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Chapter Four
The 73rd Hunger Games: There Goes Life As We Knew It
Katniss was happy once the Victory Tour was over. She continued to hunt, spend time with the Winthrop's, and doting on her siblings but soon Katniss relized she needed another distraction.
Since, becoming a Victor a second time she was now the richest Victor alive. So, Katniss decided to spend it on repairing houses in the Seam and fixing up the Community Home.
She also hired people from the Seam who needed money to help with the project. A lot of women especially were grateful as it's hard for them to earn money in District 12.
Katniss was a complete nervous wreck on Reaping Day. She didn't want to mentor Gale or have to volunteer again.
"Blair Ayers" A 15 year old blue-eyed blond merchant, who use to be in Katniss' class but she had no positive memories tied with the snobby Town girl. However, as Blair started bawling Katniss' past intense dislike for the girl washed away because being reaped is not a fate Katniss Everdeen would ever wish on someone. Well, maybe President Snow.
"Dean Rivers" Katniss seeked out Gale, he looked pained but slightly relieved it wasn't him. The Rivers were close cousins with the Hawthorne's.
She caught, Gale's eye promising with her eyes that she would do everything in her power to bring Dean back as a Victor. Gale nodded with a grateful smile on his face.
Sia rushed towards Katniss, "You, have to bring him back Kat."
Katniss looked at her little butterfly in surprise, "I already told Gale I would." Freesia sighed relieved.
"But why is it important to you?" Katniss questioned curious.
Sia blushed, "I'm dating his younger brother." She said shyly towards her older sister. Katniss eyebrows lifted upwards in shock.
"Okay, I'll bring him back. But when I get back I'm meeting this twerp who thinks he can date my thirteen year old little butterfly." Katniss said fiercely.
Freesia Everdeen groaned, "Momma Kat-" her whine was cut off by the fiery look in Katniss' eyes.
Katniss smirked at her sister's compliance before kissing both of her cheeks and boarding the train.
Once, everyone was settled at the dinner table. Katniss started the conversation, "First, thing your prep teams aren't to be messed with. They have torture devices that will make you pretty for Capitol standards and if you complain the experience will be worse. With, me so far? Good, now I will be mentoring Dean and Haymitch will being mentoring Blair." Katniss said for the most part repeating her speech she made to the Winthrop's.
Dean looked surprised yet relieved.
"Him? B-b-but female mentors are supposed to mentor female tributes!" Blair protested her voice annoyingly high-pitched. Haymitch glared, at the Town girl holding his throbbing head.
"It doesn't always work that way, princess." Haymitch turned his glare at the now smirking Katniss, giving her the 'you-are-forcing-that-on-me-look'.
Katniss hides her snickers in her mug of hot coco.
The Opening Ceremony and training went off without a hitch. Everyone was gathered around for the releasing of the Gamemaker's Scores:
District One Tributes: Dazzle Williams-9 Emerald Mitchell-9
District Two Tributes: Kipp Greyson-10 Raine Graves-9
District Three Tributes: Bruce Quick-5 Emma Ames-3
District Four Tributes: Dane Nott-8 Shea Clearwater-10
District Five Tributes: Porter Myles-5 Willa Riggs-5
District Six Tributes: Rhett Tiff-4 Leah Quills-4
District Seven Tributes: Tucker Yiggs-6 Tinka Bridge-5
District Eight Tributes: Mikael Vargas-5 May Bixby-6
District Nine Tributes: Nom Watkins-5 Shrina Avery-5
District Ten Tributes: Ken Buster-5 Fawn Oats-6
District Eleven Tributes: Verves Fernson-7 Jewel Singers-6
District Twelve Tributes: Dean Rivers-9 Blair Ayers-4
Katniss smiled widely, catching everyone off guard.
"Congratulations, you two did very well" Katniss praised her tributes.
Blair scoffed, "You mean he did well! Which is all you care about right?" The plain blonde girl glared at the dark-haired beauty, but soon lost her courage after seeing the deadly fire in Katniss' grey eyes. Blair scampered off like a frightened animal.
Haymitch guffawed, "Making friends, wherever you go huh, Sweetheart?" Katniss rolled her eyes before throwing a knife right next to Haymitch's ear, the knife landing perfectly in the seam of the wall.
Haymitch looked at her in slight surprise, "Not the hand this time, Sweetheart?" He asked her dryly. Katniss smirked at him, getting ready to leave the room, and called over her shoulder.
"Got to keep you on your toes, Sugar." Haymitch's snickers' following her, along with everyone else's sighs of exasperation except for Dean who was staring at the knife in the wall bug-eyed.
The interviews once again happened the same way as last year; Blair played the bubbly angle while Dean stole the night he was likable, charming, and very funny. Katniss really hopes she can bring him back home to District 12.
Katniss was headed back towards her room after the interviews were over but was stopped by Haymitch.
She glared at his smirking form, "What do you want?"
Haymitch leered at her before answering, "Well, Sweetheart. It seems you're quite the popular topic of discussion amongst Victors and somehow you managed to not meet one Victor beside me while mentoring during the 71st Games. They're dying to meet you. God, knows why. You have the same amount of charm as a dead slug. Their interest is probably because of your rack, yes, most definitely your rack. Poor thing, you're gonna hate Snow's gift for your 16th. Come on, Sweetheart. Keep that dress on we have a Victor's party to attend." Haymitch rambled drunkenly. Katniss was practically whining like Sia did before the 72nd Games as they made their way to the Roof.
Haymitch wasn't aware of this but Katniss recognized every Victor there because after Katniss won her first Games she decided to watch every past Hunger Games as a way to prepare herself for life as a mentor. Gloss and Cashmere Hargrove from District 1 they were a brother and sister pair who won the 63rd and 64th Hunger Games respectively, at the age 18. Brutus Armstrong and Enobaria Byrne from District 2; He won the 46th at 18 while she won the 62nd at 18. Beetee Cantwell and Wiress Denning; He won the 38th at 17 while she won the 49th at 17. There, was Finnick Odair who won the 65th Hunger Games at 14 mostly due to sponsors sending him the most expensive weapon in Hunger Games History. If, only Sia or Prim were here they would be running up to him dying to meet the famous pretty boy. Katniss was surprised to see Annie Cresta (69th Victor at age 15) instead of Mags Fuller (Victor of 12th at age 17) as the female mentor of District Four. Jared Forks and Gemma Stine from District 5; He won the 47th at 18 and she won the 32nd at 15. Chasis Bosley and Bonnie Zeller from District Six they usually are known as the Morphlings. He won the 31st at 18 and she won the 33rd at 17. Blight Cooper and Johanna Mason from District 7; He won the 55th at 18 and she won the 68th at 15. Woof Brunner and Dawn Geller from District 8; He won the 18th at 17 and she won the 56th at 18. Kane Gilmore and Whelma Moore from District 9; He won the 54th at 17 and she won the 41st at 15. Knox Zeno and Yoko Newsome from District 10; He won the 44th at 17 and she won the 52nd at 18. Chaff Shelton and Seeder Fairbanks; He won the 45th at 16 and she won the 30th at 16.
"Well, Sweetheart. I brought you here like I promised them. Now, I'm gonna go grab something to drink. You go mingle" He smirked at her. She rolled her eyes, but before she left his sight he grabbed her wrist.
"Hey, Sweetheart. Don't forget to retract those claws." Haymitch smirked at her. Katniss glared at him, as his loud laughter brought everyone's attention towards them. Before she knew could process what was happening, Katniss' 5'8 frame was being tackled by a 5'4 green eyed red haired beauty.
Annie Cresta beamed up at the taller girl, "I'm so happy to meet you, Katniss. You're like a real-life superhero." Annie exclaimed like Prim did when Katniss finally could afford one of the fancy cakes from the bakery she adores. Katniss continued to look at her in shock. Finnick rushed over to them worry clear on his face,
"Annie, a little warning next time you decide to tackle someone." He scolded her gently, Annie just giggled at him. Finnick turned towards Katniss his anxious expression being replaced by a cocky smirk.
"Well, hello there gorgeous." He purred seductively at her. Katniss just frowned at him, skeptically.
"Don't frown, Hell Kat. Someone could be falling in love with your smile." Finnick smiled charmingly at her. Katniss just quirked an eyebrow at him before leaning in and whispering in his ear, her voice unknowingly husky.
"I'm sorry but was that supposed to dazzle me?" Katniss smirked before mischievously saying.
"I'm sure lines like that works wonders on women with less intellect but if you try something like that with me again and you'll find a knife at your throat, Fish Boy." She said with false sweetness. Katniss turned towards Annie, who was giggling like mad at Finnick's imitation of a fish. Katniss smiled warmly at her.
"It was nice meeting you, Annie". Katniss walked towards Seeder wanting to get to know the woman and maybe talk about Haulm. Finnick watched Katniss the rest of the evening as she talked to Seeder and Johanna with a dazed expression on his face. Annie giggled, and poked his side.
"Finnie's in love" Annie teased. He glared lightly at her but as she broke out in happy laughter he gave up any attempt at being annoyed with her. Since, she was the happiest he's seen her in a really long time.
The 73rd Hunger Games have begun, this year the arena was pretty much a desert with trees randomly thrown in. Dean dashed to the piles of items, grabbed a bag of knifes and axes plus a backpack. Before he could run off into the trees, he saw Blair get killed by Dane Knott from District Four in retaliation, Dean threw an ax at the Career's throat. Then he ran before anyone could catch him.
BOOM
BOOM
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Dean exhaled, as the canons stopped firing. He tried climbing up the tree, but eventually gave up.
"Why, couldn't I have freaky squirrel climbing skills like Katniss?" Dean grumbled frustrated that he would be so exposed at night. As if, to punish him for his comment a heavy parachute collided with his head.
"Ouch! Jeez, Katniss! It was a compliment!" He glared up at the sky, and then he suddenly snickered.
"Not even in the presence of the lovely Katniss Everdeen and she still manages to attack me with her claws." Dean opened the parachute to see a backpack full of water.
Dean smiled, "Alright, I am sorry for my childish remarks. You're a goddess, Katniss."
Dean started cutting down smaller trees then began moving them so he would be out of sight. He was done creating his hiding place by the time when the pictures of the dead tributes began showing.
Bruce Quick
District Three
Emma Ames
District Three
Dane Knott
District Four
Porter Myles
District Five
Willa Riggs
District Five
Rhett Tiff
District Six
Leah Quills
District Six
Shrina Avery
District Nine
Ken Buster
District Ten
Blair Ayers
District Twelve
Dean looked up at Blair's picture in remorse but closed his eyes with the hope somehow he will be able to make it home.
Katniss felt someone shake her roughly, she grabbed their wrist, straddled them while holding a knife to their throat. She groggily opened her eyes as she heard: Haymitch's, Chaff's & Johanna's snickers, and Annie's & Seeder's giggles. Once, Katniss was fully aware; She realized she never changed out of her dress and she was straddling the waist of a shell-shocked Finnick Odair. Even, though he had a knife against his throat and was extremely stunned by the fifteen year-old beauty's reaction to being woken up. Finnick couldn't keep the cocky smirk off his face nor could he help the lust filling his eyes.
"If this is how you greet everyone in the morning, I volunteer to be your personal wake up call." Finnick purred at her, while leering at her chest. Katniss felt a twitch against her thighs before she could react he continued while looking at the knife pointedly.
"So, knife at the throat wasn't an idle threat? Huh, little flower? Kinky." Finnick grinned rakishly. Katniss looked at him with shock and disgust as she definitely felt something poking her thigh. She leaped off him gracefully.
Katniss glared at him, "Keep it in your pants, Fish Boy"
Finnick smiled seductively at her "I would much rather be in your pants, Hell Kat." Katniss' glare intensified. Seeder, Johanna and Annie laughed before smacking Finnick. Seeder and Annie's smacks were light on his shoulder and chest. However, Katniss shot Johanna a grateful look as she hit Finnick hard against the back of his head.
"Ouch. Watch, the merchandise there, JoJo."
Johanna glared at him before scathingly saying, "That doesn't count as valuable merchandise, Fish Brains." Chaff and Haymitch continued to chuckle, before Haymitch remembered why they woke Katniss up in the first place.
"Come on, Sweetheart. The Gamemakers have something big planned, today. The final eight will happen soon" Katniss followed the drunks out but not before giving one final glare to Finnick who winked at her.
The next day was pretty uneventful for Dean. However, he assumed there was action going on elsewhere since the gamemakers left him alone. As if, to confirm his thoughts the Canon started firing.
BOOM
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"Final eight." Dean breathed out loud dumbfounded. He eagerly waits, nightfall to see who the fallen tributes were and who was still alive.
Tucker Yiggs
District Seven
Tinka Bridge
District Seven
Mikael Vargas
District Eight
May Bixby
District Eight
Nom Watkins
District Nine
Jewel Singers
District Eleven
"Five Careers, Girl from 10, and Boy from 11. Odds are certainly not in my favor." Dean chuckled darkly to himself before he went to sleep.
Dean was awoken with a loud BOOM; he looked around to find two rattlesnakes coming his way. He took out two knives and threw them at both snakes killing them instantly. As, Dean was in the process of calming himself down. He was startled, by the canon firing.
BOOM
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Dean let out a shaken sigh, "Three left, and they probably are all Careers waiting eagerly for my death. Oh. What. Fun." He drawled sarcastically. Dean looked at the night sky solemnly.
Dazzle Williams
District One
Raine Graves
District Two
Fawn Oates
District Ten
Verves Fernson
District Eleven
Dean Rivers smirked as he made his way to the Cornucopia, getting ready to finish this on his own terms. He spotted the female Career from District 1 on look-out duty as the other two Careers were asleep. Emerald Mitchell let out an ear-piercing scream as an ax came flying at her throat before she was finally silenced.
BOOM
However, unfortunately that alerted the last remaining Careers to Dean's presence. Kipp Greyson had an ax lodged in his head before he could make a move towards Dean.
BOOM
Shea Clearwater threw a spear at his chest, but Dean dodged it in enough time for it to only land in his shoulder. Dean let out a pained groan before throwing a knife at the Career's throat.
BOOM
Claudius Templesmith shouts rang out through the arena, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the Victor of the Seventy-Third Hunger Games, Dean Rivers — tribute of District Twelve!"
Annie tackled Katniss in a hug, "I am so happy Dean won!" Katniss looked at the woman baffled, her tribute had killed the other women's own tributes yet she was congratulating Katniss for bringing home a Victor? That made no sense to the fiery grey-eyed girl. Finnick seeing her confusion chuckled.
"Little Annie here has a crush on your boy" Finnick looked at Annie fondly as she her pale cheeks redden.
"He's really cute" Annie admitted shyly. Katniss smiled at her, with a smile she usually saves for her siblings.
"I'll introduce you two" Katniss promised warmly. Annie squealed happily.
"Really, Katniss?" Annie asked excitedly. Katniss' smile widens.
"Of course, Annie" Katniss said kindly. Annie's green eyes beamed at her with happiness. Finnick smiled at the two female Victors. Before, Katniss could leave he grabbed her hand.
"Thank you, Katniss. You just made her week." He thanked her sincerely.
Katniss uncomfortable with his gratitude shrugged it off by nonchalantly saying "Whatever, Fish Boy. You still never have a chance with me."
Finnick's chuckles sent shivers down her spine. "Never, say never, Hell Kat" His sea green eyes had a mischievous glint to them as he watched her walk away in a huff.
AN:Oh-la-la UST in the house now our Finnick is here :)
Rd, Enjoy, & Review!