~Finnick POV:
This year I'm mentoring again, and he might've had a chance being a Career. I really don't like the kid though, he is too self-absorbed and obnoxious. I'm not too upset when he gets an arrow in the chest.
Haymitch walks over and says, "I think we might have our new face for the Rebellion. If she survives anyway." I'm surprised, but it makes sense. His tribute this year is Katniss Everdeen. She is surly but she does have spunk. Ever since she volunteered for her sister, she has been defying the norm. District 12 never got volunteers, unlike 4 who has a Career most years.
The rest of the 74th Games, Johanna, Nyrah, and I make a point of watching District 12's star-crossed lovers. So far the commentary has included: "What a wimp" regarding Peeta Mellark. Both girls had said that simultaneously, it was kind of funny. "The boy is in love, but Katniss looks like she is about ready to vomit every time she has to kiss him" by Nyrah. And "Awww...it's just so (sniff) sad" in a very cheesy Capitol accent by Johanna every time they touch or say something lovey dovey. It is quite entertaining. But neither girl has a mean thing to say when the tributes pulled out the nightlock berries. For once, in all of Panem's history there were two victors in a single game.
Haymitch walks over and says, "So, whadya think? She's the one. Is she not?" No one can deny him. She has just the right touch of innocent rebellious in her. Soon the Mockingjay is our new face of the Rebellion. Katniss just doesn't know it yet.
The next day, the first thing that Mags says to me is that Plutarch Heavensbee told her that Seneca Crane, Head Gamemaker, is going to be executed because Snow took Katniss' drama with the berries to be a sign of rebellion. My head is spinning. The Rebellion that I have waited for almost ten years for is finally getting sparked.
Back home, Nyrah, Mags, and I start to prepare District 4 for the impending Rebellion. Nyrah has managed to get five prominent peacekeepers to provide weapons and supplies for our rebels. It's amazing what guys will do for her. We have almost everything set up and we are just waiting for the go from Heavensbee who is directing from the Capitol, or from Coin who is president of District 13.
~Nyrah POV:
I'm exhausted after a long sea trip. This time it wasn't just for fun. I was out spreading Rebellion information to deep sea fishers. The more people who know, the better for us. Everything is coming together with ease. By this time next year, the Districts might be free.
I walk into my house and throw my bag into a chair. "Hello? Neru, you here?" I hear sobs. Oh crap. What's going on? Crying is never good. I run into the living room. My brother is standing there, dumbstruck. Annie Cresta is in his arms weeping; her head rests on his shoulder. "Is she ok?" I whisper. Loud noises always make Annie's meltdowns worse. I've learned that from experience. Neru laughs and nods his head.
Is nobody going to tell me anything? "Who died?" I ask, exasperated. Annie lifts her head and smiles at me.
"You didn't tell her?" she asks softly, looking up at Neru. He shakes his head. Now I'm curious. Patience has never been one of my strong points.
Neru just grins and says, "We are getting married." That is all he said. It is so matter of fact. What the heck? My brother? Getting married? It's just so, well, wrong! But at the same time so right. I am totally speechless.
"Well, um, yeah. A warning would have been nice!" I say glaring at Neru. But I can't stay mad for long. They look so happy and content. I leave them alone. I hate to say it, but I'm jealous. I don't think I can ever get married, not without Snow interfering anyway. That snake of a president ruins everything.
~Finnick POV:
It's less than six months later when Snow announces the Quarter Quell. I flip on my tv and sit next to Nyrah, who curls up in my arms and lays her head on my shoulder. I run my hand through her wild, multi-hued red hair, with the other hand I feel the small velvet box in my pocket. Tonight is the night. She is a total state of relaxation. But not for long.
Snow digs his hand into to brown wooden box and draws a slightly yellow envelope with the number 75 on it. He slowly rips it open and reads: "As a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors."
Nyrah sits bolt upright and starts pacing the room. She keeps on muttering, "This can't be happening, this can't be happening" Mags stares out and asks why the Capitol would do this.
"Why wouldn't they do it?" Nyrah shouts, "The Districts are on the brink of rebellion! Almost all of the main leaders are victors. This is the easiest, safest way to take us out!" I think about her words. Of course she is right. It is almost too easy for the Capitol this way.
The phone rings, jerking me out of my thoughts. I answer it, "Hello?" The voice answers, "Finnick? This is Plutarch. Don't do anything rash. Don't start the Rebellion early. We will get you out." and then the phone hangs up.
"Who was that?" Mags asks absently. The phone rarely rings. "It was Heavensbee" I say and relate the message back to them.
~Peeta POV:
The news of the Quarter Quell comes as a shock. Life sucks. Both me and Katniss are alive for not even one year past our Games, and then we are going straight back to an arena. This time Haymitch is taking my side, since he supported Katniss last year. Katniss has to live. I know she doesn't like me the way I feel for her, but life is the best gift I can ever give her. I wouldn't be able to live knowing that she is dead.
I want to be as prepared as possible. I spent hours watching the Hunger Games recaps, observing fighting styles and strength. On the train ride as we watch the reapings of the other Districts, I take careful notes of everything. There are a few victors that stand out among the new tributes.
District 1 has the brother-sister pair of Gloss and Cashmere who won consecutive years back when I was a toddler. They are still young and strong, unlike other tributes that have succombed to drink, drugs, and simply old age.
District 2, as usual, has many tributes volunteering. In the end the "honor" goes to a set of Careers in their middle ages. Brutus is a tall strong man who is as obnoxious as a teenager. He won his Games by using maces and just his brute strength. Enobaria is the female tribute. She won by ripping out her victim's throats with her teeth like a wild animal. When she smiles, I see that her teeth are pointed. Scary.
District 3's tributes don't look all that intimidating. They are older, well, geeks. I almost overlook them, but then I remember that Beetee, the guy, ended up setting up this giant electrical trap that blew up all of the competition. Note to self: don't underestimate him.
District 4 has volunteers too. Originally, an old woman who looks like she can barely walk gets reaped, but she quickly gets replaced by Nyrah, who won five years ago. She is really hot. Katniss glares at me when I stare for too long, not that I love Katniss any less than before. The male tribute is Finnick Odair. When his name gets called, Effie Trinket, our escort, sighs dreamily. The new tributes playfully argue about who gets the older woman as their mentor; they end up deciding to share. At the ages of twenty one and twenty four, they are the youngest new tributes, besides me and Katniss anyway. Both Finnick and Nyrah have scandalous reputations, so apparently District 4's industry-in addition to fishing-is sex icons.
After that, the only people who stand out are Johanna Mason of District 7 and Chaff of District 11. Johanna won by pretending to be a crybaby weakling, forcing the others to overlook her, when in reality, she was a fierce competitor. She is in her mid-twenties. Chaff, who lost a hand, is one of Haymitch's closest friends and drinking buddy. I see the pain in Haymitch's face when he is reaped. It will be hard for him, watching people that he has known for years die. I guess that is one advantage, and disadvantage, Katniss and I will have. We won't feel the pain killing off friends, but no one else knows us, so we will be the first targets.