A/N: Let me first say, I hope you guys are still hanging in there with me and still enjoying the story. I know several of you have been wanting to know if the glimpse of Prim I gave you is actually her or a Mutt... You'll all get your answer with chapter seven. Until then I hope you enjoy this little surprise I have for you. When I originally thought of this chapter I didn't even consider what I ended up including. I think the addition actually turned out good. Please let me know what you think by reviewing.

Chapter Six: Searching the Districts

Peeta's POV

I can remember a time when traveling by train was forbidden unless you were a Tribute or ordered to go to the Capitol. If you wanted to leave your district you did it by walking or jumping aboard one of the cargo trains. I knew several kids from the merchant class try to escape District Twelve by cargo train. At the time I thought they were crazy for wanting to leave, but now having seen all of Panem I understand. The merchant class considered themselves important, but we were only important when we met our monthly Capitol quota. But even then our merchant status meant nothing to the Capitol.

Most merchant families had more than one child. My friends and I wouldn't have maintained our merchant status once we turned eighteen. We all would have been thrown into the coal mines to work. I would have been considered no better than Katniss's father or Gale. I would no longer be a merchant's son. Instead, I would be from the Seam where most of the coal miners lived before the war.

The thought doesn't bother me since my own mother thought I was nothing more than dirt. I still miss them including my mother, even after almost two years. Good or bad, they were still my family. I learned a lot from my father and brothers. Things I would pass down to my own children when the time came. The train slowed down as it approached the fueling station throwing me into another direction of thought.

I had to get Josh and Miranda back in order to teach them everything I know. I would have a better chance by enlisting the help of our friends in all of the other districts. And my first stop would be in District Eleven. Rue and Thresh were so loved by everyone there would be no doubt their families would help search. They might also know of others who would be willing to help.

The remainder of the trip to District Eleven is a quiet one but I had the distinct feeling I was being watched. Katniss and I knew there was a possibility Thatcher would keep track of my movements as well as her own. The concept of dividing and conquering crosses my mind as the train slows again. The train pulls into District Eleven's train station, and I rise to my feet before grabbing my bag. I pass a couple of men too interested in the papers confirming my suspicions. I would be followed no matter where I went in Panem.

"Peeta, what brings you down here to District Eleven?"

I smile as I step off the train and extend my free hand toward the man in front of me. "Jacob, it is good to see you again."

Jacob smiled as he shook my hand. "I must admit I was surprised when I received your message. Is it as bad as it sounds, Peeta?"

"I'm afraid so, Jacob. Josh and Miranda were taken from their bed's this morning. Paylor won't allow Katniss to leave District Twelve, so I'm here asking for help in the search," I explain.

"You know we will do everything we can to help you find them," Jacob promised.

"I was counting on that," I say as we head away from the train station.

We walk to Jacob's house which was all ready buzzing with activity. "We've been organizing a search party since I received your message. District Eleven is a large place to search," Jacob said.

"I understand completely," I say as I watch people being broken off into groups of smaller parties. Once everyone was gathered together in their separate pairs, I clear my throat to get their attention. "I just want to thank all of you for helping me try to find my children. It means the world to me and Katniss."

"You and Katniss showed Rue so much kindness. How could we not help you in your time of need?"

I nod my head in thanks again as Jacob and I take our own search section. Over the next few hours, the groups search the district. As the setting sun greeted us, my hopes began to fade with it. I knew we had only begun, but my hopes had been high that we would find them by now. Thatcher was a smart man, and he would hide the twins in a place I would least suspect. I would have to move on to another district in the morning.

The idea of my children out there somewhere scared sickened me. What kind of man would rip two three month old babies from their parents? My mind was still churning as I laid down for the night. I was up five minutes later sitting outside watching the stars twinkle high above me.

"Can't sleep, son?" Rue's grandmother asked as she stepped outside.

"No, ma'am, I can't. I'm sorry if I woke you," I say over my shoulder.

"Never you mind about that, my boy. These old bones keep me awake at night," she replied as she sat down in the old rocking chair on the porch. "You can't give up hope, Peeta. You will find your babies."

I smile as I nod my head. "Yes, ma'am, I know I will. I just feel so useless right now. They are out there somewhere scared, and I have no idea where to look."

"I know, but all you can do is keep looking and ask God for his guidance."

"How can you do that when God took Rue away?" I ask turning to face the old woman.

She smiled looking past me to the twinkling sky above us. "God has his reasons for the things he does. We ain't supposed to question him. We just have to have faith he is doing what is right. He took my little Rue, but I will see her again. She had a purpose in his plan and she fulfilled it, so he took her on home."

"What would be God's reason for taking Katniss's father, sister, and my family, then allow our children to be kidnapped?"

"God gives us only what he knows we can handle, Peeta. These trials and tribulations will only make you and Katniss stronger. Keep your faith, son. God has not abandoned you."

"Thank you," I say as the old woman slowly rises to her feet. "Do you need any help?"

"No, child, but thank you for the offer," she said as she brushed her fingers against my face.

"It's my pleasure."

The next morning Jacob and I said our farewells, but he promised to continue the search. I board the train and glance over my shoulder hearing Rue's four note tune in the air. I watch in silent appreciation as the group before me placed their first three fingers of their left hand to their lips before pushing them out toward me. I blink back the tears as I nod my head and hold on to the rail as the train begins to move.

I travel to the districts where Katniss and I have no friends. I spend several days in each place setting up search parties and obtaining help from the people there. Many people were shocked and saddened by the kidnapping, but others felt betrayed by Paylor. I try to calm the people telling them Paylor wasn't to be blamed, but my words seem empty to them. They are still so many who are mistrustful of any government. And after so many years under Snow, who could blame them?

I reach District Seven a month after I began my search for the twins. The train door opens, and I see a very upset Johanna standing in front of me. I step off the train and she immediately wraps her arms around my neck. I smile slightly as I wrap my own arms around her waist. For someone with a reputation to uphold, she was being very open with her emotions.

"Peeta, why didn't you and Katniss call instead of sending a letter?" Johanna asked as she released her hold on me.

"We still don't trust the phone. With Thatcher in the Capitol, he could keep track of my movements," I say releasing her. "Although, I think he's still keeping track of my movements."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I just have that feeling I'm being constantly watched. It doesn't matter what district I'm in either. That feeling is always present."

"Well, no one is going to bother you while you're here," Johanna promised.

"Oh, great, I have another protector," I tease as we step away from the train station. "Shouldn't it be me protecting you?"

"When you can swing an ax the way I do then maybe I'll let you protect me," Johanna teased.

"Fair enough," I say letting the subject drop.

"I've been setting things up to search the district for Josh and Miranda. We started the day I received your letter. The town is small, but the forest that surrounds us is massive. That's going to take us a while to search."

"Thank you for everything, Johanna," I say smiling slightly.

"It's no problem, Peeta. I promise you I will tear this place apart in order to find those precious babies. You and Katniss have been through enough hell. You deserve a little happiness."

"We all deserve a little happiness, Johanna," I return as we reach the Justice building.

"I'm happy as long as the government leaves me alone," Johanna said shrugging her shoulders.

"That isn't living."

"Well, it's all I've got right now," she returned as we get started with the search meeting.

Seven days later I board another train this time heading for District Four. There wasn't a stone or tree in all of District Seven that wasn't searched. If Thatcher had the twins there he hid them extremely well. With no sign of the kids and the number of districts shrinking, I drop my head into my hands. I know now is not the time to lose hope, but it's getting harder to keep my faith. Especially when all I want to do is grab Thatcher by the throat and demand to know where he's holding Josh and Miranda.

"Mr. Mellark, dinner is served when you are ready."

"Thank you," I say lifting my head to look at the train associate.

Dinner smelled delicious but I had not appetite. My mind kept turning everything I knew over and over. Thatcher was going to do something that would make us forget Josh and Miranda. Then he would separate the twins and raise Josh as his own son. But what happened to Miranda?

"Are you finished, Mr. Mellark?"

"Yes, thank you," I say pushing myself away from the table.

I walk back through the train without really seeing where I'm going. I'm running on auto pilot and I know it. The men following me seem to mock me where every I go. They know I'm searching in the wrong locations, but when I look to corner them they're no where to be found.

The next five days fly by and with them a bit more of my hope. Annie like Johanna promised to continue the search for the twins. Five more days with Beetee in Three and six days with Gale in Two, but still we find no sign of my children. Katniss and Haymitch keep each other company, but I know Katniss all too well. I lose a small piece of her as each day passes with no good news. And it's this realization that comes to me as I step off the train in the Capitol.

Thatcher wants to break Katniss.

"Peeta, I wish we were seeing each other under better circumstances."

"I understand, President Paylor. What have your searches turned up on where Josh and Miranda might be?"

"Sadly, nothing good I'm afraid. The twins aren't here in the Capitol. We've been looking for them since the first day you left District Twelve."

"I have no doubt that you have, Paylor. I just think like me you have been looking in the wrong place," I say watching Thatcher as he walks up to me and Paylor.

"Please tell me Mr. Mellark, you are not doubting our efforts to find your children?"

"Why should I doubt your efforts Thatcher, when I'm looking at the man responsible!"

"Peeta...Mr. Thatcher is the head of the search committee."

"Paylor, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He's a great speaker and a very good manipulator. I should know," I say shaking my head. "I've got the scars to prove it," I mumble under my breath.

"He is also an elected Representative," Paylor said clearly unconvinced.

"And he clearly has the wool pulled over your eyes. If you will excuse me, I have a meeting with Caesar about being on his show," I say walking past Paylor and Thatcher.

"Peeta, I'm so glad to see you. I'm terribly sorry to hear about the kidnapping. I am at your disposal what ever you need."

"Thank you, Caesar. I'm going to take you up on that. I want to be a guest on your show. I've been all over Panem, but almost two months have gone by with no sign of my children."

"Of course Peeta, my show is yours tonight. Please allow me to apologize for what happened to you the last time I had you on the show."

I smile slightly as I nod my head focusing my blue eyes on Caesar's concerned face. "You aren't to blame for what Snow did to me, Caesar. We were all nothing but puppets playing a part in the sick game Snow created. I will admit at first I couldn't believe how fast you turned against me and Katniss. I wanted to beat some sense into you that first night."

Caesar's expression changed as a small smile came through the concern. "I remember. I actually thought you would follow through and punch me."

"For someone who is against violence, I wanted to but what good would it have done? I was all ready surrounded by guards who loved using their fists. I didn't want to give them what they wanted so I held myself back. Honestly, if you hadn't gotten in front of me after they broke my nose they probably would have killed me."

"I could stand by and watch for only so long," Caesar said shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, it was that night I first realized you were with the rebellion. It had all been an act on your part."

"I had to make it believable," Caesar replied.

"You defiantly made it believable," I agreed.

"Well, we can talk more later, Peeta. We need to get you ready for tonight. Go to my dressing room and your stylist will meet you there," Caesar said giving me one of his famous smiles.

I move through the twists and turns of the backstage area. Having been through not only two Hunger Games, but a Victory Tour as well I know my way around this stage. The problem was Caesar's last comment made no sense to me. He said 'your' stylist instead of saying 'the stylist' would meet me there. The only stylists I ever knew were dead, so how could the person be my stylist? I shake my head to clear my thoughts and find my way back to Caesar's dressing room.

I enter the room, shut the door behind me, and take a seat at the make-up table. I rub my face looking up in the mirror hearing the door open. "My God, it isn't possible. You're dead," I say spinning around to face the person now in front of me.

"I thought I was too, that last day I was with Katniss," Cinna said closing the door and walking farther into the room.

"How?"

"I'm alive thanks to Caesar. He knew what I had done to Katniss's wedding dress. I told him about it the night Snow announced the Quarter Quell. I knew Snow would force her to wear the winning dress, so why not make a statement of our own. Caesar thought I was pushing it too far, that Snow would retaliate. He was right to think ahead because it meant I'm alive today."

"What did he do?"

"The only thing he could do. He switched Snow's men with our own. Snow wanted to unglue Katniss, and what better way than to be forced into watching my death knowing there was nothing she could do to save me. I knew none of this at the time for my own safety and the safety of the men involved."

"Snow was watching."

"Yes, he wanted to see how well his plan worked. After they beat me unconscious and dragged me from the room, they took me to a safe house to hide and heal. And it was there that I learned of both Coin and Snow's deaths. I was now free to return to my life. But the two people I wanted to see were forbidden by order of President Paylor."

"What! That was when Katniss needed you the most! She lost you, me, and Prim not to mention her father," I snap shaking my head. Why would Paylor do such a thing?

"That is what I told her, but she felt it would be wiser if I waited for a different time. You have since gone back to Katniss, so maybe the time will be right once your children are safe?"

"I know she would love to see you again, Cinna."

"And I want to see her," Cinna said placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You will find them, Peeta. Don't stop believing."

"Thanks, Cinna."

The afternoon and evening flew by and before I realized it so had the week. I had now officially been gone for little over two months and still no sign of Josh or Miranda in all of Panem. I board my final train and I begin to wonder if they are even here in the country. It is after all the next logical assumption, because there is no other explanation as to how two babies could have vanished off the face of the planet. The entire country was looking for them, yet they still remained missing.

I allow Effie to pass me before I take my seat for the journey back to District Twelve. She found me on my last day in the Capitol and asked to join me on the trip back home. I know Effie and she hates District Twelve, but she loves Katniss. And right now she clearly is putting Katniss ahead of her own obsession with schedules. I notice something else different about Effie as the train whistle blows and the train begins to move along the track. She is hiding something.