Rayne's POV
Armondo and Carrie Rippet's faces were in the sky that night, along with the girl from nine, Salena Flamel. "So," I muttered "Elvatorix won."
"Yep," Nich agreed.
Lillibet nodded.
Lystra continued to sob.
"It's us and her?" I asked
"Yep," Nich agreed.
Lillibet nodded.
Lystra wailed.
"She'll be here next?" I asked
"Yep," Nich agreed.
Lillibet nodded.
Lystra had her face in her knees and was rocking about.
"She's heading here now?" I asked.
"Yep," Nich agreed.
Lillibet nodded.
Lystra sobbed.
"We should move, then," I said, "or at least get ready."
"Yep," Nich agreed.
Lillibet nodded.
Lystra moaned.
I sighed, knowing that all of our thoughts were elsewhere – at home, wondering about our families – with that of the dead (Lystra especially), with the threat of Elvatorix, but, most of all, with Mazie. How was she doing? Had she been able to do it? Had she gotten away? Was everything all right? Not knowing was driving us insane, and we couldn't even talk about it because of all those darn cameras.
Our minds were so preoccupied, we couldn't bear to bring ourselves up from the stream. We just lay there. We were certain nothing could hurt us.
Then the sky lit up once more, and the Capitol seal was up, then a picture of the President. Slow, mournful funeral music came on. Lillibet, Nich, and I exchanged excited glances. Lystra looked up half-heartedly.
"Tributes of the 24th Hunger Games," a slow, mourning voice said. "Our dear, beloved – " If I had not been on live television here, with my life resting on the line (with that of everyone I knew as well) I would have snorted. " – President has passed from this life, into the better beyond." There was a short pause as the sky changed into many different pictures of the president.
"However," the voice continued. "You will be pleased to know that his assassin has been caught and killed." The voice stopped speaking, though the pictures continued in the sky, as well as the loud funeral music.
"Oh no," Nich's eyes were wide as saucepans, and I wasn't sure who she was crying for – Mazie or her father.
"Oh, N – Mazie," Lillibet quickly corrected herself as she gave Nich a hug, who made no move to return the gesture. She just stared at the sky for a long while, in what I at first thought to be grief. But, after a moment, I saw fear in them too.
"What is it, Nich?" I asked quietly, letting the loud funeral music cover my words.
"T-t-the concoction," she stuttered quietly "that we d-d-drank." She took a deep breath "I-it wears off after death."
I took a sharp intake of breath. "So they know?"
Nich nodded, a bit faintly. "They know."
"What will they do?" Lillibet whispered. Lystra stared at the sky, to Nich, and back again, as if expecting a hovercraft to come down and take Nich away.
"They can't let the Districts know," Nich whispered. "But they'll make sure I win." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "At all costs."
"Can you go back?" I asked, not sure if I meant emotionally or physically.
Nich shook her head. "No. Never. I – " she broke off, and then looked me in the eye. "I have to die here."
I took a deep breath, trying to stop my head from spinning. This was too much – way too much to comprehend after a long day crying and thinking in a stream. Too much action.
The funeral music clicked off, as did the pictures.
All was dark.
All was quiet.
That's when I heard the crashing nearby.
Elvatorix.
She's on her way.
She's going to kill us.
I take a deep breath, eyes wide in terror. "Oh, help us!" I cry, though I'm not sure who I'm calling to anymore. We needed help.
"Lystra," I said slowly. "Can you fight?" she's probably the best among us – after what I saw last night, I have no doubt in her. I turn to face her to find her already standing up, tears gone, strong and proud once more, and holding her weapons.
"She killed Tanner," her voice was low and deadly. "I can fight."
I only nodded and looked at the other two. Nich was holding a sword and seemed capable. Lillibet was squinting into the darkness with her dagger in her hand.
"Guys?" Lillibet said, without looking away. "Run. Run away. Now."
"What do you mean?" I asked her, staring at her. "Are you mad?"
"It doesn't end here," Lillibet said, studying me. I am suddenly struck with a sense of respect for her. "At, least, not for you."
"What do you mean?" I repeated, feeling uneasy. "Where does it end? How do you know?"
"My end is here," Lillibet nodded to the ground. "Here. But your end is in the clearing directly to the right."
"How do you know?" I repeated, but Lillibet didn't answer me, instead turning to Nich. "I am not who you think I am." She said.
"Who are you?" Nich whispered.
"I am not 14," Lillibet said slowly. "I am 47 years old."
"What do you mean?" Nich's eyes were wide.
Lillibet laughed. "You know what Capitol surgery can do. I had mine done shortly before I left for 12."
"Where were you before 12?" Nich whispered.
Lillibet ignored the question, and simply said, "I am not who you think I am. I am not Lillibet Haldson."
Nich locked eyes with her. "Who are you, then?"
I can hear Elvatorix getting closer. I know we have to move. But I can't help but want to hear Lillibet's response.
"Why, honey, I am your mother."