"After interest in the Games drops to an all time low, President Snow is determined to regain the once amazing popularity. Twelve tributes. One 'arena.' And one game-changing twist. Welcome to the 80th Hunger Games, the Rebirth."

~ The Rebirth Games ~

Chapter Twelve:

Mockingjay

It's like my whole entire life is flashing before my very eyes. My father helping me reel in fresh fish from the lake when my height was just up to his knees. My mother laying out the checkered blanket across the grassy slope for our picnic evening. Cas and Seidon laughing away at their own obnoxiously pun-filled jokes. Maris growling with her arms crossed at the two, unimpressed at their typical cheesy commentary of the world around them.

I remember it all. All because of the sharp blade of the knife in his hand.. At least I think it's a he. It definitely has a masculine presence, whatever it is. Human or machine behind the mask or not. The mask. A pointed eagle's beak sticks straight out with a dagger-like tip end. Small black slits for eyes, semi-blocked by sheets of golden-brown feathers. Maybe they even have a hint of orange to them. Orange like a fire. Like the rebellions years ago, growing from a small flickering flame. That's where this design is from. The Mockingjay. No longer is it a symbol of hope, a symbol of rebellion. Now it's a deathly grim figure charging at me, ready to seal my fate.

The entire body is just like the Mockingjay symbol. More smooth feathers, but at the waist is where it changes. Thick leather the same color of the auburn fabric above leads down to a pair of high boots. The top of a small. The bottom looks more of a woman with slick, curved waists. But all of it is finished off with a huge cape of the same colors from the suit: dark browns, ferocious oranges, shiny golds. And as the Mockingjay person charges across the room, their cape flickering in their own wind that their speed is creating, my fist clenches hard on my blade.

Maris.

Is it her? Is this what she was warning me about? Don't trust anyone is what she warned me. Maybe she meant it about herself? But my questions are answered all too soon. It's not her. I know it's not her. Because she would never try to kill me, even if the Capitol forced her too. I fling myself to the left just as the Mockingjay slashes their blade through the air. It lodges itself straight into the wood door and they struggle to yank it out.

I remain frozen for a few seconds. My brain won't activate. Thoughts aren't flowing straight. Out the window. Hide under the bed. Attack the person. Kill them. I have my own knife! Stab them to death! NO. I can't bring myself to do it. But instead I'm not given an option to take. Instead I must take what comes for me, because within a split second the metal cling of the knife rings in the room as the Mockingjay fully pulls it out from the wood.

I raise my arm up in defense, just hoping with every last wish in my head that they would just stop. That they would just stop and listen to my pleas as I beg for no injuries. But instead they carry on like a ruthless warrior. Like a dangerous killing machine gone out of control. Almost like a robot, showing no human traits, no staggered walk or tossing of their head. It's like they have no soul. No brain. No personality at all. It's not human at all, yet I can't help but feel deep down inside that it is indeed a human being.

The sharp end of the knife rips open a gaping hole in my sleeve. I jump back in fright, watching as small clusters of thread gently float down to ground. Now my plain black shirt has a strange patch of paleness on my arm: exposed skin. But then I notice it's bleeding. A small cut, barely any injuries done. Yet I can't hold back no longer. The bitch has finally got to me physically and mentally.

I swipe my blade against the cheek of their bird mask and they don't dare to flinch. It's like I haven't touched them at all. They continue on, stabbing their knife towards me as I continue to hop and skip my way backwards. Then my legs crash into what I can only think is the end of my bed, I wobble and collapse over the sheets. The Mockingjay pauses for a moment, reaching their hand out and slowly dragging their index finger across my forehead. It's only now that I get a good look at their fiery red gloves running all the way up their arms and slowly into the feathered sections of the suit. I think they've stopped, they have finally given up.. Nah. Of course that's not the case. After they ring their finger around my skin for a brief few seconds, with both hands they quickly raise their knife into the air.

They were only trying to figure out with place to stab first.

I scramble to the side, roll off the side of the bed and my head slams onto the carpet. The knife injects through the covers and I get to my feet. I run at a fast pace straight towards the door. I open it, leap into the hallway and slam it shut just as the killer's dagger slices through the wood right by my shoulder. I can't explain how fast I run. It's beyond impossible how fast I run, because it's not until a few meters down the hall that I hear the door open up behind me. I spin around the bend, down the steps - in fact I trip and tumble down the last two - and into the living room. I scan around, looking desperately for places to hide. Tables, rugs, lamps... Everything is useless...!

..except the sofas.

I jump - no, I leap - no, I dive across the room and squeeze my way straight under the plush settees and I slow down my breath. My heart beats so fast in my chest that I feel it could appear in my mouth any second. I shut my eyes, try to freeze myself and stay as silent as possible... But that's hard once I hear the attacker coming once again.

The loud clicking of their hard boots against each and every step down the staircase. I peer out with one eye open, watching as they step onto the soft carpet and they walk completely silent. Slowly and steady. They ring around every object in the room until I see the feet go past one of the sofas and they're gone from my sight. I'm about to gasp, cries desperately trying to scream from my mouth. I cover it with my hand and keep my eyes focused on the flowered patterns across the wallpaper in front of me.

It's okay. Are will be laughing it off in the morning. It's okay. Tren will be hugging me and assuring me all day. It's okay. Fern will tell me that she'll go ahead and kick this guy's butt.

BAM!

Two boots slam down literally centimeters away from me, just beside the sofa. I can see every little crease and detail on the shoes, I can even smell the fresh scent of roses from the person themselves.. whoever it is, anyway.

They take a step forward, and another, and another. It's any second now that I'll pass out. Do they know I'm here? Are they just messing with me, about to hop me now any moment? Or are they totally oblivious? And I'm not sure I'll ever find out. The Mockingjay figure marches away and vanishes into the darkness of the living room.

No way do I come out just yet. It takes me a minute or two.. Okay, maybe five or six. But eventually I wriggle back out onto the carpet on my stomach and I raise to my feet. It's like the temperature has dropped several degrees since I first encountered that person in the suit.. Or maybe it's just the pure shivers that I got from their presence.. And it leaves me to wonder, who the hell was it?

I hear a creak, I spin my head up, and standing there at the top of the stairs is no one other than Crazy. His foot barely presses against the first step and it lets out another creaky sound.

"Get back," I say sternly, raising my knife into the air. "I know it was you."

He gives me a puzzled look.

"You need to speak for once, you little swine. Speak or else you won't get the chance to defend yourself! I'll let them all know!"

"Know what?" I feel like my heart has dropped when I hear the voice. Except that voice is not from Crazy. It's from behind me. I spin on my heels, look to the left at the kitchen and I see a silhouette shining in the moonlight.

"I was thirsty so I came down stairs for a glass of water.." Igneous says in his deep voice. "What's the deal?"

"How did you get into the kitchen if I was here all this time?" I ask.

"Because I was here before you.." he says. "Duh."

"No.. Maybe it's because you're the one that attacked me!"

"Attacked you?" he says, sipping on his glass. "Why would I attack you?"

"Well if it wasn't you..." I whisper. "It was-"

I spin around only to see that Crazy has vanished. "Oh shit."

I sprint straight up the stairs, Igneous yelling for me to come back and explain myself, but I ignore him. I look to the right down the hall where my room is only to see Crazy standing there, his back arched and staring down at the ground in a ghoulish position. I don't know what to do, I'm confused. Puzzled. Why does he keep acting this way? Then he starts to move forward, so I move back. I run down the opposite hallway screaming things like "go away! I know you were in that Mockingjay suit!"

The first door I encounter. I instantly turn the doorknob, leap inside the darkness and shut it behind me. I take a deep breath, feeling relieved even if it's just for a few seconds, because then I hear panting. My hand navigates the wall for the light switch, my finger flicks it up only to reveal Solly and Obedience kissing on the bed.

Author's Note:

OH MY GOD! Did you guys expect all that?!

Hello everyone! Welcome to Chapter Twelve of The Rebirth Games: Mockingjay! Mockingjay OBVIOUSLY because we have a killer on the loose... And remember, I confirmed that this was the person who killed Mara.. I just wanted Danix to be the first person to unveil the Mockingjay to you lot considering he's the main character, so that's why I didn't describe the suit during Mara's death. It also adds to the Psycho homage considering you don't see the killer in that iconic death in Psycho!

Also, congratulations to ColMikeFuser who guessed it right! It was from Psycho...!

In case you didn't notice, I have a clear theme going on here... Psycho references? A mysterious killer dressed as the Mockingjay? Nobody knows who it is? There are... SUSPECTS?! Danix had a... CHASE SCENE?! Mhmm... I'm not saying anything yet, but I think you might know where these Games are heading. ;)

TRUST ME when I say that everything about the Games will be made clear in the NEXT CHAPTER! Yes, I have teased you all for so long. It's about time everything is cleared up... (even though I basically gave it away in this chapter and the last few.. but whatever! Nothing's better than having it be official! c:)

So what did you think?! Remember, let me know in a review who your favorite character is apart from Danix and who you think the Mockingjay is! Boy oh boy, if you liked this chapter, you're in for a ride. Expect lots more of these sort of chapters.. Lots of mystery, attacks, chases... DEATHS! OOOOHHH WEEEEE!

Don't forget to stay tuned for Chapter Thirteen! 13, hmm? Isn't 13 an unlucky number? ;)

Expect some 'unluckiness' in the next chapter, chapter thirteen, coming soon. ;)

Thank you all so much for reading, byeeeee! :D