Finnick POV
I'm herded into the tribute train by Peacekeepers. Cameras flash away. We're not given good-byes. All of us victors know what could've happened; we had a month to settle our last affairs. Annie's pale as the train speeds away. Mags' simply stares out the window longingly, her face on the wide, blue ocean. I stare at the sea too. My life… it seems to speed away before my eyes as the ocean finally leaves us. I might win … but then again, I might not. Am I really repeating the emotions of 10 years ago? I had hope, but still vague fear; I wanted to never leave District 4. I wished the Hunger Games hadn't taken me victim. I knew, one way, I'd come out destroyed. Whether it be physically or mentally.. I also recall memories of my coming back. I was pained, depressed. But I was alive. I would see the ocean again. I would see my family again. Freedom was mine, forever … or so I thought. Make it 10 years instead.
Annie, not surprisingly, is our female mentor. I'm glad, but after her reaction at the Reaping, I don't know how well she'll be able to handle it. A guy who is in his late thirties, Sam, was picked as the male mentor. They were both thrust onto stage by Peace-Keepers a few minutes after the Reaping, and thrown onto the train like us. He keeps trying to hit on Annie, and seems not to notice my glares. Eventually he stops, though, as he realizes she's not doing much but staring emptily out the window. We all eat dinner quietly, glumly; not even our perky escort aims at conversation. It's finally time to watch recaps of the Reaping.
We all settle onto luxury couches and the wide screen automatically turns on. Annie sits close to me, our shoulders practically touching. It's not suggestive, it's caring. Our escort stares at us and only shakes her head slightly. By now she's figured out that Annie's more than just my 'toy', but thankfully she seems too loyal and affectionate of us to reveal it to anyone. Sam glares at us, and murmurs under his breathe. "Damn, the players always get the hottest ones. He's done every girl in Panem by now…," I want to punch him but instead I stare at the screen. In District 1, Cashmere and Gloss are called. They're both beautiful, and both killers. They haven't lost their lust for blood, nor their urge to win. Cashmere won a few years before me, Gloss a year after me. Cashmere loathes me; I've turned down her pitiful attempts to seduce me, and I murdered one of her best friends in my Games. She wants my blood.. They're almost as popular with the Capitol as I am, and I wouldn't be surprised if Snow had them in … occupations similar to mine. They're certain competition. From District 2 are Brutus and Enobaria. Brutus is still fairly young, 40 or so, and his name clearly matches his personality. He's all brawn, no brains. He smiles as he walks up to the stage, and I can tell he'd just adore re-living the glory of the Games. He wants to murder again. I'd love to stick a trident in his chest and teach him that he's not so unbeatable.. Enobaria is muscular. She's certainly not attractive, and reminds me of her district partner. They're both cold and want to watch the life slowly leave the eyes of the dying.. again. District 1 and 2 are obvious threats, as they are every year. I sigh. I want to kill the lot of them…
We watch our own Reapings, and Annie winces as she has to view her … fit. It certainly seems dramatic from the screen, and I know it only reinforces the concept of her mental fragility. I'm relieved when it seems like my helping her is only an act of a concerned friend, not that of a desperate lover. I'm glad that I appear strong and almost eager to be launched into the Games again.. I know it's almost certain that I'm considered something to worry about to other tributes. The next few districts don't stand out to me. Most of the tributes, or victors, are old and seem tired. They're in disbelief that they have to go through hell again. They just want it to be over… this wasn't promised to them. A life of freedom was. I don't want to have kill any of them… but I must. For Mags, Annie and I. Johanna Mason is called from District 7. I'm able to smile lightly as I see her picture on the screen. We're friends. We can laugh and smile together. We both share a deep hatred of the Capitol. She briefly and casually pursued me romantically, but I made it clear quickly that I wasn't interested. I didn't want to hurt her, but she's not dumb. She figured out eventually that I'm already taken.. I'm sure she's still curious by whom. It didn't put a damper on our relationship, though. We still first seek each other out when we arrive each year at the Capitol. She looks mean, and I briefly recall how she won her Games. She pretended to be fragile and clueless, made it to the final 8 or so, and slaughtered everyone with her axe. She's an amazing actress, but it won't work this time. I wonder, is our friendship thick enough to survive the Games? Can we be allies without betraying each other? It's different outside of the arena; we're free. But inside the arena, our lives are at stake. I think that can break even the strongest of bonds..
From District 12, come Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. She's wearing her Mockingjay pin, and remains solemn. Haymitch Abernathy is called also, but Peeta Mellark quickly takes his place.
Katniss Everdeen was the one who incited the rebellion. Threatening suicide, double-suicide, is something that has never been done in the Games by the victor. Other tributes have offed themselves, but it was quickly covered up and paved over by the Capitol. Even I was impressed, and Annie and I could only stare at the screen in disbelief as Katniss whipped out the berries. We had both admired her from the start; she volunteered for her little sister and had gotten an eleven in training. She was almost killed a few times in the arena, but was an amazing archer and made it through. Peeta was … in love with her. All the victors knew it was an act, something formulated for sponsors. They were convincing, however; and gained more sponsors than even the District 2 as the Games went on. People ate up the romance so much a 'rule change' was put forward by Snow. Two victors were allowed. It was unbelievable… so unlike the Capitol. Indeed, it was too good to be true. After they killed the District 2 boy their faces lit up, they were expecting to win. But they didn't. It was quickly announced that the rule was changed back and they were left in silence.
Even I was anticipating the ending of this. What would they do? I, never, in my wildest dreams, would've imagined the berry stunt. But it happened, and all around Panem people were left in shock. For the first time, two could win. Only 22 would die. I can tell, even now, as I glance up at the screen, that their love was exaggerated. Peeta stares at Katniss the same way I stare at Annie, but she only regards him with guilt and seemingly mixed feelings. She loves him, but perhaps not in the way that I love Annie. Or maybe she does and hasn't realized it yet…
It's obvious that Katniss is the reason of this Games. This idea is so utterly heinous and unexpected; it'd be abnormally convenient that she suddenly has another chance at inevitable death after the rebellion she caused. She's great with a bow, but the government doesn't want her to win. So she won't.
The Reapings end and I bury my head in my hands. There's a massive amount of competition. We all have what it takes to win. We all know what it takes to win. I'm loved, and I'm skilled, but… this is a nightmare. An unending nightmare. I don't want to kill again. I don't want more blood on my hands. But it will happen. Annie takes my hand, and we walk to my room together. I don't care about hiding. Let my mentor hate us. We curl up together, and it's like a repeat of before her Games. But this time, we're switched. This time, it's I going to death. "We should've had children. We should've gotten married. Screw the Capitol. Screw the Capitol to hell," I whisper, my voice full of hate. She puts her hand on my cheek. "We got 5 years more than we bargained for," I know, but I'm greedy. 50.. no, 80.. would be more fitting. "There's so much competition, but you can win." Annie mutters, her face innocently hopeful. I remain silent. I can win. Physically, I'm able. Mentally, though? And when you factor in a few excited, indifferent tributes…
But perhaps I may be able to survive. Be crowned victor again. But maybe the aftermath will be too much to handle. Mags' will have to die for me to win, as will the lovers from 12… "Let's not think about this until we absolutely have to. There's a week left." I sigh. "Let's try to make it the most meaningful week we can, Mrs. Odair...,"