The Hunger Games: The Alliance
Chapter Four
The Game makers began shouting for them to rush to their chariots. Octavia had calmed down considerably and left District 4, and boarded her chariot with a grimace. She looked as if she had been crying, part of her makeup smeared. She watched the other Tributes getting last minute touch ups—and Odair seemed to have his team scrubbing her makeup from his chest, to her amusement.
Lear ran through the crowd and jumped into the chariot, a bag in his hand.
"Johanna told me what happened—I'm sorry, love. Let me fix you up quickly," he offered and began to work on her makeup, fixing the smudges and added gold around her eyes to conceal any puffiness. He gave her a quick kiss and hopped off when one of the peacekeepers came forward in a threatening stance.
"You shine brighter than all of the stars in the galaxy, Octavia Blake. Show them!" He shouted as the horses took off after District 4's. She held onto the edge, her nails digging into the chariot. She could see the Districts ahead of her waving and eating up the crowds words. She could not fault 4, but she could fault the first three districts.
They shouted her name with a thundering applause, and she saw her face on the screen—hard and cold—and it made her wonder why they cheered further for her. They threw flowers of all kinds at her, but she did not falter and pick them up like she would have 3 years ago. Instead she let them fall onto the ground for the rest of the horses to trample. She stared ahead of everyone and kept her composure—there was no happy smile or even a smirk to spare for them.
When she looked behind her she could see Johanna in the same stance with blight, except they were holding hands and had raised them above their heads. Solidarity in their own district—it was then Octavia wished for a District Partner, though he was in a better place than where she was now. He would have just been putting off the inevitable.
Everyone chanted Katniss's name and she knew they were out. The crowds cried harder—their fire had been brought out—and Octavia had begun her circle. Most Districts bowed to Snow or showed a sense of District pride. They coddled his feelings and showed a gesture of respect, in order to honor his position.
Finnick and Mags were the first to start with their cold iron stare, neither acknowledging his presence. Octavia was next in her cold attitude, but instead stared down the President. An uncontrollable sneer present on her face.
No Ceaser, we who are about to die—do not salute you, she thought.
Katniss and Peeta had been the biggest slap in the face, as they turned away from him, and gave a nod to their fellow tributes. Octavia felt a swell of pride in her chest as she looked around to the other tributes. Even the Careers had given them a head nod back—yes they were not all in this together, but they understood what was at stake.
Johanna looked ready to bolt from the Chariot when Snow began speaking. He announced what a good reaping it had been and chatted on about the significance of the new Games. He explained that it was disheartening to have to lose such wonderful Victors, but it was a sacrifice that Panem must be willing to make.
Cashmere and Gloss were watching him with ease and excitement along with the other career district, and she wondered if they were just as scared—they were closest to the Capitol. She considered that it could have been an act. They needed to keep the Capitol close to them if they did win, because they would not survive the rebellion.
The speech ended and the Chariots were being prepared to go back, and bring the Tributes to their apartments. Octavia had other ideas as she climbed down off of hers and walked confidently over to District 7.
Snow's eyes followed her and the rest of the Capitol held their breath, expecting the Games to begin when she made it there.
Johanna looked around and saw her, and got off of the chariot as well.
"Blight, if you're out then leave now," Johanna ordered. He stayed when Octavia approached them and stood at the back of their chariot.
Johanna held her hand out, and head held high. Octavia grasped her forearm and they shook hands for all of Panem, including the Districts to see. They both looked over to the platform where President Snow had stood, but now he was sitting on his throne made of iron.
Blight reached down and helped both of the women into the Chariot.
The world stilled and all of Panem let out a collective gasp.
"We can go," Octavia muttered, the weight of their stares weighing heavily on her chest. It made the hairs stand up on the back of her neck.
Blight stood in the back, while both women stood in front, hands clasped in friendship. Their alliance made public on camera and for all of Panem to see—there would be no killing in their group.
The chariot began moving, and the crowd erupted in a larger applause, as Octavia watched her former Chariot riding empty. She was dead anyway, and if she was to die then it was in pursuit of a better world. When District 7 moved they held their arms out and blight placed his fist on top of theirs. The crowd was mad for it and began to chant District 5 and 7.
"That was incredibly stupid!" Theia yelled at her when she left the chariot, Johanna and Blight standing behind her.
Mags and Finnick had walked over with Haymitch, who gave her the thumbs up as he laughed.
"I'm giving them the best damn show of their life," Octavia said.
"That's my girl," Johanna announced proudly.
"As wonderful as that is, wait until you're almost in the games—we need all the man power we can get inside," Haymitch commented and then shook Octavia's hand. In her hand then laid a piece of paper, and she subtly slipped it into her cleavage and nodded to him.
"I won't have you dying before the Games," Theia scolded.
Lear chuckled, and pulled her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "I thought it was brilliant, besides everyone's going to be trying to stop the games now. I think you all need to be pulling these stunts."
"That is why we'll be discussing tactics," Haymitch pointed between them. "Someone here has brains and wants to use them."
"Just don't get us killed before the Games, we might actually survive this," Finnick said and Mags nodded. She patted Finnick on the arm before leaving to retire for the night. It had been a long day for her, and with her age it tired her out fast.
Johanna smirked, "Don't be sore that she hooked up with a tree instead—allies," she teased.
Katniss and Peeta had gotten off of their chariot and walked over towards their Mentor, who was still discussing things with Lear and Theia.
"You guys did great," Octavia smiled sadly.
"You too—I thought Snow's eyes were going to bulge out of his head," Peeta smiled. He was the friendlier of the two. Octavia understood how it was easy for the whole world to see them as a couple, and she herself had rooted for them. A love story gets everyone. They balanced each other out, and Katniss needed to be softened, while Peeta needed to protect himself from the world. She admired them.
"We need to go and change, why don't you ride with us—Girl on Fire?" Finnick purred.
Peeta looked between Finnick and Katniss, whose face was cold, and answered for her. "Sure—we should all talk more, right?"
Johanna linked arms with Peeta and began walking with him and talking animatedly, Katniss storming behind them towards the elevator. There was no doubt after that, that they were a couple in Octavia's eyes. It was hard to fake that type of irritation that seemed to just radiate from Katniss. She didn't have enough time to be skilled at masking her emotions at 17, then the rest of them did.
"It makes it all the more difficult to kill each other after—but it has to be done, you know?" Johanna explained with sarcasm dripping off of her words. Finnick and Octavia followed them into the Elevator. Haymitch squeezed through them to stand near his District and as the elevator closed, Johanna began on her second act of irritation.
"If I could I would put an axe through my stylists head," Octavia moved away from her as she saw her friend stripping off her accessories. She moved against Finnick's chest and looked to Katniss whose teeth were grinding.
Johanna let her hair down and then turned around, "Unzip me?" she asked Peeta. He was polite enough to step forward and unzip her at her request. She began pulling the sleeves off, revealing her naked back. Octavia had to bite her lip at her friend's display, keeping quiet and letting the master to her work.
"So what does it feel like, now that everyone wants to sleep with you?" she questioned and Octavia could feel Finnick laughing silently to himself.
Katniss began, "I wouldn't know."
"I suspect so, since I wasn't talking to you," Johanna gave a pointed look at Peeta as she turned around and slipped the dress all the way down her thighs and kicked it to the side. Octavia rolled her eyes and had to turn her head to keep from laughing at their discomfort. Haymitch's eyebrows were high and his face in shock, he hadn't thought she would have the balls to strip completely naked.
"Fish boy is easier to reign in then she is, sorry," Octavia offered to the younger tributes.
Finnick leaned forward, "I could strip for you—if you'd like, but I'd prefer it if you pulled that little stunt. It's far more effective than holding hands."
"I can't deprive Johanna of the spot light," Octavia didn't look at him, but smirked from her place in front of him.
She could see Johanna give a playful growl and wink towards Peeta who had turned red. When Level 7 beeped, she walked off shouting, "Thank you for the company!"
Octavia laughed awkwardly and gathered up Johanna's clothes, "That's my cue to go," she moved off of the elevator before turning back, "Maybe once you put on some suitable clothes, Odair, I'll let you fish for Haymitch's note."
She flashed him her predatory smile, and gave a small wink before walking off after Johanna. She could flirt and flutter her eyelashes, even better than he could if that was the game he was playing.
"You've officially met Johanna Mason, District 7." Haymitch said after the elevator closed. "You met Octavia Blake, District 5, earlier. However, that is what you're competing with—that personality was what won her every sponsor three years ago. She's politically dangerous and physically—so watch out."
Haymitch looked over at Odair, who was beat red and staring at the elevator doors. "You don't live this far up," he announced.
"I—I was going to, but she…" Odair mumbled incoherently. "I'm going fishing," he said decidedly and clicked the number 7 again.
"She said after you changed," Peeta threw in.
Finnick looked himself over and swore, "Damn nets—how much time do you think I have?" He asked a bit more frantically.
"Not long, but you better hope you have large strides—"
"She's not actually going to let you go fishing. She's trying to get you flustered—haven't you seen her Games? That was her smile," Katniss interrupted.
Finnick looked to Haymitch and then landed on Katniss, "No, she didn't give me that smile. Did she?"
Haymitch chuckled, "Well she didn't kill you—that seems like a good sign to me."
Octavia had already undressed herself and pulled on a large button down shirt, one of Blights, and a pair of leggings. They weren't required to do anything, but study their opponents and eat dinner. She pulled her hair up onto a messy bun, and walked out of the room and towards the couch.
She pulled the message from Haymitch from her bra, and read it.
Roof Meeting at 1 am –H
In the dead of night with everyone else asleep and no cameras, she couldn't imagine what type of plan he had concocted. Haymitch was someone she admired, despite his need for heavy self-medication—he was a Victor who lived in constant regret. He handled mentoring and moved on with his life, and had found a way to fight back against the Capitol.
She smirked and called for Johanna who was brushing her dripping hair. Johanna hated to be dressed up in any capacity.
"What?"
"We've been summoned by Haymitch. We have to meet on the roof at 1 am, but until then we have the rest of the time to ourselves," Octavia said.
Johanna groaned and sat on the couch next to her.
"I'm going to go intimidate the Careers," Johanna said decidedly. "Whatever Haymitch needs of us, will probably need a lot of intimidation—I'm going to get started." Jo lifted herself up again and skipped off towards the elevator and pressed the button to the Career's rooms. She gave Octavia a wiggle of her fingers and the elevator shut.
~0~
"Finally, you made it!" Theia smiled when Octavia climbed the stairs from the top floor to the roof. Haymitch was stood in the middle with Districts 3, 4, 6, 7, and 11. Her District was now added to the list as she walked forward.
They were sat on boxes, and a small fire burned between them. A chalkboard was behind Haymitch, with numbers and a poorly drawn map.
"So where is the Girl on Fire?" Octavia questioned.
Effie looked to Haymitch before answering, "Katniss doesn't know about any of this and won't know. In case this doesn't work. We need her as our figurehead—if they capture her then we need her to have no information."
"That's what you're all signing up for, this is about getting her out of this arena. Your job is to protect the Mockingjay," Haymitch clarified.
Octavia walked past Jo and Blight, and sat down next to Finnick, who offered to share his blanket with her. She happily pulled the other edge over her shoulder and hunched over, resting her arms on her knees.
"Why would I protect the Mockingjay? I don't want to die," Johanna scoffed. "What has she done for me?" she questioned.
"She's going to unite all of Panem! That is what she has done. You want out? We're going to try to get as many of you out—it's not a guarantee, but we need fighters. We need her circle and if you're part of it then we'll damn well try to get you out," Haymitch told her.
Johanna sat back, folding her arms over her chest with an appraising eye.
"What about Peeta?" Finnick questioned.
"That's where some of you come in. You all have jobs to do—"
"We've assigned everyone something to do," Effie explained and began to list off what Beetee and Wiress were responsible for.
They nodded along and gave their input, and Haymitch explained Beetee's plan to break the arena, since he had designed the force field that was keeping them all prisoner inside.
"Johanna and Blight, your job is to keep them safe. Katniss wants them as her allies, so you are going to keep them safe and return them to her when the time is right," Haymitch pointed to her and Blight. "I know, that Mags is a lot of responsibility so Octavia and Finnick you two are responsible for Katniss and Peeta."
"So, we get to play body guards," Octavia sighed and scratched her head.
"You could've ended up with a worse partner," Finnick nudged her. She shot him a look, and shook her head.
"I might kill him," Octavia said.
"She won't, but who is assigned to who?" Finnick questioned.
Haymitch looked down at his list, "No one in particular, you both have to keep them both alive. You're one of our strongest besides Johanna. I think you can handle three people, and my district isn't completely incapable of taking care of themselves."
"What is the meeting point?" Blight questioned.
"There seems to be this tree off to one side of the island, all our power for the games comes through that. Our objective is to meet through there, but if not I'm sure we'll find each other. They love to drive tributes to each other," Beetee said.
"Great. Volts and Nuts are on my team," Johanna said exasperated.
"How do we get Katniss to trust us? My partner isn't exactly her favorite?" Octavia asked.
Haymitch motioned to their gold pieces, "They know who their allies are and who they aren't. Just try to keep Katniss from making any sudden movements. Her main focus is on getting Peeta out alive—she thinks that I'm going to get him out no matter what."
"So you're lying?" another tribute asked.
"Exactly," was his answer and Effie nodded solemnly.
"You can't do that, when she finds out—if this goes according to plan. Do you think she'll be your Mockingjay when you've killed her boyfriend?" Octavia questioned, confused.
"She'll do her part, Pocahontas. Don't you worry your pretty little head," Haymitch commented.
"I'm thinking ahead of all of you. If I was in her place and you took away my one person, my reason for getting up in the morning after I had been through those games. I would rebel against you. I wouldn't help you," Octavia shook her head with disgust.
"She has a point—I wouldn't be too thrilled either," Finnick interjected.
"We're trying to get him out, but nothing is promised. She is the only guaranteed thing here. When the Dome bursts we'll fly in and pick up those we can, if you aren't at the drop point then we have to leave you. District 13 will be waiting to receive us," Haymitch said seriously.
"You all have to understand what this means. After this you are an enemy of the state. If they find you they will kill you. They will torture you for information, and whatever you thought was wrong with these Games—ha—it will be ten times worse. If you think the nightmares are bad now, then I have news for you.
"If you can't handle this, leave now. After tonight you are part of the rebellion and you will act accordingly. Panem is going to burn, and if you are not with us then we will burn you with the rest of them," Haymitch said.
The Victors were quiet, soaking in what he had said.
"I'm in," Johanna nodded and Blight agreed.
The rest of the districts began to agree as well.
"You've made your point, we're in," Finnick said. Octavia nodded along and gripped the blanket tighter around her cold body. Her flesh prickling at the chill that was running through the air.
"I have one request," Octavia spoke up.
"What is this request?" He acknowledge.
Octavia took a deep breath, "I want Brutus. No one kills him, but me." She instructed.
"We didn't say anything about revenge—" Effie began.
Octavia stared at Johanna who gave her a nod of support. Octavia wanted to let it be her last stand, if she had one. She wanted to take Brutus and show him to his father as she killed him. She wanted to take his life in front of his father, to show him the pain that he had caused her.
Brutus and his father were close, from what she recalled.
"Done," Haymitch granted.
"Then I'll protect them both with my life," she vowed.