Hello again!

Please don't hate me for what happened in the last chapter *ducks behind couch*

It had to be done! I'm so so sorry *cries* I hope that bringing a new chapter to you all will help console you, AND this particular chapter is a very very special one.

Wanna know why?

You suuuure?

...

Okay fine I'll tell you.

This chapter will be told all from Dash's POV! Yes friends, I am presenting to you a specialty chapter, one that probably won't happen again but was required for the story and will be fun to write.

I hope you all are excited to see into the mind of our dearest Dashing ;)

Please don't forget to leave a review letting me know what you thought! Thanks so much!

Chapter Thirty-Four: Picking up the Pieces.

I try to fight the trembling in my limbs as I enter the elevator and begin to descend down into the cave.

No matter how long I'm forced to sell myself to the people of the Capitol...I'll never get used to it. Sometimes I think it affects me more than I know, the trembling, nightmares, horror at the thought of physical contact with anyone...even with the people I love and trust, it all comes with what I'm forced to do.

I shudder and cover my face with my hands, trying to shut out the awful memories of the past twenty four hours. I've never had so many in such a short time...and from the fatigue I feel weighing on my mind and body, it's going to cost me.

I reach down and clutch the wad of money in my pocket. It was worth it. We can save Ryder now, everything is going to be alright, as long as my tributes are safe, I'll be just fine.

The elevator doors slide open and I step out into...chaos.

My heart stops, fear clutching my chest tightly as cold sweat breaks out across my skin.

A multitude of noises crash against me, but the one that is prominent over all the others is what makes my mind flood with panic.

Mags. Mags is screaming. Mags is sobbing. Mags is hysterical. Mags is having a breakdown. Mags is broken.

"What happened?" I shout above the noise, rushing into the cave. Almost to my mentor room, I practically crash into Leo.

He grabs onto my arms to steady us, and looks at me grimly. "Dash, you need to be strong right now, Mags can't help him anymore, so it's up to you."

His words are flying right over my head, nothing is registering but the hysterical screaming of my best friend. "I need to get to her!" I shout, trying to push past him.

He holds me in place, surprisingly strong for his medium frame. Although I'm surprised I'm even still able to stand at this point, but the need to protect is driving me forward.

"Dash, listen to me!" Leo shouts, his fingers digging painfully into my skin. "Lisa is dead, Queen killed her about ten minutes ago."

My heart stops, and I go numb, staring into space as he continues.
"Ryder is still alive, barely. Jasper betrayed the careers and tried to save them, he stabbed Trina in the shoulder and ran away. Trina and Queen headed back to the cornucopia to recoup before going after Jasper. They left Ryder alive because they knew he's going to die any minute anyway from the fever and they wanted him to suffer before he died. So they left him with Lisa's body and the fever. Dash, if you can do anything to help him, you have to act now, there's no time to process, just act."

I shake my head slightly, fighting to shut down and compartmentalize everything for the moment. "But...Mags-"

"Is with Kaden, he and James are looking after her, Eliza's going to stay with you in the mentor room and help out if she can. I would but…"

I nod, placing my hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "You've still got pieces in the game."

He looks distressed as he slowly drops his hands from my arms. "I-I'm sorry…"

I give his shoulder a squeeze and walk past him. "It's alright, thanks for filling me in."

Eliza stands up the minute I enter the mentor room, a pained expression on her face. "Dash...I'm sorry."

I just nod and hurry over to the sponsor forms, racking my brain for the name of the medicine Mags had pointed out as I quickly fill out the form.

"What are you doing?" Eliza says, confusion clear in her voice.

"I'm going to save my tribute."

"Dash."

Her voice instantly has my head snapping up. Something's wrong, her eyes tell me all I need to know, and I feel the blood drain from my face, icy cold fear crawling back up my spine. "No."

I turn to the screens, scanning them frantically.

My eyes land on the one showing Ryder, lying beside a large bloodstain on the ground, he's unconscious...but he's not alone.

"Shit." I hiss, my fingers curling into fists. "Is that the tribute from nine? What's his name...Gareth?"

Eliza nods, crossing her arms as she turns to look at the screens. "He showed up just a few minutes after the hovercraft left."

I peer at the screen, if it wasn't for the night vision cameras it would be nearly impossible to distinguish Gareth's figure among the trees, his dark skin and hair acting like a natural camouflage.

"So he was, what? Waiting for the careers to leave? Why is he just standing there?" My voice is shaking, and I silently curse my weakness.

Eliza lays her hand on my shoulder, her voice concerned as she says. "Dash?"

I shake my head slightly, eyes still trained on the screens. "I'm fine." My stupid voice doesn't even have me convinced, but at the moment I have no other option than being fine.

Gareth is looking up at the sky, his face grim. Could he have witnessed what happened? Is he looking where the hovercraft disappeared?

He's armed with a javelin, several more strapped across his back. He turns to look down at Ryder, brow furrowing slightly in confusion. He glances quickly up at the sky again as the anthem plays and they show the tributes that died today.

His eyes widen when the anthem ends, and he quickly drops down at Ryder's side, hands moving toward his neck.

Panic seizes me, and I'm about to start shouting when Eliza's hand lands on my arm and grips it tightly.

"Dash, he's looking for a pulse...he thought Ryder was dead."

I frown. "Why isn't he…" And then it dawns on me. Gareth doesn't want to kill Ryder, Gareth wants to save Ryder.

I scramble for the sponsor form, finish filling it out and send it in record time.

"What are you doing?" Eliza asks again, clearly thinking I just wasted a lot of money.

"I don't think Gareth wants Ryder to die."

Eliza frowns, turning to survey the screens with me as Gareth's attention is drawn to the descending sponsor gift. He retrieves it, glances at the number on the case, glances at Ryder, and then opens it.

His face lights up when he sees the syringe and vial of medicine. Quickly, he reads the instructions on the bottle, fills the syringe, and injects the medicine into Ryder's neck.

There's a few moments of tense silence, then Ryder let's out a sigh and relaxes, the pained lines on his forehead smoothing as his breathing grows steadier.

Eliza and I both let out audible sighs and some of the tension in my shoulders relaxes.

Gareth seems relieved too, carefully storing the medicine away before collecting what remains of Ryder's things, hoisting him up on his shoulder and moving off into the jungle.

I frown. "What's he doing now?"

Eliza shrugs. "He wants him alive for some reason, my guess is he's taking him to wherever he's got a camp set up. Somewhere the careers don't know about so they'll both be safe until Ryder's back on his feet."

I rub my forehead. "Why would he save his life though? Ryder in his full health poses a very great threat to the other tributes. It would've made more sense for Gareth to just finish him off."

"Maybe he didn't want to get his hands dirty." Eliza says casually.

"Then he could've just left him to die on his own."

Eliza nudges me in the side. "Use that head of yours, you just said Ryder is a force to be reckoned with, right? Well Gareth is strong too, obviously since he's carrying Ryder around like a sack of potatoes. But he's not enough to take on the careers."

Realization sets in. "He needs Ryder to take down the careers."

Eliza nods. "So in the end it all boils down to self preservation after all. Although now that Jasper's on his own, who knows what's going to happen?"

I sigh. "Just one of the things that make the games so fun."

Before I can blink she has her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, pulling me close to her as she strokes my hair comfortingly. "I'm sorry, Dash." Her voice is heavy with emotion, and I allow myself this moment of weakness.

Wrapping my arms around her I bury my face in her shoulder, my body beginning to tremble again.

"I...I tried so hard…" I choke out, the weight of the day once more settling on me, crushing my chest.

She holds me even tighter, her athletic arms holding me in a viselike embrace that's almost painful, but I'm grateful for it.

"There was nothing you could've done. And you saved Ryder, don't forget that."

I let out a ragged sigh and allow her to comfort me as best as she can, her soothing rubs against my back and fingers running through my hair slowly ease the crushing weight on my chest.

But then the images and memories of earlier are flashing through my mind, and I stiffen, cringing away from her touch.

She releases me, and steps back quickly, realizing what's wrong. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't think…"

I shake my head, looking away from her. "It's...it's fine...I'm sorry I just…"

She nods. "I know."

There's a moment of silence, then I ask quietly. "How's it been for you lately?"

She shrugs. "Not so bad…though I have my suspicions as to why."

I don't respond, having guessed what she's going to say next even before the words are leaving her mouth.

"They're hungry for fresh merchandise. They're going to force Mags...you know that, right? And I have a feeling it's going to be sooner rather than later."

I can't even summon the strength to feel angry or disgusted, I just feel...tired.

"I know." I say quietly.

"It's been bad for the rest of us...but I honestly don't know if Mags can handle it."

I look up. "She's one of the strongest people I know."

Eliza nods. "That's one of the problems, she's stubborn."

"They'll kill her family, she would never put them in danger."

"That's where they get all of us, but Dash...none of us has ever been forced to do the things we have to while being in a serious relationship with someone. Leo and Heather are the exception, but they don't technically count since they're both involved anyway."

My stomach drops. "Felix…"

Eliza crosses her arms. "One, how do you think he'll react to Mags being forced into prostitution? Secondly, it's going to add a whole other layer of horror for Mags since she's got him."

I shake my head. "I can't let that happen to her. I won't."

Eliza shrugs. "What are you going to do, Dash? Take on the whole Capitol yourself?"

"Yes."

The shock on her face almost makes me laugh. Almost.

"What the hell are you talking abo-"

"I'll take all her requests to."

Her eyes widen in horror. "Dash you can't." Her voice is barely a whisper, raw with fear and panic.

"If that's what it takes."

She shakes her head. "It...it won't even work."

I attempt a cocky grin, but it comes off as more of a sad half-smile. "What if I died my hair blonde?"

Eliza looks far from amused.

I let out a sigh and rub the back of my neck, shuddering at how sensitive my skin is. "Maybe...maybe just agreeing to do more...it'll help satisfy them...for the time being."

Suddenly Eliza's hand is tilting my chin up, and a sad smile is curving her lips. "You really are a self sacrificing idiot, aren't you?" She drops her hand and places her hands on her hips, a familiar determined look lighting up her eyes. "Well then, I won't let you do it alone."

I feel horror wash over me, but before I can say anything, she has her finger pressed against my lips, and a glare that clearly states this isn't up for debate.

"Listen, there's nothing I can do to stop you from doing this, but I'll be damned if I'll let you do it alone." She shrugged. "Besides, if we split the workload it'll be easier on the both of us. It's simple logic."

I shake my head slightly. "I can't...I can't let you do this."

She snorts. "Since when do you "let" me do anything?" She softens slightly and the sadness returns to her eyes. "Besides...Mags is my friend too. The longer we can protect what little freedom and innocence she has left, the better. I'll gladly do what I can to help." Then before I can even open my mouth she's motioning toward the door. "Go on, your tribute doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger, you need a little time."

I frown. "For what?"

She gives me a look. "For yourself, to catch your breath, to deal with the past hours. Take a shower, change your clothes, go upstairs and breathe the fresh air."

I glance at the screens, hesitant to leave.

"Go on, I'll let you know if anything mildly interesting happens."

Realizing she's not going to take no for an answer, I nod and leave, deciding to follow her advice and shower.

I've just entered the hallway to the bedrooms, when I see Riker walking toward me and I stop dead in my tracks. He hasn't spotted me yet, his gaze directed downward as he walks down the hall, hands in his pockets.

My blood begins to boil and a familiar rage rises up in my chest, I try to fight it, but emotion is pushing logic and reason completely out of my mind.

"Riker."

He freezes at the sound of my voice, and gasps when I seize the front of his shirt. His brown eyes wide and bloodshot. "D-Dash." He stammers, his hands gripping at mine, trying to relieve some of the strain on his shirt.

He's two years older, but I've always felt like his senior, he has a naturally submissive personality from growing up in an abusive community home, he tries to hide it, but there are no secrets from me about the other victors.

I'm too furious to even speak, all the raging emotions in my head unable to be translated into coherent words, so I merely tighten my grip on his shirt and bring my face closer to his, eyes narrowed and hard.

He swallows, fear evident on his face. "I-I didn't...what- it's not my- we can't-" He stammers, trying to take a step back.

I drag him back and snarl, finally able to free the words from my throat. "How dare you."

"But I-"

"Shut up, I'm not finished talking yet."

His mouth snaps shut.

"My tribute is dead." My voice is flat, hollow. "Lisa is dead, because of your tribute. She was thirteen years old, she has a family, she just wanted to go home, she was sweet, and innocent, and kindhearted and now she's dead."

His eyes suddenly snap to mine, and I'm startled to see they're glassy with tears. "You don't think I know that?"

Shocked by the savagery in his tone, my grip on his shirt weakens, and he pulls away from me, shoulders quivering slightly.

"You...you think you and Mags are the only ones affected by this? You don't think we all are hurting inside because she's gone? None of us asked for this, Dash, none of us want this. I would rather go back in the arena myself than watch one more kid have their lives ripped from them because of this...this…" He looks away, jaw muscle twitching as he clenches his teeth. He roughly wipes the tears from his eyes. "Don't you dare assume the rest of us aren't hurting because of this. Don't you ever, do you hear me?"

Part of me is still wanting to punch him, but mostly I just feel ashamed, ashamed because he's right, ashamed because I wanted to take my own frustration and pain out on him. "I...I'm sorry."

He nods. "Yeah, I'll forgive you this once, just because of the circumstances." He points at me. "But don't blame me for something my tributes do ever again."

I nod and he walks past me, disappearing out the door a moment later.

After taking a very long, very hot shower, I feel immensely more relaxed, allowing the stress and grief to wash away from me with the soap bubbles. I had done this before, I knew what it was like to lose tributes. My mind betrays me and immediately flashes to watching Will die in Mags' arms.

I press my forehead against the cool tile of the shower stall, and close my eyes, forcing the memories away.

How could all this pain still be so fresh? Then a thought enters my mind that instantly pushes away my own feelings.

However bad this is for me, it is infinitely more horrifying for Mags. She's never been a mentor before, she was in the games only last year.

Quickly shutting off the water, I dry off and change into fresh clothes and go to Mags' room. I knock gently on the door, and a moment later it swings open to reveal Kaden.

He looks surprised to see me. "Dash…"

I motion over my shoulder. "El's watching the screens so I could shower and change."

I can see the dots connecting in Kaden's mind, and after a moment he nods. "Right."

I glance into the room, not able to catch much with his frame blocking the doorway. "How...how is she?"

He doesn't even answer, he doesn't need to, his eyes tell me everything I need to know.

"Oh…"

He opens the door wider and steps to the side. "You should be with her...if only for a little while. I'll go sit with El."

I give him a grateful nod, and then enter the room. He shuts the door as he leaves, and it takes me a moment for my eyes to adjust in the dim room.

"Mags?" I say quietly, trying to find her form in the room. I finally discover her curled up on the bed, lying on her side with her knees pulled up to her chest. She's shaking all over, her eyes are open wide but staring blankly into space.

I sit beside her and gently rest my hand on her shoulder.

She immediately jerks up, pulling away from me with a surprised gasp.

"Mags, Mags! Calm down, it's just me, it's Dash." I say quickly, holding my hands up calmingly.

She shrinks back up against the headboard and stares at me with wide, feral eyes. She looks like a trapped animal, scared and injured.

"D-Dash?" She says, her voice hitching.

"Yeah, I came to see how you were doing."

She blinks, murmuring under her breath and looking down to poke at the blanket.

"Mags?"

She finally looks up to meet my gaze, eyes still hollow and distant. "Dead." She says, her voice a hoarse whisper.

My heart is breaking, and I struggle with what to do. How can I possibly comfort her?

"I...I know."

She bites her lip and a small sob attempts to escape her throat, catching and getting strangled before it can escape her lips, turning it into a pitiful and heart wrenching whimper. "Dead...she's dead."

I reach for her, as she begins to shake her head and fall into hysterics.

"Dead...dead...they're all dead...I can't...I can never stop them...they're all...they're all going to die and leave me…"

I wrap my arms around her trembling body, noticing once again how much weight she's been losing. She feels so fragile, like a could shatter her body right along with her soul if I held her too tightly.

I don't bother trying to say anything. There's nothing I can say. No words of encouragement. No uplifting speech I can give. Things won't get better, if anything they'll get worse, I can't promise that she'll be alright, I can't tell her to be happy, because right now she needs to feel this pain.

So I just hold her and let her fall apart in my arms, crying and screaming and shaking uncontrollably. Shouting curses and abuse at anything and everything, including me. But I just stay silent and let her vent, thinking back to my actions not too long ago.

I'm not sure how much time has passed, but Mags had eventually grown quiet and still, her breathing evened out and calm. Now she is simply lying in my arms, completely limp against me.

"This too shall end."

I blink, having half dozed off. "Hmm?" I ask.

"I think I read that somewhere."

"Oh."

There's a pause, then she says. "The Capitol will fall, the good in this world won't tolerate this evil forever. I am going to be there when that happens."

I smile, feeling a swell of pride at her strength. "Yeah, me too."

She straightens up and turns to look at me, green eyes as stormy as an ocean tempest, cold as a gale wind, and as ruthless as the sea's power. "They can't break us."

"No they can't."

She lifts her chin up, and flashes the most confident and ruthless smile I've ever seen. "I'm going to be the winner, and there's nothing they can do to stop me."

I return her smile. "Then let's go prove they can't break us that easily."

She nods. "There's hell to pay, and it's coming to consume them, in the mean time let's do everything we can to show them how weak they really are."

I grin. "Let's go."