The Seventy-first Hunger Games gave no victor to District Four, but to District Seven.
A seventeen-year-old girl, Johanna Mason, won by playing innocent. It was an outstanding act, which everyone fell for the moment they saw her leaving the Justice Building, crying her eyes out. It turned out she was the deadliest and fiercest tribute of them all.
After the Games were over, Annie got back to District Four, her mental stability having taken a turn for the worse. Nobody thought it could be possible, but they were mistaken. Annie laughed at odd times, covered her ears with her hands, and cried for no reason while staring at the pale blue walls. They could only watch, powerless, since they had no way of helping.
One day, just after having a loud nightmare, Theo ran out of their victor's house, still wearing his pyjamas. Gianna and their father stayed behind to look after Annie, while Olive went after him. Once in the market, she lost Theo. She searched for long minutes, asking every passer-by, until she found him, trying to convince Angel of something.
Forgetting about the older girl, Olive ran up to Theo and engulfed him in her arms. She inquired him about the reason he had left without a word, receiving a concise answer, saying that they needed Angel to help Annie.
Olive did not doubt Theo's words, though her mind urged her to. There was a strange gleam in her brother's eyes that she had only seen once before. A determination that she remembered only one person to have many years ago; their mother.
"I'll help," said Angel in a decisive tone. "In any way I can."
That day, it was the first time in months for the Cresta family to see Annie smile genuinely. It only hurt them that the smile was directed at someone else that wasn't them. However, as long as Angel helped Annie, they voiced no complaints.
The two would often be found in a corner, Angel whispering reassuring words to Annie, who would bury her head in Angel's neck. With time, Angel became part of the family, just like Finnick. They would visit regularly, stay for dinner or supper, and sometimes spend the night with the four siblings in the living room.
There was a silent agreement between the non-victors in the family. Just like Angel kept Annie stable, Finnick did the same for Olive, but more subtly. No brighter smile had been seen from Olive than when she talked to Finnick.
"Mum was right, love's very powerful," realised Gianna, watching the two unofficial couples chat during one of their sleepovers.
No sooner had the family got used to their new lifestyle than the Annual Visits came. Each victor had five invitations. The first one, the only celebration they would attend together, was for Snow's granddaughter's birthday.
Olive, Annie, and Ron had invitations to two parties that they would attend together with the eldest victors, while Librae and Finnick only shared a single party in common, apart from the birthday. They would be required to attend the remainder alone, and those who had specific deals would have to carry out their duties.
During the week of anticipation, until they had to leave, Victor's Village became gloomier than ever. Rhett and Clem would often check up on Ron and Librae, whereas Mags and Muscida would pay regular visits to the youngest victors.
Reassuring words did not prepare anyone for what they knew was waiting for them in the Capitol. Much less when, in the train towards the Capitol, they saw District Four, slowly banishing in the distance. It was a hypnotic sight for Olive, who held Annie close to her chest, her arms around her twin's waist.
"It'll be fine," Librae promised them, though Olive was sure her once mentor hadn't the slightest idea of what could happen during their stay.
"Big, big, big news!" Piscia exclaimed excitedly, entering the restaurant car where all victors had gathered to eat supper. "You won't believe it!"
"What is it, Piscia?" asked Librae tiredly.
"It's the poor new victor. That poor girl." Piscia sat between Mags and Muscida, who looked at the escort expectantly, just like the others. "There was an accident in District Seven, and her entire family was caught in it."
Finnick and Olive immediately locked eyes, knowing the reality behind the supposed accident. Something had happened with President Snow, more than just refusing a deal. If not, why kill her entire family instead of just a member or two?
"The poor thing." Piscia sighed.
"Many people lose members of their family every year," said Librae defensively. "I'm sorry for her, but may I remind you that her family almost lost her too just six months ago?"
Piscia frowned, her eyes landing on Librae's, which almost seemed to have a glowing flame in their darkness. "Are you suggesting that we shouldn't care?"
"I'm saying she's a victor," answered Librae. "She doesn't need pity now, of all times."
"What does she need, then? She's seventeen, Librae!" Piscia argued.
"She was still seventeen when she was chosen to go fight for her life in the Arena, Piscia!" shouted Librae, slamming her hand on the table as she got up from her seat. "And you were fine with it back then, weren't you? Why's her age any different now? Because she's a victor? Because now you care if she lives or dies? Huh? Come on, Piscia, tell me. What's changed in these six months?"
Ron got up from his seat, resting a hand on Librae's back carefully. He rubbed her back, not saying a thing, until she breathed in and out, her eyes travelling to him with an almost apologetic look.
"That's OK," said Ron while still rubbing her back comfortingly. "Let's go to bed, alright? I'll walk you to your room."
Librae nodded softly, muttering a quick "Goodbye" to the rest before she let Ron guide her out of the restaurant car.
Rhett sighed loudly, resting his head on Clem's shoulder for comfort. The small chatter they had before Piscia's announcement could not be brought back, not after that scene.
"What does she mean, 'what's changed', I mean . . . she's a victor . . . that . . ."
The only good side of the situation was that Piscia seemed to be thinking deeply about the argument. Or at least she tried to with the little empathy capacity she had from having been brought up as a Capitol person.
"Librae's right," Muscida said, sipping the wine in her glass. "Face it, Piscia. Only one thing has changed in these six months. The title of the girl. She went from a girl from the districts to a victor. Why else would you ever care about her?" She paused, getting up from the table to walk away too.
"Why else would you care about any of us?"
Those words left Piscia star-struck. Even as everyone slowly walked away to their own compartments, the escort didn't move. Her eyes were glued to the golden plates and the expensive decorations. A different gleam from the usual pure excitement formed in her eyes.
"Olive, Annie, we should go, too," said Finnick, getting up from the table. "It's late."
Without a doubt, Olive got up, holding her sister's hand as they left the restaurant car. She glanced at Piscia one last time before the door closed behind them. The escort was now alone in the room, but she didn't seem to notice. A single tear had left Piscia's eyes and stopped on her quivering lips.
"Liv?" Finnick muttered, placing a hand on her back to check on her.
"I'm OK," she assured. "Let's just go to my room, or yours. Either is fine."
Annie chose for them, entering Olive's room without thinking twice. The three sat on the bed, enjoying the other's company silently. Annie lay down on the bed, her head on Olive's lap. Meanwhile, Finnick, who sat on the opposite side, rested his head on top of Olive's, his arms around her waist.
"She'll be at President Snow's party, won't she? The new victor, I mean," asked Olive.
"Yeah," Finnick answered. "Her Victor Tour ends today in the Capitol, but it coincidentally overlapped with his granddaughter's birthday, so I guess she has to stay one more day."
"I'm sorry for her," she mumbled, a chuckle escaping her lips. "Judging by her attitude in the Games, she would hate me if I told her that."
"What? You want to befriend her?"
"She lost her entire family." Olive raised a hand to stroke Finnick's hair, while the other did the same to her sister. "I think she could use someone to rely on, or just . . . yell with."
"Well, as long as she doesn't take you away from me," he said with a soft laugh.
"Nothing could do that," intervened Annie, which surprised both Olive and Finnick.
"Just like nothing can get you away from Angel?" Olive teased, while Finnick raised his eyebrows mockingly at Annie.
Annie smacked Olive's hand lightly, her lips curving into a soft smile. The three laughed, spending the evening talking until the clock on the bedside table struck midnight. Annie was fast asleep, and Finnick was faking to be sleeping, but Olive couldn't bring herself to close her eyes.
She slid the covers off of her, trying not to make much noise or movement, to not wake her sister up, and walked into the bathroom. Despite the lights being a pale orange colour, Olive had to shield her eyes for a second, the change of brightness from one room to another blinding her momentarily.
The bathroom mirror was enormous, perhaps even bigger than the one back at her victor's house. She could see herself perfectly. Finally, her reflection coordinated with the image she had of herself. Perhaps not perfect, as the transition wasn't over yet, but definitely a step closer than a year ago.
Olive had to admit — a thinner waist, wider hips, longer hair, and chest growing — it all felt strange. Every time she looked at herself, she just expected to see her boy version, who she had been for seventeen years, almost eighteen. The one who everyone in the Capitol knew.
Compared to him, she looked weaker. It was a good thing she hadn't transitioned before her Games. Even if strength hadn't been part of the main reasons keeping her alive, she doubted she could pull an act like District Seven's new victor.
A hand ran through her hair, trying to smooth it down, while an arm wrapped itself around her waist. It was no secret who the intruder was, much less since she saw him through the mirror.
"Can't sleep?" asked Finnick, rubbing his eyes on her shoulder.
"No, I'm guessing you can't either," Olive replied, turning her head to look into his eyes, which didn't have their usual gleam. "Is everything alright?"
"Scared," he said. "Not just for me."
"I know." Olive smiled at him. "But we'll be fine, so you have to concentrate on yourself, alright? I want you to only worry about yourself until we're back to Four."
His eyes got stuck on her, their usual gleam springing back to life. "I can't promise much."
"Then, don't." Olive raised her head slightly, leaving close to no space between their faces. "Just promise to try your best."
Their foreheads touched, followed by their noses. As if in a trance, both stared at each other, the rest of the world becoming unimportant. Only when Finnick took a step back, did their eyes blink their daze away.
"Liv, I—" Finnick doubted. "If we continue like this, I'll end up kissing you."
"Can't stay away from me, Finn?" Olive asked teasingly, taking a step closer to regain their previous closeness. "How can you be such an idiot not to notice?"
"Hey—"
Pulling him down by his shirt, Olive pressed their lips together, stopping Finnick from voicing any complaint. She separated their lips after a couple of seconds, but was pulled in before she could say a thing.
The lack of air reaching their lungs forced them to pull back, their foreheads meeting once again as they stared at each other with ragged breaths and soft smiles. Olive repressed the urge to giggle, though not trying to control her grin at all.
"Was it so bad kissing me, eh, Finn?" Olive teased, her smile growing wider as she saw a small blush growing on Finnick's cheeks.
"Actually, no," he said. "Although you did not ask for my consent."
"Neither did you when you kissed me back," she pointed out.
"Well, I figured since you had already kissed me, you had already consented." Finnick put both his arms around her waist, holding his hands together on her back. "I'm sorry. I'll be more thoughtful next time."
"Next time, huh?" Olive wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're thinking about the next time already?"
"Well, honey, it looks like 'next time' is in about five seconds," he said, their noses touching.
"I'll consent to that."
"So will I."
Olive and Annie stood side by side, practically glued to one another, as unknown people appeared out of nowhere to introduce themselves to them. President Snow's party was filled with people all around, from victors to Capitol officials.
"Well, If it isn't the crazy twins." A young girl's voice appeared behind them, making the Capitol people around them dissipate. "Crazy Twin One, how nice to see you, wearing a dress and all. So cute."
"Johanna Mason, right?" Olive asked, getting a mocking nod as an answer. Somehow, the girl reminded her of one of the characters from her mother's stories. "He'll pay for it. One day."
Johanna chuckled bitterly, sparing a glance at the twin's intertwined arms. "Yeah? And for now, what?"
"You keep that anger inside you, so when you have to blow up, it won't be wasted," Olive smirked, watching as Johanna slowly did the same. She extended her hand. "Olive Navin Cresta, but you can keep calling me Crazy Twin One if you want."
"I'll take you up on that." Johanna shook her hand firmly. "So, Olive, what did he do for you to keep your anger inside, huh?"
Olive let go of Annie for a second, though her twin kept a tight grip on her dress, to approach Johanna. "He messed with my family, and that's something I don't forget, nor forgive."
The new victor took a single step back, the smirk not disappearing from her face as she saw Olive going back to Annie, their arms wrapping themselves around each other one more time.
"That's obvious," Johanna muttered to herself. "So, what do people around here do during these boring parties?"
Motioning with her head towards the food stands, Olive smiled at Johanna. "Eat, but don't drink anything they give you. It'll make you vomit everything back out. It's sickening, really. They make it, so they can keep eating more."
"As if they would die from not stuffing themselves with food for a day," growled Johanna in a low tone.
"I know, right?"