It's the 69th Hunger Games and Arva Morwenna is returning as mentor alongside Finnick Odair. The job definitely isn't easy and after much absence, the remaining ghosts are returning in full force, adamant on staying until Arva works out what they want. To top that off, secret plans are carefully unfolded and a huge spider web of turmoil is slowly being knitted with each passing moment. [Finnick/OC]
Author's Note : If you haven't read Under the Water, please read it because this is the sequel. Or, you might be confused with the events that will take place here, thank you.
Disclaimer: All OCs belong to me while Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins. The picture used for the book cover belongs to its original owner. I've only done some edits to it.
Chapter One
Arva
I was heading to the Capitol on the very same train as I did last year but unlike that time, I wasn't a tribute and neither Mags nor Atl were present. Instead, I was a mentor who had taken Mags' place so she could finally retire and in front of both Finnick and I right now were the two recently selected tributes for the 69th Hunger Games. The male tribute was called Leith and the first impression I had of him was that he was very similar to Atl. They shared just about the same physique and they had the same cerulean hues as well. The only difference was that Leith's features were a little more boyish whereas Atl's were chiseled. Furthermore, Leith's hair was a lighter shade—more of a sandy blonde than plain brown or copper.
On the other hand, Arethousa, the female tribute didn't remind me of myself. No, she wasn't playing the weak card like I did to fool the people. She played the fierce and tough card the very moment she stepped away from the multiple lines of children with a determined expression and narrowed green eyes. Arethousa was also incredibly beautiful and without a doubt, she would be able to easily garner the attentions of sponsors even in the most horrendous outfit. In fact, both of District Four's tributes this year appeared to be Career material. Then, for a brief second, I wondered if Arethousa who was practically oozing confidence off of her form, would end up broken if she emerged as victor in this year's games. I wondered if Leith who should very well be the splitting image of Atl, would end up broken if he was the one who became a victor instead as well.
"I assume that the both of you attended the academy?" I inquired the tributes, breaking the silence around us. I didn't know what to say, I didn't know what to do but I thought that it was an appropriate question since the mentors were supposed to know all—if possible—the strong points along with the weak points of the tributes they were to mentor, right? It was what Finnick (since he did most of the asking) wanted to know from Atl and me when he was still mentoring us last year.
"Yes," Leith answered. "I'm adept at making fishhooks, weaving nets and using tridents. I'm fine with knives too."
"I handle knives and daggers better. Tridents, not so much," Arethousa added while straightening her back. Her vivid emerald eyes were trained on my pair of baby blues as though she could transfer her determination and self-confidence onto me and make me have full credence in her abilities as well. Honestly, I wanted to but I needed to be cautious too. After all, the arena would always be unpredictable with the Game Makers and President Snow having power over what could occur in there.
"I see…Work on your flaws and concentrate on survival stations during training. Pick up a new weapon if possible, both of you."
Although I was reciting what Finnick had told Atl and me last year, it made sense to tell both Leith and Arethousa the same thing. It was logical and useful—basic knowledge even but there would always be ignorant people because nobody shared the same mind. I gave a fleeting sideways glance to Finnick, catching his slight nod and I felt some of the anxiety fade away. His nod perhaps meant nothing to other people but to me, in this situation, it meant that I was doing fine. It meant that the boat we were sitting in in the middle of the ocean wasn't sinking...yet.
"If I'm approached for an alliance by the other Careers, will it be a good idea to accept?" Arethousa questioned while lacing her fingers together. Her eyes were trained on both Finnick and I, though it felt like her gaze was directed more towards me and somehow, I got the feeling that she regarded me with contempt even though I had no clear idea why. Had I unconsciously done something that insulted her? If I did…perhaps it was due to my behavior after winning the 68th Hunger Games? How I acted wasn't approvable, especially since Atl sacrificed himself for me but despite that…how did it affect her in any way? Did Arethousa have any connections with Atl? It was the only reasonable cause for her to have such disdain for me hidden within her emerald hues since she couldn't be acquaintances with either Cordi or Arlen…right…? As much as Cordi liked to tell me about her day, her friends and just about everything, Arlen didn't. He was more of a reserved person whereas Cordi was welcoming to everyone. However, that didn't mean that my younger brother never updated me on his life so that meant that my siblings couldn't be the reasons why Arethousa scorned me. Then, why?
"It depends on how the other Careers are like," Finnick answered easily. "That doesn't mean that you should drop your guard against them, though."
"Swim with the crocodiles when you want to prey on antelopes but when there aren't any left, it's each predator on its own against the other," I added softly. There was a shift in Arethousa's eyes but only for a split second. She averted her gaze away from mine and then, turned to her district partner.
"Would you join if you were asked?"
In one swift motion, Leith's gaze swept from mine to Finnick's and lastly, Arethousa's.
"No."
Leith's firm answer stunned Arethousa and I. I couldn't say the same for Finnick because his face was out of my line of sight. It felt like déjà vu and that moment when Atl declined Ethon's offer of alliance flashed into my mind.
The male tribute of District Two stepped away from his little group—he was most likely the leader—and calmly advanced towards Atl and me. Our gazes remained lock even until he merely stood about two feet away from me.
"What are your names?" his question sounded more like an order, confirming the earlier guess, but before Atl could step up and reply, I cut in.
"Arva Morwenna and this is Atl Fontanne," I answered politely, smiling like always. He was taken aback for a brief moment but regained his composure seconds later with a smirk. He had fallen for my trap and it was obvious that he liked to be addressed like he was of higher authority.
"Ethon Conley," he introduced himself back and then, gestured to his group with his head. "The both of you would make a great addition."
I looked up at Atl for his opinion. The both of us knew the general consequences for both acceptation and declination where both could also end in death, though with one choice would likely have a chance of a prolonged life and the other a likely shortened one. As a matter of fact, everyone with knowledge on the Hunger Games does. My district partner's eyebrows were furrowed as if he was in deep thought. Then, he looked at me before turning his gaze back to Ethon.
"No thanks," he said flatly.
'Just who is this guy?' I thought while staring at Leith. His looks resembled Atl. His mannerism resembled Atl and his age—albeit the fact that he, Finnick and I were all eighteen presently—when he was reaped was the same as Atl's. Even the way they reacted was similar! Then, this wave of coldness washed over me and I suddenly felt very, very scared. If Leith and Atl were to share any more similarities, I wouldn't know whether I would be able to accept the former's death if he were to die in the arena. It would be like reliving the dreadful past once more.
Finnick
I was only mildly stunned by Leith's answer since I sort of half-expected him to say no when his district partner asked him that question. The male tribute and Atl both shared startling resemblances and I knew that Arva could see them crystal clear. Their likeness was hard to miss and I was worried that the uncanny fact would cause my love to be shaken up. Throughout the months we spent together at home, she made great progress in becoming her old self again. Sure, there were moments when either her siblings, Mags or I caught her staring long in the mirror or windows but that didn't mean that she wasn't smiling or that she wasn't aware of her surroundings. She accepted what had happened, she wasn't drowning herself in guilt and sorrow anymore, and she was making the best of everything. Her siblings' ready acceptance was what sped up the process.
I glanced at Arva and her posture was rigid. I wanted to pull her into my arms and calm her down but I couldn't within the presence of the tributes we were to mentor. Despite that I was supposed to let the idea of Ava and I being a couple sink into the minds of the people, this wasn't the right moment. No, not when Arethousa appeared disdainful of the girl who held and returned my sincere affections.
"I see," the female tribute of District Four for the 69th Hunger Games finally spoke up, breaking the silence in process. Her lips were pressed together in a firm line as though to show her disapproval or unhappiness. "Why?"
"Why swim with the crocodiles when you could be a lion instead?" Leith replied rather dryly, referencing the metaphor Arva used earlier, and I found myself amused.
'So, there is a difference between Atl and him,' I thought to myself. I snuck a look at Arva and found that she had relaxed too. Arethousa, on the other hand, didn't seem too pleased with her district partner's tone, though she dropped it the moment Elodea entered the compartment to announce that it was time for dinner.
Arva
After dinner and upon the tributes mutual request, I watched the recorded reapings for this year's Hunger Games with them, Finnick and Elodea. Like every year, the tributes from District One and District Two appeared intimidating whereas the following tributes from the other districts paled in comparison. However, watching Arethousa and Leith on television showed that they should very well belong to the Career group too. Without doubt, they would be sought for an alliance by the Careers of the first two districts.
With a change of sleeping attire hanging on an arm, I stepped into the bathroom adjoining my bedroom compartment—the very same one as the one I used last year. It was late, perhaps even midnight by now since I last glanced at the clock after watching the reapings. Tonight, I would be sleeping on my own. It would be a little lonely without Finnick since I was used to his warmth near me during the night, especially since he spent most of them with me back at the district but I also knew that I couldn't depend on him entirely. As much as I didn't want to think pessimistically, Finnick and I could be separated one day and if that day were to arrive, I would be devastated, even more so if I depended on him too much and if I weren't the one gone…Maybe Finnick would feel the same as well in the future if the roles were reversed instead.
'No,' I forced those miserable thoughts away and lifted my head from the cold peach tiles. Then, upon seeing the mirror hanging above the white marble sink, I froze. There she was again…the girl from District Nine who I've not seen since that time she questioned me if her family cried for her during my Victory Tour.
'What's her name again…?' I mentally asked myself as the District Nine girl lifted her freshly bloodied finger onto the mirrored glass.
'Hello,' she wrote backwards with a grim expression. No smile. No grin.
"…Hello," I greeted back softly. She cracked a smile at that and proceeded to write down her following words after covering her fingers with more blood. It was also only then that I wondered if the blood from her wounds would ever stop flowing. The dead definitely can't die a second time but considering how a dead person's organs can no longer function, where did all of that blood come from? And, in such large, unstopping amounts too? Then, I noticed that the District Nine girl had finished writing.
'Is it the 69th Hunger Games now?'
"Yes."
'I see…you're the new mentor?'
"Yes."
'Oh. Good night.'
With that, she vanished and I was left facing my own reflection in the bathroom, pondering about how odd her behavior was.