AN:Soooooooooooooo obviously I wouldn't leave you guys hanging and just end it like that…..(You would kill me) So! I did my best to fight the writers block demons! Anyways PLEASE review positively! Got any questions? PM me!
*Disclaimer* I own nothing
Enjoy!
Her body hit the sand. Her chest stopped rising and only fell. Color drained from the crystal and her she began to rise. The sand left her grip, the ocean stopped lapping at her skin, sounds of the arena no longer entered her ears and the sun became dark as her eyes fell.
Artemis Rose is dead. Artemis Rose is dead. Artemis Rose is dead. Artemis Rose is. Artemis Rose. Artemis.
The words chanted in her head repeatedly to the beat of the BEEP! she constantly heard. Then she felt it. Warmth. Something warm was touching her hand. Something alive.
Alive? She questioned. How could I feel something when I'm not even that? Alive.
"Artemis please," a husky tired voice pleaded, "Wake up, please," she didn't want to wake up. She didn't want to be alive!
"She'll wake," a familiar voice said in a calm yet commanding fashion, "Now," her eyes flew open and she saw white. White ceiling, white walls, and a man wearing white. Color came to her face. Her blue eyes softened to the sea blue color they once were so long ago.
"Mr. Parkens, don't make us sedate you again," a female voice said in a robotic tone. Again?
"Artemis look to me, please," the husky voice pleaded again, obviously ignoring the voice. Slowly Artemis turned her head and saw Gloss laying next to her, with her hand in his. He looked like hell, tired and beat up and most of his body except for his left arm was strapped to the metal table.
"Gloss?" a wind chime voice asked. It sounded like heavenly bells were going off as the person spoke.
"Yeah, it's me," he weakly smiled. Artemis became confused.
"Are you dead too?" she whispered, hearing the wind chime voice speak with her again.
"Dead? Miss Rose, you are far from dead," a voice entered the room with the sound of clinking shoes. Artemis froze as her heart leapt forward. The machine caught it and everyone could hear the beeping slightly increase as Artemis became nervous.
"President Snow," the first man acknowledge, he wore a white lab coat, white pants, white shoes, white shirt, his hair was even white, pale skin and grey eyes. Everything was white.
"How are my two Victors, Dr. White?" Snow sneered as the nurse pulled Artemis and Gloss's hands apart and strapped them to the table.
"The male has made excellent recovery to the serum, the female however," Dr. White paused looking to Artemis, "Her injury caused something strange to happen."
"How so?" Snow questioned as Artemis moved her eyes to Gloss again, keeping them locked on the only friendly face she remembered.
"Let me show you, sir," the nurse said with her robotic voice making Artemis and Gloss flinch. The nurse's cold hands touched Artemis's chest, untying the piece of cloth above her heart, "Crystal has formed inside, around and above her heart," Artemis's eyes widened with fear as she felt Snow's hand touch the rocky surface. Gloss's eyes narrowed at the action.
"And it can't be removed?" Snow asked, it was like the two Victors weren't even there.
"Not unless you actually want her dead," White laughed, "We have specialists coming up with ways to tell the public. Perhaps something with her talent?" Artemis saw Gloss's hands become fist at the mention of the word 'talent'.
"No, no, I have something better in mind," Snow mussed, "And something almost believable to the District's citizens."
"Sir, Mr. Odair is in the centre again," a voice over the intercom announced. Finnick! Artemis smiled to Gloss who slightly shook his head making her confused.
"Ugh," Snow sighed making Artemis glance to him, "Is the assistant that gave him the information dealt with?"
"Yes, sir. She will no longer be a problem," the intercom voice said again. Artemis knew what she meant.
"Good," Snow smiled before taking Artemis's hand, making her eyes go wide, "Now Miss Rose, you'll be taken to the Rejuvenation Surgery Centre, where the final steps will be taken," immediately Artemis looked to Gloss, making Snow chuckle darkly, "Yes, he will be going with you, but Miss Rose," Snow bent down to her ear, "Say anything of this to anyone and your family won't be the only ones to suffer, little swan." Suddenly the panel directly above Artemis showed Finnick, Mags, and all the other Victors, "Do you understand?" Artemis nodded, but Snow's grip on her hand suddenly tightened, "Say it."
"I understand," her voice growled as he let go three more nurses entered the room, two untying Gloss while the other two untied Artemis. Gloss was untied first but only by a second, and the moment he got free he reached for Artemis.
She looked up to him with scared eyes, something inside of her felt different. Felt wrong and unnatural. Peacekeepers entered the room and the nurses vanished, allowing the twelve officers to escort the two to the waiting truck.
"What did they do to us?" Artemis whispered to Gloss as they walked barefoot to the truck. She only had on white shorts and a white tank top, Gloss wore white sweats and no top.
"Something terrible," Gloss growled as he still held her in his arms, "Whatever you do, do not resist," Artemis looked up to Gloss's face. She never really saw him before, only once or twice, both had been when she was a crying mess, "But Artemis," he looked down to her, his light blue eyes scared for the eighteen year old, "I will never let them hurt you. I promise."
When they got to the Rejuvenation Centre for surgery, Artemis froze. The painting on the wall made her begin to shake.
"Art?" Gloss whispered slightly nudging her forward but she wouldn't move, her eyes were glued to the blue painting on the wall, "It's black and white, no color, just black and white," Artemis closed her eyes fiercely, afraid to see anything else. Time shortly passed and then Artemis felt Gloss's muscular arm release her shoulder forcing her to open her eyes. He was walking into a surgery room where doctors and surgeons waited.
"No," Artemis breathed, afraid to be far from him.
You barely know him Art! What are you doing?! Artemis cursed herself, but something in her gut told her not to leave Gloss's sight.
"It's ok, just close your eyes and wait for my voice," Gloss gave a small smile as a nurse came up behind Artemis and gently took her shoulders.
"You'll be fine dear," her child like voice sent goosebumps onto Artemis's arms.
"You promise?" Artemis asked still looking to Gloss. He gave a cheeky smile and nodded, which made Artemis reluctantly walk into the surgical room and lay on the bed, allowing the surgeons to begin. They put a clear mask like object over her nose and mouth, making darkness sweep her into a dream.
She was running, flames licked her heels but she didn't feel the pain, only her fury and rage fuelled her. She turned a corner and saw him. Roman. Her rage sent her running to him, lashing and throwing attacks she didn't know she could do. Suddenly as she jabbed the trident into Roman's chest, he changed. It wasn't Roman she killed, it was James.
"You were suppose to save me," he coughed out as blood came from his mouth. She dropped the trident's staff in fear as James staggered towards her, "You were suppose to love me! You never loved me! You're a lier! You're a murderer!"
"No!" Artemis screamed siting herself up, but was caught by something, "No! I'm sorry!" she cried out as she struggled to get free, "I'm sorry!" tears flooded down her face, "I'm sorry," a face appeared in front of her. Finnick, "I'm sorry," she whispered sobbing into his shoulder.
"It's ok," he whispered holding Artemis in her arms, "You're safe, you're not there anymore," Artemis looked around the room and didn't see anyone else.
"Where am I?" she asked, she suddenly felt panicked not seeing Gloss anywhere, "Where's-"
"Your in the Rejuvenation Centre, you have been for the past few days," she looked to Finnick confused, "They haven't allowed anyone in, which I find ridiculous. I'm your mentor, I should be allowed to see you."
"Yeah," Artemis breathed, not able to look him in the eye, the silence between them grew longer and as Artemis saw Finnick open his mouth to say something, a knocking came from the door, "Come in!"
A nurse entered the room. The nurse. She smiled at Finnick as she walked on the other side of Artemis's bed, wearing the same thing as Dr. White, "Hello Miss Rose, my name is Ypres."
"Hello?" Artemis said almost as a question making the white nurse shoot her a look.
"Good, your vocal chords have come back," Ypres smiled, Finnick sent her a questionable look this time, "Artemis was screaming a lot during her time here, we were afraid that since we were unable to get her hydrated that her vocal chords had burst," Ypres smiled to Artemis, "Obviously that hasn't happened."
"What did you do to me?" Artemis asked making Finnick shocked. Artemis's voice was the honeysuckle voice he once knew, it was like wind chimes or something even sweeter and more musical like.
"We simply tightened your body and added the requests of your stylist, fresh glow, removal of those tattoos your prep team gave you, long strong nails, and some other things I won't bore you with," Ypres shot Artemis another look as she checked Artemis's charts, "Everything seems to be in place, once Dr. White comes in you should be able to return to your suit," Artemis flinched at the doctors name, her skin crawling at the memory.
"Thank you," Finnick smiled, rubbing Artemis's arm as she looked aimlessly at the grey hospital sheets while Ypres walked towards the door,
The woman stopped at the door, slightly ajar, "Oh and Mr. Gloss Parkens is here, I don't know if you wish to see him."
"That won't be-"
"Yes, he can come," Artemis interrupted Finnick, she needed to see Gloss. To see if he was alright. Ypres wasn't even gone for a second before Gloss walked through the doorway. He wore grey sweats and a grey t-shirt and was barefoot, again.
"Hey blondie," he smiled walking towards Artemis on the side that Finnick wasn't occupying. He looked the same, large golden tan muscles, light blue eyes, light blonde hair, white smile.
"I'm not the only blonde in here," Artemis smiled, making Finnick confused.
Since when were they friends? he asked himself. The two talked small talk while Finnick looked at them utterly confused.
"Can you give us a moment Finnick?" Gloss's voice broke his train of thought.
"Why should I-" but his words fell short as he saw the pleading look Artemis gave him, "Fine," Finnick sighed standing up, "I have to tell Mags your leaving this place anyways," he said as he walked to the door, he slowly began to close the door, then he heard something as he had it about a crack open, Artemis crying.
"What did he do to us?" Artemis whispered with sobs in her voice, "Why?" Finnick heard the sound of someone moving onto the bed.
"I don't know," he heard Gloss breath, "But we can't tell anyone, remember?" Artemis suppressed another sob but Finnick heard it.
"What are we going to do?" she whispered, Finnick looked through the crack in the the doorway and saw Gloss sitting behind a sobbing Artemis as she clutched his muscular arm, leaning into it. Anger went into Finnick, what happened?!
"They changed us for a reason," Gloss whispered into Artemis's long hair, "We just have to figure out why," Artemis turned and looked up at Gloss with eyes Finnick never seen before.
"And no one can find out. No one. Not Cashmere, not Mags," Artemis almost growled, "And especially not Finnick."
"We'll do this together," Gloss said squeezing Artemis into his lap and chest, making her lean her head over his heart.
"Together."
When Dr. White came, Gloss was still there and it bothered Finnick. Why is he here?
"Mr. Parkens, good to see again," Dr. White smiled to the tall Victor who sat closely to Artemis, she was now sitting on top of her sheets playing with the sleeve of the grey pull over sweatshirt Finnick brought her. Bandages covered most of her body, another nurse came in and dropped a few drops of a clear liquid into Artemis's eyes then wrapped her head in gauze as she pulled Artemis's hair in a low pony tail.
"You too Dr. White," Gloss almost snarled but the doctor simply chuckled as he checked Artemis's bandages.
"Your burns have healed nicely, and the surgery that fixed the scars is healing nicely," Dr. White smiled checking off his check list on his tablet, "When you get back to your room you can remove them when ever you like."
"Why not here?" Artemis asked, even when she was unable to see where the doctor stood she was able to cock her head to the side and face her head in his general direction. This made Finnick chuckle slightly knowing that Artemis was beginning to be like herself again.
"It's best to remove them in your room." Dr. White almost growled making Artemis shrink back. He looked over Artemis's charts and smiled, "Well everything is in place."
"So she can leave?" Gloss was the first to speak of the three Victors.
"Yes," Dr. White sighed, "Now if you feel any pain or have any concerns, please come down and see me," Artemis couldn't see him but Dr. White was looking at her with hungry eyes.
"I don't think that will be necessary," Finnick growled standing up, "Artemis," she held out her hand for someone to take, which Finnick did immediately. She carefully walked around the bed with Gloss following.
"Gloss?" Artemis almost chocked having her right hand out behind her for him to take. Gloss took her hand and Finnick felt her soften her grip as the two led her out of the hospital hallway. They entered a large glass area where Peacekeepers suddenly went running out side. Then Finnick and Gloss saw them, cameras. All pointed to Artemis.
"Take her," Finnick whispered before rushing outside to deal with the reporters. Gloss quickly got Artemis into the elevator and as the doors closed she pulled off the bandage on her head. Her eyes were clear and sparkling.
"There was cameras and reporters, wasn't there?" Artemis asked looking to Gloss, he sighed and leaned against the elevator wall.
"Yes," he breathed out raking his fingers through his hair.
"They wanted to see who won didn't they?" Artemis's eyes went to the metal door almost distant.
"They know who won," Gloss said turning Artemis to him, "They wanted to see you harmed."
"Why?" Artemis asked as the doors opened, "They saw what happened, I was nearly killed."
"Finnick never showed you?" Gloss followed Artemis into the District 4 suit.
"Show me what?" the TV suddenly turned on a Caesar was talking.
"Well did I not tell you folks! Our new Hunger Games Victor is freed from the hospital! She was seen regaining her brut strength by a simple walk through the glass walk way. WITH! District 1's Victor Gloss Parkens and her lovely mentor Finnick Odair!"
Then Artemis saw herself on the screen. She looked beat up, trashed and wounded, bandages covering her body and walking around almost blind. She was skinny and perfect. Too perfect, "Finnick Odair was kind enough to give us a comment on Artemis's recovery!"
"Artemis has made a full recovery. She was slightly starved and light headed, but the doctors though that it would be best for the viewers and fans of Artemis to keep her hidden and wrapped up until the big reveal nights from today"
"One night?" Artemis gasped, "I thought I got to go home," tears flooded down her face. Gold tears.
"You have your interview with Caesar, your crowning and then your birthday party," Gloss sighed as Artemis sat down on the cream colored sofa.
"Birthday party? My birthday past weeks ago," Artemis looked at nothing as she thought of the things she just learned.
"You promised Caesar that if you won, you would go to a party," Gloss said making Artemis remember that night.
"Well! If the odds are in your favor, the Capitol must throw you a birthday party before you return to District 4!"
"Only if you wear this fabulous sea green outfit!" Artemis laughed, Caesar's hair, eyebrows, suit, and eyelids were all dyed sea green.
"For you dear mermaid, anything."
"Mermaid," Artemis whispered to herself, "They'll call me that won't they?" Gloss shook his head and sat down next to her.
"No," a new voice entered the room, not Finnick's and not Gloss's. Adric. Artemis froze seeing his blue officer uniform. Eyes wide with fear she backed away from Adric and into Gloss's side.
"Black and white, black and white, black and white," Artemis chanted to herself, closing her eyes tightly.
"What's wrong?" Adric asked Gloss as he sat in front of her.
"Black and white, black and white," Artemis whispered.
"Colors effect her," Finnick's voice entered the room making Artemis open her eyes and look to him, trying to get the color out of her mind, "Dr. White told me while you were talking to her, Gloss. Its only one, the one that everyone wants to see her in. Blue."
"Why?" Adric asked as Mags went to Artemis and led her upstairs.
"Where did she have a mental breakdown?" Finnick snapped to the Capitol soldier, Adric looked away ashamed.
"The blue room with your painting in there," Gloss finally spoke, his eyes still locked on where Artemis had disappeared.
"Which could explain her distance from me," Finnick muttered, "She probably thinks I'm fake or something."
"Or she is finding her independence, trying to figure out how to be strong when your not there for her," Adric scoffed making Finnick's eyes narrow.
"You know nothing of the price us Victors must pay in order to keep our loved ones alive," Finnick growled.
"Last time I checked, your loved ones are dead," with a blink Finnick's fist was connecting with Adric's cheek. The two were throwing each other across the room, shattering glass wall and table.
"Stop it!" Artemis screamed from the top of the stairs, the two looked at her with blood coming from their open wounds. She had on silk satin pink pyjamas and silk robe, "For once can you guys not try to kill each other? I'm tired of the bickering! I can't do this anymore!" as she came down the stairs they saw the gauze patch over her heart, "Yes Finnick, I'm scared that your not real because I don't want to lose you, and yes Adric I'm afraid of a silly color! But stop treating me like I'm going to break like a porcelain doll!" they three looked at her for a moment, realizing their mistake. Artemis never needed any of them to comfort her when she was entering the games why would she need them now? Her eyes lightened unnaturally.
"Art," Finnick started but she shot him a glare that could kill.
"Tomorrow night I have to face the world," Artemis sighed, "And I need you guys to tell me what to do," she looked to Gloss, "So I don't mess this up," the three men looked to each other then to Artemis, they all saw something different about her, but what?
AN: I know that this was short but I really wanted to put this in! I was so happy when the idea came to me! I'll try and not take FOREVER to update again but I can't make promises that I can't keep. (That sounds familiar) Anyways, please leave a review!
Xoxo - Scar