Cause you gotta guilty, filthy soul (Jack)

[zakattack]

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It was the same with each of the criminals. The way they looked at Lee’s small frame and delicate features like she was someone they could trust. Someone they could win over with their lies and stories about how they didn’t really mean to do anything wrong…but it never happened that way. She’d never fall for the cries and the pleas of I’ll never do it again! Just don’t hurt me!

[/b] and she didn’t plan to start with the current interrogation of Jack Lexington. She’d read through his file three times now, studying the details and memorizing the little infractions and snippets of information she’d want to throw at him. Dead wife. Shot at a reaping. Arrested once before for trespassing. There were interviews with his neighbors and other people from District 10. The same district she had been patrolling before the sudden call to the DC. An upgrade in her file is what they told her, but really she knew it was because she was one who could pull out the truth from the scum with a smile from her full lips or a sympathetic bat of her eyes. She’d even talked to some of the neighbors in this file herself and they all said the same thing. The Lexington family was one of ill reputation. Drunks. Criminals. Worthless.

None of this would be something she let on right away…on no. Lee knew that she had to win the trust of man behind this bars before she would ever get him to realize what he did wrong. There were many ways to break a man, physical abuse was the least likely to get results, mental torment…now that’s where the true pain lied. The click clack of her peace keepers boots echoed through the cell block as she made her way down, her hips swaying slightly as she walked towards the dank cell holding her prisoner. The last note had been entered by peace keeper Patton and she was disappointed to see that it had ended in bloodshed. It was too early in the process for that. A peace keeper should only break like that when truly needed she reminded herself as she stepped up to the door.

”Here we are,” her voice was soft as she looked into the filthy room holding the young boy and the bloody mess she assumed was Jack. ”Such a shame they left you like that Mr. Lexington.” she motioned for the guard to bring him out. ”Don’t hurt him anymore than he already is.” Lee sighed as the man grabbed him roughly dragging him out. In the light it wasn’t hard to make out the damage that had been done to Jack’s face, the busted lip and bruises around his eyes and nose. He probably deserved it, no doubt, but she wouldn’t let that show. Instead she crinkled her nose and motioned for him to follow. ”Don’t worry about the shackles, but I hope you don’t mind I have to put the cuffs on you. For my safety,” she tilted her head letting him observe the clear difference in their heights and statures. He towered over her, and that was fine. I’m sure he thinks of me as nothing more than a child playing dress up and she probably did look like that though her peacekeepers uniform fit her properly. ”Not that I think you’d be as stupid as to try to hurt me.”

They headed down the hall towards the interrogation room and she opened it and ushered him and the guard in as Jack was sat and cuffed to the table. ”Thank you very much. That will be all.” Lee smiled again at the guard as he exited and when he was gone she went over and pulled out a handkerchief and dipped it in the small cup of water on the table. Moving to sit on the table she leaned towards him and dabbed at the dried blood on his cheek and sighed. ”I’m sorry, sometimes my colleagues get carried away.” Her eyes looked to meet his and she felt her cheeks burn with the false flush of innocence . Dabbing once more she couldn’t help but think, come on little mousey. I won’t eat you yet.


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[Jack Lexington]

As much as I tried to put a brave face on during the 'interrogation' I can no longer hide how terrified I am, now that I'm back in my cell. My cell mate needs me to be strong because he's so easily affected but I simply can't hide my fear all together. Some of shines through because I have a lot to loose. Two awesome children and a beautiful girl, whom I just told how I feel.
The looks he's giving me tell me that he's probably more torn apart by my swollen and bloody face than I am. If he could he'd probably melt into the wall, scream and cry all at once.
Me, however, I just sit there on my bunk with my arm wrapped tightly around my broken rib trying to take shallow, steady breaths because me chest feels so tight. Pictures of what they will do to my children and Faith or mom and dad when they go to retrieve my papers run through my mind. I have to tell myself over and over that nobody will hurt them while my green eyes are fixed on the opposite stone wall. One moment I think I'll go insane, the next my ribs and my nose are killing me, then I find myself making escape plans...anything to get away from these heartless killers, who will beat to pulp, no matter whether you've done anything or not.

"Calm down, it's over." I tell Xylan, even though I'm not really sure.
Just when the words have left my split lips I hear footsteps outside. Heavy boots against concrete. They must come to grab another inmate. But no, they stop in front of our cell. 03 as I've learned.
'Oh no, they're coming for the frightened boy I share a cell with.'

”Here we are,” I hear a soft female voice. ”Such a shame they left you like that Mr. Lexington.”
Lexington, that's me!
My eyes dart at the small woman, who's standing there in a peace keeper uniform but looks as delicate as a porcelain doll. For a brief moment my fear is replaced by confusion. Who is this lady and why is she in the dc?
The woman tells the guard not to hurt me, which is a nice gesture but misplaced in the detention center. Nobody is nice here...or maybe?
Her voice stays calm and soothing almost while she explains that I won't need any shackles, only handcuffs. When I look down at her I can understand why she wants the cuffs. I'm at least a head taller than this small lady.

For a moment I wonder what she wants from me. Is she the one, who got my papers and has been sent to deliver the good news that I'll be free soon. Is that why she's so gentle?
"Did you find my papers?" I ask in a low voice.

We walk down the hallway but each step hurts my mistreated chest so I take it slow. I'm not sure where we're going until we stop in front of the same interrogation room that must still have my blood on its floor from the previous day.
Everything inside of me screams stop, so I do.
The guard pushes me inside with force, which makes me grimace and chains me to the table.
My hands are starting to shake while she starts dabbing at the crusted blood on my face. Instinctively I turn my face away but find the strength to ask. "Why are you doing this? Did you get my papers?"
She apologizes for her colleague but I bite back a nasty comment.

Just then I remember the female peace keeper who aimed her gun at me when Noreen was reaped. Pretty brunette, yet almost deadly for me. Maybe this one is just like her.

[zakattack]

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Jack didn’t fail her, questioning about the so called papers before they even arrived at the interrogation room. She didn’t respond and just kept walking, papers…no papers…it was all the same. He had a rap sheet a mile long and even if she did take the time to find the supposed papers she hardly knew if she’d even care. Once again the guards were a bit too rough with him for her liking and she shoot them a look of daggers as they shoved him into the room, of course the boy had frozen and gawked a bit at the entrance so the physical action wasn’t totally unwarranted. Jack was stubborn, Lee could tell as she tried to clean him up a bit and he shifted away. ”If you don’t want the help Mr. Lexington then all you had to do was say…no need to be rude. I’m only here to help you.” she kept gently dabbing at his face and sighed. Her breath still held the spicy scent of the cinnamon flavored gum she had been chewing before her visit to his cell and she could only imagine he was becoming even more uncomfortable under her gentle touch.

But you win more flies with honey than vinegar. she reminded herself as she shifted back and looked down at him her hands folded in her lap with the stained handkerchief still in her fingers. ”I don’t really think you’re in the place to question kindness now are you Jack. I’m doing this because it’s what is best for you, or would you rather that I go find Peacekeeper Patton to deal with you again?” Lee’s voice stayed soft and smooth as she cocked her head and searched his battered face. He was a year older than her but his looks would have him be her senior by more than that. His life was hard, she could tell by the callouses on his hands and the wrinkles and weathered look of his skin, but just because his lot in life was tough didn’t give him the right to rebel against the rules. They were there to make sure that order stayed and that life didn’t destruct into a ball of chaos. Jack didn’t have the right to try to change that, he didn’t have the right to disrupt the order.

Standing up she moved to sit across from him, Lee’s tongue darted out to moisten her lower lip and she relaxed back into the chair. Let him question me more. Please let him question me and try to push my buttons the way he did James. I’ll show him just how I deal with things. He seemed uncomfortable around her, and from his files she could only deduct that it had to do with the shooting after the reaping. The peacekeeper was new, inexperienced, green…none of the things she was, and now he was going to be caught in her web as well. ”Do I make you uncomfortable Jack. I’m not trying to I promise. But I will tell you, I’ve read your file and I know everything.“ Her emphasis sat on the last word letting him soak up the implications.

She could pull out the file, snap her fingers and the guards would bring it in, let him see the words that spelled out his history, his fate. Lee wanted to make him squirm, she could feel the burn of the power inside her, but earning his trust or at least his attention was first. ”I want to get you home to your children Jack, but first we have to figure this mess out. They’re what, three years old now?” The sixty-fourth games were just now coming to an end and his wife was reaped in the sixty first, ” I’m sure their missing their father.” Maybe the mention of his children were enough to get him to talk, maybe he would pick up that she was just trying to be there for him. Hopefully he’d understand she was giving him a little bit of space to open up about what happened. Her eyes travelled down to the shackles holding him to the chair and stood up to walk next to him her fingers lightly tracing the skin next to the iron bracelet on his right arm. ”Please don’t make this hard on me Jack.”

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[Jack Lexington]

For a long moment I'm too terrified as I'm reliving one of the worst moments of my life. The day Noreen was reaped, the last time we kissed, when the door got slammed in my face, how desperately I tried to get one last glimpse at her but received a bullet instead.
"... I’m only here to help you.” I only catch the tail end of her sentence because her continuous dabbing at my reddish purple shiner brings me back to reality.
"Don't help me." I stated with strained voice. "Unless you want to let me out of here."

Even though it takes everything I have I let my eyes meet hers. Red rimmed green eyes looking into warm brown ones. Are these eyes sincere? Or are they just pretending? What use is there for a helping, nice girl in the dc?
”I don’t really think you’re in the place to question kindness now are you Jack. I’m doing this because it’s what is best for you, or would you rather that I go find Peacekeeper Patton to deal with you again?”
"Patton." I try to memorize the bastards name. "No." I reply briefly.

So the fragile looking woman stands up and sits opposite of me just to lick her lips and I bet she does this on purpose. All these gentle manours and seductive gestures are well placed. I find myself questioning whether she's for real. Right now I don't trust her as far as I can throw her.

Her question about making me uncomfortable and then the statement that she knows EVERYTHING makes it clear to me. They sent this WOMAN on purpose.
I'm no liar so I nod. "Yes, you are, mam."

She brings my kids into the game. The only leverage they have against me. At the same moment I realize that they must not have found my papers because she's still talking about 'this mess' and threatens me with my kids.
Every time their names are mentioned I feel a sting to my chest. I really have nothing else to loose. But briar and Josh are the most valuable thing a man like me could imagine.

Her finger tracing up my bare arm is giving chills, and not the good kind. "I don't want to make this hard, i swear."
Swallowing hard I try to remember what happened the day before but it's all become a big blurr when the fists start raining down on me leaving me with one heck of a headache, broken rib that made it hard to breath and a bloody nose, not to mention the bruises on my eye and split lip. Look up mistreated in a dictionary and you'll find a picture of me. I'm not sitting or moving easily today. So what do I remember?
I'm innocent. I have papers. You know about the cattle runs from district 10 to 11. Each year there are a few guys bringing cows and horses to the other district so those guys can survive...on government orders. The major issued the permit."
Hopefully my words will not fall on deaf ears this time.
"I'm begging you. Go to district 10. I have a copy in my bag at home."
Then I suddenly have a tiny flicker of hope when I look at this woman. She's a female after all. "Do you have children? Please don't make them grow up without their father just because you can."

[zakattack]

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Giving a soft sigh Lee stepped back, ”I don’t want you to be uncomfortable Jack. I’m doing the best I can to make sure you’re cleaned up, you’re not being harmed, I’m even listening to all you have to say. I’m not here to hurt you.” she smiled. The last part was true, she wasn’t there to hurt him, she was there to teach him. Obviously his trips to the center before were too casual, too easy on him, and now here he was in her little web. He wouldn’t forget this trip to the Detention Center. Not this time. Pressing her lips together and then pursing them slightly she looked down at Jack as if he had hurt her feelings with his reaction when he asked if she had children.

”Why Mr. Lexington! I thought you knew that peace keepers weren’t allowed to marry and especially not to have children while they’re in the service.” sure a few of her male counterparts had often produced offspring they’d never claim, but she couldn’t hide a pregnancy, she couldn’t get away with things like a man could. ”Besides, I have thousands upon thousands of children. ..you see all the citizens of Panem are my children. I help guide them, keep them safe, love them…I’ve sacrificed everything for them. And now I have to deal with children who are disrespectful and disobedient. “ Sitting back in the chair she cocked her head again and smiled. He was scared; Lee could read it across his face. It was strange how a grown man nearly twice her size would shiver in his boots in front of her, but it was her job. And she loved every minute of it.

”What do you do to your kids when they disobey Jack? Or are you even home enough to watch them? It’s a shame their mother isn’t around isn’t it?” She watched him carefully as she ignored his comments about the papers for now. She wanted to hear him speak, to watch him crumbled under the pressure of his family. Never once did she lose her softness as she relaxed back trying to comfort him she pulled up her legs so that they were tucked under her as if he was going to tell her a story. But before he could finish she butted in. ”Jack I think you look miserable chained to that chair. Do you think I could trust you if I just placed you in cuffs instead of this? I really hate to see you locked up like some sort of animal, but I have to know you aren’t going to lash out.” Her eyes travelled to the baton on her hip and the small hand gun in its holster at her side before looking him square in the eyes. ”I will use them if you try anything, and there are guards directly outside the doors, but I think you deserve a little reward for being so good already.” Snapping her fingers one of the guards moved in and deftly unchained his wrists seeing that they were the only parts of him that were restrained.

”Can you tell me more about this so called cattle run?” Lee nodded as she tucked herself back up in the chair. ”I’ve been patrolling District 10 myself, I know the community very well…”. Jack had to know that she was being gentle with him, she was trying her best to get him to relax and open up so she could figure out this case but in the end she already knew exactly how to punish a naughty child, and Jack was very naughty.

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[Jack Lexington]

The way she talks to me is very different to the guy, who was so insecure and then resorted to beating me. Her tone is soft, her movements flowing. She doesn't touch or insult me. No, on the contrary.
There's a strange vibe about her though that keeps me on my tiptoes. I won't relax and fall into some sort of trap. Not one set by this female, any female peace keeper! For some reason I have to believe that she's not here to hurt me. Why would she? I'm innocent...at least of this crime.

For a moment I look up at her to see a little pout. Is she seriously showing emotions?
”Why Mr. Lexington! I thought you knew that peace keepers weren’t allowed to marry and especially not to have children while they’re in the service.” She says, so I shake my head provoking it to hurt again.
"I had no idea." All I know about peace keepers is how they've torn my family apart and killed good men.
She goes on to explain how we're all her children, which almost makes me snarl. So that's how they see it. "We're all unruly children and you have to make sure we stay inside your rules. I see. problem is I've played by the rules, miss!" I tell her through gritted teeth but never look at her. I'm afraid she'll see the fear in my eyes.
”What do you do to your kids when they disobey Jack? Or are you even home enough to watch them? It’s a shame their mother isn’t around isn’t it?” What a low blow. She had to bring Noreen into this and how it's such a shame that she is dead. The anger I suddenly feel deep down in my gutt quickly replaces my fear. For a moment I'm worried that my temper will get me into trouble but I manage to take a deep breath and simply let my gaze meet hers. It's filled with hatred this time. I blame the capitol, I blame the keepers, I blame her. 'You're the reason they won't ever know her.' I think but say no word because it will do me no good.
Once the worst anger subsides I mutter. "I never lay a hand on my children. I reason with them."

She seems to understand that I might actually not be at fault here because she decides to have me uncuffed and wants to listen to my story.
Wondering whether it's just a way to get to me I rub my wrists and sit up a little straighter to releive the pressure on my ribs, which hurt with every breath I take.

Then I take my chance and tell her my story since she seems willoing to listen. Maybe that's why the woman is here. Maybe she's 'the listener'.
"I took a job with Denman's cattle ranch. He runs the biggest on in the distrcit and was looking for somebody who had done the run before to accompany one of his younger guys. He got the papers ready and we left for district 11 with a dozen cows and horses." Out of the corner of my eye I watch whether she listens.
"We dropped them off in Jackson at the auction hall where they were auctioned off and then brought the money back to district 10."
I leave out the part where we got robbed and fought off the hungry desperado and finally let him go. No need to put somebody else in the DC.
"I arrived home and not even an hour later your buddies knocked on my door and draged me away without telling me why."
My words and looks are accusing because I need them to pick up my papers.

[zakattack]

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Speaking with Jack was very much like talking to a child, Lee soon realized as he claimed he’d always played by the rules even when she had solid proof he hadn’t. Letting out a little tsk tsk she shook her head. ”Jack, why would you lie to me? It’s already been proven you’ve hardly ever followed the rules; I know this isn’t your first time in the Detention Center. I know it’s hardly your first time to have a run in with a peace keeper. I thought we were trying to figure this out, not mess it up more.” Her lips pursed again and she sighed again. He was beginning to wear on her with this helpless never do wrong attitude. Was this the man who was always in trouble? The one who now seemed to cower at a woman half his size? By reading through his file she expected a hardened criminal yet the man in front of her was all too easy to crack.

As he tried to adjust to the fact he was no long chained she still sat and watched him carefully. ”Mr. Lexington I am not the reason your children will never know your dead wife. I am not the one who killed her, I am not the one that let her represent your District in those games. If you are looking for someone to blame I suggest you take a peak around you, no one stepped up for her, no one volunteered for her spot. They let you down Mr. Lexington not me. “ Lee pointed out softly. Though no doubt had she been the one selected for that fateful games she would have probably searched the young mother out herself just to end the poor girls suffering. She wasn’t set to win, that one, she was just there for the show.

Lee sits back and the thoughts run through her mind, the way she trained every day in District Two for the games. How she craved the glory and the blood and the glory…yet she never ever got it. Instead she enlisted in the Peace Keeping core, the way she could keep going with her training to use what gifts she was given to keep this beautiful nation alive. She could hear Jack prattle on about what he thought he had done and how he assumed all the paperwork was filled out properly, and truthfully she didn’t care, yet she kept a serious look and nodding along with what he said before putting her hand up. ”Everything you say makes perfect sense Mr. Lexington. However…” She paused and cracked her neck, ”In my time in District 10 I came to find that most cattle was sent on the train to District 11, and the so called cattle runs that came from certain farms were not as authorized as they’d seem. I’m wondering if your Denman actually filled out the papers the way he needed.”

Running my fingers through my hair I flash a smile at the battered man across from me. He doesn’t seem as mouthy and tough as Patton’s report had suggested. Maybe it was because he was scared of me, or maybe it was because he realized how long it had been since he’d dealt with a real woman who knew how to speak to him properly. They were all a bunch of inbred rednecks in District 10, most of them didn’t seem to have all their teeth. ”Jack it’s coming down to this. I know you’re a criminal. You know you’re a criminal. Every punishment you’ve had has not stopped you from going back to breaking the law again has it? I think this time you need more than just a little slap on the wrist. You actually need to learn your lesson and the only way you’ll learn is to lose something important to you.” Taking a deep breath Lee looked to the door to let the guards know to be on their toes, he isn’t going to like what I have to offer and I don’t want him acting rashly

”Tell me, what do you think your punishment should be Jack? I already know what the others want me to do, but I think you have too much potential to be an avox. I think you need to be the one to show the others in District 10 that lawbreaking will no longer be something tolerated while I’m there…so what should it be.” Her eyes travel down his body and settle somewhere between his thighs suggesting that she is aiming to take his manhood with her. However it was just a cover up for what she really had planned. Something that would make Jack remember just how much Panem will put up with when it comes to common criminals like him.

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[Jack Lexington]

This woman talks to me like a child with her 'tsk tsk' and the shaking of the head. I've seen those gestures a million times in school and hated them. She's looking down on me just like her predecessor did. The only difference is that this peace keeper knows what she's doing rather than get all confused and resort to beat the living daylights out of me.

I guess I got a little ahead of me when I claimed that I was innocent because I had my fair share of run ins with the law and there are even worse things that haven't been unconvered. Some details are in my file, some others aren't. I'm definetly not innocent as she states.
"I mean that I learned my lesson. Ever since I've become a father I've kept on the straight and narrow."

Her explanation about not being responsible for Noreens death because she wasn't even present makes sense as well. I guess she even has a point when she lectures me on how nobody stood up and volunteered for my pregnant wife. 'She's right. Damn bastards.' I think because this has never even occured to me. Why did none of those girls try to safe three lifes?
My eyes fall on my hands that once wore a ring for her. A ring she's taken with her.

The peace keeper pauses and gives me a moment to mull this over but what really strikes a chord is what she's saying next. Most cattle gets put on the train and cattle runs are usually illegal.
I've never heard of such a thing so I give her a bewildered look. "What? The train's solely for peace keepers and shipping meat to the capitol."
It didn't even occur to me that the same train might be used to ship our cows elsewhere. It could be true though.
Have I really been betrayed by that farmer, who simply wanted to make some extra cash? Have the papers I held in my hands been forged?
This is the first time I ever think about it this way. Have i become the victim of some illegal action here?
"If that's the case, why are you after me and not Denman?"
My eyes bore into hers as if I could see right into her head to figure out what's going on.

Instead of an answer I get. ”.....You actually need to learn your lesson and the only way you’ll learn is to lose something important to you.” At those last words I can feel my gutt drop. These people here are determined to punish me until I break. For all I know I'm already in a lot of pain but it's not enough for them. They want to break my insides and what better way than to take something important to me. The most important thing are my kids, then my parents and Faith. That's all I can think about as a huge wave of fear washes over me. I've seen them take my brother and I've watched them kill my wife. I can't endure any more loss. Tears start welling up in my eyes but I try to stay strong and not let it show. Fighting against them I don't let a single one fall but avert my gaze.

”Tell me, what do you think your punishment should be Jack? I already know what the others want me to do, but I think you have too much potential to be an avox."
There's the second worse thing they could do. Turn me into a mute like Devroux or the kid I'm sharing a cell with and ship me off to serve some punk blue idiot in the Capitol.
'I'd do anything to save my family from harm.'
"I think you need to be the one to show the others in District 10 that lawbreaking will no longer be something tolerated while I’m there…so what should it be.”
I'm not sure what she means by 'what should it be'. Do I have a choice.
Once again my eyes find hers as her dark robs travel down the length of my body until the stop at my crotch. Instinctively I reach down to protect my private parts from whatever is on her mind. The thought alone makes my skin crawl. I just want to run and hide so I start shaking my head and scoot back on that chair. "No, no. Not that!"

For a second I look at the guard who has stepped in and stayed glued to my chair because I know any wrong move will only result in them whacking my head on the table in front of me.
Looking back at her I plead with her.
"Look. I get it. You don't care whether I thought I was doing a legal cattle run ...and I still do, which would make me innocent..right? If you have to punish me then I don't know? Can't you ..." Anything I can think of would be almost as bad as loosing my cock or tongue. What can I do? What punishment could I suggest that will satisfy their need to make an example of me?
My chest is starting to feel extremely tight because I realize there will be no fair trial, nobody will go to d 10 and check my papers, nobody cares for anything but punishment.
"I don't know...." I can only draw half breaths now, very shallow and quick. "Break my arm or take a finger." Am I really saying this? A finger's better than my bits, right?
One more time I try to reason with the woman because she seems the only person with at least a bit of sense here.
"What if you're wrong? Check the papers, please, just check them...."

[zakattack]

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Just like that she saw big strong Jack Lexington crumble under her. She had won, and he knew it too. There was no more trying to prove his innocence as he’d finally realized it didn’t matter to her. Guilty or not he had a history and just couldn’t seem to keep his nose clean. ”I’m not here to hurt you Jack, you should know that already, I’m here to teach you a lesson.” Lee couldn’t help but shake her head and give a soft chuckle at his fear. ”Patton wasn’t the one you needed to worry about.” Looking back over to the guards she nodded and they moved quickly to shackle him back to his chair and as Lee stood and made her way over to him. His eyes were filled with tears and it was enough to make her cold black heart pitter patter with excitement. He was finally scared the way he should be. He finally realized that she wasn’t an angel of mercy, she was as dark as night. ”A finger or a broken arm isn’t going to teach you anything is it truthfully Jack?” she let her own fingers trail over his and up his arm as she smiled.

Moving to stand behind him now her hand reached his shoulder and she could feel the muscle the farm and ranching life had giving him before moving forward and leaning over him her hand reaching to the spot he assumed she was going to take, ”I don’t want this. It’s of no use to me.” Her hand squeezed it roughly before letting go and laughing. ”You’re so funny Jack with your tears and your pleading, you know that’s not going to do any good. Why can’t you just take your punishment like a man? Why can’t you just admit that you’ve always been on the wrong side of the law and get this over with?” She just wanted him to hear him say it: I’m wrong. I messed up.

Moving back out to stand in front of him she looked him in the eye. This was going to be too easy. She could feel the power welling up inside her as she watched the broke man in front of her practically trembling with the possibilities racing through his head. He must have surely figured out what she was going to propose. He couldn’t possibly be dense enough to think that she was going to send him back to let everything be fine. He would be the one the crowd pointed too when they thought about breaking the law, he would be the one that would let them know she was not someone to be messed with. ”To put it simply Mr. Lexington: You owe me something. For the time it’s taken to find you to the amount of time we’ve wasted on trying to get you to listen to the rules laid out; it’s just been too much. So I’ll give you the choice. The peace keeper core always needs new recruits and judging from how well you’re built living in relative squalor I’d have to believe your son would make a great addition. He’d be well taken care of never have to worry about being reaped, and grow up with a well-paying career already planned for him.”

Lee paused and cocked her head. It had to sting to hear that his son would be better off without him. Without the troubles and pain of District 10; without knowing what it was like to struggle for food or to worry about being tossed into the Games. The little boy would always be safe, but without Jack or his mother. ”There is another option though,” This time a wide smile crossed her face and for a second she looked radiantly beautiful. ”Your leg.”

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[Jack Lexington]

For not having done anything getting a broken arm or loosing a finger is a 'huge tribute'. Yet she doesn't think it's good enough. Again she lets her nails travel over the skin on my arm, which gives me the shivers. Her gentle touch is almost as uncomfortable as the punch that cracked my nose, especially when she reaches down between my legs to squeeze tight. What an aweful sensation coming from her.
I freeze and don't dare to take a single breath until she lets go claiming that she doesn't want 'that'.

”You’re so funny Jack with your tears and your pleading, you know that’s not going to do any good. Why can’t you just take your punishment like a man? Why can’t you just admit that you’ve always been on the wrong side of the law and get this over with?” Her words are mocking and harsh but what else do you expect from a peace keeper.
Her soft gentle attitude is changing to a much harsher demeanor.

The way she looks at me clearly tell me that I'm in for something bad. No matter what I've done, no matter whether I confess or not. They are going to make an example out of me and send me back to district 10 for everybody to see me.
For a moment my poor parents cross my mind. They've lost one son to the games, one to stealing food because he was hungry and got caught and now they'll have to deal with whatever happens to me, their youngest child.

The tension becomes almost unbearable when I listen to the choices she's giving me.The peace keeper core always needs new recruits and judging from how well you’re built living in relative squalor I’d have to believe your son would make a great addition. He’d be well taken care of never have to worry about being reaped, and grow up with a well-paying career already planned for him.”
Instantly everything inside of me screams NOOOO. Never in a million years will I let Josh become one of THEM. I won't let them brainwash my kid into one of those merciless hands of the capitol, who capture and torture innocent people like me.
Barely able to get a word out I press "No." out while I shake my head with force.
The one thing that catches my attention is the 'never have to worry about being reaped'. What greater fun could the capitol have than to reap a boy, whom they have cut out of their mothers womb during the preparation for the games, just to send him back there 10 years later. How ironic!
He'd be safe from that fate.
Yet my answer remains the same.

The woman is clearly enjoying to watch me but I don't give her the chance to look in my eyes.

Then she presents me with my second option. My leg. My leg, does she mean cut off my leg? I swear I can't breath anymore. My airways are getting so tight that no oxygen reaches my blood anymore. I will faint in a second or two. Turning my head upwards I try to get more air.
My leg. What would life be like without a leg?
That's almost ironical as well considering that I've almost lost one of my legs six years ago, when it got half-severed. It still doesn't work properly because I have no feeling in some parts but I was more than grateful to be able to use it after a long time of recovery because it meant I can keep my job as a wrangler and provide for my family. Without my leg I can't. Who hires a one legged wrangler.
Not looking at her I try to speak. "If you take my leg you sentence my family to starving to death. I can't work without it."

I'm pretty sure that doesn't matter to her. All she cares about is making everybody see what happens if you don't obey the rules. Then again, I played by the rules.
"You'll show people how cruel the capitol can be. Everybody knows it was and authorized cattle run. Everybody knows I'll be punished even though I played by the rules. What do you think? Are people going to be motivated to follow the rules by my punishment?"

For the first time I actually look at her even though my voice is shaky.
Then a second thing occurs to me.
"Making Josh a peace keeper would not be a punishment. It would be a reward because he'd be safe from the games and have the position that you love so much. How would anybody see that as a punishment?"
Hopefully my reasoning makes enough sense for her because truth be told it does to me, still I'm crapping my pants for daring to reason with her.

[zakattack]

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If there was anything to make Lee feel powerful it was the blood draining from Jack’s face as she laid out the options before him. Criminal’s require punishment, and what bigger statement than to pull him apart mentally or physically. The smile never wanes from her lips as she watches him squirm and melt into a puddle of nothingness; the feeling of losing must sting. A soft “no” falls from his lips at the thought of losing his only son with his precious dead wife…but it’s obvious that some of the security of the option might be getting through to him. How could he pass up the chance to secure the life of his only son? To never have to worry about him being reaped or killed before millions of watching views. He’d never live the same life of his poor dead mother.

”Josh would be safe,” Lee couldn’t help but whisper back, ”You’d never ever worry about his death…you’d never see him falter and die at the hands of tributes before everyone, see the punishment isn’t for Josh. It’s for you. Knowing that a piece of you will grow up to hate you, to despise people like you, to punish his own set of criminals…that is what would hurt isn’t it Jack?” She’d make sure his son hated worthless no good law breakers, she’d make sure he grew up strong and confident in his job.

Lee could see the panic start to set in and she let out a little laugh, ”Are you scared Jack? If you lost your leg your children could still take out tesserae for you. They could help support you and you could live to be a happy little family. You and that red head girl, you could forget about your past and move forward. Hell in a few years I bet you’ll be saying she’s their mother anyway, and all it would cost is your leg. Not the whole thing of course.” Stepping forward her hand rested on his left leg. ”I bet we could take it right below the knee. That way every time you looked down you’d be reminded of just how dumb you really are.”

Flicking her eyes up to the guards she held up a hand to tell them to give them a few more minutes together. Crossing her arms she stood next to him with a gentle sigh”I’m leaving this up to you because I’m hoping you make the best choice. If you don’t choose then I’ll just assume you’re okay with both options and I’ll have your leg and your son.” suddenly she leaned down and let her lips drag against Jack’s ear, ” and if you keep pushing me I’ll take your daughter too. I hear she looks just like her mother…” Quickly Lee stepped back and snapped her fingers. In came the guards and she flashed a smile as she started towards the door her hips swaying softly, ”Take Mr. Lexington to his cell. He has a lot to think about…check back with him in an hour and see if he’s made up his mind. If he hasn’t, take him directly to Dr. Harrison. He has the paperwork concerning the procedure and will get started as soon as he’s brought to him…Also Jack. You’ll be awake during the procedure. I want you to remember everything you’re losing.” Turning around she smiled at him and lifted her hand to give him a practically childlike wave good bye. ”One hour Mr. Lexington, or its all mine.”

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[Jack Lexington]

My head is spinning with the threats she's presenting me with. How can this woman act so nice but so so damn dark and cruel deep down. She's pitch black through and through with the face of an innocent child, I swear.
My hands a re shaking so I grip the arm rest tightly until my knuckles turn white.
Options are running through my head: Give up Josh to them, let him be safe from the reapings, let him have a fair chance in life...as soon as that thought crosses my mind I feel like I'm betraying everything I believe in. Those monsters have taken my brothers and his mother. How could I possibly let them get their hands on my son and turn him into oure evil? 'I'd rather live a poor, loving, risky life than a secure one filled with hate and wrong believes.' That option is out.
"I can't do that." I shake my head again to underline my decision.

For a moment I glance up at her as she pauses. I catch a glimpse of her eyes. They are stone cold. No sign of sympathy whatsoever. I'm not even trying to reason with her any more. Whether I'm innocent or not has never been the question here, I understand that now.

The woman moves on to discuss my second option with me. She's great at what she does: Instilling fear. That feeling creeps through every last inch of me when she explains how my children would have to take out tesserae for me, but we all could be happy.
"Why are you so cruel? Does this give you satisfaction?"
I can hear her mock me but I know there will be people in my neighborhood and family who are going to help even if I can't work any more. I'd do anything to safe my kids from these people.
Right there and then I make my decision. It's going to be my leg because I'm not going to take my chances with loosing one or both kids and a part of my body. No way. If that's what I have to do I'll do it.
My lip starts quivering against my will as I make my decision. I can't help it though. It feels as if I'm dissolving on the inside. I am no longer strong and made of bones and muscles but easily breakable, like I'm made of glass and paper. The peace keeper holds the lighter and sets me on fire.

There's so much noise in my ears from my own heartbeat that I can barely hear her when she explains that it'll only be half of my leg and I'll be awake during the procedure. Of course, what else?
My breaths are shallow and rapid and I feel the little bit of food I've had today make it's way back up to splatter beneath my feet when the guards grab me. The sour taste in my mouth brings me back to reality and drowns out the noise for a second.

I catch the end of her words. "one hour or it's all mine."
What if I pass out? What if I wait too long? What if....
"Wait!" I suddenly scream at her. "I've made my decision."
I can see her stop. Now I'll have to say it. Say those words that will determine my fate. My breath gets caught in my throat and nothing gets in or out. I can't.
The look on her face tells me I don't have any time to muck around. It's now or never.
Everything feels so tight: My chest, my windpipe, my mouth, heck even the room. I can't help the tears that well up in my eyes when my face turns bright red.

"My leg." The words are strained but audible, followed by a few gasps for air.
"Takeit."