"Plot twist." I said.
"Finnick!" Mags said.
"Did I say that out loud?" I said, more of a statement than a question. I turned to Mags and said. "What? We were all thinking it."
"But most of us had the tact to keep it to ourselves." Mags said.
Over my left shoulder, I heard Orion whisper. "If he didn't say it, I would have."
"Not helping Orion." Mags said.
"What difference does it make? The crowd is reacting in the same way. Look and listen." I said.
The crowd around us was dead silent, and then wailing and crying started. The screens were dominated by both Katniss and Peeta, and Peeta's admission of his crush on Katniss just made this year's Hunger Games one to remember. After a moment, Caesar tries to reign in, and even asks if they should bring Katniss back, which went as you would expect, but Caesar said that Katniss' time was over. Peeta returned his seat, he remained standing as the other eleven contestants stood for the anthem, and then closing of the interviews.
S.D.D.
Two weeks, or longer, had passed and the Games had finally ended. Though it wasn't anything to write home about, but it was a first in the history of Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark were both crowned victors. I know that Snow is seething right now, I also know that Seneca Crane has been, or soon to be, executed for his blunder.
I'm standing on the curb waiting for my ride, most likely a continuation of my conversation with Zedo and Snow. Next thing I saw was a car with the Capitol seal on the door; so, I approached the curb as the car was pulling to stop. The door opens, I get in and close the door, and then the car drives off.
"What's the problem now?" I asked.
"You know what the problem is." Snow said.
"Why are we getting yelled at?" I asked.
"Because you two agreed that Katniss wasn't going to be a problem." Snow said.
"We did, and that was before she entered the arena." Zedo said.
"That's a cop out." Snow said.
"We don't have control of what happens when the gong rings, and you know it. If anybody needs to get screamed at its Seneca Crane." I said.
"Seneca has been dealt with." Snow said, flatly and nonchalantly.
There was a moment of silence, and then Zedo said. "That's very blunt of you."
"He's not kidding Doc. Seneca has already been executed." I said.
It took Zedo a moment, and then he said. "Oh, that's even better."
"You two should crawl back into whatever hole you were in and think about the consequences if this were to get out of hand." Snow said.
"Not to be a jerk, but why? We handle your dirty work here in the Capitol. What happens in the districts, let alone one that neither of us is associated with, is out of out jurisdiction." I said.
"Just know that things, bad things are going to happen, and I want you to remember that you didn't do anything to stop them from occurring. Driver, pull over." Snow said.
The car pulled over, abruptly, and Snow said. "Get out! Both of you!"
Zedo and I got out, and Snow slammed the door shut.
"What now?" I asked, as the car drove away.
"Nothing. We keep our heads down, and our eyes peeled." Zedo said, and then left.
I hail a cab back to the victor's dorm.
S.D.D.
The morning of Katniss and Peeta's final interview, Snow had silently and slowly shipping the victor's home. Most of the victors had been sent home during the night. We left at three o'clock in the morning, and at eleven o'clock we were pulling into station at District 4. We all filed out of the train, and into the waiting vehicles. I was getting looks from Mags the entire ride back to the village, and I gave the "Not now" look.
Five hours later, there was a knock at my door. I open it to see both Mags and Cinder standing on my porch. I did a quick scan of the area, and let them in.
"How bad was it?" Cinder asked, referring to the reaming that I received from Snow.
"It sucked, but there was nothing that I could do about it. Do either of you want tea?" I asked.
"Yes, please." Cinder said.
"That would be lovely." Mags said.
"Tea leaves are in the cupboard on the corner, grab whatever flavor you like." I said as I was grabbing the tea pot from under the counter.
I hear Mags and Cinder carry on small talk as I grab the tea pot and fill it with water. I turn the burner and set the pot on the burner and walk over to the island and ask. "You have my attention."
"What occurred after the completion of the games?" Mags asked.
"Well, Zedo and I got chewed out by Snow for misjudging the outcome of the games." I said.
"How is that your fault?" Mags asked.
"It isn't, it should have been Seneca Cranes' fault." Cinder said.
"Who has already been dealt with." I said.
There was a moment of silence, and then Cinder asked. "Dealt with?"
"Seneca is dead." Mags said.
"Okay, then why was Snow upset with you two?" Cinder asked.
"Because Katniss is in a very rare position to be a figure head, and a rallying cry for the districts." Mags said.
At that moment, Cinder and I had a serious scare. Mags went still for a moment, and then fell over. I moved fast enough to keep Mags from hitting her head.
"What's wrong? What's happening?" Cinder asked.
"I don't know. Call the doctor!" I said.
I Saw Cinder move over to the phone, pick up the receiver, and call the doctor. I checked Mags' vitals, and I was disturbed when I opened her eyes. Mags' right eye was fine, but her left eye was filled with blood. I let her eye close, and then held Mags tight until the doctor came. The doctor was there about ten minutes after Cinder called.
"We need one of you to come with us." The doctor said.
"I'll go, you inform the village." I said to Cinder.
"Sure, no problem." Cinder said.
Down at the doctor's office, I was pacing in an empty waiting room. I was waiting for an update on Mags' condition, which was over an hour ago. I heard the cash of thunder and looked outside to see lightning and that it was beginning to rain. The door opens behind me, and I turn to see slightly wet Cinder and Annie come walking in.
"Any…word…on her…condition?" Annie asked.
I saw Annie begin to space out, so I helped Annie into a chair, so the medical team does not have to take care of two patients.
At that moment, the door to the back opens and the doctor that brought Mags here walked out.
"Is she going to be…okay?" Annie asked standing up from the chair.
"Annie, please remain calm." I said.
"Tells us what happened." Cinder said.
"Mags suffered a stroke, but she will survive. It goes without saying that, for someone like Mags, I strongly recommend that she stays in bed for a while." The doctor said.
"Duly note." Cinder said.
"Gray." A nurse peaked through the door.
"If you'll excuse me." Gray said, and then went back to check on the situation.
"Before you ask, I highly doubt it." I said.
"How can you be so certain?" Cinder asked.
"Certain of what?" Annie asked.
"Cinder thinks that Snow might have had a hand in Mags suffering a stroke. While I can't say that he didn't have a hand in it, I also can't say that he did. And if he did, why? To punish me and Zedo? That's ballsy even for him." I said.
"Until we rule it out, we have to suspect Snow as well." Cinder said.
"We're going to keep Mags over night for observation and further testing." Gray said, entering the waiting room again.
"Call us if anything happens." Cinder said, and then the three of us left the clinic.
S.S.D.
The day Mags was to be discharged from the clinic; she suffered another stroke. The only problem was it was a massive stroke, and she was rushed into surgery. I was going to wait for any news on her condition, but I was called to the Capitol. That was four hours ago. Now I'm stepping off a hovercraft, wondering why my presence was required at this critical juncture, and if Snow had anything to do with Mags' stroke.
"This better be good." I said entering the library.
"Oh." Snow said.
"Mags has suffered multiple strokes, and I'm seriously considering you had a hand in it." I said.
"Seriously?" Snow asked.
"Come again." Zedo said.
"Your proof?" Snow asked.
"Punishment for not predicting the Games properly." I said.
"Coriolanus." Zedo said sternly.
"While you deserved to be punished, even I'm not that stupid to go after a victor directly." Snow said.
"You better hope she recovers." Zedo said.
"I said that I didn't have a hand in her suffering the stroke." Snow said.
"Onto the matter at hand." I said.
"There are rumors that of uprisings spreading across the districts." Snow said.
"What do you expect me to do about it?" I asked flatly.
"Nothing." Snow said.
"Seriously? You brought me here to tell me that? That should have been a phone call." I said flatly.
"It's not your responsibility seeing as how you did not provoke the districts." Snow said.
"Than why am I here?" I asked.
"There are reports that of sympathetic feelings among the Capitol citizens." Snow said.
"You know darn well that my escapades aren't going to doing anything for, or to them." I said.
"The mob is fickle. Some will forget about their leanings when tempted." Snow said.
"When?" I asked.
"I'll send for when I need you. Now leave us." Snow said.
I turn around and exit the library.
S.D.D.
Presidential Palace-
Six months later, I'm back at the palace walking into the library to be greeted by Scarlet. We hugged each other.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" I asked, after breaking the hug.
"Here's your list of people." Scarlet said, handing me a piece of paper.
"I'll get to it." I said, and the walked out.
S.D.D.
I had twelve people to sleep with, and I was done with it by the time Katniss and Peeta's Victory Tour was over. A lot of the women were talkers, not a lot of sexual action to speak of, and few were rowdy in bed. I remember a escaping a BDSM party at least twice. One time I was rescued by Scarlet, and I was in a very compromising position.
"Do I even want to know?" Scarlet asked, seeing me in a leather outfit.
"You are so much happier not knowing." I said.
"I'll take your word for it." She said, as we were approaching the car.
I opened the car door and held my hand out. "After you, my lady." I said.
"Thank you. You can change when we get back to Zedo's place." Scarlet said as she got into the vehicle.
"Oh goodie." I said, getting in and shutting the door.
S.D.D
District 4: Victors Village-
I get back at three o'clock in the morning, and as much as I want to go see Mags, I decide against it. I make my way home, and crawl into bed. I wake to the sound of banging on my door. I crawl out of bed and head downstairs.
"Yes." I said, when I opened the door.
"Where have you been?" Cinder asked, who was flanked by Annie.
"I was whisked away to the Capitol." I said, sarcastically.
"Did you have fun?" Annie asked.
"It wasn't a pleasure cruise." I said.
"So, you weren't on vacation?" Cinder asked.
"No. No I was not. How's Mags?" I asked.
"The guy in house four is looking after her. She hasn't had very many lucid moments since her stroke." Cinder said.
"I'll go say hi later. You two want tea." I asked, letting Cinder and Annie in and shutting the door.
"Yes, please." Annie said.
Cinder and I shared a look, and then Cinder's face contorted in disgust. "What is that smell?"
"I got back at three in the morning. Then you start banging on my door about… thirty minutes ago. You grab the tea leaves, I'll put the tea pot on to boil, and then I'll get clean up." I said, looking at the clock.
"You get in the shower; we'll prep the tea." Cinder said.
"Yes boss." I said, and then headed upstairs.
I'm getting in the shower when I hear the doorbell ring. I can hear voices, but I can't make out what they're saying. I take my time in the shower, no point in rushing. The news will be waiting for me when I get out of the shower.
Ten minutes later, I finished my shower and heading to my bedroom to get dressed. I'm heading downstairs to see a haggard Mags and the neighbor that was watching her in my living room.
"Hey Mags. How are you doing?" I asked.
"I…f…ne." Mags said.
"The multiple strokes have affected her speech, but I've been able to figure out what Mags is saying most of the time." The man said.
"I've spent enough time around drunkards in the Capitol to understand Mags perfectly." I said.
It was a lively affair, friends gathered around drinking tea, and telling stories. Later that day we rounded up the village and went to the beach. It was slow going, but we finally got to the beach and when we did we saw that it was empty.
"Time check." I said.
"We have four hours before the rest of the district starts to show up." Cinder said.
"Let's get this party going." I said, running to the ocean.
As I'm rough housing in the ocean I see Mags sitting with Annie and Ibiscus. Cinder went to join the women to converse about something, but I was tackled by one of the younger victors who won the Seventy-third games I remember correctly. When I broke the water, I heard Cinder say. "Hey Finnick, can you come here."
"Yeah, be right there." I said. To the young victor I said. "Nice tackle."
I made my way out of the ocean and over to the area where Mags was sitting. "What's up?" I asked when I approached the area.
Cinder tossed me a towel to dry off with.
"We were wondering how things are going in the Capitol." Annie asked.
"The mob is fickle and hasn't caught onto the fact that Katniss beat the Capitol at its own game. I don't think Katniss is aware of the heat that is coming her way." I said, as I finished drying off.
"Can you blame her? A girl that wears pretty dresses doesn't have the slightest clue what to do. Haymitch is probably coddling and holding her hand." Ibiscus said.
"I feel sorry for her." Annie said.
"Come on Annie. You can't be serious." Ibiscus said.
"I've…b…n aro…d her l…g enough. Annie…serious." Mags said.
"I mean let's be real about this. At best Katniss really did love Peeta and didn't want to live without him. At worst Katniss has no feelings for Peeta and used him to get out of trouble. That aside, Seneca put Katniss in a tight spot, forcing Katniss to take the only option she had available to her." I said.
"I think Katniss knew what she was doing and used Peeta to get out of her situation unharmed. Snow and his advisors are right to be mad." Ibiscus said.
"Only time will tell." Cinder said.
We spent the next hour talking about a lot of things, and at the two-hour mark we had a picnic. After the meal had been cleaned up, and the trash thrown out, we broke out the tabletop games and a few decks of cards.
Forty-five minutes later we hear Mags say. "He…e comes t… cr…d"
We turned to see the rest of the district was coming to the beach.
"We can stick it out or wrap it up." One of the older victors said.
"I'm game for getting out of here." Ibiscus said.
"Same here." Annie said.
"Let's get a move on it." I said.
We started to pack a up, which was slow going, and by the time we were leaving the beach was crowded. We made our way back to the village, but I was concerned for Mags; So, Annie and I made a stop by the clinic. It was a quick check, and then the three of us were off. We got back to the village by sundown, and there was a gathering at Cinder's place.