*Lystra's POV*

That night, I crept up to the roof without Tanner. I knew he'd understand – it'd been a rough day for the two of us. First the drawing, and then the confession of love that had shook the Capitol almost as much as it had me. I wasn't sure if what Tanner had said was an act, or if it was real. And I wasn't sure how I felt about it.

So it was better if I just walked up there alone.

Awaiting us on the roof tonight was not only Nich, our leader with unspoken agreement, but the real Mazie Skiprose. There was much muttering and gasps of surprise and confusion when the tributes saw Mazie (who appeared to be Nich). However, our trust was so confident in Nich, no one said anything until Nich called the meeting to a start.

"Welcome, members of the alliance!" called Nich. We all applauded slightly, smiling nervously at each other. "Are all present and accounted for?" Nich asked. We looked around at everyone and nodded.

"Good, good," Nich smiled at us. "We have a few matters of business tonight. To begin, if you will, I would like for each of you to come up here and introduce yourself – by name, by district, by talent, and by what possessed you to join this alliance. We'll start with Luna."

A girl with white-blonde hair stood up, and walked over to the center. I noticed her wide blue eyes and that she seemed rather distant behind her thick glasses. "Hi. I'm Luna Garcia. District 3. I'm smart. I joined because it is right." Her voice seemed airy and she drifted back to her spot.

A short, brown haired, be-freckled boy with thick glasses stepped up. He was obviously a nerd. "Umm . . . hi," his voice had an almost nasally tint to it. "I'm Nicholas Atom from . . . uh . . . 3 . . . I . . . I'm an . . . uh . . . inventor . . . I joined . . . because . . . because it sounds . . . better."

He stepped back, and Rayne took his place, and confident and reassuring smile fixed in place. "Hey, I'm Rayne Issa," she grinned "District 4. I fight with a dagger or shortsword and I joined because it sounds fun." She grinned before a short, weak-looking boy stepped forward.

"Steven Kent," he said, so fast, he tripped over his own words "District 7. I . . . used to set traps to catch mice for food. I had this idea . . . maybe it could be made for humans? Anyway, I joined because," he shook his head "because it was the only thing to do."

All eyes turned to Nich, expecting her to go next, but she only nodded at the boy from 7, who staggered up, taken by surprise.

"I'm Julius Adams," he said, his charming good looks immediately making everyone comfortable again. "District 7. I can talk my way out of any situation, and, if I need to, I know some pressure points that could knock a man out for days. I joined because . . . he looked at them all "I couldn't kill you. Never."

After a moment, Totsie took his place, smiling at us "Totsie Griffensong, District 8. I can make a meal out of anything, and kill it too. I'm not sure if this method would work on Carreers, but," she gave a hooting laugh "worth a try, eh?" we all chuckled slightly. "Anyway, I joined because Echo and I . . . well, you'll find out later, I'm guessing." She looked at Nich, who nodded.

The boy from 8 took Totsie's place. "Tomas Bard," he said, shaking his red hair from his eyes. "District 8. I fight with swords, and pretty much suck at everything else. I joined because Totsie joined." Totsie turned bright red at this, but Tomas only said, "It's not like we're interested in each other or anything," he shrugged. "Totsie's been my sis ever since she washed up in 8."

Echo took his place. "Echo Griffensong. District 10. I'm pretty handy with a knife, but I kinda figured out the bow and arrows in training, so I'm good." She shrugged "You'll find out why I joined later (with Totsie's explanation)."

Noticing it was my turn, I stepped forward. "Lystra Fay Gull. District 11. I throw knives," I grinned here "have for years. I can take a man down with a single knife – thrown or stabbed. I can run and climb pretty well too. I joined because . . . because . . ." I didn't know how to explain it, so I simply said, "I hate the Capitol, and I have made it my life . . . or rather, plural : lives' mission to end the Capitol."

They stared at me a moment, and Tanner rescued me by taking my place. "Tanner Lawson. District 11. I can throw things, lift things, and climb and run. I joined because . . ." he met my eyes, asking a silent question : Can I be honest? I inclined my head, my breath catching in my throat. "Because I can't kill the girl I love."

I looked down, red-faced. So he was serious. But how did I feel? My emotions were so mixed-up right now, I couldn't tell. I said nothing when Tanner joined me at my spot, but I did feel extremely close to him in that moment.

"Lillibet Haldson, District 12." A girl with wavy blonde hair said "I use knives to cut stuff at home – might be able to use that in the arena. I joined because my momma taught me to do what's right. She's be proud."

Spade took her place, tall, dark, and lonely. I think we all shivered in that moment. "Spade." Spade said "District 12. I can use my spade to cut through frozen rock – had to, to dig graves in the winter. I joined because," he looked up, and I swore I saw tears in his eyes. "because I've always needed something. And now I need it more than ever." He waited a long moment before finishing. "I need a family."

Then the real Mazie, looking like Nich, took his spot. "I am Mazie Skiprose, District 7."

Nich joined her. "And I am Nich Snow, the Capitol."

Everyone gasped. "But . . . but it can't be. You two . . . you switched?" Lillibet stammered.

"Yes," Mazie said quietly. "We switched."

"The other night," Nich said, once everybody had calmed down. "Echo and Totsie proposed something to me that did not surprise me. They suggested we murder the president."

There was a gasp from Lillibet and Luna, and more muttering.

"And are you okay with this?" Steven asked.

Nich closed her eyes. "Am I okay with this?" she muttered, and then she opened her eyes. "Once, I must believe, my father was a good man. Now, he is a monster." Her face was bitter with distaste "But maybe, in the other world – beyond, he'll be a good man. I . . . I have to hope." She closed her eyes a moment, and Mazie put a hand on her back. "Yes, well, Steven, I am okay with this. It is for the best."

"And will Mazie do it?" I asked, arching an eyebrow at Mazie, who smiled sadly.

"I will do it," she said "because Nich wants me to." Nich an Mazie smiled at each other, and I thought briefly of Estella. But I swept that thought away quickly.

"Wait," Tomas stepped forward. "Are we sure about this – killing the President? I mean, we'll all be killed!"

Everyone exchanged looks and laughed, the note high and pure. "Die?" Mazie said, smiling. "Die? Tomas, you realize that you're in the Hunger Games, don't you?" She laughed more.

Tomas, looking indignant, snapped, "Well, you're aren't, are you? Why should you get yourself killed?"

The laughter died suddenly, and everyone was serious once more. "Because," Mazie said, a bit icily. "if it costs only my life and the President's to make the world a better place, I say that it is defiantly worth it."

Tomas considered, then nodded his agreements. "I apologize then, Mazie Skiprose." She nodded acceptance, and they both stepped back, giving Nich the center of attention.

"Tomorrow, as you all know, we go into the arena. I have only a few words for you before then." She paused, looking at them all "and I want you to take my words seriously. I have spent a lifetime watching these games – all of them, rerun after rerun. I have seen all of their games – in all their glory." There was silence meeting her words. "Good," Nich smiled "I have your attention.

"Firstly : tonight and tomorrow, eat, sleep, drink, and take a long shower. Keep yourselves calm and cool – that's how we are going to portray this alliance. We are not going to be the people fainting before we even get into the arena.

"Secondly, I have a special job for each of you tomorrow. Luna, Nicholas, Peter, I want you all to grab whatever's closest to you and run for the woods. Hide nearby, and then we'll go find a camp. I'm relying on you three," Nich said very sternly. "We need you to guarantee we'll get some stuff from the Cornicopia." Nicholas, Peter, and Luna nodded to her, and Nich continued.

"Julius, Rayne, Totsie, I want you three to back up Luna, Nicholas, and Peter. Keep them and their supplies safe from the Careers. Throw a few knives if you can, but mainly, get out of there." Julius, Rayne, and Totsie nodded.

"Lillibet, Echo, Tomas, and Steven, I need you to go through bags and grab as much as you can. Head towards Luna, Nicholas, and Peter as soon as you can. Keep the supplies safe." Lillibet, Echo, Tomas, and Steven nodded.

"Lystra, Tanner, Spade, and I will back up Lillibet, Echo, Tomas, and Steven. We might be up there awhile, but don't worry. We'll be there soon." She turned to Tanner, Spade, and me. "Try not to kill," Nich said "but, after all," she smiled "this is the Hunger Games."

We all chuckled nervously, a rock sliding down our throats as we thought of what tomorrow might hold. Nich looked us all over and nodded. "We're ready," she announced. "Good night all, and Good Luck, Mazie."

We all sullenly left the roof, and I noticed that we didn't hide in the shadows anymore.