I woke up in the same position to a smiling sleeping Finnick, my head hurt and my feet were still sore. This made me groan a little. That and I was cold, the room had mostly cleared out. The rest were people too drunk to sleep anywhere than where they had just landed the night before.
I yawned and stretched my sore muscles, I had no idea how to feel about today, or what I would even do now.
I still had to deal with nightmares and guilt of killing people. But I usually spent my time hanging around the boys or stealing. After I was reaped I seemed to always be on a tight schedule, but that would change. Sure I would have to mentor every year, but what would I do the rest of the time?
I decided that I needed to find something to occupy my time. I had no need for money or anything of survival. For that I was actually annoyed that I had been in those stupid games. I had nothing left anymore, I had this entire identity built around being one of Lokés kids who stole and sold scarves. What would I do now? Who could I be now? I could not be a thief anymore, I could not be normal. I would always be haunted by the games. I did not need a job, I had more money than I could ever need. I had no idea what the other victors did after they won their games. Well it was well known that most of them drank and did drugs. But what else was there? Beetee still liked to work as an engineer, maybe I should try that when we got home.
I was to tired and my head hurt too much to think anymore about it. I lied down in the same position again. I had lied very weirdly throughout the night. Why was I sitting there starring at Finnick?
I had no idea how to actually feel about him, was he a friend? Well he had helped me after the games. He had seen me practically naked both physically and emotionally. And he could be very nice and fun to be around. Plus he was one of the few people in here who was around my age. The others were full fledged careers, and I did not particularly care for their company.
Then there was the smug and arrogant Finnick, that boy I did not want to be friends with.
I figured I would figure it out when I had hung more out with him. We would probably see each other much more from now on. Then I could determine which personality he had the most.
I would have to figure out who to be too.
Beetee had talked to me on the train about how I needed a persona for the capitol. I was theirs now, and they needed more than orphan thief to want to sponsor whatever tributes we had next year. That and he had explained to me, that it could really destroy your character if you had to be that person all of the time. I knew why we hid behind these masks. Why I smiled at the crowds when I was dying inside. Because when I was no longer that entertaining to the capitol, they did not want to sponsor my tributes. They would no longer care about me, and I was only guaranteed safety by the capitol when I was useful. He had also explained the offer that I would most likely be given next year when I turned 16.
I would have to consider who I was seen with, because the president could use it against me.
I knew in my gut once I got out of that awful arena that there was a reason all of these people stayed in line.
I now knew the full story, the one they do not tell when playing reruns on TV.
I got up after a little while, and found Beetee who was surprisingly also a little hungover. Which amused me a great deal. I had no idea what a drunk Beetee would look like. He was always so calm and composed to me. I knew he had demons just like me, but he somehow had the strong and could do no wrong image I always had of my father.
He guided me downstairs for breakfast, the other tributes soon joined us, as they all gradually woke up from the party. We sat around and chatted, it was really fun.
I had a weird feeling when we had to say goodbye to most of them. I actually liked these people and their company. They understood the trauma you had to go through. I was glad to know that I was not alone in all of this. And while we were supposed to compete against each other for sponsor and such, they had somehow formed this supporting community.
I hugged most of the goodbye at the training center, some of them had to stay on business in the capitol. Others would also be heading back to their own district too.
Haymitch made a promise that we would grab a drink another time. I immediately agreed to that idea.
A few similar proposals were made to me, others just told me how we would see each other soon. I was actually gonna miss these people a little. I could imagine them at least when I was away from home, being a surrogate family.
Once I got to Finnick he was back to his arrogant self, wearing a cheeky smile on his face.
"Saved the best for last huh?" He said and I chuckled and shook my head.
"No, just trying to postpone this as long as I can." I said sarcastically, which caused him to chuckle.
"Well, I have no problem being dessert." He said slyly and I rolled my eyes at him but smiled a little.
We seemed right then and there, without a word to decide that we would continue this as friendly banter. I knew he meant nothing by his comments and he knew I meant nothing by mine. It was an agreement made with our eyes.
He took a deep breath, and seemed to look me over afterwards, before pulling me in for a hug. I normally hated hugs, but I had grown accustomed to them here. He held it long enough that I even felt secure enough to put my second arm around him. I was weird like that, but he shifted slightly until I heard him whisper in my ear.
"Say no, whatever he is gonna take from you, trust me, it is not worth it when you say yes. He might not even keep his promise, okay? Say no Nova, trust me." He whispered with desperation in his voice.
I had no idea what he was thinking about, I had heard from Beetee that snow would probably make me an offer once I turned 16. And that he would threaten to kill my loved once if I said no.
"What is it, what is that offer?" I whispered back confused.
I could feel myself being pulled back probably be a peacekeeper telling me it was time to go. Finnick just shook his head as he let go of me.
"Just say no, okay Nova?" He whispered once again, still sounding a bit desperate.
I looked at him and silently nodded, he looked like he breathed out in relief and I was grateful that he felt better. I still had no idea what I was gonna be offered. What he would threaten me with. But if it was bad enough that Finnick would warn me against it I knew it would be serious. He had seemed a different kind of broken. I had heard of tributes families mysteriously dying after the games, but I had always thought of them as rumors. What was so bad that losing your loved ones was the better alternative?
I was not dragged into the train as I had predicted but into a car, Beetee and Wiress was waiting for me there. I looked at them confused but knew better than to disobey a peacekeeper so I got in the car.
"Where are we going?" I asked concerned, what if he was about to make me the offer right now? Was I ready, and would it be worth it to take Finnicks advice.
"The president has requested your presence." Beetee said coldly, he did however try and comfort me with a small smile.
Wiress did the same but took my hand and held it for the rest of the way. I was slightly annoyed at Tiffy who spent all of the way there talking about what an honour this would be. How she had met the president once. I really wanted her to shut up, but somehow it was better than sitting silently.
Once we got to the big beautiful mansion that was all white. We walked through his front garden which was filled with only white roses. Somehow it was intimidating with all of this white, like it was too pure. Something was just off about all of it.
I kept holding Wiress hand, which comforted me so much. We walked upstairs and I had to leave Beetee and Wiress on the other side of the door while I talked to the most powerful man in Panem.
I hugged them goodbye, and Wiress squeezed my hand before letting me go.
The white door with those gold handles was opened from the other side by an avox and I walked into the big white and golden study. He sat behind a desk and ordered me too sit. I was holding my breath a little in fear. He smiled at me, but it did not comfort me, I had no idea if it was intended as such, but he looked menacing.
He wore a white rose on his suit, which gave off a weird smell that I had no idea what was causing. I only looked him briefly in the eyes as they scared me.
"Ms. Hyde, congratulations once again on your victory." He said slowly and it almost made me shiver in fear.
I put on the fakest smile I had held yet and looked at his forehead as a means to look at him, without looking him in the eyes.
"Thank you." I said my voice shaking slightly. He smiled once again and leaned back in his chair.
"As you may or may not know, it is tradition for the victors, to create something for the capitol to enjoy. Your mentors designed our new TV transmitters for example. Or it could be something simple like our two victors from district 6, they make art for the capitol to enjoy." He said and paused. I was intimidated, was this what they had warned me about? Was this gonna be the big threat?
"It would be wise of you, to do something in the same caliber as the other tributes. Or else something might happen to those friends of yours. I actually pulled your school records, while very troubled, I can see that you are very brilliant. I expect you contribute with something sufficiently good for the capitol." He said menacingly. I breathed in not really knowing what to say, was this the offer? It was not really a yes or no question. Besides I knew once I was out of here I would need to do the capitols some favours. But this did not seem so bad, I just had to find something to give the capitol.
"I can't wait to see what you come up with ms. Hyde, I expect you have it ready when you're in the capitol next. I truly think when you apply yourself you can make something great." He said.
Normally those words would probably sound encouraging, but coming from this man it was a threat.
I knew it was not a means of inspiring me, just raising the stakes. He wanted me to succeed in making something that would benefit him. He waved me off and I got up from the chair and walked to the door which was opened by an avox. I was pulled into the car still a little stunned. And a little confused about what I was gonna do. I had to impress the president, and I had no idea how. I was not like he said too smart. I had barely had any education back in district 3, what could I possibly accomplish?
