“Plough!” I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him on the cheek.

He turns a bright red and Prim giggles.

“Oh my gosh, Rue,” Prim exclaims. “You must be starving!”

My stomach rumbles as I realise I haven’t eaten since this morning. Did I even have breakfast earlier today in the Launch Room? I haven’t eaten for about two days.

“I’ll ask for someone to bring us dinner,” says Prim, then rushes off.

Plough and I sit at the table.

“I thought you were dead! How did you get here?” I ask, excitedly.

“Gale was in District 11 when they took you away. He was supposed to come and take me to District 13, so he came to my house a few minutes after you’d left dressed as a peacekeeper. Gale told the peacekeeper that he would take me to be turned into an Avox and could save him a trip to the Capitol. I was unconscious at this point, but I woke up on here and they told me what happened. I’ve been on the hovercraft since the day I last saw you. They checked me for a concussion and things like that, and I’m fine.”

I’m so relieved.

Prim comes in the door with Johanna.

“Someone from the kitchen is going to bring us some sandwiches,” she says.

Johanna grins at me. “I had to find you. I’ve come to eat with you guys.” Johanna and Prim sit down in the empty seats.

Prim turns to Plough. “Have you told her about…?”

He shakes his head.

“What?” Johanna and I say at the same time.

Plough sighs. “The leader of this whole operation still wants you to kill President Snow.”

“The leader?” I’d always sort of assumed Haymitch was the leader.

“They have to remain anonymous for some secrecy act reason. We don’t know much about them, but they have sorted out everything since last year. They organised this hovercraft, and organised the guns to be given to the tributes. We trust whatever they say. Anyway, the leader wants you to kill Snow. For real this time.”

“You’re supposed to be dropped off at Snow’s mansion tomorrow,” adds Prim.

“Tomorrow? That’s so soon!”

“I don’t think Rue should do it,” says Johanna. “She only just got out of the Games. She’s worn out, physically and mentally.”

Prim shrugs. “It’s not us that think she should. It’s orders from District 13. You’re having a good night’s sleep tonight and good meals tomorrow, so you won’t be too tired.”

The sandwiches are delivered by somebody I do not recognise, who I guess is from District 13. We eat in silence. Johanna and I are very hungry and eat a lot. When we are finished, we are tired since we’ve been walking all day. Johanna goes to her bed and is sad to leave me even though she is just next door.

I sleep in my clothes, though I am offered pyjamas. It feels safe to have Prim across the room from me and Plough just through a door.

I sleep until after noon the next day. We have brunch since I missed breakfast, and Johanna joins us again.

“I’m going to do it,” I announce.

The three of them look at me in surprise.

“Too many people have died because of Snow. He has caused so much hunger

and pain and it isn’t fair. If I have to end it, I will,” I try to sound braver than I am.

After I agree to this, everything becomes very busy. I am given a “ninja suit”, as I decide to call it. It is a black stealth suit to keep me hidden while sneaking around Snow’s mansion. I am given another gun, too.

I also have a proper briefing with President Coin, the head of District 13. She gives me a map of Snow’s house, and I am asked to memorise the basic layout. I take an hour or so to do this. Then I am fed dinner, given one hour to relax, and then I am stuck on the rope ladder again and lowered onto the roof of Snow’s mansion.

It is very dark, but I have a tiny flashlight which I use to find the door to the rest of the house.

When I have got through the door with the key I was given on the hovercraft, there are lights in the halls. I tiptoe down the corridor. I plan to shoot President Snow while he is in bed. That will be the easiest.

I turn a corner and bump into someone. At first I am terrified, but then I see it is an Avox.

She looks me up and down.

She mouths the word “help” questioningly. I nod. She nods too, and moves out of the way for me. I smile at her gratefully, and carry on walking.

I get to the door of the master bedroom. I touch my fingers to turn the handle.

A loud alarm goes off. Of course he’s protected!

I duck into the room next door. It’s dark, but I know from the map that it is the study. I can make out Snow’s desk in the middle of the room; a big mahogany one with a covered back. I hide under it. Anyone who just walked into the room and viewed it would not be able to see me. From the front, they might. I pull the chair in a bit so I am more hidden.

I will have to stay here all night. When he comes into his study in the morning, I can shoot him then.

When the alarms have died down, I hear the door open and a familiar voice.

“Rue? Are you in here?”

Plough?” I whisper into the darkness. It was a stupid thing to do, it may not even be him.

I hear him walk around the desk. I can see a silhouette bend down in front of me. I shine the flashlight at its face.

“It is you,” I whisper.

“Yes,” he takes my shaking hand. “I didn’t want you to have to do this alone.”

“Did you get orders to come here?” I ask.

“Nope. I told you before. I’m good with locks.” I can hear it in his voice that he is smiling. That doesn’t explain how he got off the hovercraft, but nevertheless I am glad he is here.

He curls up next to me under the desk.

“Now we should wait until Snow comes,” he says. “You go to sleep. I’ll stay up.”

I cannot sleep. I hold tightly onto his arm all night.

In the morning, I suddenly worry that Snow may not use his study very much. Maybe he will not come in here for a month, and we will be waiting here until we starve.

My worrying is interrupted when I hear footsteps in the corridor outside.

I pick up the gun, but I know I can’t do it.

“I can’t do it,” I whisper to Plough.

“You have to!” he hisses urgently. “This isn’t some little ginger girl from District 5. This isn’t an old lady from District 4. This is the man who has caused pain all our lives. No one will hold it against you for killing him.”

“I will,” I mumble.

“It’s too late to change your mind. We’re here. We’re stuck. Unless he gets killed, we’re dead.”

“Help me,” I plead.

He looks down at the gun in my right hand. He puts his left hand on the other side of the gun.

“I will.”

The door opens. I stiffen. He puts his right arm around my shoulder tightly.

We hear footsteps walk towards the desk. The steps come closer. The chair is pulled back and the two of us are staring straight up into the face of President Snow. He looks strangely amused at us being there.

Plough lifts his left hand so that the gun is lifted. His forefinger guides mine to the trigger. I close my eyes but open them again.

Then we shoot him. Together.