Chapter 56 – Heroes and Villains, Disguised 1

AN: Sorry this is waaaay late and long overdue––RL and work ugh! Getting in the way with my writing. Lol I send my thanks to those who reviewed, alerted and favored Destiny. Much appreciation to the following: pumpkinging5, LACR, Buttercupbadass, Shellibug, baldcoder, Twink21, Browniangel, B Dizzy and guests. This chapter contain Madge's POV and is rated R for strong language. I don't not own THG. Any errors or mistakes are mine since I'm too lazy to get a beta. [and possessive, I admit lol].

Madge POV ––

After Rye's visit I was stunned for a few seconds before I returned to reality. I knew it was only a matter of time but I hadn't anticipated that it would happen this soon. All those nights of sneaking around, planning and strategizing, I'm scared to admit that I hope none of the plans were necessary––to help evacuate District 12 without any help from the rebels. We were on our own and it was the young adults, children of 12 who were planning our escape and evacuation. It was madness thinking about it let alone executing it.

Flashback ––

"We have to do it now, Madge, today," Rye insisted. "Darius…he feels that all of us are in danger and not just the citizens of District 12, but his peacekeepers as well."

"What do you mean?" I was dumbfounded. I didn't trust Darius as he was born and raised to be a peacekeeper, taking orders from President Snow. He was the enemy. But at the same time, I saw the conflict in him. He too was also from home––District 12. His loyalty was divided, his heart and his duty tore at him.

"Darius was given orders for all the peacekeepers and Capitol personnel to be removed and transferred today, Madge. All of them," he emphasized. "Why would Snow do that?" My heart raced. Complete removal of all personnel was not a good sign. Rye was right.

"Oh my God, Rye," I said as I raised a hand to cover my mouth. "How much time do we have?"

"A day at most but not any more than that."

"Rye, we can't evacuate a whole district in a day, that's…impossible," I nearly shrieked in horror. "I can barely get my parent to pay attention to me and listen to what I say about leaving home. Let alone our neighbors and friends." Everyone we knew especially the Merchants were skeptical and laughed at us when we approached them one night during a town meeting. Most of our neighbors scolded at us for creating panic and upheaval when we announced our plans incase of an emergency evacuation. We didn't know where but deep into the forest. It would be a mass exodus.

No one supported with the exception of Mr. Mellark. Everyone else was angry and scared. As mayor of District 12, dad was able to at least give our plans some thought claiming it wouldn't hurt to have an exit plan if we needed it in the near future. In other words they were humoring us and patted us on the head as they didn't take us seriously.

"We don't have a choice, Madge, it's now or never," Rye stated, his tone serious and calm. I started to hyperventilate. This was not happening, not now, but obviously that it was happening whether was prepared or not. I looked at his hand as he extended a keycard to me. "What's that?"

"Darius gave it to me. It's the key to their armory storage unit inside the Justice building," he informed me.

"What?" Darius gave him––

"Listen Madge, I don't have time to explain but get everyone together at the school gymnasium," Rye said. "In less than 24 hours, something is going to happen that even Darius suggested that we…I believe him. I can feel it." 'We're in danger.' "I'm going to get the guys to the storage unit."

"What about Darius? Where is he––"

"He's gone, Madge. Or will be soon." Abandoned. We were being abandoned and Darius knew it. He was giving us a fighting chance to survive opposing and disobeying Snow. Maybe I had misjudged Darius.

End of Flashback ––

"Mom, Dad, it's happening. We need to leave now," I announced. "Get the bags from the storage room and I'll get Toby."

"Woah, slow down, Madge," Dad said as he raised his hands. Mom was in the kitchen preparing lunch. My heart sank knowing that Dad was going to resist or not believe me.

"Dad, please listen to me," I begged. "Rye just found out that Darius was ordered to remove all the peacekeepers from District 12."

"What? Why? Why would––"

"Dad, stop," I bellowed. "I've been telling you for weeks that we needed a plan to help evacuate the people in District 12. That something bad was…could happen. I know that the mutt dog attacks weeks earlier was not an accident or a fluke. We were attacked by President Snow and his creation so don't stand there and deny it."

"Madge––"

"I'm not a little kid anymore, a kid that you have to protect. I'm a grown woman, an adult. I'm not stupid or naïve––"

"Madge, I know you not."

"Then stop treating me like a kid who doesn't know what's going on," I demanded. "I'm the Mayor's daughter. I've had my eyes and ears opened the moment Peeta was whipped by head peacekeeper Cray. Don't deny the fact that you've been in close quarters with the council. You've been making plans, right?" Dad looked sheepish and guilty.

"Madge, I'm sorry that you felt that I was not treating you like––"

"I'm way beyond that now, dad," I stated. "What's done is done. Mr. Garrett is the Mockingjay and you knew it, you knew for years."

"Please listen. Yes, I knew but it didn't mean that I was involved with them."

"Why not. Dad? Did you really want us…for Toby to be picked in the lottery when he reached his reaping age? You didn't want to fight for us?" I was lucky to have passed the lottery once I turned eighteen, but it was my little brother's turn. I was scared for him. If Prim Everdeen only had one tessarae and she was chosen, the odds of Toby being picked were high. My dad's position as the Mayor to 12 made him a slave to President Snow in order to control him. "Why?"

"Culpability," dad stated. "I'm the mayor. I needed to stay out of it. Garrett and I agreed that I couldn't get involved while I was the Mayor of 12. But it didn't mean I don't care, Madge." I sighed in relief. I didn't want to think that my own father was a coward. I knew there was only so much he could do. But as for me, Snow had no control over me.

"I understand Dad, but please, we need to go," I pleaded. "You know I'm right. With Darius and the peacekeepers leaving…something bad is going to happen."

"So they are leaving. Just like that?" I nodded my head. "I need to gather the town and the Seam. Now. I need to go to the town hall," Dad stated.

Within 20 minutes Dad had the locals gathered for those who were available as a few Seam attended while most of the men were still working in the mines. I looked around, as I couldn't find the Mellarks or Cartwrights. As a matter of fact, I couldn't find the Edgewoods either, Peeta's in laws.

"Listen, I'm not trying to create panic," Dad said. "But you cannot be naïve to figure out that something is happening. We have watched the number of peacekeepers leave our district in masse."

"What are you implying, Heath?" Mrs. Mellark spoke out. I flinched at the sight of the woman. When her divorce was finalized, Evelyn Mellark kept her married name even though she was dating another merchant, an older gentleman who worked at the train station.

My dad remained quiet for a few seconds then furrowed his brow as he addressed her. "You're a smart woman, Evelyn. I think we all know what is going on, but won't address the issue. Or we're afraid to admit what is happening."

"And what is happening?" Mrs. Mellark sneered. She was disrespectful and hateful towards my dad. She had been once she realized that Dad helped quicken Mr. Mellark's divorce. Dad had made it possible with the help of Mr. Abernathy to finalize her divorce proceedings within weeks and instead of months. Since then she made her hatred known to my father at any opportunity.

"As I said, I don't want to create panic, but we must face reality," Dad started. "For weeks we watched a large number of peacekeepers leave our district. Peacekeeper Darius has not said a word to me, none––an explanation of some sort. Though he is not bound to tell me anything." A few people around me nodded their heads. "So as our children has been telling us to weeks now, we are in danger. The presence of peacekeepers in our district has diminished substantially. We know something is wrong."

"Agreed," Mr. Maurtagh, the school principal said. "I do admit that there is….something happening. So what are we going to do about it?" My dad looked at me for a second and smiled.

"Well, as I said our children have been planning––" Knowing that dad had things in control, I left him to handle the meeting in search for Rye. I felt uneasy not seeing Mr. Mellark at the assembly. First, I ran to the Justice building passing groups of peacekeepers as they were on their way to the train stations. They were not discrete anymore as they left with their packs and belongings.

The first group of soldier left in the middle of night. We didn't even know they left until we noticed that there were fewer soldiers patrolling the town and seam. It wasn't until weeks later that we noticed their numbers were decreasing.

Inside the Justice building I came across a group of my classmates as they lined rifles and boxes of ammunition in thet foyer of the building. "Holy shit," I exclaimed. The whole room was filled from wall to wall. It was more than I had ever imagined but should have anticipated. "Where's Rye?" I asked a male classmate.

"He left abruptly with Darius," he answered. 'Darius?' That didn't bode well to me. I assumed he was leaving. What did he want with Rye?

Curious and worried, I ran towards the town. A loud screech sound in the air as the train arrived. I looked at my watch. It wasn't the usual train that was scheduled to arrive each day containing shipment for the merchants. I didn't pay much attention to it because I was more worried about Rye and his family wondering what Darius wanted. Just as I reached the bakery, I gasped in horror as I watched Darius escort Mr. Mellark with his hands behind his back, handcuffed. Behind Mr. Mellark was an angry Rye and Delly carrying Tyler in her arms. She had tears in her eyes as they ran down her cheeks; her lips trembled. I approached them. I turned to Rye and noticed that he too was handcuffed.

"What's going on Darius?" I asked calm but could feel my heart beat on my chest so hard. My throat was parched and my hands clammy.

"I…Ms. Undersee. I received orders to bring Mr. Mellark and his family to the Capitol," he explained. There was a strain and guilty look on his face. 'Shit, shit,' the words repeated in my head. Snow was taking Peeta's family hostage. If they left it was a guarantee he would never see them again. 'Fuck.' They would be tortured for information, imprisoned in exchanged for Peeta to surrender himself––

This was not happening to his family. It was too much to absorb but they were right in front of me.

"Darius, you can't…how could you––"

"I'm sorry but orders came through minutes ago," he stated. "I have to do my job. I have no choice."

"You have a choice, Darius," Rye seethed in anger. "Look around you. You know we…this district is in danger and you're taking us to the Capitol."

"I'm sorry––" he started.

"I thought…I thought we were your friends, Darius," I accused him. "Once you deliver Rye and his family to Snow, you know what will happen to them."

"I'm a soldier––"

"You're a human being, a decent human being or so I thought." Darius winced. For second he looked ashamed but then he squared his shoulders and shrugged. "How could you even think of…delivering the Mellarks to the Capitol, Darius? You're marching them to be imprisoned or to their death."

"It's know use talking to him, Madge. Don't waste your time," Rye bellowed. "Fuck me for trusting him."

"Rye, please," Delly pleaded. "You're scaring Tyler." Baby Mellark's mouth puckered his eyes rimmed with tears as he extended his arms toward Rye, wanting the comfort of his uncle's arms around him.

"Sh, Tyler," Rye said as his demeanor changed to comfort his nephew. "Uncle Rye's not going to shout anymore." Tyler opened and closed his fingers as he leaned towards Rye wanting to be carried by him. "Hey, Tyler. I can't…can't hold you right now." He turned to his wife, a pleading and desperate look in his eyes. Delly pressed Tyler's back and placed his head on the crook of her shoulder. He simpered from what he interpreted as Rye's rejection. "Don't cry, Tyler please!" My heart broke watching them.

"Hey, Ty" Delly said as she flicked a lock of her blond hair to him. He immediately clasped the hair into his hands, temporarily mesmerized.

"Darius, please think of what you're doing," Mr. Mellark intoned.

"Let them go, Darius," I implored. "Don't do this to them."

"I am peacekeeper Darius, interim head peacekeeper for District 12," he announced straightening his posture as if he was puffing his chest like some damn rooster over a hen house. "I am herewith ordered by President Snow to escort the Mellark family to the Capitol."

"Fuck you, Darius," I said, gnashing my teeth. "What a load of crap."

"I am sorry, Ms. Undersee. If you will excuse me," he pressed. Darius nodded his head and proceed to walk to the train station. I'm numb and scared. I couldn't let this happen. Not after Peeta and his family have gone through––losing Graham and Sonja, Peeta volunteering because of Prim, then he and Katniss on the run for their lives and now this?

I followed them from a discreet distance. My mind swirled with thoughts of how I could help the Mellarks. I couldn't trust anyone to help me. I was alone.

Darius walked them into a small building located on the boarding platform. An idea percolated in my mind and I didn't even think about the consequences of what I was about to do. I just knew I had to something, anything to help my friends and their family.

I thought of Katniss. What she would do if her family were in danger? Then I thought of Peeta thinking how devastated he would be to know his family were prisoners in the Capitol. So I had to act, swiftly and justly. No time to change my mind. I ran to the Justice building my heart in my throat. 'Oh god, oh god,' I repeated in my head. I had to do this, as I too had no choice. 'Aunt Maysilee, please give me strength,' I prayed.

I grabbed the first rifle I found leaning against the wall. I was unaccustomed to the weight since it was not like the wooden guns my dad had in our home. He never used them but had them in case. I begged him to teach me how to use a gun when I was young but he refused. So as I got older I fought him tooth and nail until he relented.

I never gave it any thought but I knew for some reason I needed to learn. If Katniss Everdeen could handle a bow and arrow, I could muster the nerve and strength to use a firearm. 'Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.' I chanted in my head. My hands were clammy unused to the feel of the metal surface of the rifle. It was too slippery unlike the wooden stock I was used to. The rifle was long, sleek and cumbersome. It was singled barreled with a scope attached. If I had a moment to spare I would have appreciated its craftsmanship and design––a beautiful lethal killing machine.

"Madge, where are you going?" someone shouted from behind me. I was too angry and scared to care or wonder who it was.

I ran to the train depot and stopped at the front of small building I knew Darius was keeping the Mellarks. I inhaled a long deep breath then exhaled, feeling the air compress my lungs. My hands gripped at the rifle as I turned off the safety. "I can do this, I can do this. Fuck," I exclaimed as my mouth felt chalky and dry.

I barged into the room, rifle aimed high with my finger on the trigger. Darius quickly turned around, his rifle aimed at my head. "Madge?" He looked shocked and horrified.

"What the fuck, Madge," Rye shouted. "Shit!" He stood up from his seat, Delly next to him hugging Tyler close to her chest.

"Madge?" Mr. Mellark's soft voice filled the air. He looked stunned and scared. "What are you doing?"

"You're not taking then, Darius," I stated in a firm tone. My knees felt wobbly and my arms strained from the weight of the metallic rifle. 'Shit, it was heavy.' But I took a deep breath and cocked the gun at Darius.

"Yes, I am, Ms. Undersee," he persisted. A sheen of sweat formed on his forehead. "Please put the rifle down. I don't want to hurt you. I don't have time to play games." I scoffed. Since when did we ever play games? I hardly addressed or spoke to Darius. Mind you, I knew he had a crush on me. After watching Peeta with Katniss, I knew the signs and I didn't want to lead on him. I looked at Darius's red hair and fair complexion. He was a handsome man with green eyes and a strong chiseled jaw line. Physically he was my type, but beyond the exterior of a man, he was not what I needed or wanted. I wanted someone like Peeta or Rye––men with silent strength and courage. They knew how to treat a woman––as their equal and life partner. I wanted that kind of relationship.

Darius had strength but he was tainted––Capitol raised and breed to believe they were better than us. Though he was half District 12, he was Capitol through and through. His doing his job by obeying Snow's orders magnified the fact that he wasn't really one of us.

"Don't do this, Madge," Mr. Mellark also stood up. "Does you father know what you're doing?"

"I'm not kidding around, Darius. I said I wasn't going to let you take them," I said. I tried to remain calm, but my heart beat so hard I thought it was about to burst.

"Please Madge," Darius begged. He looked sincere but I had started this and I couldn't stop. "If you put the gun down, I'll forget about all this and let you go home to your family. You do realize that you have committed a crime against the Capitol by threatening me with a gun?" I harrumphed. I was my father's daughter as I knew the by laws inflicted on the citizens of Panem. Peeta was whipped for being accused of murdering Cray's nephew. I had literally and openly pointed a gun at a peacekeeper––a criminal act punishable by 30 lashes and one year's incarceration. That's if you lived the lashes.

"Sorry, Darius," I said as I shook my head. My arms strained some more and I felt tired.

"I doubt you know how to use that, Madge," he insinuated. "A girl like you––"

"A girl like me? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" I said, my ire raise as I felt insulted.

"I mean, you're too delicate…you've lived a sheltered life as the mayor's daughter," he said nonchalantly. He talked as if he knew me. "What do you know of guns––"

"I know plenty," I interjected. "Wanna test me?" He was pissing me off. How dare he assumed to know me.

"Listen to him, Madge," Rye said, his voice soft and calm. "Don't do this. I don't want you to get hurt. We'll be okay. Listen to Darius and put the rifle down before you get hurt." Darius looked at Rye and myself, a look surfaced on his face.

"No you won't," I insisted. "I remembered how Peeta looked like when he came back from his visit from the Capitol." He looked beaten, not physically but mentally and emotionally. It was like the Capitol stole a part of him that he never recovered. "You know why Snow wants you there, Rye. Once you set foot in the Capitol, I know you'll never leave come back."

"Madge, Snow wants us because of Peeta," Rye said. "It was only a matter of time he was coming after us. Don't get involved. You…you have District 12 to take care of."

"But, Rye…" I began. Words got stuck in my throat. He was talking about our plans. Who was to help the town if anything happened to Rye and myself?

"You make me proud of you, Madge," Mr. Mellark commented. "I do hope Heath appreciates and knows what a brave and caring person you have become, but Rye is right. I could not live with myself if anything happened to you. Just put the gun down––"

"No!" I spat back.

"Listen to Mr. Mellark," Darius placated. "You'll only get hurt and if you continue this insanity, your family will pay for your act of treason and disobedience." He lowered his gun and aimed it on the floor. "You don't have to prove anything."

"You listen asshole, Mr. Mellark is not my father," I blustered as my anger grew. "So I don't have to listen to him. As for proving anything, this…" I gestured with a sway of the rifle to his head. "…is not me trying to prove anything."

"Madge, please," Rye begged. "Don't do this." I couldn't stop as I was way in too deep. I didn't trust Darius. He eyed Rye and me, a look on his face appeared like... 'Oh, god.' I hope he wasn't…I shook my head.

Rye took a step towards me when suddenly Darius hit him on the head. The impact was hard enough that Rye landed on the ground. "You didn't have to him to my son, Darius," Mr. Mellark yelled as Delly screamed. She knelt on the ground next to Rye. He groaned.

"What the fuck did you hit him for?" I asked furious and impatient.

"You're in love with him?" Darius sneered. "I thought you were just trying to fool me because I thought Rye wasn't a cheater. I gave Rye a break because of his dad so I didn't report the both of you. And here I thought it was just coincidence that I caught the both of you breaking curfew, but you two are having this illicit––"

"What the fuck?" I'm confused and stunned. "What are you talking about?"

He had that look on his face I've seen before––one so familiar that it left me feeling cold and uncomfortable. He looked like Gale Hawthorne with his eyes squinted and his teeth bared. Darius wore the look of rage and jealousy. The same look on Gale's face when he saw Peeta and Katniss together. The sneer and disgust Gale couldn't hide. "All this time, I kept thinking why is Rye so concern over you with his own wife sitting next to him. It's because you two are really having any affair and––" I snickered and kept my rifle aimed at his enormous egotistical head. "You think I don't remember you two sneaking around the day I incarcerated Mr. Mellark overnight?" The same night Peeta and Katniss escaped from the Capitol and Mockingjay revealed his identity.

I laughed. "Oh my god," I blurted once I contained my laughter. "You think I'm in love with Rye?"

"Well, considering how he's begging for you to drop your gun like some concern lover––"

"Because he's my friend. He's a friend married to my other friend, his wife Delly. And…and you're an idiot and as asshole." He winced as I wanted to insult him further.

"Darius? I don't understand," Mr. Mellark said as he stood over his son standing between them. "Why did you hit Rye, he's handcuffed. He couldn't hurt or cause any trouble."

"You ask Rye," Darius sneered. "I know you two are having an affair I just didn't see it until now." Rage filled his eyes. He was unrecognizable and scary that even Mr. Mellark looked concern for his son's life.

"My husband is not having an affair with Madge," Delly defended Rye as he sat up. "Honey, are you okay?"

"What happened?" he asked, his eyes still closed as he head swayed back and forth.

"Darius. Peacekeeper Darius hit you in the head," I snorted.

"Huh, why?" Rye looked surprised and lost.

"Because he thinks you and Madge are having an affair," Delly said as she switched carrying Tyler from her left side to her right. "It's so stupid and ridiculous." Rye nodded his head and smiled at his wife.

"It is ridiculous," he repeated.

"Ditto," I replied in turn. "Besides, I like Peeta better." Delly and Rye chortled.

"You would," Rye snickered.

"Well, I like his ass and he makes better cheese buns than you do." I wasn't kidding about Peeta's round, muscular ass that fit his wrestling onesies especially the red ones accentuating his––

"Stop. Can't you see they are flirting with each other?" Darius interjected as he addressed Delly. 'What?' The guy needed a sense of humor. I just admitted to ogling Peeta's ass and cheese buns––declaring which Mellark boy I was choosing over Darius.

"Don't…that's not flirting, Darius," Mr. Mellark interpreted. "They're joking. They are joking around. Rye and Madge are friends and have been since they were children. They would never…Rye would never cheat on Delly."

"It's obvious you are jealous of my friendship with Rye," I stated. "What's it to you if Rye and, which I vehemently deny, are having an affair. Is it really any of your business if it as even remotely true which it isn't." He looked unconvinced.

Darius bit his upper and lower lips as if he was trying to contain his anger. "I know flirting when I see or hear it. Stand up!" he ordered Rye. "I'm turning you all in. You too." He pointed his rifle to me. Was he so jealous of Rye and our imaginary affair that he couldn't see reason. I thought that affliction only pertained to Gale in regards to his obsession with Katniss, but Darius? I didn't even noticed him let alone wanted anything to do with him. Did I encouraged him somehow?

"What the fuck, Darius," Rye seethed. "Are you that jealous of an nonexistent affair between Madge and me? We are not having an affair damnit."

"Then what were you both really doing two nights ago that was so important for you to sneak out and break curfew, huh? I never suspected or believed that you were having an affair but she's important to you. I can tell by the way you look at her. You're attracted to her."

"Madge is my friend," Rye yelled. "How many times do I have to tell you to believe me?"

"Doesn't look like it to me. It doesn't matter. Ms. Undersee is committing a crime and I'm taking her in."

"I don't think so," I returned.

"What? You're going to shoot me?" Darius laughed. "You don't have it in you. You're not a killer."

"Darius, let Madge go, please," Mr. Mellark begged on my behalf. I appreciated his protectiveness but I didn't need it. "Don't get her involved in this." Darius vehemently shook his head.

"No," he said with finality. The air was thick and hot. I felt smothered all of a sudden. "She's my prisoner too."

He was still angry for…my friendship, Darius didn't see reason or logic. I guess anger and jealous affected even the most rational and level-headed person. "No, Ms. Undersee threatened me, and by law she committed a crime." he said. "I cannot forgive or overlook her actions. She will accompany us."

'Oh I don't' think so.' "How is that going to happen, Darius?" I inquired as I took a step forward. I was no longer scared but furious. I didn't return his feelings as his jealousy blinded any reason or logic. He was convinced I was having an affair with Rye. "Because I'm not going to put my gun down."

"I won't hesitate to shoot, Madge," threatened. "You're a nice girl and all but, I have a job and duty. My job is to maintain order and––" I wanted to vomit as he spewed his creed to Snow and the Capitol. As I said, he was half Capitol and District 12, but he was a soldier through and through with his fealty to a monster.

The sound of a whistle blew signaling a train was about to depart or arrive. I couldn't tell at this point since I lost track of time. I was used to the sound but to Darius, it startled him. He turned his head to the sound. Taking advantage of surprise and confusion on Darius's part, I aimed and fired. Instinctively, Darius fired as well, striking me on the arm grazing my skin. I was too shocked to react at first.

It was only seconds but it felt like time stood still. I reacted out of fear and self-preservation. The gun in my hand felt like it was on fire. Or was it me? I expected a loud sound and some recoil from the rifle as I pulled the trigger, but no sound was heard or push felt––just a hot feeling in my hands against the smooth metal with the smell of burned oil hovering in the air.

Darius's eyes were wide like the size of saucers, his mouth slightly opened. He dropped his rifle. The gun landed on the floor with a loud thump; its' butt denting the wooden planks. Red liquid seeped through Darius's white armor. It grew larger and larger as it trickled from the small whole.

A sound emitted through his mouth like a gurgle. He looked down at his chest and raised his hand touching the red spot on his torso. The liquid covered his fingertips as his hands shook. He was surprised, not believing what happened to him. I shot him, dead center on his chest. My first shot, my first kill. I swallowed bile as it threatened to choke me.

Delly gasped or screamed. I thought she screamed as she held a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. Mr. Mellark looked stunned. "Madge?" Rye called out to me, his eye wide and round like Darius's. "Madge, look at me." I blinked my eyes.

"Madge?" he repeated my name. My name is Madge Undersee, I am the daughter to Heath Undersee, the Mayor of District 12. 'I'm not a killer.' I blinked again just as Darius fell on ground falling into an unceremonious heap on the floor; his face and body facing downward.

"Is he dead?" Delly asked. This was a dream, it felt like a nightmare but it was real. I had killed Peacekeeper Darius. 'I'm not a killer.'

"Oh, Madge," Mr. Mellark lamented. I was sure he was going to be angry with me but I was surprised to see sorrow in his eyes. He was sad for me and worried. Me, I was…stunned and felt listless. But I shook off that feeling and darted towards Darius's body checking his pockets.

"What are you doing?" Delly cried out. I dug my hand into his belt which had a small pouch attached and fished out a pair of keys. Without a single word, I unlocked Mr. Mellark and Rye's shackles, their cuffs clanged on the floor.

"You need to leave now," I said as I didn't recognize the sound of my own voice. Like someone else was talking.

"Madge, you just killed Darius," Rye stated the obvious. I expected Darius to rise from the floor. Hoping that the last few seconds didn't happened. That I was in a middle of nightmare.

"And it's my mess I have to clean after––"

"Madge?" Mr. Mellark approached me. His eyes were kind and soft. "You took a very big risk for us. I'm not about to leave you to take care of this by yourself."

"But––"

"Just stop for a moment," he advised. "You were very stupid, careless…" I inwardly sobbed, a pit formed in my stomach and an ache in my chest. "…and very brave to confront Darius." 'I'm not a killer.' "You stopped him from taking us to the Capitol. I didn't want this to happen."

I placed both hands on my face to cover my eyes dropping the rifle on the ground. "It's okay, Madge. You had to…you had no choice." He extended his arms offering me comfort. He reminded me of Peeta, his eye blue soft and comforting with no recrimination behind them. I sobbed in his arms as soon as he held me wishing he was my dad. I miss Miller so much at this moment. The pain on my upper arm started to ache and burn. This was reality; this was hell as I recovered from shock feeling the open wound on my skin. Darius's body remained on the ground, no sign of life.

Rye reacted fast. "Dad, we have to hide Darius's body," he instructed. Mr. Mellark nodded his head.

"Delly, you and Tyler run back to the bakery. Don't open the door," he ordered. She left without an argument.

"I feel sick," I muttered. Mr. Mellark led me to a chair.

"Stay here Madge, and don't move." Rye and Mr. Mellark lifted Darius's body off the ground. Below him was a pool of blood seeping through the wooden floor. They hid his body inside a crate, a container that normally used to transport luggage and deliveries. "You go straight home and get your family out of 12. Tell your dad everything. All of you are not safe anymore. You're dad's position as mayor won't save you."

I killed a peacekeeper. Someone I knew that a few people trusted, but the Darius I knew had a darkness inside him. I felt it whenever he looked at me.

Just as we were about to leave the building I looked out the window. A train sat on the tracks. It was a line I wasn't familiar with but it had the Capitol logo on the sides, the icon imprinted on the steel walls. They were five cargo transports. "What the hell––" Rye started.

When suddenly all five cargo doors opened wide. I raised my hand to my mouth stifling a scream. Once the doors were wide opened, large groups of mutt dogs jumped out onto the landing. They were at least 20 in each compartment. They were larger than the mutt dogs that had attacked the districts weeks before. They had sharp razor teeth and claws with red beady eyes. "Oh my god," I uttered underneath my breath.

"Oh shit," Rye mumbled.

"Oh my god," Mr. Mellark voiced.

I picked up my rifle and Darius's and shoved one into his hands. "Rye, let's go," I said. He stared at the weapon for a second.

"I don't know how to use it," he admitted. I wasn't surprised but didn't think anything of it. He was baker so of course, he didn't know how to shoot.

"It's okay, Rye," I said with a bit of encouragement.

"I don't know if I can do this."

"You can. Here's the trigger, just aim, point and shoot." Screams and sounds of windows breaking filled the air.

"Delly, oh my god," Rye cried out. "Delly is home alone with Tyler and––"

"Don't panic, Rye," Mr. Mellark advised him. "Take a deep breath." Rye nodded his head as he gripped the rifle in his hands. "You can do this. You can do this for Delly, Tyler and your baby."

Suddenly, the building shook from its foundation rocking us back and forth for a few seconds. "What the hell was that?" Rye yelled.

"I don't know," Mr. Mellark answered. "It felt like an earthquake but..."

"But what?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," he returned.

"We're wasting time," I said as more screams and sounds of gunfire filtered the air. "We need to go now." My dad, mom and brother were in danger and they needed me. "Ready, Rye?" He nodded.

We stepped out and I fired. Rye raised his rife and aimed, he missed and hit the side of the train. He shot again and missed again. "Fuck," he swore in frustration.

"Son, relax. Don't get mad and impatient," Mr. Mellark said.

"This…this is not…" Rye stumbled with his words.

"Rye, you're okay. Aim and shoot," I instructed. Rye took a deep breath, aimed again and fired, but this time his aim was true as he hit a mutt dog by his hindquarters. It yelped in pain. The dog turned his head at Rye. "Shoot, Rye, shoot. You just maimed it." He shot again and hit it on its neck. We didn't have time to celebrate for his accomplishment but I was proud of Rye. He looked relieved and I felt a sense of determination.

"Let's go," I screamed. We ran towards the town, it was chaos everywhere as both merchant and peacekeepers fired at mutt dogs ravaging the town. To my surprise, Merchants were equipped with firearms to defend themselves while peacekeepers fought alongside them.

Just as we reached the main street that led to the center of the town, a large hum buzzed above us. I looked up into the sky shielding my eyes from the sun. Drones, hundreds of them hovered above us. "Fuck."

One drone opened its underbelly revealing a circular object––an orb. The large orb dropped on the ground. The object splintered into pieces splattering blood on the ground. Another hit a peacekeeper showering him from head to shoulders. In a blink of an eye, a mutt dog on was him clamping his jaw around his head. The peacekeeper screamed in agony.

"Dad, watch out," Rye screamed as he shoved his father aside. The round, blood-filled object barely missed him as it splat on the ground. From above blood rained upon us hitting everyone––peacekeepers, merchants and Seam alike. It wasn't selective.

As we ran more drones appeared but they flew past the Merchant section and headed towards the Seam. From a distance, I watched the drones dropped orbs in the area. Horrified, fire rose from the horizon. The drones were dropping incendiary bombs instead of blood.

"Shit, run," I yelled as I dodged orbs that pelted us from the air.

"Madge, get your family and meet us at the Justice building," Rye shouted.

"What? Why?"

"Just do it, I don't have time to explain. Just trust me," he pleaded.

I ran towards my home as Rye and his dad ran towards the bakery. I had no time to lament over our situation as we were on our own to save District 12 from Snow's wrath. A thought formed in my head as I ran passed dead bodies and the chaos that surrounded me. Where was Mockingjay?

AN: Thank you for reading this chapter. I hoped you have enjoyed reading it. . Lololol Too much? Too many characters and incidents to remember? I didn't mean to make this so complicated but I felt that certain characters needed to be written to further Peeta and Katniss's storyline. Sorry! So I won't keep you guys hanging, there will be another update soon like in a few days. Sooner than you think. More reviews means encouragement and inspiration to continue. Thanks again. Have a great rest of the week.