Chapter 55
I get up at the crack of dawn so I can head down to see who this Marcus Fruntle is.
I start walking down the hall where the offices are. I have walked by this office many times. It's right across from Lucifer's. I get to the door and bang on it. I soon think since it is so early he might not be here. Thankfully, he does answer the door.
The man who opens the door is lean has eyes that look black as coal and has brown hair tied back in a ponytail.
"Finnick Odair?" he looks at me surprised
"That's me."
"I think you want the office across the hall. Lucifer isn't here yet, he usually comes in around 8." Marcus smiles. If I didn't know any better I would think he was being nice.
"No I came here to see you."
He stares at me for a minute and tells me to get into his office.
"I don't know what someone told you, but you can't believe everything you hear."
"Yes, I can. People only tell lies when they can gain something. They wouldn't gain anything from this."
He sighs "I can't take her out of the games you know."
"I know. I bet you could make the head gamemaker let her live. After all they are just a puppet right?"
He looks angry when I say this. The things Christy told me are true. He is probably wondering how I can possibly know this. It doesn't matter I know now.
"I don't who told you this information but you are not supposed to find out about things like this."
"Well I did. There are a lot of things that weren't supposed to happen."
There is silence.
"Why do you do it anyway?" I ask
"Put the family members in the games? It makes it exciting and it shows a message."
"What message?"
"That victors family members still have the same chances of being reaped than the rest."
"Well that may be true but, you do know I have a deal with President Snow."
"Yes, he gets angry when this happens, but what can he do? When it's done it can't be undone." He smiles
"Snow knows this is rigged?"
"No, I suppose he suspects it. With no one to point the finger at it doesn't matter what he thinks."
What Snow told me was true he really doesn't have any say when it comes to who plays in the Hunger Games.
"Make sure she lives."
"Or what? You don't have anything I need or want."
He's right I can't bribe him because he probably has enough money. Then I think of something, something terrible. He probably knows all of the other deals the victors share with Snow.
"It would make Snow less angry if she won."
"Why would that be?"
"He could use her just as he used Gloss with Cashmere. Accept the amount to buy us would be much, much higher."
As I say this I feel disgusted. I don't think I will be able to do what Cashmere and Gloss do. It doesn't matter though I'm just trying to keep her alive. I'm sure I can manipulate Snow enough to make sure it doesn't happen.
He thinks about this. "That still has nothing to do with me. I'm sure the odds are already in her favor." He smiles
He thinks the same everyone else does. I'm starting to regret not training her after I won the games but, what I was either crazy or in The Capitol. I didn't have the time.
I don't think talking to him is going to do me any good. I don't have anything he wants or anything he needs. Then I think of something.
"If you don't let her live, I will tell Snow you are doing this."
He stares at me in shock. He said it himself Snow suspects something but, doesn't know who to blame. If I tell him I'm sure Marcus would be killed. There are certain things you do not tamper with, and tampering with the Hunger Games is probably at the top of the list.
"You're bluffing."
"Am I? I won't lose anything from this. If she dies I will make sure you do also."
His expression is a mix between shock and rage. I'm assuming if anyone ever found out he does this, they never found anything to use against him. He did it himself, telling me Snow suspected something. His greatest weakness is boasting about things he shouldn't.
"Fine. You have my word that I will talk to my colleagues. That doesn't mean anything; they could decide it isn't fair."
"Well then they must not be good friends. I don't care about them just you."
I smile and leave the room. If he doesn't do this he will die. All he has to do is talk to the head gamemaker and say Fiona Odiar cannot die because if she does so will I. If his 'colleagues' don't agree with him that means he is at the bottom of the totem poll and think he is expendable. It doesn't matter he will die either way.
It is not a 100% guarantee but I do feel a little better. I head back to the suite and look at the clock. It's 9:30. The tributes from 4 will probably show up at eleven. I should eat something and then head down to the building where the makeovers are given. I want to see Fiona as soon as she gets here.
I eat very quickly and practically burn my mouth from how hot the eggs were. It is only 9:50. I put on new clothes and head down to the head the building where the opening ceremonies take place. It isn't far it's connect to the hotel. You can't use the elevator to get there thought, you can to get back to your room though, which I find strange.
When I arrive there are the tributes from 1 and 2. I remember from the Victory Tour 1 wasn't very far away. 1,2,4,6, and 8 are the closest to The Capitol. These will probably be the ones to arrive first. The tributes from 11 and 12 are the furthest away. It probably takes them four or five days to get here. They always arrive last. Their reaping is probably a week before everyone else's.
Most of the mentors are just hanging around looking bored. I feel someone tap me shoulder. I turn around and see Gloss. Cashmere isn't here this year since she only goes two years in a row. I'm assuming the same is with Gloss. He doesn't like me as much as Cashmere does. I wonder why he wants to talk to me.
"Your tributes aren't here yet?"
"So? Is there some rule that says I can't be down here?"
"Just unusual, a mentor being here without their tributes."
"Well it doesn't matter. I want to be here when they first arrive."
"Someone is anxious this year. Want another victor in 4 I take it?" he laughs
"You didn't watch the recaps?"
"I never do. It doesn't really matter; you will see all of them at the opening ceremonies. Why should I have?"
"No I don't care what you do. The only reason I care about the tributes this year is because my sister is one."
He looks at me. He doesn't have pity in his eyes but understanding. He won after Cashmere but, I can assume he knows how it feels.
"That's bad luck. I have to attend to my tributes." He walks off. He doesn't have to do anything he just doesn't want to talk to me.
I sit at one of the tables they have for when tributes get ready mentors can brain storm what to do.
I feel like I have been in here for an entirety. I have counted all of the ceiling tiles and half of the floor tiles before I hear her yell out my name.
"Finnick!" Fiona shouts.
We both start running toward each other and end up hugging. Everyone in the room is looking at us. I don't care. They don't understand apart from Gloss.
I didn't realize how full the room has gotten. The tributes from 8 are also here and they look like they have a decent amount done to them.
"It's ok you're going to be ok." I reassure her.
"No I won't." I can tell she is crying.
I take her hand and pull her to the elevator. No one will be here people only come here when the opening ceremonies end. I can't let people see her cry. It is an extreme weakness and she already has enough disadvantages, she doesn't need to be seen as a weakling. It would destroy the little chance of an alliance she could get.
"I thought I was safe." She says
"So did I." I say angrily.
"Then why am I here?"
"Apparently I didn't read the fine print in the contract. Being safe only means Snow won't kill you on purpose. There are also a lot more angles to the Hunger Games than I realized."
"Like what?"
"It doesn't matter."
I get a good look at her. I can tell she didn't sleep on the train and she spent most of the time crying. I did the same thing so I can't blame her.
"Try not to cry okay?"
"What?"
I don't want to tell her of all the disadvantages she is already starting out with.
"It will make you look weak. People won't want a weakling as an ally."
"I doubt it matters if they see me cry or not."
"What are you talking about?"
"All of the other Victors visited me before I left."
"Even, Marina?"
"Yes, they all said similar things."
They must have told her she would be at a disadvantage maybe they knew I wouldn't tell her.
"What did they tell you." I sound angry.
"That because I was related to you I would have some advantages but probably more disadvantages. People will think I'm just like you. I didn't believe them at first. When I got on the train though Blake already made accusations and said I'm the greatest person to have as an ally, because I will be just as good as my brother."
I didn't even see the male tribute. I just keep rewatching the footage of Fiona to make sure my nightmare wasn't coming true.
"This Blake guy did he volunteer?"
"Yes? Did you not watch Finnick?"
"I did until your name came up."
Maybe this gives her an advantage the careers will probably want to team up with her but, she will be the first to kill when they break away. If they see she is weak in training it won't matter, she won't get an invite to the party and I know from experience that you should have someone with you in there. Maybe I could talk to Haymitch. The people from 12 are not the best but, they are better than nothing.
"They will see I'm not as good in the training center."
"You will find someone else to work with." I smile
"But, Finnick."
"No, no buts you're going to win." I say this out of anger.
"Okay."
I remember what she said before I left.
"If you believe you will lose you will lose but, the same can work for winning if you believe you can win you will win."
She smiles at me "Couldn't come up with an original line?"
"Just let me hear you say it."
"I can win the 68th Hunger Games."
"Good now just keep saying that." I smile.
I see Abbi and Emma they're looking for Fiona. I don't want them to be alone with her. I don't want them to even look at her.
"Stay here."
I walk towards Abbi and all I feel is disgust. This is the first I have seen her since she abused me. I feel rage.
"Finnick! Where is that darling sister of yours?" Abbi says
"If you touch her I will kill you." I mutter under my breath but I know she heard me
She smiles "You're bluffing."
I lose my temper and push her up against the hall. This causes everyone in the room to stop what they are doing and look at us.
"Did you want to play Finnick." She winks at me
God what is wrong with this girl. I'm considering hitting her. I don't care if I'm in a room full of witnesses. She would probably like it anyway. Before I can do anything I feel someone pull me off of her.
I turn around and see it is Louise.
"Abbi, the outfit I have is very simple. She doesn't even need prep work."
"Why didn't you call us?" she says angrily
"I thought you liked coming to the opening ceremonies?"
"Yes"
"I didn't see the problem then. If it happens again I will be sure to tell you." He smiles
She grabs Emma's arm, practically ripping it out of her socket and they leave the room.
"Thanks for getting rid of her."
"I knew it would be no good if she was left alone with your sister. I will try and handle everything but, they will have to come in on the day before the interview. If it is possible I would make sure you stay in the room when they are there."
"I'll try but if I have to leave, I have to leave."
"Why are you still doing this? She is in danger here."
"Snow said she would die if I quit now. I don't know if he is bluffing but, I don't want to find out."
Louise nods.
"Where is your sister?"
"I'll get her."
I head to the elevator. She looks afraid.
"What was that noise out there?"
"Some tripped and fell down."
I don't tell her the truth. I don't want her to ever know what Abbi did to me, or who she even is.
