Briefly I wanted to thank every one of you for the support the story has been given. I don't want to start rambling or anything but it means a lot that you're able to enjoy my story and characters :) Your feedback and reviews have been so nice.

ANYWAYS. Enough of me talking...or typing...hope you enjoy.

The World Transformed

One month passed by faster than Pandora could have imagined. Before she knew it the 69th Hunger Games had arrived.

Within that month she had grown gradually closer to Finnick Odair.

He was her anchor to reality, without realizing it she began to rely more and more on his friendship. With all the chaos and vanity of the Capitol it was hard to feel like she wasn't suffocating, but somehow, when she was with Finnick, Pandora knew she could hold on, knew that there had to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Once the public caught wind that they were talking and visiting each other habitually the photographs and rumors began circulating. Within a week the Capitol press was a buzz, but they were only rumors. Finnick had gone through the same horror and grief that she had, he could relate. That was more than she could say for anyone else in her life, even her family.

Family.

The word was beginning to sound foreign. All she had left of them were the memories, memories that Pandora tried with all her might to hold onto. But her grasp on those remembrances was slipping. From time to time she wondered what they were doing, always a numbing grief swallowed her at this single thought. They would never forgive her for what she had done, this was something she knew. She knew it when she had looked President Snow in the eye and signed her name on the dotted line, and she understood it now.

President Snow.

The name itself was enough to make her cringe.

Rarely did Pandora see him. She hadn't talk with Snow since the second day in the Capitol, something she was thankful for. But it didn't matter. His eyes and ears were everywhere.

Her meetings with Viktor Mironov were frequent. Although she had her reservations about him, Pandora found herself slowly easing into what Mironov told her was a "relationship of confidentiality", meaning all private matters they discussed stayed between the two of them. Pandora didn't know if she believed everything the doctor told her. Then again she had nothing to hide, only the hate she felt for President Snow and the Capitol, but even that was no secret to the President himself.

Sometimes Mironov would give her strange tests, when she asked what they were for his characteristic clearness would blur into generalities. Most of the tests involved logic and clear reasoning, but then there were the other tests. Strange ocular exams and brain monitoring programs where she could see what the inside her skull by looking at a high-tech screen. Although Pandora was curious, she never asked question. There was no point. No answers would be given. So she did the tests, silently keeping her frustrations and confusion at bay.

Occasionally she found herself in the company of Adric Pedersen. Though within that month these meetings and interactions were brief, cordiality developed between the two. Pandora watched him with an eye of scrutiny always. Unlike all the other patrons of the Capitol, Adric spoke to her with a frank wit and, at times, understanding attitude. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but he was slowly becoming tolerable to be around.

Pandora was staring out of the window.

With a firm press to the accelerator the car sped down the street.

Spring was in full bloom and so were the Capitol crowds. The Hunger Games meant constantly crowds, cheers, and applause. Her eyes darkly took in the large screen panels that were lining the main way.

The Tributes had been chosen, now their faces were being broadcast with recaps of each District's reaping. A shiver swallowed her entire body as she recalled the day she had been reaped. Her jaw clenched as she recalled the anguish and torment of being ripped from her family and thrown into chaos and violence. The terror was still real, but somehow, through it all, she was anaesthetized.

Nearly a lifetime ago she had stepped onto the pedestal that launched her into an arena of ruins. She had been a different person then. The Hunger Games had forced her to grow up in the most gruesome way possible. It had taken away her innocence. Innocence that she would never get back.

Now more than ever she felt as if there were a ghoul in the shadows, waiting to dig its fury talons into her soul and pull her under.

Her hand clasped to her chest. She could feel it instantly: the constant threat of darkness looming close to her.

"Pandora, I don't think I can get through this street. Opening Interviews are in an hour, they're swarming."

Her eyes shifted to the front, the driver was staring at her in the mirror.

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in frustration. They were only a block from the Hunger Games Municipal Tower. Fireworks were being set off in honor of the beginning games.

"That's fine. I'll just walk the rest of the way."

"I don't know—"

"It will be fine, Demetri."

"Alright, just don't tell that Officer Pedersen I let you. He'll have my head."

She gave him a nod and smile before pushing the door open and jumping out.

Her black heels clicked against the pavement. She was wearing a form fitting blue dress that ended just below her knees. As she leapt from the small patch of street to the sidewalk she arched her eyebrow.

"Hey, that's—that's Pandora Sullivan!"

"What?!"

"Where!?"

She braced herself for the crowds with stopping her feet.

Even though Pandora was becoming more acquainted with the roaring crowds and overwhelming fascination the Capitol seemed to have with her, she still felt the touch of fear as they approached. Truthfully she preferred the fans to the press.

I'm just a fade for them, she had to remind herself, it will all pass when they get their new Victor.

But something told her she was wrong.

Caradoc had Pandora doing multiple photo-shoots a week. Her face was all over Panem. They were trying to perpetuate her fame.

A few people pulled out their cameras and various devices to snap pictures of her, while others started flocking towards her with papers, napkins…anything they could find.

"Pandora!"

"Miss Sullivan!"

A small boy with blonde hair and enhanced gold eyes ran to her, "Can I have your autograph?"

His mother was close behind, looking more excited than the boy.

"Of course, here you go," in one quick glide she scribble her name on the wrinkled paper and handed it back to him.

By the time she reached the glass doors of the Tower her ears were ringing. Her forced smile faltered once she was well into the bawls of the building.

She was heading towards the backstage area, where she knew the mentors were waiting.

Her eyes glinted around as she entered the small antechamber that rested just off stage. It only took her a heartbeat to find him.

He was talking to one of the Tributes. When she walked in he looked up and smiled, returning his attention back to his mentees soon after.

Pandora patiently watched him. She couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't been appointed into a mentor position. President Snow had refused. The only reasoning Pandora could come up with was that he wanted to isolate her.

Her lips parted slowly as she peered to District 7's sections. She had been trying to avoid them since she knew they had been reaped. Marla Fenton and Camion Lewis. They were both young, Marla was only 13 and Camion 15.

Though she didn't know them well, it was still hard.

When they looked her way she stopped breathing for a moment. They were wide-eyed and innocent. All she could think when she saw them was death. Pandora saw herself in their eyes and she hated what was staring back at her.

"Pandora—"

Finnick pulled her attention away from District 7's Tributes. Her eyes widened as she turned to him.

"What are you doing backstage? You're supposed to be in the audience."

"I wanted to see you."

He smiled, "Yea? Well the circus is about to start. If Caesar Flickerman sees you he's going to jump on you like a hungry eel. I think he's in love with you."

She glanced around and laughed, "Right. Well good luck."

"You know I'm not the one that needs the luck."

Her smile dropped, she did know that.

"I'll be in the crowd," she whispered.

Before she could leave, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm hug, "I'll see you later."

Her feet stumbled when he released her but she quickly recovered, turning away.

She was just to the door when she heard a scoff and sarcastic laugh nearby. Her fingers were on the doorknob, her eyes twitched to the side. It was Johanna Mason. She was staring at Pandora and snickering.

A scarlet flush reached her cheeks. Pandora had never spoken to Johanna Mason, for unexplained reason she was terrified of Johanna. Her eyes lingered on the District 7 mentor a few more seconds before she self-consciously blinked her eyes to the floor and pushed through the doors.

A red light flashed, a robotic female voice broke through the staleness of the corridor.

"5 minutes till Opening Ceremony Interviews."

Suddenly she picked up her pace. It was hard in heels and a tight dress but she managed to reach the top of the stairs before the robot voice returned.

"2 minutes till Opening Ceremony Interviews."

She was walking along an outdoor way, her eyes dropped to the vast crowd below. They were chanting and hollering various things at the darkened stage.

Pandora was heading towards the open-air seating that had been set up for the Interviews. They were strictly for the more well to do of the Capitol, however some lesser class individuals were also present. It was perched above the crowd, facing the stage diagonally. Even with the restriction on the seating area there must have been, at least, 100 individuals waiting for the interviews to start.

"There you are."

In the darkness she twitched her eyes and tilted her head up. She could see his electric blonde hair in the dim light.

"I've been looking for you, you know?"

"I'm sure."

Her feet carefully descended a set of steps. Adric followed close by.

"I hear you decided to go for a stroll."

Pandora narrowed her eyes, glancing to him as she lowered herself into a vacant seat. He took the one next to her, adjusting his black uniform before he settled in.

"How did you know that?"

"You're a celebrity, you do realize that when you go for a walk crowds do gather, right? It's hard to not know when that happens."

Her eyes twitched to the stage.

"Well I don't see why it matters," she whispered back.

"It's dangerous."

"What are they going to do? Yell at me to death."

He slowly unbuttoned the top gold button of his uniform and grinned broadly, "Very funny."

"Well one of us has to be."

"We both know you don't have a sense of humor, Pandora."

She smirked but quickly reminded herself to remain indifferent, though she was sure that Adric noticed the reaction right away.

Suddenly the Panem anthem came crashing through the square.

"In all seriousness though," she could feel his breath in her ear as he leaned into her, "How can we protect you if you decide to just wander off?"

She ignored Caesar's introductions.

"Protect me?"

"Of course."

"I don't need protection, Adric."

He was watching her through the darkness, "You're stubborn."

"And you're annoying."

Adric rested his chin in his palm and corner-eyed her with a smirk, "Where were you anyways?"

"I'm watching the interviews."

"Oh…right."

He jokingly pursed his lips and leaned back in his chair, keeping his posture very proper and tidy, a soldier's posture.

Pandora peered at him and nervously fidgeted with her fingers.

"Why do you need to know, anyways? What's it to you?"

"Shh," he playfully glared at her and arched his eyebrows, "I'm watching the interviews."

An annoyed puff of air escaped her as she crossed her arms and shook her head. The reaction made him laugh.

She was trying to concentrate on the stage but truthfully she didn't want to. All she saw when she looked at these Tributes was her own experience in the arena. Her fingers traced the hem of her dress, gliding further down her leg to her kneecaps. As usual the Career Tributes were cocky and seemingly excited, everyone else played their parts as well as they could. Most had trouble pretending that they couldn't wait to fight to the death, but a few were believable.

After some time she felt Adric nudge her. When she turned to look he had his eyes on the stage, but his smile was aimed at her, "I asked because it's my job. But it's like it matters if you tell me or not."

"It's not your job, Adric. You're just nosy."

"Well, it should be my job."

"Oh yea?" She sarcastically quipped.

"It's not the fans I'm worried about, Pandora. If you got hurt—well—"

His posture shifted. Suddenly he was uncomfortable. She could see him sorting through things in his head, thinking of what to say.

"—I wouldn't want to be responsible for that."

"Relax, Officer."

A soothing laugh eased from him, "You relax, Miss Sullivan. I'll worry."

District 6's female Tribute was up. The crowd seemed bored with her but she had a sympathetic smile, though Pandora noted to herself that it looked forced.

She subtly chewed on her bottom lip and glanced at the faint silhouette of Adric's face. Her eyes narrowed before she spoke: "You don't want to know where I was then?"

Adric smiled, "I don't need to. I think I can figure that out myself."

"Is that a fact?"

"Obviously it's a fact. You were with Finnick Odair."

She visibly tensed.

"What?"

"You're always with him," he whispered back.

Pandora could hear a certain edge to his words. It almost sounded resentful.

"Lucky kid."

Her gaze moved to her hands, "As if you like to hang out with anyone besides your reflection and your medals."

"Ouch. Are you calling me handsome, Miss Sullivan?"

A smile broke across her face, she tried to hold back but a murmured laugh blew passed her lips, "Don't flirt with me. Mironov would be jealous."

Instant guilt filled her. The kind of guilt that always came to Pandora when she was mildly nice to Adric Pedersen. She felt like it was betraying her morals and her family to be kind to anyone from the Capitol, but sometimes Adric made it hard to be mean.

"You're still seeing him?"

She arched her eyebrow, slowly drawing back and becoming reserved again, "I don't really have a choice. Not all of us are as free as you."

The carefree expression on his face slowly morphed into a stone-like expression. He stared at her with wounded eyes.

A heartbeat passed. Slowly he looked away. His head tilted up and his back straightened as he reached for the top button of his uniform and fastened it. Suddenly he was a soldier again, stoic and dignified.

"I should be going," he whispered unexpectedly, "My post is almost up."

Before Pandora could say anything he stood to his feet and dashed down the dark aisle to the stairs.

She stared after him. Her brow furrowed with wide eyes.

So easily did Adric seem to shy away from her, as if her words actually meant something to him. He had been that way since the moment they meant. There was no way that Pandora could comprehend why. All she knew was what she saw, and what she saw was a young man from the Capitol, loyal to a government that she despised. She could never separate her hate of the Capitol fully from Adric because he was part of the problem.

Her eyes turned back to the stage. Caesar was interviewing the final Tribute.

Near the edge of the curtain she could see Finnick peering out. He was looking for her. The lights made his green eyes glimmer as they darted around.

Slowly her passive aggressive altercation with Adric melted away from her thoughts.

Before the lights in the audience came up she climbed to her feet and smiled.

Her heels gave her some trouble as she descended the steps and hastened towards the hallway.

At the edge of the annex to the backstage she saw all the Tributes filtering out. Some seemed joyful but most had doomed looks plastered to their faces. A few glanced at her with recognition.

"Looking for me?"

She spun around and gasped.

Finnick started laughing.

"You scared me…"

He shoved his hands in his pockets, "Let's get out of here, yea?"

"Are you sure you're not busy?"

He slung his arm around her shoulders, "For you, Pandora Sullivan, I always have time."

Fireworks were still going off when they exited the Tower. Photographers must have been tipped off because they were waiting at the entrance. She leaned into him and grimaced as the cameras started flashing.

"Pandora, Finnick!"

Finnick waved to a few of the journalists and photographers, making sure he kept his arm around Pandora. They were starting to crowd closer.

"Are the rumors true?!"

His grin wavered for a moment.

Pandora was hiding her face from the cameras with her hand.

She clawed at his shirt and winced.

"Alright—back off—" Adric's voice broke through the yells and screams.

She briefly peered around. Two other soldiers of lower rank flanked him.

"Give them space!" he continued, signaling for the other men to push the press back.

Just before she felt Finnick's grasp on her tighten, Adric gave her a kind sad smile.

She nodded once to him with wide eyes and then, with an anxious sigh, she turned back, letting Finnick guide her home.

"I think we're making the morning headlines. Can you imagine if there was actually something going on between us?"

She was trying to shut out the roars and shouts.

"Just don't look back," She replied, cradling closer to him.

In the distance she heard Adric and the other soldiers making sure that they weren't being followed.

Her lips quivered. Just another night out. Another night of her life passing into nothingness.