Wow, that chapter didn't take long to post. Don't get too spoiled:)
"Mom, the TV came on," Oceana hollered up to Celeste. She was just bandaging Daniel back up after cleaning his back.
Celeste set the gauze on the night table and walked over to the door. "Who is on?" she asked to the brown haired girl standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"It's President Snow," she answered shrugging her shoulders.
"I'll be down as soon as I get Daniel situated."
Celeste entered the living room as Snow talked to the people reminding them that this would be the 75th hunger games and as it was a quarter quell that the games would be even more spectacular than previous games. Celeste sat on the couch next to Frost. Stella hurried over and Celeste pulled her up into her lap.
All was quiet as Snow spoke. "As many of you already know, some of the districts seem to think the capitol is unfair to them. They think they can rebel against the capitol and get what they want. Well, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors!"
Celeste gasped and covered her mouth. Frost's eyes grew large as what Snow had said sank in. Both Stella and Oceana looked back at Celeste. Her eyes stayed on the screen as she shook her head in disbelief. "Momma, what did President Snow mean?"
Celeste turned her focus toward her daughter as she spoke softly, "It means that Finnick may have to go into the games again."
"But didn't Finnick already go in the games?" Stella chimed in.
Celeste nodded and brushed the curls away from Stella's face. "Yes, sweetheart, all the people this year will have already been in the games."
"But why?"
"Cause President Snow is cruel," Frost replied in a low voice.
As Celeste rode the elevator up to the fourth floor she could hear loud music. Where was that noise coming from?
When the door slid open she found out. The large living area that was always empty was filled wall to wall with young girls and boys. Celeste's mouth nearly dropped open, as many of the girls were skimpily dressed, some only wearing bras and panties. All were gyrating to the music that blared from some hidden speakers located somewhere in the room.
Celeste set her jaw as she entered the fray. She pushed by some couples and nearly got smashed by the ones behind. "Want to dance?" slurred a guy trying to grab her hand as she passed by.
"No," she said as she pulled her arm back, shook her head, and moved out of his range.
Slowly she made her way through the crowd over to the kitchen doors. The counters were covered with platters of food and glasses filled with some bubbling drink. Celeste picked up a glass and sniffed. She made a face at the potent smell from the purple drink and quickly set it back on the counter.
"Where is Finnick?" she asked the girl standing near the door when she came back out.
"What?" the girl hollered over the music.
"I'm trying to find Finnick. Finnick Odair?" Celeste tried again.
The girl nodded and pointed toward a hoard of girls all clustered in the far corner of the room. Celeste rolled her eyes and plunged back into the crowd.
"Finnick?" she yelled as she neared the edge of the pack. She put her hands on two shoulders and began to push them apart. The wall of bodies slowly parted to reveal several girls practically hanging over Finnick. He was slouched in the chair with only his pants on. Some girl was leaning over the armrest. The two were lip locked as the others watched. Celeste noticed the glass that dangled loosely from his one hand. What was left looked like that fool-smelling drink from the kitchen.
"Finnick?" Celeste spoke when the two finally parted.
Finnick perked up a bit at hearing his name and looked in her direction. He blinked several times as if trying to focus on whoever was speaking to him. "Celeste, is that you?" he slurred.
Celeste glared at him with her hands on her hips. "What is going on?"
"It's a party. In my honor." Finnick shoved the girl to the side and stood up. He had to grab into some other girl's shoulder to keep from falling as he swayed and stumbled over to Celeste. "Don't you like my party?"
"What is there to party about?" Celeste countered.
"Me! I'm going to win another game for all these beautiful people," Finnick threw his arms open wide, and the people around cheered.
Celeste shook her head, "And what makes you so sure you will win?"
"I'm a victor; that's what I do."
"Finnick, you're all going to victors."
"Well, then we'll all win." Another cheer went up in the crowd.
With out warning Finnick reached over and grabbed Celeste. He pulled her in close and kissed her hard. When she opened her mouth to protest he took it as meaning she wanted more so he deepened the kiss entangling his tongue with hers.
As soon as he released her she stepped back. Celeste's eyes were large and round with rage as she stared at Finnick. "Why would you do that?"
"Everyone wants to kiss the great Finnick Odair."
Celeste's eyes changed from anger to hurt as she back up slowly so that soon she disappeared into the crowd that had never stopped dancing to the loud music.
Finnick looked a little bewildered as the girls soon enveloped around him again. "I want to kiss you, Finnick," said a girl in lacy pink panties. She guided him back to the chair and rubbed his shoulders as another girl leaned in to steel her kiss. Soon he was handed another drink, which he knocked back quickly.
Celeste stood back and watched from a distance. Even though it was quite warm with all the bodies she wrapped her arms around herself. She could fell the tears of both anger and sadness pricking at the back of her eyes and she stood watching the party all around her. She could hardly believe that she had left the girls and Daniel alone for this.
Back at the house there was a quiet knock on Daniel's door. He had been resting with his eyes closed as he listened to the rain drum on the roof. There had been the occasional flash of lightning and the ever-growing rumble of thunder.
He turned his head and opened his eyes sleepily to see Oceana standing at the now open door. "Daniel," she spoke softly, "Momma said to not bother you, but I don't know what to do." Daniel winced as he shifted in the bed so he could lift his head to show he was listening. "Its storming outside and Frost is scared. She's hiding under the counter in the kitchen and won't come out for me or Stella." By the end Oceana sounded if she were ready to cry, "Will you come help?"
Daniel nodded as he repositioned his arms. He closed his eyes and a moan escaped his lips as the muscles in his back strained tight as he pushed himself to a sitting position. His breath was already ragged even with just that little bit of movement. Daniel sat on the edge of the bed his chest heaving as he tried to focus through the pain.
His eyes jerked open as the next flash of lighting and rumble of thunder brought a muffled cry from downstairs. Oceana looked at the door then back at Daniel, "Please, come," she whispered.
Daniel reached over for the headboard and griped it tightly. Then he bit his lip as he pushed up. He felt the stretch of the skin on his back and had to focus on his breathing for several seconds as he waited for the throbbing to subside.
The pain was still intense as Daniel followed Oceana down the hall but not more than he could handle. The stairs were harder but he knew he just had to take it nice and slow. The next round of lightning and thunder brought a louder cry.
As Oceana pushed open the kitchen door Daniel could hear Stella trying to sound comforting though there was a tinge of fear, "Frost, its okay. You are safe." Daniel gradually made it over to the counter. He stood there and looked down but couldn't see either girl.
Oceana squatted down and spoke softly, "Frost, come out. Daniel is here." The only reply was a whimper. Oceana looked up at Daniel and shook her head, "I don't think she'll come out."
Daniel nodded slightly then moved to the other side so he could lean against the wall. He took hold of the counter firmly and started to lower his body pressing his back against the wall as his guide. He sucked in his breath as the pain radiated from his back.
Finally he sat on the floor with his eyes pressed closed. He thought he could feel patches of dampness on his back where he was sure his wounds had opened again. He slowly let the air out of his lungs as he tried to relax.
Daniel was brought back to the task at hand when he heard the next rumble of thunder and opened his eyes. He turned his head to see Frost huddled in the far corner covering her ears with her hands. Her eyes were wide but seemed to not focus on anything. Stella was sitting across from her just watching her.
Oceana watched as Daniel scooted just under the counter. He stopped and squeezed his eyes shut fighting back to urge to cry out from the fire that burned his back.
When instead he let out a groan, Frost lifted her head. "Daniel?" she asked quietly. Daniel reopened his eyes and nodded. He reached for her and motioned for her to come. "I can't, I'm too scared," she whimpered.
Daniel pushed himself closer as the next lightning flashed. Frost cried out again and covered her ears. Daniel leaned over and was just able to reach Frost's arm. He used his bad arm to guide her over and pulled her into his lap. As soon as she felt the warmth of Daniel's chest, she curled into a tight ball and buried her head in his chest just as the thunder rattled the windows. He wrapped his arms around her forgetting all about his own pain. He slowly caressed her hair and hummed the same tune he had sung to her in the dungeon.
After a while she quit shivering and slowly lifted her head and whispered, "You came down for me…even though I wouldn't come visit you?" Daniel nodded as he held her close. He could feel Frost relax some as she leaned her head back against his chest.
With the next peal of thunder, the lights flickered off. Frost whimpered a little and pressed her face into his chest. Daniel sat there staring into the darkness but could not really see anything. His body jerked a little when two little bodies huddled against him.
"I don't like the dark," came a soft voice to his left. Daniel smiled as he moved to put his free arm around Stella to pull her in close.
"Don't be afraid, Stella," whispered Oceana even as she snuggled in close on Daniel's other side. When he felt a shiver pass through her body he knew the older girl was afraid too, but she was trying to be brave for her little sister. Daniel leaned over and kissed Oceana on the top of her head. She nuzzled closer and managed to lace her arms with his. "Thank you," she whispered softly as she rest her head on his arm.
As all the girls' breath eventually evened out to a rhythmic pattern, Daniel knew they had all fallen asleep. He slowly allowed his own eyes to droop closed, as he knew he wouldn't be going anywhere for a while.
Celeste found herself wandering down the empty hallway leading to the bedrooms. She was mildly surprised to find them empty but also relieved at the same time. She opened the door that led into Finnick's room. It was dark inside, but the light from the window was enough that she could see the outline of the bed even as she closed the door behind her.
Celeste walked over the bed and sat down as she wrapped her arms around herself. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. She had come all that way expecting to comfort her friend but then instead she had found him celebrating that he would enter the games again.
Deep down Celeste knew that jerk out there was not the real Finnick Odair. He was drunk and not thinking, but his actions still hurt. She tried to reassure herself that the real Finnick was kind and would never force himself on someone like that.
Celeste was not sure of what to do next. Should she just leave? She glanced around the room until her eyes fell on the nightstand where a chain with the small piece of sea glass sat. She picked it up the chain and carefully ran her finger across the smooth edge of the blue glass. Finnick had shown her the glass and told her of how it reminded him of Annie's blue eyes.
"Annie," she whispered to herself. How was Annie dealing with the news? Celeste set down the small stone back on the nightstand. She sat in the darkness. Someone needed to remind Finnick of what was at stake, she thought, and she guessed that person would have to be her. But how to get his attention and knock some sense into him?
Celeste stared out the window as she thought. First she would need to get him alone away from all those stupid girls, and then she needed to jolt him out of the drunken stupor. She nodded her head slowly as the plan evolved in her mind. When she was sure the plan would work she stood and marched down the hall.
Celeste easily pushed her way through the crowd of very drunk people. When she reached the hoard of girls that still enclosed around Finnick she called out loudly in the most silly voice she could muster, "Finnick, oh Finnick." She elbowed her way through the girls and stood in front of Finnick. He blinked up at her. "There you are, Finnick," she cooed. "I have a very special treat for you."
"You aren't mad at me anymore?" he slurred out.
"Nooooo, I guess I was just jealous of all the attention you were giving to all the other girls." Celeste moved in closer so she was standing right in front of him. Then she crooked her finger. "Come with me. I want to give you something," she batted her lashes.
"You can give it to me here," Finnick said holding open his arms as if expecting a kiss.
"If you want it, you have to come with me alone," she teased and turned to walk back through the girls.
Finnick pushed himself up and began to stumble after Celeste. She led him past the dance floor and down the hall. She flipped on his light and sauntered through his bedroom and into the bathroom. Finnick stood at the door of the bathroom holding onto the frame to keep from toppling over.
"Come and get your surprise," she coaxed raising her eyebrow and smiling seductively. Finnick smiled a big goofy smile back and moved to come closer. He held up his arms and leaned forward ready for the embrace.
But instead of a kiss, Celeste quickly moved out of the way. Finnick stumbled forward and in through the open door of the shower. "Now, it's time for you to cool off." By the time Finnick turned around Celeste was reaching for the knob. She turned it so freezing water came spraying out. Finnick let out a yelp as Celeste slammed the door shut and forced the plunger through the handles. Finnick collided into the glass and yowled for her to let him out. "I'm not letting you out until all your guests are gone." With that she turned on her heals and headed out the door leaving a frantic Finnick to pound on the glass.
"Parties over, people!" Celeste demanded as the music stopped. All heads turned toward her.
"Where's Finnick?" a girl insisted.
"Finnick can't play anymore," she said as she placed her hands on her hips.
It took much shoving and yelling but finally Celeste managed to clear out the last of the unwanted guests. Once the elevator door closed for the last time, she walked back down the hall. As she entered Finnick's room she couldn't hear the shower running. At least he was aware enough to turn off the water.
When Celeste came in the door Finnick was standing next to the door. His soaked copper hair was hanging over his bowed head. "Finnick?" Celeste called as she knocked lightly on the glass.
The thoroughly soaked boy didn't move except to tilt his head up enough so his sea green eyes met hers. His gaze was withdrawn.
"Are you back to yourself?" Celeste asked quietly.
Finnick nodded and he crossed arms over his bare chest as he shivered sending small droplets of water trickling down his body.
Celeste pulled the plunger from the handles and opened the door and allowed him to step out of the shower. "I'm sorry I did that to you, but you weren't yourself." Finnick stood there silently. "Maybe you should dry off, then we can talk," Celeste said quietly. Finnick nodded once.
Celeste turned and went to wait in the living area. She sat on the couch and pulled her legs underneath herself. She glanced around the room noticing all the cups and trash that littered the floor. She felt a little bad for the Avox who would have to clean up.
A while later Finnick came into the room. His hair was still damp but he was wearing a t-shirt and tan pants. He sat next to her but hung his head and clasped his hands in his lap. After a long silence he lifted his head. His face had shame written all over it. He shook his head before dropping it again and finally commenting, "I honestly don't know why you stayed after the foolish way I acted."
Celeste sighed then reached over to place her small hand on his rather large one. He lifted his gaze to meet hers. "We all make mistakes, Finnick, but that could never make me stop being your friend." She smiled a little then leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder.
He let out a large sigh, "I can't believe I really acted so stupid." He shook his head in disgust, "I haven't drank like that for a long time."
"Maybe you just didn't know what else to do? It must be hard thinking of going back into the games."
"But I should have known it wouldn't do any good. There are a lot of victors that drink and it only messes them up more. Besides I still may be going in and so may Annie." Celeste had no idea what to say so she just sat and held his hand. "I don't think Annie could survive another games, even if I were there to help."
"Don't you think someone might volunteer for her?" Celeste asked quietly.
"Mags would…but she'd probably not be able to make it either. She's not strong like she used to be."
"Maybe the rebellion will win before the quell."
Finnick moved so Celeste lifted her head and turned to face him. "You know about the rebellion?" Finnick looked a little surprised.
Celeste chuckled a little, "Everyone knows that there is a rebellion. Food choices are more restricted and prices for clothes are more expensive. Besides there are more in the capitol then just Matthew and I that don't agree with President Snow."
Finnick nodded, "The food and clothes are only a small part of what's happening. There's a lot more going on in the districts, but I only hear some. Four is still a career district so many of the people don't want to loose 'our good standing' with the capitol."
"I'm sure people will do the right thing when the time comes to it."
Celeste's attention was drawn to the window when the lights flickered. "Is it storming out?"
Finnick looked to the window too as he pressed the button so the shade slowly rose up and allowed them to see out. "It looks like its been raining for a while."
When they watched a huge flash of lightning cross the sky Celeste sat up straight and looked at her watch. "I really need to get back to the house. Frost freaks out when there are storms and the girls are home alone."
"I'll come with you," Finnick said, rising to get his coat.
Both Celeste and Finnick hurried into the house. Finnick shook off the rain from the umbrella and set it in the entryway. "It sounds pretty quiet to me."
"I'll be right down. I just want to check on them to make sure."
"That's fine. I'll wait for you in here," Finnick hung his coat on the hook then went to sit on the couch as Celeste climbed the stairs. He watched as she checked out of the girls' room and then hurried over to Frost's room.
When she came out of Frost's room she looked a little worried as she headed toward the guest room where Daniel was staying. At that Finnick stood and headed to the bottom of the staircase.
When Celeste came out of Daniel's room Finnick could tell something was definitely wrong. He hurried up the stairs, "What happened? Are they all right?"
"I don't know…no one is in any of the room."
"What do you mean?" Finnick questioned as he pushed open Stella and Oceana's room. Both beds were empty. He checked both Frost and Daniel's room also and found the same thing as Celeste. "Where could they be?"
"I don't know!" Celeste's eyes were brimming with tears.
Finnick quickly pulled her into his arms. "Shhhh, it's going to be alright," he said quietly while continuing to rack his own brain. "Where would they have taken them?"
Down under the counter Daniel heard the front door open. He listened and waited for whoever it was to come in the kitchen. He heard two different people go up the stairs. He thought he could hear Finnick and Celeste talking to each other.
Then he just barely heard Celeste's voice; it sounded frantic, "Matthew, I need you to come home right now…I left to see Finnick and I got home, but they're gone." There was a pause. "No, it doesn't look like anyone broke in…Finnick is here with me, but I'm scared, Matthew."
At hearing this Daniel knew he needed to let them know where they were. He looked down to see all three girls still asleep, so he gently shook Oceana's shoulder. The sleepy girl slowly opened her eyes and sat up. "Is the storm over? Is momma home?" Daniel nodded and tried to nudge the sleepy girl out from under the counter, and then he pointed toward the kitchen door.
Just then they both heard feet pounding down the stairs and Finnick's frantic voice, "Maybe they're somewhere in the training center. Onyx had to have come from somewhere near there when she and Daniel were whipped!"
"Who are they looking for?" Oceana questioned as she blinked at Daniel. Daniel quickly motioned around to indicate them, then pointed toward the door again. Finally it dawned on the little girl, "Oh, I better let them know we are in here." Daniel smiled and nodded.
"Oceana!" squealed Celeste with delight as she scooped her daughter up in her arms. She hugged her tight as the tears began to slide down her cheeks, "Where were you, darling?"
"In the kitchen," she said pushing back to look at her mom. Finnick flung open the kitchen door and turned on the light as Celeste followed him in. At first he didn't see anyone until Oceana pointed toward the space under the counter. Celeste let Oceana slide to the floor as they both hurried over to see Daniel smiling weakly up at them with both the other girls just now waking up.
"Momma, you're home," Stella said as she crawled out and stood.
Celeste smiled widely and shook her head as she picked up the small girl, "What were you all doing under the counter?"
"Frost hid under there while you were gone."
"She wouldn't come out for us, so I went and got Daniel," Oceana piped in.
"Is the storm over?" came Frost's timid voice.
"Yes, it's all gone. Oceana, can you get Frost's chair?" Oceana nodded and hurried out of the room. By the time she returned Finnick had Frost in his arms. He carefully placed the girl in her wheelchair.
Daniel managed to scoot himself out but had a look of distress. "Here, let us help you." Celeste and Finnick both leaned down and slowly pulled Daniel up so he was standing. He held his eyes closed as he took a hold of the counter. "Are you okay, Daniel?" Celeste questioned. The man slowly nodded his head, opened his eyes, and tried to smile, but the pain was obvious in his eyes. "I think we should get you back in bed."
"Can I come help?" asked a very quiet Frost.
"Yes, that would be nice," Celeste nodded as she and Finnick supported Daniel, by keeping his arms around their shoulders.