As the train was slowing down, I looked at Ibiscus, winked, and moved towards the dining room car.
"What are you doing?" Ibiscus asked.
"This is your show. Don't want the crowd to get any ideas that Finnick is involved with you." Mags said, walking to the door.
The train doors opened, and the cameras were on Ibiscus without hesitation; and now that I think about it without mercy. The victor just got done killing, and surviving a massacre, and what does the Capitol do? Shove more cameras in their faces. Now some of the victors don't care about the whole ordeal, while others want to put as much distance between them and the killing. It took a good thirty minutes before the welcoming party moved into the district. I waited for all of the vehicles to leave the station before exiting the train.
The following day, Ibiscus stopped me in the square and gave me a look that I knew all to well.
"Lead the way." I said.
"Thank you." Ibiscus said.
"When are you moving to the village?" I asked.
"I didn't have much to move, that, and the fact that my family made it easy." she said.
"Don't worry, the other victors will make you feel right at home, and you can always replace whatever you couldn't bring with you. Whether from the market, or the Capitol." I said.
We made small talk as we walked to Aldar's home. As we did, I felt a sensation that I was being watched. I turned to see a woman watching me. I was kind of taken back because it was a woman that I've never talked to.
Annie Cresta. I thought, but Ibiscus brought me back to reality when she said. "We're here."
I look at the house to see that Aldar's parents had done well for themselves because they moved to a new house, and it was a pricey one at that. Ibiscus knocked on the door, and there was a moment of silence before someone answered, and it was Aldar's sister.
"Hey Ibiscus. Hey Finnick." Edel said.
"Hey Edel." both Ibiscus and I said.
"What brings the two of you here?" Edel asked.
"I'm pretty sure that question is self explanatory." I said.
"Mom and dad will be excited to see you Ibiscus, but I'm not sure about you, Finnick." Edel said.
"What did I do?" I asked.
"You're not welcomed here Finnick. Leave." Neam said, entering the doorway.
"I asked him to come." Ibiscus said.
"His kind is not welcomed here." Neam said.
It seemed that Neam had become a drunkard, or borderline alcoholic in the years since I won my games. He has grown a beard, or I could be overreacting, and he is still mourning Aldar death.
"Neam!" Aldera exclaimed.
"No need to get all worked up Mrs. Bellmark. I'll see you in the village later Ibiscus." I said, and then turned and walked away. But as I was leaving, I heard people shouting my name, but all I could do was stare in the distance at Annie Cresta. It seemed that she was following me, but I put that on hold for now.
S.D.D.
Six months has passed, and Ibiscus had just left on her Victory Tour, and for the first time in who knows how long, I don't have to do some evil and twisted thing for the Capitol. So, I'm going to enjoy my time here in the district. Or so I thought because as I was making my way through the marketplace, I was stopped by a woman who snuck behind me.
"Hey, Finnick." she said.
I turned around to see that it was Annie. "Annie Cresta." I said.
"You know who I am, that's delightful." she said.
"I've seen you around the district, I even remember seeing you in school before I became a victor." I said.
"That's great." she said.
"Why? Is something the matter?" I asked.
"You're a victor. I'm just some random girl in the district." she said.
"True, but so what? I was just some random boy in the district until I became victor. Becoming victor didn't do me any favors." I said.
Annie and I spent the better of the day enjoying each others company. By nightfall, I received word that my presence was required in the Capitol.
"When will I be able to see you again?" Annie asked.
"Don't know, but I'd like to see you again as well." I said, and then got up to leave.
S.D.D.
Capitol-
I've been in the Capitol for two hours and my mind was consumed by one thing: Annie. I wasn't obsessed, but I couldn't think about anything but her. Nothing about Annie is attention grabbing, but here I am. Thinking about her.
"Hello, Mr. Odair. How are you doing?" The driver greeted me as I got in the car.
"Splendid." I said.
"The president has one job for you." He said.
"What's that?" I asked.
"You are to drop this message off with the head of security at the Casino, and then pick up a package." He said, handing me the letter.
"Okay." I said, taking the letter. As the car pulled to a stop, I got and walked into the casino. It was an easy job, in and out. As I'm exiting the casino, I'm accosted by a group of masked men armed with guns. They were screaming at me to do many things, but they wanted the package in my hands. There were five armed me and it was just me, and I didn't feel like getting shot. Somehow, I get the feeling that Snow doesn't care if these men get the package. I hold the package out, the closes man takes it, and the five of them disappear.
"I've suffered many disasters, getting shot is something I'd like to avoid." I said, as I was walking back to the car.
I get in the car, and I'm taken to the Presidential Palace.
When I arrive at the palace, I get out and head in.
"They're in the library." The butler said.
"Thanks." I said, without breaking stride.
I made it to the library, and I saw Snow who was surrounded by Scarlet, Rantipol, and Vicky.
"What was the point of the stop at casino?" I asked, as I approached the group. Vicky gave me a hug, which I returned in kind.
"The people who accosted you need that package that was in the casino." Scarlet said.
"I've suffered many injuries in my lifetime. Being shoot is not on going on that list." I said.
"The group is connected to the dissidence presence in the Capitol that I'm still trying to root out." Snow said.
You might want to look within your own organization. I thought as my conversation with Plutarch resurfaced in my memory.
"How is Ibiscus' tour coming along?" I asked.
"No problems to report at this current juncture, but I have been hearing that the plebians are getting restless." Snow said.
I rolled my eyes, while Scarlet, Rantipol and Vicky shook their heads.
"Give me the names, and I'll make sure it gets done." I said.
"Here the are. It's a short list, but it's a thorough one." Scarlet said.
Somehow, the way that sentence left Scarlet's mouth reminds me of the woman that has been guiding me through the underbelly of the Capitol.
S.D.D.
District 4-
While Scarlet said that it was a short list, it in fact was not a short list, albeit I did learn more about the history of our illustrious president. That Snow was a mentor in a past life which was a bit of a shocker. His tribute disappeared, never to be heard from again, which is news to me. If I'm being honest, Snow being a mentor is not going to send shockwaves through the nation. His treachery, and political assassinations are the ticket to bringing Snow down, but as I stated before until the time that comes exposing Snow's crimes won't help me.
"Hello Finnick." A female voice said.
"Hello Annie." I said, turning to face Annie.
We walk and talk about whatever we desire, and if I'm being honest, I like it. I like speaking with Annie like this. Speaking freely with no expectations, or misgivings; just like two old friends who haven't seen each other in ages. While I'm expected to bed and the masses in the Capitol, I get to be myself when I'm with Annie. Just like a boy and a girl who don't have a care in the world. I get the feeling that if nothing is expected of me, I'll be spending time with Annie. In a plutonic sense, Annie is two years younger than I originally thought.
S.D.D.
Six months flies by and it's time for another Games, and another time for me to treated like another plaything. The day of the reaping comes, and I meet Annie before she has to check in for the reaping.
"Finnick, would you think less of me if I said that I was afraid?" Annie asked.
"It's only natural to be afraid. So, no I wouldn't." I said.
"Is it?" She asked.
"Why not? I'd be more concerned if you weren't." I said.
"I remember when you left for your Games. You didn't seem scared. In fact, you seemed confident." She said.
Even though it's been nine years since I became victor, to this day, I still remember how I felt when I was reaped.
"I wasn't confident." I said.
"Not confident. Then what?" She asked.
"I remember that day. I remember the feelings of abandonment." I said.
"Really, why?" She asked.
"That was the first time I felt truly alone, and I learn a bitter truth that year." I said.
"What truth?" She asked.
I didn't get to explain because the reaping was on the verge of starting. There was about two minutes left before it began.
"That's a story for another time. You better get going." I said.
"If I don't get reaped this year, could you teach me a few things." She asked.
"It'll have to wait until after the Games, but I'll see what I can do." I said.
"Thanks, Finnick." Annie said, and then walked away.
"Later Annie." I said.
I walked to take my place on the stage, and as I'm seated there, I could see Edel in the crowd in the fifteen-year-old section. Ibiscus takes a seat next to Mags, as Cinder takes a seat next to me.
"How's everything going between you and Annie?" Cinder asked.
"Nothing is really happening between us." I said.
"Isn't that the beauty of it though? No expectation, just being friends." He said.
"You're not wrong." I said.
"And here we go." Cinder asked.
At that moment, a new face takes the stage. The Capitol deemed it necessary to bless us with another escort.
"What happened to Amethyst?" I asked.
"Apparently, she got busted in recently for partaking in illicit activities in the Capitol." Another victor who won two years ago said.
"How illicit are we talking?" Cinder asked.
"The underage kind." The victor said.
"What?" Cinder asked.
"Amethyst was at a party that specialized in minors." Another victor said.
"Whoa" Cinder said.
"Why are you surprised that Amethyst got bust for being a pedophile?" I asked.
"Still." Cinder said.
"Dude, the year before I was reaped, I remember the sexual tension in Amethyst's voice." I said.
As soon as I finished speaking, the mayor took the stage, and the reaping had officially begun. I looked out and made eye contact with Edel. I can see the fear in her eye. I can't blame her, but I can't do anything for her. The escort walked over to the girl's bowl and pulled out a name. She walked back to the microphone, unfolded the slip, and read the name aloud.
"Alyss Silentbush!" The escort said.
"Anybody get the new escorts name?" I whispered.
"Ah, I know that one. Calyptus Evershire." Cinder whispered.
"Thanks." I whispered.
At that moment, the Calyptus read the boy's name. "Kousa Nighthorn!" Calyptus said.
I looked out to see the poor soul who had been reaped, but I made eye contact with Edel to see her relief. I winked at her, and then the tributes were directed into the Justice Building. I looked out over the crowd to find Annie. She seemed relieved that she hadn't been reaped. As the crowd was dispersing, Annie made her way to the stage. I shook my head for her not to approach. Annie wasn't happy but walked away.
I looked out over the crowd one last time, and then got up from my chair to join the rest of the victors.
S.D.D.
Capitol-
Twenty-four hours later I'm stepping off the train in Capitol to thunderous applause. I had a pen in hand to sign books of my adoring fans. I wrote another book, but it was trashy romance novel that was all the rage in the Capitol. I signed five books, blew kisses to the crowd, and then got into the waiting limousine. I let out a sigh of relief when I got out of sight of the crowd.
"It must be rough being you." Ibiscus quipped.
"It's my burden to bear." I said.
Orion laughed out loud, and then said. "It must be a heavy burden."
"What are you talking about Orion, you have an even heavier burden than I do." I said.
"Shut up." Orion said to a round of laughter.
Mags was the last one to get into the limousine. The door shut, and we were taken to our dorms before taken to the palace for the festivities. I haven't heard anything yet, but when I get to the palace I will find out if I have to be whore this go round, and how many. If the last time is anything to go by the list is getting more complex, and I wouldn't be surprised if even a few of the names belong to women of city officials. I'm starting to hate my life.
A few hours later, the victors are gathering in the stands in the City Circle. The chariots have another forty minutes before leaving Remake Center. I have five names, but one person has requested that I spend a few days with them. I happen to be making the rounds before taking my seat in stands when I see that the woman in question; the one who wanted my presence for a few days, and she just so happens to be the companion/significant other of a Gamemaker.
What is it with the companions of these officials and wanting to bed me? Is it some kind of rush, or high from bedding a victor? I thought as I made my way to my chair. I get stopped a few times to take photos—group or solo—when I was stopped by the woman who is seeing the Gamemaker.
"Hello Finnick." The woman said.
"Hi." I said.
"I have to ask do you have an aversion to spending with woman that has a man in their life?" She asked.
"As long as you husband doesn't object." I said.
"Good to know. Here's my number, call me when you're free." The woman said and then walked away.
I was at a loss for words. This interaction my not be sexual in nature, but I temper my expectations.
"Yo, Finnick! Get a move on it. The opening ceremony is going to be starting soon!" Cinder said.
"I'm coming." I said.
I finally got to my seat, and in time to see the big screen light up and the music start playing. Thirty seconds later the first chariot appeared on screen. The cheers and the applause for the tributes were loud and deafening sitting the in the stands, coupled with loud music it sounds like a thunderstorm is on the horizon. The crowd around us is cheering wildly, while we, the victors, and Snow and his group are sitting there stoically with straight faces. To be honest, I'm physically present, but mentally I'm back in district. In my daydream, I'm in the marketplace buying supplies for my family. As I finish buying the supplies, my children come running after school let out, and tell me about their day.
It's a wonderful dream, but I know that will never happen. As long as I have been victor, I've never seen one of us get married and have children. Children of victors are almost always picked to be tributes in the Hunger Games, and practically one hundred percent of them die. Preservation of the blood line has never been a big deal for victors in the districts.
I was brought out of my reverie as the music die down, and Snow approached the podium to give the yearly speech. I've heard the speech so many times I could say it verbatim. As Snow finishes speaking, the chariots pull into the Training Center.
After the festivities had ended, I started on my list of names. And I had it all planned out. First, I will do my yearly slave duties, satisfying their every desire, and spend the rest of the time leading up to the Games relaxing. The woman's name was Vixen Dawnstone, and with a first name like Vixen it leaves little to the imagination what we will be doing.
The morning of the fourth day, after I left the house of my fourth liaison, I caught up with some of my associates and went to breakfast. It was a lovely meal, and when the meal was over, I went to contact Vixen. I found a phone and called Vixen to setup our get-together.
"Hello." Vixen answered.
"Hey Vixen, it's Finnick." I said.
"Finnick, so glad to hear from you. Do you have a date for me?" She asked.
"How about the night after the interviews." I said.
"There are a few parties we can go to together that night. I'll meet you at the stage after the interviews." She said.
"I'll see you then." I said.
"Later Finnick." Vixen said seductively.
"Until then, Vixen." I said.
I heard Vixen make some random noise, and then the line went dead.