The Advent
As the hour passed, we went into a lengthy discussion on the topic at hand, and Finnick was growing more agitated with my stubbornness by the second.
"While there have been victors who didn't kill anyone in the arena, it's still very unlikely. Everyone snaps eventually."
"Finnick, I wont survive long enough to snap, so for me there is no ev- "
"Ethan." He cut me off, "You aren't giving up before this has even started."
A silence fell between us. I couldn't understand why Finnick was so resilient, as for most people would have given up on me already. I was quick to feel guilty from my actions. He was trying his hardest to get me to cooperate and I've just been nothing but selfish and stubborn. He deserved at least some answers.
With a heavy sigh, I started to give in.
"A crossbow."
"What?" He asked, confused by the abrupt statement.
"You asked last night - about what… weapons we've used in our life. Well, when my father was alive, he used to take me out by the woods near my house to hunt elk, and he'd always let me have a turn firing off this crossbow he had. Of course, it's… been years since then, but that's been my only experience with any weapon in my life, unless you count gutting fish with a knife as weaponry use." As I laughed, a slight smile appeared on his face.
"Well I can definitely work with that."
We then resumed with the chatter.
Afterwards, Maddison and Mags had joined us. Mags being the sweet old lady she was, gave myself an Finnick a cup of coffee she had brewed - each. The coffee was satisfyingly sweet; nothing like that we had home, which in comparison, tasted like dirt. The day continued with discussion on what would happen in the days to come.
Finnick explained in detail on each event that would occur when we arrived. The first was going to be the tribute parade. Besides the actual playing off the games, it was probably the most iconic part of the whole event. It was where each of the twenty-four tributes were shown off to the capitol in "style". Besides the arena, It was the part I was looking forward to the least.
The style the capitol had was… questionable to say the least. Each year during the parade, the tributes would be dressed up as things from their home districts. District Four was known for fishing of course, so usually they would represent some variant of a fisherman - with its own capitol twist.
The training center would come next. This was the place in which we would train for three days in a gymnasium to enrich our skills for the arena. The center also would contain apartments, for each of the districts tributes during the stay. After the third day, we would present our skills to the game makers individually, to get a score from one to twelve. One being horrible and twelve being almost impossible to achieve.
The interviews would follow shortly after. The games' gameshow host, Caesar Flickerman, would interview us on stage separately. This too was something I wasn't looking forward too, as I could feel my anxiety spiking just thinking about it.
The arena would come afterwards. The end of the line, really. I could feel myself starting to quiver at the thought. I knew my death was approaching, but I had no idea it was so soon. Only six days away until I would be tossed into a cage and be slaughtered like a pig.
My shaking started to become more violent. Quickly excusing myself out of the conversation, I headed back into my room, feeling everyone's gaze on me as I walked out.
While waiting for dinner I headed into the bathroom for a bath. Laying the necklace Ms. Blackwood gave me down on the counter, I opened the door to the steamy shower. As the hot water beat on my back, the lingering thoughts stayed. Telling myself there was no need to stress was redundant, for I knew that I had all the reason in the world to be doing so. I was becoming annoyed with my worried self, so I gave up with the stress reliever.
The moment I stepped out, I felt myself lose balance. My feet slipped on the damp floor, so I acted in instinct. My hands reached out to grasp anything within reach, which the only thing being was the shower door, but at that second, I wasn't picky. Quickly grasping onto the door, I felt a sharp pain envelope my hand. Wincing as I straightened myself, I looked at my palm to see a shallow cut that reached towards my pinky.
"Well," I sighed, "I almost made it through one day without any accidents."
There was no first aid kit in the bathroom, so it would seem I would have to ask for one. After drying myself off, I made haste into the bedroom to put on a pair of clothes before going to hunt down Jessamine.
After strolling down a few cars I located her in the dining area, rearranging flowers that were on a table.
"Hey Jessamine?" I asked. In surprise, she turned to me with a questioned look on her face; "I kind of had an accident in the shower," to which I then held up my palm to face her; "is there a first-aid kit around?"
"I can help with that." A voice called.
Turning around, I spotted Finnick leaning against the door frame, to which he then motioned me to follow.
Walking down the train, he brought me into a cab – one I didn't recognize, nor did I know exist. The room looked simple. A couch which'd faced a television, a bed in the front of the room, a few shelves scattered around, and a door in the corner, which I only assumed led to a bathroom. This must be where he slept.
"So," Finnick started, as he hauled a first aid kid off one of the shelves; "Are you ever going to go a day without somehow managing to hurt yourself?"
"You ask an intriguing question, Finnick Odair." He laughed at the remark.
Opening the first aid kit, he then took out a container, to which contained a gel inside. He scooped up a bit with his finger before holding his hand out to ask for mine. I was hesitant, for I did not know how much medical experience this man had, but I quickly complied. He then took his finger and ran it across the cut, the gel slowly spreading across. I was expecting it to sting, but it felt quite relieving, even for how minor the cut pained. After finishing, he wiped his hand off in a cloth, and then went to receive gauze to rap around my hand.
"There, all set." He then closed the kit to place back on the shelf.
"Thanks." I smiled.
As weird as it seemed, I felt myself warming up to Finnick. As much of an ass he was sometimes - he did care. It seemed as if he was being a lot kinder to me as of late, which felt nice. Either that or this new lifestyle was already starting to have an effect on me.
For a little while we sat down on his couch and watched the television - the games specifically. They were rebroadcasting the reapings, but by the time we tuned in it already past District Four. I noted that I was quite worried on how I looked during it all, but Finnick was quick to assure me I was fine.
Soon after we were called out for dinner by Jessamine. This time around I decided to have a seat next to Finnick and discuss more about the "plan of action" he kept referring to. He talked about the things he did in his games that helped him survive, and how he could teach me the same tricks.
"Sorry for interrupting, but in your games, didn't you get a trident as a gift?" I asked.
"Yes." Finnick responded.
"So then, can you explain to me how I'm suppose to do that?"
"You got to look sexy for camera," He gave a cocky grin. "but don't worry. I've already made a few arrangements for that to happen."
I stared wide eyed.
"N-no, no you c-can't be serious…"
He started laughing.
"Don't worry, you'll look fine."
I let out a heavy groan before going back to the previous topic.
Maddison soon joined the discussing, and it wasn't long until the whole table was conversing. Even Mags would mumble something here and there, to which Finnick quickly translated.
I didn't know much about the two, but I could tell Finnick and Mags had a deep connection. Almost like a mother and son relationship. It was sweet to see, but it only reminded me of how much I missed my mother. As I finished eating, I quietly got up and excused myself from the table, hoping no one saw the grim look that developed on my face.
I planned on reading my book when I got back to my room, but remembering that Finnick still had it, I sighed. I instead settled for climbing into bed. Thinking back to the conversation at dinner, I thought of how much that trident would have costed to get to Finnick. If I'm not mistaken, it was one of the most expensive parachutes someone has gotten in the games, ever. That trident helped him secure the last few kills he had needed to win.
Soon my mind grew unfocused, to which sleep slowly overtook me.
I ran. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, fleeing away from the hunter. His hands tightly grasped around what looked to be a long shaft, with multiple razor-sharp tips. His golden hair flowing in the wind as he was slowly catching up. His grin was sickening.
"Please Finnick!" I cried, "Please stop!" He was in arms reach. I felt myself choke out a sob.
The air was cut as an object was flung.
The blades slowly stabbed into my back, slowly pushing deeper and deeper into my body, torturing me. The searing pain was too much to bare, as if every single nerve in my back was lit on fire. My voice screeched as an animalistic sound slipped past my lips, and soon the figure behind me started snarling before twisting the trident in my back, ripping it up.
But the canon did not blow.
He plunged it back into me, before ripping back out again. The same process repeating over and over.
Screaming was the only sound my ears heard. Someone was grabbing me, shaking me.
"Ethan!" The screaming silenced. I looked up to where the voice came from. My heavy pants were filling the room. I stared back at Finnick wide eyed. He looked like he just witnessed someone being shot.
"Finnick…?" I asked in a whispered voice, only for him to pull me into his chest, silently hushing and rocking back and forth.
"W-what are you doing here?" I asked, confused as to why he was on my bed.
"I Woke up to someone screaming bloody murder." It took a moment for it to set in, but I soon realized I was the one that was screaming. My breaths slowly calmed down, Finnick then pulled away.
"Did you have a nightmare?" He asked me, voice low and soft. I recalled back to the dream I had just had, to which my hands started clutching my chest.
"Y-yeah…"
"Do you want to talk about it?" His voice filled with concern.
"No, I'm fine now, really." I lied. I really didn't want to talk about that horrid dream, especially not with him. If he knew that for a split second I saw him as some blood crazed murderer, I'm sure the mutual friendship we had built up in the last two days would be shattered.
I looked away from him only to realize we had an audience. In the doorway stood Mags in a long black nightgown; Jessamine next to her, with her hair up in rolls as she wore some sort of thin, green mask over her face.
"Hnn… Well let us know if you need anything, okay?" He asked. I sighed before agreeing. Both Mags and Jessamine then walk out. Finnick soon followed their lead, only to turn around and give me a smile, then closed the door behind him.
I don't know how long I laid in bed, but I knew for a fact I wasn't getting any more sleep tonight. Slowly hauling the covers out from over me, I stepped onto the floor. My balance shook for a second and I grasped onto the bed. Making sure it was face, I slowly made my way to the door, which sleekly slid open. Sneaking out into the halls of the train, I walked past Maddison's room. I laughed from the fact that all I could hear were her loud snores. That's probably the reason why she slept through the screaming.
Approaching the living room arena, I heard hushed voices speaking. I snuck up to the doorway, being careful as I tried not to make any noise, I pressed my ear up against it.
Mags was mumbling something, to which Finnick soon responded;
"I know, I know. He just… reminds me of myself when I was reaped. You remember," He laughed, to which Mags joined. "I remember Dieck always saying how I was the most stubborn kid he had ever trained." He sighed. "He's opening up to us though. I'm going give it everything I got to help him. So, what I'm trying to get at is…. would you be able to train Maddison? She seems to be already quite skilled, so it shouldn't be too hard…"
Mags mumbled again, to which Finnick then thanked her.
"We're arriving in the capitol tomorrow afternoon, so we should get a good night's rest." A silence then lingered.
Footsteps hit the ground, speedily approaching the doorway. I wanted to move and hide, but it was already too late. The door slid open; Finnick and Mags stood above me, noticing as I was sitting on the ground.
"Well look at Mr. Nosey," Finnick emitted a laugh. I felt my cheeks heat up from embarrassment. Hastily, I stood up and passed them both into the living room car of the train.
After Finnick and Mags went back to their respective rooms, I went an sat on one of the couches and turned on the television. Some late-night Capitol programing was on. I stared at the tv but did not pay any attention. All I could think about was Finnick and Mags' conversation. Why did I remind him of himself when he was reaped for his games? I remember seeing footage, and I was nothing like him. He had constantly showed off his good looks, which I guess is understandable when you're fourteen and all the capitol is adored by you, but even still, he killed people during his games. He joined the career pack. Yes, maybe when the time comes – if I ever reach that far - I'll have to kill someone, but I will not be joining the careers. They wont even want me in their little group. I Had no skill in any sort of weapons, nor did I have any muscle mass to help counteract the first problem. They'll want Maddison though, which makes it even more confusing that Finnick would want to personally train me.
Falling asleep on the couch would probably be one of the many errors I would make today, but my body was too tired to care.
The next morning, I awoke to the sound of laughing. Looking from my shoulder I spotted Finnick. He sat at the end of the couch, The Tremolo Fly in his hands, shaking as he softly chuckled; his eyes scanning over the pages of the beat-up book. I sat up, feeling my bones ache from the not-so-soft frame of the couch. It wasn't as bad as I suspected, but the pain lingered.
"Good morning, sleepy head." Finnick spoke, not looking away from the book. I only muttered in response; my mood already tarnishing from the pain I felt. Glancing towards the clock on the wall, I was surprised when it read twelve pm. The door to the car swiftly opened, and out came Jessamine; her hair all curly and golden.
"We arrive at the Capitol in one hour, so hurry and get ready!" Jessamine called as she strolled in.
My breath hitched; feeling the anxiety rise. I became light-headed from the thought. Today was going to be rough to say the least.
After heading back to my room, I went to get a quick shower. Taking off the gauze Finnick rapped my hand in, I was shocked to see the shallow cut on my hand was completely gone, and only a small scar remained. My sour mood subsided slightly. At least one thing went well today.
After finishing up, I stepped out, only to notice the necklace I took off yesterday laying on the counter by the sink, to which I felt relieved as I knew I had been missing something.
I headed back out in the dining area where everyone was located, and as I stepped through the door, I heard Maddison;
"Ethan! Get over here! You got to see this!" she shouted eagerly.
The questioning of what she was so excited about started to mix with the feeling of shock as I heard her say my name out loud for the first time. I was beginning to think she didn't even know it. I looked around the room to see everyone amused by her. Walking over to the window where she stood, as I took a glance out, my mind went blank.
What I saw couldn't be explained.
The Capitol lied in our wake. The towering buildings were huge even from so far away. It was all surrounded by pools of water – almost like it was telling every outsider than this glorious place was off limits. The essence of it all was breathtaking.
"Holy shit." I breathed.
The train was quick to enter into the heart of the city. In a matter of minutes, we entered the fantasy world, which overwhelmed me with all the colors. The Pinks, the greens, yellows, purples, reds, everything. It was all so vibrant. Myself and Maddison spotted a humungous building in the distance, to which Jessamine pointed out that the building was the Training Center. 'How intimidating…' I thought.
The capitol people were quick to notice us, to which their eager expressions exploded with some unexplainable emotion, but it was hard to take a good look at a singular person, for the train zipped by too fast to really capture what the people looked like. All I could notice is that they we're a blur of colors.
Maddison did not stop waving, and the roars showed how much they loved it. Maddison understood what she was doing, what her end goal was, and I myself didn't even know if I'd make it off this train without somehow humiliating myself. Needless to say, Maddison seemed quite more experienced at this compared to myself, even thought this was a first for the both of us.
Soon, we pulled into the train station; Maddison was shaking with enthusiasm. The erupt stopping of the train was smooth; the train doors promptly opened. We were then escorted out of the train by Jessamine, into the screaming of people and flashing of cameras. It was a thousand times worse than when we got on the train back in District Four. As I felt myself wobble, Finnick was behind me in an instant, help keeping me steady to make sure I didn't embarrass myself.
Jessamine escorted us into a building; what she called "the remake center," which was distressing to hear. Walking hastily as if we had little time to reach our destination, we soon reached an elevator, but as we stepped inside I noticed Finnick and Mags weren't following. I gave him a questioned look; Finnick explained that we would see each other soon enough, and then the doors abruptly closed. Jessamine then explained how we would soon be left in the hands of our 'stylists', then went onto explain in detail about the process; but without Finnick's reassurance and Mags' presence, I felt my nerves start to act up again.
The elevator doors opened into what looked to be a huge room made from concrete. That's when six people appeared in front of us.
"Good luck you too." Jessamine said. Before having the chance to even ask what was happening, the doors of the elevator closed, leaving me and Maddison with the six strangers. A tall woman then grasped my arm and started to haul me on my way.
Who knew being groomed could be so painful.
R-i-i-i-p!
I muffled a cry as the groomers ripped off another piece off fabric from my leg. They seemed to be ripping all the hair off my body – everywhere but my head anyway. After I was dragged away I was led to a section in the room where I was placed onto a table, then stripped and hosed down without warning. The concrete building I was now in, which was called "the remake center", basically suggests what happens; they try to remake you. And I wasn't alone either. All the tributes had apparently been here at one moment or another, and some of them still are, as I could hear their moans and groans on either sides of the thin wall hangings that separated us.
I was soon to learn that these people – a man and two women – were grooming me before taking me to Abellio, the name of the woman who was my 'stylist', who apparently didn't want to see me until the everlasting smell of fish was off my body, and half of my skin was torn off from this fabric.
R-I-I-I-P!
I smashed my head against the table I lied on, cursing under my breath, only for one of the groomers to give a half-assed apology. My legs were now pinker than salmon, as the skin became irritated from the ripping of the fabric.
I tried to occupy my mind from the pain, but anytime I lingered on one though I was quite literally torn out of it by the pain.
After an agonizing few hours, I was hosed down once more before being propped up on the table for last minute checks. The three henchmen of the stylist seemed to be pleased by everything, to which they quickly dragged me off the table. I felt self conscious of my nakedness, to which one of them scoffed and then threw a towel at me, to which I instantly rapped myself in it.
I was escorted out of the large room and into a hallway. My bare feet started to pain as they walked on the hard flooring. After what felt like forever, we then turned to a door and I was pushed in; the henchmen then making sure to rip off the towel and any sort of pride I had left, and took their leave.
I was left by myself in a room, buck-naked.
The room was spacey. It consisted of a highly-propped bed, a couple of racks with clothing, and a few chairs that faced a mirror.
Carefully walking over to the bed, I pulled myself up on it and laid down. I guessed that I was waiting for my stylist to arrive, and as the thought came to mind the door sprung open. Swiftly sitting back up on the bed I glanced at the person standing in the room. She was of medium height. Her hair was in large, loopy curls that reached passed her shoulders and were of a teal color. She wore a skin tight black body suit with a white leather jacket over.
The woman walked over and stood in front of the bed.
"Hello. My name is Abellio, you're Ethan, correct?" A deep, accented voice came out.
I simply nodded.
"Ethan…" She sighed, "I knew you were breathtaking on camera, but actually being in the presence of you just makes you all the more stunning."
This woman was stunned by me? I couldn't understand what she would be stunned by, only to look down at myself and embarrass remember I was naked. I went to cover up my crotch area with my hands by she just simply slapped them away.
"Stand." She commanded, to which I slid off the bed and quickly complied. She started walking around me, circling and staring at every piece of my body like if I were some god.
Like if I were Finnick.
I scolded myself, mentally saying to never compare either one of us, ever. We were nothing alike, despite what Finnick thought.
"This will do perfect. I will have you looking sexy in no time."
Sexy? She wanted to make me look sexy? I felt my whole body go limp from the thought.
"Umm… Why would I want to look sexy?"
"For the tribute parade, of course!"
"I have to look sexy for a parade?" I was confused now. Usually every year they made the tributes have exotic eye-catching looks that in someway or another resembled their district, and it was very rare to get a district wearing something that looked erotic. The last time that happened was probably when… My mind was swift to realize the last time it did happen.
Eight years ago.
"I had only planned to make you look beautiful, but I had suddenly gotten a call from sweet Mr. Odair a couple days ago, and he had a personal request to make sure this year's District Four tributes would show off as much as possible, and I thought the idea was absolutely brilliant!" I felt myself growl in response, remembering Finnick's remark on the train.
Damn you Finnick Odair.
Abellio paced over to a rack of clothing on the other side of the room and hauled off what looked to be a garment bag.
She gently zipped it open and hauled out the continents inside.
My mouth dropped.
Calling what had just come out of the bag clothing would be a mistake, for all this was, was just fishnets. Small ropes were tied together to form a tee-shirt shape. The pants had the exact same concept. Brown rags were strategically hung over the crotch area, front and back. The footwear was a pair of sandals, which looked simple yet expensive.
I couldn't possibly wear this, but she simply started taking separating each piece of rope. She pushed the tee-shirt shaped rope into my face, ordering me to put it on, but I just stood there and gawked. She was persistent though, as she started to forcibly assist me.
I had no say in this and it was excruciating. After my minor resisting, I realized I was not getting out of this, so I complied.
Soon, I stood before Abellio; wearing the sad excuse she called clothing.
"Yes. This is perfect."
She then guided me over in front of a mirror and I wanted to shriek at the sight. The plan of this outfit was to show as much skin as possible, and unless they were allowed to show genitalia, they couldn't have succeeded more. I didn't know what else to do besides stare at the sight of myself.
Abellio then exclaimed it was time for the hair. She sat me down in a chair, then hauled out these different tools. I watched as she styled my hair in the mirror. She gave it a messy style, which was achieved with a lot of hair wax. She styled up my bang to show my face more. The end result was actually quite nice, but it still didn't cover up how embarrassing the outfit was.
"Okay, it's time!" She sung.
She then escorted me out of the room, and walked me down the hallway – which thankfully was mostly empty - to an elevator which waited Maddison, along with a man standing next to her.
Maddison wore the exact same outfit as me. The only difference? Her toned body looked good in it. But that didn't stop her flamboyant stylist from lecherously staring, complimenting Abellio's work when he saw me.
As the doors closed and we descended, Maddison leaned over to me, speaking with a hushed voice;
"Think about it this way, if they love it, then the people will love it. And that's only a positive for us."
"I don't see how being humiliated on national television is a positive" I cursed back; she only laughed.
As the elevator doors opened we were met with a room filled with people.
'People and horses', I corrected myself, looking towards the far end of the room where horses attached to chariots were prepared for use. This must be the stable.
I spotted Finnick, Jessamine and Mags by one of the chariots, which had the number four on the side. I felt people's gazes on myself and Maddison as we crossed to reach our chariot.
It dawned on me that this was the first time I was seeing the other tributes. As I glanced around, I tried to keep track of everyone's face, but it was hard to tell who was who as the area was too crowded.
"Well, well, well," Finnick said as we approached, "you two are probably the best-looking tributes here," his famous cocky grin clear.
"Of course, they are!" Abellio cheered. "And it's all thanks to you're outstanding idea, Mr. Odair."
"Yeah, Thanks, Finnick." My sarcasm was evident, which only made his sadistic grin grow.
After a few minutes, all the tributes were now down in the stables, and District One was ready to head out. The loud music signaled the start of the parade. Each of the Districts were lined up from one to twelve. The gates of the stables opened and District One set out.
Me and Maddison quickly jumped onto the chariot, which her standing to my left. We waited as we saw District Two head out through the gates.
"Hey!" I turned my head to the voice, spotting Finnick off to the side, "Put on big smiles you two!" Maddison grinned and gave him a big thumbs up, while I nodded in acknowledgement.
Feeling the rattling under me, District Four's chariot approached the gates. Feeling Maddison's excitement radiate off her body, I couldn't understand for the life of me how this girl remained so calm and cheerful in every single situation we've been in so far. My worrywart self would need to ask her how she does that.