Phoenix Rise

Chapter 17: Another first and escape again

Siobhan POV

The second day of training was the same as yesterday. Though Gale and I didn't trained together this time, instead spend time in the blowgun, archery, climbing, edible plants, first aid, and small hand weaponry. Even took a chance on the gauntlets, running on different steps while trainers swat mallets at me. Got hit in the shine a few times, but got a hang of it, since they keep hitting my prosthetic leg.

But that was only yesterday, now it was the Private session. Gale and I sat alone in the waiting room. My hands were sweating like before, wiping my palms on my pants. I don't know what to do? I gave it my all last year from Camouflage to ambush attacks in the air. The Gamemakers know about my skills with the blowgun.

"I don't know what to do," I groan bending down placing my head between my knees.

Gale placed a hand on my back rubbing it. "Hey, it's alright. Show them your healing or long range skills. They saw you with a blowgun, try an arrow?"

"You think I can do it with a bow?" I asked

"Yeah," Gale assure. "Though don't shoot at them. Already done."

I chuckled sitting back up and rested my head on his shoulder. Maybe it was time I show my complete accuracy. Use the skills dad and Katniss taught me along with other potentials. Potential that caught Brutus attention. To think about the other tributes had me disappointed.

"How can we kill these people, Gale?" I asked.

"Not sure," Gale sighed. "Haymitch wanted us to know them?"

"…yeah, but I don't want to feel that pain again."

"You mean Rue?" Gale asked which I nodded. "We knew we couldn't kill her. I see what you mean and I don't want you to experience it again. You scared the shit out of me when you went into shock."

"Siobhan Underwood," the announcer called.

I took a deep breath, standing up and walked towards the entrance.

"Siob," Gale called out as I look back. "Good luck."

"You too," I replied and walked into the Private room.

The training room was a quiet as the Gamemakers waited in their booth watching me curiously in what I would do. I felt butterflies in my stomach, ready to puke until I spotted Plutarch Heavenbee sitting there with a reassuring smile. Feeling a bit at ease, I walked towards the camouflage station only to find it a complete mess and materials practically gone. Those morphling used all the substance. Growling under my breath, muttering colorful words I walked towards the archery station. A silver bow waited along with six arrows. Looking up at the Gamemakers murmuring each other as they watch my every move.

So I grabbed it and an arrow before walking up to them. "Siobhan Underwood, District 12."

"Carry on," Plutarch said.

Nodding I walked up to the target station and knock an arrow in place. With a deep breath, I raised my bow and aimed at the chest. Drawing the string to my ear and fire directly on course. My eyes were closed when I heard a sound of awe. Peeking through one eye and see a bulls eye in the targets chest. With a confident smile while pride engulfed me to the very core. I grabbed the other arrows fastening them to my belt and walked a straight line firing arrows getting a complete shot an acceptable kill. Once the arrows were gone, I had seven more minutes remaining.

"What to do?" I thought aloud placing the bow back at the station.

Quickly jogging towards the blowgun station and grab a blowgun then went towards the climbing stations. The distance was father than it was before. When climbing to the top, my foot got tangle with the ropes causing me to fall backwards and dangle twenty feet in the air. My heart accelerated; images of Rue underneath me. A sob was about to escape, I couldn't save her when I promised her to protect her from harm. Shaking my head, 'use your disadvantage as your advantage' dad voice whispered in my head. Use my disadvantage?

Taking a deep breath, I brought the blowgun to my lips while handing upside down. Everything seemed to sway while blood flowed into my head making it uncomfortable and weird. But I estimate on the head and focused all I can give until making a deep breath and fire. There was a pause until the Gamemakers were murmuring in shock. Looking at Plutarch in my disposition to see him give the approval. With a sigh of relief, I reached up and continued to the rope course until on the ground. Quickly examining the target to find the dart embedded to the center mark on the targets head.

"You may go now, Miss Underwood." Plutarch said plesant.

I gave a bow and walked out of the room. Once the door shut behind me I stumble to ground and collapsed onto my knees, feeling like someone punch me in the stomach. I hesitated; I hesitated in having a flashback of Rue. From the Gamemakers reaction says a good score, that's what I hope for except I hesitated.

"Gale Hawthorne," the announcer called.

Good luck Gale.

.o0o.

Gale's POV

Twenty minutes later my name was called. When I got in, I see there was no mud trails on the floor. Guessed Siobhan didn't do camouflage this time. Looking up I notice that half the Gamemakers drunk or at the banquet table. I growled wishing I could fire an arrow at them except the force field was in the way. Including those who were watching was hesitant when I walked in. Good, they should be afraid of me after what I did last year.

I try to look for Plutarch Heavenbee, the guy who had asked Siobhan for a dance. She told me he was planning the games and had a midnight meeting involving the quells while a watch that had a mockingjay like her locket. Something tells me I could somewhat trust him. But the guy was ignoring me… oh, so he had time for the others but not me.

Well, better teach him a lesson if he fails this game.

I went towards the knot-tying station and get a length of rope. I manipulated the rope into a noose then wrapped it around a dummies neck while tossing the other end over the climbing bars. Securing the loose strand in a good hold, center of the room. Good, now I needed was to get the final adjustment. As I grabbed some paint from the camouflage station and a bow and arrow. I finger paint a name and took twenty paces away from the dummy. Knocking the arrow on the bow and fired at the target between the two words at the heart.

Seneca . Crane

The first reaction from the Gamemakers was entirely horror that even some gave a shriek. I would call this funny if not satisfying as their shrieks were followed by wine glass shattering to the floor along with a fainter. I scowled at Heavenbee to see him expressionless with a squashed peach in hand.

Then he cleared his throat. "You may go now, Mr. Hawthorne."

"Thanks for your consideration." I said sarcastically walking out proudly.

I'm not going into the arena without a fight.

And hope this would keep Siobhan alive. It was her turn on going home.

.o0o.

During dinner time, I noticed Siobhan was quiet as she fiddles with her food while rubbing her good leg. She must had fell or trip on the climbing station or something to bruise herself. For her hair was wet and she smelled like lavender. Primrose said lavender can eased muscles along with ice. Once with the second course of soups was served, Haymitch got down to the point.

"All right, so how did your private session go?"

Siobhan and I exchange looks. Siobhan took a deep breath in defeat that it wasn't her. She never loses a staring competition. So she took a deep breath, "I hesitated."

"Hesitated?" Portia asked.

"It started out great at first… well minus the camouflage, I put archery into use. That got their attention until time was wearing thin, that I would give my signature of climbing and blowgun at the same time…then I slipped, dangling in the air and…hesitated. … I couldn't get up without flashback and time was almost up so I shot upside down and got the target in the head."

"I don't think that's something to worry about," Effie assured. "Amazing you got the target while upside down!"

There was a long paused in the room absorbing what Effie said. True it was awesome she got the target with a blowgun while upside down. But when she said she hesitated, I knew what she meant. Rue, she had a flashback of Rue the moment before she died.

"You thought about Rue?" Cinna said. "That's why you hesitated."

Siobhan nodded her, hand squeezing her spoon as her knuckles turned white. "I can't accept them in what they did. Understand why they accomplish such cruel if not barbaric act in killing that little girl. I wanted them to feel accountable but what can I do, except put on a show by firing weapons for their entertainment."

"This is dreadful," Effie said like she would cry.

"She didn't do anything Effie," I shot back at Effie. "It's not like she painted a mural on the floor in front of them?"

"I wish," Siobhan muttered.

The adults remain silence before they put their attention at me. "I hung a dummy with Seneca name on it."

The room was engulfed in a thick atmosphere. The disbelief and horror written on their faces as the disproval smacked me in the face. The look on Siobhan face was red while lips puckered that I can't tell if she was suppressing a laugh or angry.

"You… hung…Seneca Crane?" Cinna asked.

"Yeah, showing them my snaring and knot-tying that he ended up on the noose," I explained.

"Oh, Gale," Effie said in a hushed voice. "How do you know about that?"

"Snow told me," I answered with shrugged while leaning back in my chair. "Guess I should have lied and said I shot some arrows."

Siobhan slammed her fist and stood up nocking the table and walked towards her room. The door slammed followed by a huge scream. Cinna excused himself and headed to Siobhan room to give comfort or something along those lines. Now I feel regret in what I just did. I was just showing an example in how corrupt their leader was and now this happens. Better change the subject.

"Haymitch," I said catching his attention. "We think it's better if we don't have allies."

"Good. Then I won't be responsible for you killing off any of my friends with your stupidity," Haymitch said.

I nodded and went back to my meal. Dinner was quiet for Cinna or Siobhan didn't return until after dessert. Cinna had an arm around her shoulder while her face remains neutral. Whatever they talked about at least got her to calm down. I wish I had the skills Cinna had to calm Siobhan, except when I try, I ended up with her shrew side.

"Come on and let's go get those training scores." Cinna said.

We all took our seats in the sitting room, gather around the television.

"Have they ever given a zero?' Siobhan asked looking at me concerned.

"No, but's there a first time for everything," Cinna answered.

And he was right. We watched Caesar go over the scores of each tribute by female to male, district by district. The tributes picture with their number underneath them. As usual the Careers got the higher scores except for Mags who scored a three. Low and medium for the rest. When our district came out and Caesar went over our scores.

Siobhan Underwood: 10

Gale Hawthorne: 12

A twelve for the first time in hunger games history. No one felt like celebrating for it wasn't a good sign for me. The first thought came was. "Why?"

"So that the others will have no choice but to target you," Haymitch said. "Go to bed. I can't stand to look at either one of you."

I walked Siobhan to my room in silence, but she continued to walk towards her. The thought of losing her over a stunt had me scared. Immediately, I wrapped my arms around her and rested my head on her shoulder. She stiffens at first but relaxed and turned around to hug me. She shook a little, as I felt her cried. She lost so much and might lose me. "Sorry if I screwed things up."

"You're such a rebel." Siobhan whispered. "Always trying to not be a pawn in their game."

I chuckled a little, for she told me, if she died she wanted to be herself not a piece of their game. TO die with an actually purpose, to hold pride, honor, and valor on the dying breath. She hugged me tighter not wanting to let go. President Snow wanted power, to show dominance after we showed him and the Capitol off on the decisions they made. How the old man got shot in district 11 tried to show an expression of peace. The uprising that rumored throughout Panam. It was our turn again to give a sign that all the sacrifices in this riot doesn't go in vain. I had to make it clear that I'm still rebelling while keeping Siobhan alive. Being a martyr would be a sacrifice I'm willing to take, knowing Siobhan was alright and she can care for my family. But also, Siobhan would be more valuable alive. She holds words many could be used as a weapon and transformed them.

Siobhan would be furious if she knew what I was thinking. So I embraced her tighter, "Whatya want to do now?"

"You," She whispered. "I want to spend any possible moment with you and you alone."

I mentally groan for I had other thought but couldn't risk it. We were lucky last time but now it was different. Damn it, how I wanted her and could tell she wanted it too. To forget the worlds around us for just a moment. Just us and nobody else. Then I remembered what some of the guys told me about, tricks that could be pleasurable and yet safe. I lifted Siobhan head to look into her green eyes.

"Do you trust me?" I asked.

"Yes," She whispered. "I love you."

.o0o.

Siobhan POV

Gale pressed his lips against mine as we stumbled into his bedroom. He kicked the door shut and locked it before kisses me again while pushing me towards the bed. I kissed back and clutched onto his shirt and pulled it off his body. Gale groaned, his hand touched my shoulder and brushed over my clothed chest, down my side till gripping my waist. I gasped, tripping backwards over the bed with Gale over me. Wearing shorts, his hand traced my thighs making me shudder while fire started to consume me from my inner core. I pulled him closer and wrapped my legs around his waist. My body was on fire by his touches, letting go of logic and let our primal instincts control. To escape and be one.

His lips moved against mine while removing my shirt, exposing the gym bra I wore. I sighed and looked into his eyes, how sharp and dark they were than a moment ago. Like looking into a hurricane of sharp silver that of the lord of flames. . A click was heard as the prophetic leg was removed with a thud on the tile floor. I pressed my hand on his lower back, tracing his spine along the scares of deep wounds. His skin was hot as he panted on the cares touches I held over his vulnerability. A moan escaped as he closed his eyes, leaning down that his head rested on my chest.

He kissed my neck and I continued to massage his back gently. He kissed up my neck and desperately kissed me on the lips. I responded with such vigor that I switch position so I was top straddling his waist. Gale looked at me surprised under the moonlit room. Grabbing the remote on his bed, I changed the windows scenery to the misty forest. How it was close to rain on the evergreen trees. This was how close we can be towards home.

I looked down at Gale to see he had the same thought. I leaned down and kissed him again while holding onto his shoulders. Just us, no one else. He didn't go far but we close to escape in this, madness. To feel wanted, loved, and desire while escaping in a certain realm of pleasure.

We laid in each others arms holding on. Sleep over our shoulder while Gale traced shapes over my back lazily. It was late but we didn't want to sleep. Not yet.

"I love you," Gale whispered and kissed my temple.

I sighed happily and nodded kissing his chest. "As I you."

I felt his chest vibrated that of a chuckle while bringing me closer as we fell asleep in our world.

…..;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;…

Quick you have one chapter to vote before the interview of what Dress Siobhan should wear. You can find the option on my profile under Whispering fire/phoenix rise.

Thanks for reading and please leave a review.