Three months after the Victory Tour, Wiress curled up on the couch as the seal of Panem flashed across the TV screen. Light from the screen illuminated the lavishly decorated living room containing a couch, love-seat, and a large cushiony chair surrounding a coffee table. The decor was typical in a high-rankink Capitol official's apartment. Kevius, the director of the Panem Patent office and owner of the apartment wrapped his arms around Wiress and pulled her close as an Avox cleared their empty mugs of tea and plate of cookies they had shared for dessert. Wiress tenses in his arms as President Snow appeared against a backdrop of the flag of Panem.

"The attempt to rebel has been extinguished." President Snow announced before the broadcast switched to images of decimated residential blocks, factories, fields, and mines in each district. Wiress's stomach clenched as she saw several factories in District Three bombed to ruins. Thankfully they weren't her parents' factories, but she still felt for the hundreds of workers killed in the bombings. "Peacekeepers are restoring order to the Districts, and stability has returned to Panem." President Snow paused before a boy walked onto stage with a wooden box. "I am pleased to announce this year's change for the Second Quarter Quell. As a reminder that peace and security in Panem rests on the District's compliance with the Capitol and as a reminder that for every rebel death, two citizens of the Capitol lost their lives, four tributes from each district will be reaped for the Fiftieth Hunger Games." Wiress gulped and rose from the couch.

"Exuse me." She whispered before running into the bathroom sobbing. After not seeing Beetee for six months, she would meet him only to send two girls and to boys from District Three into the arena. The additional burden of the attempted rebellion weighed on her. Did Beetee and I cause this? She thought. More than ever, she wished for his presence and comforting words.

"Wiress." Kevius asked at the doorway some time later. Lifting her tear-stained face, she looked into eyes that showed a distant sympathy. "I'm going to bed." That was her cue to join him. Thankfully he demanded nothing more than her laying by his side as he fell asleep. As soon as Kevius's snores began she buried her face in the luxurious Capitol bedding and cried.

In District Three, Beetee's mouth went dry at the announcement of the Quarter Quell. He wondered how Wiress was taking the announcement in the Capitol. Wiress. Every Tuesday was Technology Tuesday on the Panem News Network, and every Tuesday Beetee watched the segment to see Wiress' face. She was her usual bubbly self when she spoke about the various inventions the Capitol was using, but something in her eyes had changed. As he peered into her large eyes week after week, he saw pain and shame. Oh sweetie, what are they doing to you? As always, he turned off the TV and went downstairs to his workroom where he drew or built prototypes of his machines until he fell asleep at the table.

Wiress sighed and adjusted her shawl around her spaghetti-strap dress as she sat at a table in a lavish ballroom in a Capitol hotel the night after the Quarter Quell announcement. Kevius was getting their food and mingling with the guests. As Wiress wore a full-length coat outside, Horatio was able to put her in a small dress. Wiress blushed imagining what her dad would say about the length of her skirt. With a pang of sadness, she wondered what her parents were doing. As she had countless time since the Victory Tour, she wished she was at home in her old apartment or in Victor's Village in District Three eating her parents' home-cooked simple meals rather than eating gourmet food at a Capitol man's house or at expensive Capitol parties. "You're Kevius's little lady aren't you?" Wiress looked up into the angular face of a tall Capitol man with thick dark hair much like Beetee's.

"Yes, sir." Wiress replied quietly.

"My name is Sideous Crane." The man replied. "This is my son Seneca." The man gestured to a boy who was wearing a blue tuxedo and sitting at a table. Seneca appeared to be ten. "He thinks you're pretty."

"Thank you." Wiress replied. She noticed the boy was drawing on a notepad. "What are you drawing?"

"An arena." Seneca replied. "Hey, you were in the Games. Last year." Wiress nodded. "You're the electricity girl."

"That's Wiress Carpenter. She's a Victor." Sideous replied.

"I'm helping my dad. He's a Gamemaker." Seneca said. "Look." Wiress looked at the drawing. Seneca had placed the cornucopia in the center of the arena with a lake and river elsewhere.

"I like to make machines." Wiress said as her fingers itched to be drawing on an engineering notebook in hers or Beetee's workroom back in District Three. She had time to work on her inventions, but the work felt hollow without Beetee by her side.

"To use in the Games?" Seneca asked excitedly.

"No. To help people do work like in the lumber yards or in the other districts. To supply the Capitol with the best things, of course." Wiress added quickly. She looked up as large hands rested on her shoulders.

"Making friends already?" Kevius asked. Wiress forced a smile at him and took his hand as he sat down. "She's a bright young lady."

"I see her on Technology Tuesdays on TV and of course at parties." Sideous pointed out smiling at Wiress. "Listen," He said leaning closer to Kevius. "I know some of the newest pods aren't officially patented and public record, but I would like to take a look."

"Name your price." Kevius replied as he took a sip of his wine. Wiress was silent as the men bartered. However, she felt eyes bore into her.

"Seneca's mother is away for a few days. I could use some company." Sideous replied in a low voice. "Victor Carpenter, please stand up." Trying to control her trembling, Wiress stood up.

"I'll call for our Avox to pack an overnight bag for her." Kevius said as he pulled out his phone and sent a text to the staff at his apartment.

"Kevius?" Wiress asked instinctively reaching for his hand.

"Well, you've already made friends with Seneca. I'm sure you'll have fun." Kevius said in a falsely sweet voice before giving her hand a quick squeeze and kissing her cheek.

"Wait - I was thinking about the Quarter Quell. I have to mentor." Wiress said as her brain worked out a solution to the pressing problem of keeping four children from her district alive. "Mr. Crane, you may do whatever you wish if you would sponsor my tributes."

"Of course, my dear." Sideous said as he wrote out a check and handed it to her. "We can deposit it in the District Three account as we leave."

"You don't have to find me after the evening." Kevius said before he kissed her on the cheek. Wiress inwardly sighed. Spending a night apart from Kevius was scary because other Capitol men were less predictable. She hoped with all her being that Sideous would not send her home bruised or beaten. However, if one of her and Beetee's tributes won or made it into the final eight thanks to these few nights, she could live with the shame.

A/N: Ok, that's the worst chapter as far as dealing with Wiress' exploitation by the Capitol. Don't worry! Beetee will come to the rescue very soon!