Chapter 12: Mistakes and Heartaches

Paylor POV

I sit at my desk in complete shock. What a fool I've been. I fell in love with Darius Thatcher, but for him it was nothing more than a sick game. He clearly was his mother's son. He wanted power just as much as she had. And I know he won't stop until he gets what he wants

I made a mistake listening to him. He wanted to make Katniss pay for the pain she caused him when she killed his mother. I understand that pain having watched Snow kill my whole family bit by cruel bit. He wanted me to let Katniss go so I did, but not just for him. I did it because it was the right thing to do. Katniss Everdeen fought just as hard for our freedom and lost a sister for her efforts.

"President Paylor, ma'am, you need to see this."

I look up at the staff member standing in the now open doorway and nod my head. I turn on the projector to be greeted by Darius's smug face. He's trying to keep the people of Panem against me. I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. I had to act.

"What is he doing?"

"He's trying to become President of Panem."

"But he can't do that."

"He can if he convinces the people to remove me from office." I push myself away from my desk and stand up.

"Where are you going? You need to respond to these false allegations. What about this force field surrounding the Capitol? I'm receiving reports that we are completely surrounded by it."

"No doubt part of Darius's plan from the beginning. I don't have any expertise on force fields. Our best source on the is Beetee in District Three. Signals clearly will go through it, so contact him and ask him to find a way to shut if off."

"I'll get right on that, but where are you going?"

"Somewhere to clear my head and gather my thoughts. I have a speech to give. The people of Panem are being misled."

I pat the young an on the shoulder as I walk out of the room. Darius wasn't finished with me, and I didn't want any one else getting hurt because of me. No, this was my mistake, and I had to pay for it. If I hadn't been blinded by love none of this would have happened. I walk to the training center. Darius would find me there.

"Aren't we predictable, Paylor."

"I wasn't hiding from you, Darius."

"You should have been. The people are calling for your resignation."

"If it's the people's wish I will gladly step aside."

"That's the smartest thing I think I've heard you say, Paylor."

"I said the people not you, Darius. There will be an election you'll have to win, but the people will hear my side of this."

"Not if you die before you can leave office or finish your term. Your death opens the door for a Representative to finish your term."

"And let me guess you're the one to take my place."

"Of course I am, Paylor. I was born to be President of Panem." Darius pulled out a syringe filled with a lavender looking liquid inside.

"I'm not going to let you inject me with that, Darius."

"I know." Darius pulled a knife from behind his back and quickly threw it hitting Paylor in the chest. "But this isn't for you. It was a distraction."

I suck in a shuddering breath as I look down at the knife buried in my chest. Removing it would be a bad idea, since it was preventing me from quickly bleeding to death. I was in need of a hospital. I take a step backwards before crying out in pain as Darius grabs my arm.

"Not so fast Paylor, I'm not done with you yet. I have a sample of my Tracker Jacker experiment for you to try. Tell me what you think," Darius said pulling a smaller syringe from his pocket. He injected the liquid into the the soft skin of my neck then ripped out the knife.

I scream as pain exploded in my chest and neck. Blood soaked the front of my shirt and I crumble to my knees. The pain in my neck radiates down my body going from my arms to my fingertips before shooting down my legs until it reaches the bottom of my feet. My body arches with each white hot spasm of fire tingling along my nerve endings. The pain is excruciating like being jolted with electricity without any electrodes attached to me. I fall to my back gasping when the pain suddenly stops.

"How do you like it?"

"Did you ever love me?" I lick my dry lips. I can feel myself growing weaker with each beat of my heart.

"No," Darius said flicking on a tiny switch box he now held up in his hand for me to see.

Pain erupts through my body, and I can't hold back the agonized screams as my body convulses on the cold floor. My blood was boiling and my body was being fried with invisible electricity. I didn't know how much more I could take before my heart gave out. I'm sorry, I think as my world goes forever dark.