*Lystra's POV*

I stomped back to my room, still feeling rebellious and indigent. Somewhere around the time I got in the elevator, heading to floor 11, I realized what I had just done. "Just impress them," Kayton had said "those scores mean a lot. They reflect you to the whole of Panem." Well, impress . . . maybe. I could paint really well. Get their attention . . . definitely. Scare them half to death . . . check. But would they score me well? No way . . . I had just signed my death treaty.

But was I sorry?

I honestly can say that I wasn't.

Finally, in my life, it felt good to do something to the Capitol . . . to give them a big old smack in the face. Finally, to scare them – the 'good and kind' leaders of Panem . . . it was a good feeling. It gave me hope.

And it was in that moment that I understood how Mazie felt.

The burning anger inside of me was enough to start a fire . . . the hatred was strong. I felt the small spark that had started when I was starving on the streets, taking care of my father in 11, begin to grow, until it was a forest fire in my body. My skin was alive with it, my eyes glowed with the light of the hate-fire, and I breathed hard, as if smoke tried to escape from me.

It took me several long moments to compose myself. I couldn't go around like this. I didn't want to be the lunatic tribute with no sponsors. I had to get myself together – because if I didn't get sponsors, I would surely die.

The elevator dinged and the door opened to reveal the hallway on floor 11. I blinked at it a moment, and realized where I needed to go. I clicked the button labled '7.' The elevator shot up, and a moment later, I was blinking in the bright lights of Floor Seven.

I hesitated, stepping out, as the elevator disappeared behind me. I looked around at the doors – which one was Mazie's? I was raising my hand to knock on the nearest one when I heard voices coming from further along the hall. Listening carefully, I realized that they were that of the girls from District 10 and 8, Totsie and Echo. Curious, and thinking they might lead me to Mazie, I headed towards the sounds of their voices.

". . .proposition for you," Totsie was saying "I think you'll find it most interesting."

"Interesting?" said a voice. I recognized it as Mazie's. "How so?"

"Well, you see," said Echo's quieter voice "We have a common goal."

"And this is?" Mazie asked. At this point, I was crouched beside the door to the room I assumed was Mazie's.

"We both hate the Capitol. We both want to end its torture – its torment. But we have not done so yet." Totsie answered

"And how do you propose that we do?"

Echo's nervous voice broke in – "We shouldn't discuss this here – it's probably bugged."

In my mind's eye, I could see Mazie's mischievous smile "I have my ways – no bugs in here. Please, sit."

"I think we'll stand, thanks," Totsie said briskly. "Anyway, I propose an assassination."

There was a short pause. "Of course," Mazie said finally, "I had thought of it too. But who shall we assassinate? A gamemaker, perhaps? Or any Capitol person? And how, pray tell, do you propose we accomplish this feat?"

"We wait," Totsie said "for a convenient time. We are always ready, and, when the time comes, we'll know."

"Yes," Mazie said "but we shall be in the arena soon, Totsie, and then soon you, I, and Echo will most likely be dead. Then what?"

Totsie ignored this and continued, "The point is, Mazie, are you willing to go the distance, to assassinate?"

There was no pause, no hesitation in Mazie's voice. "I am."

"Even if it meant losing everything – even your very life?"

Mazie laughed "Already going to lose that, aren't I?"

There was a slight pause before echo spoke : "Even if we wanted to kill your father?"

There was another pause, and when Mazie spoke, her voice had an almost nervous edge. "What are you talking about? My father is dead – died in the Games years ago."

"No he didn't," Echo murmured.

"Listen, Mazie," Totsie said "We know your little secret. We know who you really are."

Who Mazie really was? I pressed my ear to the door, needing to hear more.

"Who I really am?" Mazie was definitely nervous now. "What on Earth are you talking about?"

I heard something slam, and I knew that Totsie had brought her fist on a table. "Time's up, Mazie Skiprose. Or should I say . . . Nich Snow."

My heart stopped. My eyes opened wide. Nich? Mazie? Who was this girl?

I didn't think. I simply pushed open the door and stood before the other tributes gaping at me. I pointed my finger at Mazie – Nich – whoever she was. "You're Nich Snow?"