Author's Note: We're here. Finally. Thirty-seven chapters in. Another longer chapter, but it's needed for this.
….
Bloodbath
The main screens came alive. The arena was in front of them. Laid bare across twelve screens in the Mentors' Centre. The Cornucopia surrounded by water with a beach leading into a thick jungle. A wheel with twelve spokes. Or maybe a clock. They would find out soon enough, before their friends in the arena anyway. A perfect circle, the Cornucopia in the centre with twelve spokes splitting the centre of the arena into segments. There would be two tributes per spoke, a direct race, if they could both swim.
And that would be a problem as many of the mentors shared concerned glances. How many among them could actually swim? Pools were few and far between and with many of the Victors' Villages situated on the outskirts of city centres, they were likely far from a natural source to try their hand at open water swimming.
District Four were at a distinct advantage and all the mentors knew that. Mags may be eighty, but she was an experienced swimmer with decades of practice behind her, and Finnick was Finnick. Everyone was aware of his talents.
Noah looked across the Mentors' Centre from his new station for District Eleven to Chloe and Coral, manning Four's station. They met eyes and nodded. Noah's spying had paid off. The arena had many of the features they were expecting. This was an arena Finnick could control.
Next to Noah, Haymitch took a sharp intake of breath and shook his head.
"The girl?" Noah asked. "Can she swim?"
Haymitch nodded and allowed Noah to pass on the message with just a look to his peers from Four. Chloe and Coral visibly relaxed.
"It's the boy," Haymitch started. "With that leg, he's not going to get anywhere easily. He couldn't swim before last year, never mind now. A merchant boy you see. Wouldn't have gone beyond the fence. And thick jungle too, it's going to be a lot of work."
"Finn will get to him," Noah replied.
"We'll need him to."
Across the room, Halley and Pluto were wrapped up in their own conversation.
"Do you think they'll figure it out?" Halley asked.
"They'll need to. It should be easy enough. I've told Beetee to keep his eyes on the time."
"I don't think he was thinking cryptically this morning, Pluto."
"He'll understand me well enough."
"As long as they stay out of trouble."
"He knows what to do. Get the wire and get clean away."
Their conversation was interrupted by Maria knocking her hand against the table and moving to stand in front of them all in her new role amongst the victors. Whilst Gem, Cleo, Pluto and Mona may be more senior victors, it was Maria who was to fall into a role akin to Mags' successor. The unifying presence and guiding hand across the victors who would sit in the Mentors' Centre and for those who would survive the Quell.
"The one person who we would all want to listen to this morning isn't here, so you've ended up with me," she began.
"We're all victors, mentors, we know what the Games are, and we know this is going to be the worst. Whatever happens in there, none of this is truly personal among us. We can still remain comfortable, at ease in each other's presence. Those of us who are friends can stay friends. Those we love like family, wherever they are, will remain family. Let's not hold grudges or pass judgement, because each of us has come out of there once and we know what it will take to come out of there again.
I'm not Mags. I never will be. I do things my way. But I know that she would have wanted me to say this. She will not want us to tear ourselves apart at this. So, even if you don't care for me, I know you respected Mags, as she does you. Let's hold ourselves together. Mags would want that, and we all owe it to ourselves and to our friends to do the job asked of us."
She was met with a murmuring of thanks and acknowledgements. Lyme could be overheard reiterating the message to her peers in the traditional career alliance about doing things in 'the Mags way' or 'the Orchard way'. Calm, and dignified, but also allowing themselves to feel what was to happen over the coming hours and days. She understood Maria's words and all of their meanings, even if most of those around her did not.
….
She was standing ready, having asked the stylist to leave her. She did not particularly want to be helped into the wetsuit, but with her limited mobility, Mags reluctantly accepted. She would have much rather Chloe and Coral had been there to help, but they were where they were needed, and she was where she was needed.
Now Mags stood alone. Her first time inside an arena of modern construction. She was about to step into the tube but had spent a moment reflecting on what had led them to this day. It was a multitude of emotions. Relief that it was finally happening, hope for a free District Four, combined with nervousness about the magnitude of the situation and questioning her role in it all. She had never thought that helping steer the victors to rebellion would lead them to this, the demise of so many in a Quarter Quell. But, Mags reminded herself, she was not a Gamemaker. This was not her decision. She was being used as a pawn as much as any of them, and if it worked for the best, if being a pawn was her destined role, it was a part she would play.
She did as she was told and stood inside the tube, jolting slightly as it immediately sealed around her, trapping her and preventing her from ever turning back. It was the arena now, where her fate would lie, where she would meet the end of her days.
As the tube started to rise, she knew it. Home. She could smell the salt water almost instantly, and feel the pull of the water that began to surround her. But it was hot. Too hot for even District Four. Reminding her that she was not in fact at home but in a hell she would constantly revisit if, by some miracle, she was able to escape. It would be a hell that young Finnick would have to live with from this moment on.
She stood as firm as she could on the plate, preparing for it to click into place as she was blinded by the sunlight. Artificially bright, creating a stifling heat that was not cooled by the water passing around her. It was disorientating. She could not see clearly at first and only as her eyes began to slowly adjust could she make out what was ahead of her.
The side of the Cornucopia, with the mouth primarily hidden from view. She could see part of what was available from where she was standing and tried to crane her neck to see what more there was. She found crates and bladed weapons. But her only intention was to find Finnick and allow him to find the Twelves.
She was able to make out a thick jungle, where they would no doubt have to head. It would be even warmer inside the thick of the trees and she could only imagine what other horrors they would face.
But that was not her task right now. She scanned around her, figuring out who was nearby. Across the water, she could just make out Finnick's form and watched as he waved to her. She smiled and raised her hand in response. A few spokes down from her stood Peeta Mellark and she watched as he twisted, turned and raised his head, no doubt attempting to find his girl. Katniss Everdeen would surely be at the completely opposite podium, their view of each other completely blocked by the Cornucopia. Haymitch would be prepared for this, and it will be no surprise for Finnick too. At least she had eyes on one of them.
She tuned in to the sounds of those nearby. She could hear Wiress sobbing, and a wail of pain escape Luna's mouth as she realised she would be facing another jungle. Adan's hands were shaking but Seeder looked at peace. The two locked eyes and smiled softly at each other, they understood what they were going to do.
Mags could hear Cashmere sigh, resigned to what she was going to have to do and Enobaria's eyes were steely focussed on the Cornucopia. Four's woman turned again to Peeta who was by now realising he was going to have to get into the water to reach the Cornucopia and his district partner. Mags doubted he could swim, and she did not like the way Barric was looking at Twelve's boy. That could be a problem.
She did not know if anyone would break down, lose control entirely or go rogue, acting contrary to Mags' expectations or the plans she knew so many of them had set out. They were victors, being thrown back into their worst nightmare, it was more than enough to trigger an unfortunate episode. It would be exactly what Snow wanted to see.
But Mags was determined to not give him the satisfaction. The arena was not her worst nightmare. The arena had made her a victor and had allowed Four's rebellion to blossom under her stead. It was the sight of her traumatic rebirth, a horrifying experience she would not deny, but one that shaped her life in a way she would not take back. So, the arena would take back what it gave her. She was born near the waters of Four, reignited in the fires of the arena, given a new life and a purpose that would surpass the importance of her own life, especially as she aged and her ties to those who truly needed her weakened. Now, this arena's water would put out the fire that was lit in the sands of its predecessor. Mags was ready.
….
"Her heart rate's fast. What's happening? Get it together girl!" Haymitch said quietly.
His words and the pulsing red line on Twelve's screen attracted Noah's attention, "Panic attack, flashback maybe? A year isn't long at all. Did this happen last year?"
"She was calmer last year. Maybe she's having one of her moments. But she seems to be getting it together now, getting her bearings. But she's breathing damn fast." He stopped to laugh for a moment, "And now she's figuring it out. Always the step behind. She can't see Peeta, obviously. He's completely opposite, behind the Cornucopia. No Gamemaker with Snow watching was going to put him in her sight. And of course, Brutus nearby and Gloss one spoke along. How brilliant," Haymitch rolled his eyes.
"She'll move quicker than Brutus," Noah offered.
"She should do if she gets herself together," he replied. "But look at Barric, what's he playing at, looking at the boy like that? I'm not liking this. Why wasn't he aware of this?"
"Oh, join the queue behind the rest of us who could wring his neck."
"Trinket will be having a fit, she'll have some words for Heavensbee."
"She's going to have to keep her head."
"I've told her that. And to expect Katniss to find herself near the careers, Brutus and Gloss perhaps, with Peeta nowhere to be seen. But not to anticipate Barric of all people causing problems."
"Trinket will just have to do her job, she's good at that," Noah confirmed.
"How are they?" Haymitch asked, looking to Eleven's screens where Chaff and Seeder were displayed.
"She's calm. He's laughing and swearing up a storm," Linden cut in. "None of them have checked the water or really addressed it though."
"What's the point? They've got to get in it to get away. It can't be that toxic. Besides, everything being poisonous was the trick for my year, they won't do that two Quells in a row."
….
The countdown had begun, and Brutus could hear it steadily ticking down as he surveyed the field. The water wouldn't be too noxious as they would all have to get in to escape, no matter whether they chose to run to the Cornucopia or away from the battle. But he mentally thanked Ember for her swimming coaching over the previous months, he would have struggled without her.
Twelve's girl was nearby, but he didn't know if she could swim. If she got away cleanly, he would let her, keep the audience waiting for the inevitable. If she floundered, he would leave her in his wake. Gloss was nearby too so Brutus wanted to show himself in a favourable light against a direct competitor, but also make sure he could play along with the team, for now at least. The others, he wasn't going to focus on too much.
He could see Woof and he remembered Cecelia's instructions. It would be the best way. Levi could be reached too. Poppy and Max would understand, and he thought Levi would welcome the end.
Ten seconds to go. He altered his stance, focussed on his entry into the water, just as Ember had advised if he found himself in this situation, controlled his breath and steadied himself. It was truly time. The gong sounded and he leapt into the water.
He met eyes with the girl as he reached the spoke just moments after she did. He held back for a moment and let her go, watching as she entered into a race with Gloss. Unfortunately, it was District One's victor who lost his footing. So, Brutus pulled himself out of the water and made a steady approach, holding back to allow Finnick to say something to the girl as he threw his trident into Hal's chest, as he initiated a surprise attack on Twelve's girl from behind. The first death of the Games. District Five's drunken, angry victor was killed by District Four's darling.
The pair took off and he finished his approach and found himself being joined by Enobaria and Cashmere who were surveying the weapons and taking their pick. The Cornucopia was full of weapons and only weapons. It was stifling and Brutus knew the humidity would become a problem but so far there was no sign of fresh water or even the most meagre food supply. They were going to have to venture into the jungle and potentially surrender control of the arena's centre.
They were all victors. They could not expect to have the Games all their way. Gloss was just finding this out as he staggered to the Cornucopia, stopping to remove Everdeen's arrow from his calf. He allowed Gloss a moment to collect himself, and gather his weapons of choice before directing them out. So far, he could see Mags making her way out of the water but most of the others were trapped on their podiums. They were going to have to pick them off.
Brutus decided to move in Woof's direction. It would be the most difficult job and he needed to get it done. He could see the old man struggling, clearly figuring out his predicament and trying to find a way to get into the water, before ultimately falling in. He did not want to frighten the old man, so he approached like a friend and brought the man into a hug. He felt Woof fall into him, wrapping his arms around his back as he brought his own to Woof's neck. It was done. Brutus felt sick.
….
Seeder couldn't swim. She was trapped, along with so many of the others. She watched Haymitch's girl dive gracefully into the water. Somehow, she had learnt how to swim. She knew one of Four's victors had tried to teach Haymitch previously, so she had no idea how the girl had managed to learn, having only left Twelve on three occasions, none of them exactly creating the opportunity to learn to swim so well.
Her heart almost stopped as she saw Hal approach from the side. It could have been over so quickly. Before they had even begun, and then they would be done for. Thirteen would pull out and leave them. Thankfully, whatever Finnick said to her worked and Seeder watched with relief as the pair left together, hopefully, to find Mags and Peeta.
All of a sudden, Seeder watched as Beetee clumsily fell into the water, his arms flailing until he managed to steady himself. Perhaps there was a way. Beetee couldn't swim but he had managed to keep himself afloat and begin paddling towards the nearest spoke until he could run.
It must be something they were wearing, the belt around their waists perhaps, as other tributes had now begun to make their way across slowly too. So, she decided to join them and carefully made her way into the water.
The water was unsurprisingly warm, so she felt no shock as she too tried to steady herself and float her way towards the nearest spoke. As she began to pull herself up onto her feet, Seeder felt her age. The heat, trying to keep afloat and now pulling herself to standing whilst shaking off the excess water had made her realise she was truly no longer eighteen.
She watched as Brutus made his way from the podium where she realised Levi had been standing just moments ago, knife in hand. She knew what had happened and did not need to see anymore. Her attention was immediately taken by Beetee running towards the centre of the Cornucopia and unknowingly into the path of Enobaria.
Johanna Mason had realised too and was, until that point, making her way back from the Cornucopia, axes in hand and towards where Seeder hoped Blight and Wiress were standing. But she had realised the imminent danger and charged towards the pair. Seeder joined her, not wanting to leave Seven's victor in this predicament alone, sighing as she realised that Brutus was also racing to join them. The Twos had obviously agreed that District Three were a threat.
Beetee took a knife to the back, thrown by one of Enobaria's knives that had landed just off course, distracted by Johanna's approach. Seeder tried to speed up, to reach them quickly and get Beetee and Johanna to safety but from nowhere she found Brutus in front of her. She stopped and looked the man in the eyes. He met her eyes too.
"You're going to make me," Brutus said.
"So Johanna and Beetee can get away," Seeder started but she was cut off by the sound of Johanna screaming at Enobaria and throwing an axe in her direction. She missed but it gave an obviously injured Beetee a chance to get away, all whilst clutching tightly onto a coil of wire.
"Looks like he has, at least," Brutus said whilst Johanna continued to antagonise Enobaria.
Seeder tried to step around Brutus to assist the younger woman, but Brutus followed her and stopped her in her tracks, stepping closer to meet her.
"Seeder, run!" she heard Chaff shout and she hoped he would follow his own advice and get away cleanly.
It was too late for her. Brutus took hold of her, and she tried to wrestle her arms free, "Go on then, they've got away, they're much more important than me. I'm ready."
She flung her arms free as Brutus' hands clasped around her neck and she felt herself being pulled in tight. Too tight. Then her eyes went black, and the world ended.
….
It was chaos inside the Mentor's Centre. Porter was crying and questioning why Hal had chosen the route he had all whilst being comforted by Chloe who was apologising on behalf of Finnick. Luxor did not understand why. He was not about to apologise as Gloss drove his sword into Maizey as she screamed for Barric, not realising that he too had been killed at the hands of a frantic, desperate boy from Twelve after beginning an ill-advised fight. Twelve's boy was strong and determined. He was also some years younger than Nine's man.
But Luxor could understand the animosity in Mona's eyes as she stared at Haymitch who just shook his head and sighed in relief. That boy had seemingly endless chances. Some people were simply lucky. But Luxor was determined for Twelve's luck to run out and he was desperate for District One to play a part in their downfall. He had seen how Haymitch's victory had brought his home, and the Village, so much turmoil after the loss of Tanzanite's daughter, and he wanted to right wrongs.
He knew it was not a feeling shared among all his peers and he watched bewildered as Gem cautiously approached Maria after Cashmere had killed Charo. He had never understood their friendship. What had District One got to do with District Ten? Cashmere certainly knew the answer was nothing as she retreated from Charo's body without a second thought. But there was no doubt she heard Adan's pained screams or Johanna Mason in retreat with Blight and District Three's tributes, for some strange reason, screaming at the man from Ten to run. Adan took her advice. Luxor did not understand why the woman from Seven felt an affinity with Ten's man either.
Gem slowly approached a sobbing Maria with her arms outstretched whispering her apologies before pulling her friend in close, the two holding onto each other as the fighting continued.
….
They had all adjusted to Cotton's crying as background noise since the moment Woof died. The room instantly felt heavy at that moment, but they continued watching on. Halley was gripping tightly onto Pluto's hand once more, having reverted from rubbing his back as he vomited as Beetee took a knife to the back.
Reassured that Mags and Finnick were momentarily safe, Coral had taken over mopping Pluto's brow as the man moaned about his embarrassment, to which his friends tried to reassure him it was nothing nobody hadn't done before. Coral too was fixated on her friend's injury and how he was going to make it to the end when he would be needed most, but she was not going to voice her concerns to Three's victors. Beetee had the wire and he and Wiress were alive in the company of Johanna and Blight, Seven's man managing an uneventful escape from the Cornucopia amongst the carnage.
But Halley was soon distracted as Cecelia made her way to the Cornucopia. Gloss, Cashmere and Brutus were all distracted with their own targets or selecting more weapons, but Enobaria had spotted Eight's woman.
"No, no, no, please no," Halley found herself chanting. She could hear her pleas echo in Poppy's voice as the pair focussed on their dear friend's plight. She was unable to escape in time with Finnick, but they knew she had noted the direction the four had ventured off and would do all she could to catch up.
But now there was a problem. Enobaria lay in wait, watching as Cecelia picked a knife of her own before attacking from behind, biting her in the back of the neck, catching Cecelia off guard. The two women began fighting, knife meeting knife, clawing at each other, both losing their balance before Enobaria's knife met Cecelia's throat and both of District Eight's tributes were dead.
Halley and Poppy's cries were soon drowned out by a guttural wail from Cotton that preceded her screaming. Now Eight's sole surviving victor, Cotton screamed out for Cecelia, for her mentor to return, to not leave her alone and for Woof to help her. Instead, she was met by a tearful Poppy and Halley who tried to hold the woman as she fell to the floor and continued screaming.
The cries grew louder and louder, by now putting some of the other victors on edge. Max was flinching and Liev visibly tensing, so the two women tried to lift Cotton from the floor and onto a sofa away from the screens. But Cotton lashed out, hitting and scratching as they tried to assist. Neither of them had helped Cecelia in a breakdown as bad as this so they were soon overwhelmed and at a loss of how to help. Cotton was not in a state to listen to them. They had no idea how Cecelia had coped alone.
It was Linden, who, having seen that Chaff was not in imminent danger, remembered the sedatives that Cecelia had provided them with. He moved around the three women and coaxed one of Cotton's arms free from Poppy and swiftly injected the sedative into Eight's victor. It took a few moments, during which Poppy and Halley continued to wrestle with the screaming woman before she fell back into Linden's arms, and they managed to move her to one of the sofas as she fell unconscious.
Poppy and Halley took hold of each other and cried for the friend they had lost and the piece of hope she had taken with her. They cried for the children, for her husband, for Cotton's sadness and shared their pain. Linden sat alongside them, at Cotton's feet, in silence and rested his hand on Poppy's shoulder in silent support.
The devastation caused in a matter of moments had taken hold of the Mentor's Centre. What started as silence had descended into chaos with screaming, crying and the sound of fists slamming onto tables in amongst quiet, uncomfortable chatter.
They had been broken, their bonds were being tested to the extreme and still, there was so much work to do. Their number had been depleted in one of the most shocking events in Hunger Games history and there were more games to play. They knew they would need to gather themselves and resume their composed image but now was a moment to feel the losses they were experiencing, to allow the pain and sorrow to encompass them as they felt the loss of their friends so greatly.
It was the beginning of the end for them all. No longer would they exist as they had exactly one year ago. Their destruction would be a turning point and for those who knew what was about to unfold, it was their responsibility to make those sacrifices worthwhile.
