Peeta leaned over and gently shook Rosalie awake.
"We need to go," he whispered. Her eyes fluttered open and she nodded, sitting up to stretch. Peeta left her to dress and he made sure their things were all packed and ready. He offered her a piece of toast but her stomach was roiling and she shook her head. She felt sharp pains in her stomach but didn't want him to know. He already had so much to think about, and she was sure it was just normal pregnancy pains.
Maximus and Blaze pulled up in front of the house just as Peeta was closing the door behind them. Rosalie gasped and tugged on his hand to get his attention as soon as she saw them. He swallowed thickly, muttering a curse under his breath.
"Good morning, General Mellark! Mrs. Mellark, ma'am," Blaze nodded to both of them.
"Good morning, soldiers. Ah, I didn't know you two were picking me up."
"Commander Rossex sent us, sir. Are you… is everything alright?" Blaze's eyes traveled over the bags in their hands and back up to his general's face.
"Yes," Peeta cleared his throat. "I was, um, planning to take Ros-Lavinia into town for breakfast."
"With all of your suitcases, sir?" Peeta glanced back at Rosalie uneasily.
"We don't own much and we like to keep our things with us. After we lost everything in a terrible fire last year, we've sort of become paranoid." Maximus's eyes widened.
"General, we never heard! I'm so sorry."
"It's quite alright, Maxiumus. Will you please escort Mrs. Mellark to the city circle before you take me to headquarters?" Rosalie grabbed his hand and shook her head. Peeta gave her a long look.
"I don't know how long my meeting will last, dearest, and I hate to think of you waiting at headquarters for me again." She shook her head again and he sighed.
"Very well. I don't think she wants to be separated. I trust one of you can stay with her again while I speak to the troops?"
"Commander Rossex ordered us to be there at the meeting as well," Blaze said slowly. "But not to worry, General, we can find someone to keep Mrs. Mellark company!"
"I trust no one else, gentlemen. I insist that one of you stay with her at all times."
Maximus took her bag from her and saluted Peeta.
"It would be my honor, General Mellark."
"Excellent. I sincerely thank you, Soldier Placus."
"I'll tell you everything that is said in the meeting," Blaze grinned and nudged his friend. Maximus helped Rosalie into the car and they sped off in the opposite direction of where Peeta wanted to go. He watched the road disappear behind him and sighed heavily. Rosalie squeezed his hand once and he turned to look at her. She gave him a sad smile and a nod.
It didn't take long to drive to the Peacekeeper Headquarters. Peeta stood beside the car and frowned in the distance.
"Is something wrong, General?"
"Was there a General... " he trailed off, unable to remember the name exactly. It had been in his mind only a second ago.
"A General?" Maximus cocked his head.
"Never mind. I can't seem to recall his name. He was my General while I was here going through training."
"Felix Duartyr," a smooth voice said behind them. Rosalie shrank behind Peeta as Commander Rossex came out to greet them. Peeta turned to shake his hand.
"Yes, Duartyr. Is he still here?"
"Dirty traitor died in the Capitol. Serves him right." Peeta's brow furrowed.
"Traitor? He was our General of District 2."
"He was executed for having a hand in President Snow's death," the commander said cooly.
"That can't be right."
"Saw the news myself, General. They said there was an accomplice but never said who. I'm sure they were executed too." Peeta felt unease for some reason.
"Very well. Shall we, Commander Rossex?"
"Right this way, General. Soldiers Bronzeway and Placus, I believe I told you both this meeting was mandatory." Maximus shot Peeta a panicked look and Peeta rested his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I asked Soldier Placus to accompany my wife, Commander. He was very helpful to her yesterday and she took a liking to him. With everything that has happened, she tends to be wary around new people." Rossex's lip curled in disgust.
"Very well. This way." Peeta squeezed Rosalie's hand once before he turned and fell in line with Blaze and Rossex. Rosalie trembled as she watched him leave.
"Come, Mrs. Mellark. I'll fetch you some tea and a book to keep you occupied. Your husband shouldn't be too long."
Rossex had insisted Peeta wait outside so he could properly introduce the First General to the troops. Peeta agreed, though somewhat uneasily. He had a bad feeling about this meeting but he wasn't about to let Rossex see how shaken he was. He needed to be the strong leader Rossex had believed him to be.
Peeta waited by the car, as Rossex had instructed but after a few minutes, he started to wonder what was taking the commander so long. He stepped up to the door and leaned in close.
"-rumors that he has changed but I can put those rumors to rest. He is as ruthless and cunning as ever. Many of you once faced the wrath of the General. Pray you do not attract his attention today. He has been sent here by the newly appointed President Snow, to deal with the troublemakers and those who think… differently, than we should. I am going to bring him in and I assure you, he will shoot anyone who does not show him the proper respect, on the spot."
Peeta frowned and glared at the door. Rossex was making him sound like some kind of monster. He didn't remember being so ruthless with his troops. But he supposed it had to be true. He knew from Rossex's demeanor that Peeta had punished him, perhaps more than once. He nearly jumped back when the door yanked open and Rossex gestured him to come inside. Peeta swallowed and gripped his rifle as he stepped inside the training room.
He remembered being in here. He remembered pain, tears, cruel laughter, and pleading cries. The soldiers were all pale, their faces completely devoid of color. Except for Blaze, who sat in the front and gave him a tiny wave and an encouraging smile. Despite what his commander had just said about the General, Blaze could hardly believe any of it. General Mellark had been quite kind and even somewhat shy the whole time he had been in 2. Perhaps Rossex was just trying to scare the group.
"Welcome back to District 2, General Mellark," Rossex said loudly, stepping forward. He held a thick whip in his hands and Peeta frowned as it was pushed into his own hands.
"First order of business. General Mellark, you were sent here by President Snow, were you not?"
"Yes. I mean… I requested to be assigned here, after hearing of some rebellious activity near the Mountain."
"And what did President Snow tell you to do about said rebellious activity?"
"Quash it at once," Peeta said steadily, his eyes cold.
"Excellent," Rossex's lip curled. "Please proceed, General Mellark."
"Before I begin, does anyone have a question about your training, or today's meeting?" A shaking hand rose into the air and Peeta nodded to the soldier.
"Do you know the details of President Snow Sr.'s death, sir?"
"I believe those details were revealed to the entire nation, were they not?"
"Y-yes sir. But there was… the reporters lead us to believe that there was a second assassin, who was unnamed. Do you know if they are still at large?" Peeta glanced back at Rossex, who was smirking back at him. Peeta turned back to the group and slammed the whip against his palm.
"Please explain to the room how that question has any significance to your training or today's meeting."
"It doesn't, General, but I was just curious-"
"Curiosity can be quite dangerous, soldier," Peeta's eyes flashed. "I'll be lenient this time. Do not get sidetracked again."
"Yes sir," the soldier gasped, his eyes widening in horror at his friend beside him.
"General Mellark?" Peeta nodded at the soldier standing up.
"There have been rumors about what happened to you the last time you were in District 2. Some say you were experimented on and now, your strength is unmatched. Is that true?" Peeta could almost hear Rossex snort behind him.
"What is your name, soldier?"
"Tarson, sir."
"Soldier Tarson, step up here, please." Tarson didn't look the least bit nervous as he stalked up to the front of the room.
"What weapon do you prefer, Soldier Tarson?"
"I'm quite good with the sword, sir."
"Very well. Take out your sword. Let us see if these rumors you ask about have any truth to them." Tarson unsheathed his sword and faced Peeta, looking bored. He stepped forward to attack the general but Peeta blocked the blow and spun around in a counter-attack. Tarson fell backward and with a gasp, was right back up again.
Just a few minutes later, Tarson was bleeding from his face, arm, and leg and was cowering on the floor as Peeta stood over him, his sword inches from Tarson's throat. Rossex crept closer to Peeta, whispering in his ear.
"Finish him, General. He's lazy and worthless anyway." Peeta released a growl and stepped back, lowering his sword.
"If he's lazy and worthless, it's the duty of his leaders to correct that. Make him work harder and longer, from this day on. And Soldier Tarson, if I hear that you are neglecting your duties, I will escort you to the Capitol for a rematch. Am I understood?"
"Yes General," the soldier muttered in embarrassment.
"Now that Soldier Tarson has wasted a good amount of time, let's discuss what I have come to discuss. Your Commander has told me quite a bit that displeases me and I have a list of names to deal with. Do you see that room?" He gestured toward a room off to the side, almost unnoticeable except for the bright red door that lead you inside.
"I shall speak to those of you on this list, one by one. If you can defend your actions and prove yourself worthy of being a Peacekeeper for Panem, you shan't fear anything. If you can't... " he trailed off, leaving the rest of the statement to their imaginations. He sheathed his sword and made his way to the red door.
"Prepare yourselves. I'll be back in a moment." The soldiers all stared at Rossex nervously, their eyes flicking down to the paper in his hands.
Peeta pushed open the door and froze. There were tables with restraints attached, chairs that kept you from moving, and at the end of the room, a thick pole with manacles hanging from it. The shelves were lined with syringes and medicine bottles, with some very scary-looking medical tools. Peeta closed the door behind him and stepped further into the room.
"Subject 290856, administered another dosage of tracker-jacker venom. Time is 4:02 pm."
"Doctor, he is seizing!"
"Damn. Two CCs of serum, to counteract the venom effects." A long wail of pain followed, as the subject continued to thrash around on the table, his restraints proving quite ineffective.
"Doctor, this makes four seizures in one week. We need to cease the experiment."
"Minister Antonius is coming to inspect the boy and insists we have the proper dosages of both venom and serum to show him. He wants results."
"And in the meantime your subject will DIE if his body short circuits from the drugs. Give the boy a brief respite."
"Please," the subject cried through gritted teeth. Tears streamed down his fair cheeks as he tossed back and forth.
"We need to test it out. Was there a girl in his district? Someone he loved?"
"Not that we know of, Doctor." The Doctor cursed, tapping the table.
"Any family nearby?"
"Yes sir! His brother, as a matter or fact. Sent to headquarters with him. They both arrived from 12 just three weeks ago."
"Bring him to me." The Doctor reached for his notepad and scribbled his notes.
"Patient will interact with brother, testing aggression and familiarity after dosages of venom and serum were administered."
"Soldier Mellark, Doctor." The Doctor looked up at the young man who had just entered the room. The soldier's eyes widened in shock as he ran closer.
"Peeta! What have you done to him?"
"Just testing his blood for a known component that could help save lives. His blood was positive for the component, upon his arrival."
"But not mine? I'm his older brother."
"Your name was not on the list, Soldier Mellark. We called you to help your brother back to his bunker. He may be somewhat weak from the tests." The older Mellark bent down and scowled at the doctor.
"Get these things off him." The doctor pressed a button and the restraints fell away.
"Peeta? Can you hear me? It's Rye… I'm going to help you move, ok? Let me know if it hurts." Both Mellarks emitted loud groans as one brother helped the other. The subject groaned loudly as his brother tossed his arm around his neck, helping to support him.
"I've got you, baby bro. Come on, let's move." The Doctor watched closely as the subject clung to his brother as they made their way out of the tiny laboratory and out of the training hall. He spat and cursed when they were gone, reaching for his notepad again.
"Subject reacted to interaction in positive form. Older brother seems very protective. We can use him for future experiments."
Peeta reached up to scratch his neck; as he stared into the mirror, he moved closer and inspected his skin. He had small needle-like scars all over his flesh. He frowned, holding his arms out in front of him. Tiny holes covered his hands and as he rolled up his sleeves, all over his arms as well. He frowned at his reflection. What had happened to him? Even before all of this with Darius and Rosalie and Katniss… he felt that this had gone on much longer and he didn't understand why. What were these rumors that Soldier Tarson had spoken of? That he had been experimented on? Ridiculous.
Why were you able to survive so many tracker-jacker poisonings, then? His mind flashed with images of him in a cell, surrounded by hundreds of tracker-jackers. He was brought to his knees from so many stings and he remembered crying out for help.
How had he survived that?
So what was the President's intention, then? Was he trying to kill him, or just make him forget who he was? Seemed a little extreme, if he was being honest with himself.
And why him? He was just a boy from District 12. What made him so special, that President Snow took many risks just to make sure he forgot everything? Why didn't they just kill him?
He took a deep breath and turned to face the red door. He still had a job to do, one that Rossex would not let him shirk away from. If he sent the soldiers back out unscathed, Rossex would report it to Snow. They would know that the highjacking had failed. They would take him prisoner again and experiment on him again. And what would they do to Rosalie?
He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to think quickly. He had already been in this room for a few minutes. Someone would be coming to check on him soon.
Three lashes wouldn't hurt too much, he reasoned as he stared down at the whip in his hands. He felt a sudden pain across his back and his knees nearly buckled.
"Stop! Stop, that's more than 20! Stop it! You're killing him!" Groaning, he reached over his shoulder and rubbed his back. He moved back to the mirror and lifted his shirt as much as he could.
Yes, he had definitely been beaten. The scars were faded, as if someone had tried to hide them, but they ran deep, he could see. He had no idea when but he felt it was somewhat recently. And her voice… yes, he knew now that was her voice. She had tried to stop them. And who had beat him? The Capitol? The rebels?
Grimacing, he let his shirt fall back into place and stared at the whip, his mind racing.
He had to do it. He didn't see any other choice but he would tell them to lie about it and say he had whipped them more than that. Would Rossex be able to tell the difference? Would the soldiers betray him? He doubted they wanted more than three lashes but he knew loyalty to Snow and to the Capitol went far here in 2.
A knock at the door made him whirl around and frantically run his fingers through his hair again.
"Yes?"
"Is everything alright, General Mellark," Rossex poked his head in, wearing an evil smile. "Not questioning everything you are, are you, sir?" It was accompanied by a teasing smirk, but Peeta didn't find it funny. It was exactly what he had been doing but he merely scowled at the commander.
"Do you want to go first, Rossex? I'm sure it wouldn't bother the troops to see their commander bloody and bruised, do you?" Rossex's smile dropped and he cleared his throat.
"I'll send in the first soldier when you are ready."
"Send him in," Peeta said stiffly. He hid a smile when he detected a whiff of fear from Rossex. The door opened again and a stammering soldier was pushed into the room, then the door was slammed shut. Peeta took a deep cleansing breath before he turned back around to face the first soldier he would have to punish.
Peeta's strength behind the lashing made it feel like ten lashes rather than three. The wounded soldiers promptly agreed to lie about how many times their General had hit them. Peeta felt sick at the sight of the blood in the floor and on his whip. He looked around for a towel to wipe it clean, before the next soldier was brought in.
"For fuck's sake, how many soldiers are to be lashed today," he muttered under his breath as he turned back around. The soldier in front of him was hiding his face in his hands, rocking back and forth on his knees.
"Blaze," he breathed, his eyes widening in horror.
"General Mellark, I don't understand." Peeta heard the boy's voice shake and he tried to remain calm. But he was starting to see red, as he gripped the whip in his right hand.
"I have tried to be a good soldier, sir. I am loyal to President Snow and to the Capitol army. I don't understand why Commander Rossex is so angry with me."
Tears streamed down the boy's cheeks and Peeta clenched his jaw.
"He says you are a disgrace to the Peacekeeper army. But every time I've seen you, I'd say you are a fine soldier. Do you think you are a fine soldier, Soldier Bronzeway?"
"I like to think I am," the boy said softly, looking dejected.
"How old are you, Soldier?"
"F-fifteen, sir." Peeta stared. Rossex wanted him to beat a fifteen year old? Peeta chewed the inside of his cheek. No more. He couldn't take it anymore.
"Get up, Blaze. I'm not going to hurt you." Blaze stared up at his General, looking uncertain, before he struggled to his feet.
"You're not?"
"Do you see the kinds of people you are working for, Blaze? The horrors they commit?"
"But… begging your pardon, General Mellark… you work for them too."
"I do. But I refuse to anymore. I won't be a piece in their games." He frowned, feeling as if he had said those words before.
"Get out of here, Blaze. Hold your back as if you are in pain, get Maximus and Rosalie, and get out of here. Go to District 13."
"Who is Rosalie?"
"The young woman you have been calling Lavinia. The President killed her husband, kidnapped her, and forced her to become my wife."
"General," the boy glanced back at the door, still ignoring the fact that his general had just told him to go to a district that had been destroyed for years, because that was just too far-fetched to think about. "Is all of that true?"
"What?"
"What Commander Rossex said before you came in. That you're ruthless and cruel and were hand picked by President Snow. And that you are going to kill the Mockingjay." Peeta's eyes narrowed but Blaze wasn't frightened.
"What do you think the truth is, Soldier?"
"I think you're kind and unsure of what to do… and if you pretend to be ruthless, it's because society makes you behave that way. Perhaps you try to please the President, perhaps you're just trying to survive. But I don't believe any of it. And Riorstone said you told him to lie about how many lashes you gave him. Why would you do that, if you really are a bloodthirsty monster?" Peeta stared at the floor for so long, the silence in the room deafening.
"I'm not a monster," he whispered. "Not anymore. And I'm doing this to get home to the Mockingjay. My wife."
"Your-?" Blaze's eyes bugged out.
"Lie in the floor, just there," Peeta waved toward the puddle of blood to their left. Blaze looked as if he would throw up at any minute.
"Rossex will know right away if you aren't bleeding. You've seen the men who have left this room, haven't you?"
"Yes sir. Their shirts are covered in blood."
"Yes, I did tell them to lie. 3 lashes isn't much but it may look like 10 to Rossex. You need blood on your shirt. And I'm making sure it's not yours.. So go on." Blaze lowered to his knees, his face pale. He was about to lie down on his back, when the door burst open.
"I knew it," a voice hissed over them.
"Rossex, I thought I told you-"
"You are a filthy traitor, Mellark. You've lost your courage and your mind. Wait until I tell President Snow you are the man he said you were. He's going to lock you up in a dark cell and let the rats feast on your flesh."
"Commander-" Blaze said shakily, standing up on one knee and Peeta shook his head violently, to make him fall silent. Rossex's eyes flashed.
"And you," he snarled, his baton flying through the air. Blaze cried out and was on his back within a second. Rossex stood over him, letting his baton rise and fall over and over. Blaze was pleading, his hands over his head and his body curled. Peeta grabbed the baton before it could fall again and punched Rossex in the face. Rossex snarled like a feral cat before running at Peeta and punching him in the stomach.
"Blaze!" Blaze lifted his head to see Peeta bending over, clutching his ribs. "Do as I said earlier! GO!" Blaze slipped in his own blood and made for the door. Rossex tried to grab at him but Peeta yanked him back and elbowed the commander in the face.
Blaze ran out of the training room, ignoring the calls and his name being yelled. He ran straight to the main building, where Maximus and Rosalie were sharing tea.
"We have to go," he gasped.
"What do you- Blaze! Are you alright?" Maximus jumped to his feet, running over to inspect his friend. Rosalie stood up and her wide eyes traveled over Blaze's beaten form. Blaze shook his friend off and turned to Rosalie.
"He ordered for me to get you two out of here. I don't disobey orders from my General. Let's go."
"Blaze, wait, what's going on?"
"There's no time! Get to the car! Now!" Rosalie stamped her foot and crossed her arms, indicating she was staying put. She wouldn't leave Peeta.
"Mrs… whoever you are. He stayed behind to give us a chance. Please. We have to go." Rosalie's eyes were glassy. He didn't call her Mrs. Mellark. Peeta had obviously told Blaze the truth. But what had happened to him? She couldn't just leave him there, to be captured and tortured again. Blaze and Maximus tugged on her hands, dragging her out to the car.
By the time the three of them were inside the car, more peacekeepers had come running. They were confused for a moment but someone screamed to stop them and that's all it took. Bullets flew at the car as Blaze drove over the hill and away from headquarters.
"Why are they shooting at us," Maximus yelled, looking back out the window. "Why are we running? WHAT is going on?" Blaze was about to answer when he noticed more bullets flying around him. But they were coming from another direction. Maximus's head tossed around.
"NOW who's shooting?"
"I don't know!" Rosalie looked back and her eyes widened.
The rebels were here! She frantically tapped on Blaze's soldier, trying to get him to stop. The rebels would save Peeta and take them to 13! She shook his shoulder and his head snapped back.
"I'm sorry but I can't stop. He ordered me to take you to District 13." Her jaw dropped, while Maximus guffawed in the passenger's seat.
"District 13? That's like, searching for Wonderland or… some other fantastical place." She rested her hand on his shoulder and shook her head.
"General Mellark said the president had her husband killed, kidnapped her, and forced her to become his wife! He changed her name too," Blaze yanked on the steering wheel. "Rosalie," he glanced back over his shoulder and Rosalie sank back against the seat.
"Wait wait, are you saying that General Mellark is a rebel?"
"He has suffered at the hands of the Capitol. I've heard stories about how they erased his memories, made him forget everything. He said the Mockingjay is his wife and he is trying to get back to her!"
"His WIFE?! A peacekeeper married to the Mockingjay? Blaze, he sounds like a dirty traitor. Are you sure-"
"Don't you dare call him that," Blaze said angrily, his hands white on the steering wheel. "He saved my life, Max! Commander Rossex ordered him to give us all 10 lashings each. He gave the men three. He's a good man!"
"But… why does he want you to go to District 13? What does he think you'll find there?"
"Maybe the rumors are true," Blaze shrugged. "Maybe 13 is actually still there and they are helping with the rebellion."
"That," Maximus fixed him with a look of concern and pity, "sounds insane."
"More insane than the Capitol turning a peacekeeper into a super soldier so he could become their ultimate weapon to use in battle?"
"Those are just rumors, Blaze, they're not-" Rosalie squeezed his shoulder and nodded her head several times. Blaze smirked.
"See? She knows it's true. The rumors are all true. General Mellark WAS that soldier all those years ago, who was held captive away from his unit while they injected him with all those serums. Their mission was to make him physically unbeatable. But they messed with his mind too. They wanted to erase who he had been before. I heard he didn't even recognize his own brother and beat him when forced to."
"OK but… didn't he relocate to another district? Why did he say he was from the Capitol?"
"Don't think he ever did. Just that he was sent here from the Capitol. So my guess is that he was captured again and had his memories wiped. They convinced him he was a General, that he was loyal to the Capitol, and that Rosalie here was his wife." He shot her a sad smile over his shoulder.
"Blaze, do you know how crazy you sound right now?"
"If we make it to 13 alive and it's actually there, you're going to massage my feet for an hour. Without gloves." Rosalie snorted and shook her head. Maximus grunted in disgust.
"If we make to 13 alive and it's not actually there, I'm throwing you out of this car. We were in the same classes, Blaze, we learned the same things. 13 was bombed to ruin. We're driving across the country and we are going to have to live in the wild. That's all we'll find when we get there."
"I know you don't believe me… but can't you trust me? Like we always have?" Rosalie watched the two boys glance at each other in silence and she wished more than anything she had her voice back so she could yell how stupid they were being.
"Yeah," Maximus finally said. "I guess I can do that."
Rosalie relaxed against the seat again, slowly clapping and making both boys shoot her a glare.
Peeta groaned as he sat up and felt his head. Blood matted the back of his curls and his ribs were on fire. He slowly pushed himself to stand, squeezing his eyes shut as the room continued to spin.
"Shit," he moaned, pressing his hands to his temples. He heard yelling and shooting outside but had no clue as to who was shooting at whom. He stumbled to the door, hoping that no one was still inside the training room. Rossex had fled, screaming for someone to stop the car that was escaping. Peeta hoped that meant Blaze had gotten Rosalie and Maximus out. He trusted the young soldiers to protect Rosalie as best they could. He knew he had completely shocked Blaze but he had to admit that he was glad to see the soldier turning against the hand that had fed him for so long.
Peeta made his way back to the training room, his hand on the wall to steady himself. He heard the door burst open and angry voices.
"Halt!" Someone yelled right in front of him. His head was still splitting and he tried to open his eyes but found he couldn't.
"I said halt!"
"I heard you. And if you couldn't tell, I'm having a hard time moving as it is so I've halted. Who are you?"
"Who are you," the voice ignored his question.
"Peeta Mellark."
"Mellark," another one said. "First General of Panem?"
"Correct. I'm looking for-"
One blow to the head and Peeta knew nothing but darkness.
When he finally started to stir, the soldier who was guarding him leaped to his feet.
"Someone call for the Commander! He's starting to wake!" Peeta started to open his eyes but then a fist buried itself in his stomach and he doubled up with pain.
"You disgusting Capitol pet. We should kill you right here and now."
"I'm not-"
"Silence," the soldier struck him across the face and his eye burned.
"That's enough, Soldier." The man jumped back from Peeta and lowered his head. A tall woman came into his view and he lifted his head as much as he could.
"You're Victor Lyme, aren't you?" The woman stood straight and still.
"I am. And you're First General Mellark, are you not?"
"I am but I don't want to be. That is, I'm trying to get away from District 2 and the Capitol."
"And where are you hoping to go, General?" He bit his lip, refusing to tell her he was trying to get to 13. Everyone in Panem believed 13 to be gone, himself included. But Rosalie had been so adamant about getting there. He hoped he hadn't sent Blaze and Maximus and Rosalie to their dooms, sending them there.
"My sources tell me you have been sent here to raid refugee camps near the border. Is that true, General?"
"Yes, Commander."
"So you are trying to make it to the border to carry out your orders?"
"No ma'am. I'm not following orders. I refuse to hurt or kill anyone else. I'm sort of… rebel, myself." Lyme's lips thinned.
"President Snow's lapdog is no rebel. Do not try to trick me, General. I'm a Hunger Games Victor. I do not respond well to deceit."
"I don't mean to deceive you, Commander Lyme. I mean what I say." He sighed and hung his head for a moment. "To be completely honest with you, Snow had my memories erased and he turned me into his lapdog. I'm not from the Capitol originally, but I think I'm from 12. I can't remember much but I'm trying to get my memories back. Perhaps you could help me find someone… someone who can help me with my memory."
"A General of Panem seeking help from a Rebel Commander," Lyme scoffed. "I don't think so. I'll leave you to my soldiers, General, and when I return tonight, I'll see if your story has changed." Something flashed in Peeta's eyes as Lyme left the room but it wasn't anger. The guard swore he saw sadness and defeat in the prisoner's face.
Never mind. They had the First General of Panem in their grasp. If they couldn't beat the shit out of the president for all he had done, the First General was second-best.
The guard cracked his knuckles and smiled as he surveyed the weakened general.
"This is for my family," he muttered to himself, pulling his baton from his pocket.
