Together the four of them marched their way toward the station. None of them were in any hurry so the walk was slow and dreadful. Within time the decorated stage could be seen, microphone front and center. The crowds beginning their applause as they came into sight.
Every footstep up onto the stage felt heavy. Luce, Annie, and Mags all held hands together as they took their position on the right hand side. Finnick on the left, waving to a few people before bringing his hands together. Zachariah tapped on the microphone to make sure it was on before plastering a smile on his face, his voice cheerful as ever.
"Hello and welcome, to the 75th Hunger Games, the third Quarter Quell." More applause. "Without further ado let us start"
Gesturing to Finnick he leaned back into the mic, "For our male victor, Finnick Odair!"
Just as expected everyone erupted into cheers, the District favorite walking forward, waving his hand in the air to all. It was funny for Luce to see the change in him from normal, to the cocky pretty boy they all thought they knew and loved. Once the noise quieted down he moved over to a bowl with three pieces of paper. Papers that held their names, and only one would be chosen.
Luce swallowed hard as she looked between Mags and Annie. What if one of them was called? Could she handle being able to watch them suffer all over again? What if she was called herself? At least then she knew they would be safe, and perhaps this was her retribution. To face the demons head on once and for all.
Slowly Zachariah reached his hand inside, but before he could pull out a name, Luce stepped forward and raised her hand. Volunteering herself. Or was it sacrificing? Annie watched wide eyed at what the girl had done, along with Zachariah and many others in the crowd.
"Well it seems Lucetta Wynter has quickly volunteered!"
Another second of silence before everyone cheered, praises of her name heard amongst them. Finnick struggled to keep his grin as he watched her move to stand beside him.
"Well ladies and gentlemen here you have it. Your victors and tributes of District 4!" Zachariah clapped his hands along with the people. Finnick put a hand to Luce's back, his other hand waving once more. Luce put on her best fake smile she could and followed suit. Hand in the air, and waving to the people cheering them to their possible deaths.
Slowly the crowds dispersed and they were escorted away and toward the train. As reality set in she started to feel sick. There was no turning back now. They were going back. Back to the arena and people she hoped to never see again.
Finding a window seat she brought her knees to her chest and watched the scenery go by. Letting herself think on it, nothing seemed to make sense as to why they would make this decision. Why tell them that winning made them safe, when here and now it was far from the truth. Was the first time not enough for people?
Looking over she watched as Finnick made himself a drink. Zachariah was looking at himself in a mirror, and Mags who gave them no choice but to let her go with them, was sat and doing the same as her, watching.
Blinking out of her thoughts she noticed Finnick was now in front of her, a plate of food in his hand. "You'll need your strength"
Taking it and nodding in thanks she picked at the plate and starting taking a few bites. He sat next to her and started to eat from his own.
"He's right you know." Zachariah said as he closed his mirror and got up, walking over to them followed by Mags.
"With this being a Quarter Quell everything will be different. Your both going to need all the rest and strength you can get." he explained. "But before all of that. I just wanted to both to know that I am sorry.."
Luce and Finnick exchanged looks, caught off guard by his changed emotions.
"When we all heard the news that it would be victors going back. Many of us agreed that it was an unfair call. I would have said it earlier but spirits needed to be high for the reaping." He explained giving a more warm smile than the plastered grin he always gave in public.
They all thanked him before allowing him to get back to business. "Now back to the Quarter Quell. Everything will be new. The living quarters, training facility, and even the arena will be new. They want it all to be big."
Luce felt a ghostly shiver go down her arms as she paid close attention to his words. A squeeze of her hand made her look down to see Mags holding it, offering as much comfort as she could.
Finnick only shrugged, seeming more comfortable than one would have guessed him to be in current circumstances. "Well I'm sure it won't be any harder that it was before right? I mean we're basically hitting replay, and we already know the other victors, or at least I do."
Luce couldn't argue with him there. With all the extra time at the Capitol he spent, surely he had some friends from the other Districts. If there was a chance at having some allies, it would make surviving much easier for them.
Finishing her plate she set it down before noticing the Capitol start to come into view. She took a deep breath, never thinking she would end up back here for another fight to the death. Surely her mantra of Your Alive, Your Home, Your Safe wasn't going to work anymore. Since she was none of those things now. But she continued to work on her breathing knowing full well that Zachariah would have a fit if she showed up having a panic attack in front of dozens of people in their arrival.
Instead she focused on her emotions, and started to turn her fears into hate. Hate for the President and anyone else involved. Hate toward anyone who could watch the Games and enjoy what they saw.
She knew she could use this anger to fuel herself to do better this time. To be better prepared and look after herself. As well as Finnick. If these were going to be their last days together, then the least she could do to pay him back for these last couple of years would be to have the strength to protect him for once.
As the train came to a stop, everyone stood and prepared themselves. Luce took one last calming breath before the door slid open and they were met with a cheering crowd. Their fancy hair and clothes still as weird as last time. Finnick smiled at them as he gave some small talk while walking though them. Luce and Mags following right behind him. Their best smiles on and giving a short wave.
As they reached the elevator to take them up to their room she looked out at the scenery beyond the water. The way the sun reflected off was quite a sight.
Zachariah had been right. The rooms were indeed new this time, the extravagant lights and furniture throughout. Even though they lived in a career district, they still never had anything this expensive.
"Well at least it looks cozy." Finnick mused as he moved over to the couches. Having the rest of the night to themselves Luce decided to wander around and familiarize herself with the layout so she wouldn't get lost going down a wrong hallway. Bathrooms were easy, and the kitchen was an obvious find. Eventually down the end of the hall she found the bedrooms, all three next to each other.
Finding her way back to the living room she sat opposite of Finnick and Mags and ran a hand through her hair trying to take it all in and process her current feelings. The stress trying to worm its way to the surface but she did her best to keep it down and remain focused on the tasks in front of her.
Having nothing better to do she noticed the projector had files waiting to be watched. Her curious mind got the better of her and she clicked play on the remote, watching the screen come to life and showing all other Victors from today's reaping.
Some faces she could recall and place their names, others she had to look at the card attached to remember. It was a relief to know that the further down the list she went, the less intimidating the last few of them looked.
That's when she reached District 12. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. She paused the video and studied them, remembering the days she spent watching them during last years Games and how they made a fool of the Capitol. A move that saw them both as winners. Their resilience had made her proud that someone finally stood up to them. But as she thought on it more, she started to wonder. Was this what Snow had meant in his speech? "A reminder that even the strongest, cannot overcome the power of the Capitol."
Surely this wasn't connected. But what if it was? Was the President so offended that this was their punishment? More questions and feelings were brought to the surface as she came to this assumption. Becoming overwhelmed she quickly turned off the screen.
"Lucetta.." Finnick softly called out to her, having watched her the past few minutes. She composed herself the best she could as she glanced over to him.
"It's getting late. We have a big day tomorrow, should get some sleep." He suggest and she simply nodded in agreement.
Standing up she motioned a goodnight to both him and Mags before walking down to the bedrooms. She chose the closest one and closed the door behind her. Changing into sweatpants and a long sleeve she plopped down onto the bed and recalled the events of the day. How she was being held inside this small prison, only to be shoved into a larger one within days.
The giant bed made her feel small and alone as she curled up and tried to get comfortable enough to rest. But it was too quiet for her. No sounds of the ocean waves crashing in the distance. The voices in her head seeming louder than normal. It continued to build until she finally shoved her head into her blankets and let out one last cry. The final tears of a scared teen girl.
She continued to lay there until her eyes had run dry. Wiping at her cheeks she knew she had to be tough from here on out. She would do her best to get as far as she could, to make herself proud for once.
Unfortunately the tiredness she felt afterward still wasn't enough to sleep, so after what felt like hours she silently got up and tiptoed out of her room and across the way into Finnick's. What she didn't know was how he was all too familiar with the sound of a door opening late at night and knew what it meant. Peeking one eye open he gave a sleepy smile and shifted to one side of the bed.
"Come on" He mumbled into his pillow and as soon as he felt the dip in the bed he wrapped his arm around her and was instantly back asleep. Although he couldn't see it, she smiled to him in thanks. She knew she could never put into words how thankful she was for him and how patient and caring he was with her.
I guess that's what family does for each other, she thought.
With the weight of his arm around her and the warmth to her side, she closed her eyes and let the darkness consume her in a surprising twist of a dreamless night.