Pawn
A/N: Sorry this has taken me so long to update. I've been consumed with other projects, getting married, being an adult, and moving. I don't own the Hunger Games. However, this story and original characters are mine.
Chapter 25
After a shower, I feel slightly more like myself. I am dressed in a forest green tunic and soft brown leggings. I sit on the bed with a towel on my shoulders, letting Annie Cresta brush my hair with a comb. She hums snatches of a tune that I don't recognize.
Dimitri is in the other room, joking and laughing with Finnick and Haymitch. I wonder if it is acceptable for them to mingle considering they're from different Districts. The Hunger Games play at a low volume. Katniss soaks her injured leg in the water. Cinna then comes in with his makeup pallet to make me look acceptable again.
"That color of green complements your complexion nicely." Cinna says. "You and Katniss almost have the same complexion, though you are a bit fairer that she is."
"She probably spent more time in the sun," I answer. "I don't think if we ever met, she'd like me."
Cinna dabs a brush into the foundation. "What makes you say that?"
"She's better than us, and she knows it," I answer. "And if she knew I tried to kill her…"
"Don't let it bother you," Cinna answers. "You're feeling guilty for things that haven't happened yet."
But I did. Snow made me press the button.
I close my eyes in order to hold back the tears. "I don't agree with the Games. I think they're wrong. I think they're horrible and I want them to stop. I hate them for what they've done to my grandmother because there are some days when she's stuck in the Games and I can't reach her. " I bite my lip until I taste blood. Tears trickle down my face and try to undo all of Cinna's work. I tip my head back to stop them from falling down my face.
"We all have those days," Annie says. She hands me a handkerchief to dab at my eyes.
There is a knock on the door. Dimitri stands there with one hand on his hip and the other is holding a glass with ice and some sort of liquor. I resist the urge to run and throw my arms around him. Instead, I stay motionless and allow Cinna to erase any emotion that has crossed my face earlier in the day. In a matter of minutes, all dark circles and paleness are erased.
"You look beautiful," Dimitri says. "You're a world-class stylist, Cinna."
Cinna dips his head in acknowledgement. "I can't claim all of the credit. Annie did her hair."
I reach up and finger the three delicate braids on each side that make up a larger single braid. It's a style from District 4. I remember it being very popular when another tribute from District 4 won a few Games ago.
"We should probably head out," Dimitri says.
"Well, ya'll don't have to go so soon," Haymitch says. "No one's throwing you out."
"We don't want to cause suspicion," Dimitri says. "What's the best way to get out of here unnoticed?"
"This is District 12. No one's going to care if you hang around. Stay awhile, and watch the Games."
"It's against the rules," I say.
"Rules in the Capitol are more like guidelines," Dimitri says "It's only matters when you get caught."
"I've already gotten caught," I confess. "They know I called my dad."
Haymitch and Dimitri exchange uncomfortable look. Effie seems to be confused. "Well, Gamemakers are allowed to be in touch with their families."
"The notorious Hugo Hyde?"
Effie's face turns white underneath her makeup. "We mustn't talk about him. He is an enemy of the Capitol."
Dimitri a firm hand on my shoulder. "We're leaving now."
"But…" Questions are flying in my head. Why is my father notorious?
Haymitch crosses his arms and smirks. "You don't pay much attention to Capitol affairs, do you sweetheart?"
"Haymitch," Dimitri answers through gritted teeth. His hand tightens on my shoulder. "That's enough."
"It's good to see that you're protective of something more than you're gun," Finnick says. He puts his arm around Annie. "Love looks good on you."
Dimitri opens his mouth to retort, but then decides against it. Instead, he scuffs his foot on the carpet and blushes. "Yeah, well… We… we should get going before we overstay our welcome. The ointment for her leg is on me, since my mentee tried to sear your tribute like a steak."
"That won't be necessary," Haymitch says. "Carmen here, was only doing her job. I can't fault her. Katniss just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." He pats my shoulder. "Take care of yourself."
"Don't press any strange buttons," Finnick adds. "Don't give into peer pressure."
"I think that's advice we can all take," Cinna answers.
"Speaking of peer pressure, something that's interesting I saw it on a bumper sticker. It read "Those who think they are free are the ones that are the most enslaved. It made me think, that most people think they are free even with all the restriction and rules.
"I'm surprised there hasn't been a revolution," Dimitri says. "But let's talk about something else. We all know that this room is probably bugged. And we should get out of here before we overstay our welcome.
Haymitch shrugs. "Like I said, this is District 12. No one really gives a flying fuck."
"You also have to remember she shot an arrow in to the boar's mouth," Dimitri says. "Trust me, they're watching you. Snow has eyes everywhere." His eyes flicker to Effie. She colors under her pale make up.
"It's always the sticklers for the rules," I say. "Those are the ones you can't trust. Someone once told me the rules were more like guidelines."
Dimitri playfully punches my shoulder. "I didn't say that applied to all the rules, at least not all the rules that applied to government. You should follow them."
"The key word being there is 'should,'" Haymitch jokes. "But then again all rules are subjective.
"Your tribute gave my mentee a concussion. You have no right to say anything about rules." Dimitri shakes his hand. "If I remember you broke a few yourself."
"Don't give Carmen any ideas. We need her to stay alive." Finnick gives me a hug. "Let me know if you need anything at all."
"We will," I say. Annie gives me a tentative hug.
"Thank you for doing my hair," I say. "You did a great job. I'll have to see if my stylist can replicate it."
"It looks very good on you," Annie answers. "As for the hair style, it's easy to do. My mother used to do my hair up in it when I was younger." Her eyes well up and she wipes a tear away from her eye. Poor girl, I wonder if her mother is still alive. Many of the Victors didn't have family. Rumor had it, that President Snow killed family members in order to make the Victors behave. It was only a rumor, I didn't believe it. Life in the Districts had a high mortality rate.
"Let's get you home," Dimitri says. He put an arm around me. "You've had a tiring day and it isn't even Lunch time yet."
"My head hurts," I complain. I gingerly touch the bruise on my head.
"It's time to go then and get you some medicine. I have a friend who is a doctor. Maybe, I'll call him and get a second opinion. What's the best way to get out here without being seen."
"I'll show you," Finnick says. "There's a way out the back. Bad news you have to take the stairs. He takes Annie's hand. I'm a bit jealous. I know that by the way he looks at her that he loves her. Love like that doesn't come around so much. It's all about the show, I doubt people love each other. People get their memories erased of the people they've dated. I wanted to ask Annie her secret for stealing Finnick Odair, the most desirable man in the Capitol. I want that kind of love they have. I only have Graham, well, not even that.
"Enh, I need the exercise," Dimitri says. "I didn't quite get my full run.
"We need to move quickly and quietly." Finnick says. "And try to blend in. Dimitri, you might have a hard time with your short shorts."
"At least I'm not as likely to get someone who recognizes me as the most beautiful man in the Capitol. I'm chopped liver compared to you." Dimitri says.
"I'm also not wanted for conspiracy, like Klinger is either."
"What conspiracy?" I asked.
"Yes, tell her about Klinger, your favorite cross dresser and how he's being watched because he said something about starting a revolution."
"Fire is catching," Haymitch says as he closes the door. "Be careful that you don't get burned."
We follow Finnick and Annie down several flights of stairs. My ankle throbs more after each flight. mY head hurts too and so they throb as I walk down many flights of stairs. Dimitri has his arm around me. In the other he holds a bag of my dirty clothes. I'm lucky that Katniss and I are almost the same size. I am wearing one of her training outfits. We go through a door with a large number six on it.
Just right outside is the elevator. I hope we'll be able to use it to save my ankle. I stumble. Dimitri tightens his grip around my shoulders. "We'll get out of this soon.
"Here's where we have to leave you. You'll have to take the elevator down to the first floor and then slip out the door. There are Peacekeepers lined up around the parameter. They shouldn't ask you questions. They too busy trying out who rigged the betting system. All the bets are on Katniss."
"I've been meaning to ask," Dimitri says, "What's your thoughts on Katniss and all the rumble of revolution."
"People revolt any chance they get. Take a look at District 11. The workers went on strike, demanding better wages and more food. They have a harsh winters than we do, that's for sure. Katniss…." He hesitates. "We'll see. Everyone is eating up the romance with her and the other kid."
"Peeta," Annie puts in.
"She represents hope. She's the underdog. She also took her sister's place in the arena. If that's not love then I don't know what is. People like her because she truly looks like a good person. I've been in this business long enough to realize people like tributes that they can relate to. They relate to the things she's done. They can relate to her love to her sister, versus someone in District 2 who has been trained to kill."
"I think the whole love thing is a sham, but I am naturally a pessimistic person."
"So am I. Being a Victor does that," Finnick answers. "That's why you can never take us anywhere."
"But you go out with them, anyway and play nicey-nice and everything is good. To tell you the truth I haven't had an assignation since I got out of jail. I thought the Capitol liked bad boys."
"You were? " I ask. Somehow this doesn't surprise me.
"That's how I got my scars," He points to the jagged scars on corners of his face. "The guard felt like he needed to put a smile on my face."
"What did you do?"
"What I did isn't important, the fact that I am still alive and functioning after being injected with trackerjacker venom several different times. It's not all about what you do or have done to you, it's about staying alive. In the words of the guard says about wanting to put a smile on my face. I'm still smiling, he isn't.
"Where is he?" Annie asks.
"He's dead."
"You killed someone?"
"I've killed several people. I had to if I wanted to stay alive. We've all done it. Welcome to the life of Victor. Though your hands are just as dirty as ours."
Finnick pushes the down button on the elevator. "When you get to the lobby, keep your eyes down and try not to make eye contact with anyone. You would be surprised at all the weirdos in the lobby. There are also paparazzi and reporters, be careful. "
"Doesn't this joint have a back door?"
"Only if you want to draw more attention to yourself by setting off an alarm," Finnick smirks. "There were a few people that did that a few days ago. I think it was a former Victor trying to make a dash for it. Needless to say the got caught."
The doors open to the fourth floor and Finnick and Annie get off. A few floors later the door opens to the lobby. There are people swarming it, I see Grandmother, but I keep my head low and walk quickly towards the exit. Dimitri fades into the crowd. I try to quell the anxiety that feels my being as I pass the paparazzi interviewing a few people. I kept my head down and my eyes on the floor. Someone bumps into me.
It's Graham. The last person I want to see, and he's got a new girlfriend. And it's my former best friend. This is just great, and so the plot thickens.
Shit.
Dmitri is nowhere in sight to protect me. I feel the anxiety growing in the pit of my stomach. The crowds of people make me nervous. Graham turns around, on one arm he has Claudia.
A blond woman holding to his left arm on. My former best friend, Claudia. She wears a neon green dress with feathers
"Funny seeing you here," He sneers. "Where's your scar-faced boyfriend? Did he give you that black eye."
You're going to try to humiliate me in front of your everyone again? I have half a mind to slap him across the face.
"He's not here to help you. Everyone here knows that you're fucking…"
I slap him across the face as hard as I can. My hand stings from the force. I don't even stop. I tear out of there as fast as I can without attracting any attention. Cameras flashes follow me. I wish we had used the door that would have set off an alarm. My heart pounds as I walk quickly out of the building. In normal circumstances, this building is used as a hotel.
Dmitri leans against one of the concrete walls that contain different kinds of flowers. "What took you so long?"
"I ran into Graham." I shiver. The weather is still quite cool and overcast and I had left the building without a coat. It was on the back of the chair in the control room. I hate to admit it, but seeing him with someone new hurt. It gave a finality that our relationship was over. He certainly didn't waste any time finding someone new. I wanted closure, but I wasn't sure how to go about it. I didn't miss him that much, did I?
"I hope you didn't give that little shit the time of day?" He wraps his arm around me. "Let's get you home. You've had a horrible day and it's not even noon yet."
"Actually, I slapped him across the face."
"Yeah? How did that feel?"
"Pretty good. My hand still stings. He's got a new girlfriend, and I know he treats people like shit."
"He is no longer your problem." Dimitri says. "You can't go around saving others. I learned that in the arena. Your biggest concern now is worrying and saving yourself. If that girl has any sense of self-worth, she will learn rather quickly that he is bad news bears and she'll leave him. As much as you want to dictate someone's else free will, you can't. I guess it's the same in the arena. Your advice can only go so far. Once they are in arena, any influence you had is gone." He squeezes my shoulder. "But changing the subject, I love rain. Something about it makes me feel alive."
I don't know what makes me feel alive. After today, I feel slightly dead.
I certainly need a lot of help in that department.
A/N: Please review