The Wolves (Act I and II): Bon Iver.
But deliver us from evil.
"And District Three, welcome your victor!" The crowd cheered weakly. Even with the wide smiles of the uncertain civilians of District Three, I still felt like the outsider. But I watched them bow down to me and reveled in it for only a moment. I was treated like royalty or a god. Districts One and Two watched me more menacingly than the others and I wished for Kalon's protection. District Four was beautiful and I knew my sisters would have enjoyed the ocean. My mom would have liked the shore too. I saw Finnick for a brief moment. A young girl, maybe about my age or a little older lingered in the crowd. She was lovely and I knew exactly who she was. Annie Cresta, the looming girl of Four, with long dark hair and pale green eyes. I knew even while Finnick was pretending not to notice, his thoughts revolved around her. They both looked a little thinner and paler. Their eyes were full of worry. I didn't think much of it. The rest of the Districts were gracious, as they always are on these tours, but it was the Capitol that won me over. The party was lavish and the admirers were charming. It was nice being doted on. That's not something I'm usually spoiled with.
"Johanna, my you are beautiful." They would say, wrapping my long hair in their hands. "Antavia, aren't you absolutely envious of these luscious locks." One man said, pulling my hair to his face.
I smiled uncomfortably and let my stylists sweep me away. Eventually I was passed on to the dance floor left to twirl in a gown that dawned nature colors and made me look like a tree sprite. "May I cut in?" An older voice said, tapping my dance partner on the shoulder.
President Snow smiled a cold grin and pulled me to him. "Why my dear, you look radiant," He told me, running the back of his hand down my cheek.
"Thank you sir," I muttered quietly. An eerie feeling crept through my body as goosebumps ran down my spine, but I kept my smile strong.
He smiled again, "You don't mind how they stare at you do you?"He asked me, pushing me across the floor.
"I'm sorry sir?" I asked as I looked up at my company. They did watch. I could feel their eyes on me. Every man watched me with a wicked grin, women stared with envy...I shuddered at their glance.
Snow stood behind me, holding my arms to my side. "Look at the way they stare at you darling. Oh they pine after you," He said, wrapping his grip tighter around my shoulders. "Isn't that something to smile about?" He whispered quietly in my ear.
I shrugged, "I suppose." I muttered, my hair falling from it's intricate design and down my back.
He smiled again, "Look at my manners, never personally congratulating you. Congrats on your win my dear, it's nice to have a victor of your stature," He said, spinning me slowly. "Tall, beautiful, ready for a court." He said, letting me go briefly to see my admirers. They smirked and gawked at me, blowing me kisses and throwing waves in my direction.
Snow pulled me back in. "I'm told my predecessor and I are similar," I told him quietly.
He frowned, shaking his head with a frown, "They're wrong. Look at you dear. A picture of strength and health. You look wonderful."
"Thank you sir," I said, curtsying.
He bowed, "Your guardian will have some things to tell you after tonight. I hope you accept my offer. I only ask from the best, the strongest." He grinned a sickly sweet grin and let go of my hands.
"Ask what, sir?" I asked him almost alarmingly persistent.
He smirked, "Oh, patience sweet girl." President Snow left my presence. I stood in the middle of the floor with a sinking feeling in my chest.
"Johanna?"Another voice broke me from my trance.
"Yes?" I answered absentmindedly. I turned around seeing a tall, younger man, recognizing him immediately. "Oh, Finnick..." I said with a sigh of relief.
Finnick smiled a handsome grin. He really was one of the most attractive men I'd seen. "Lovely party you have here," He said glancing around.
I nodded, walking with him towards the table crowded with luxurious foods and delicacies. "I saw you in Four," I blurted out.
He looked at me in confusion, "And without the courtesy to say hello," He smiled, shaking his head.
I shrugged, "I didn't think you'd want my company, especially seeing as you seemed focused on someone else." I thought back to the young girl, Annie Cresta. There was something that Finnick saw in her, that I was started to understand. She wasn't weak, so much, as she was fragile. I looked back to Finnick, he was the same picture of frailty, but only for a moment.
Finnick watched me with nervous eyes and then shook his head in protest, "I have no one left, Mason," He said, fidgeting with his hands as if trying to tie something that wasn't in his reach. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his suit and replaced his frown with an arrogant smug look.
"We both know that's a lie Odair," I told him, watching the crowd that now held me to a higher standard when just last year I was nothing. "You're not looking well," I said quietly, watching his auburn hair fall in his eyes that didn't seem nearly as bright as they had been.
"Well, that isn't nice." He chuckled, as if to direct the conversation.
I watched the members of the Capitol dance mindlessly and then back to the man that seemed more broken than he would have liked to admit. "What happened to you two?"I asked quietly. I remembered her interview. How nervous she looked coming from the arena, when she learned about her District partner and his sacrificial love for her...how she evidently confessed her love for Finnick and then went mad. From what I know, they didn't speak much after her display of insanity at her own party. That's when the stories didn't match up, not that I honestly cared to learn more.
Finnick shook his head, "Nothing happened. Things just didn't work out." I heard that story. He still loved her. It was in the way he stood when someone mentioned her or the faces he made.
"I'm sorry Odair," I muttered sympathetically.
Finnick stood tall again, confident, "Just...don't give in to them Mason."
"What are you talking about Finnick?"I asked, frowning.
He looked at me, nodding his head towards me. "Just remember what I told you." He said quietly, slinking off back into the crowd of glamour.
A hand pulled me away from the party. "Come with me," Isla said, taking me from the crowds of fans. She sat me down, pacing around me and giving me a list of rules, expectations, and assignments.
The process didn't make sense. "Every two weeks, maybe more, you will be summoned here to the Capitol to fulfill the duties and appointments the President has set aside for you. If you do not complete your tasks, you will find a weighty price will be paid. So I suggest, you not dally when you're here." She told me sternly.
"What will these tasks entail?" I asked quietly, watching Isla with more worry as she circled me like a vulture.
"You are now a national icon...you will be an item to accompany strong political figures in the Capitol."
I frowned, "Accompany? What does that mean?"
"You will act as a figure of state. You're an idol now...Who could blame you, as beautiful as you are." That was the first compliment Isla had ever given me for the year I've known her.
"Thank you Isla," I muttered.
"You're dismissed for now Johanna. Your first assignment begins tomorrow." She sent me to my room and I fell into a distressed sleep.
Something didn't seem right about my first moments of the meeting. Stylists came to my room, strapping me in a nice, form fitting dress. A man knocked on the door a few hours later, complimenting me and taking me by the arm. He was a nice man, not too much older than me. I stayed on his arm the entire evening as he prattled on about the changes he intended to make now that power had gracefully fallen into his fingertips. He spoke of his election like it was a clean campaign and simple popularity graced him, when in fact his power was seized ruthlessly. The night dwindled on and I played my part, sitting quietly by his side and smiling sweetly when I could. "This was a lovely night but I'm going home tomorrow morning, so I had better..."I feigned a yawn, ready to be escorted home, but he grabbed my arm.
"Oh no, I think you've misunderstood...the night isn't over yet." He said with a small, cold smile. Fear crept up my spine.
I felt small in his hold, "What do you mean?" I asked quietly.
The young man smiled, "I've paid a great sum for you darling, and I intend to make the most of it."He said in an angry snarl, escorting me from the car.
"You paid for me?" I squeaked as we traveled through an apartment building.
He laughed smugly, "Not quite understanding? That's ok, I'll help you understand." The man pulled me through his home until we reached a small back room. He sat on a bed, undoing his tie. "Come here," He said. Danger filled the room and my heart sank as I slowly understood the meaning behind my appointments. I was still nothing to them. "Good girl." He told me, kissing my cheek. I did as he told me.
I left the next morning, tears welling in my eyes, feeling weak and filthy. My bones were shattered, spirit broken, but I never let them see me hurt. I was still in the Games...and a winner never falters.