Chapter 53

Fiona Odair. No. No. she can't compete she is supposed to be safe. That is why I have been dealing with feeding the sexual desires of the citizens of The Capitol. There is no way this is true. I watch the footage at least 100 times and they all say the same thing.

When she walks up on stage there is no fear on her face just confusion. She looks as confused as I feel. I told her she would be safe so why would her name get called. I look at the other victors Mags looks angry, James looks sad, Dylan looks like he wants to beat Julius to a pulp, and Marina just stands there having no reaction.

If I was in there right now I would have caused a scene. It makes me think this is why they wanted me in The Capitol before the reaping. This wasn't supposed to happen.

My body is on auto pilot, before I know it my legs are heading down to the elevator and I'm pressing the ground floor button.

I head out to the car I get taken in when see clients. The driver recognizes me. He feels sorry situation I am in. He has never said it the way he hesitates before we head to the destination and the look of sadness in his eyes tells me everything he won't or can't speak.

"Mr. Odair? I didn't get a destination."

"That's because this is personal. I need you to take me to see Snow."

He hesitates but gets in the car and does as he's told. He drops me off a block away because he won't be able to get in through the gates.

I do though I walk right in. I charm my way to the front and avoid all of the guards acting as if I am in the arena.

He is in the foyer waiting for me

"Ah Finnick I was expecting you thirty minutes ago. No matter you are here now."

"She was supposed to be safe."

"She was I did not attack her or try to kill her."

"Then why is she a tribute in the Hunger Games."

"I can't rig the reaping Finnick. Everyone is supposed to be treated equally. Just because we have a deal doesn't mean anything."

"So it's just a coincidence that, this is her last year she will be able to compete and her name gets called.

"Yes." He flashes a devilish smile

"Well I think that is a lie."

"What makes you think that?"

"So you could give me more attention. Everyone will be talking about Finnick Odair's sister and sizing us up."

"Well, Finnick I always said you were intelligent." He smiles and I know I'm right

I pick up a vase and throw it at him. Guards rush in but he brushes them off

"Don't worry we're friends."

"I quit."

"I wouldn't if I were you."

"Why? She already has a one in twenty four chance of death. You can't tell me she will be safe because she isn't."

"Not entirely safe but I can guarantee if you quit now she will die in that arena."

"What is wrong with you!" I shout at him

He smiles. "I only do things that give me a benefit. You will get more coverage and I will have another very popular victor."

"That's only if she wins."

"The odds are in her favor. She will get sponsors because she is related to you. I assume she is good at wielding weapon like you."

"No she's not."

It's true after our parents died I didn't train her. She was alright at throwing knives but not great. She could if the target was right in front of her. She would almost always miss when the target was far away. She can make nets to trap people but she can't set them up as I could. She would have to throw them on people which wouldn't be as effective. The odds are not in her favor I know the odds of her dying are very high.

"Why didn't you just kill her when you had the chance? What did I do? I did everything you asked after you killed my parents."

"As I said I can't rig these things."

"Why not? You do know if she dies you won't have me in your clutches anymore. She is the only person I love that is left. You won't be able to hurt me anymore."

"I've can't say that is true. You will still have to come back here every year. I won't be able to sell you anymore but, you will still have to walk the halls that your sister did right before she died."

He's right doing that is torturous enough. I don't know what to say. So I just pick up another vase throw it at him and leave.

I find the driver and he takes me back. While I'm in the backseat I break all of the fancy drinking bottles they have in there until my hands start bleeding.

This wasn't supposed to happen. Then again none of this was suppose d to happen. I never planned on winning the Hunger Games. I never planned on being a sex slave. I never thought that I would be responsible for killing my parents. That has all happened though. This is different because I believed in false pretenses that she would be safe. I guess you are never really safe. I am naïve. Even if she does win she will end up like me. What if we end up like Cashmere and Gloss. I shiver at the idea.

I get back to the hotel and stay in the living room looking out the window. I stare at the buildings and watch the day turn to night. After a few hours of darkness an Avox comes to give me a card for my new client.

I take the card and head down to the car. All of the broken glass is still there. I feel bad, eventually it will have to be cleaned. I know I'm not the only person who uses this car. At this moment that is the last thing on my mind.

I open the card as I walk into the apartment complex the name reads Christy Lovely. Apt. 72-4

I hit the 72 button and am taken to the floor. It takes me awhile to find the room. All of the numbers are out of order, it's almost like a fun house. I find it eventually and knock on the door.

A women in her late thirties answers. Her hair is as red as a rose and she is as pale as a ghost.

"Come in." she squeaks.

I come in we get right down to business and I'm about to leave but she starts talking.

"So your sister is a tribute this year." It isn't a question

I'm sure lots of people will be talking about this. I might just get used to it. I haven't even seen her yet and people already want to know everything.

"Yes that is correct."

"I thought that was the case."

"Well now you know." I smile and am about to leave again but she says something else.

"It isn't a coincidence you know."

"What?"

"When family members get drawn it isn't by accident. They do it to make it more exciting. Whether it is a child from a victor or a sibling, it always brings a new element to the games."

"How exactly do you know this?"

"Please Finnick most of the people you visit with all have connections. You cost so much you have to be the richest of the rich or have someone in a high up power so they can get you a discount."

"Well that's good to know."

She smiles "If you think that is good you should hear more."

I think she is going to add if you do this but, she doesn't, she just talks. Talks about things she has probably never shared with anyone.

"Every time a family member gets picked it is usually after a dull game. Think back to last year not very exciting?"

"Most of the tributes died from the buildings collapsing on them."

"Exactly watching that was dreadful. I heard a rerun of the 62nd Hunger Games got more views. That one was not very exciting either. However, everyone still loves the victor."

"So when people get bored they add in the family members."

"Yes but, not just anyone."

"The head gamemaker I assume."

"Oh Finnick you really don't know anything. The head gamemaker is a mere puppet. They are just used as a front for the people who actually do things. They don't want their names to be known because if it something happened they won't be the ones who get in trouble."

"So who is the person who is responsible for my sister going into that arena?"

"The name of the man you seek is Marcus Fruntle. He was responsible for the setup of Cashmere and Gloss. Also a few years back when a victor from 9 had her 15 year old daughter sent in. He likes adding the family spice to the games." She smiles

"Where can I find this Marcus Fruntle?"

She gets up and heads to her bedroom. I feel like I'm supposed to follow her but she comes back out.

"Here is his business card."

I look on the card, his office is right next to Lucifer's in the hotel.

She smiles at me I don't think she will say anymore but before I leave she tries to give me something

"Don't you've given me everything I need." I say in my charming voice.

She smiles "Knowing certain things is the most valuable thing out there."

I leave and head to the elevator. The first thing I will do tomorrow will be to find Marcus Fruntle. If he is the one responsible for my sister being in the games, I want to give him a piece of my mind.

I wonder if I could get out any other secrets, from the people I visit. Christy did say most the people I visit all get to me because of their connections. I'm sure they all know something valuable. If I reject their gifts and ask for secrets instead I wonder if they would corporate. It would at least be something to try. After all shouldn't I be getting something out of this deal too.