CHAPTER ONE

They found the elder Everdeen daughter just after she'd discovered her missing mother and sister. She was a mover, like Haymitch, and they discovered her flinging dishes against the wall in a fit of rage. Once they'd calmed her down a bit, she told them that she'd been out hunting, and when she'd returned, her house was empty and there was a note from Division tacked to her front door.

THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) HAS/HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO REPORT TO DIVISION HEADQUARTERS FOR MANDATORY TESTING:
EVERDEEN, PETUNIA
EVERDEEN, PRIMROSE
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DIVISION PROCEDURE WILL RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT.

"They just took them," she said, plopping down onto a chair in defeat. If I had known they were coming, I—"

"There was nothing you could have done," Effie broke in. "They'd have killed you. If you hid, they'd have found you."

"I know, I just—what do I do now? I have to get them back."

"No way, sweetheart," Haymitch said, shaking his head adamantly. "They're gone until Division decides they're through with them—if Division decides they're through with them."

"I can't just leave them there!" Katniss argued.

"Well, you can't go charging into Division demanding them back, either," Haymitch pointed out.

"There has to be something we can do, and I refuse to just sit here and be useless while they're doing god only knows what to my family!"

"Katniss, dear, you really must try to calm down—"

"How can you say that? What if they came for Haymitch? Would you be so happy to sit back and let them have him?" Katniss demanded.

Effie stiffened, looking over at him. "I—" She sighed. "Haymitch," she said pleadingly.

"No. Absolutely not, princess; I'm sorry, but I'm not risking all of our necks. It's not worth it."

"Not worth it?" Katniss shouted incredulously. "It's worth it to me, and I'm going with or without your help."

"Haymitch," Effie said again, reaching out and touching his arm. "We have to do something. What if it was me? Would you do nothing?"

Haymitch paused, knowing full well that he would demand action if Effie were taken from him, but not wanting to admit it. "Fine, we'll help," he agreed, "But if it starts getting too dangerous, we're out, got it?"

"Define 'too dangerous'," Katniss said.

"Look, kid, I can't make any promises. Division is full of very powerful, very dangerous people, and they're a lot stronger than a couple of movers and a watcher," Haymitch warned.

"I know the risks, and I know who they are. They killed my father, remember?" Katniss said, stone-faced. Years ago, her father had once been a part of a small group of rebels who had attempted to overthrow Division. Needless to say, they had failed miserably. "What about Peeta?"

"Peeta?" Haymitch asked, trying to put a face to the name.

"The Mellark boy," Effie reminded him, "He's a watcher, too, I think."

"He is, but his parents don't like him to use his ability. They're afraid Division will take him if he gets too good at it," Katniss explained.

"They're probably right about that," Effie said.

"What about him, then?" Haymitch asked.

"He'll want to help us," Katniss said.

"What good is a watcher who doesn't know anything about watching?"

"I can teach him," Effie offered. "Of course, that is, provided he's willing to assume the risk. I'm just not sure I like putting him in danger unnecessarily."

"Believe me, he'll insist. He knows I'd do it for him," Katniss said. "When can we start?"

"We should wait a day or two, figure out a plan," Haymitch suggested. "Besides, if we start anything right away, Division will get suspicious. We should find someplace else to meet – you never know how much they'll be watching."

"I have the perfect place," Katniss told them. "I'll show you tomorrow afternoon. That'll give me time to talk to Peeta."

"Just be careful about what you say to him, and don't do it here," Haymitch reminded her.

"I'll be careful," she vowed.

"We'll see you tomorrow, then," Effie said.

"Tomorrow it is."