The Star Crossed Lovers

I smiled and patted Claudius on the back, winking.

I took one last look at all the screens before going to bed...Thats when the screens changed again.

Some moved in and others expanded until 8 were left. 2 were black, Rue's and Marvel's. We had made it to the final 8, well, 6 really. The tears burning my eyes from Gretel's death began to recede behind my emotional wall. Tonight was the interviews.

Once I was under my thick, warm bed covers, I turned on the TV. Sure enough, the last image of the sleeping Tributes faded and twin woman, both a tinge of pink, were sitting at the desk.

" Hello, This is Luna and Sola, we just had a round trip ticket across the Districts. We've been interviewing ever since that Crippled boy's and Edgar's unsightly demise. Well...back to you, Caesar and Doris to show the interviews."

The scene changed to Caesar and Doris. Then, The interviews played.

It was District 1. A muscular man was standing there with his wife. She was crying. The twins asked him about Marvel.

" Well, he just died!" The man said, stolid faced. " Don't Care a lick for the kid. Couldn't even do this right. I gave him the mine idea ya know..."

And so the interviews continued until it was time for District 12.

An older woman was escorted out of a house in Victor's Village. The twins bombarded her with questions. She was Mrs. Everdeen, the Mother. Nothing truly interesting happened until they interviewed the sister.

Primrose Everdeen was standing outside of a school building, surrounded by gawking kids, it was late evening. She went on and on about how thankful she was for her sister. Then Luna tapped her playfully.

" Your sis' seems to be a little luvy duvy, eh?"

Prim tilted her head. " Yeah well, Gale..."

" And who is Gale, is your sissy friends with more beau..." Luna was cut off as a phone rang. She picked it up, then hung up. " Ahhh....Gale, your Cousin, correct?"

" Why no, he's just my sisters...." Suddenly Prim's eyes filled with acknowledgment. " Cousin...of course, yes, a cousin on my fathers side. I see him so much I see him more as a friend..."

That's all I heard before drifting into a deep sleep.

Waking up midmorning, I strolled into the main room to find, on Katniss's screen, Katniss walking through a stream as the scenery grew rockier.

I heard Katniss scream.

" PEETA!" The sound came simultaneously from the next screen over. It was Peeta's.

Peeta lay hidden in the mud. He grumbled something and Katniss's foot appeared right next to Peeta's head. The camera switched views, zooming out. Katniss dragged Peeta away and clean him up.

My heart twinged when I saw Katniss's modesty, refusing to look upon Peeta's body. I saw my little Bell, my daughter. Quickly I shook my head of the ridiculous notion.

Half carrying, half dragging, the Tributes from District 12 found a large cave. Katniss cared and watched over Peeta. Slowly, the act of pretending that I had thought was going on looked a little less like pretending. A little more like love.

A few days passed as the whole of Panem watched on the edge of their seats, watching the destiny of two Star Crossed lovers fighting for their future together.

On the other screens, I saw Cato and Clove up in a tree, spending the day searching for Peeta and Katniss.

There was a click and I turned to the main screen, expecting President Snow, only to find myself surprised. It was live footage of pictures around Panem. Banners dangled from buildings and homes displaying the Star Crossed lovers. The scene changed, President Snow taking its place.

" Good work. Brava, Seneca, Brava!"

I smiled and gave a tiny bow, " Thank you, sir."

" One thing. Make sure that they know the Capitol's fury when one of them dies. They will know the Capitol is more than everything, it is the only thing." Without saying goodbye, the screen went black, returning to the remaining Tributes and following EKG monitors.

Turning back to Peeta and Katniss, I gasped as their lips touched, a true kiss. Then I saw Cato and Clove, out searching the stream, getting closer. I gave Claudius a days notice, knowing how to display the power.

I hope the Tributes are hungry.