They came for Effie the next morning. Katniss, who had never fallen asleep, tightened her grip on Effie's waist. She wasn't about to let them take her without a fight. She was standing before the door opened, legs bent into a crouch. Effie, who wasn't yet fully awake, was confused and scared.

"Katniss, what's happening?"

The guards opened the door, causing Effie to gasp and cower down. Katniss stood in front of her, using her body as a shield. The men chuckled, clearly amused. The girl's eyes darted around, forming a strategy. There were three of them and one of her.

Her eyes narrowed. She had faced worse odds.

"You're not going to take her," she growled.

"Stand aside, girl. You'll get your turn later," one of the men said.

"I said, you're not taking her."

Apparently fed up with her, one man moved forward. She was on top of him before he realized she had moved. Biting, clawing, kicking, she was like a wild animal. He put up a good fight too, landing several punches, and she was fairly sure a few of her ribs were broken. Finally, another guard came to pull her off.

He succeeded, but not before Katniss managed to break the man's neck. He fell, eyes wide open, and all movement stilled. Taking advantage of this, she started in on the guard who was restraining her. His partner, wiser now that their friend was dead, hit her with his gun. She yelped, but kept fighting, determined to keep the older woman safe.

Effie herself was curled into a corner, watching everything happen. The eyes of the dead guard stared at her, and she felt as if she were going to be sick. She gasped as one of the remaining men hit Katniss with his gun, yet she still kept fighting. She saw the man go in for another strike, this time connecting with her jaw and successfully knocking her to the floor. Not giving a thought to her own safety, she rushed to the fallen girl.

"Katniss! Katniss, are you all right?"

"Effie, get back," Katniss mumbled.

"No, you're hurt!"

"I'll be fine, just move," the girl said, caressing the woman's cheek tenderly.

Effie leaned into the loving touch, relishing the comfort. The remaining guards watched with interest. They could tell that there was something more to the interaction, and filed it away to tell President Snow. They then moved in to get Effie.

Katniss saw the movement over the top of Effie's head, and desperately tried to push herself up. Too weak from pain, she simply collapsed. The older woman's eyes swam with worry, and she gently brushed some hair out of the girl's face. Her hand came away with blood. She gasped, and tried to get a closer look, but felt a hand on her shoulder.

Both of her hands were forced behind her back and handcuffed. One guard led her away and the other retrieved the body of their friend. Katniss was trying to get up to free the older woman. The man who had retrieved the body noticed her frantic movements and sent a hard kick into the side of her head. Just before the darkness claimed her, she locked eyes with the older woman, and Effie sent her a reassuring smile.

The men dragged her into a room with only a single chair. They shoved her into it and restrained her wrists.

"Sit tight, the President will be with you shortly."

She wiggled experimentally, but her bonds were too tight. Defeated, she slumped against the back of her chair. It wasn't long until the President and another man entered. She straightened her spine and glared.

"Good morning, Ms. Trinket. We just want to ask you a few questions." The unknown man moved to stand beside her, and she noticed the glint of a knife. Her eyes widened in terror and the man smirked. "Ms. Trinket, what do you know about the arena?"

"It was designed specifically for the Quarter Quell and will never be used again."

She screamed as a small cut was opened on her arm.

"Very good, but we're not interested in facts." Snow leaned in close to her face and it was all she could do not to gag at the smell of blood and roses. "Why did Katniss Everdeen bring down the arena?"

"I don't know!"

Another cut was made.

"Oh, but I believe you do. Why don't you tell us, hmm? Then you can go home and we'll forget this ever happened. Doesn't that sound nice?"

She knew he was lying. He would have her killed before he'd let her go free.

"I don't know anything!"

Snow's pleasant expression disappeared and he stepped back.

"Very well then. You brought this on yourself."

Cuts and gashes appeared on her skin so fast that she couldn't determine how many there were. She could feel the blood running down her body, as well as the tears streaking down her face. She was whimpering quietly, trying to imagine herself anyplace else.

"Now Ms. Trinket, are you going to tell us anything? Or do we have to convert to more drastic measures?"

"How can I tell you something I don't know?!" she screamed.

Snow snapped his fingers and he and the man stepped out of the room. As soon as the door closed, she heard a voice.

"Effie! Effie, help!" Katniss screamed.

The woman's head whipped back and forth, searching for the girl.

"Katniss!" she screamed.

This only caused the girl's screams to become more pain filled. Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks as she searched for the source of the noise. Her wrists were raw and bleeding from her frantic movements, still she kept looking. Katniss' screams kept coming, for how long Effie wasn't sure, each more pained than the last. She had finally given up searching and instead was sobbing into her chest.

"Katniss," she whispered in anguish.

All of a sudden the screaming stopped. President Snow re-entered, looking quite pleased about something. And indeed, he was pleased to discover the two guards were correct about the women's attachment to one another. With a great deal of effort, Effie lifted her head to look at him.

"What have you done to her?!" she snarled.

"Now, now Ms. Trinket, manners. We haven't done a thing to Ms. Everdeen. She's still in your cell awaiting your return."

Effie's eyes widened as she realized what had just occurred.

"Jabberjays," she whispered in disbelief.

"Yes, quite useful and intelligent creatures, aren't they? Let this be a lesson to you, Ms. Trinket. We will get your information one way or another. And I'd hate to have to involve Ms. Everdeen," he said with mock sincerity.

"Don't you touch her!" Effie screamed.

"You don't make the rules, Ms. Trinket. Take her away."

She was unstrapped and handcuffed immediately, though she'd lost the will to fight. She couldn't bear the thought of something happening to Katniss. She vaguely noticed she was being marched back to her cell. She only hoped Katniss was waiting and unharmed as Snow had said.