After the interviews , I tossed and turned all night. Sleep couldn't and wouldn't find me. My nerves are on end. Finnick's gone, he's with another "client" from President Snow. To top things all off, today is the day that I have been dreading yet so savagely prepared for since I volunteered to save my sister. I'm going into the arena today.

The game plan is simple. Once the gong sounds get to Katniss and find shelter. Though when has any plan ever gone right as it should? It's somewhat comforting though. Knowing I have allies, that weren't Cato and the other careers, to team up with. Then again it is the Hunger Games nothing is ever comforting for too long.

Another plus was the pretense I was keeping with Cato ( for sponsors, unbeknownst to him) is over. The relief I felt was indescribable. Any time I had to do something with Cato, kiss him, hold him.. Anything, I felt like I was betraying Finnick in some way.

Oh, Finnick. My heart shatters just thinking about what I have to do. Having to let him go knowing I'm not coming back out. That we won't get to spend the rest of our lives together. Never seeing him again. I stared at the ceiling as tears fell from my eyes. I knew what I was doing. I'm willingly going to die to try to save my brother.

I laid there thinking of everyone in my family, my friends back home. I'm never going to see any of them again. They would never know how much I love them. How much they meant to me. I sighed sadly wiping my eyes free of tears as I sat up.

As the sun was rising I sat next to my bed in the floor. I fumbled with the remote on the night stand trying to find some music to play to calm myself down. I paused on a very old song. Tears began to flow again as the lyrics said exactly what I couldn't. I began to sob as I heard the chorus, one line making my heart seemingly stop.

"Come what may, I will love you, till my dying day."

I felt a huge pang in my chest. I curled into myself momentarily. This is exactly how I feel about Finnick. Whatever comes at me in the Arena, I know I'll love him till I draw my last breath, even in death.

Finding some strength I stood searching for some papers. I wrote to my family first, I saved Finnick for last. I had no clue how to put how I'm feeling right now into words so I wrote the line from the song. Leaving it on the dresser in hopes he will see it.

I heard a knock on the door, telling whoever it was to enter, not even bothering to turn around till I heard the door close.

"He's still busy isn't he?" I said softly as I turned to be met with Winky, my stylist.

He nodded sadly. I knew what Finnick is having to do was forced but that didn't stop the anger and jealousy from bubbling up. How dare they?! I'm the one that needs him right now! I'm the one he loves! Not those rich Capitol whores! I should be allowed to see him before I go into this God forsaken arena! Not them! I screamed as loud as I could grabbing anything and everything within reach and throwing it across the room. Figurines shatter, windows busted. I flung the bed covers off the bed, I threw a chair out the window. Still screaming, I fell to my knees, not caring that I'm kneeling in glass. Screams turned to sobs as Winky rushed to my side wrapping me in his abnormally long arms. I leaned into him sobbing my heart out. Maybe I wasn't so strong after all.

In a sad trance Winky dressed me in a pair of thick black cargo pants with tons of pockets on them. A dark blue shirt and a black pair of boots that were made for hiking yet are light enough to run in. I looked back at him through the broken mirror as he pulled my hair back braiding and twisting it into an intricate bun at the base of my head. He worked from my hair to smearing some slimy white stuff on my face. He told me its something called " sunscreen" and it's to protect me from the sun burning my skin in the arena. I nodded still watching him. It wasn't until he took a few steps back to look at me that I heard him sniffling. Oh no.

" I think I've cried enough for both of us together Winky." I said as I came up to him and hugged him.

" I'm sorry. It's j-just I've never been as close to a tribute as I have with you" he mumbled through his tears.

I held him tighter. He knew my plan. He knows my intention is not to save myself but my brother. As he calmed down we walked to eat breakfast. I had to force myself to eat. My only train of thought now was , eating gives me the strength I need to be able to save my brother. To protect him better.

Not too long after, I had been on the Hovercraft , had that annoying tracker stuck in me and now I was in the "launch room" in the catacombs of the arena.

I paced back and forth in my jacket that Winky put me in. Periodically checking the countdown in the corner of the room. Less than 5 minutes till the tube raised me up into the arena. I stopped mid step when the door to the room slammed open, a distraught figures eyes landing on me.

"Siren..." He breathed , walking to me.

"Finnick!" I wailed running into his arms.

"I didn't think i'd ever see you again." I muttered into his shoulder as he held me.

Suddenly he pulled back a bit and kissed me. I had never felt such passion, such longing in a kiss before. He knew as well as I did, this was goodbye. I kissed him back trying to convey the emotions I couldn't say out loud. How much I loved him. How much I needed him. How much I'm going to miss him. How bad I wished I was at home waiting for him to come home from the games like I used to. I hated this. I hated the Capitol all the more for tearing us apart like this. For ruining our simple happiness in each other!

As we parted he leaned his forehead down on mine.

"Never... Ever forget how much I love you." He whispered with his eyes on me.

I lifted my head up to look into his eyes one last time. The lyrics from the song this morning coming to mind. I sighed leaning into his hand as he caressed my cheek.

" Come what may..." I sang softly to him, " I will love you... Till my dying day."

As I finished singing the line I saw something I have never seen before in my entire life. Finnick Odair... Crying. I could almost hear the sound of my heart breaking at the sight as I raised my hand to wipe his tears away.

"60 seconds"

" I love you Finny." I whispered walking backwards out of his arms and into the tube never taking my eyes off of him. He matched every step I took until the only thing separating us is the glass as it enclosed me into the tube.

"30 seconds"

I placed my hand on the glass as Finnick did the same. I stared into his eyes embedding them into my memory even more. The platform begins to rise. I could see Finnick shouting "I love you Siren, I love you!" Over and over but I couldn't hear it. Then he was gone.

The platform rose up into the arena and I blinked rapidly to adjust to the light. Now I understand why Winky put that stuff on my face. I looked all around me as each tribute appeared, taking in my surroundings I saw the lake, the forest and a field. Straight ahead in the middle of the grassy plain we are in, is the Golden Horn, The Cornucopia. My eyes frantically search for it, there it was. Right at the edge of all the scattered supplies is my whips attached to a backpack! My eyes then zoomed in on something leaning against the horn, the trident!

Looking to my sides, searching for my brother. Conveniently enough he is next to Peeta. I nodded to them and looked to my right to see the next platform over is Katniss. It couldn't be better. I saw her stare at the bow and arrows next to the trident. There is only one conclusion . They knew. The game makers some how knew we made an alliance with District 12!

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Let the Seventy fourth Hunger Games begin."

As soon as Claudius Templesmith's voice sounds I enter a running stance. The sixty second countdown flashed above the Cornicopia. I bend my legs even more, preparing to literally run for my life. I have to get the pack with my whips if we are going to stand any chance.

30 seconds

I look at both Katniss and Peeta to see them having a silent discussion. He shakes his head as I look at Firenze and mouth to him, "Stick with Peeta." He nods as I look back in front of me.

10 seconds

I crouch even lower.

5

4

3

2

- my foot leaves the plate and as the gong sounds I touch down on the ground, yes! I rocket off to the bag with my whips grabbing it strapping it on me. I look up, chaos. That's all that's around me. Cries of pain are all I can hear. I see Katniss running past me to another pack. Forgetting the trident I take off after her. From the corner of my eye I see Clove ready to throw.

"Katniss your right! Your right!" I shouted as we run. She looks just in time to see her release the blade using her pack as a shield ,she keeps going not bothering to stop.

Thunk!

The knife sunk itself into the pack. Thanks to Clove, Katniss just got a weapon.

I look again and I see she's poised to throw again ...at me. I grab my whip and as soon as she releases the blade I fling my whip out. The end wraps around the hilt in mid air, I spun mid step sending the knife hurtling through the air back at her. Her eyes widen in fear and she has no time to react. The blade sinks itself into her shoulder. Not sparing another look I take off to catch up with Katniss. I'm running for about ten minutes until I see her running ahead of me. I sprint to catch up. Upon hearing my hastened steps she turns ready to attack.

"Whoa whoa Kat it's me!" I held my hands up in front of me.

She lowers her knife taking a deep breath. "Come on, lets keep going for a little while longer then we can stop , rest and plan."

I nod as we begin to run again. I had a sinking feeling that something was going to wrong soon. The fact that Katniss and I had been separated from my brother and Peeta certainly didn't bode well. I just prayed I didn't see my brothers face in the sky tonight.


A very emotional chapter! Now I'm updating this without getting it beta'd first. Though later on I will get it done. I just felt my readers and reviewers ( guest: you're watching me?! Lol) deserved an update.

She's finally in the arena! Just wait ,the next few chapters will be fairly intense.

Some good news, I have started a review forum for people who want some more reviews on their stories. It's a fun game, here's the link to it: /myforums/Candyland0530/3675082/

Check it out if you have some stories you would like to have reviewed! I have one for hunger games, Harry potter and twilight:)

As always thank you for all your messages , reviews , follows and favorites. Continue to do it! It motivates me!