A/N: Hello and allow me to welcome you back to the first Hunger Games story that I've written in a year, seven months, and six days. This is going to be a dark retelling of the revolution from another tribute's perspective. Certain chapters will have trigger warnings because there are going to be rape scenes—both written and implied—graphic deaths, drug, and alcohol use. Originally a rated M, but wasn't getting enough exposure, so I changed the rating.
And the usual disclaimer: aside from characters that I created, the base world and its characters belong to Suzanne Collins.
Last thing I remember as I was being pulled under the water is that I took a hit to the head. I thought that I was going to die, and I probably would have, but the head wound I suffered bought me some time. The mutts that were surrounding me got wiped out by the blast that came in when someone dropped the explosive. All the mutts got wiped out by the blast, and the shock wave woke me with a start. I take stock of my injuries as I swim back to the surface. I'm a stellar swimmer, but my dominant arm was damaged before I woke. One look at the wound and I can tell that it was left by a mutt.
I slowly swim back to the surface, all the while I'm looking for a ladder because I'm not climbing out of this with my damaged arm. I find a ladder and pull of the water myself out. I take stock of my situation as I'm climb/drag myself up the ladder. I look over my shoulders and see the fallout of the battle against the mutts. Bodies on both sides: all of the humans have either been mutilated or decapitated.
I was almost decapitated, but the blow to my head saved me. I thought as I rubbed the still fresh wound, but it had closed and begun to heal. I looked down at the water and see my reflection. My vision is a bit blurry, but I can make out some features. Tan skin and light brown hair. I continue to drag myself up the ladder, and when I finally get back onto the catwalk I roll over onto my back and close my eyes and drift off momentarily. I see scenes from my life: days spent in the Capitol as a slave. And days in the districts surviving and carrying on. I see three females: one is a teenager. Another is closer to my age, and the last one is a lot older than me. Way older. I can't make out their face, and before I can even attempt to figure it out, I wake with start. I look up the ladder that I had to climb next, and I see that open air exit.
Another ladder? Seriously? I thought, and then rolled off of my back.
After thirty minutes of climbing/dragging myself up another ladder I see that I was about one hundred yards from the exit, but I see that the group had trigger a pod on their way out. From what I can tell it looks like a meat grinder, or something akin to it. I didn't survive the sewers just to die here. The group may think I dead, and by proxy the Capitol will think I'm dead as well. I see a piece of rubble that from the floor that was destroyed when the pod had been activated, pick it up and throw it on the grinder.
When it hits, the pod activates again, destroying it. I look for another way around the pod. I find a work around and get to the exit after about twenty minutes. I see a supply closet and open it. I know the citizens of the Capitol well enough to know which uniform I can wear without attracting to much attention. I get changed and make my way top side.
I recognized the area the moment sunlight washes over me. I'm about thirty-five or forty blocks, give or take, from the Presidential Palace. I know there's a doctor nearby; I've used his services in the past and make my way there.
I don't have anything to hide my face, so I do my best to avoid making eye contact with people. People were out on the streets, a grand total of five. And they were content with keeping to themselves.
Fine by me. I thought.
I see my target insight when a patrol of Peacekeepers rounds the corner. I duck down a side alley and wait the patrol out. In the distance I can hear explosions, guns shots, and screams of the dying and those who have died.
"Hey." One of the Peacekeepers said.
I look over my shoulder and the patrol starts to make it way over to me. I slowly move deeper into the alley. Before I could get to far the patrol leaves, and I'm all alone in the alley. I walk back to the exit, scan to make sure I'm alone, and then head to my destination.
When I arrive, I knock on the door once, and then three times like I have done dozens of times over the past nine years.
"So, what brings the Darling of the Capitol to my door?" the man asked when he opened the door.
"You know I hate nick name, and you know why I'm here." I said.
"It seems that you need help removing the system that the Capitol put in. You know the drill." he said, brushing the wound on my forehead.
"That I do." I said, walking past him.
"What's the play?" he asked, shutting the door.
"Clean me, remove whatever you can, and do so before the rebels make it to the Presidential Palace." I said, from the bathroom.
"How about I pump your system and remove certain gizmos. And if we both survive this assault, I remove the Capitol hardware." he said.
As I step into the bathroom, my eyes start to focus and I can make out my features in the mirror: tall, athletic, and chiseled, with tanned skin, bronze hair, and especially stunning sea-green eyes.
"Is that doable…Finnick Odair?" he asked.
"Yes, it is doc." I said, and then turned the faucet on and splashed my face with water.