The Capitol

Ammeline Former

The moment I see Alex turn into the hallway, I jump into the nearest room, closing the door before he can see me. I'm in some unoccupied office, so I don't need to worry about anyone forcing me out. I crack the door open just a bit, so I can see Alex pass. He doesn't notice me, and neither does his other assistant, Ambrosius Light, who follows behind him, his mouth too busy flapping to notice me.

"The Head Peacekeeper of District 10 is waiting for you in the conference room, as you requested. She claims to have information on the escaped rebels - Satin Davison and his others. Apparently, they were spotted walking through the streets of District 10 a few nights ago. We also have a Peacekeeper claiming that Chance Alector and Dara Bayard attempting to leave the Capitol -"

"Shut your mouth, Light," Alex says sternly. "You're announcing all of this for the whole mansion to hear. We'll discuss it inside the conference room."

I hear them reach the elevator, and when the doors close, I re-enter the hallway. I'm technically still Alex's assistant - I suspect he's only keeping me around to make sure I don't go blabbing about the fact that I saw him kill President Chorley, but he doesn't give me any information. Most of the work I do is just paperwork, and it's never anything of importance.

I've been trying to stay up to date on what's going on, by listening in on his conversations. I don't learn anything from paperwork, unlike I did when Felix was President, so I'm forced to eavesdrop on everything. Fortunately, no one ever seems to notice me unless I make myself known (which I've been choosing to do less and less). There have been several occasions where I've been sitting in Alex's office and he won't notice for hours on end.

I use to find what Felix called, "my forgettable-quality" annoying since it took a lot of effort to advance in my job, but as of late, it's been useful. If Alex has been meaning to kill me (which I doubt, but I'm not positive) he's been forgetting to.

I don't think I've talked to him in a very long time. I no longer see the point. I just do what he tells me, and gain all the information I can.

I press the button for the elevator and begin waiting. I might want to listen in on this meeting… the conference room they're referring to has a maintenance closet directly next to it, and I happen to know you can hear everything they're saying inside the conference room from the closet.

While I'm waiting, Victoria Brade joins me. She's one of Alex's biggest confidants, so I should hate her, but she's one of the only people who acknowledges me, which gives her a special place in my heart.

"Hello, Ammeline," she nods.

"Hi, Victoria," I respond.

"Where are you off to?"

"I'm picking up some files from Blue's office," I lie. She buys it and nods. "What about you?"

"I'm meeting with President Divine and a Peacekeeper from District 10. I can't say anymore, sorry."

"I understand," I nod. I also don't really care, since I know the reason for the meeting and I'll be listening to every word they say.

The elevator doors slide open and Victoria and I step inside. She presses the button for the next floor up, where the conference room is. The doors slide shut and we shoot up to the next floor. The doors quickly open again and we both step out.

"See you later," she smiles, walking into the conference room. I make like I'm headed for Blue's office, but the moment she closes the door, I run over to the maintenance closet and cram myself inside among the cleaning supplies. I shut the door and press my ear against the wall, listening carefully.

"So you spotted Satin in District 10?" I hear Alexandros ask.

"Not me personally, but we received multiple tips from citizens when five nights ago, they spotted Satin Davison and two others walking through the District at night. From descriptions, we suspect the others to be Cooper Sharlock and James Blacksworth."

"Where did they go?"

"We don't know."

"Are they still in District 10?"

"We don't know that either."

"Well, send out a search party anyway. We'll also send some Peacekeepers from Eleven and Four to search their Districts in case they've migrated over there since then. They can't have gone any farther than that. We'll find them."

This chapter was going to have more, but I ran out of inspiration and I was already tired from writing Day 12, so this is it!

Don't forget to review!

- Lilah