track #01 in zoey skye sinclair

twice // one in a million

THEY TELL ME that I am one in a million, that I am special, and that they'll never leave me until the day death separates us permanently.

That has proved to be true, at least until now, but once I see the sudden pain Gwyneth is going through after her dad had been kidnapped, it's like a piece of my own heart was cut away; I could never stand anything happening to her dad.

Gwyn loves her dad. Even when we were still toddlers, I had never doubted it.

It was summertime, and our parents had organized a meetup for Gwyneth, Kunboss and I; in pictures, I always see Gwyneth clinging onto her dad; and Kun and I just stand there looking sad that our best friend was 'neglecting' us. Now that I look back at the old photo album, I chuckle and show a bitter smile.

So I started doubting their words, and started thinking that the world could be ripped away from me any day.

The childhood doodles and drawings. Just that tiny bit of innocence I've managed to retain after the Hunger Games. One action, one wrong step, and it's all gone.

The love between one another, the relationships. Every single word we've said to each other was built upon the truth; our mutual trust; and the best we wanted for each other. Just one lie, one person's interfering, would be enough to break years of solid friendship apart.

I flop onto my soft fluffy bed, already changed into my favourite fluffy cat pajamas. Gwyneth, Eunice and I have matching sets – Gwyn has the bear print, and Eunice has the giraffe. We joke that I've got the smallest and tamest animal out of the three of us, but I'm the cheekiest rulebreaker, and I do agree.

We always gather in one of our rooms and have a 'sleepover' on our school off days, but obviously Gwyneth wouldn't be in the mood to do so today. I don't want to overthink anymore, so I lay on my bed staring at the star projections on the ceiling, trying to clear my mind and remember that no one will ever leave me, and that I'm special. Always.

But instead as I doze off slowly, counting each sheep that jumped over the wooden gate, what I get is far from internal peace and quiet.

I dream of Aurore launching an attack on the Adelaide Woods, its former ally against Rochbok. I dream of now twenty-year-old Natalia Riggs commanding an army to charge.

I dream of the armies holding Gwyneth captive on that fearful execution stand that I never want to remember; I dream of them sacrificing countless innocent soldiers on the battlefield.

I no longer fear my death; but rather the people controlling our lives. I'm no longer scared that the Hunger Games or even Byrok will kill me; but instead terrified of how controlled and small we are under the governments.

I am still one in a million, but that only increases my chances of being singled out and under attack. The Hunger Games and everything I've been through will only make me unique and special – and their favourite target too.

I think of all the possibilities of who could have kidnapped Gwyneth's dad, imagine the consequences of us not handing them the social passcode.

When I wake, there are goosebumps all over my shivering body, even more so when I turn my phone on after splashing my face with ice-cold water, because the number one headline for today is...

Byrok ready to open fire on the Adelaide Woods and Capitol City? Read more from news specialist Suzy Brown now, keeping you updated from all over the world.

I quickly run out of my room and go knock on Cadence's door at the end of the hallway. The silvery door is closed tightly without a gap and I frown – in these few years I've been living with her, I've found this is one of her habits; to leave the room door open during her sleep – but right now, it's shut.

Currently, I really need someone to talk to – after Cadence and I learned to trust each other, we've become really a lot like sisters. Knowing today's news, I want to discuss it with her – she has the mind of a deductive thinker.

I try the handle, and it twists with little force. Luckily it's not locked, but I wouldn't just barge into someone's room like that. So, I knock again, and this time I'm greeted by yawning and a 'Come in'.

I push open the door with a creak. Cadence sits on the carpeted ground, cross-legged, rubbing her eyes; and gestures for me to come sit with her. I show my phone to her and she immediately springs fully awake.

"I know. It's scary, isn't it? They've really just always been civil, unless Rochbok took over again," I joke, chuckling at Cadence's sudden change of behavior.

"Considering James escaped, I wouldn't say that isn't possible. But wouldn't that be on the news too?" she asks, trying to hit me with a pillow.

"Yeah, I guess so," I reply. "But I've been thinking – the news all being released at similar times – is it not giving us clues?"

Cadence puts down the pillow and takes the phone from me, her eyes scanning the screen. "First, yesterday evening, James escaped. But that was a week ago, so he could be anywhere now. Then Gwyn's dad being kidnapped – I really didn't think it was a coincidence – the timing? Immediately after the escape announcement?"

I nod in agreement. "Then right after that, Aurore spotted preparing military forces. Then this morning, Byrok about to open fire on us? I'm pretty sure it's a set-up. Either this is actually happening, or the kidnapper wants to use this to distract us."

"Think about it. I think the distracting thing seems pretty likely, but don't you agree that the kidnapper has to know that the news is being released and when? This kidnapper is likely an insider," Cadence says, frowning.

Our eyes meet and I know we're thinking of the same thing. Other than James, who else could possibly be an insider for both Byrok and the kidnapping?

I know we might be overthinking, but James is our number one culprit. For now, at least.

"You know what I saw yesterday in Gwyneth's room?" Cadence asks, not expecting an answer. "How Criminals' Minds Work. Criminal Psychology."

I shrug – I know nothing about psychology or law in general. I chose to take the art degree to maybe become a designer in the future – while Cadence aims to become a historian to put the Hunger Games in the books once and for all – so there won't be any offenses committed anymore. We believe it's for the good of both the Adelaide Woods and its future governments – but now that Byrok will apparently be back, it'll all be a failed cause.

"I read the page it was opened to really quickly. One thing caught my eye. Quote: everyone does things for a reason," Cadence smiles and I can sense the gears whirling in her brain. "What reason could there be?"

I shrug yet again. "To justify James kidnapping Gwyn's dad?" She nods, and I continue. "Well, first of all, Gwyneth 'defied' the system when she was only thirteen," I laugh, making air quotes with my hands. "Imagine a barely-teenager breaking a middle-aged man's supposed rules and how mad he would have been. Also, she caused him to be exiled from the Adelaide Woods and be labelled a war criminal. He's been locked in prison for the past, like, five years."

Cadence looks to the ceiling in deep thought. "Have you thought of why he escaped, though? That blonde woman doesn't look like a Byrok citizen. Everyone in Byrok has either dark hair colors or unnatural dyed hair. And if she helped him escape, they must be up to something."

Her eyes suddenly light up. "You know how I said James was just mad at Gwyneth? Well, that justifies kidnapping her dad. See, no matter how it turns out, he wins. It's killing two birds on one stone. If Gwyneth gives him her passcode, he gets everything he possibly will need from her. But if she doesn't, he keeps her dad and keeps her in check forever."

I grimace. "But even sadder, what if he does something to Uncle Tommy? I couldn't live with that, Cady. Never. Even if I'm not yet sure James is the kidnapper."

Our eyes meet in the middle yet again, and I knew.

In unison, we say, "We have to help Gwyneth figure out who's behind this."

And I understood. I was special – definitely – in the sense that my love for the people I actually loved overruled the fear for people who were going to try and do something to us. And I am one in a million, in the sense that I'll do anything to protect the people I hold close to my heart. 

– a/n : what do you think will happen next? and do you think cadence and zoey are correct - has james kidnapped gwyn's dad? comment! i'd love to see how you guys interpret this!