A/N: I first want to apologize for not posting a new chapter on Saturday, I was working and didn't have any time to get anything posted. So I'm once again staying up all night writing multiple chapters so when next Saturday comes around I can just post it. Second, thanks for the few reviews I got! For those who haven't yet, now's your chance! XOXO
Disclaimer: I don't own it blah blah you know the drill. But I am keeping it close to the movie as you can tell from most of the word for word dialogue.
"I have a plan" Beetee said, erupting the long silence that took place after Finnick spoke about Luce.
Finnick stood up and took a few steps forward, "Johanna, Luce!"
When the two looked over at him he waved them over, knowing they'd want to hear what Beetee had to say. He waited until they were all together and sitting down before letting Bettee talk about his idea.
"Where do the Career's feel safest, the jungle?" He asked looking at everyone individually.
"The jungle's a nightmare.." Johanna said quickly, glancing back at the giant forest of trees leading into the "nightmare".
Peeta shrugged, "Probably here on the beach."
"Then why are they not here?" Beetee questioned right after Peeta spoke. Luce looked around at everyone to see them thinking and wondering where Beetee was trying to go with his plan. Finnick caught her gaze and gave a soft nod. Luce returned it before returning to the conversation.
"Because we are. We claimed it, didn't we?" Johanna replied as if it was simple.
"And if we left, they would come." Beetee stated almost in question.
"Or stay hidden in the tree line" Finnick supplied.
"Which in just over four hours will be soaked with water from the 10 o'clock wave." Beetee said and added, "And what happens at midnight?" He looked at Katniss who started to understand what he was trying to say.
"Lightning strikes that tree.." She answered for him.
"Here's what I propose...We leave the beach at dusk, we head to the lightning tree, that should draw them back to the beach." Beetee started explaining, "Prior to midnight we then run this wire from the tree to the water" He used his hand to gesture from the water to the tree. "Anyone in the water or on the damp sand, will be electrocuted."
Luce looked down at the sand and picked up a bit in her hand, Beetee was right. Could it actually work?
"How do we know the wire's not gonna burn up?" Johanna questioned.
Beetee spoke immediately after her as if it was a simple question, "Because I invented it. I assure you, it won't burn up." He looked up at her giving a look of confirmation.
Johanna, Finnick and Luce all shared glances of approval. They figured the plan would work and they'd all make it out alive, or they'd fail and die anyways. Luce couldn't decide which option she liked better. Did she want to survive and go through another year of vivid nightmares? Or let herself stay behind as payment for what she'd done two years ago? She knew if she chose that option Finnick would never forgive himself, or her for that matter. He would probably hate her for choosing something so stupid.
Was that what she was? Stupid? Because of every decision she made that got her here today? Should she had just died in the previous games? It definitely would have been a lot easier than living and having to go on the victory tour facing all the families of the victims she killed just to stay alive and make it home herself.
"Well it's better than hunting them down." Johanna spoke bringing Luce out of her thoughts.
"Yeah, why not?" Katniss agreed. Peeta gave his own approval as well, "All right I say we try it."
"What can we do to help?" Finnick asked figuring the plan was better than just sitting on the beach.
"Keep me alive for the next six hours." Beetee replied with a small smile, "That would be extremely helpful."
As the wait for dusk began, everyone went off in their own separate directions. Peeta and Katniss stayed away from the group a few feet away to discuss whatever they had on their minds. Johanna sat with Beetee further discussing the plan, and Luce stood in the water with Finnick. Finnick was slowly twirling his trident as he stared out at the water. Luce watched him, as if she was in a trance, before he cleared his throat breaking her out of her zoned-out stare.
"Are you ready? For all of it to be over?" Finnick looked down at her before looking back towards the water. "Just imagine it, no one else would have to go in because we made it possible. We'd be hero's" He gave a casual smirk finally making Luce smile. She nudged him with her elbow in a joking manner and sighed staring up at the sky, the sun slowly setting in the distance.
"I know it's scary, being back here after thinking it was finally over. I'm scared too.." Finnick admitted making Luce look at him in surprise. "I knew what I did during my first games was wrong, those things never left me. And now, being back in it again..fighting for my life a second time, it worries me. Makes me think that there won't be anybody back home to take care of Annie if I die, and there would be no one to make me feel ok if you died.."
Luce frowned and faced him, taking his hands in hers. She held them tightly and gave the most reassuring look she could as she stared up at him. She felt the same way he did. She could die and leave behind the people who gave her a family, a home. Or she could survive but lose the only person that truly made her feel loved and could calm her down whenever she had a nightmare that was too much for her to handle on her own.
She didn't want to think about that kind of life which wasn't too far from coming true. Finnick held her hands as he finally looked away, most likely because he knew that if he continued to stare at Luce, he would end up crying. That was something no one needed to see.
Luce watched him, took a deep breath, and did the one thing she hadn't done in years.
"F-Finnick..." Luce said, her voice small, quiet and a bit scratchy from not being used in so long.
Finnick turned his head so fast he made himself dizzy for a moment. He stared at Luce in shock. After what seemed like forever, he finally gave the biggest grin he could muster and pulled Luce into a large hug. His arms wrapped tightly around her small body, his head resting upon hers.
"You don't know how long I've waited to hear that wonderful voice again.." Finnick whispered to her as he allowed himself to shed a few tears. He was so happy he even picked her up and spun her around in the water causing her to emit a laugh, causing him to laugh with her.
Johanna approached them with an awe struck look on her face. "Did I just hear what I think I did?" A hint of a small smile gracing her lips. Finnick looked at Johanna still smiling while Luce just blushed in embarrassment and gave a small nod. Johanna gave Luce a hug of her own. "I'm proud of you kid."
Luce nodded, and for the first time since she came home from the games, she truly felt happy. She was happy to be able to spend these last few moments with the few people she cared for.
"I hate to interrupt the celebration, but it's almost time to start heading to the tree." Beetee said making his way over to the trio, his giant roll of coil in hand.
Finnick wrapped an arm around Luce's shoulders as they all turned to where Peeta and Katniss were to see them kissing. Luce gave a small smile at the pair before Johanna interrupted their romantic moment.
"All right lovebirds!" She shouted at them, making them turn to see them preparing to leave. Slowly they stood up and made their way towards the group as Beetee stood at the front, ready to lead the way towards the tree.
When they were all together they gave a look to each person, knowing this was it. This plan would decide their fate. Silently they all started to walk, Finnick and Luce in the front with Beetee, while Johanna stayed behind everyone. Luce knew she was only staying in the back of the group to make sure Peeta and Katniss didn't try anything that would jeopardize the plan of getting them out.
Halfway there, the anthem started to play as the sky lit up with the images of the fallen tributes. Luce glanced at Beetee when they showed Wiress. She could see the hint of sadness he carried in his eyes but that soon turned to determination as the images faded and the music ended. Everyone went back to walking as if it never happened.
It wasn't long before they were all standing in front of the giant tree. "Minimal charring. It's an impressive conductor." Beetee observed. "Let's get started."