All around me girls are squealing and cringing and ducking behind guys as if they haven't watched the Hunger Games since before they could crawl and could watch, and probably do, watch impalings right before bed while slicing into sweetbread.

The guys love it and wrap their arms around their cowering darlings with huge grins on their faces, anticipating later tonight and feeling manly and strong, as if they could survive the bloodbath of the first day.

We're all over at Penelope's house for a sleepover/party/Quarter Quell viewing. With nearly thirty people in the room, I can hardly breath although I really can't complain since I've got a pretty large space around me. I'm the only one not coupled or with a group of giggling and shrieking girls.

A boy from school, Alex, tries every now and again to sidle up to me, but I brush him off. Ever since he heard about my breakup with Orion he's been pursuing me. It's actually pretty impressive since I've been labeled as standoffish and none of the guys really talk to me anymore, but I know he's liked me for a long time, so I guess he's not ready to back down.

I can see him looking at me from across the room so I keep my eye on the screen and force myself to be engrossed in the happenings. Katniss is becoming more and more desperate and unhinged. It was pretty low when they brought in the jabberjays. You don't usually see such psychological manipulation in the Games. Usually it's all physical, but I guess they wanted an especially good show for the Quell. And I guess Finnick really does love Annie Cresta if his reaction is any indication. I wish the best for him.

I'm not sure how I feel about Katniss and Peeta. I want them to survive, but then, I want everyone to survive.

Alex comes over mumbling something about not being able to see the screen that well from where he was sitting and makes sure to press against me. I acknowledge him by scooting to the side. He's undaunted.

"It's getting really intense now. I bet at least one group will be wiped out before tonight."

I purse my lips.

"Who do you think'll win?"

I sigh.

"I don't know."

"Yeah, it sucks, right? They had like, all my favorite Tributes too. It's probably going to be Brutus, but it's too bad about Katniss and Peeta."

I don't respond and hope that he'll stop talking, but he's incessant. I finally make the excuse that I need to go to the bathroom but he stands up and says he'll walk me. I want to scream, but there's no getting rid of him. I stand up, resigning myself to having him follow me around all night when I hear an explosion. I turn back to the TV just in time to see the camera lose its connection.

We're all confused, there's never been any technical problems on this scale before. From the whispers around the room I find out that Katniss shot an electrified arrow up into the air right before the black out. My heart starts pounding in my ears. Is she trying to escape?

The program comes back on but it's not the arena. They play reruns of the Quell for a few minutes before the President comes on. Everyone breaths a sigh of relief. The President. Our great protector. He'll tell us what's going on. I want to turn away because I know he won't tell us anything true, but I'm curious about what he can possibly say to dismiss what's just happened.

"My fellow citizens of the Capitol. I have been loyal to you and served you with all my heart for many years and so I hope that I have been able to earn your trust."

Around me, I see a few head nods.

"And so I hope that you will trust in me as we step into a dark chapter of our history. The Districts have begun to rebel."

The responses are more varied than I'd expected. Some people gasp and start to panic. But most others, though looking somewhat anxious, keep their calm. The room breaks into a flurry of conversation, mostly trying to reassure each other that nothing will happen. This has happened before and the Capitol will soon crush the rebellion.

A couple guys start to joke that they'll implement some new twists to the Hunger Games.

Even Alex becomes caught up in the excitement and forgets me. I use the opportunity to sneak out. Leaning against the wall I try to wrap my mind around this. It's happening. It's finally happening.

I try to call Aella but she doesn't pick up. I'm not surprised. If anyone has something at stake with this rebellion, it's them.

Right after I hang up, my uncle calls me.

"Helena, are you okay?"

"Yeah," I say. My voice remaining level and calm.

It's enough to reassure him that I'm okay.

"Good. Now I just called to tell you that nothing's happening yet. The only thing that happened was that a few of the Tributes escaped from the arena, but it's not like all the Districts are at the Capitol with guns pointed at us or anything."

"Okay."

"It's probably going to take a while to build up to anything, so I just wanted to let you know that you don't have to be afraid of anything. I'll keep you and your parents abreast of everything so until then just keep living your life normally."

I want to tell him that I don't want to, but I just give him my assent.

"Are you at home?"

"No, I'm at a party."

"Oh okay, if you want you can stay there, but it'd probably be best to go home now. Your parents are probably worried about you. I'm going to call your dad now and tell him what I just told you, but still."

"Yeah, I understand. I'm going to call Perseus now."

"Great. I love you, Helena."

"Love you too, Uncle Jason."

After I ask Perseus to come get me, I lean back against Penelope's house, to try and think about all of this more in depth when Daphne comes out.

I pull myself off the building and start walking toward the street when she calls out to me to stop. When I don't, she runs up and grabs my arm.

"Helena, wait!"

She pulls me to a stop and I grudgingly acknowledge her. She looks desperate and excited at the same time.

"I know we have our differences, but we're still friends and I don't want you to get hurt. I joined this group. It's run by Plutarch Heavensbee-"

"The Head Gamemaker?" I say skeptically.

"He's always been opposed to the Capitol and the Hunger Games. He helped the Victors escape tonight, but anyways, we can protect you and your family when the fighting starts."

"Protect us? You think the Districts will make it all the way to the Capitol?"

"They're more powerful than you think. District 13 still exists."

"What?"

"It's true! They've been hiding underground, but they have technology that rivals the Capitol. That's how they escaped right now! They took a hovercraft out."

I feel a dull sense of dread and at the same time hope for the Districts. Maybe they have a chance.

"When the Capitol is overturned you'll need us as allies. We can vouch for you, make sure your family doesn't lose everything."

"What's your group done?"

"Nothing much, really. Right now we're just waiting."

"But what have you done?"

"Nothing, really! We haven't hurt anyone. The most we did was gather up a lot of the supplies the Capitol still has and secretly distributed them through the Districts."

"So you're the reason our shortages?"

"No, the Districts really aren't producing, you know that! We just helped along the inevitable."

I don't know what to think. Because of them there have been riots and people in the Capitol have been going hungry, but if what she's saying is true and that they gave the food back to the Districts, I'm not sure if that's such a bad thing.

"Look, I'm not saying you have to join us or agree with our methods, but when all this is over, remember me. I'll remember you."

"But what if you lose?"

She hugged me.

"Then I'll forget you," she said, but started grinning. "But we're not going to lose."

And with that she ran off to her home down the block.

I stared after her until Perseus honked. Inside, I mulled over everything that had happened tonight. It probably wasn't a bad idea to keep doors open and however I felt about Daphne, I was thankful that she still considered me her friend and that she was willing to help me and my family if we should need it.

What I couldn't figure out was why the Districts had gone to such lengths to rescue the Victors. It was flashy, in front of national television and it had taken away any chance of a surprise attack. Were they really that important?

At home my parents greeted me with strained smiles. My mother held me as we watched the President explain the situation and what steps were being taken to keep us safe. My father was on the phone with all his partners, trying to ensure that his business and our livelihood would be able to be maintained. I decided against telling him about Daphne's offer, thinking it best not to reveal it if and until the Districts' victory was assured. If they lost, I didn't want him to use Daphne as leverage to stay in or gain more power. I owed her that at the very least.

It was about two in the morning when Aella called back.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"How're you and your family?" I asked.

"Okay. I talked to my brother. He said things are even more tense over there. His friends are making him stay low. He's not even wearing his uniform anymore. They're killing Peacekeepers left and right. He's doing his best to help everyone."

"Doesn't it make you feel... worthless?"

"Yeah. But there's nothing we can do here."

I debate whether or not I should tell her for a few beats, before I finally tell her about the group Daphne's involved in.

"If we get caught we'll probably be killed," I tell her.

"I know."

"Should I call her tomorrow?"

"Yeah."