Katniss slips into her role as the Mockingjay, though clearly it's not something she's immediately comfortable with. I try to help her the best I can, giving what advice I have. The leaders of the district pull me aside often, trying to get me to sway her in whatever direction they want her to be in, but they mostly get prompt "fuck you"s in reply.

Everytime I attempt to gain any knowledge as to where Madge is or why she was transported, I'm answered only with political jargon. Lots of "classified" and "for her safety" and "you should be proud of her." So in attempt to counteract that, I try to become as valuable as I can to them. More so than just Katniss' confidant, but as a skilled military recruit. I work often with higher ups, memorizing the maps of Panem, the landmarks of each district. I become dangerously accurate with guns and even manage to gain a few hovercraft flying lessons.

It's no surprise when Boggs asks me to join him and the team in District 8. They're filming more propos and they need me not just to calm Katniss, but to cover her. It's a strange thing - finally seeing the other Districts. They're all so different, but so similar in a sense. And as we walked over the rubble of this District, I'm comforted somewhat, that they too have given so much to fight against the Capitol.

Even though I know it'd be a strange miracle, I keep my eyes open for Madge in the hospital. Everyone is so severely wounded and the smell of the large warehouse makes me gag. Though I'd been longing for weeks now to see that blonde head, I begin to hope she is nowhere near such a death-filled place.

Not long before we exit the hospital, we see the hovercrafts coming. Katniss and I shoot them down, trying to save as many of the 8's wounded as we can. But it's not possible. The Capitol's cruelty has once again surpassed anyone's imaginations, and the District, save for a few soldiers is completely wiped out. Katniss channels the anger, the misery into a fantastic propo and we're given the all-clear to leave the District. We can still see the hospital's remains smoldering as our hovercraft takes off.

Katniss is understandably spent and sits at the far end of the seats, eyes closed, not speaking or looking at anyone. I take this time to talk with Bogss. I have a lot of respect for him as a soldier. He treats everyone well, especially me in these last few days of training. I unstrap my seatbelt and take the empty seat to his right.

"You good?" I ask, mimicking the quick speech everyone in 13 has developed.

"Yeah, I'm good." He answers, though he's quick to sigh after.

"Are there pockets of people from District 13 planted in other Districts?" I ask after several moments of controlled silence. Boggs will definitely know this is a loaded question, but I take a chance.

"Uh…" He starts off, as if not sure what to say at this direct ask. "Yeah, they have some people in other Districts to help out the rebels there."

"What Districts?" I press him, though it's clear he's somewhat uncomfortable relaying this information.

"Districts that have a strong rebel presence, especially ones that Capitol's lost control in." He says, glancing around the craft's cabin. "Are you looking for someone in particular?"

"A girl from our District." It's Katniss who says this from across the hovercraft, opening her eyes now, staring at us. "The Mayor's daughter."

"It's all classified. For their safety," Boggs says. "They wouldn't have chosen her to go unless she was really important to the cause."

"To the cause," I repeat, wondering what Madge had to offer them.

"We'll find her, Gale." Katniss says and I almost laugh, because it's been a long time since she's been the one assuring me about something.

I spend most of my time with Beetee in the following days. I appreciate his humor and his meticulous dedication to perfecting weapons. The idea of destruction appeals to me these days, especially since it's a loud distraction keeping my thoughts away from Madge's safety. I conclude this man knows almost everything there is to know. He can cite major landmarks in both the Capitol and the surrounding Districts, he can follow along with military strategy, and of course, hack anything in the Capitol's system he wants. I wonder if he can do the same with the computer systems in 13. I've seen how obsessed this District is with order and keeping records, so I figure if they sent Madge somewhere, the computer system knows exactly where. I want to hit myself for not thinking of asking him earlier.

"Hey Betee," I say one morning, trying to mask the eagerness in my voice. "Do you have access to 13's files."

"Files?" He laughs and shakes my head. He's been teaching me about computers and the systems and is still amused by my antiquated way of talking about such technology. "Yes, I have access to their 'files.'"

"Do you think you could see where someone was stationed… like… in another District?" I ask this, setting one of the new bows we've been working down on the table.

"Let's see." He says, sitting down at the desk that holds the workroom's one computer. Whereas once I would have been mesmerized by his actions on the screen, I can somewhat follow along now.

He opens up their catalogue of inhabitants - it's what keeps track of all of our daily assignments, living quarters, and health reports. He surrenders the thin keyboard to me so I can type in what I want, and with untrained slowness, I input "Madge Undersee." I nearly threw the thing across the room when red letters cover her ID photo with the words "classified."

Beetee almost seems insulted that I think he can't get us more information. He calmly takes the keyboard back from me and types, using this as a lesson to teach me about hacking. I follow along, of course, but am somewhat annoyed this teaching is making it take longer. However, before 20 minutes pass, we're into her file. I scan through the information I already know - height, weight, eye color, parents, home, etc.

"Where is she?" I mutter, trying to find some information.

"It say unknown." Beetee prompts me to look at what he sees in a corner of the screen, adjusting so it's front and center.

"Dispatched to Capitol as sympathiser. Tracking lost. Condition and location unknown," I read aloud, slamming my fists on the metal desk so hard Beetee jumps back.

"She was a sympathiser?" He asks after a moment, seemingly trying to make sense of things.

"No. She was … she was the Mayor's daughter. She hated the Capitol." I say, having started pacing the room.

"If she's in the Capitol," Beetee says, still swiping along on the screen, looking for more information on her. "Well, she's probably safe."

A day or so later, Peeta is on our screens warning us of a bombing. I find Prim saving that hideous cat in her family's quarters and escort her down to the bunker much to the relief of Katniss. It's while we're all in the bunker that plans of infiltrating the Capitol begin to start. I immediately volunteer myself, part because of Katniss, but mostly because there's a chance Madge is locked up with Peeta there.