Rebuilding Myself (third book of the Lost Love series) (HG fanfic)

Chapter Eight

The seven groups separated in hopes of finding Ellie faster. We watched the news yesterday, and Paylor came through on her side of the promise. She exposed Ellie and is currently protecting Ella. We have been maintaining communication with the other search parties in other districts, who have also recruited volunteers and divided into groups.

Paylor is currently working on exposing Ellie to not only Panem, but also to the world. She, however, also increased security at the borders so that it's even more difficult to cross district borders or nation borders. At the same time, though, if Ellie is still in the nation, she can't escape. Firearms sales have also been suspended until she's been caught. This leaves many civilians unarmed, but they still have us to act as their guards. Wimps.

Group one, my group, was the group searching the western half of the woods. Group two was to search the Seam. Group three searches the mines. Group four searches the other half of the Seam. Group five is to search the Victor's Village. Group six comes with my group and searches the eastern half of the woods. Group seven searches the rest of the district. Group leaders were to keep in contact at all times, and members of each group are supposed to "buddy up", as they used to call it. This way, we will know if we lose anyone. Each group also has their own meeting place and signal.

Group six's leader was Mace. Katniss had instructed me to help him if he needed it, although from what it seems, he needed no help at all. While walking to the fence, things seemed a bit too quiet and so, I decided to engage in conversation with him.

"So, which part of the District are you from?"

"Well," he started, "I live about a mile or so away from the Victor's Village. Not quite from the Seam, but we're not really that well off either. You?"

"I was from the Seam."

"Won the Games?"

"Yeah. The 73rd. I didn't really know anyone nearby when I moved."

"Me neither. Mostly kept to myself."

"I was in the Capitol for a bit. Someone burned my house down. Snow gave me a house there, but it turned out he had something in mind involving me."

"He let you live in the Capitol?"

"I know. Didn't believe it myself. But the only reason I moved there was for Ella. I decided to ask Paylor to watch her during this whole time Ellie is loose. She's probably safe there. So anyway, what do you normally do?"

"Well, most of the people in my family were Peacekeepers. Every male, basically. I kinda broke the chain and left for the mining tunnels."

"Isn't it difficult down there? You know, to survive? My dad kinda - "

"Yeah, I know about the mining accident. But I kinda see the risk as something that keeps me alert. Not as something scary but rather an exercise to stimulate myself."

"You have a slight Capitol accent. Most of your family from there?"

"Yeah, actually. My dad was from there. He became a Peacekeeper and then met my mom. He didn't want her to trouble herself by moving away from the comfort of home so he stayed behind."

"My dad was from District 1. He ran away and met my mom here and got married. They had me and my little sister."

"Does your sister live with you?"

I took a sharp intake of breath.

"No, she's dead."

"Your mom?"

"Dead."

"Dad?"

"Dead."

"Wow."