I hope that all of you enjoy long chapters, because this one is going to be long. I can feel it. There's a lot going on in this chapter. Did Liz and Miklisho's letters get received? What's going on with Liz and Miklisho now? Will Alice and Liz take the warning and do what they are supposed to do? There are also going to be some more things in this chapter, like Liz's punishment. And the wedding dress shoot will be in the next chapter. Finally! I have been so frantic in trying to find some awesome, Capitol and Liz worthy dresses, and thanks to a few awesome people that sent me dresses, I now have some for your voting pleasure. Thanks so much to Brandi Young, A Sparkle Princess, Obviously Annoyed, and Ella Noelle Forever for submitting dresses. Each one of you had a dress that I liked, and that made the final five. I am going to have a poll on my profile for voting on the dress options. I think they all have some potential…I have my eye on one, but like in the books, I will allow the "Capitol citizens" to vote on the dress…and I shall be waiting ever so patiently for that result. The poll will close one week after this chapter is posted…whenever that may be. Thanks so much! Enjoy the chapter.
1 Day after the letters were sent…..
Luke POV:
Liz. The letter. I had read over that letter so many times in the last hour it wasn't even funny. I could practically see Liz writing that letter as she sat in a dark, cold jail cell. Was it my fault she was there? Was I not keeping a good enough watch over her? Is that why she was there, pretending to be in love with Miklisho? She had assured me it was only pretend, but I didn't feel right, having her have to do that. She must be feeling so terrible right now.
"Luke, sweetie, you look like you've seen a ghost." My mother murmured, stroking my hair.
"Shut up, Katniss! A little…fear…is good for him." Clove shrieked back, taking a sip of her water and putting her fingertips to her head, eyes closed.
A few tear streaks trickled down Clove's already pale face.
"What if their hurting her? Hurting my little Liz." She whispered.
Cato sat in a chair across the room, elbows on knees, head in hands, saying nothing. Where his wife was tearful and resentful, he was silent and detached.
I stood up from my chair and walked over to Clove, extending my hand with the letter. Her eyes opened, and she glanced at the paper without taking it. Her eyes widened, and she snatched the paper away, as though just seeing Liz's writing could make her feel all better. And I'm sure it did.
"She's…..oh my god. She's alright."
Cato sat up and looked over at her.
"She is?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes. Cato. She's in jail but she's alive….and pretending to be in love with Miklisho? WHAT?"
"Mrs. Hirsch, Snow is forcing her to do it. It isn't Liz's decision. She's doing it to protect us. All of us. Me, you, Cato, and my parents. She's doing something incredible just rebelling enough to write me a letter." I say gently. I don't want to set either of the Hirsch parents off.
"May I see the letter?" My father asks.
"Liz said to show it to her parents and then keep it a secret." I reply.
I feel bad, because this is my dad we're talking about, but at the same time, Liz said not to let anyone else see besides her parents.
"Oh, Luke. Your such a good boyfriend. Here, Peeta. Go ahead. I'm sure Liz wasn't even thinking about showing her other set of parents when she was writing this."
My father scans the letter, looking at my mother when he's finished and handing it to her. She gasps.
I need to get Liz out of there. Pronto.
Alice POV-
"How do you feel about that?"
Mina points at the TV screen in the room, and I peek through my fingers to look at it.
"I feel betrayed." I answer.
Mina gives me her Let-me-look-like-I'm-sorry-because-I'm-being-paid-to-help-you smile, and I roll my eyes, pretending I actually think she's helping me.
Mina is the worst therapist ever.
"Why do you feel betrayed?"
"My boyfriend is kissing that little whore!" I yell, pointing at the screen.
Looking at it I see Miklisho and Liz standing there on Tribute Avenue together. I learned that was where the tribute parade was after I was brought back. Anyway, Miklisho's arm is circling Liz's waist, and she's grinning like a fool with as much makeup as a Capitol person. Maybe more than that.
"I don't think it's real." Mina murmurs, her neon green lips pursing.
"Why's that?" I ask, not taking my eyes off the screen.
"She's an engaged woman. She wouldn't be having a fling with someone. Especially not someone who has a girlfriend."
Miklisho looks intently at Liz, but I can see that it's completely and totally fake. That whore is forcing him to be in love with her. The nerve of some bitches.
Valetta Stone, a Capitol reporter I've seen many times, comes up and stands beside Miklisho.
"Miklisho Maccoll. Back from the dead and keeping the drama going! Is this a new leaf for you and Liz?"
"It really is. We were so hostile to each other during those times before the games, and in the Arena that first day. I am so grateful to have another chance at life, and another chance at having Liz. She's the best thing I've ever had."
"LIES," I shriek.
"He loves me…..he loves me….." I sob, my tears falling down my face and making my hospital gown wet.
"That is so adorable. Now Liz, what is this that we're seeing? It seems that you are caught in a love triangle. Your getting married to Luke, but here you are cozying up to Miklisho. Who is it that you love?"
"Well, Valetta, I can only give you one answer. The truth. I'm a celebrity now that I've won the Games, and if there's one thing celebrities are known for, it's scandal. And I'm no different."
Liz smiles radiantly, her teeth even whiter than usual. I realize something in that moment- Liz is faking it too….she never smiles. Ever. It's always the smirks, the well hidden emotions, the under the surface anger. Whatever is going on, I am going to make it stop.
"Mina, I'm going out."
"Ms. Dawson, you've already exceeded your allotted hour for this week. You can't disobey any rules. It won't help you get out of here any quicker, and I know you want to get out of here."
"Mina, I need to leave now."
"You could be a danger to yourself, or others. Your mentally unstable."
"I'm not unstable! I'm angered and feel betrayed. I'm not mental, and I'm not crazy. I don't need to be here, and I don't need to have a therapist."
"Every patient at St. Onyx's Hospital for the Criminally Insane has to have a therapist. It's President Snow's rule."
"I'm. Not. Insane. I just want to go visit a friend so I don't go insane."
"What friend?" Mina asks, pursing her lips again, her ivory skin stretching like rubber.
"Luke Mellark. I have a feeling he's as angry as I am. And I need someone to talk to that isn't you."
"Alice, you can't leave. I'm sorry that you're so confused, but you just can't. I'll tell you a secret. Snow is-"
"Mail for you, Ms. Dawson."
A girl about my age enters the room, an envelope in her hand. I roll my eyes and snatch the envelope from her, looking at the front, seeing my name scrawled in an unfamiliar handwriting.
I rip it open and slide out the letter. As I open it, I see something very familiar. It's a letter….written in my Miklisho's writing.
My eyes dart over it at rapid speed.
My Beloved Alice, We have only been in love for a few months now, but I love you. And I am so sorry for what I have to do. Snow has abducted me. That "little job" he had for me was to take Liz, and he jailed the two of us. Yesterday he told me of his plan. He wants to have Liz and I date for a few days in attempt to make you, and Luke, fall out of love with us. I want you to know that Liz and I are not in love like we are. We're being forced to do this, and if I don't do what he says, he'll kill you, and he'll kill Liz's family. Everyone you and I know, along with everyone that has ever known Liz and Luke will die as well, and I won't let that happen.
Please, I beg you to stay in love with me for as long as this lasts. I promise that everything I do with Liz is fake. I don't want you to think anything otherwise, no matter what Snow or anyone else tells you. I'm not cheating on you. I want to be married to you, and I will do everything it takes to keep our love alive. Do everything your told to do, or things will get worse. I will see you soon.
Snow expects the reunion between you and I and Luke and Liz to be a bad one, where both of you say that you hate us, and don't love us. I hope that when we meet again, you'll still love me. I would do anything for you to love me. Even stop using steroids. I promise. If that's what it takes to keep your love for me, I will do it. I had to write to you, to make sure you know what is going on. Hide it away, and let nobody see it. Please. I'm begging you. I'll be thinking about you every second of every day I am without you. –Miklisho.
I collapse onto the bed, clutching the letter between my fingertips, reading it over and over and over again. My tears fall onto the paper, smudging everything. And I don't even care. I stand up, throwing a jacket on over my hospital gown and a pair of flip flops. I walk out without even waiting for Mina's response.
Miklisho POV-
"I can't do it." Liz says, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"I can't kiss you again." She insists.
"You have to. Think of Luke. Your kissing me so he can stay alive." I say gently.
I know how hard this is for her. And it's partially my fault. I could have said no to Snow when he offered me the job to arrest Liz. I could have avoided all of this. But no. It wasn't enough to be alive for me. I had to scorn the girl I once loved. Revenge. I don't know how many pills I had taken that day, but I know it was a lot, and my brain wasn't functioning correctly.
"I can't do it, Miklisho." Liz sobs.
"I can't do it…I'm going to kill myself. Luke will never forgive me."
I pull her into my arms and hug her as tightly as I can, and I stroke her hair.
"Your going to be fine. I promise. Everything will be alright." I whisper.
"Ahem….."
Snow. I let go of Liz, and she wipes away her tears, along with half the mascara she was wearing.
"Awww. I see you two are having a tender moment. Keep it up. The cameras will just eat that up."
"Snow, please. Let Liz go. Let her go. She's engaged. She shouldn't have to do this. Please. I'm begging you."
"I have a punishment to give to her, Miklisho. And she's not leaving until I'm satisfied with her having that punishment, and learning her lesson."
"Punish me! Don't hurt her. Don't do anything to her. Beat me. Whip me, and let her go back to her family. She's 15, Snow,"
My own tears start to form, start to fall, and I look down, hoping neither Liz nor Snow can see them.
"She's only 15."I murmur.
I'm pleading. I'm begging for her to be released. It's the least I can do to make her less scared. Less pained. I know how much pain is ahead of her. And I don't want to be the cause of it anymore. I might be only a year older then her, but the Games, and Snow, and everything else has forced me to mature up real fast,because if I don't, bad things start to happen to me. And to the people I care about. I'm tired of putting people at harm. If I help Liz, she'll tell Luke, and that will lead to incredible places. And plus, I just don't want her to be whipped. She'd be screaming and crying by the 5th time. Snow would have a field day if she started acting weak. He's already caught her crying.
"Mr. Maccoll, 50 lashes at the whip is quite a lot to handle. Are you sure your willing to do that? To let this horrible girl that killed you go free, unscathed, and leave you bloodied and hurt yet again?"
Snow cocks his head to the side, and I look over at Liz. Her eyes are wide with fear. With desperation. She doesn't want me to do this. But I have to. I have to make this stop.
"Yes. I will do it. Let her go."
Snow snaps his fingers, and at his command, two armed Peacekeepers come and drag Liz away. She kicks and screams and flails, and I hope to God if there is one that she's going to be alright. That she isn't going to be hurt anymore.
Alice POV-
I slam my knuckles into the door of Luke's hotel room. Don't ask me how I know where he is. I suppose you could say even after he's engaged I am still stalking him.
"Luke, open the damn door."
The door swings open almost the next second after I yell. Behind it, Luke stands. There are purple circles under his eyes, and I stand there, being stupid, standing there open mouthed and gaping.
"Luke…I….Miklisho sent me a letter. Have you seen what's on TV?"
He simply nods.
"Liz sent me a letter too." He says. He steps aside and I walk in, hoping that's alright with him.
Katniss and Peeta and Clove and Cato all eye me suspiciously.
"We need to get back Liz. She's in Snow's clutches. And I have a feeling I know exactly where." I say.
"Where?" Cato asks.
"In Snow's building. But I need support. I can't burst in there alone. They'll lock me back up again."
"Where have you been, Alice?"
"St. Onyx's Hospital for the Criminally Insane. They think I am mental or something, but that isn't the point. Will you come with me? Please."
"Why should we do anything for you, Alice?" Peeta asks.
"I need my boyfriend back. I can't live without him."
I hold out my hand, showing off my ring.
"Like Luke and Liz, Miklisho and I are engaged. I don't like Snow. Not at all. I'm on the same side as all of you. I want Liz to come back so I can go back to Miklisho. Please. I am begging you. Help me. Please."
"Of course we'll help, Alice. We want all of you kids to be happy." Katniss says.
"Let's head out."Clove says, grabbing a knife and putting it in her pocket.
"We're good." She says.
We start walking the 10 minutes to the office building, where my boyfriend and Liz are being held captive.
Liz POV-
I stand there, watching. Defenseless as the Peacekeepers rip Miklisho's shirt off of him and force him to his knees on the ground.
"Miklisho, stop! Please! I'll do it."
I run over to Snow, clutching my nails into his arm. He doesn't even flinch as he looks at Miklisho.
"Snow, stop them! I beg you! PLEASE! Stop it. He doesn't deserve this!"
"This is even better then taking it yourself, Liz. Watching Miklisho do this instead of you is even better than me punishing you yourself."
Miklisho doesn't scream…not on the first lash…and not until after does he look up at me. I'm crying of course.
And then in walks Alice with Luke and my parents and Katniss and Peeta.
"MIKLISHO!" Alice shrieks.
She walks over to me, glaring.
"I tried to stop him." I protest.
"This is your fault! He's hurt. Because of you!"
She goes over to him, and he looks up at her with longing eyes. His back is covered with blood, and their lips fit together perfectly when they kiss. They kiss with so much more passion then I could ever pretend to have.
"I'll take care of them." Snow says.
He then seems to register that there are other people here.
"Kartniss. Peeta. .Luke, what on Earth are you doing here?"
Luke holds up his letter. He got my letter. Oh thank God.
"We know what your doing,Snow. And we won't let you get away with it." My father states.
Snow laughs a low, menacing sounding laugh. "And what am I doing, Cato?"
"Forcing my daughter to be in love with a boy she barely knows. A boy who is engaged to that girl over there." He points at Alice.
"I can assure you, they are in love. I am doing nothing to them, right Liz?"
He looks at me, his eyes boring into me like lasers. His glare says Tell-them-anything-and-I-will-burn-your-entire-district-down. Or maybe that's my imagination. "Yes. He is forcing Miklisho and I to be in love when we are both happily engaged."
My mother crosses her arms across her chest and Katniss wraps a protective arm around me, steering me over to the little group that came to get me.
"Come on Liz. We're leaving. Now." My father says.
"Daddy…..Miklisho…he's hurt, and-"
"NOW!" My father yells.
I close my mouth and Luke puts an arm around my shoulders, leading me out of the room.
"Ms. Dawson, you can't be with him. You're a danger to yourself and others. We'll have to separate the two of you." Snow states from behind me, across the room. I can still hear him.
"NO! He's my fiance. PLEASE! I need to be with him." Alice cries.
"Peacekeepers, take her away." Snow orders.
Alice's sobs and cries are all I hear as we exit the room. Miklisho yells, and Alice shrieks, but what use can it do now? Their lives were doomed from the second Snow brought them back to life. They were better off dead.
Did the chapter make you cry? Laugh(if so, you are HEARTLESS)? Please tell me everything you thought about this chapter. I really want to know. I am still doing the wedding speech contest. Write a speech for me, please! PM me with any comments, concerns, or questions you might have. I check my PM inbox frequently. Thanks for reading!