"THEY ARE PERFECTLY FINE..."

--¤☆¤--

Waking up with a loud gasp, I could feel hot tears streaming down my face and my entire body shaking. Was it all a dream? Did I imagine it? Stumbling back from where I was lying, the faint yellow lights peaked through the flickering hallway. Bringing a little bit of light in my room. But it unfortunately made the shadows look more eerie than usual, though that could just be because of lack of sleep. Using the sleeve of my gown, I rub my eyes clean of tears trying to make it more clear to see.

"Peeta? Johanna?" I call out, wiping the last of my tears.

"Here." Peeta calls.

"Johanna?" I call out again, not hearing her response.

Nothing. Not even a snarky comment. Turning to the wall as quickly as I can, I try to make out her figure in the darkness. But, I couldn't see anything. Feeling panic rise up, I scoot closer to the glass, pressing my hand against the buzzing. Please. Please don't be dead. Just be asleep, J. Praying that she's just sleeping, I pound on the glass, hoping that the noise would be enough to wake her.

"Johanna?" I call, my voice wavering slightly.

"Here⎯I'm here. Trying to sleep, but can't. Hey guys, is it just my room, or are the lights still out?" Johanna asks, as I let out a small sigh of relief.

"No, my lights are still out, but the hallway's one is flickering. Is the power out for you, Athena?" Peeta asks, as Johanna lets out a small curse.

"Yeah. I⎯I don't know about the hallway. I'll check to see if I can see anything from the hallway. Maybe a guard or something." I said, as Peeta and Johanna croak out small 'okays'.

Covering my mouth with my hand, I bite down as the aching pain from my legs fills me. Like a million like daggers. Using the wall for support, I rise up from the ground, legs trembling at the action. Walking to the flickering lights, a few tears fell down my face as I was fearful of what I would see. Dead bodies? Snow himself?

Extending my hand out, I blindly reached out in hopes of finding the rough feel of concrete or metal from the door. Patting the walls, my hand finally finds the coolness of the metal door. Bingo. Pressing my face against the small window, I squint as I try to make out anything. But struggle, with the constant flickering of the lights. Damn it.

"Do you see anything?" Johanna asks, as I stand on my tippy toes to see anything.

"No. I⎯damn it⎯I can't see any guards or anything distinct. The lights are flickering too much." I call back, as I am barely able to make out any shapes from the hallway.

"Try opening the door. If the lights are almost out, maybe the security systems are weak? Maybe we can get out?" Johanna suggest's.

"I⎯I'll try. But I can't promise that it will work, J." I said, squinting my eyes.

"It's worth a shot." Peeta says, as I let out a small 'fine'.

Pushing slightly on the door, it lets out a loud creaking noise as it tries to open up, but is blocked by something. Crap. Crap. Come on! Looking out the window to see if anything was holding the door in place, all I could see was pitch black. No. No. No. Please. Come on! I'm so close to getting out. Please. 

Hearing the door unlock, I take a weary step back in fear of coming face to face with a Peacekeeper. Was this a test? Did I fail it? Staring out into the darkness, my eyes widen as the door opens completely to reveal five men dressed in all black. Guns drawn, staring right back at me. They are not Peacekeeper's.

"Copy, we found them. Gibbs, Baker, open the other doors. Grab them and let's go. We got less than five minutes, then we're out!" A voice barks, as I am met with a bright flashlight in my face.

--0--

Stumbling over my feet, the hand on my arm continued to pull me down the hall to a large metal door. What's happening? Was this a trick? A game of Snow's? Sliding a key into the keypad, the door opens to reveal a bright light. But before I could adjust to the light, I was dragged out. Stopping once we were outside, I was joined with Peeta and Johanna along with their guards, who were holding them up. Using my hand to block out some of the sunlight, I take small blinks as I take in my new surroundings.

Blinking at the brightness of the sun, I feel my eyes water up as I finally take a deep breath of fresh air. Not stale air. But, real fresh air. Looking around me, I found myself looking at the rooftops of some of the nearby buildings. The sun was beginning to set in the west. Turning to the other side of the roof, I found myself looking at a landing pad with a Helicarrier on it. Were we actually free? Was the war over?

"Boggs, we got less than ten seconds to launch. We have to hurry up!" Another voice shouts, breaking me out of my trance.

Grabbing my arm again, he lifts me up, my feet dangling below me. The sight was probably funny to see. Athena Grey, Capitol darling, being carried like a rag doll. Dragging me over to the Helicarrier, we were ushered inside quickly and quietly, while two other soldiers stood back watching the roof door. I don't know if I trust them yet. This could be one of Snow's games. Ease us into a false sense of security only to have it pulled from under us at the last second.

Looking for Peeta, he holds his hand out for me to take, a nervous look painted across his bruised face. Holding onto his hand, I tug him up the ram, stealing glances over my shoulder. Johanna was right behind us. Being carried by one of the soldiers, a dopey grin on her face. Clearly enjoying herself. Know what, she's earned that. Sitting down in a random seat, the other soldiers stood in front of the door with their guns still drawn.

"And we're clear for take off! Jackson, McCall, get us out of here!" Someone shouts, as the door closes of the Helicarrier shut.

Fidgeting in my seat, I felt a wave of uneasiness wash over me as I glanced around the packed helicarrier. All of the men had their helmets off now. Hair and face full of sweat with small smiles on their faces. One of the men was staring at me, making the hairs on my arms rise. Dark eyes and tanned skin. He kinda looked like Katniss in a way.

Shifting in my seat, I look at the small patch on his uniform, just above his breast pocket. 'G.Hawthorne'. A name I would have to remember. Looking at the man beside me, he had the name 'J.Boggs' printed on with a small red mockingjay pin next to it. I've seen that before. On the screen. Were they part of the Rebellion? Were we getting saved?

"Where are we? Are you part of the Capitol? Do you work for them?" Peeta questions, looking around at the other men nervously.

"If you are part of the Capitol, hurry up and kill us. This whole mind games shit is getting really annoying." Johanna pipes in, making a few of the men scoff while others look at us concerned.

"Mind games?" Some scoffs.

Leaning closer towards me, Peeta grips onto my hand for dear life, like he was scared I was going to slip away. Not today I was. I'm not letting go this time. Rubbing my hand up and down his arm, he hisses in pain as I brush over a sensitive sting. Freezing in place,

"The Capitol thinks of their gods⎯Snow thinks he's god. He has control over everything." Peeta whisper's, leaning his head against my shoulder.

"You have no control. Who lives, who dies, who tells your story. Not even Snow can control that, Peeta. We're gonna be fine, I promise." I whisper back, rubbing circles on the back of Peeta's hand, trying to calm him.

Feeling the men's eyes burning holes in our heads, the three of us lock eyes. Carrying a silent discussion with each other. If things go south, we fight. Peeta looked at the door then us, before settling his eyes on one of the guards handcuffs. Peeta would cuff them. Johanna was looking at the guards beside us, then she would trail her eyes down at their gun holsters. Johanna would handle weapons.

Setting my eyes on the pilot's nest, the door needed a thumb print. We'd have to find who it is. Once we're in, we force them to take us somewhere safe. Somewhere Snow wouldn't expect to find us. Reluctantly breaking eye contact with them, I look up at Boggs sitting next to me, eyes staring straight ahead. Almost as if he felt my eyes, he turns his head to me. A hesitant smile on his lips.

"Where are we going? Is it somewhere safe?" I ask, looking up at the man.

"It's safe. Remote and far from Snow and the Capitol. You can relax now." He said, nodding his head.

Motioning for me to relax, a part of me⎯the old part of me⎯wanted to trust him. To trust his words. He didn't seem like a bad guy. But, the last time I trusted someone. I got stabbed in the back. Literally and metaphorically. Letting out a small shakily breath, I forced myself to focus on something else. Like the shaking of Peeta's hand. Shake, stop, shake, stop.

Leaning my head back, I could feel my eyes start to feel heavier and heavier as I finally feel the restless nights catch up to me. It had been maybe a week. I don't know since I got more than an hour's rest. Yawning into Peeta's shoulder, I could feel myself losing my fight with sleep as my eyes got heavier and heavier at each passing second.

"So where is this safe place?" Peeta asks, snuggling closer to me.

"Home of the Rebels and Rebellion of course. Welcome Victor's to District 13." Someone said, as I drift off to sleep.

+++++

And I am done with the chapter! Stay safe out there guys!

I hope you all are doing okay emotionally and physically in quarantine! I love you all!

I hope that you are enjoying the book so far! A quick reminder to comment below about the story of what you think so far!

REGARDING THE MEME IN THE LAST CHAPTER!

SO...there was a equal amount of you wanting more info and a equal amount not wanting to know...So, I will tell you this...In Act 4, here may be a possible much deserved moment...I will leave it up to your imaginations...

P.S. Want to know more about Athena's origin? Check out, 'FRAGILE GIRL'. It covers her origin, the blooming romance with Finnick, and so much more!