Hi guys, sorry for the wait. We had some lag in editing and I'm getting over a sinus infection. So, yeah, just read.
Later that night after dinner we were waiting for the scores to be revealed I was on edge.
I of course wasn't worried about my own score though, I was worried about Adam's. At least his is the fifth though being from 3."
"Adam was pacing again.
"Adam, please try to calm down."
"How can I? This is HUGE." He said.
"I know but please at least try."
"I am trying, that is why I pace."
"Fair enough," I sighed as they started showing the scores.
We were all very on edge as mine and Adams drew closer.
As every year boys were first so after 1 and 2… "A TWELVE?!" He gasped.
"A perfect score!?" Beetee said his jaw dropping.
I smirked and hugged Adam saying, "I told you."
"Perfect score." Adam stammered.
"Still too low but it will do."
"How is that too low?"
"Because you should have gotten at least a fourteen."
"Impossible Isa."
"Well, it's still extremely good. First ever."
"Yeah, I know." Adam said.
"Congratulations,"
"Thank you." He said.
"What did you get?"
"A ten." Beetee said.
"Great job." Adam smiled at me.
"Thanks!"
Beetee nodded, "The high end of the Careers average."
"Yeah, that's amazing." Adam said.
"The best team."
"So, now what?" Adam asked.
"You two get some rest." Beetee said. "Tomorrow's couching for the interviews."
"Right got it." They said.
We headed back to the room we had been sharing.
"So, are you okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I asked.
"You seem odd is all."
"Well, I'm okay."
"Oaky." He said.
"Are you? As you can be of course."
"Yeah I am." He said.
"Good," I said with a slight smile.
"Yeah did you catch Phineas' score?"
"He got an eight." He answered.
"That's good then," Adam yawned.
"Yeah, we do need to sleep though." I said with a yawn as well.
He nodded heading to the shower.
Once I heard it turn on I quickly changed into a nightgown.
I saw steam and rising from below the door and wondered just how hot that water was.
"Adam," I said carefully knowing he can hear me.
"Yeah Isa?" He asked.
"How hot do you have that water?"
"About sixty degree's."
"Sixty degrees what?"
"Fahrenheit."
"Celsius." He said.
"Adam that's 140 Fahrenheit!" I gasped.
"Yeah," He said as if that was normal or even okay.
"That's not safe." I said.
"I'm fine."
"Adam, are you sure?"
"Yes, I am."
"Fine," I sighed.
A short while later the water had turned off. Adam came out dressed in pajama pants. His skin was red obviously from the heat but you could pretty much see it returning to normal.
"How?" I asked.
He looked at his skin and said, "The powers."
"Oh right," I said.
"Yeah, just give it a few seconds."
I nodded not knowing what to say.
In almost no time, his skin was back to normal.
"How does that feel?"
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"The healing like that."
"I don't know how to explain it. It just happens and I'm glad it does."
"Must be odd."
"Not really,"
"Why not?"
"Well, I probably just got used to it."
"Was it weird the first time?"
"I don't really remember that much."
"Right, I keep forgetting."
"You're lucky then."
"No I am insensitive."
"It's fine. I certainly don't need more reminders."
"I will try not to ask." I said.
"We do need to sleep though."
"Okay." I said crawling into bed.
He luckily crawled right next to me.
"I'm glad you're here."
"So am I." He said looking at me with a weak smile.
"Sleep now." I said smiling.
"Okay but you too."
I nodded and drifted off. I could only assume he did, too.
It seemed too soon I was woken by soft knocking.
I sighed and sat up. "Adam wake up."
He groaned but got up as well.
"Sleep okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, no nightmares. You?"
"Yeah though I would like to have slept longer."
"Me too but we can't."
"Why not?"
"Because we have to be couched."
"No point." He yawned.
"Well, we still have to anyways."
"I do not think so."
"We don't have a choice, Adam."
"Who is going to make me?" He asked.
"The Capitol."
"Let them try"
"Please for me?" I asked.
"Alright, for you." He said and got out of bed.
"Thank you." I said.
"You're welcome. I'd do anything for you."
"As would I for you."
"Good, then let's go." He sighed.
I took his hand and we left.
We headed to the dining room where Beetee and Robyn were waiting.
"Morning." They both said.
"Morning," We said taking seats.
"Are you two okay?
"Sort of," I said.
"Sort of?" He asked.
"You can't seriously expect us to be alright."
"Well given the circumstances I suppose not."
"Exactly," I sighed.
"Sorry." He said.
"Fairly so though."
"Alright, well where do we start?"
"I assume you two would want to do it together?"
"Yes." I said.
"We can do that then. Want to start with me or Robyn?"
"Who does what?" I asked.
"I cover more of the content and strategy while she covers more of the… I'm not sure how to explain what she covers."
"Manners and general things you can and cannot say."
"Right, that,"
"So, where do you wish to start?"
"How about with you?" I said.
"We can certainly do that."
"Okay so you first." I said.
"Let's go then."
We got up and followed him out.
He led us to a room with a small table and three seats arranged in a circle.
"So, Isabella do you want to start?" He asked.
"Okay," I nodded.
"So with you we can go cute, sexy, or smart."
"How about cute?"
"Then you need confidence."
"Wouldn't all of them?"
"Yes, but you need to also be a bit shy at the same time.
"I think I can do that."
"Good, because when going for cute you need to tug at the heart strings."
"I think she can." Adam said.
"Good." He said.
"Want to go through what that would look like then?"
"Right, ready?"
"Ready," I nodded.
"So Isabella how do you feel about your odds?"
"I think they're pretty good."
"Well you must have of course you did volunteer."
We ran through a dry run before he moved onto Adam.
"Now, you...I think arrogant is best."
"Well… alright."
"I think that you can pull this off."
"Yes I do." He nodded.
"Good lets go then."
The next day I was back with my team to get ready for my interview that night.
I was in a light purple dress that fell past my ankles and had a triangle of dark purple that went from my waist down to the edge of the dress. It was held by a bow tied around the front of my neck.
"It's perfect." I said looking it over.
"You look very nice." Adam said.
"Thank you, so do you."
"He was dressed in an all blue suit that seemed to glow a little.
"Thank you,"
"My pleasure I am nervous though." I said.
"I'm pretty sure everyone is."
"Yeah I guess so, but still."
"I am, too." He admitted softly.
"Really?" I asked.
He nodded.
I hugged him, not really knowing what else to do.
"It'll be okay." I told him.
"I hope so." He said.
"It will. I promise."
"Will you be okay?"
"Yeah, for now we can both at least."
"Okay." He said.
"Does that help?" I asked.
"A little bit yeah."
"Good," I said still hugging him.
"I'm here." I added.
"Thank you, Isa."
"No trouble Adam. I love you."
"I love you, too, Isa."
"Then we will be okay."
"Okay, I can trust that."
"Hey Phineas is here." Adam said.
I looked over unsure which to go with.
"If you want to talk to him it's okay."
"You always say that."
"So?" Adam asked.
"Most every time it's wrong."
"Well not every time.
"The majority."
"You can go."
"You're sure?"
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, it's fine Isa."
"Okay," I said and hesitantly headed over.
"Phineas!" I said smiling.
He turned to me smiling widely, "Isabella!"
"How are you?" I asked hugging him.
"Pretty good, nervous though."
"Yeah, I think we all are."
"Yeah, I figured so."
"You will be amazing though." He said.
"Hopefully, I'm sure you will though. You seem to be good at that kind of stuff."
"Thanks." He said kissing my forehead.
"You're welcome. It's just what I noticed."
"Well I hope you're right."
"I'm pretty sure I am."
"Thanks then." He said.
"What's your angle?"
"Smart, what about you?"
"Cute,"
"That works perfect for you!" He said.
"You really think so?" I asked blushing.
"Yeah I do." He said.
"Well, thank you. Yours is perfect for you as well."
"Thanks I think I have it down." He said.
"So do I and that does really help."
"Exactly so we just need to be ready."
"Think you are?"
"As I can be."
"Good, they should be starting soon."
"Think so?" He asked.
"Yeah, I think they're supposed to."
"Well I guess we should get ready then."
"Yeah, probably."
"Good luck!" He said.
"Thanks, may the odds be ever in your favor."
"And in yours."
Just then I heard applause as Caesar took the stage.
He welcomed them and we proceeded.
The girl that I think they said name was Candace was up first.
She played the sexy card and played it well in her near skin tight red dress.
They had her partner and the girl from 2 then it was Buford's turn who like most Careers behaved very monstrous. Too soon though it was my turn.
He pulled it off well too, and then it was me.
I took a deep breath as my name was called and made my way to the stage.
"Isabella Daniels everyone!"
I tried to look as cute as possible as I went and took a seat by Caesar.
I heard a few aw's so I knew I was doing well.
"So how are you feeling?"
"Pretty good, nervous though."
"Oh well there is no need to be. The people love you."
I smiled lightly and said, "Well, I can see that."
"So, Isabella have you enjoyed your time here?"
"Yeah, I even met someone actually." I blushed looking back.
"Oh! Really please tell us." He asked eagerly.
"Phineas Flynn of District 6." I smiled twirling my hair around my finger.
"Really? He is a lucky boy then isn't he?" He asked the crowd.
The crowd roared loudly at that.
"So, you are a volunteer, may I ask why?"
"I was lonely." I answered truthfully hoping to leave it at that.
"Oh, I see." He said sadly.
"Yeah, I didn't really have anyone."
"That's enough to drive anyone crazy."
"Yeah, it was really hard to say the least."
"Well are you still feeling alone?"
"No I'm not."
"That's good then, so do you feel anyone is a bigger than usual threat to you?"
"I'm mostly worried about Adam."
"Your district partner?" He asked.
"Yeah, and my brother."
"You feel he is your biggest threat?"
"Well, yeah but not in that way. You see. I really want to get him out but he really wants to get me out."
"And only one can leave." He finished for me.
"Exactly, so you see my dilemma."
"You poor children." He said.
"Yeah, it's going to be really hard."
"I wish we could help you."
"Well, there's not really anything that could be done."
"No there is not, but we will try," I said.
"Good, well Isabella you are out of time so I will say good luck." He said as I bowed and left the stage.
"Good work Isa." Adam said as he was called up I turned to watch nervous.
"Welcome Adam, so first off how are you liking the Capital?"
"It's pretty good. I whole lot better than where I came from."
"Really better than home?"
"Yeah, it's complicated really."
"Oh, well alright, so how do you feel about your odds?"
"Well, of getting Isabella at least out they're extremely high."
"You do not want out?" He asked.
"No I don't." He said.
"Why not?"
"It's hard to explain really." Adam said. "That and I really just don't want to."
"Alright, well do you feel there is a threat to you?"
"Considering my goal and her goal of course Isabella."
"So you two share the same opinion?"
"Pretty much yeah."
"That is sad for all."
"Yes, it really is."
"So, have you at least liked it here?"
"Yes I have."
"Do you feel anyone is a threat to Isabella then?"
"Buford would have to be the biggest but I can handle him."
"You think so?" He asked looking at Adam.
"Positive," Adam smirked.
"He seems bigger than you."
"He is but looks certainly can be deceiving. You of course saw my score right?"
"Yes perfect the first ever."
"Exactly, so I have every reason to be confident."
"How did you pull that off?"
"That's private."
"Not even a small hint."
"Well, let's just say, it was a lot easier than you'd think."
"That is interesting, if Isabella was not in this do you think you would win?"
"Absolutely, no competition."
"What do you think of Phineas and your sister?" He asked.
"He really seems to make her happy. Really nothing to complain there."
"Well that must be a relief for them."
"Yes it is. Unfortunately it's the same situation as we're stuff in."
"That's true."
"Yeah, just really rotten luck."
"What can you do though?
"Nothing but just get her out."
"What if you can't?"
"I'll be able to."
"You seem confident."
"I am. I have every reason to be." Adam said.
"Well then, I think our time is up." Caesar said.
"Well, it was nice talking with you Career."
"And you Adam."
"Adam Daniels everyone!" He release and the crowd cheered as he came back.
"Great job!" I said when he reached me.
"Thank you, it was kind of awkward though."
"Why?" I asked.
"Basically telling everyone off like that."
"Well you were going for arrogance."
"True," He shrugged.
"You did well."
"Thank you. So did you though."
"Well thanks."
Eventually the interviews were all over and we headed up to our floor.
"So tomorrows the day." Adam sighed.
"Yeah," I sighed. "It seems way too fast."
"It is, but soon enough you'll be home." Adam said.
"Or you will."
"You will." Adam said simply.
"I can't kill you, Adam."
"I can't kill you either."
"That's our problem." I sighed.
"Yeah, I know." He said
"I'm really scared." I admitted.
"So am I." He admitted.
"You really do have every reason to be confident though." I added.
"So do you."
"Not as much."
"You do with me looking out for you."
"It is true Isa you need to get home."
"Then I'll be alone again."
"You can find someone, Isa."
"What if I don't though?"
Adam sighed not knowing what to say I could tell.
"Exactly," I sighed.
"Just rest." He said.
"Right but you, too. We'll need it tomorrow."
"Okay." He said.
"Seriously?" I double-checked.
"Seriously."
"Good, let's go now then."
He nodded and followed me.
"We should talk with our team first actually."
"If you say so."
"Know where they are?" I asked him.
"Living room."
"Right," I said and headed there.
He followed and sure enough there they were.
"Beetee, Robyn," I started.
"Yes?" Beetee asked turning to us.
"Tomorrow's the big day."
"Yes, how do you both feel?"
"Nervous," He admitted for the both of us.
"I can imagine; I have been there before."
"How did you handle it?"
"You need to keep calm first of all."
"We're trying to."
"Okay that's good. Next remember any strategies"
"With you Adam, use those powers to your guy's advantage but try not to be very obvious about it, at least to the other tributes."
"Why not?" Adam asked.
"They'll never even see it coming."
"Okay." He said.
"Anything else?" I asked.
"Yes stay together no matter what."
"We will." We both said at the same time.
"Good then you should be okay."
"You sure?"
"Yes I am positive."
"Alright," Adam sighed
"Good now rest." He said.
"Right, that was the plan."
He nodded to us both.
"It will be hard but you'll definitely need it." He told us.
"Got it." We said.
"Right now?"
"You can sleep whenever you want." He said.
"Let's go now then." I told Adam.
He nodded, and I realized I was leading this team. I headed to our room trying to figure out how to go with that.
"So, now what?" Adam asked staring around at the small room that had been our home the last few days;
"Try to sleep." I said in a no argument tone sweeping back my hair.
He nodded heading to bed.
"Shouldn't we change?" I pointed out.
"Yeah I suppose." He said.
"Yeah," I nodded and got out a nightgown.
"One last shower." Adam said.
"Not that hot this time." I said with a sigh.
"Why not?"
"Because even though you heal like that it's still not good."
"It's nice though."
I sighed and asked, "How?"
"It makes me feel clean."
"It would without boiling you."
"No growing new skin helps"
I wasn't sure what to say. It was an odd thought and really something no one else could really understand.
"Odd huh?" He asked.
"Yeah, I guess it is."
"Sorry."
I sighed and said, "Alright, go ahead."
"Thanks Isa." He said smiling a little.
He gave me a hug then headed to the bathroom. I felt nervous now the day was so close. I quickly changed and sat on the bed draw up my legs to my chest. I was more than nervous I was afraid.
I guess everyone besides the Careers is before going into the arena. Still very rarely did they go in with siblings.
'What does the universe have against us?' I thought staring at the ceiling.
"You okay?" Adam asked coming out in pajamas.
"I'm just so scared." I whispered.
He climbed into the bed and pulled me into a hug.
"I know it'll be okay." Adam said.
"What makes you so sure?"
"I will make sure it is." He said.
"I don't understand why you can't just let me die."
"I love you; I would never let you die."
"It's not dying that I'm afraid of, Adam."
"What do you mean?"
"I meant exactly what I said, I'm not afraid of dying."
"What are you afraid of?"
"Honestly, winning."
"You are scared to win?"
"Then you'd die and things would just be back to the way they were for me."
"Oh! I am sorry."
"It wouldn't be though. Not if you don't let it." He added.
"But this time I would know you were gone."
"Really? I'd think the unknown would be harder." Adam said.
"No because then there was at least the chance I would see you."
"You still held on to that?"
"Well, yeah how do you think I made it through the years?"
"I guess I never put that much thought into it."
"Well that is how."
I hesitated for a second thinking back to something from back on the train and said, "Adam, can I asked you something completely unrelated to the games?"
"Sure, you can ask me anything."
"What happened to dad?"
He hesitated paling and asked, "Are you sure you want to know? I'll tell you if you do but I don't think you want the answer."
I hesitated but nodded, I had to know.
"…They turned him into an Avox."
"Th...they what!?"
"They made him a mute slave for the Capitol. Snow had made sure to perform the procedure right in front of me. He didn't even care about himself though. His last ever words were to beg him to let me go."
"Dad, do we have any idea where he is now?"
"Unfortunately no."
I sighed and held back tears.
"I told you you didn't want the answer." He said clearly resisting the same.
"Sorry I made you relive that." I said.
He sighed and said, "It's okay. You had the right to know."
"I know, but still."
"To this day that one day was still by far the worst. I had lost any innocence I had somehow managed to hold on to through the year preceding that."
"Sorry," She said.
"Not your fault."
"Still, I am sorry"
"I guess it was a miracle there was anything left to loss anyways."
"There was you," Adam said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I did not want to lose you."
"The thought of you was pretty much the only thing that kept me fighting all those years. If anything had happened to you like Dad or Mom it would have been so easy to just give in and let the chemicals kill me."
"You kept me alive Isa." He finished.
"Sorry about that."
"Why?" He asked.
"You keep saying you want to be dead."
"I do now, because I want you to live."
"It's more than that though." I said knowingly.
"Sort of." He said.
"Adam, you know I'm right."
"I just...I don't know."
"I know I certainly would." I said.
"Not sure."
"What do you mean?"
"Most people would." He said.
"Well we should sleep." I said.
"Right," He said laying his head down still on his stomach.
"Sleep tight." I said.
"You too." He said simply
I nodded laying down and closing my eyes trying to will myself to sleep. It took time, but eventually I drifted off.
It was interrupted far too soon though by another nightmare that had nothing to do with the upcoming games, instead I found myself on that table Adam had described.
It was cold and I could not move
I looked around the room trying and failing to ignore the warm liquid that is obviously my blood dripping down my skull, arm, and back. The room was bright silver and empty besides the steel what could only be described as a table I was strapped to and some horrific looking machine I assume to be how they administer the chemicals. Then lifting my head up slightly realizing that I wasn't twelve-years-old anymore. Probably about half that age... SHIT! No! No! Please no!
In came president Snow, looking smug."
"Hello Isabella," He smirked coming over.
"Let me go." I said
"Unlikely," He said and patted my head as if I were a dog.
"Let me go!" I screamed
"And why should I? After all you've already lasted so much longer than all the others. Quite the little fighter. I'm going to need that."
"When I get out of here I will kill you."
"We'll just have to see about that."
"No it's a fact!" I spat
"Unless I can break you."
"Never!"
"I have my ways." He said smuggly and left the cell.
He came back this time was not alone. It wasn't Dad though instead there, tied up and utterly helpless. Also still only 6 was… "Adam!" I yelled fighting against my bindings.
"Aw, so you have missed your brother." He said
"Let him go! Please!"
"Aw, but I wanted to talk to him."
"Why should I trust you?"
"You have no choice."
"What are you going to do to him?!"
"Just help him be nicer."
"Is a are you okay!?" Adam asked worried
He tried to move around Snow clearly trying see me but I really didn't want him to, "Isa, what is he doing to you?"
"Adam run!" I begged.
"Let go of my sister!" Adam said trying to push past Snow.
"Unlikely," Snow said calmly just as he had to me. To my horror he picked Adam up and set him down in a chair to my right.
Snow, I'm begging you don't do this!"
"You do not even know what I'm going to do." He said as Adam struggled
"Let me go! I have to help her!"
"Not quite yet. I have different plams for you." He said.
"Snow, please don't hurt him! You can do what ever you want to me! Leave me here for the rest of my life if you have to but just let him go!"
"He needs to learn a lesson." Snow said
"For what?!"
"Disrespecting his elders."
"'His elders' being you?" I spat.
"Exactly!" He said
"Like you deserve any respect."
"I do and now he will learn."
"And you Isabella are going to get a front row seat." He said and pulled out a case of something. "By chance, do either of you know what happens to those who commit crimes against the Capitol?"
"You turn them into...NO NO NO!" I screamed
He just smirk maliciously and opened the case he had, "See, I knew she'd get it."
"You can't make him an Avox please!"
"I can and will and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
I struggled as he approached Adam
"Please don't! I'll do anything!"
"Too late." He said
"Let her go!" Adam said.
He grabbed Adam's jaw in mid-sentence forcing it to stay open. "That's not going to happen."
Then Adam was screaming loud as he could.
"Room's completely soundproof, Boy." Snow said over the screaming and started the bloody dissection. Adam did not stop screaming until he couldn't anymore.
"There much better." He said.
"YOU MONSTER! HOW DARE YOU?!" I screamed fighting viciously against my restraints but they were a very thick leather.
"Now he has learned his lesson say goodbye." He said dragging Adam off.
The cell door slammed shut and I shot up in the real world my heart thumping hard against my chest.
I spun making sure Adam was still there and he was
My hand went to the spot in my head, it was just a nightmare.
"He's okay." I muttered
I laid back on the bed breathing heavily. "He's okay." I sighed; it was going to be a rough few day's.
Aren't nightmares fun. Obviously no, no they aren't. Your own anyways. That one was fun to write and I hope to read. with the title I honestly expect no one to get it though but eh. Leave it anyways. Very few will many actually understand why it's called that anyways. Review!