What had she done? It was bad enough that she brought back the Hunger Games, now she was responsible for all of the wicked things brought into this year's Games.
Four years ago, she had helped her parents steal valuable information from the Capital and lost her father in the process. Beren, her former best friend, refused to talk to her after that.
Three years ago, she had been discreetly captured by the Capitol. Nobody knew–not even her mom. When she was imprisoned, she had been forced to tell the Capitol's new president—Mr. Alderic Marvens—what thought would be an interesting twist to the Hunger Games. At the beginning of her capture, Rose was treated nicely, so she refused to tell the cold-hearted president. Rose hated the Games and wanted nothing to do with it. Then, she was thrown in a small cell and was starving. Marvens promised food and release if she answered the question. But still, Rose was stubborn and didn't say a single word. This kept up for six more days until Marvens decided that he had waited long enough. He had stormed into her cell and struck a deal with her.
"If you answer my one question, I'll answer three of yours. Now, what do you think would be a good twist to the Games?" He asked.
"First of all," Rose started, "The Games aren't even existing right now. And to answer your stupid question, a twist could be more tributes, two tributes from the same family, or children from Victors. But you are not going to reap me. Understand? I know that the system is rigged so don't try to convince me."
"Excellent." Marvens stood and started to walk off.
"Wait!" Rose called. "You have to answer my three questions!"
Marvens turned back and grinned, "I don't have to answer anything from you, pet."
Rose had been released the next day back to her home in District 12. She didn't think it was wise to cause a revolt against the Capitol, so she kept silent about her capture. Everyone else had believed the story Rose made up about staying the nights in the woods looking for a Mockingjay for a companion.
She wished she had told the District. Then, Beren and Atlas wouldn't be in this mess, Maple wouldn't have been reaped, and there wouldn't be four tributes from each District.
But it was too late. That was in the past. Right now, Rose needed to get ready. She looked down at the golden Mockingjay pin she held in her palm. Her mother had given it to her for good luck. About 30 years ago, the Mockingjay was the symbol of rebellion against the Capitol. Now, it was just another bird, living in the wild. To Rose, however, the Mockingjay was still a very powerful symbol.
The pin looked like it was glowing in the light, as if it were agreeing with her. No. It didn't look like it was glowing. It was glowing! The pin grew hotter in her hand and the light grew brighter.
Later, Rose would wish she would have just put the pin down. If she had, she wouldn't have been in the mess she created from that moment on.