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I usually update 1-2 times a week, so I'm extremely sorry for the lateness of this chapter! It turns out that the fractured wrist I mentioned last chapter, is actually broken. It's a bit weird to type things up and I've always been through physiotherapy for a few other injuries so please bear with me! I do try and satisfy everyone :)

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XLIV. Thirteen

"Come with me."

"Um, dude," I respond, shooting Gloss an amused glance. "I know I'm handsome and everything but I don't swing that way. Sorry, mate."

That was supposed to be a joke.

But, he doesn't seem to find it any bit amusing. He gives me a flat stare, and continues to walk down the pavement of the main street that the Justice Building's on. "Cashmere's got Marlene and Krystal, and they should already be there."

The weather in the Capital is perfect. It's sunny with an impossibly blue sky and perfectly shaped clouds, and the occasional breeze whips by, refreshening us all. Autumn leaves are drizzled all over the streets – though, I don't understand why, considering it's the middle of summer. The people on the streets are courteous towards Gloss and myself, and shoot us genuine smiles and gestures. For once, the Capital seems perfect in my eyes and I don't mind the monsters that hide beneath the invisible veil of evil.

It's been six months now. We've just completed Marlene's victory tour, and it's our second day in the Capital – two out of seven days have gone by without much trouble and disturbance. One more death has occurred – it was one of our classmates, whom I was never particularly close to, but it had affected Marlene.

Then, her walls built up. She slowly separated herself from the victors' family, and on some nights, she wouldn't come home. No one blames her. She finds her own recluse to escape into a world of her own. We know not to bother her, but Mags, Annie, Joseph and I make sure to keep ourselves updated. We're the only ones she'll talk to these days back home.

She's changed plenty, but there's still that spark inside of her. Her victory speech for District Two mostly consisted of, "You know what? I'm not sorry for that bitch's death. During training, all she did was show off – and okay, yeah, all my allies did – but she shoved every single one of us around and she never spoke one good word about anyone. And, despite how rude and inconsiderate and heartless I may be at times, I will put in a good word or two for someone. But, yeah, the guy from this District – he was pretty cool… sometimes."

Worst victory speech ever.

Oliver and Arden had decided to push their wedding back by a few months. Two days after Marlene and I are to return back to District Four, the wedding would be on. The weather back home has been extremely sporadic for the past few months and it's been getting on Arden's nerves. Somehow, she's gotten the fact that the weather is a potential sign that they aren't supposed to wed. Everyone else begs to differ.

For the past few months, Annie, Marlene and I have tried to patch things back up together. We haven't gone very far, but we've at least, made a little progress. We're three of District Four's youngest recluses now. The three of us have lost our families at such a young age and our form of therapy is each other. I have Oliver, Arden and my friends, and Annie has Ayden, but no one understands our situation as much as ourselves.

Even some of the other victors still have a few members of their family intact and happy.

No one understands Marlene's pain as much as I do, and vice versa. We've taken several trips to the Capital now, to fulfill our services and each time, I grow to become more and more reluctant to leave Annie behind without the two of us.

"Good afternoon, Mr Odair and Mr Delgado," a voice pulls me out of my thoughts and I drag my eyes away from the pavement. "How are you?"

"Fine," we chorus.

I find myself staring at a vaguely familiar woman before us and Gloss seems to only just notice her as well.

"Lyddia," he greets the red lady – the lady whose hair I'd always compared to red velvet cupcakes. "It's nice to see you again."

She pulls her thin lips into a wide smile, glancing between the two of us. "You too. Where would you like to go?"

Oh. Right. We are in the lobby of the Capital's most prestigious apartment.

Gloss produces a white slip of paper from his back pocket, handing it to her. "Sisyphus Heavensbee. It's on the penthouse."

"Oh! Of course," she exclaims. "Your sister and her lovely friends are already there."

Lyddia swipes a keycard across the detector in the elevator. The ride up seems to take a while as we're forced to stop at almost every level and wait for everyone to come in and out.

Unlike the other storeys, the topmost level doesn't have hallways, corridors and multiple doors. It's like a storey in the Training Centre – a whole house to a whole level. An elderly lady with grey hair and warm hazel eyes welcomes us into her home, ushering us into the living room where Cashmere, Krystal and Marlene are seated with a cup of coffee or tea.

"Finally," she says. "What took you so long?"

Shrugging my jacket off my shoulders, I grin at the stranger. "What can I say? The ladies love us."

Sisyphus – I assume that's her name – gestures for us to sit down and places two cups of coffee down for the two of us. "I think I'll go straight to the point here – I've already had this talk with… a few others. What do you five know about District Thirteen?"

"Um…"

"Uh…"

"District Thirteen?"

"What's your point?" Marlene asks, rudely. "There's no District Thirteen."

I nod, agreeing with her and take my place beside Marlene. "Yeah," I say, "The first thing we learn in school is basically that there's no District Thirteen."

Krystal shifts uncomfortably in her seat, clasping her fingers around the cup of coffee. "I didn't go to school until I was twelve."

Sisyphus wags her index finger at Marlene and I. "That's where you're wrong. There is a District Thirteen."

"Yeah, probably destroyed," Gloss says.

From the drawer of her coffee table, Sisyphus pulls out a large map of Panem. It's divided into fourteen sections – the current districts, the Capital and District Thirteen. "This," she says, pointing towards an area that's farther than District Twelve, "is District Thirteen. Believe it or not, there are people still residing there."

Marlene and I exchange unsure glances. There's no District Thirteen – that's what we were reminded almost every history lesson. It does make sense though; if District Thirteen does in fact exist, Snow would never allow for anyone in Panem to have this knowledge.

"The reason why District Thirteen is no longer on the radar is because it was, in fact, destroyed by bombs. However, the remaining population took refuge underground and that's where they've been staying. For a few years now, I've been… collaborating with a few of my acquaintances from District Thirteen."

"Collaborating," Cashmere repeats with a raised eyebrow. "What are you going to do? Lead a rebellion?" A joking smile tugs at her lips and she laughs, but she falters when Sisyphus' expression remains indifferent.

"Wait, you're kidding, right?" Cashmere says, again. "Remember the last rebellion? The Hunger Games were created."

"Exactly. And, I believe that with the Victors," she gestures towards us. "You five and a few others, could pull this off."

"What's in it for us?" Marlene questions.

"Freedom. You can't tell me you don't want that."

I really do want that.

"Haymitch Abernathy has suggested you five," she continues and I raise my head up in shock. Haymitch? "He thinks you'd be great additions to the rebellion – young, strong and fearless. At least, give this a shot. If it doesn't work out for you, I won't stop you from dropping out. I just assumed you five, the latest victims, would jump at a chance like this – and victors after this. Snow's planning on turning everyone into a prostitute. However, this might take years, maybe even decades."

"I'm in," Gloss says. "But that doesn't mean I'll do anything and everything for you. I'll do whatever I want."

And, there's the District One attitude.

Krystal and Cashmere are quick to agree. "If I drop out, I swear I won't tell anyone else."

Marlene shakes her head, "District Thirteen is dead. It shouldn't still be running." I'm tempted to agree but then, I think of the good that could come out of this potential rebellion. It isn't just us; the generations after us could be saved. They wouldn't have to live in constant fear and hunger anymore.

"I guess I'm in," I say, slowly. "I mean, I don't really feel like it could work but… I'll give it a shot."

We all turn to Marlene, and I'm half expecting a negative answer. Instead, she nods and crosses her arms. "Yeah, sure. Whatever. Why not?"

Sisyphus' lips pull up into a warm smile and she looks down at us as if we're her children. "Good, good. I may be a Capital lady but that doesn't mean I approve of everything that occurs. I also assume you're wondering who else is in this?"

She doesn't wait for a response.

"Haymitch, Beetee and Wiress from District Three, Shelley, Mags, Amphitrite, Joseph-"

"I thought District Four was a Career's District," Krystal cuts in.

"We are," I respond. "Not all Careers are like typical Careers like these two." I hook my thumb over to the twins, who scowl in return.

"District Six… though, I'm not entirely sure if they should be trusted," Sisyphus says with a purse of her lips. Right; they're morphlings. "I might ask Blight from Seven. Cecelia and Seeder are in, as well."

"So, the nice victors are all part of it," Cashmere says.

"Oh, and Lyme."

"Lyme…" Gloss trails off with a confused expression. "Lyme?"

"Yes, Lyme."

"Isn't she, like… District Two?"

"She's trustworthy, trust me," Sisyphus replies, smoothly – she must have prepared her speech for us. "In fact, she's the one who peaked my interest in a new rebellion."

"That's a bit weird."

"Our meeting's over, I guess. When I get updates on the rebellion, I'll call for you again or perhaps, I'll have Haymitch tell you. Also, don't misjudge him," she says. "Just because he's drunk ninety-five percent of the time doesn't mean he's an idiot. He's probably smarter than all of you combined. Now, shoo. My son's coming over and he doesn't need to see you here."

"Well, that was rude," Cashmere says when we make our way back to the Training Building.

"Keep it quiet," Gloss scolds. "If anyone hears us, we're screwed and she'll become an Avox – not that I really care but I think I've done enough shit recently."

"I'm going to go train," Marlene says, heading off and ignoring us.

I'm about to join her but I'm beaten by Gloss who says, "Hey, I'll come with."

"No," she replies in a firm tone. "I want to be alone."

A/N: Very very boring chapter, I know. Next chapter will be full of drama though :)