Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games because if I did Jay would exist!
Plutarch stands over a wide, flat panel in the centre of the table. He begins to explain what we'll encounter once we reach the Capitol. He hits a button on the panel in front of him and a holographic image that pops up in front of us. I try not to look at Katniss or Gale but I can feel his eyes staring at me from across the room. I try to pay attention to what Plutarch was staring to say.
'This, for example, is the area surrounding one of the Peacekeepers' barracks. Not unimportant, but not the most crucial of targets, and yet look. Each light is called a pod. It represents a different obstacle, the nature of which could be anything from a bomb to a band of mutts. Make no mistake, whatever it contains is designed to either trap or kill you. Some have been in place since the Dark Days, others developed over the years. To be honest, I created a fair number myself. This program, which one of our people absconded with when we left the Capitol, is our most recent information. They don't know we have it. But even so, it's likely that new pods have been activated in the last few months. This is what you will face.'
The hologram blinks different colours as he explains. It takes me a while to realise but I slowly begin to see it, the explosions, the tentacles, fire raining down on me and Thresh. I grip Finnick's hand tightly and look up at him and see all the colour has drained from his face. Katniss walks forward and we follow her staring at the blinking lights on the screen. They both reach up to touch the glowing orbs but I stand frozen trying to hold back the vomit.
'Ladies and gentlemen… Let the Seventy-sixth Hunger Games begin!'
Katniss laughs but I can't breathe, I stumble backwards into someone's arms and look up to see Gale staring down at me. I get to my feet and push him away.
'I don't even know why you bothered to put Finnick, Jay and me through training, Plutarch,'
'Yeah, we're already the three best-equipped soldiers you have,' Finnick adds cockily.
'Do not think that fact escapes me,' he said with an impatient wave. 'Now back in line, Soldiers Odair and Everdeen. I have a presentation to finish.' We walk back to our places but I never let go of Finnick's hand as I hold back the vomit that's rising in my throat.
When the meeting's over Plutarch tells me and Katniss that we need to look as feminine as possible so we'll skip the haircuts. I let Finnick go and retreat to my room. As soon as the door is shut behind me I fall to the ground in tears. I barely survived the last Hunger Games; there was no way that I could go back in. A knock on the door breaks me out of my misery.
'Gale if that's you, I swear to God...' I swing the door open and come face to face with Haymitch. 'Oh I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else.' I quickly wipe the tears from my face and try to look less pathetic. 'Um, did you need something?'
'Johanna's in the hospital.'
'WHAT!' I charged past him into the hallway and started walking towards the hospital as Haymitch jogged to catch up with me. 'What happened to her.'
'They flooded the arena in her test.' I whirled around to face him.
'THEY WHAT?! I THOUGHT WHAT THEY DID TO ME WAS BAD!' I ran full speed down the hallway to the hospital.
'Johanna are you ok?' I plopped down in the chair beside her bed and slipped my fingers between hers.
'I just couldn't do it, I'm so sorry.'
'It's not your fault, they're evil. They pretended to kill Annie; I was so close to being here with you. I'll kill enough Capitol bastards for the both of us.'
'I love you, you know that right?' I nod wrap my arms around her neck squeezing her tightly.
'I love you more.'
'And I love you both.' We look up and see Finnick standing looking at us. He sits down on the edge of the bed and takes Johanna's other hand. 'Did you hear that me and Jay are on the same squad.'
'No she didn't tell me.' She reached over and wacked me on the arm, acting like her normal self.
'Well it gets better; it's designed just like the games.' I whispered and all the colour drained from her face.
'I'm glad I'm not going then, I couldn't stand it.'
'Oh there's more, Gale and Katniss are coming too.'
'You're kidding, I'm so sorry Jay.' She wrapped her arms around my neck as I bit back the tears.
'Okay am I missing something?' Finnick stared at us confused.
'Oh nothing.' She replied as I glared at her. We stayed for a little while longer but Katniss came in and I decided it was my time to leave.
As I walked back to my room I heard footsteps behind me.
'Jay wait up.' I turned around and looked at Gale as he ran up to me.
'You know just because we're in the same squad it doesn't mean we're friends, or that I even like you a little bit. And it certainly doesn't mean I forgive you. I will tolerate you because I have to and that's all.'
'Please I need you to forgive me.' I sighed and looked at the ground not wanting to look into those eyes.
'And I needed for you to stand by but you couldn't do that could you. I'll see you in training.' As I walked away I looked back and saw a tear run down his face.
Merry Christmas everyone, this chapter is my present to you. Was a bit low on inspiration but then I just felt compelled to write something and just happened to finish it on Christmas Eve. Review and Favourite, it means a lot :)