Chapter Sixty-Six; When it Rains, It Pours

(Stephanie's POV)

Slena; Female Tribute for District 4.

Ficen; Capitolite Stylist for District 3's female tribute.

It just didn't add up in Stephanie's head.

The two of them had no reason to even acknowledge one another.

Ficen showed no inclination to help Stephanie, so that ruled out the miraculous idea that Ficen was grilling Slena for arena strategies.

But similarly, Slena had no reason to approach Ficen and besides, it was evident that they were not engaged in pleasant chit-chat.

Suddenly Ficen barked something harshly. A few people nearby her turned their heads to look curiously, but they were too far away for Stephanie to hear what was said.

Ficen stormed by Slena, pushing past Slena's shoulder with enough force to floor a lesser person but Slena just stumbled slightly before righting herself, and glaring after Ficen's hastily retreating figure as Ficen went for the exit.

Stephanie tried to immediately catch Haymitch's gaze, wondering if he had just seen the bizarre encounter that she had, but he was still talking with the Landas' and besides he was facing away from the dance floor.

Stephanie wondered frantically if there was any way to extradite herself politely – without offending anyone – from her current conversation, and drag Haymitch away from his.

Stephanie looked over to the buffet tables, only to see that Slena had moved and was currently making a beeline straight for someone else a few metres away.

Stephanie watched, her thoughts swarming in panicked bewilderment as Slena brusquely hauled Vir back by his collar, essentially ending the conversation he had been currently in.

Slena dragged Vir back a few metres and then started to immediately talk hurriedly to him, which included a lot of hand-gestures.

Slena's district partner listened to her intently; not at all annoyed or even confused it seemed by Slena's sudden and rude interruption.

Stephanie was desperately trying to decipher what Slena might be saying but it was impossible, though Vir seemed to comprehend every word and gesture.

Stephanie tried to calm her nerves, glancing over to Haymitch once more but he still wasn't damn looking this way!

Inhale. Exhale.

Stephanie didn't know this had anything to do with her, she tried to reason.

Except she did. Ficen, whether Stephanie liked it or not, was her stylist.

Slena suddenly pointed.

Stephanie froze.

It couldn't be.

Vir looked up instinctively and for a brief moment their eyes met before Vir's gaze moved and Stephanie breathed a sigh of relief.

He wasn't looking at her. Slena hadn't just pointed at her.

It was the group just in front of Stephanie's little clique.

That group consisted of the Careers.

Confusion creased Stephanie's features. Okay, maybe it didn't have anything to do with her?

But what the hell had it got to do with Ficen?

Stephanie glanced back and – Finally! – caught Haymitch's gaze.

The easy grin he had been wearing faltered only slightly as he beheld her complete look of panic.

Stephanie watched Haymitch evidently begin making excuses to Sylva Landa and her sons. Frenkin looked the most relieved of anyone.

There was precisely two minutes of relative normality, music playing and chatter filling the room with tinkling laughter.

Then there was a series of screams and shouts of surprise and anger, with a heavy thud. Stephanie whipped around just in time to jump out of the way as Dotty and her two sisters were bowled to the ground. Isa's shrieks nearly shattered Stephanie's eardrums.

Stephanie snapped her head back in time to see as Cron clumsily regained his footing, after having just knocked the three sisters to the ground.

Vir stood a few metres away panting heavily, his face flushed as he cradled one of his hands.

There was a moment when a pin dropping could have been heard.

The Careers surrounding Vir now, just looked at Vir in complete shock; even the usually bored Har's expression was one of utter incredulity.

Everyone in the room had turned to see what had happened. The music had stopped.

Cron frowned as though not entirely sure what had happened, as he rubbed at the already swelling spot on his jaw.

And then he slowly looked up, an expression of complete fury brewing on his normally cheerful face.

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Cron roared as he lunged at Vir.

And then utter chaos broke out.

Screams shattered the air as any Capitolite in close proximity immediately fought to get away. It was one thing to watch the Games on a television screen but they were in no way prepared to be a part of them.

Going against the current of the fleeing crowds were the reporters, cameras flashing wildly.

From nowhere more guards than Stephanie had ever seen swarmed down on the Careers, who taking Vir attacking Cron as a very personal slight, were all engaged in attacking Vir in some way.

Tarii not able to get anywhere near Vir from where Cron and Har between them were pummelling the boy to a pulp was screaming furiously, her words indistinguishable.

Mentors and escorts were desperately trying to separate them. Lana was only barely being restrained by her two mentors as she shrieked profanities and threats that made Stephanie's blood curdle.

And on everyone's face underneath the rage was utter disbelief.

There had been heated arguments that were close to coming to blows before with competing tributes. Usually Careers, who would typically do it to grab the spotlight and up the ante.

But this?

Even the guards had taken just them few seconds longer to react because they were…shocked.

Everyone was utterly and simply in complete disbelief at what had just occurred.

There had been no warning, no disputes before-hand, not even snide remarks in passing.

Stephanie wasn't even sure the Careers had even acknowledged Vir, given that they had probably ruled him out as any sort of threat on learning that he was practically deaf.

Stephanie became dimly aware that Haymitch was at her side.

His grey eyes held hers for a moment. "Stephanie – go," he told her firmly.

Stephanie finally noticed that everyone who hadn't already run screaming from the room was being hurriedly shoved towards the door by more and more arriving guards.

The fight was over. Stephanie looked back, but she could see nothing but a wall of guards blocking her view.

She could still hear Tarii, Lana, Cron and even Har's voices twisted in anger and rage though.

Vir remained silent, or so Stephanie hoped, rather than what the alternative would mean. That Vir was in no fit state to speak or worse…

Stephanie allowed Haymitch to half drag her out of the room. She was only faintly aware of Frenkin clutching her limp hand tightly, tears on his cheeks and a look of complete terror on his small face.

They were pushed out into the wide foyer with its marbled, mosaic floors and huge pillars, numerous hallways and doors branching of it.

As soon as the last onlookers were ejected from The Chandelier Rooms, guards closed the doors.

Ironically, while things were being calmed down on the other side of the door, there was nothing short of pandemonium here in the foyer.

The noise was deafening, crescendo-ing to the lofty arches above. Women were wailing, Isa being one of them, along with Dotty and her two sisters who were already laid out in stretchers screaming in agony at their few bruises. Everyone was talking rapidly with wide eyes.

Haymitch was directly behind Stephanie engaged in low, rapid conversation with another man Stephanie distantly recognised as one of the other District's mentors; though evidently not Districts 1, 2 or 4. They were still in The Chandelier Rooms.

Frenkin was still clutching Stephanie's hand. He looked up at her, his blue eyes impossibly huge. He was visibly shaking and Stephanie for once feared that he might actually faint before she did.

Stephanie still felt like she was in a state of shock.

The whole thing had only taken seconds. Vir had punched Cron effectively flooring him for no apparent reason.

Stephanie's senses suddenly came back as she spotted her.

No, Stephanie thought dangerously, it wasn't for no reason. There was a reason alright, and Stephanie was looking at it.

Slena stood at the other side of the foyer looking considerably shaken as she held herself, her tanned arms crossed over her torso.

She was effectively alone given that everyone to do with her; her district partner, mentors and escort were all still in the room. Stephanie was momentarily shocked that Slena was actually out here instead of in there with them.

Suddenly Slena's head snapped round as though someone had called her, but the crowd huddled together prevented Stephanie from seeing who.

And then Slena took off, her ruby dress billowing out behind her as she fled.

Stephanie steeled herself, briefly surprised by the intensity of the sudden surge of hatred she felt towards Slena.

Stephanie looked down at Frenkin, gently prying his hand from hers, she cupped his cheek for a brief moment.

He looked up her still shaking, still terrified. And Stephanie felt her resolve strengthen.

"Haymitch!" Stephanie called sharply.

Haymitch snapped his head around as Stephanie pushed Frenkin towards him and Haymitch caught the smaller boy by the shoulders.

"Wait! Where – Stephanie!" Haymitch's voice was drowned out in the din as Stephanie dove into the crowd, weaving through the distressed Capitolites.

Slena disappeared down one of the hallways that branched off the foyer. There were no guards to stop them; every guard was either inside The Chandelier Rooms or guarding its doors or the front doors to the building ensuring no one left.

Stephanie quickened her step, breaking into a slight run as she followed Slena down the darkened hallway a few moments later.