I grab Pollux's arm. "Forget the mission. What's the quickest way above ground?" We've been running in the underground tunnels for what seems like a lifetime, trying to evade the ever-approaching snarls and hisses of the capitols beasts. Our team is down to nine, having just lost Messalla to a golden beam that melted his entire being.

We follow Pollux through tunnels, doorways and across ledges as he navigates through the place he once slaved. I notice nothing but the change of terrain as I follow the footsteps of Peeta ahead of me, trying to block out the noise of the grotesque creatures gaining on us. The line suddenly stops and I'm jolted backwards into Finnick causing a chain reaction behind me. I turn around to apologise when I notice how significantly small our group has gotten.

"Wait! Where are Jackson and Leeg One?" I scream.

"They stayed at the grinder to hold the mutts back" Homes replied nudging us forward. By his eagerness to keep going I know our friends are long gone. I peer ahead to see Pollux approach a ladder, smack it and point up. This is it. Our way out.

The team begins to ascend the ladder, one by one. I'm about to go next when I hear scuffling of claws on cement. I turn and for the first time I get a good look at them. Half human, half lizard, with white skin smeared with the blood of our protectors. They're fowl, repulsive creatures. No doubt the work of Snow. They're gaining fast and I'm yanked up the ladder by Peeta.

I take note of those surrounding me. Pollux is assessing his bearings and Peeta is assisting Cressida up the ladder. I scramble to Peeta ready to help him heave up the next person. An explosion goes off down the tunnel. But no one comes.

Panic runs through me but before I can swing myself down the ladder Peeta shoves me against the cold hard wall with one arm. His eyes are on me and I examine them for signs of anger. Instead, I only find worry.

"I'm not letting you risk your life. I'll go." He says as he jumps down the ladder.

I'm speechless and unable to move. For a moment I believed he had snapped and I was at the mercy of one of Snows assassins. But it was Peeta. My Peeta. He was back, doing as he has always done. Trying to save my life by risking his own. And then I realise Peeta, handcuffed and weaponless, has gone on his own to try and rescue the rest of our team.

Cressida is already crouched around the hole in the floor where the ladder protrudes, calling out for Peeta, Gale, Finnick and Homes. I scurry to her and begin climbing down the ladder with urgency generated from the fear that I might lose the only two boys I have ever loved. I'm not even half way when I hear Finnick scream "What are you doing? Get back up there!"

I look to my right and I see Finnick and Peeta dragging Gale's limp and bloody body between them. I'm about to let out a cry when Cressida pulls me up. Peeta climbs up behind me as fast as he can with his hands bound. Finnick props Gale up against the ladder and Peeta, Cressida and Pollux attempt to pull him up. I just sit there, frozen and useless once again. Then I hear it.

"Katniss" The sound of the creatures approaching quickly. They appear only to be coming from below. Gale's body lies still on the floor of our level. Finnick has yet to breach surface. Cressida and Peeta are screaming his name and extending their arms to him. I see him latch on to Peeta with one hand but he's yanked down. His scream of pain echoes throughout the infrastructure. I'm reminded of the time in the first Hunger Games when Peeta and I lay awake, listening to the echo of Cato's cries under the cornucopia as the mutts tore him apart. This memory jerks me to my senses. I'm determined not to lose Finnick.

I grab an arrow from my sheath and push Cressida out the way. She shines the torch of her gun down the shaft and I'm able to make out Finnick fighting off two mutts. One latches onto his back and without hesitation, I shoot point blank at its head. A fire erupts from the arrow producing blinding heat.

"No!" Everyone screams in unison. I have grabbed the wrong arrow. And with it have killed Finnick Odair, a true and dear friend of mine.