Mick packs up a few things he wants to bring from the house across the street while I wait. I'm surprised that I'm not more upset about everything today, but when I think about it, I never knew my aunt and her family, and I've already mourned for so many. I've grieved for my parents once, and if they never came here, well daddy always said he'd see me after the war's end. Maybe they had another escape plan.

I wish we could take the little canoe tucked down in the boathouse at the base of the rubble of my aunt's home, but with the Peacekeeper patrols that Mick described, there's no way. We refill our water bottles, using the purifier I brought with me; Mick says he's been fine drinking the water, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. We head off toward the central plaza. On the way, I explain the sector one crew to Mick. He talks mostly about things since the house was bombed - activity in the area, his fishing, the peacekeeper boat patrols. I guess he doesn't want to think about the dead and his old life. One topic brings life to us both. Mick is overjoyed about the rebel broadcasts.

"You saw Katniss in battle, didn't you? How she shot down that plane? I wish I could do that!" he exclaims, eyes shining.

I laugh. "That was pretty amazing, wasn't it?" She really is the symbol of the rebellion, and why not? From their view, everything she's done marks her as a leader against the Capitol, from volunteering for her sister, to beating the Capitol at their own game with those berries, escaping the Quell and now leading the fight from the front lines. Time and time again, she's defied the Capitol and survived it. Only those of us who know her understand it's not been a choice, and the nightmares and real dangers that have constantly haunted her.

"Yeah, amazing" Mick repeats in agreement.

I smile, encouraged. "Whoever thought we'd see rebel broadcasts? And with the Victors leading the fight. Katniss and Finnick ... " Mick grins back at me, shaking his head.

But after a minute, his smile fades and his brow wrinkles. "Except her boyfriend. I'm scared for him."

This confuses me at first. Gale looked fine in the broadcast two nights ago. Did something air since then? I pause, briefly relieved when I realize he can't mean Gale - like everyone else, he would think Gale is Katniss' cousin, if he recognized him at all. But that brings a new worry. He must mean Peeta. And Peeta is at the mercy of the Capitol. "What happened to Peeta? He looked fine in his interview. Great, actually. Did the Capitol air something?"

"You didn't see the new interview? It was a couple days ago."

Now I'm concerned. "No, I only saw the one last week. There was more?"

"Oh. Yeah ... 'nother interview. But he didn't look so good. I think they musta filmed the first one awhile back. He's lost too much weight and looked ... twitchy. I dunno. More Capitol talk. Tellin Katniss not to trust the rebels."

That doesn't sound good. Why didn't I see it? I thought we'd seen all the broadcasts. I want to kick myself. It must have aired sometime after the second rebel propo. I'd shut off the television when I got excited about leaving for my aunt's. I ask, "is he okay?"

Mick shrugs despondently and answers, "How can he be, if they've got him?"

By the time we get to the central plaza in sector two, it's late in the day. I know if Spinner's here, he'll see me the minute I enter the plaza, so I tell Mick just to follow me through the plaza. At first I think it's odd that there are no Peacekeepers here, but then I realize the groups milling about are armed rebels, and they must have control of the square. I hadn't even noticed crossing in to protected territory, but I'm sure we've been noticed before getting this far. Maybe Spinner warned them to keep their eye out for me. I wonder if he's learned yet that no one here knows me.

By the time we're halfway across the square, I see a familiar figure walking at an angle to intercept us at the far edge of the plaza, not far from a group of rebels who seem to be relaxing at a series of tables and benches. When he reaches me, he grins at me and whispers loudly, "Don't look now but I think you're being followed" with a wink.

I smile back and try to sound natural. "Hey, there you are. This is my brother, Mick." I've been rehearsing how to introduce Mick all afternoon.

"Brother, eh? Nice ta meet ya, Mick." Spinner holds out his hand and when Mick takes it, Spinner shakes his hand with mock formality. "Funny, your sister hasn't told us anything about you. But then, she never does like to talk about her home life." And just like that, I guess that Spinner knows Mick isn't my brother, but also that at least for now, Mick is welcome. Maybe I'm not a good enough liar to pull off claiming a guy I've known less than a day as a brother. It is pretty ridiculous. But Spinner trusts me anyway. Mick, wisely, keeps his mouth shut.

"So what's the story?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"Well, li'l miss, I've got a full dance card tonight. I'd love to take you with me, but I think there's a pillow with your name on it." Spinner laughs. He's in fine form tonight. "You two can take it easy. You'll need to be ready for tomorrow."

He leads us to a building a couple blocks off the plaza, and down into a large basement area where makeshift bunks have been laid out. A young man, probably in his mid twenties, guards the door, Spinner gives him our names. "That's Bob, don't mind him. Someone's always on watch. There are some empty spots over here, but don't leave anything out in the open if you can't live without it," he cautions quietly. "Ready for some shut eye? Been a long day. I can fill you in on things and let ya be if you like." It's still fairly early, but there are almost two dozen people already asleep on some of the bunks.

I glance quizzically to Mick, who looks pretty overwhelmed by all this, and he shakes his head. I doubt he could fall asleep now anyway. I answer lightly, "No, we're alright for now. Don't think I want to close my eyes quite yet anyway." Spinner gets it.

I hesitate before suggesting, "Mick could probably use a bite to eat?"

Spinner gets a gleam in his eye. "By all means - Follow me, friends!" He spins on his heel and parades out of the room.

We follow him back up to the plaza, down another of the empty streets, into what seems like a quiet building. Down another flight of stairs, at the end of a long hallway, we hit a big empty room with a kitchen at one end. The place is pretty quiet, not a lot of people around. I sit while Spinner takes Mick over to get some food. Spinner is first back to the table, appearing in front of me with a full tray of food. He's got a basket of rolls, a couple fried fish, and couple bottles. One looks like the same beer they'd gotten on a few of the Peacekeeper raids in sector one. I wasn't a fan of the stuff. The other is a clear bottle of something pink. Spinner grins at me, eyes sparkling. "Saved you something special, just in case" he says, handing me the pink one. He slips the beer into a pack, saving it for later, I guess.

As soon as the lid is off, the smell hits me. Strawberry. I bite my lip and sigh, trying to keep from smiling. I shake my head at Spinner and answer wryly, "You shouldn't have." He rolls his eyes at me. "Oh come on, it's delicious. And don't worry, there's hardly any alcohol."

I know he thought of the strawberry jam as soon as he saw this. I don't know how, but Spinner always has a steady supply of jam to add some sweetness to the blander food we rely on. Once he brought back strawberry jam, and I guess I savored it a bit too much, that is if licking my plate clean anytime I used it is a bit too much.

I sigh, taking the drink and some of the fish and rolls. I sip the fizzy strawberry liquid slowly while Spinner tells us about his afternoon with the rebels of district two. I have to admit, it's a pretty tasty drink, but not as light on alcohol as Spinner made it seem. I can't help but think of Gale. I wonder where he is now, what he and Katniss are doing. I hope he's safe.

Spinner brings me back to the present, telling us about the situation here, which is better than I'd expected. They rebels hold several strategic positions through the sector and around the Port and its marina. The Peacekeepers have had trouble even keeping their one remaining route out from the Port. He doesn't say it directly, but I get the sense that's where he'll be tonight.

"Any news from one?" I ask, wondering about the others.

Spinner replies, "All good. They've gained the last of the Administration buildings, what's not bombed to pieces. When we're hitting the Marina, sector one will target the train station. I bet the crew'd be glad to see we haven't lost you ... sorry. How bad was it?"

I answer with true sadness, "House was bombed. Mick's the only one that made it. Been on his own for weeks." Concern fills Spinner's face.

Mick comes back with a tray full of food, and Spinner fills us in on what's going on. I've had little interaction with the more organized pieces of the rebellion, though Spinner has been much more connected to it through Carlo and Marai. He explains the barracks and dining area here are for the 'red' group, which we are now a part of. A lot of the rebels aren't trained, but the leaders of the groups all know what they're doing, and when anyone new joins a group, they have to have a trusted reference from another rebel to get in. Thanks to the communicuffs, Spinner could provide his reference (and mine) from the sector one rebels. His possession of the communicuff, not to mention the cart of supplies he'd brought, probably would have been enough to get him in on its own. And probably made it easier for him to get us on the list, as well.

After we eat, Spinner introduces us to a couple older rebels before we check in with our command leader, Wils. Wils interviews first Mick and then me about any abilities we have that might be useful. I don't hear much of what Mick says, because I'm too busy debating what to reveal myself. Eventually I decide that anything combat-related should be included, meaning surprised looks from both Wils and Spinner when I mention I've shot a bow and arrow. I don't claim to be an expert or anything, and I tell them it was just at targets, nothing serious, but the look they exchange tells me it's meaningful to them. I also show Wilson the gun I've been using in district four and how I've helped on Spinner's supply runs.

As soon as we're walking back toward the bunk room, Spinner bursts out incredulously, "Bow and arrow? Why didn't you tell us?"

My cheeks turn pink. "Didn't think it mattered. It's not like I'm that good anyway. After Katniss won the games last year, I wanted to try it out."

"And what, the friendly peacekeepers in sector two were just handing out bows so everyone could try it?"

"Of course not. Look, it's a long story, okay? I'd rather not talk about it right now," I answer defensively, hoping he'll let it drop.

He lets it drop, and uncharacteristically allows silence to follow us all the way back to the bunk room, where he deposits us before heading back for his nighttime mission. I'm not convinced Bob even notices us come in again, but I guess he's here for a reason. Mick settles down quickly. With a full stomach and the alcohol, I slip off to sleep in no time.