Catching Fire: You and Me

Chapter 12:

FLASHBACK

6 YEARS AGO

SNOW'S POV

"Now Seneca. i have an idea." i said pacing my study before him.

"and what would that be, sir?" he asks nervously. weak, he is. he fears me. and i enjoy it nonetheless.

"a fourteenth district." i say sitting and placing my clasped hands on the desk.

"but where? all the space in Panem is used either by arenas or the other 13 districts." Seneca explains, dumbfounded by my simple proposal.

"exactly!" i point out. "all those other pathetic continents and countries out there. governments weaker than our own, sad little civilizations. my plan is easy. pick one. take it down. and we have a new district. its flawless!" i suggest.

"but they all have strong armies, citizens willing to fight for their government. the one thing our people wont do!" he objects.

"which brings me to the first step!" i conclude. "To get what you want, you need leverage."

"Do you have a certain country in mind?" He asks, smirking because he knows where I'm going with this. 

"Of course I do." I say running my hand over the world map above my desk. 

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***

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PARIS, FRANCE

"your highness. your mother has asked you to get ready, guests will be arriving in an hour." the Maid tells me, leaving out my clothes.

"Merci!" i thank her as she leaves.

i really dont want to go. its the same every year. mommy and daddy give a speech about me, and people waltz around in fancy gown and heels. even though its MY birthday and MY party, none of my friends are ever there. no one i ever know. ust adults and other rich people my parents barely know.

but other than that i love my life.

when im ready my father calls me down to the hall and people clap, even though they could care less that i have just walked into the room.

i walk around for a while when a man walks up to me.

thats odd, no one at these parties ever notices me at all!

"hello, your highness!"he greets, nodding his head as a form of acknowledgment

"Lord Seneca Crane. of Panem." I say, instantly recognizing him. "No one invited you here."

"well not everyone in Panem is that bad! thats why they sent me. in fact i've brought you a genorous birthday gift on behalf of President Snow."he says like it should be the highlight of my day.

"Since when has Snow ever done anything kind or generous for me?" i ask waiting for an explanation for his being  here.

"oh! yes! come and see! its quite large i couldnt fit it in the door with all the crowds coming in!" he exclaims, walking off gesturing me to follow.

i roll my eyes and follow his steps out the back door of the palace.

i hear someone calling my name but i dont really feel like paying attention to anything right now.

its probably my younger sister Micaela calling to me.

Seneca seems overly excited right now and it can only mean this is something ubsurd and unseemly.

 i know i seem odd to some people, some have even gone as far as calling me hostile.

ive just always been that way.

Crane walks in the direction of a small shed out back behind my house.

i start to get agrivated that this is taking so long and im so tempted to just turn back.

"Here we are!" he exclaims rubbing his hands in anticipation. strange much?

he tells me to close my eyes for the present.

i do so, thinking how dumb this is, when a hand touches me.

...make that 4 hands.

when i open my eyes i see i'm being lifted up, by Seneca and some other man.

i start to scream, but the other man shoves something in my mouth, silencing me.

after a while i hit the ground hard, and feel someone tying my hands and feet.

i try to squirm and get away but its futile.

i have no way out of this now.

this all happening just so fast.

i think ive just been kidnapped by the hands of Panem.

END OF FLASHBACK

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***

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"and ive been here ever since." i mutter. "the 74th reaping was rigged knowing i would either volunteer or suffer loosing my only remaining cousin..."

"cousin?"

"Prim... and my Aunt..."

"Kat!" he cries, wrapping his arms around me. "i'm so sorry! i'll never let anything happen to you again!" he promises.

i try my best to smile, but it just turns into a frown.

"you do know we're going into the hunger games for the second time, right?" i ask, trying to lighten the mood.

"i got you out last time didn't i?"

"yeah..."

"and i'll do it again." he says with determination.

just then the door flies open revealing an all too familiar face.

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