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As I walk hand in hand with Axel up to our room, my ears are burning with the chatting of the crowd that is wandering out of the auditorium. There are parties and gatherings in the streets; betting is queued along the multi-coloured pathways; people are standing gossiping in groups- and the name that is on all their lips is 'Katniss!'

'Well it certainly is a new tactic.' Finnick's comments as we walk back into the entrance of the training centre.

'But they know they can't both survive, right?' I say.

'Yeah but its new, I have never seen anything like it!' Axel says softly as we pass two mentors who nod their heads in our direction- I recognise them as those from eight.

'If Haymitch plays this right, we could see a winner.' Finnick murmurs as we pass by Enobaria, the mentor from two- she smiles her wickedly filed teeth at us, they catch the light and the gold inlaid in her fangs glistens.

'A winner from twelve, the first in like twenty-four years?' Axel asks, looking at Finnick.

'Yeah they have only one victor.'

'That's it?' I ask.

'That's it, there was a woman but she died a while back- just Haymitch…he seems in better shape this year…'

'It was an interesting twist.' Axel breathes.

'And the girl an eleven…its unheard of!' I exclaim as Finnick presses the button for the lift.

'What I wouldn't give to know what she showed them…' Axel murmurs.

'Same, they don't give elevens…'

'They don't give it for nothing…' Finnick says.

'So she must be a surprise?' I say.

'Yes, and that makes her a very dangerous piece.' Finnick concludes as the doors to the elevator open; I lean against the glass wall and press the emblazed digit 4; just as the doors begin to close and I close my eyes I hear a thud. I open my eyes suddenly, to see Johanna and Blight stepping into our lift.

'Well that was…' Johanna snaps.

'Oh we know.' Finnick interrupts.

'So what are going to do?' Blight says, looking to each of us.

'What can we do?' Axel says. 'It's done now, we have no more time; we just have to make the best of what we have because otherwise…'

'Haymitch will have a plan.' Finnick says as the lift begins to rise.

'And we can't change that!' I exclaim. 'We just have to see what we can do; Jo tell your two to stick to what they have planned- nothing changes she's be at the top of their kill list l would bet that she doesn't make it out the cornucopia- she's a threat!'

'Are you certain of this?' Johanna says.

'Think about it, the Careers will do anything to win and she has just become the biggest of threats; they have no choice.'

'She's right.' Blight says gruffly, nodding in my direction. 'She's the strongest and hey if she feels the same about him she has a major weakness…'

'But their scores?' Johanna says as the lift reaches floor 4.

'We can't change them Jo.' I murmur, placing my hand on her shoulder.

'How sick is it that we want these kids to die?' She breathes.

'We have no choice.' I murmur, pulling her into a hug.

'Still sick.' She murmurs into my shoulder; I can't disagree with her, as I pat her back and step out of her hug and out of the lift- as the doors shut I see her fist shoot out and connect with the glass.

'Is she always like this?' I ask Finnick.

'No something has changed this time around.'

'What do you mean?'

'It doesn't feel the same, there is something I just can't quite put my finger on.'

We find them in the lounge, sitting on either side of Mags- they look up at us as we enter and their smiles are somewhat brittle.

'You did good.' I murmur, looking from Hugo to Marina.

'We were nothing, we heard about the girl and boy…' Marina says softly. I look across to Finnick.

'I'm not going to lie to you Marina, its different they aren't the skinny kids Twelve normally ship out but tomorrow everyone is in the same position and you just have to survive the longest.'

'Cato wants her dead!' Marina blurts, covering her mouth with her hands.

'I'm not surprised.' I breathe.

'Do you think he'll get her?' Hugo says softly.

'I do.' I say turning to face Hugo. 'Run, as soon as the cannon sounds don't chance it.' I blurt.

'We have a plan Ay… I will survive tomorrow- this isn't my last night.' He says breathing hard.

'I believe you.' I murmur, looking away.

'Go and change out of that, shower and I'll have a supper prepared okay?' Finnick say.

'Sure.' Marina agrees as both her and Hugo stand and wander off to their rooms.

'They are not stupid.' Mags breathes.

'This could change everything.' Finnick says, rubbing his face somewhat harshly.

'Or nothing at all, we worry about it later for now we just have to worry about our two- if Twelve survives the bloodbath then we worry.' Axel says, somewhat harshly.

'Your right boy, I just fear what is to come.' Mags says softly, patting the cushion next to her for Axel to sit; as he sits she takes his hand in her wrinkled one.

'You know the capital son; you know the games I worry that they will force her to stay alive…to add to the drama…' She only slurs a couple of words, and I know without doubt she may be in fact right. I sit by her feet as Finnick takes Mags other side.

'What are our chances of getting them out?' I murmur, resting my head on my knees.

'Now I have no idea.' Finnick breathes, a wave of nausea washes over me.

'We have to be positive…' Axel begins.

'But also realistic son.' Mags interrupts. 'Ayda I wish I could tell you one will come home with us but my dear we can only hope.'

'How do I let them go?' I whisper.

'By believing in them.' Finnick murmurs.

'We have no choice but to send them but what we must do is believe and hope they stand a chance and do everything in our power to help them.' Mags says softly.

'I wasn't ready for this.' I say into my knees.

'None of us are darling.'

'At least when you're a tribute you go in and you live it...this…'

'Is even worse.' Finnick finishes for me.

'Yes because we are pointless, until after tomorrow morning- we cannot help them survive!' I blurt out.

'No, we just watch and hope.' Finnick says softly.

I sit at the dinner table, as a hearty supper is being served. There is two stews that smell delightful, a big bowl of rolls, some pastries and even some of the pizza we had on my first day back in the Capital.

'Well this does look delightful!' Kizzy simpers as she takes a long sip from her glass.

'Yes it does look lovely!' Misty agrees, ladling herself out some of the stew and grabbing a handful of the rolls.

'Our last supper…' Marina says, her words hand in the air like a sword somewhat suspended above our heads.

'Before tomorrow it is.' Mags says softly, taking a mouthful of her own stew.

'No it is, we won't see this again…'

'Will you just shut up?!' Hugo shouts, his voice somewhat gaining in pitch.

'Hugo…' I murmur.

'No! She doesn't get it: I don't want to die I am twelve- she has a better chance than me and she goes around saying all this; I don't want to think about it!' He shouts, standing abruptly from the table.

'Well you better think about it! Its going to happen, tomorrow we go in there and we probably won't come out!' Marina hisses.

'Now stop!' Finnick says sharply, putting a hand on Hugo's shoulder and fixing Marina with a stare.

'Can everyone just sit and eat please?' I say calmly, stretching for another roll.

'Yes come and sit.' Mags says motherly, yet giving each of the tributes a stare; they sit: Hugo looks no-where but the table; and I can hear Marina's huffing- I take a deep breath.

'Okay please just stop this!' I breathe, letting my voice wobble uncertainly.

'Ay…' Axel begins, reaching for my hand, I take his hand.

'We have tonight, this is it where we are all together so stop arguing and fighting and just have this meal! Don't let this last night be a disaster!'

'Ayda is right, you need to remember that only one can come home; we'll never be whole again.' Misty says softly.

'We have tonight, so let's make it something you can hold onto.' Axel breathes.

'Something you can remember.' Finnick adds.

'So what we get a meal?' Marina says softly.

'You get to know you both mean something to us.' Finnick says.

'You aren't just the tributes from Four, your Marina and Hugo and you mean something.' Axel adds.

'Fight with everything you have, and remember we're doing everything we can to help you.'

'Is that the big piece of advice?' Hugo smirks.

'Yeah it is!' I laugh. 'Just with everything in you stay alive…'

The meal lasts almost too long; I can feel it in the air the countdown to the beginning of the games- I think we all can. I'm sitting on the couch with Hugo flicking through the huge book of Capital propaganda.

'Look at that!' I laugh; the picture is so very clearly staged of a group of fishermen standing smiling as they are watched by unhooded, smiling peacekeepers.

'It's all for show.' Hugo comments.

'When is it not?' I murmur- we are silent for a few moments flicking page to page.

'Ayda?' Hugo's voice is soft and tentative.

'Yeah?' I say looking from the book.

'Will you listen to me?'

'Yes Hugo.'

'Finnick won't, he doesn't want me to think this way but I think I have too…'

'Oh Hugo…'

'You said you'd listen!'

'Okay.' I breathe.

'If I die in there I want you to make sure my mother and father are okay, tell them that I'm okay and tell them anything to make it okay- tell them that I love them both and that I'm sorry…' I can feel the tears filling in my eyes.

'Oh Hugo!' I cry pulling him into a hug.

'I'm scared Ay, I'm so scared!' And he begins to sob into my jumper.

'Shh… Hugo I wish I could change this…' I murmur through my own tears.

'But you can't.' He whispers into my chest. 'And that means I'll probably die…the odds aren't in my favour Ayda…'

'Survive Hugo, do anything…hide, run, fight- come home to us.'

'Ayda if I do die will you please take me back to my parents?'

'I'll be certain too.' I agree, hugging him closer, so close that his curls of hair tickle my chin- we sit like this for an unmeasurable amount of time- my mind has never for a moment stopped crying.

'Hugo!' I hear Finnick shout.

'Go.' I whisper to Hugo as he sits up.

'Thank you Ayda.' He whispers, as he stands and kisses my cheek- and walks away. It's in this moment I realise this is probably the last time I'll see him before the beginning of the games.

'Hugo!' I call. His head pops back around the corner. 'Be brave and be safe.' He just nods and I hear his light tread against the wooden floor.

I sit with my eyes closed and my head back on the cushions; my mind a blur. I know I should be with Marina but I don't know where to start, I don't know what to say- and no matter how long I sit like this I can't find an answer.

'Ay!' Axel calls from somewhere outside my inner monologue. 'Ayda!' He says, rubbing my shoulder.

'What?' I say.

'Come on, we have a job to do.' He grabs my hand and hauls me from the chair, dragging me along somewhat as I come back to reality.

He knocks on Marina's door and her little voice says we can come in. She's lying on the huge bed on top of the abundance of comforters and pillows. The far wall is currently projecting the virtual image of a boat at sea; the waves seem to be somewhat lapping at the carpet. I sigh and drag my eyes away. She is pale and looks smaller than ever and I still have no idea what to say to her.

'Okay?' Axel says sitting down beside her on the bed, I sit on her other side; taking her hand I realise its stone cold- she only answers axel by a small shrug of her shoulders. 'Well I've got something for you, a token of such.' He reaches into his pocket and brings out a small silver chain and dangling from it is what looks like a glass phial; I raise my eyebrows and look at Marina who seems to be doing it also.

'Look.' He breathes, taking it out of the small baggie. As he moves his hand my eyes catch the glistening gold of what I know as sand; I look closer and notice the bottom layer a very small droplet of water but I know that if I was to place it on my tongue I would taste the salt of home.

'Oh…' I exclaim, and lock eyes with Axel

'Home?' Marina says looking between us.

'Yes.' Axel whispers, clipping the chain around Marina's neck- where it hangs somewhat like a choker.

'Hugo?' Marina whispers; I look to Marina and see nothing there but consideration and I feel something in me scream in anger of what is to come.

'He has one too.' Axel nods.

'It's perfect.' Marina whispers, I see her eyes fill.

'None of that!' I say quickly. 'You can do this; I believe in you.' I hug her close and Axel wraps his arms around the pair of us and it reminds me sickly of a family except this could be goodbye.

'What was your last night like Ayda?'

'What before the games?'

'Yes and be honest.' She says as if she can read my thoughts.

'The worst night of my life.' I whisper.

'Why?' She says pulling out of the hug. 'You've lost your parents since…'

'The uncertainty, the fact I had no idea what was coming… my mind wouldn't stop turning it was awful.'

'What do I do when I get in there?'

'Well obviously, stay on your plate till the gong sounds, and…' I take a breath. 'And kill.' I see her colour drain at my words.

'The more you kill the faster it will all be over.' Axel murmurs.

What if I can't?'

'Kill?' I ask.

'Yes.' She whispers.

'You find it in you.'

'But how?'

'I wish I knew; I killed a boy who was running from me…I didn't know but he was my first kill and I still can remember everything about him; I can remember throwing my weapon at him and just squeezing my eyes shut because I didn't want to see what I'd done but I didn't want to see myself die…I can remember jumping when the cannon sounded…it isn't easy, but when you kill know I'm behind you, and your making me proud because I believe in you.'

'Ayda?'

'Yeah?'

'Thank you for everything.'

'You don't…'

'Yes I do, both of you.' She says looking at Axel. 'You have both been so much more than a mentor and a stylist and I don't know why I got this but I did and I can't say thank you for what you have done…and if I die…'

'Marina…' I breathe.

'Listen, if I die know that I love you guys…'

'We love you too.' Axel says softly, as I grasp her hand in both of my own.

'Stay safe Marina. Be brave.' I whisper.

'Remember we believe you.' Axel murmurs.

I stand in my room facing the long mirror, looking at myself in all the Capital glory.

'It isn't right.' I mutter to myself, pulling the jumper over my head and removing my slacks. I move with robotic movements; taking a shower that works to unknot the tight muscles in my back and shoulders; the dryer I program to dry my hair so I wander out of the bathroom dressed in a soft night gown and a woollen robe that feels like heaven against my skin. I take a seat in front of the mirror, looking at myself without all the make-up- the only addition my nose ring something I hold onto as being part of me. I unscrew the lid off a pot of cream that's emblazed with the word face. I tap two fingers in and run them down my face smearing the cream; enjoying the feel of the smooth lotion washing against my eyelids, nose, lips- its therapeutic and helps me lift some of the weight that is heavy upon my shoulders. I feel like I have aged so very much in this week, it has been never ending yet so much is still to come.

'But will you get one home?' I murmur to myself.

And that is the thought I can't seem to escape, and however selfish and immoral it is my biggest fear is what will become of me if I don't get one home. How is one to cope when they return with two corpses?

I know my odds are so very slim and I know that it isn't going to be easy to lose one but I can't bring my mind to prepare for the possibility that they both die, that there is a world where both the youth of Hugo and the fire of Marina are both gone.

I meet my gaze in the mirror, the green of my eyes seems to be even brighter than usual- my eyes even wider than one would think possible. I push the pump of the hand cream and rub the cream in thoroughly till my hands smell pleasantly of lavender and are as smooth as fresh skin.

'Ayda?' Finnick's head appears around my door.

'Yeah?' I say looking up at him and trying to smile; he takes one look at me and doesn't pause just makes his way over to me opening his arms, I fly into them like I did when I saw him after my games.

I woke, and finally I was free of the restraints that had been keeping me pinned to the bed in the stark white room. I stretched in the bed, and feeling okay moved to stand from the bed- my legs I found were as strong if not stronger than they had ever been. I dressed in the garments that had been placed at the bottom of bed- a pair of thick cargo pants and a black t-shirt with a number four emblazed on the back. I'd went to the door and it had opened, taking that as a good sign I'd made my way down the twisting corridors until I'd turned and there they were: Mags, Finnick and Kizzy. My reaction was relief and I'd ran at Finnick and he'd opened his arms just in time to catch me and hug me close swinging me in a large circle. He'd kissed my head and I'd relaxed into his embrace believing myself as safe.

'So not so good?' Finnick murmurs.

'I'm fine just I don't know what I'll be like Finnick…if…when something happens to them…'

'No one ever knows, you just have to try and hold it together…'

'I know.' I sigh stepping out of his embrace, and sitting back in the chair.

'I'll be strong.' I say.

'I know you will.' He smiles as he wanders out my room and shuts the door behind him. I don't know how long I sit and watch my reflection in the mirror, turning my head this way and that.

'Hey…' Axel's voice comes from behind me.

'Hey.' I smile, as he lopes into the room and sits on the end of the bed.

'I know we have everything going on but I need to do your nails babe…'

'Why?'

'Cameras.' He answers, raising his eyebrows and making me smile.

'Better get started then.' I breathe.

And this is how we sit as he transforms my snapped, uncared for nails into ten perfectly rounded although somewhat scary in length nails that look weirdly very natural. I take a long look, appraising them all but smirking at Axel.

'I'll suppose they'll do…' I laugh.

'Yes they'll do.' Axel laughs back for a moment or two before we both stop and stare at each other, the weight of tomorrow suspended above us both.

'It will be okay Ay.' Axel murmurs, twisting our hands together.

'You can't know that.' I whisper.

'No I can't but what I do know is that we can't change it; we just have to be prepared.'

'I can't accept it though Ax…'

'But Darl you have to, if you don't it will destroy you…' Axel's words are soft but his look is as if he can see directly into my soul.

'It's hard.'

'It won't be any easier with everyone watching us… I'll stay away if you want?'

'No! I need you.' I say simply.

'Then I'll be with you.'

I don't know whether I move first or him but when our lips meet all my worries, doubts and fears are injected into our kiss; and I hear myself moan in relief. I bring my hands up into his hair, and undo the knot so his hair tumbles down in dark waves till they hang to his shoulders; somehow I'm standing in the gap between his legs, his hands trailing darkly down my sides. Our lips meet and the fireworks come alive in my body, so much so the chants of the Capital from outside my window all but disappear, tomorrow is sent to the back of my mind because in this moment my body is alive. I push back on him, so he falls taking me with him to the bed, he looks up at me with hooded eyes.

'You sure?' He breaths.

'I need this.' I say, as I bring my lips back to his with renewed passion.