Blaine Abernathy: A Canary Caged

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.


Chapter 55: Everybody's Fool

Blaine's POV

I masked my emotions, as I stared at the Peacekeeper who held the gun at me. No doubt this was not a simple meeting. President Snow considered me a threat that he would have his elite guards aim a gun at me. The other Peacekeepers analyzed the road as more vehicles surrounded the one I was in.

Even if I tried to escape, I doubt I would survive.

After some time, we arrived at the President's Mansion. The door opened as I was ordered to get out. I complied, sliding out and examining my surroundings. There were more peacekeeper stations, both elite and standard.

A hand was placed on my shoulder, giving a shove. Not saying a word, I followed the Peacekeepers.

I walked down the marble floors of the President's Mansion with the two Peacekeepers heavily behind me. A gun barrel pressed to my back, urging me forward through the doors of the office. Blood turned cold through my system. I'm afraid I don't know the meaning of this sudden meeting.

Unless it was my performance.

I did sing a song that could be considered defiance. Followed by facing the Victors instead of the Capitol. Bowing towards them instead of the Capitol.

The gun barrel pushed me forward, and the Peacekeepers guarded the door. I entered the office. Seeing the luxury in the marble, furniture, and sophisticated Capitol flare. Also, the Panem flag hung on the right, and the Capitol insignia on the left. President Snow sat behind the desk, a phone to his ear.

Damon stood there as well, although he was not in a suit. His outfit consisted of something you would see in a district not in the Capitol: cargo pants, a black polo shirt, military boots, and a vest. In other words, he was going to torture someone or had tortured someone.

A shot of fear went down my spine, wondering who it was. Or perhaps he has been assigned to torture me as punishment for my defiance.

"Well, send them back on the hovercraft," President Snow said. "It needs to be well guarded, this game is most important—I'm convinced- I have to go."

He hung up and focused his eyes on me. That serpent pierced your soul, knowing something you don't know.

"Blaine Abernathy, as you request, sir." One of the peacekeepers announced.

"Yes, I can see that." President Snow said, staring at me, slightly disappointed. "I think we'll make this situation much simpler by agreeing not to lie to one another."

I nodded, unable to use my voice. This wasn't good. No doubt my last performance. I've done everything for him. I sang, spied, escorted, stole, and killed all for him… and here I stand in front of the most powerful man who expressed his poker face.

"You, Blaine, managed to elude me." President Snow murmured. "Everything checked out from what I know about you: Birth, reaping, games, victor, singing contract, everything. But here you are nonetheless. My brightest subordinate." He folds his hands and sets them on the desk where two glasses of wine sit. "Perhaps you could explain to me why you are here."

"I sang to the Victors instead of the Capitol," I said.

"That you did," he agreed. "But that is not why you are here."

My brows narrowed, wondering what else I could have done that resulted in this. Why am I here if I am not here if it is not my last performance. So many thoughts were lingering through my head. Unless President Snow wanted me to kill someone.

"Then what is it?" I asked.

His tight lips curled into a smile like he was amused. "Nothing serious, Canary…. nothing physically at the least. However, it should be what you didn't tell me."

"I told you everything I know about Katniss Everdeen," I said.

"That you have, but that is not why you are here," he murmured.

"Then what is it, sir?" I asked.

"Your skills of deductive reasoning are accurate." He complimented sharply.

I flinched at his tone. It was the side of him that would explode if information seemed false or someone made the wrong decision.

"I don't understand?" Honestly, what did I do to be on the chopping block?

President Snow kept smiling as he nodded to Damon.

Damon nodded back as he made his way over to me.

"Blaine, you're here for an extremely important purpose." President Snow explained. "You see, it perplexed me that the rebels were planning on attacking the arena. I developed a theory that there are insurgents inside the Capitol."

"Insurgents," I repeated. The term seems vague in my dictionary.

"Yes, insurgents are people who rise in forcible opposition to the government." President Snow continued. "Haven't you realized all those assassinations and escorting missions were about? I had you infiltrate possible suspects and collect data."

I nodded, "I know I was involved in conspiracies of those who were against you, like Xavier Varick. But I don't understand why I am here, sir. Especially when my team needs me. I know you want Katniss Everdeen to perish, but I got to mentor my tributes."

"You really don't know," President Snow murmured. "You really don't know why you are here?"

I shook my head. President Snow sighed and nodded his head to the door. The two Peacekeepers nodded, opening the door, and three people entered. A peacekeeper and Augusta, dragging in a man covered in blood. When I got a closer look, I gasped, charging forward, but Damon restrained me. He grabbed my arms and pinned them behind my back.

"No, you can't be serious!" I exclaimed, trying to break free.

The Peacekeeper and Augusta threw the possible insurgent center of the room; the insurgent was someone I knew by heart. I almost cried at the sight of the injuries inflicted on him while cuffed behind his back. He looked at me apologetically through his green eyes surrounded by gold.

"I'm afraid so, Blaine." President Snow said. "My sources verified that Cinna supports the rebels in District 13."

District 13? I thought, dumbfounded.

No, that is not possible. This is not possible. District Thirteen had been obliterated during the Dark Days. All that was left of it was rubble and debris.

"Liar!" I screamed. "He can't be! I know him, he's my-"

"Your lover," President Snow finished.

I stopped to stare at him in dismay. How did he know? Our relationship was a secret since the announcement of the Quell. Other than Portia, no one else knew. Not even Haymitch knows about us. We were careful. Not being affectionate in the public. Unless there were hidden cameras or somebody had told President Snow.

"I know everything, my dear," President Snow smirked, "Pleased that you took my advice but disappointed with the choice in men, then again…"

"Leave her out of this," Panted a faint voice. All eyes stared at Cinna, who got up to his knees. "She has nothing to do with this."

"Is that so," President Snow murmured, holding up one of my journals and taking out the sunflower card. "Mind explaining this?"

Cinna glared at the card with the Jabberjay insignia. I was confused. Cinna said he didn't give me the sunflowers or write the cards. It wasn't written in his handwriting, and he knew my favorite flowers were snowdrops, not sunflowers. Did Cinna know Varick? I try to break free from Damon's hold and get Cinna out of here.

"Blaine," Snow turned around to face me. "Forgive me for invading your privacy, but you wrote about the number of bouquets you received over the past year, four, and 17-7-6. Does it bring back memories?"

"The last four sets," I said quietly, realizing what they were. "The last four bouquets of sunflowers were the codes for….They were the codes to Varick's vault."

"A man who is supposed to be dead." President Snow added. "However, the man's body vanished."

"What?"

"Seems you didn't kill him." He pointed out.

Xavier Varick is alive. All this time, I spent years feeling guilty about killing a man, only to hear this now. Let alone an enemy of the Capitol being spared. I growled, trying to break free from Damon, only to have my wrist at a different angle. I ended up on my knees crying out. Augusta flinched, unsure what to do.

"Let her go!" Cinna yelled.

"Now, back to business." President Snow murmured, adjusting in his seat. "Cinna, we can do this the easy or hard way."

"I told you, I got my orders through an anonymous source," Cinna said harshly. "Now let her go. She has nothing to do with this."

"I wish I could believe you, Cinna. However, she plays a major role in everything." Snow started. "Not everything in the past year has been a coincidence. For starters, you are Chanel's son. You joined the fashion institute and surprisingly got a recommendation to be a stylist for The Hunger Games. How you requested District 12. The same District Blaine is from, who is my personal spy in espionage against insurgents. I find that a bit suspicious."

"Stop it!" I cried, only to have my arm angled painfully so that a sharp pop could be heard in my shoulder. I cried out, stunned.

"This is only the beginning," Snow murmured. "I believe you have been played, my dear. That Cinna has been using you to get information."

I stopped at everything and looked at Cinna in horror as President Snow's words seeped in. "What?"

"He played you," he said again. "He used you in order to get closer to the Profit Circle."

"Blaine, it's not true!" Cinna yelled.

"Is it?" Augusta asked sarcastically.

It felt like a giant hole had been punched into my chest. So many emotions clouded my judgment in who to believe… as the facts were smacked in my face. Was Cinna using me all this time? Was he just using me to get information? Now I think about it, he always manages to break through my walls, getting bits and pieces of information about my secret. How he's always there. The train station, the studio, everywhere except home. Tears slide down my cheek, and it is impossible to block out the hurt of being used. Used by somebody I care for personally, from somebody I love.

Then I thought about all those times Cinna was there for me. How he tried to bring color back into my life. Trying to make me truly smile and express myself. All the memories that had me smiling and meaning it. He made sure I felt alive and human. Not a weapon. Not a monster. Even when I couldn't express myself, he was there.

I shook my head, "No, you're lying."

"Have I ever lied?" Snow asked sincerely. "Didn't we promise not to lie to one another?" I nodded, though I couldn't believe this. "The truth does hurt."

I looked at Cinna, who stared at the floor, a sign of defeat. So, it was true. Cinna used me to get closer so I could give him information. All this time I spent spying on Katniss and leading her in the right direction, only to have my walls down for him to….

Augusta walked up to Cinna and kicked him in the stomach.

"No!" I yelled that everyone stopped. I panted, knowing I made a mistake, yet I didn't back down from injecting a traitor being beaten. But this was Cinna, and deep down, I still cared for him even if he did use me.

President Snow arched a brow, intrigued, getting up from his seat with a syringe in his hand. I hesitated at the sight of the syringe. There was a rumor in the Profit Circle of a technique to control and manipulate the subject with tracker jacker venom, called hijacking. However, the serum wasn't yellow; it was orange. Damon forced me up on my feet and restrained me from escaping.

"You still care about him after what he has done?" President Snow asked.

"He may be a traitor…. doesn't mean he didn't help me in ways that not many people can," I whispered.

"And what was that?"

"He taught me how to feel again," I growled. "After everything you have taken from me."

"Is that so," President Snow murmured. "Let's put that theory to the test."

And with that said, he injected the needle into my neck. I struggled, but Damon held me tight as the cold liquid surged into my body. A searing coldness went down my spine. Suddenly, I was shoved to the ground as the numbness consumed my neck. I panted, feeling so cold as if I was back in the mountains. I closed my eyes, trying to regulate myself. However, when I opened my eyes again, the marble flooring was covered in blood.

I gasped, sitting up straight while looking at my hands to see all that blood.

Then, a hissing noise came out of nowhere. I tossed and turned, trying to find the source, but it was close when something scaly coiled around my legs. I gasped at seeing a massive albino snake coil around me, strangling my lower half while its head rested on my chest. My heart rate increased, breathing rapidly as the reptilian slithers closer, head nearly inches from mine, mouth open, exposing its fangs. Horror consumed me, petrified to scream as I tried to remain still or whatever to prevent the snake from biting my face off.

"What did you do to her?" Cinna demanded.

"Nothing serious, simply mind over matter." Snow explained, watching amused, "A new project of simulation serums for fear."

The snake coiled its head back, swinging it side to side and sticking its tongue out. I quiver close to tears, wishing I knew how to hill this beast without triggering its instincts to strike.

"It's not there!" Cinna shouted out. "Blaine, whatever it is, it's not real. It's only in your head."

I shook my head, avoiding the snake's eyes. They were similar to President Snow. The snake hissed, licking its tongue against my cheek,

'Everybody's Fool.' It hissed.

"Now, Cinna, we can do this the easy way or the hard way," Augusta murmured.

Cinna didn't say anything. Augusta, however, disapproved of the silence and punched Cinna continuously. Although every impact doesn't faze him other than a wince. With no end, we faced consequences that neither of us could commit. The tension-filled to the point that President Snow sighed disappointedly.

"What a pity," he sighed, nodding to Damon, who grabbed me by the arm, forcing me up and causing the snake to disappear. I blinked, unsure what the hell just happened as if it was all of an illusion. I looked around, confused, while Augusta kicked Cinna in the chest. I bit my lip, trying to suppress a scream, wanting to beg President Snow not to kill him, out of the consideration I've done, and take Cinna as my responsibility. But President Snow raised his hand in silence. Augusta stopped his assault and forced Cinna to sit up and look at Snow.

"Enlighten me, Cinna." President Snow started. "What is so important that you would betray your own Capitol?"

Cinna didn't say anything, and Damon punched me in the stomach. I gasped, clutching my stomach in pure agony. Whatever happened afterward had all three tyrannical men amazed.

"Now I see it," President Snow said. "You love her more than anything."

"You know nothing about love," Cinna muttered. "Let alone your depravity knows no bounds."

"We'll see about that." President Snow challenged, nodding to Damon, who again punched me in the stomach. At the moment of impact, Cinna tensed. "Let's put your love to the test, shall we. If you love this girl, you would have the decency to tell me everything I want to know. However, if you don't love her, I will have Damon show you some of his specialties towards our little Canary."

My body froze, knowing what President Snow meant. I mustered all my strength, yanking myself out of Damon's grip, and kicked into his side. However, Damon caught my leg, flipped me over to the ground, and stomped his foot on my chest. A yelp escaped, and quickly, I grabbed his leg and used his weight against him, causing the cold-hearted bastard to trip. Once I managed to get up, I staggered back to breathe, ready for the next move, when suddenly, a migraine a hundred times worse than before consumed me. I collapsed on my knees, clutching my head.

"Blaine!" Cinna called out.

"Just a minor side effect from the serum." President Snow assured.

"President Snow, may I make a suggestion?" Augusta asked.

"What do you have in mind?"

"I think I know a way to make the traitor break, as well as our Canary," Augusta offered with a hint of lust.

"Your intention may have an effect on both of them. However, the use of intimacy is morally wrong and is rape." President Snow replied, going back to his seat. "Damon has more experience cracking people, though your suggestion is noted." He picked up a piece of paper turning around to face the balcony of the Capitol. "You know what to do."

"Understood, sir," Damon said, nodding to two peacekeepers who grabbed each of my arms and dragged me away. I screamed, trying to break free from their hold, calling out Cinna's name, who watched everything transpire with a neutral expression.

.o0o.

The Peacekeepers shoved me into the room, removing the bag from my face. The room was small, with concrete walls, a metal cot without a mattress covered in wires, and a camera in the far-left corner. Before I could focus entirely, I was shoved harder this time, impacting into a corner. I slide down, trying not to cry as I wedge myself in an attempt to hide. The floor was cold, as was everything. Afterward, the Peacekeepers Picked me up and tied me to the cot, cuffing my arms and legs on all ends.

Everything was fucked up. All that I thought was true was a lie. I felt used to the point I was nothing but dirt and betrayed by everyone. My father's a drunkard, my friends are dying, and my lover turned out to be a rebel. Cinna used me! All my work, loyalty, cooperation, and trust with President Snow were gone. I don't know if Haymitch is still alive. Effie…. I haven't seen her this morning.

And the games are happening as we speak. My thoughts were incoherent as my body ached, and I had a migraine from the serum.

"Can I be honest with you?" Damon said, leaning against the door. "I am bad fucking news. I'm not your friend. I'm not gonna help you. I'm gonna break you. Any questions?"

No. I glared at the ceiling when the Peacekeepers adjusted the rack. I faced another camera, and Damon flipped the switch.


This chapter was inspired by Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Everybody's Fool Evanescence and Zero Dark Thirty.

Thanks for reading, and please review!

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