**Chapter 5: Shadows of Deception**

The dim light of the warehouse seemed to fade into the background as Peeta's words hung in the air, a promise of secrets and danger. Zoya's heart still racing, she pulled her hand back from Peeta's arm, but her eyes remained locked onto his. The air was thick with tension, and she could sense the weight of their decision to work together. "We need to be careful," Peeta repeated, his voice low and serious. "If there's even a chance that an alliance exists, we can't trust anyone. Not even some of the other tributes." Zoya nodded, her mind racing with the implications. She had always suspected that there was more to the Games than met the eye, but she had never imagined that there could be a hidden alliance at play. "Let's start with what we know," Peeta said, his eyes scanning the warehouse as if searching for any signs of surveillance. "I've received a message from a...source. Someone who claims to have information about the alliance." Zoya's curiosity was piqued. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Peeta hesitated, his eyes darting around the warehouse before finally settling on hers. "I don't know," he said, his voice low and cautious. "The message was anonymous. But it seems that this person is willing to meet with us, to share information about the alliance." Zoya's heart skipped a beat. An anonymous source? It sounded like a trap, but Peeta's serious expression told her that he believed it was worth the risk. "When and where?" she asked, her voice firm. Peeta pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. "The message says to meet at the old windmill on the outskirts of District 8," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "At midnight. And to come alone." Zoya's eyes widened as she took the paper, her mind racing with the risks. The windmill was a notorious location, a place where rebels had once been caught and executed. But if there was even a chance that they could uncover the truth... "I'll go," she said, her voice firm. "But I'll need a disguise. And a way to get there without being seen." Peeta nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I've already thought of that," he said, pulling out a small bag from behind a crate. "There's a change of clothes in there, and a map to get you to the windmill without being seen." Zoya took the bag, her heart racing with anticipation. She knew that she was taking a risk, but she also knew that she had to uncover the truth. And with Peeta's help, she felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. As she changed into the disguise, a simple dress and a hood to cover her hair, Peeta handed her a small device. "This is a secure comms device," he explained. "If anything goes wrong, just press the button and I'll be there in minutes." Zoya took the device, her fingers brushing against Peeta's as he handed it to her. The touch sent a spark of electricity through her body, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension between them palpable. "I'll be careful," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. Peeta's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a deep concern. "I know you will," he said, his voice low and husky. "But if anything happens to you...I'll never forgive myself." Zoya smiled, a small smile, and nodded. "I'll be fine," she said, turning to leave. But as she walked out of the warehouse, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap, and that Peeta's words were more than just a warning. They were a promise of something more, something that she couldn't quite put her finger on.