AN: I'm so sorry. I've been beyond busy lately, I will start updating once a week again though. It's a great stress reliever. Thank you for the reviews and follows, it really encourages me to continue, hence the reason for this update. Thank you to all the readers and I hope you can forgive me for the lapse in time from the last update. You'll be glad to know that I have already started the next chapter as well, and that will be up next week. This week, however, we will be joining Katniss back in the arena.

Trust Your Heart or Trust Your Brain?

Katniss POV

Being woken up in the middle of the "night", let's face it, I have no way of knowing if it's truly night or just the Game Makers tricking my mind, is never the way anyone wants to start their day. Myself included. Sure I wake up early back in 12 all the time to go hunting, but that's different. That's on my terms. People tromping through the woods like a herd of trumpeting elephants; not my terms, therefore, not welcomed. Especially when that herd of elephants just happen to be the deadliest group in the arena, the oh so blessed, want to kill you in the worst ways imaginable, lick your blood from my blade, Careers. And, lucky me, they decided to pick the very tree I'm hiding in, trying to get my beauty rest for the cameras in, to stake out the surroundings before going in for the kill of the idiot who was dumb enough to start a fire in the middle of night, sending a signaling beckon of smoke to all of us killers trying to make it back home. Of the Careers would come, they are the only ones who beyond a doubt, want to be here, specifically to kill off us lower districts. For pride, for glory, for even more riches!

But, believe it or not, that's not the worst part. Oh no, it certainly is not. For whom should I find among these blood-thirsty eradicators….that's right, the very boy that I'm supposed to be "saving" from these Games. The very one that I'm magically supposed to bring out of the Games with me and undermine the government with. Yea, you can say that this kind of puts a damper on that whole plan! How the hell am I suppose to save him when he's gone and implanted himself in their very group! How they even decided to let him join their golden ranks, I have no idea. Peeta is not a killer. He's kind, he's sweet, he's caring. There is no way that he would stoop to their level and kill. He told me he wouldn't. He told me that he would never become what the Games wanted him to be. There's no way Peeta would have lied, not to me. He just isn't like that.

Shaking my head, I brought myself out of my thoughts and focused on the group as they disappeared into the foliage. At the sound of the girls cries and pleading, I turned my head away. True, I can't see it from here, but in mind, it's almost like I'm standing right by her, which I'm sure the Careers wished I was. Gale told me that this wouldn't be any different than what we do at home when we are hunting game, I tried to believe him, I wanted to, honest I did. However, killing and gutting a rabbit, bird, squirrel, or when I'm lucky, a deer…I don't know how to really explain it, but it's different, and not just a little, but a lot. The game I kill, I kill to consume. These kids that I'm being forced to outlive, well that's just killing to kill, to entertain a bunch of rich brats who have a completely twisted view of reality and sport. Which brings me back to the same question from the very beginning, can I do it?

As the girls pleading came to an abrupt stop, I closed my eyes and bowed my head out of respect before turning my eyes back toward the very loud noise of the Careers hooting and a hollering. Another life ended by their hands, of course they'd celebrate. With any luck, they'd keep stomping through the forest back to wherever their haven was and take their rest. I laughed to myself, shaking my head as they once again stopped at the base of my own personal haven. That's my luck for you.

"Where's the cannon?" A male asked, as he walked a little back towards the girl tributes resting spot. Moving as quietly as possible, it looked like it was the tribute from 2, Cato, a true killing machine, if what I observed in training was any clue to his potential.

"Let's just go," I'd know that voice anywhere. That was Peeta. But Cato was right, there was no cannon, Peeta was trying to save her, that is so like him, putting others before himself. It makes no sense that the Careers would want him around, "they may be waiting for us to get far enough away for the hovercraft."

"No," the brunette from 2, Clove I believe, joined Cato, taking out her throwing daggers. "Cato's right, they should have sounded the cannon. She's still alive. I'll take care of it." She said that a little too happily for my liking.

Cato grabbed the back of Clove's shirt as she was about to walk past. "No, this kill is mine."

"No," Peeta spoke up, joining them, taking out his knife, "it's mine."

Say what? I must be losing it, there's no way I just heard Peeta volunteer to kill someone.

The Careers exploded, arguing over the kill. That is until their fearless leader, Cato, raised a hand, silencing them. "Let Lover Boy do it."

"What?" That was Glimmer, lovely name right? Perfect for someone coming off as a whore, wouldn't you agree?

"Let him prove his loyalty. See if he has it in him to kill. To lead us to his little bitch."

Little bitch? I suppose that must be me. So, the Careers let him join because Peeta agreed to lead them to me…interesting.

Peeta sent them a look before running off into the forest.

"We should kill him." There's Glimmer again, rubbing up on Cato.

"We have no way of finding her without him. She covers her tracks, he knows her. He knows where she would hide."

Oh, if they would only look up. He had already led them straight to me. The feeling of betrayal seeping through me, definitely not something I was expecting. I was supposed to be leading him to safety, playing the part of his guardian, more or less. That was the plan. That was my role. That was my only role. To get him and myself home. So why does it feel like I just got stabbed in the back?

At the sound of a cannon, I quickly looked at the spot Peeta had disappeared into as he came back out. "It's done," he said, bending down to clean his blade. I could not believe that there was blood on it. He just killed someone. He just did what he said he would never do. He lied to me. "I told you I would take you to her, and I will."

My blood ran cold at his words. By the sound of his voice he was dead serious. He was going to lead them to me. To kill me. I felt the sting of tears on the brim of my eyes as I watched him. I clutched my one little blade, my only defense, as he glanced up at the tree I was hiding in. He seemed to lock eyes on me for a second before turning away, standing back up. "Let's get moving. She would never stop this far away from a water source." All the Careers, patted his back as they headed back from the way they came, muttering about how they were going to kill us all. Lovely group of people, really. Peeta glanced back up in my tree before following his group.

I was idiot to listen to him, the very distinct feeling of betrayal and regret and pain screaming through my brain, but heart battling every thought trying to find the Peeta that I knew, trying to make excuses. I don't know what to believe at this point. But I do know three things; one, I never cry, reinforcing my walls, my eyes quickly dried. Two, whether Peeta is the man I believed or not, he just gave away the fact that I'm far away from a water source, which means I need to move now, while the temperature is low enough to keep my body cool and reframe from losing liquids. And three, now is not the time to allow myself to get mixed up in stupid emotional distress. I have a mission, whether I like it or not, to get myself and Peeta back to 12, and I will do it! If Peeta can kill, I can. And I'm better at it. Guaranteed.

I quickly gathered my things into my pack and made my way down the tree, moving in the opposite direction of the Careers. Step one, find water. Step two, get the bow and arrows from Glimmer. Let the Games begin.

Jack's POV

"Just what exactly do you plan to say to Effie?" I asked. We had just broken into Haymitch's house in Victor's Village, found a secret little compartment, and papers written in some code and proof that Katniss entering the Games was in fact on purpose. The question now is why.

Gale stood from couch, moving towards the phone. "I'll think of something."

Kim blocked Gale's path. I hated it when she did stuff like this. She had that look on her face. There was no way she was willingly going to let Gale pass, and if even so much as thinks of laying a finger on her, I will see him gutted where he stands. No one, and I mean no one, messes with my Kimmy.

"Let Jack do it," she said, crossing her arms. Why? Why did she have to say that? What the hell am I supposed to say?

Gale turned to look at me, throwing me an accusing eye. Throwing my hands up in defense, I spoke, "I did not encourage that." Taking a step forward, I glanced at the papers that were on the top of the box. "Everything's written in code, except for the word 'flames' and 'spread'."

"So?" Gale said, crossing his arms.

I rolled my eyes to myself, before picking up some papers and looking at him. "So, 'flames' and 'spread' are of some importance. If everything's in code, they won't talk openly to someone not within their conspiring group. Perhaps these two words are clues to some form of key phrase, to prove you can be trusted or something."

"Like, 'Spreading flames', or, 'The flames will widen'," Kim asked from the calling rooms entryway.

"I'm not sure," I softly replied, scanning over a couple of pages. They were a jumble of letters and numbers, none of it made any sense. There had to be someone here that could be trusted, that Haymitch trusted. "Ripper!" I said loudly, looking at both of them.

"What about her?" Gale asked, coming back to the papers. "I don't see her name on her."

I shook my head. "Of course not, you never write down the names of those conspiring against a group or organization, that'd be like handing them a death certificate. But think about it. Haymitch drinks, a lot, and he gets his liquor from Ripper. When people are drunk, they say thinks they shouldn't. Or if he's just portraying a drunk, then wouldn't Ripper be in on it?"

Kim nodded. "Worth checking." She agreed. I could almost always count on her to agree with me, it encouraged me, made me feel like I truly did know what I was doing. And even the times she didn't agree, she always knew the right way to get me in the correct direction. There's just something about her. She just always knows what to do and say. She's my spark.

Gale shook his head. "I don't think it's Ripper you should be questioning. Ripper and Catnip don't have any type of relationship. Catnip is closest to Greasy Sae. We always do what we can to stay on good terms with her; she's always there to trade with. If he wanted information on the Everdeen's, he'd get it from her. She'd never tell a living soul, it's just not her ways. If anyone is to trust in the Hob, it's Greasy Sae."

I nodded in agreement. Gale knew everything about the Hob and the Everdeen's, there's no way I wouldn't listen to his advice in this situation. "We have to be smart about it though. Peacekeeper's are always lingering near there."

"What about Effie?" Kim asked. "I don't think we should forget about her, we should at least make contact. Maybe she can lead us in a right direction."

Gale seemed to be having an inner battle, before he shoved the number towards me. "Just make contact."

I took the paper, shaking my head as I headed into the calling room. I didn't really think this was a good idea. I didn't know Effie, Effie certainly didn't know me, she had no reason to. I picked up the phone and dialed. Part me hoped it was a wrong number, but my heart sank as I heard it ring, and it sank even more when I heard Effie's overly happy voice chime out a greeting. What was I going to say?

"Hey, Effie. We are spreading the flames," I said in a somewhat questioning voice, shaking my head at how stupid it sounded.

It was dead quiet on the other end. I glanced behind me to see Gale and Kim looking at me expectantly. I shrugged my shoulders, turning my back to them again. "Hello?" I said, wondering if we were disconnected.

"Who is this?" Effie whispered quickly.

"Jack Brewer," I said, dropping my head as I realized that I should have used a fake name.

"From 12?" She said slowly.

Hmm…maybe she did know me. I am a friend of Katniss', well, as much as someone could be with her. "Yes, from 12."

I heard her clear throat, her overly happy voice returning. "Wonderful news!" She said loudly into the phone, making me move the receiver a little away from my ear. "That's so touching of this….Greasy Sae and yourself to be arranging a collection. I'll pass the information on to Haymitch. It will travel faster than the Mockingjay's song. Tell me, what does the amount look like thus far?"

I glanced back at Kim and Gale as I ran her words through my head. She was sending key words in her sentences; I just needed to make sense of them. "Uh, the Hob and Seam have been providing everything they can," I replied, assuming she was asking for our forces. It wasn't a complete lie, the people in the Hob, which consist of mostly people from Seam, seemed all for it not too long ago.

"It's so great to hear the district support. I assure you, the message will be transferred to Haymitch, he will be in contact with you, expect communications about the transfer on the morrow. Good day to you, Mr. Jack Brewer, and may the fire never die."

With a click, the call was ended. I hung up the receiver, running the words through my head.

"Well?" Kim asked.

"There's definitely something bigger going on here. It's time we get on board. I didn't get too much, I didn't get a thing about the code. But, Haymitch will be sending communications to us tomorrow. Until then, we need to figure out what connection there is to Katniss and a mockingjay."

"A mockingjay?" Gale asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, it was something Effie said, about her message traveling faster than a mockingjay's song."

"When she sings, even the mockingjays stop to listen," Gale said. "She's the mockingjay, has to be."

"Ok, say he's right, and mockingjay is code for Kat, what's next?" Kim asked. "Do we just wait around until tomorrow for whatever communication we are to expect from Haymitch?"

I shook my head. "We are heading to the Hob."

"Why?"

I grinned. "Greasy Sae."

"I thought we were waiting on that," Kim said.

I shook my head again. "Effie specifically said her name. Something about a collection. She knows something. We need to find out what it is."

I started towards the door, Kim behind me, when we heard Gale. "Wait, we need to put this back. We can't risk anyone else finding it." I hated to admit it, but he was right. We put everything back in the box and back in the compartment we found, moving a small table from the living room in front of the opening to hide it from plain view.

"Alright," I said, "tonight, we meet up at the Hob, we'll ask her tonight, during her main serving time, not too suspicious. Until then, act normal."

Gale and Kim nodded, we left, each going our separate ways. I couldn't help but smile. Tonight we would find out what we need, I just know. Starting tomorrow, we would finally be doing our part of this rebellion. Snow won't know what hit him.

AN: That's it, not great, I know, sorry, had to get back into it. Thanks for reading, please review, it does help encourage me to stay active with the story. Have a great night and be back next week