A/N: Hey guys, it has been a whole year since I updated. I was aiming to get 27 chapters out of this, but I just couldn't so here is the final chapter of Know Thy Enemy. I hope you enjoyed the story. I have a sequel planned but who knows when that will come about!
Chapter 25 - The Offer
I sit in front of our District Two Mayor, his back is turned to me leaving me to waiting in anticipation as he stares out of the window which overlooks the packed town square. He turns slowly to smile at me, before taking a seat in a large executive chair.
"I trust the tour went well." He says in a conversational tone, I wonder why he doesn't just get to the point of why he asked me here in the first place. I nod curtly and he chuckles to himself. I have no reason to answer to him.
"What am I doing here?" I ask sitting forward in my chair, I hear the two peacekeepers stood behind me move forward, just in case I make a move on the Mayor. The Mayor holds his hand up to indicate to them it's fine and they relax once more.
"I just wanted to have a little chat before the celebration." He replies quietly, also leaning forward. "It has come to my attention that you attacked one of my newest Peacekeepers, I'm curious as to why this happened?" He enquires. I take a moment to think before answering his question. "You don't need to worry...you're not in any trouble." He continues obviously trying to be reassuring, I don't know why though I'm not trying to deny that I attacked Ava and I did. I know it was wrong.
"I was provoked, if I hadn't of hit her she'd of killed me...it was self-defence." I state matter-of-factly, the mayor gives me a piercing stare as if assessing the legitimacy of my answer.
"I see, and why did she attack you?" He continues as he makes a note of something on a piece of paper.
"She was jealous, we had a history back in our training academy and it has never been resolved between us. We both wanted to be tributes this year and that's basically why it started." I answer, I fold my arms across my chest and sit back in the seat. "The whole reason I even started talking to Ava was because I thought she was sent by you to spy on me." I continue fixing my eyes on his face, but he doesn't react to the subtle accusation. He takes a sip from his cup of coffee and begins to nod.
"Ms. Hallows, if I wanted to spy on you there are better means than your arch nemesis." He replies coolly, I let out a sigh and make a move to stand. "It's rude to leave halfway through a conversation." He chides me and I reluctantly return to my seat.
"I thought it was over." I reply with a tone of annoyance but he ignores it, unfazed.
"Very well, that's all I needed to know." He states and I raise an eyebrow at him. He has a sickly smile that makes we want to punch him, he also looks too nice to be in such a powerful position. I stand slowly and make a move towards the door. "Oh and my dead Ms. Hallows, should I hear of anymore unreasonable behaviour we will not be having another one of these comfortable meetings. Do I make myself clear?" The mayor says in a passive aggressive manner. I nod, exiting the office.
"What I dick." I murmur to myself. A huge applause suddenly deafens me as I am ushered into the town square. Random people shake my hands, pat me on the back and scramble over one another to touch me. It's really bizarre, as I remember being part of the crowd cheering for our previous victors.
I spot Cathal on the stage where a long table is set out for all our officials and its victors. It is filled with delicious looking food.
"Glad you could finally make it." Cathal says giving me a small smile, the crowd as stopped cheering and a small band has started playing music.
"This is so weird. I never thought I would be sitting at this table." I say marvelling at it. People throughout the day bring me flowers and other gifts. I sit silently for a moment, just listening to the babbling of joyful people, when I realise someone is trying to talk to me. It is Cosmo. I turn and kiss him on each cheek quickly apologising for ignoring him.
"Darling, you look so common today." Cosmo says peering down at my attire. I laugh, shaking my head at him.
"This is what I feel comfortable in." I say shrugging.
"I'll talk to a few friends back home, they might be able to make some exquisite outfits for you, and for a reasonable price too." Cosmo says nudging me, a wide grin on his face.
"Sounds good." I reply vacantly, the last few days have really taken it out of me and all I really want to do is go home and sprawl out onto my bed and fall asleep.
I run as fast as I can through the derelict buildings my heart racing in my chest. I hear Sagittaria laugh and the arrow shoots me through the ankle I yell in pain scrabbling on the floor away from her as she appears through the darkness.
"B-bu-but you-you're dead!" I shout, trying to crawl away from her as fast as I can.
"Oh, I'm very much alive." Her eyes glint with hatred and malice, she kneels on top of me, clasping her hands around my throat. I writhe beneath her trying to escape my hands clawing at her back and face but she laughs.
I wake with a start on a bed, still fully clothed. Sitting up, I let out a sigh of relief and feeling my throat.
"Are you okay?" Cathal is sat in a chair opposite me, he lays down a book on the bedside table.
"Yeah..." I reply hoarsely.
"We all get them." He says getting to his feet. I watch him pace backwards and forwards for a moment.
"You said you don't deal with this, but you must do." I say more to myself than to Cathal.
"We all cope in our own way." Cathal says quietly. "It's never truly gone, but we can suppress the fear and anxiety." He continues. "For me, I read lots of books. I practice yoga and I try to meditate." I raise my eyebrow at him, scotching off of the bed.
"I work really hard all day until I'm too exhausted to stay awake." I reply and he nods. "But it doesn't help with getting rid of the nightmares."
"I don't think anything does." Cathal admits solemnly . "A few victors take drugs, other look elsewhere. "I know that Taisiya works out. She does boxing and she was actually the one who introduced me to yoga." He says giving me a small smile.
"Really!" I say laughing in astonishment. "But she's so angry all the time." I laugh again shaking my head at him. "Well, I best head back." I say faking a yawn. "How did I end up here anyway?" I ask suddenly curious.
"Uh...something you must have drank because you just slowly went to sleep at the table." Cathal says giving me a wry smile. "I was going to take you home, but they must have been still in the town square, so I brought you back here." He says blushing slightly.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." I say making my way towards his bedroom door.
"No problem." Cathal says following me to the door.
I open my front door, greeted by Hephaestus.
"Emery, where have you been. I was worried about you." He says. He moves aside as I walk in the door.
"I'm fine, just a little tired that's all." I continue making my way towards the stairs.
"Emery, wait up. We have a guest." Hephaestus says. I turn to frown at him.
"Who?" I inquire frowning at him.
"He's in the kitchen." Hephaestus says, beckoning towards the kitchen door.
"Maverick." I whisper under my breath, I turn on my heels grinning to myself as I open the kitchen door. Two peacekeepers stand either side of the person I would never expect to see here. General Snow.
I stand for a second too shocked to move.
"Hello, Miss Hallows." General Snow says giving me a charismatic smile, gesturing to a chair opposite him.
"General Snow, I never expected to see you here." I say taking the seat opposite him.
"I was in the area, and thought I would stop by." He says smiling. Hephaestus appears in the doorway, his arms folded across his chest. He would tower over General Snow.
"Oh, can I help you with anything?" I say, my voice a little higher than usual. General Snow's eyes flick up to Hephaestus, and without telling him Hephaestus leaves the room without any objection.
"In the arena you showed great strength and skill. I know you were training to become a peacekeeper before the games and I have a proposition for you." General Snow begins. "I would like you to join me in The Capitol after next year's games." He says sitting back in his chair and observing my reaction.
"How could I say no?" I reply, returning a smile.