It was an unnatural darkness.

The Capitol, once a shining jewel at night, had been reduced to a few pinpricks of light in the mountains. Electricity had been restored, but rolling blackouts were common as the new government redistributed power to the more damaged districts. It was only temporary, they said.

Julus was walking home, hands shoved deep in his coat's many bejeweled pockets. With public transporation being commandeered by the rebels, he had no choice but to hoof it. Even then, not being used to the city's usual second sun of bright advertisements and media made him almost blind in the streets; he'd gotten lost for hours several night before.

He noticed several lights on the street ahead. Squinting to see what it was, his shoulders suddenly dropped.

"Ah, crap."

It was a checkpoint. Several of the rebel vehicles had blocked off the road, checking each Capitol resident that wandered through. It was their favorite way of catching anyone on the 'blacklist'. Julus was pretty sure he hadn't done anything in the last few years to warrant arrest now, but he wasn't going to risk it. Turning and heading into a large alley, he thought he spotted something move out of the corner of his eye. Quickly looking behind him, he saw nothing but a single rebel soldier idly patrolling on the other side of the street.

He shrugged, continuing his walk.

Again, something, large and dark, darted at the edge of his vision. Once again he spun around, scanning the shadows.

"Hello?" he asked the darkness.

Julus was answered with a heavy *thud*, and something sliding against the wall. Slowly turing to where he'd heard the noise, he saw something dark crumpled against the alley's walls, and the sound of retreating footsteps. Whatever it was, it wasn't moving.

One step toward the thing. "Hello?"

He edged towards it, moving farther and farther from the few lights on the streets outside. His eyes began to adjust, and the dark blob became clearer and clearer until-

His body tensed, and he covered his mouth to muffle the scream.

Bloody, dead, was a Capitol man. His face was covered in bruises, head hanging down to one side. Blackened eyes, brown and purple skin, and his mouth caked with blood. Almost as if his tongue had been-

Then he saw the words carved on his chest.

WE CAN TALK NOW

"Oh, shit."

He was given only a few seconds to read the words before something hard and blunt hit the back of his leg. Forced down to one knee, another blow to his arm send him to the concrete, clutching it in pain. He tried to right himself, but a boot forced itself down on his neck. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw them.

Avoxes.

He half-expected them to taunt him with slurred words, but they said nothing. One stepped forward, taking out a large knife.

Julus screamed. He'd been forced down facing the street he'd walked in from, and by chance the rebel he'd seen moments before was walking by.

"Help!" he screamed. "Help me!"

The soldier jumped, looking down the alley, straight at Julus and his attackers.

He buckled, but the Avoxes forced him back down. "They're going to kill me!"

The soldier stood there for a second, and then kept walking, disappearing from the alley.

"No! I'm going to di-"

He was interrupted by the boot slamming on his cheek. Any other pleas for help he had in him were lost as the beating commenced.