind the door.

Doctor Kura walked out from the door, a very grim expression on her face.

"Mr. Chevrolet, is there any relative of Mrs Flame here?"

She was obviously talking about Sasha, but the man never really gave his wife the attention or love she deserved. It was evident even today, when he was not here. It was weird how the two never talked of separating even after this. Everyone argued that Ruby was dominant and her husband meek but seriously, when did meek people stop caring for their partners? Especially after everything Ruby did for him.

"Mr. Chevrolet, is there any relative of Mrs Flame here?"

Doctor Kura looked at me expectantly, hoping I would say yes. I shouldn't have bothered, I should have just walked away. That would be more suitable to my nature. But I couldn't. I just couldn't.

"Yes," I replied, "I'm here."

"You?"

"Her relatives couldn't make it here," I replied, "You know the situation is tense right now. So, I'm the only one right now."

"You'll have to register yourself as her relative."

"You can add me as a cousin."

She seemed reluctant but then decided to tell me anyway. The matter was certainly serious.

And when she told me, I didn't understand a single complication that was there. The only thing I understood was that either the girl or the baby could be saved. Kura was asking me to make a choice.

But who was I to give any kind of permission in this matter? Neither was she my wife nor was it my kid. I cursed Sasha internally. Why did he get married when he couldn't handle it?! Why did I say that I was there for her?!what the hell did I get myself into?!

I couldn't show my unease to these people. They thought of me as a sociopath, and I had to play on that image. I couldn't let Kura see how troubled I felt because of this utterly unexpected and horrible situation.

"We don't have much time, Charles," she said softly, "Please, tell me."

I knew Ruby would hate me for this. Maybe everyone else too. After all, I didn't have the right to make a decision here. But I had to. I couldn't believe I was doing it, worrying about someone's life, feeling so broken about someone's pain. But it had to be done. It didn't matter whether they'd hate me or love me. I wouldn't be like Sasha.

"Save the mother, Kura."

Roslin Chevalier (17) 72nd Games' Escapee

"How the hell did we get into this mess?!"

Anya was stomping in the room, biting her nails, pulling out her hair, her face red. I raised my brows at her whereas my stupid brother just looked on sadly.

"I've never felt so helpless before!" she cried, and I was surprised to see tears literally running down her cheeks. Her bloodshot eyes, her tear-streaked face, her dishevelled hair and her hollow cheeks were only a shadow of her former beautiful self. I had noticed that her beauty had deteriorated over the past few months, but at this moment, it was hard to believe that I was looking at one of the most popular actresses and victors. She was barely recognisable.

"Anya, Anya nobody could've thought that they would all be caught! Especially Alan. That guy has been avoiding trouble in the last fourteen years."

"What good is that?!" she screamed in an almost hysterical way, "Everything-everything- will be destroyed now!"

"Anya," I interrupted her as politely as I could, although it was really hard, "Nothing's destroyed. We haven't lost yet. And it seems Regal has a plan."

"Regal has a plan," she mocked, "Do you know what his plan was last time? Suicide bombing. Can you believe it? Suicide bombing! Do you think I have ANY reason to trust him or his PLANS?!"

Raylic looked stunned at seeing this avatar of his friend. Neither of us had really had the opportunity to witness Anya's eccentric behaviour, and it was confirmed when she threw the jug across the floor in mad rage, screaming out loud.

"I've worked so hard!" she wailed, "So *** hard! What the hell did I not give up for this?! And here I am, in a posh bungalow awaiting my fate!"

"Anya!" Raylic yelled at her suddenly, "Calm down! There's no reason to react this way!"

"No reason? NO REASON?!" she screamed, and at that moment I really feared for my life. And I meant that very seriously. She was scary, and looked little more than one of those evil witches in children's horror stories. Her chest was heaving too fast and it was visible how hard it was for her to breathe.

"Idiot!" she cried, "If we're caught, you guys will be the first to be executed! You're not supposed to be alive!"

"We'll not be caught!" Raylic argued sternly.

"Yeah? And how do you know?"

"Anya," I said, "Things are not out of control. There's nothing to worry about."

I wasn't going to let her pick on my brother.

Her eyes turned to me and her shoulders sagged as the girl let out a groan of exasperation. Clenching her fists, she whispered as calmly as she could, "You're not understanding the enormity of our situation. Our allies might be dead right now even as we talk. Even if Regal surrenders, nobody will be safe. And Snow will make him spit out our names for sure."

"He held his own last time. He'd do it again."

"Not if Alan dies," she retorted, "That guy will forget everything about his 'mission' and 'vision' due to his personal loss. The death of one man can cause death of hundreds of others, including you!"

What she said did make sense, and now I could understand why she was panicking so much. It was true… how could we know for sure that the rebels would be allowed to leave if we surrendered? Snow could just murder every single one of us.

"We're doomed. We're simply doomed!"

Hello everyone! I know, this is really quick, lol. I need to thank Pi for motivating me to write this. Seriously, had it not been for your message, this particular chapter would have taken weeks again. Thank you, friend!

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this. I had stuff planned for the plot, but I wanted to finish the Games first because, at one time, only one thing can take priority. I can promise you that every chapter you'll have at least one POV from the tributes who are alive. I'm not going to ignore these little kids.

Anyway, I hope you're in good health. Good health may lead to great wealth. I hope you achieve both.

Have a great day!