I stare.

And stare.

And stare at President Snow's hard stone eyes.

My stomach twists in likes the knots in District Four. The ones that Finnick taught and showed me during my Victory Tour in his District.

I fiddle with my fingers but keep eye contact, I must not show weakness. I mustn't.

His lips twitch into an evil smile, he slowly takes his handkerchief and wipes his mouth, the smell of blood lingers in his office. And the putrid smell of roses is combined with it.

He cocks his head slightly to the side and clears his throat.

"Ms. Everdeen. What a pleasure to see you here."

My nose wrinkles in disgust because of his formality, "It's a pleasure to see you too, but I believe that you requested my presence? May I ask why?"

He chuckles and stands up, his thin, bony fingers trace the edges of his study table, "Ah yes, indeed I did. But I believe that you've already asked me why. And in fact, I would be delighted to tell you. Do you remember your interview?"

I nod.

"Well, you said that you knew the boy before his untimely reaping. But the boy, Peeta, I believe, said otherwise. You lied Katniss, and I thought that we agreed not to lie to each other? Everyone believes him, and you know why? It's because he made an impression, made people like him. You, on the other hand, who likes a sullen girl with no personality? I believe that's the angle you played two years ago, am I right? Let's face it, you meant nothing until he said he wanted you, now they all do."

What does he mean? "I didn't lie, I knew him beforehand, I just did what you asked. I didn't know that he was going to pull something like that."

"I believe you, but he must pay the price. You are forbidden, as well as Mr. Abernathy, to send Mr. Mellark any parachutes until tomorrow night."

My mouth opens wide, "But he's dying!"

President Snow's lips once again turn into a grin, "I'm aware, but if you didn't know, his little confession didn't only affect our deal, it affected my citizens. They were horrified, and still are, about tearing apart the precious star-crossed lovers.

I hope you know that this boy was never meant to make it past the bloodbath, but because of his declaration, I had to change his fate. You know that the fate of all the tribute's lies within the hands of the Gamemakers and myself. He was born to die, Katniss. And whether he makes it out of these Games or not, I will find a way to make certain that his life will be cut short."

I can feel my hands twitching, aching to grip themselves around his slender neck. I glare at him and snarl.

"Calm down Ms. Everdeen, you wouldn't want to extend it to two days without gifts."

I lower my head in defeat, "What did you mean, when you said that everyone wanted me?"

President Snow comes closer towards me, now directly in front, he taps my chin with his cold fingers to tell me to look at him square in the eyes, "I believe that you should ask Mr. Odair about that."

My heart leaps, he can't. He can't do this to me, "You can't do this."

"Oh it's already done, I'm delighted to tell you that your price has reached half a million. Certainly a lot, but not as much as Finnick's…or Peeta's."

My eyes widen, Peeta? "Why is Peeta on sale? The Games aren't even over yet! How do they know that he'll make it out of there?"

Tears begin to stream down my face, "Well, he's been receiving sponsors left and right, hasn't he? I'm pretty sure that my citizens will do anything they can to get a taste of him."

I feel like wrenching in disgust, once again my stomach churns at the thought of hungry women roaming their hands all over his body.

"Why do they want me, if they can get him?"

President Snow whispers in my ear, "Because everyone wants to feel the heat of the girl on fire."

He hisses the word fire, just like the snake that he is.

I stare.

And stare.

And stare at the dress before me, laid out for the Final Six interviews.

It's meant for the Final Eight, but the Games have been quick. Lately there hasn't been much action, everyone's still healing from their wounds. And I suspect that there won't be much action for the rest of the upcoming days.

Rue has been progressively dragging Peeta's unconscious body through the forest. He's badly hurt, his flesh is inflamed from infection. She dragged him into a cave by the river yesterday, but he hasn't woken up yet. I'm getting increasingly worried, and I'm forbidden to send him anything until tonight.

He's slowly slipping away, I know it. The burn across his back covers half of it and the burn on the his ribs obscures his stomach. Haymitch was right, they are going to make his life hell in there.

Haymitch has also been telling me that the Districts are mad, why is the Capitol adding fuel to the flames? They're mad because they know that the Gamemakers are deliberately making his life the worst. Unlike the Capitol, citizens, who think that it's just unfortunate bad luck, the Districts aren't oblivious.

I slip it on and it's just a plain red dress, no jewels, no pearls adorning it. Just a simple red dress. I look in the mirror and I look harmless, like a little girl, fourteen at most.

I'm led into the familiar auditorium that houses Caesar Flickerman. The crowd goes wild when they catch a glimpse of me.

In the chairs, I see Haymitch, Brutus, Enobaria, Cashmere, Gloss, Chaff, Seeder and Ember. Ember's the mentor for District Five. Everyone hardly sees her, she keeps to herself, her prep team vanished after she won some thirty years ago, it's rumoured that she killed them after a murderous rampage.

I stare.

And stare.

And stare at the crowd before me.

It felt like hours before I was called up, each mentor expressed their delight at how well their tribute was doing, and promised the crowd that they would be the one that would win, everyone except Haymitch.

Ember said that she was happy about how the girl was using her intelligence to get by, not her strength. It's not exactly what the Capitol calls a 'good show' but I guess it's entertaining to watch someone sly outwit the other contestants.

I can't say that Haymitch and I are completely confident that Peeta will win, considering his state. I just know that after the clock strikes twelve, I'll be able to send him some medicine. Haymitch told me after I came back yesterday that sponsors have been lining up to offer their money just to cure Peeta. I was ecstatic, then I remembered why they wanted him to win.

I'm welcomed warmly by Caesar and he starts the interview.

"Katniss! Long time no see! How has it been for you?" Caesar chirps.

"Nervewrecking."

The crowd laughs, thinking that I was joking.

"Oh, you're so funny Katniss! I see that Peeta has certainly changed you, now tell me, what was your reaction when he said he loved you?"

Once again, I can feel my cheeks turning red hot, "I can't say I was disappointed."

"What a lucky young lady you are. But there is one thing that has been bothering me, you said that you knew him beforehand, and he said otherwise, why is that?"

Oh no.

"I didn't lie, we knew each other beforehand, I just didn't know that he was in love with me."

"Do you feel the same way?"

I don't know the correct answer to this question, either way, it will infuriate President Snow. If I deny, the citizens will turn against me and they'll abandon Peeta, if I say yes, I'm going to lead Peeta on and fuel the rebellion, which will be hell for Peeta.

"He is certainly a very wonderful guy and I'm extremely lucky to have him."

The crowd releases numerous 'aww's' and whistles. I smile falsely at them, secretly despising them.

"Is there anything else that you'd like to say? Any words of encouragement for Peeta?"

Why would I give him words of encouragement? He isn't going to see this.

I look at Caesar and back at the camera, my face lacking any emotion, "Remember Peeta, I'm here waiting for you. Please come back to me. You told me once that if you were going to die, you were going to die as yourself. So please don't change in there. And if you die, just remember that it's not your fault."

Silence.

The crowd is in a hush. I know that I've said something wrong, I fully intended too. I'm tired of being a puppet, I know that Peeta will suffer as well, but they have to keep him alive to keep the citizens happy, or else they'll rebel as well. I want to get this rebellion started as soon as possible. I want to get out of the Capitol. I know that I will pay the price, but I don't know exactly how much it'll cost me.

I stare.

And stare.

And stare at President Snow's note.

'You know about the uprisings. I know you do. Now you will pay the price.

Go to your room in the Training Center. Someone is waiting there to extinguish your fire.

-President Snow'

I stare.

And stare.

And stare at the bed full of roses.

The smell of perfume disgusts me. I see the red lingerie hanging on the edge of the chair. The room is filled with candlelight.

This is the setting of a girl who was bought.

I now know my punishment, I have been sold to the highest bidder. President Snow is trying to break me, he's trying to make me weak. In fact, he might succeed. But I won't give up, not without making sure that Peeta's safe.

Haymitch has no idea where I am, I didn't leave him a note. I know that he'll be looking for me in the morning.

I read the note that's attached on the piece of clothing.

'This is the only thing that you'll need tonight.'

I silently strip off my dress and slip on the piece of cloth that barely covers my breasts. I shiver in disgust. I sit on the bed waiting for my customer.

The door creaks open, and I see a man in his early thirties walk in. He seems normal, apart from his deep blue hair.

His eyes are filled with lust as his eyes roam all over my exposed body. He walks towards me and begins to caress my shoulders. I suck in air through my teeth.

Slowly, he begins to take off his clothes and mine. He kisses me sloppily and wetly on my mouth and neck. He is nothing like Peeta.

The man brings my under the covers and continues to observe me. How does Finnick do this?

I am more determined than ever to bring the Capitol down. No one should have to endure this. They're the monsters. They're the mutts. They're the ones that need to be killed. The clock is ticking, and their lives are numbered. They will feel the wrath of the girl on fire. And they will be burned.

And so I stare.

And stare.

And stare as he finally takes away my innocence.

Woowwww. Yeah, I feel so weird writing that last scene. I don't write things like that. At all. Sorry if it's awkward. I feel that it is. It's so not me. Sorry that there's no Peeta in this chapter, he'll be in the next one I promise! Anyway, reviews are appreciated and I'd like to say thanks to all of my reviews and readers! :D