Phoenix Rise

I could no longer wait for twenty reviews, so here is a sample of the next story. If I get five reviews, then I shall continue. If you have not read "whispering Fire' I asked you read it before reading 'Phoenix Rise'.

'Siobhan and Gale are home and waiting for punishment to come, for this assumed defiance towards the Capitol. But when things eased up they started their relationship, until the Victory tour, hearing rumors about a rebellion. Siobhan fears in losing Gale for his nightmares while Gale worry about Siobhan physical condition. Can either of them recover from the Games or the Games are calling them back?

Chapter 1: First fall of snow

Gales POV

I was walking Siobhan home after a long day. It was common for us to wonder about the streets in town, ever since Siobhan open a second teashop called 'Semper fi" I never understood the definition to the name, but it made her happy. Sure we didn't have to work no more but still, Siobhan wanted to open a business to help our fellow classmates from going to the mines. Now many are save from the cold confines. Though, I still worry About Siobhan. Ever since our returned from the Capitol, she's been quiet lately and having trouble adapting back to a normal life.

I remember a few months ago, after the reporters left and we had our privacy from the fiasco of publicity. That Katniss and I went hunting and decided to cheer Siobhan up in the meadow. However when we reached the fences she stiffen like she saw a ghost? Before Katniss could ask what wrong, Siobhan ran back to Victors Village. It seems my girlfriend fears the forest now.

Yeah, Siobhan and I are dating. We started about week after the pressed intervention. Now we really are the star-crossed lovers, but we don't brag about it. We take things slow and easy since are little argument on the train. We promise each other to never hold secrets from each other again. So I kept that promise.

We walked back to Victor's village to hear a loud argument going on at Haymitch house. Guess Mark was waking Haymitch up for the Victory tour. Damn that tour. I hate it, as the next victor for we had to brag about our victories while the districts are force to be happy in our presences. It's like 'look at me! I murder your kids'.

"Guess; I'll see you later." Siobhan said.

"Sure," I said letting go of her hand.

I stayed and watch her go in her house completely. I still worry about her with her prosthetic leg. Ever since finding out she's have difficulty to keep her balances even, time to time. Sighing, when the door closed, I headed back to my place. Well more like my cage. I hate it, this house dearly to the very soul. For how expensive it is compare to my old house that Vick now lives alone. (A/N remember I made Vick older) I got inside my house when I was greeted by my mother. Ever since we moved in she was more relaxes and caring for Posy. Even took a lot of work in keeping the house spotless for the Cameras.

"Hello Gale, did you have a nice walk?" Hazelle said almost in a breathy laugh. Mom never gives a breathy laugh except when she was nervouse. Looking over her shoulder I saw a Capitol man in black waiting in the kitchen. All I know is that it's not Cinna or any of the prep teams.

"Yeah, walked Siobhan home."

"That's good." She said. "Someone's here to see you."

"This way, please, Mr. Hawthorne." Said the man; gesturing down the hall towards the studies.

I held in a deep breath and gave my mom a reassuring smile. Telling her it's probably for the tour. She sighs in relief going towards the kitchen as I headed towards the studies, ignoring the body guard. I have a feeling it's either a game maker or the one person I loathed the most. Entering inside I smelled that distasteful scent of blood and roses. For only one person had that smell and it was the small white man.

"President Snow." I greeted aloud.

He held up his finger for he was reading one of the library books. "Give me a moment."

I sat down on the oppasit end of the desk and stared at the snakelike eyes of the dictator of Panem. What is he doing here? Is he here to execute me for this presumes believed I was rebellious? All I was doing was trying to keep Siobhan and me alive. That we ended up as crowned Victors, to go home, and relax. Until now.

For this man could sign a death warrant without reason.

"I think we'll make this whole situation a lot simpler by agreeing not to lie to one another." He said setting the book down of 'Prince' "What do you think?"

I bit my tongue not to say something sarcastic, "If you say so."

President Snow smiled his altered face of wasted money. "My advisers we concerned you would be difficult, but you're not planning on being difficult, are you?"

"Depending on the subject." I blurted out.

"That's what I told them. I said a boy who can be intriguing on certain conversation to play his card right. Instead of putting all the cards on the table: His mother, brothers, sister, relatives . . . and girlfriend." As he lingered on 'girlfriend,' I can tell Siobhan was now in discussion. I scowled, for I despise ambiguous threats, sure I can take a verbal taunt. But, I'm not setting the score.

"What do you want Snow?" removing his title. Which He smirked on my lack of honorability.

"I have a problem, Mr. Hawthorne," he started out. "A problem that been buzzing about, since you challenged the Game."

I remember a few times I challenged the Capitol during the game. But the most memorable was Siobhan, in a catatonic state, crying in the rain after Rue's death. I promise Rue that we will win, for the three of us. Then it happen in the cave when Templesmith announced a change in rules, follow by the last day of the Game. So, I probably challenged them, maybe a handful. In the end, I got Siobhan and I home safe . . . almost.

"If the Head Gamemaker, Seneca Crane, had had any brains, he has blown you to dust then. But he had an unfortunate sentimental streak. So here you are. Can you guess where he is?" Snow asked

I cringed, grabbing the armrest to breaking point while bearing white knuckles. I nodded, for Seneca Crane was dead. Probably executed, in changing seventy-four years of tradition.

"After that, there was nothing to do but let you play. Though such a miracle for Miss. Underwood to survived her surgery though; what a pity about her leg." He continued before paused to see my reaction. I really loathed this guy. For we all know, he took Siobhan leg on purpose. In fact, he played with her for the rest of our stay in the Capitol. Making her stay the night in the eleventh floor and sleep in Rue's room. Also adding watching the poor girls' death again.

"Anyway, the people in the Capitol are quite intrigue in the love fest. Including the districts, who are debating on this . . . performance?" Snow continued, his fingers tapping on the table. "This, of course, you don't know. You have no access to the information about the mood in the districts. In several of them, however, people think your love is an act, a sign of rebellion. And the young man from District Twelve of all places challenges the Capitol and walks away unharmed. You understand what I am saying? We don't want to set a misunderstanding?"

"Are you saying there's been uprising?" I asked, now wanting to know on this information.

"Not yet. But they'll think as much and follow the course of things that doesn't change. An uprising is known for another revolution." Snow said as he rubs his brow. "Do you know the idea what that would mean? How many people would die? What conditions those left to face? Whatever the problem anyone may have with the Capitol, believe me when I say that if it releases its grip on the districts for even a short time, the entire system would collapse."

A chuckled escapes my lips. "I think you're talking to the wrong person sir. But, I'm not much into politics. This sort of debate is Siobhan terms. She's excellent on history and politics."

"Yes, she and her ideal knowledge of democracy." Snow said after he examined me. Though how he talked about her; got me wondering if there's more up his sleeve for us.

We stare at each other for a moment, not saying a word or even a blink. Until I blink, lost in this round.

"Kill me then," I said.

"Publicly," He replied. "It would add fuel to the fire."

I had a feeling an arrange accident won't even work the districts won't buy it. Yeah headline news. 'Extra, extra read all about it. Victor Gale Hawthorne died in his sleep.' People from the districts won't buy a nineteen year old sudden death. Yet again, this man ruins Haymitch life along with emotional pinches on Siobhan. He and his damn ability to pull the strings; for one simple defiance could either have Rory, Katniss, or Prim's name into the games. If not Posy, I would die if Posy saw the world I been through. Along with endangering, District 12 and out secrets of the Hob. Everything that we done to suffice through the brutal starvation; by that I nodded in defeat.

"What an interesting game you had?" Snow surprisingly announced. I followed his stare to see the chess set that lay on the coffee table. Rory and I were recently playing Chess before he went to school. I didn't have much time to organize it. But as I stared, I noticed the white was missing only a bishop while the blacks were everywhere except the royal. It sort of reminds me of a fortress.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked. Starring into his eyes as they bore into mine. I was on thin rope that could easily get me off balance. A risked that I been waiting for months from the Capitol.

President Snow chuckled. "Nothing much, just lives your happy life. I'm interested in how you're affection towards Siobhan, affects the mood of the districts." As lean forward with a death glare, "Only you'll have to do even better if the uprising is to be averted. This tour will calm thing around."

". . . Okay." So I have to convince the Capitol, I wasn't being rebellious. Great, that takes half my character. Except, what choice do I have?

"Aim higher in case you fall short." He added as he stood up and grabbed his book. I paused to take his words in before standing up, accidently knocking the chair over.

"Aim higher, for what?" I demanded.

Snow shrugged walking out the room.

"Convince me," was all he said.

I stood there for a moment, absorbing in what just happen.

I let President Snow own me.

'''''''';;;;;;;;;''''''''''''''

So what do think? Pretty good for an opening of a sequel?

Anyway thanks for reading and please leave a review. Remember I need five Reviews in order to continue this.

Silent wolf Singer

Then there was a knock on the door