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Silence...
No one knew what to do, certainly not cheer. This was the young women that suffered, that was basically tortured for the whole of Panem to see. The sweet women that did nothing but help people, that gave everything to others even when she lost so much.
Everyone in District 4 knew of Amelia, what she endured, they never thought that it would be her that returns to the Games, they knew that this time, she would not make it back home.
Amelia felt slightly light headed, she knew that this is what she wanted, she knew that if it wasn't her name that was called, she would of Volunteered. But now that it was happening, she felt fear fill her body, her nightmares coming true. Soon she'll be in the cold Arena, lying on the floor paralysed with pain, waiting for that dreaded canon to sound.
Amelia took a deep, shaky breath. She started to move forward but a movement from the corner of her eye stopped her. Mags had started to lift her hand, planning to Volunteer for the girl she called a granddaughter, but Amelia's hand on her arm halted her objective.
Everyone watched in silence as the young women held the elder's hand in her own, she brought the wrinkled hand to her chest and placed it over her heart, an action often repeated by Mags, it meant many things but to the four that were forced on stage, it was a sign of love, that the other will alway be in their hearts.
Amelia then brought the withered hand to her lips before softly bringing it down again. She leaned in closer to her grandmother figure and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek. The young woman stepped back, lifted her left hand and Signed 'thank you' to the teary eyed women.
Amelia then proceeded to make her way to the sad Escort, doing her best to not break down in front of Panem.
"There we are! This year's Tributes for the 75th Hunger Games!" Elora announced, she motioned for the two to shake hands, but instead of doing so, the new Tributes pulled each other into a tight hug. Finnick could feel his self control slipping as he listened to Amelia's uneven breathing, obviously trying not to cry in front of the cameras.
Elora began to clap, expecting the crowd to do the same as they have every year, but there was nothing but silence.
District 4 stared at Amelia, moved by her actions, this year was going to be different, they all could feel it.
"Well...um...now that-"Elora was cut off by a group of Peace Keepers stomping onto the stage, towards the new Tributes,"Now what are you doing!?" The Escort demanded as the man in white latched onto the confused couple, dragging them into the Justice Building,"Wait a minute! This isn't over!" The women's words went unnoticed, as she stormed after the group.
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The Peace Keepers finally let go of the Tributes when they reached the train, they shoved the pair inside and closed the door, leaving the two confused adults alone. They could hear their Escort screeching outside, demanding what was happening and that 'this wasn't according to the schedule!'
Finnick quickly ignored the crazy women and centred his attention to the love of his life, he could already feel his eyes watering as he gazed at the small woman who was already drenched in tears.
"Why?" His voice cracked,"Why does it have to be you?" He pulled her to him, wrapping his arm around her tightly,"Not again...''Then he broke, salty tears streamed down his face and a sob tore from his throat, no even trying to hold his Capital image in her presence, even with the change of someone walking in on them.
They stood for a minute, lost in their emotions. Amelia then started to drag Finnick down the hall into one of the bedrooms, even though she was in that same state as Finnick, she knew that no one could see him like this, not even Elora or the Peace Keepers, Finnick had to uphold his image, if word got out about this then no one would root for him in the Arena.
Finnick collapses to that floor, dragging Amelia down with him, he pulls her into his lap and rocks them. He starts to mumble things like 'why was it you?...'
'I'll keep you safe no matter what...'
and...
'I can't lose you...I can't...'
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They stayed like that for half an hour, long after the train had started to move. Their faces were stained with their tears, not long since dried.
Finnick had calmed down though he still felt the pressure and fear in his chest, just barely breathing calmly. Amelia was very much the same, though she would let out a small hiccup.
After she took a deep breath, Amelia turned her head to Finnick and placed her hand on his face.
Finnick stared into her eyes, his emotions reflected into her own. He knew he was going to do everything in his power to get her out of that Arena, even at the cost of his own life.
Minutes passed in silence before Amelia made the decision that it was time to face the real world outside the bedroom.
She kissed his forehead and stood up from his lap, after straightening her dress she reached her hands down and grabbed Finnick's, tugging them softly, motioning him to stand up.
Once he was on his feet Amelia moved to the connected bathroom to grab two hand towels and wetted them. She walked back into the bedroom where she found Finnick sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. She moved over to him and pulled his hands from his head, placing a hand under his chin, she lifted his face to look at hers.
Amelia used one of the damp hand towels to soft wipe his face, removing any evidence of him crying. Once she was satisfied she leaned down and kissed his nose, hoping to cheer him up even a little.
Finnick couldn't help his lips twitching up at her actions. How could this sweet, pure woman love someone like him?
After Amelia wiped her own face with the other towel and threw them into the washing basket, she went back to Finnick and grabbed his hand again, giving it a squeeze for encouragement and pulled him to the door.
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Finnick and Amelia made their way to the Dining Cart where Elora and Mags were sitting. Upon walking in it was easy to tell that the two women had been crying themselves, that Elora had re-applied her makeup to cover the evidence.
Amelia ran to the older woman and clung to her, letting more tears slip down her cheeks. She then moved to Elora and hugged her as well, the Escort did her best not to cry so she wouldn't have to do her makeup again.
The Four adults sat in silence after that, barely touching their food. After she felt that they were all done with eating, Elora stood up.
"Well, I say we should head to the lounge, see who else has been Reaped, it is good to know who you're up against after all." She then proceeded to head down the hall. The other three followed quietly behind.
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After watching all the Reapings, they began to discuss their plans and strategies.
"District 12 are most likely going to be the targets of this Games, they'll definitely have the Capitals attention, with the whole wedding being cancelled and everything..." Finnick said absolutely, playing with Amelia's bracelet around her wrist as her hand lad in his lap.
"Yes, it's truly tragic." Elora sighed mournfully, a Capital woman at heart.
"Though there are some potential alliances,"Finnick looked at Amelia, as this was a team decision, "Johanna?" He questioned, though he knew he didn't have to.
Amelia nodded her head without hesitation, she knew that her friend would team with them, no doubt.
"I say we sleep on it, we'll make more decisions while we are well rested." The Escort strode out of the Cart, exhausted from the emotional day.
Amelia watched her go. She knew that Elora didn't like Johanna because of her attitude, but Amelia knew that she'll put up with their friend for their sake, for that she is grateful.
Amelia and Finnick made their way to the bedroom that they were in previously and got ready for bed. They knew that there was no point in sleeping in different beds at this point, they were most likely not going to get any sleep because of the recent events.
They laid down under the covers, in the same position as that morning. It felt so long ago at this point, though only hours, everything was as normal as it could be, now everything was turned upside down.
Nothing will ever be the same.
(Old A/N)
Sorry for the crappy chapter, I didn't know what to do to make it longer. Also sorry for not posting, I have a hard time putting things down into paper from the mess that is my brain.
Next chapter is going to be short, it's going to be with Katniss and Peter, they are watching the reepings on the train. I know they do it at the Capital in the movie, but oh well.*
(Update 2.July.22)
-1586 words-