Chapter Six: Victory
Effie's POV
She was on the edge of her seat after hearing Seneca's announcement. She was surprised all three of their tributes made it this far into the games! She kept looking at Cinna then to the screen.
"She has a chance Cinna!" She beamed while bouncing a little. She was glued to the screen the entire time. Her heart was pounding now. She was praying so hard for Flora. She gasped a few times as the events were unfolding. The game had come to its endgame. The gamekeepers sure knew how to make the audience. She could feel her hands gripping her cup tightly. She was sure her cup would break. Haymitch seemed to be more focused on the game than actually drinking.
"They're gonna win." She kept hearing the others say. She had only hoped. They survived this far. They did underestimate Flora for sure. The young woman was strong. Effie had found herself praying under her breath everytime Flora had come on screen. For once, she was actually wanting a tribute to win the games. Every year she would just watch and cheer on the victor at the end. This time was much different. Now, she was actually hoping. She went with Haymitch to actually help and try to get them sponsors and they were successful in it. She felt proud of herself on that part. Effie was also worried about how the gamekeepers were going to end it this year. Hearing the mutts on screen, she gasped and covered her mouth. She was now standing up. The game was going to end soon. There was only one person left opposing them. She nearly screamed when Flora was taken down by Cato.
"Please be alive." Effie groaned lightly. Sighing a relief as Flora stood back up to fight again. Her heart couldn't handle much of this. She looked away from the screen. Her eyes were shut tightly. Hearing a cannon go off.
"Effie. They did it! They won!" Cinna's voice spoke. She looked back to the screen in time to see them sliding down.
"Attention tributes. Attention tributes. The rule from multiple victors has been revoked. Only one may be a victor. May the odds be ever in your favor." Seneca's voice boomed over the screen.
"What?!" Effie nearly screamed.
"Of course he did that! What did you expect, Effie?" Haymitch spoke while shaking his head. She was frowning as she sat down. Hearing Peeta tell Katniss to take the win. It looked like Flora had given up hope. Effie felt the hope ripped away from them. It was cruel what had just happened to them. She felt her eyes water.
"What's happening?" Effie asked as she watched them three hold berries in their hands. "No. Please don't!" She cried out while seeing the berries reach their mouth.
"Stop!" Seneca's voice rang. "Ladies and gentlemen. Your victors from the 74th annual Hunger Games!" He boomed. Effie screamed and jumped up and down. Her heart was swelling as all three of their tributes had won! Flora had won!
"Cinna! They won! They won! Let's go Haymitch! We have to go pick them up!" Effie nearly squealed as she nearly ran to the door. She was excited. She took a deep breath to compose herself. She was happy beyond anything. She would now have more time to get to know Flora. Her heart fluttered at the thought of that.
"Let's go get your girl." Cinna whispered at Effie as she blushed at this. She could only hope it would go well.
"Don't expect them to be all happy right now. Remember, they had to kill innocents to survive the game." Haymitch warned. Effie wasn't listening as she led the way out of the training hall. She could hear her heart beating in her ears. There they stood outside the center. Waiting for the car to drop them off.
"Tonight. We feast!" Effie beamed as Haymitch rolled his eyes.
"I am glad Katniss survived. I have so many outfits for her now." Cinna spoke with a smile. "And for Flora as well." He added as he had gotten a glare from her.
"They are here!" Haymitch spoke. Effie was beaming and then she frowned. She had never seen such a look upon someone's face.
End of POV
Flora was sitting next to Katniss on the hovercraft as Peeta was on her other side. They were holding hands. Flora sighed and put her head into her hands. She wanted to cry. They survived the game the Capitol threw them in. Flora felt her eyes sting as she was then grabbed and led off of the hovercraft and thrown into a car. She started shaking. She couldn't control it. It felt like she had lost it. She fought back the tears. The pain from her mouth was increasing. She coughed again as blood was coming from her through or was it from her teeth? They arrived at the training center. She saw them waiting for them. Or for Katniss and Peeta in their case. She watched Katniss and Peeta exit the car as she followed. She felt the side of her face. It was now swollen. Her eyes managed to let go of a few tears as it stained her cheek. She looked around. Hearing the crowd going insane with the cheering and chanting. Flora looked around and found them. Her eyes found the blue eyes of Effie's before looking to the side.
"Let's get you guys to the infirmary." He spoke while leading the way for them. Flora was silent while following Haymitch. She could feel a hand on her lower back. It was the gentle hand she knew so well.
"Flora Solstice. Follow me." One of the healers spoke. She followed her in silence. "On the bed please. Lay down." The healer instructed. Flora climbed onto the bed. Took off the jacket. Holding the pin in her hand as she laid down. Watching the curtain pulled around her bed for privacy. She watched the healer cut off her arena clothes. She was completely naked now. She felt her face flush as she was uncomfortable.
"Open your mouth." Another healer came. "You're okay. I'm a dentist." The other female healer spoke. Flora opened her mouth as she pulled out a weird silver device. Hearing a whirring sounds as her teeth began to numb and feel better.
"I repaired your teeth. They are like new now." The dentist spoke with a smile before leaving. The other healer had a larger device as she was moving it across her body. Healing any injuries she had. She felt completely healed but very hungry and tired. They had finished and she was given a simple outfit. Tight black pants, a gold tank top and flats. She slid off the bed and groaned lightly.
"Are you in pain? We examined you thoroughly." The healer spoke.
"I'm okay." Flora spoke as the curtain was pushed back. She saw Katniss standing with Haymitch and Cinna. Effie was also standing there. Flora's eyes were still looking down. She felt numb. Feeling someone grab her shoulder gently and was led away. They rode the elevator in silence.
"Let's get you three fed. You are getting your crowns tonight." Haymitch spoke.
"I hope they have some soup." Peeta spoke. Flora wanted to slap him. She heard a chuckle from Haymitch.
They had arrived at the penthouse they stayed in before the games. Flora quickly left for her room. Slamming the door shut and stripped off her clothes and went straight into the shower. Putting it on the hottest setting she could. She sat down, letting the water run. Then it came. She couldn't control it now. She let it out. All the tears that were held in. She was crying. The sound of water drowned out her sobbing. She held her face in her hands. Feeling her skin burn from the hot water. It was several minutes before she was able to compose herself. Scrubbing her skin of anything that was left over from the game. Any blood. Any dirt. Literally anything. She scrubbed her scalp raw as well. She then washed herself several times over. Emptying out the soap bottle. She didn't care how long she was there. She heard several knocks over the course of several minutes. She had finished and turned the shower off. She wrapped a towel around her body and used the machine to dry her hair. She stepped out to find Effie sitting on her bed holding what seemed like a simple white dress.
"Your coronation dress." Effie explained. Flora frowned at the sight of it. She gently took the dress and went back into the bathroom. Putting it on. She stepped back out and sighed. Still looking down.
"Come. Time to eat." Effie spoke as she left. She found the pin Effie had given her before she left. Gently putting it on near the edge of the v-neck part of her dress. Flora had put on under garments before following. She saw Katniss and Peeta already eating while in their outfits as well. They were also simple. Katniss had her mockingjay pin on the same part as her flower pin was. She sat down in the empty chair and listened to the others chatting. It seemed Katniss and Peeta were also silent.
"How do you live with it?" Peeta asked Haymitch.
"It gets easier over time." Haymitch replied.
"No, that's why you are drunk all the time." Katniss snapped. Flora flinched at this. She wasn't wrong. Maybe alcohol would numb everything she was feeling.
She finally started to eat. She didn't realize how hungry she was. She filled her plate with food before eating. She wanted to use her hands but for some reason, she wanted some control over herself after what had happened. She drank more apple juice. How she loved the taste of it and at least she was happy to taste this drink again. The meal was eaten in almost silence. Haymitch was talking about the game. The mistakes that were made and things they did correct. He was proud that all three of them had survived. Making history for the Hunger Games. Flora rolled her eyes at this. They only won together because they were giving the gamekeeper no choice.
"I want to talk to all three of you." Haymitch spoke as he left. He was going to the roof. Flora stood up and followed him up the stairs with the other two. Once outside, the windchimes were making music. Drowning any conversation they were about to have.
"The Capitol does not take lightly what you three did." Haymitch spoke. Flora raised a brow at him. "If Seneca had any sense in him, he would blow you sky high." Haymitch spoke.
"What do you mean?" Flora asked.
"Those berries were an act of rebellion." Haymitch spoke. Flora felt her heart beat rather fast at this. She didn't think of it that way.
"I just wanted to go home and see my sister again." Katniss spoke. "I didn't mean to start anything." She added.
"Tell the districts that. Now you have a part to play. All three of you. You are going to tell in the interview after the crowning and explain that you are madly in love and would rather die than not be with each other." Haymitch spoke while looking at Katniss and Peeta. Flora frowned at this.
"What about me?" She asked. Haymitch looked at her.
"Same thing. Though, we will need a different story for you. Perhaps, that you wanted to be an icon for the community." Haymitch spoke. Flora sighed. It wasn't good enough.
"Maybe I should have died then." Flora crossed her arms with a sigh.
"No. Because of you being alive, there is hope for the community. That love can conquer anything. The games included." Haymitch spoke.
"How? How can that happen since I have no lover?" Flora felt angry again.
"That people can survive a heart break. Katniss chose Peeta over you." Haymitch spoke. That felt like another slap in the face. Flora couldn't help but frown and looked away. She was looking down on the ground where there was a crowd of people cheering their new victors.
"Even a flower can be strong and overcome harsh environments." Haymitch added before they left to go downstairs. They were wanted for the coronation.
Effie had led them out of the training center since it was the last time they would be in there. After the coronation, they would go to a party and then board the train to head back home. Flora frowned. She had no home to go back to. The car ride over wasn't that long. She followed the other two and felt a hand on her lower back again. She was being guided blindly. She only followed where she was led. They came upon a balcony as Snow was there. She was handed a bouquet of white roses. These roses were tied together.
"Sit here." Effie guided Flora to a spot on the other side of Peeta. The crowd was cheering loudly all around. Flora looked past Snow and saw this is where they had the chariot parade. President Snow raised his hands to silence the crowd.
"Tonight! We crown our three victors from the Hunger Games!" His voice boomed over the crowd as it cheered again. Raised his hands. Silence again.
"Peeta Mellark! Victor of the 74th Hunger Games!" Snow shouted as Peeta's face was on the banners with fire burning behind him. Crowd cheered as Snow picked up a gold crown and placed it upon his head. The cheering died down.
"Katniss Everdeen! Victor of the 74th Hunger Games!" Snow shouted while picking up a different style of gold crown. The crowd cheered Katniss' face on the banners. Fire burning behind her. Crowd died down again. Snow had mentioned liking Katniss' pin in which she replied it's a token from district twelve.
"Flora Solstice. Victor of the 74th Hunger Games!" Snow shouted as he placed a different gold crown upon her head. Flora saw her face on the banners. This time, the banners were rainbow colors with flowers floating around. The crowd was chanting her name.
"Lovely pin." Snow spoke to her.
"Thank you. It's from the Capitol citizens." Flora spoke softly.
"They love you. You're an icon to them." Snow spoke. "Your Victors!" Snow shouted as they stood up together and moved towards the edge. Waving as the crowd went wild. They turned and left the area. It felt odd. Being cheered on for killing innocent children. Her heart was sad at this.
They rode in the car to another building. They were separated again as they each had their own room for changing. Effie had come into Flora's room.
"Here is your party dress! Come on, we don't have much time!" Effie spoke as she tugged at Flora's clothes. This caused Flora to blush but she did what she was told. Standing almost naked in front of Effie as she tried to cover herself up. Effie seemed unbothered by this and pulled the dress over Flora's head. It was another white dress. She was getting really tired of the color white.
"Is there anything but white?" Flora asked. She felt like the question might have annoyed Effie but to her surprise, it didn't.
"It's supposed to represent your innocence." Effie spoke. Flora raised a brow at that.
"I'm not innocent though." Flora frowned. After the games, she felt awful.
"My dear, you are underage!" Effie crossed her arms and then she realized what she meant. Flora had facepalmed at her own stupidity. That was not what she thought Effie had meant.
"Sorry." She spoke weakly.
"It's alright dear. Come. The finishing touches." Effie spoke as she did Flora's makeup. It was simple skin color makeup. Effie picked up a white rose and placed it into Flora's braided hair. She looked at herself in the mirror.
"You outdone yourself Effie." Flora spoke softly as Effie smiled at her before gently taking her wrist and led her out of the room. The party was supposed to celebrate the victory of the game. To help make them feel better about themselves. It was not something she was looking forward to. Hearing music and chattering as Katniss and Peeta were already out in the crowd. They were dancing together. Flora frowned at the sight and left to go to the table on the side. Getting herself a drink.
"Shall we dance?" A voice spoke. She turned to see Cinna offering his hand. She followed him onto the floor and sighed.
"I know you aren't feeling like yourself anymore. I promise you, time will make it easier." Cinna spoke. She frowned at him. They were doing a form of slow waltz.
"I don't know. I hate what I did in there." Flora spoke softly as Cinna nodded his head.
"I know. Just know that we are here for you three for every step of the way." He added. Her eyes trailed over to Katniss and Peeta again. "Alright. I am going to let you go. Someone else wants a dance with you." Cinna spoke. He left while handing her off to someone else. To her shock it was Effie. Effie gently held her waist and pulled her close for the dance.
"I am so proud of you three." Effie started the conversation.
"I'm not proud of myself." Flora sighed. This made the Capitol woman frown.
"I know. I just want you to know that." She spoke. Flora nodded her head. For some reason, she felt better near Effie. She had no idea why but the strawberry scent was a welcoming scent to her as well.
"Come. Time for the interview." Effie spoke while leading her away. Katniss and Peeta had followed them.
Flickerman was in his blue outfit as it matched his hair and lips. Flora was in yet a different type of dress. It was almost the same at Katniss. Peeta was in a white suit.
"That's when we realized that we saved each other." Katniss spoke while smiling at Peeta. The crowd bought it as they awed at them.
"And you Flora. You must be feeling heart broken from this." Caesar spoke. Flora only smiled at him. "Are you not upset?
"To a point, yes. I am but I also understand that they are happy together and that there is hope that I will find my happiness as well. They make each other happy and I am happy for my friends." Flora spoke.
"I couldn't say that better myself. Do you have any words for those who are like you out there?" He asked.
"Just be true to yourself. Love is love and it doesn't discriminate with age, race, or borders." She spoke. She realized that Effie was smiling at her while wiping her tears.
"That is very true. You are such an icon to many out there. Especially here in the Capitol!" Flickerman said the crowd cheered and nodded in agreement.
"Alright folks. That's all the time we have! Your victors from the 74th annual Hunger Games! Peeta, Katniss, and Flora!" His voice boomed as the crowd stood up clapping and cheering. The three of them bowed to the crowd before they were escorted off the stage to the train. Flora couldn't help but feel relieved to be on the train. It also felt odd. It felt odd being at the Capitol for a while only to be returning back to their district. Flora had found her room on the train and changed into her nightwear. Crawling into bed and sighed. She watched the moon in the sky as the stars danced. Then she heard it. An ear piercing scream. Katniss was screaming from the other room. It had started. The nightmares wasted no time to haunt them in their dreams. Flora thought it would be best not to sleep. She was scared to sleep. Scared to what her mind would tell her if she would find any kind of rest. The screaming stopped. Her body thought otherwise as she fell asleep.
Morning came quickly. They will be back later today. Flora had changed into a simple outfit she was given from the Capitol. Her gray dress was thrown away the day she arrived at the Capitol. She walked out of her compartment to find the others already at the dining table. Food was there but it was different food. It seemed like her favorite food. Blueberry pancakes. Chocolate chip muffins. Eggs. Bacon. It smelled good.
"Happy Birthday Flora." Peeta had spoken. It slapped her. She sat down and frowned. Then hearing a gasp.
"Flora you didn't say it's your birthday!" Effie looked hurt but smiled non the less.
"Yes. You don't live everyday to see your eighteenth birthday." Peeta spoke. Flora felt her shoulder squeezed.
"I wished I had known! I would have gotten you a gift!" Effie spoke before sitting down to pour herself coffee.
"Did you say she's eighteen?" The voice of Haymitch came. He smelt badly. He was drunk again. "Shouldn't have said that." He added. Flora raised a brow at him.
"You'll be invited to more parties here soon." Haymitch spoke.
"Why? Because I'm of age now?" Flora snapped.
"Young lady." Effie spoke in response to her snapping. Watching the Capitol woman drink her coffee. It felt odd. Being of age now.
"I shouldn't even be here." Flora spoke. Her hands in her lap. Balled into fists. Effie took her hand and squeezed it.
"You are here though and understand that you are a victor now. All three of you are." She spoke and left. Flora frowned at the loss of touch. Why was she feeling this way? She was frustrated. Why did Haymitch say that Peeta shouldn't have said her age? What was the meaning of the parties?
"Look! We're back!" Peeta shouted as he and Katniss ran to the window. Flora stayed in her seat. There was no one there to welcome her back. She looked down again and sighed.
They were standing at the Justice building again. Waving at the cheering crowd of district twelve. Prim was sitting on Gale's shoulders waving at Katniss who ran to them. Peeta had left to greet his family. Flora however left unnoticed. She headed down to the shop. She followed the path she knew so well. She stopped and saw the sight. The shop wasn't there anymore. It was nothing but ash. She frowned as her eyes stung at the sight.
"You don't live there anymore." Flora turned and saw the mayor. He handed her a key with a number on it.
"You live in Victor's Village now." He spoke as he left. Katniss had found her and dragged her alone.
"I'm sorry about your shop." Mrs. Everdeen spoke. "It was burned down by something unknown." She added. Flora didn't care anymore. She just wanted to be left alone. Haymitch and Effie were standing by the gates waiting for them.
"Welcome to your new home." Haymitch spoke as he led Katniss and her family to the house on their right. Peeta was on the left. Second on the left after Haymitch. Flora's house was second on the right after Katniss. She walked over to the house she now owned. Unlocking the door and going inside. The door was opened.
"It's lovely. Cozy." Effie's voice spoke. She heard the door close. The house was empty.
"Oh look! A phone!" Effie beamed as she wrote down her number and left it on the counter. "I have yours written down so I can call you from the Capitol!" Effie was in a cheerful moon. "Well, I have to take my leave. The train leaves soon." The colorful woman spoke. Flora nodded. It was fitting that Effie would return to her home in the Capitol.
"I shall see you again soon!" Effie spoke, touching Flora's chin to see her eyes. This was right before she was pulled into a tight hug. "I am so happy you survived." Effie added. Flora hugged Effie back tightly. Inhaling the strawberry scent before she pulled away. Effie gently patted Flora's cheeks before taking her leave. Flora sighed. She was alone in the house. It was empty but her. Maybe she was meant to be alone. She found a room and laid on the bed. Not knowing how long she was in it.
Abraham took isaac's hand
And led him to the lonesome hill
While his daughter hid and watched
She dared not breathe she was so still
Just as an angel cried for the slaughter
Abraham's daughter raised her voice
Then the angel asked her what her
Name was she said i have none
Then he asked how can this be
My father never gave me one
And when he saw her raised for the slaughter
Abraham's daughter raised her bow
How darest you child defy your father
You better let young Isaac go