I am sooooo sorry guys! I am soo bad at updating! I was at band camp, I sprained my wrist playing volleyball, and I had no internet connection for about a week and a half. I should have found another way to update. Sorry, guys :(

Also, check out the bottom for another little note.

Chapter 16:
Interrogations and S.O.S. calls

"Good luck today." Maple whispered hugging me.

"We'll need to have a girls' day after all of this." I said as she nodded and smiled.

"Jason and I will be back by bed. Make sure you get Devin and Allie to cover for us. And Haymitch will, too." I said as Maple nodded.

"Good luck to you, too." I said. Jason was packing a bag of things we'd need.

"Thanks." Maple said as Jason waited for the disguise. Haymitch was in the living room, exercising. The clock struck ten and he dropped a huge weight.

"MY BACK! I threw out my back!" Haymitch yelled.

Jason ran out the front door quietly and adjusted his cloak. I adjusted mine and put up the hood. I was about to leave, but there was a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Maple, would you tell Finnick be careful?" I asked.

"Of course." She said sending me off and gently shutting the door behind me. I ran out to where Jason and I agreed to wait.

"Come on, we won't get there at this rate. We have two other groups to see." Jason said leading me through town.

Oddly enough, Jason and I didn't even stand out. Everyone was dressed crazily, so the cloaks made sense.

"We're going hiking." Jason said approaching a hill.

I ripped off Effie's cloak and we marched up the hill.

"They're in the shed. That is the ideal place for them." Jason said.

"It makes sense." I said.

"It's Jason Hawthorne! And a little runt-y girl." Someone exclaimed pulling us inside.

"Mayor Ryan." Jason said politely.

"Hello, sir, I am Luna Mellark." I said politely.

"M-Mellark, you say?" He asked stuttering.

"Yes, Luna Primrose Mellark." I confirmed nodded.

"You're the most wanted person alive now!" A woman gasped. I didn't know how to respond.

"Mayor, Luna would like to work something out with you. To ensure allegiance." Jason said.

"Of course, Luna. Come this way. We will talk in silence." The mayor said pulling me off. Jason went to discuss the plan with some people and the mayor shut a door.

"Well, for everyone on the rebel side, we're trying to make sure absolute allegiance. No matter what happens. All of the Districts are getting something in exchange for being our partners in this war. So, our proposition for you is weapons for allegiance." I said.

"What does that mean?" He asked.

"We will allow you weapons and something to train with if you make sure your allegiance to us. No matter what happens. If you are swayed by the Capitol and you go on their side, we will take back all of our weapons." I said.

"Okay, we'll sign for the weapons. What are you offering District 4?" The mayor asked.

"We're offering medicine. They prefer their own weapons." I answered.

"We have a slight test to decide if one is strong enough to be a spokeswoman. So, are you willing? Many in District 2 question your power." He said.

"Of course." I said.

I could use my wit if I needed it.

"Great. We'll loan you one of our swords. You will be competing against one of Jason's friends. Jason is the best swordsman we've ever come to know, but his friend Justin is a very close competitor." The mayor said.

"You want me to battle Justin." I said as the mayor nodded.

"Just to show us you are strong enough for this role." The mayor said.

"Mr. Mayor, with all due respect, I think I'm strong enough. I mean, I killed Peacekeepers before the hard way." I said.

"Perfect, this shall be quite entertaining." The mayor said as I groaned. No backing out of this.

Someone handed me a sword and a knife.

"Good luck." Jason said with a frown.

A tall, muscle-y brunette boy stepped out. He appeared to be around my age. This must've been my competitor, Justin.

"On my mark! Ready, and, go!" The mayor yelled. In the next instance, Justin attacked. I could barely block it. People cheered and shouted his name while Jason looked near tears. I jumped one of his jabs and started taking the offensive.

I was constantly pushing myself to be faster and faster. And then Justin disarmed me and my sword clattered across the room.

People laughed and I remembered how dad had us train by dueling each other. I pulled out my knife as Justin ran for another attack.

I kicked him in the gut and listened to his grunt echo. I went knife-on-sword with him for a while. He was getting tired though. He got very lazy after about an hour. He lost his bravado. He was getting to slow.

I disarmed him with only a knife and everything stopped.

"Very well. Thank you for the visit. We must continue to mobilize." The mayor said as I put on my cloak and handed him the knife back.

Jason and I sighed and we went out to find District 11.

"What is District 11 known for? They'll probably mobilize where they are familiar with things." Jason asked as we walked a bit.

"Umm... they're agriculture. So they could be in a barn or those wheat fields. But I have question. The wind has stopped, but the field is still moving." I said.

"The girl is smart." A tanned man said stepping out of the field. He had a large gash on his ribs. My eyes naturally gravitated to his ribs.

"Oh no, what happened to you?" Jason asked.

"We were training. I got stabbed." He said.

"Take us to your camp, so we can help you out. I promise we won't try anything! I am Luna Mellark and he is Jason Hawthorne." I said. He led us back to his camp. It was underground, underneath the wheat field. And it was huge!

"Hi, I'm Luna Mellark!" I said.

"Why did you bring the girl who started the rebellion here, you dolt?" Someone exclaimed.

"She said she wasn't going to pull anything. She said she was going to heal the injured." The man said.

"That is true. But, I will heal you all for a price. If you are not swayed to side with the Capitol during the war, I will continue to let you use District 12's medicines. However, if your loyalties rest with the Capitol, then I will take back all of District 12's medicines." I said.

"We are desperate for medicine." A woman said standing up. Her big brown eyes got wider when I pulled a small thing of Capitol medicine out of the backpack. She seemed to be a nurse, taking care of the sick and injured.

"This is exactly as it seems. It is high-grade medicine. We will allow you to have a dip in the medicine as long as you stay our allies." I said showing off the medicine.

"We will give only the highest medicine possible." Jason added as I nodded.

"Where is the mayor? So we may discuss." I said.

"Oh the mayor was shot while we were mobilizing. But I assume you have a legalized contract to sign for us?" The woman asked.

"Yes, only to be absolutely certain. This document has been legalized by the mayors of Districts 2, 4, 7, and 12. Violating this would lead to the three other Districts breaking off relations with you all. I would pull out my medicine and not allow you to use them anymore. So who is someone responsible who can act as a leader until you can have elections for a leader?" I asked.

"Kora." The man said as everyone cheered in agreement.

The wise looking woman with big brown eyes stepped up and I handed her a pen.

I signed it next and Jason followed.

"Alright, we have some medicine. So for now, we will heal you." I said.

I distributed medicine to the sick first. And then Kora and I began healing injuries. Jason was busy, chatting it up with soldiers.

"Luna Mellark, what an honor it is. You are exactly how my fiancé described you." A woman said showing me her arm. It was dislocated and I had to push it back in.

"You should consider being president of the Districts after this war. You would have District 11's votes. We were first unsure of your intentions, but now that you have treated us, we will treat you." She said.

"Thank you. Your arm is better." I said as she grinned and flexed.

"Is that everyone?" I asked.

"Yes, District 11 apologizes for their earlier harshness. We will fight on your side and your side only." Kora said as I smiled. Jason and I left.

"Now for District 12, remember what Haymitch said about food." I said to Jason.

"She was right Luna." Jason said suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"You'd be a good president." Jason said.

"I think I know exactly where 12 is." I said leading Jason out of the underground tunnel and walking back on the road. We walked slowly and no one recognized us. Finnick and Maple were out and I could see Devin, Allie, and Haymitch working on the parents in the front window.

"Where exactly are we going?" Jason asked.

"Off the beaten trail, into the woods and by the lake." I said, leading us there.

"Have you got the meal offering?" I asked Jason.

"Already packed." Jason said as we stepped into the center of the lake and someone came above water.

"Luna." She said, shocked.

"Missy." I responded. She was one of the mean girls at school who called me Loony. But seeing her now gave me a flash of homesickness.

Missy was very skinny. She looked sickly skinny. Her blond hair was matted and tangled, and her blue eyes were icy cold. Colder than any water.

"Luna, you have to come say hello to everyone." Missy said leading Jason and I farther down the lake. I struggled to stay by the side.

"Luna, before we see everyone, I want to apologize. I should've never been so mean to you or anyone." Missy said.

"It's fine." I answered, "I forgive you."

Missy smiled.

"Missy why would you bring the most wanted people here?!" Someone yelled. Missy flinched.

"We were looking for you." Jason said covering for Missy.

"She only brought us here because we made her. It was entirely our persuasion." I said.

"Miss Mellark, you shouldn't have come." Mayor Belle said strictly stepping out and twirling his French-looking mustache. He always hated me. He was jealous of the publicity that the family got from being in the Hunger Games.

"I had to see everyone from my home district, sir. I must say, it is great to see everyone. If only our conditions were better." I said.

"Yes. No doubt, you have come to make negotiations." Mayor Belle said, running a hand over his bald and shiny head.

"Yes, Jason and I have a proposition for you. We will feed everyone here, on our behalf, if and only if you stay on our side during the war. If you are swayed to join the Capitol's forces, we will stop feeding everyone and we will not feed anyone from District 12 ever again. Think of the starving children here. They will remain starving if you are not our allies. We have brought food as our key point." I said reaching in the backpack and pulling out a five-star meal.

Roasted lamb, a double chocolate cake, some cookies from dad, a fresh fruit salad, some mashed potatoes, and some peach cobbler.

I swear Mayor Belle's mouth watered.

"Do you accept our proposition?" I asked.

"Of course." He said.

"Then sign this treaty while I hand out portions of the food." I said as Jason discussed the terms with everyone.

I handed out equal portions of food and we managed to get everyone fed.

"There, we will not be swayed from being your allies." Mayor Belle said as I nodded.

Jason and I left. The walk back was silent. I think we both got a little homesick. Jason didn't say anything as we climbed up the laundry room window and got rid of the cloaks.

"Luna has food poisoning and Jason is in the bathroom with diarrhea." Devin said.

Jason went in the bathroom and sat there for two hours while I went upstairs and lay on my bed.

"Then where are Finnick and Maple?" Annie asked.

"Maple is in the library, burying herself in the books. And Finnick is with Haymitch." Allie said. Finnick and Maple got back not too far after Jason and I did. I opened my window and told them where to go.

"Haymitch is waiting in the library for both of you. Climb through the window in there." I said as they nodded and went off.

"Who are you talking to?" Mom asked entering.

"Myself. You know, being sick all day, it makes you want to put things in perspective." I said as mom nodded skeptically.

"What did you eat?" Mom asked.

"The roasted lamb." I answered as mom nodded.

"Listen, Luna, I don't think Finnick is being very good to you." Mom said suddenly.

"I- why would you say that?" I asked tripping up.

"He's been spending a lot of time with Maple lately." Mom said.

"Mom, they're friends! Maple is dating Jason, you know. I trust Finnick with my life. You should too." I said.

"That's exactly it, I don't trust you two." Mom said, "You don't do anything with each other. You need to go on a date or something."

"Mom, just yesterday you said we weren't allowed to leave the house. Where would we even go for a date?! Effie would hound us! Are you asking me to have more PDA with Finnick?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Effie has a big house; you could go somewhere in here for a date." Mom said.

"Fine, come with me and I'll talk to Finnick about it." I said leading mom to the library. I hope he was inside, finally. Maybe I didn't give him enough of a heads up. We passed Jason and I shot him an S.O.S. but Gale stopped him.

I shot dad an S.O.S and he only looked away!

"Mom, stop! This is foolish! What's really going on?" I asked.

"You and Finnick are hanging by a thread." Mom said dragging me out past Annie, who smiled sympathetically. She must've given Finnick a forewarning.

"Are you two really in love with each other?" Mom asked herself.

"How can you ask that?!" I demanded.

"You two used to hate each other!" Mom said kicking open the doors to the library. Finnick looked weary, Haymitch seemed pretty expectant, and Maple jumped out of her skin.

Oh boy, my mom was meddling in my relationship.

Thanks for reading after the really long weeks of not updating!

I got a really mean PM from someone (I'm not going to name any names), and it kind of discouraged me for a while. So I will say this once: If you don't like this story, stop reading and don't try to tell me to delete it. P.S. I'm not going to delete it. If you don't like it, leave it.

I promise I'll try to start updating regularly now.

Thanks guys!

-GirlonFire