One Last Game -Haymitch Abernathy-

Chapter 56

Crossing the dam, Amelia could hear the bombs going off in the Capitol. The buildings were being blown apart, and fires were causing them to crumble. They were miles behind the front lines, but the war was still close.

They traveled into the night, resting a bit before continuing. Amelia and Katniss didn't speak, but neither had strayed from the original plan. They were going after Snow. He had to pay for what he did. They needed to get the Holo. They wouldn't make it far without it.

The group ventured into the city silently. A lot of the buildings had been damaged in the fight. "Hey," Finnick appeared beside her. "You've been quiet."

Amelia glanced up at him. "It's just a lot." They were in the city now. The sun was high in the sky, but it wasn't warm. It was getting colder out. The black outfit she wore provided a significant amount of warmth. "Sorry, you got dragged out here."

Finnick smiled. "Don't be. It's what we do." They were soldiers now. This is what soldiers do.

"I've never seen this place so empty," Katniss comments. The war had moved forward, but there was evidence left behind. Some buildings still had smoke coming out of them from discarded fires.

"Just keep your eyes open." Boggs was leading the team with the Holo. Amelia walked with Finnick in silence. The team of filmmakers recorded the destruction around them.

Silence returned as they marched through the empty streets. Amelia held her spear tightly, listening to the beeping of the pod detecting device. A moment later, it started beeping rapidly. That was a sign that there was a pod ahead. They had yet to encounter any. Boggs put his arm up, causing the group to slow down. "Pod ahead. Let's take cover." There was a golden statue that they huddled around. "Shoot through those two buildings."

Katniss grabbed an arrow. "Pollux," Cressida directed the scene. "Right here." She pointed to a spot in front of Katniss that would allow him to record the scene. "Castor." He went to the other side. Amelia had learned the names of the film team. Cressida was the director. She had an assistant named Messalla. Castor and Pollux filmed for them. They were twin brothers. "Good." Cressida walked down a few steps, kneeling close to Katniss. Amelia kneeled on the ground with the others.

"Whenever you're ready, Katniss." The girl lifted her bow. "Hold." That seemed to mess up her concentration. "Tighter." Cressida wanted to record it perfectly. They only had one shot. Katniss readjusted her position. Aiming the arrow between the two buildings, she let go. Fire spewed from the windows of the building. If anyone had been there, they would have been killed instantly. Amelia watched as the flames grew. Suddenly, there was an explosion inside a truck. It flipped backward from the force.

Slowly, the flames started to dissipate. Watching the scene unfold was when Amelia realized how dangerous the situation was. The Gamemakers weren't messing around with the traps. They were designed to kill. "All clear," Boggs commented. Slowly, the girl stood up.

~~~~~~~~~~~

They took shelter in an abandoned building. They planned to stay the night and leave in the morning. Amelia stayed off to the side. She wasn't sure what Katniss was planning, but their side mission hadn't changed. They were going after Snow.

"Hey," a voice interrupted her thoughts.

Amelia looked up to see Finnick. "Hey." He took the seat across from her.

"How are you feeling?"

She had been waiting for someone to ask. "Fine. I'm fine."

Finnick didn't believe her, but she wasn't expecting him to. He was married to Annie and had seen firsthand what the Capitol had done to them. He also knew that Amelia had it much worse. "Really?"