Chapter 57: Cruel to be Kind

As Sera tied the last ribbon around one of the bouquets, Finnick broke the silence. "Are you heading back to Five today?" He inquired, hopeful that they'd take the same train back for the evening.

Sera glanced up, meeting his gaze in the reflection of the mirror. "No. I have a few schedules." She replied, her fingers weaving through the flowers.

He tousled his hair and changed the topic. "What about tonight? You're free?"

She smiled wearily. "Unfortunately no, I'll be accompanying President Snow at the crowning ceremony."

Finnick's expression shifted, a mixture of wariness and concern creasing his brow. "Was that your idea?"

Sera's hands paused in their delicate dance with the flowers. She turned to face him, and for a moment, the air in the room felt heavier. "No," She admitted, her voice quiet but resolute. "It wasn't my idea."

"Snow ordered you." It wasn't a question, but more of a realization. "Probably trying to dull the impact of two victors. We've never had two."

"I don't see how inviting a third is going to help bury those two."

"Who knows?" He shrugged and grabbed his shirt, slipping it on. "Maybe he'll try pairing you with someone." His smile was there, but beneath the surface, a hint of hurt lingered, as if the mere idea burned him.

She snorted. "Yeah, that's a great idea."

"You think?" He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Obviously, no." She shook her head and turned to look at him. "It's a stupid idea. He decides to put it into action and everyone—and I mean everyone would know it's not real. I've hardly ever been rumored to be with anyone."

"Apart from me—"

"—Which was funny thinking about it now—"

"—Because you didn't love me or even like me back then at all."

"Can you blame me?" She tilted her head to the side and gave him a pointed look. "You were kind of a stalker."

"I was trying to be friends."

"By stalking me?"

Rising from the bed, he came straight towards, stopping right in front of her. "I was trying to apologize for the whole elevator thing." He pointed out, pouting and Sera rolled her eyes. She buttoned his shirt. "You said I was being rude."

"I never said that."

"No, you didn't say that…exactly but I know you thought I was rude and I…felt bad."

"You didn't have to because I wasn't even thinking about you at all." He gasped and turned to look at the mirror in disbelief. She patted his cheek. "And I mean that with love."

He tried not to laugh but he couldn't help it. "Just so we're clear, you are one of the few people to call me a stalker."

"I'm pretty sure I'm the only one."

Finnick tried to argue, opening and closing his mouth before he gave up. Sera laughed and pecked his lips before bundling up the bouquets into her arms to carry them over to the entrance for Emilia and her escort Peacekeeper to pick up later.

"This is goodbye." Sera said, her fingers slipping from his.

"For now." He finished for her. "I'll see you soon."

He kissed her and left her. She watched him return to his own apartment before she shut the door behind her. Again, that overwhelming feeling of loneliness struck her when she was left alone in her apartment alone.

But now she was sitting alone underneath a painted ceiling in a quiet room too big for her liking. She could hear the quiet ticks of the clock in front of her over the mantle of the dead fireplace alongside her heartbeat and breathing.

Marble covered the walls with paintings in golden frames decorating the room. Crimson flags draped the walls where there was an empty spot between the paintings. An elaborate cage or coffin—whichever way someone saw it as.

The only exit and entrance were white oak double doors on her far left guarded by two Peacekeepers. She leaned back and let out a bored sigh. He was late and her patience was running thin.

Creeeeeeeeeek.

Sera's head snapped towards the double doors and she sat up. Her back straight, her shoulder taut and a false smile on her face. But the moment her eyes landed on the small face, her eyes dimmed and smile dulled for a second.

She resisted the urge to scowl or sigh and forced herself to smile deeper. The uninvited guest beamed brightly and all but skipped towards her. Peacekeepers tried to stop her but one look from her caused them to stumble back with a quick apology.

Of course they wouldn't say anything to her. She was practically royalty around those parts.

Sera quickly composed herself, offering a painted smile to the young girl who stepped into view. Pale gold hair tied into a braid very alike to Katniss Everdeen's and pale blue eyes that were too soft to belong to someone like her.

President Snow's granddaughter—whose name Sera admittedly forgot on purpose—stood in the doorway, with a curious and mischievous glint in her eyes. Great, as if she didn't have anything else to do, she'd have to babysit his granddaughter now too.

"Seraphine." Her baby blue dress swayed as all but skipped towards her. Only twelve, if she was in the districts her name would be in the reaping pool—

"Miss Snow." Sera greeted as politely as she could. The little girl's name still not reappearing anywhere in her mind. "Your grandfather's not here."

"Oh, I know." She said, dismissively. "He's having one of his meetings…with the Senate and the Gamemakers." She pulled the chair meant someone else and sat down. "He's not very happy with them."

"I can't imagine why."

The little girl grinned in response before leaning in and putting her hand over her mouth, mock-whispering. "Would you like to know?"

"It's not my place to know."

"It's not that interesting anyways." Snow's granddaughter reached for the empty teacup and stared down at it. "I heard it was about the games next year and are you having tea? I'd love to join you."

That wasn't a question.

Sera knew that well. Pale blue eyes that looked too innocent stared up at her widely. If she wasn't Snow's granddaughter, Sera might've pictured a younger Nox before aunt Dahlia died in her place but all Sera could really see in her place was President Snow himself.

"I'm not having tea." Sera lied smoothly. "It was all just here when I got here."

"Oh." The young girl deflated. If she was smart and tactful as her grandfather she'd take that as a sign to leave. "Well, then can I stay here? I'm supposed to have my tutoring session right now—I don't really like them, you know?" She mock-whispered and Sera nodded absentmindedly.

"Do what you like." After all, it wasn't like Sera could stop her. She spared a glance at the watch on her wrist and compared the time to the clock on the wall. Her guest was running late anyway.

Snow's granddaughter beamed brightly and pulled her chair closer. Maybe she'd get bored of watching Sera do nothing and leave on her own.

But to Sera's dismay, Snow's granddaughter was just as annoying as him as she looked up at her again. "Did you watch the games this year? It was so fun. The star-crossed lovers from Twelve and that boy Cato. He was so…pretty or at least that's what my friends said at school. I personally think Peeta is prettier. What do you think?"

Helplessly, Sera blinked. She had no idea what to say and tried to stomach her disgust. "I…was the mentor for Five this year." Was all she could say.

"Oh." She tilted her head to the side and blinked. "Anyways, do you think Peeta's pretty? I think Katniss is really lucky."

She wasn't listening to her at all. Sera might as well have spoken into the air. And her companion didn't even feel guilty. She just stared at Sera with a small grin.

"I think…I don't really have an opinion." Sera tried playing along.

"Oh." Snow's granddaughter poked her cheek with her tongue, her gaze darkening. "So you think they're ugly?"

"No. I wasn't really paying attention to their faces. I do think that Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are very fortunate that they both made it out together."

Her pale blue eyes lit up like chandeliers in the Presidential Palace. "Right! I think Seneca Crane made history this year with those two!" She giggled and Sera's plastic smile almost dropped. "Do you think you'll ever be in love like them?"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean, you're old enough to marry right?"

"I—" Sera didn't know what to say. "I don't have time unfortunately but I'm okay being alone."

"It's not fun being alone. I think you should find someone."

"Really, I'm okay."

"No, but you should. I don't understand why so many victors like you are alone when a lot of you are sooo pretty. Like Silk, Cashmere and Namia. Oh and Estelle Clarence from your district."

"It's Estelle Weathers now." Sera corrected. "She's been married for a while. She even has two children."

Snow's granddaughter frowned. Her delicate eyes creased as she looked to the side at the dead fireplace. "Huh. That's odd. I don't remember seeing that. Did she even register her marriage and children? I do remember she was really pretty."

"You've said that before."

"I'm not saying you're not. I think you're pretty too."

"It's fine."

Sera didn't care. Her plastic smile and her hollow gaze should've been a hint. Snow's granddaughter was unfortunately blind.

"I like your braid." Sera might as well play along. "Did you do it yourself?"

Her grin stretched wider. "Do you like it?" She pointed to her pale gold hair. "All the kids at my school have been doing it. It's a trend like her flaming dress." She slumped in her seat a little. "Unfortunately, there's not many designers that can make a dress like that. Grandfather said that he's going to call Cygnus Sarto in for me. Apparently his goddaughter and godson can make clothes light up or even look like it's made from running water."

"Is that so? You must be excited." And Sera was bored beyond her mind. If this was Snow's way of torturing her for their last meeting, he was already winning.

Snow's granddaughter nodded. "I'm thinking of asking my grandfather for a mockingjay pin for my birthday—you know like Katniss Everdeen?"

Sera suppressed a faint grimace, feeling an uncomfortable sensation in her stomach. "A mockingjay pin?"

"I saw her wearing it in the arena. It was her token."

"I don't think…that's a good idea." She might've been Snow's favorite but a mockingjay pin was pushing it. Maybe Sera should've just let the young Snow find out the hard way of her grandfather's hatred of everything Katniss Everdeen.

But she was just a little girl…

'You were young once too.' A small voice whispered in her and she flinched.

Just because she was in pain didn't mean she was going to go out of her way to hurt another. Even if…even if the little girl in front of her was a Snow. She wasn't her grandfather.

"But don't worry, you're still very popular with the kids at school and me, of course! People still wear flowers like you do!" She stood up and twirled, showing the skirt of her dress. "I've even got flowers on my skirt."

Of all the flowers…

"...Petunias?"

"I saw you wearing a blue dress with them during one of your meetings with my grandfather and I thought it looked beautiful." She sat back down gracefully.

"...Beautiful."

"The boys in school thought so too." Snow's granddaughter said. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she bowed her head and covered her cheeks. "One day I want to be like Katniss Everdeen and find my own Peeta."

"I'm sure…you will." Snow was definitely punishing her.

"And I'm sure you'll find your other half too." And there she went again. If only Crane had bothered to come on time, she wouldn't have been trapped by Snow's annoying granddaughter. "Oh. What about Consul Redcliff?"

Sera's face paled and her blood ran cold. Her hand went up to her neck, covering it as a fog covered her vision. She tried to blink away the cold, harsh and dark memories that began its onslaught on her mind but it was of no use.

"I know he's not all that when it comes to looks but without his scar—he's actually pretty handsome. I don't know why Mrs Redcliff thinks he's so hideous—he's not. I've never seen anyone with that shade of red hair and I hear it's natural."

The room around her was shrinking. Walls and ceiling closing in on her, pressing its heavy marble facades onto her body as she struggled to take in air. Her silvery chiffon dress with its glove sleeves felt like a cage tightening around her.

"I heard he was your former personal guard. How romantic!"

She couldn't breathe. The room was spinning. Still she kept her head held high and that stupid plastic smile on her face. But her eyes, she could only hope her silvery eyes hadn't turned lifeless.

"And I think he really likes you."

Her gloved nails dug into the carved handle of the air for support in case she fell off. She felt like she was digging herself into her seat as Snow's granddaughter's words kept ringing in her ears.

"Or what about Augustus Braun? I heard you two were close. But personally, I think you Consul Redcliff would make an adorable couple."

Bile rose up in her throat that she swallowed and kept a stiff smile on for the President's granddaughter.

Sera mustered a polite smile, concealing the subtle twinge in her stomach. "...Maybe you should return for your tutoring, Miss Snow." She said and looked to the Peacekeepers by the door. "Your grandfather won't be too happy if you miss a session."

Like a spoiled child, she waved her off, not even listening to a word Sera was saying. "My grandfather won't mind."

But for a flickering second, the persistent smile on her face faltered for a moment, she quickly recovered in the blink of an eye. She was very composed and calm for her age—so like her grandfather but so childish.

"Y'know we should have tea together sometime. I'd love to hear all about…whatever you do."

"Maybe another time."

"And you can invite me to one of your charity auctions. I know I look too young to be a part of it but I can fit right in."

"I'm sure you can."

"I told my grandfather about it and he thought what you were doing is so neat and you're even working with Mrs Redcliff." She said with a suggestive grin. "I didn't know you were so close with the Redcliffs."

"I'm not." But that wasn't what was bothering her. "You…told your grandfather about the charity auction? How do—where did you hear about that?"

"From a friend at school." She answered nonchalantly. "I think it's so nice that you're raising all that money for the orphans in the Capitol. Maybe one day you can do the same for District 5. Oh. Wait. District 5 probably doesn't even have orphans."

"We do."

President Snow's granddaughter only hummed out a response before she carried on her one-sided conversation. "And—and maybe I can ask my grandfather to invite Augustus Braun and Finnick Odair. I can introduce you to Finnick. I think you'll really like him."

She wasn't listening to her at all. That forceful persistent voice and smile was getting under her skin.

She was so determined to play matchmaker that maybe Sera should've just let her drink the poisoned nightlock tea. She'd play it off as an accident and walk out. But President Snow wouldn't believe that for one minute.

"Maybe another time." Sera repeated with forced enthusiasm. "For now, you should really return to your studying. Can't just be pretty, you need to be smart too."

The minute she finished speaking, the double doors opened wide and between the two Peacekeepers stood a sweaty and tired Seneca Crane. It took Sera a whole minute to recognize the man at the door. Haggard with sagging skin and bones jutting out. Ungroomed hair and beard along with bloodshot eyes and pale gray skin that made him look more dead than alive.

Nervously, a Peacekeeper turned to Sera. He was clearly worried about the presence of the President's granddaughter. Who wouldn't be? Spoiled she was, she was still the President's blood and favorite. She wasn't supposed to see what went on behind the curtains at all.

Seneca Crane breathlessly stuttered out an apology. "S-s-sorry for being so late." His head bowed and his body shaking.

The sight was surprising and a little terrifying for the twelve year old as the blonde looked to Sera for an explanation. "Head Gamemaker?" Snow's granddaughter carefully addressed him. "Seneca Crane. You're the Head Gamemaker, right?"

He didn't look up. His head dipped lower. All traces of his pride, gone.

Confused, President Snow's granddaughter let out a laugh and turned to Sera. "I loved…what you did with the games this year." She carried on, ignoring the trembling fear of Crane. "It was a real show-stopping experience this year—with the two victors. I loved every part of it, especially the part in the cave with Katniss and Peeta. Gosh, I'd love it if it was me."

Sera wanted to laugh. It was always funny to listen to capitolites talk about how they'd love to be in an arena or in the games. Please, they wouldn't last a second.

If there was a bloodbath, they'd be gone the minute the cannon went off. Forget about romance, they wouldn't even manage to take a breath. That is if there was a bloodbath but even then, she could imagine the tributes would make an exception for a capitolite and wouldn't hesitate to work together to kill them.

Their annoying accent and the pompous attitude was enough of a reason.

"...Thank you, Miss Snow." Seneca answered after a long pause, not stuttering but clearly still breathless.

Sweat covered his brow and drenched his messy hair. His black suit looked like it was wearing him, not the other way around. To sum it up: he looked awful. Unrecognizable.

It was like a poor imitation of someone who thought what Seneca Crane should look like. For a brief second, her heart tugged in pity.

At least, he didn't look at her like he wanted her in his bed.

Gracefully, Sera stood up, her chiffon short dress floating with its beaded beaded blossoms of rhododendron, white chrysanthemums and agrimoney dancing on the edge of her skirt. She plucked a handkerchief off the table and held it out for him.

With a trembling hand, he took the handkerchief and bowed gratefully before wiping the sweat of his brow and covering his mouth with it.

"President Snow…" Came out his muffled voice as his bulging eyes looked up at her.

Sera smiled politely and took a step back. "Unfortunately, President Snow won't be joining us today. I'll be filling in for him."

His bulging eyes widened and he swallowed. "Is he…up-set?" He whispered, loud enough for her ears only.

"I don't think I can tell you that. I can only say he's busy."

"Grandfather said he's in a meeting with the Senate and the other Gamemakers." Snow's granddaughter chirped rudely over Sera's shoulders, her voice expressing polite admiration. "I'm surprised you're not there.*

Wildly, Seneca looked around the room and back out the room. Peacekeepers swiftly moved to stand in the middle, blocking his way out. Once he was in, he couldn't get out.

The marble room with the detailed paintings and crimson flags were his final resting place. He knew that the minute he saw the pity in Sera's eyes. The minute either Sera or Snow's granddaughter would leave, he predicted the Peacekeepers would lock him inside and end his life.

"Please…" Seneca begged, reaching out for her but as she took a step back, he stumbled and fell to the floor. "I tried my best. I did everything I was told."

Sera nodded and turned to President Snow's granddaughter. "Think it's time for you to go to your tutoring session." Sera said, this time more forcefully. "Your grandfather won't be too happy if you're late or you skip it."

"Promise you'll have tea with me later?" Snow's granddaughter asked with a pleading gaze.

"I'll see if I can." Sera would make sure she'd never run into her again.

President Snow's granddaughter giggled before sauntering out of the room and a Peacekeeper escorted her down the hall. Her laughter lingering like an echo in the empty space.

Sera cast a knowing look toward Seneca Crane who could breathe much easier in her absence. The air seemed to relax a fraction as the door closed behind her.

"Take a seat," Sera motioned gracefully to the chair opposite her, returning to her own with a composed demeanor. "You've been having a hard time…" She began and picked up the still warm teapot and poured him a cup before she pushed the pastry and cake stand towards him. "Eat and drink. I tried my best to pick what I thought you'd like."

Still shaking, Seneca nodded and took a seat opposite her. He fidgeted around before reaching for the cup. A light sage green liquid swam around inside the cup as he brought it to his lips.

A relieved breath escaped his lips and he almost smiled in his small reprieve. "It's…bittersweet."

"Want some sugar to sweeten it up?" Sera uncovered the lid of the sugar pot and picked up a single sugar cube with the small silver tongs. "It'd ruin the taste of the tea leaves a little but it'll sweeten the tea to your taste."

"I'm sorry." Sera raised her brow in question as Crane's apology. "I'll have…uh…some sugar."

"No need to apologize…" She said with a musical laugh and dropped a single cube of sugar into the tea. "It's just sugar." She watched him stir the sugar into the tea before she asked. "Better?"

"Much." He responded, his hands still quaking. "I…was told President Snow asked to see me."

"Ah, straight to the point."

"I'm a busy man. I've been dealing with the…games and other things."

"I can imagine that but I thought it'd be easier now since the games are over for you."

Crane laughed nervously. "You'd think." He said between his laughter. His trembling slowly ceased as he relaxed into his chair, his eyes seemed to relax and the bulge seemed to dissipate. "No, I'm…drawing up some plans for the Quarter Quell."

"Oh."

"Oh? What does that mean?"

"Nothing." Sera answered, licking her drying painted lips and sending a plastic smile towards him.

"No, it meant something."

"You haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

"President Snow has decided to…remove you from your post as Head Gamemaker." She broke it down in a faux gentle tone, in a tone that a doctor would take with a terminal patient.

The air seemed to get colder ever so slightly as Sera spared a glance at the single Peacekeeper still at the threshold between the hall and room. That single glance was all it took for him to cross the threshold and step into the hall, closing the doors behind him. A quiet click and the doors shut, locking them both in.

Alarmed, Crane tried to get up but his limbs were heavy and he couldn't push himself off his seat. Like a helpless child, he flailed around trying to see what was going on.

"Relax." She cooed and sat back. "He's just giving us some alone time. I know you've been asking to be alone with me for some time."

His eyes popped and his face paled even more, going from gray to a sickly green. "I…didn't mean it like that. I was…"

"Let's talk about the games, shall we?"

"I did what I was told!" He fired back before Sera could get another word in. His hands slammed onto the table, spilling some tea onto the table. "I was told to raise the damned ratings! I did exactly what he told me to!"

"Don't." Sera warned him quietly with a steely gaze. "Raise your voice at me."

"I'm just saying that I think I'm being wrongly punished for something he told me to do!"

"And I said not to raise your voice at me. Calm down and let's talk like civ—"

He scoffed. "Who do you think you are? I'm the Head Gamemaker!"

"Former Head Gamemaker." Sera corrected icily.

"You—" He pointed at her with his veins popping on his hands and arms. "You're just…a forgettable victor. I want to see President Snow." He huffed out and took another sip of the tea, dropping it on the table and reached out for a cake that Sera had baked.

"I told you he's very busy right now."

"Busy doing what? Tending his flowers?" He slammed the table and Sera didn't even flinch. "I think I'm more important than his stupid flowers!"

"Roses."

"What?"

"I said he likes white roses." Sera corrected him and pulled her chair closer to the table before propping her arms on it. Her chin rested on her clasped hands as she looked up at him with a hollow smile. "And between you and me, his flowers—sorry, white roses aren't even natural. They're as fake as the mutts you made in the arena and the fire you started in the beginning of the games which by the way was a cheap shot at getting rid of Katniss Everdeen."

"I—"

"President Snow thought so too."

"He wanted her gone and I tried to do what I thought would get the job done."

"Oh, I know but it was too artificial. Everyone outside could tell you had it out for her or someone did."

"I didn't have it out for her."

Sera clicked her tongue. "Everything you say will be relayed to the President so be as honest as you can and maybe I'll be kind enough to keep certain things between the two of us."

"So this," He motioned wildly to her. "This is who you are? I thought you were kind!"

She sighed. She didn't get enough for the things she did for both Plutarch and Snow. "I said 'I'll be kind enough to keep certain things to myself' but only if you're really honest with me. Now," She looked up at him again. Her silver eyes pierced through his very being. He looked so pathetic to her. "Tell me, did you have it out for Katniss Everdeen?"

His mouth twitched in anger. If he could, his body would be trembling in anger but it was as still as a rock. He could only move his limbs as he finished the final remnants of his tea, almost demanding silently for her to refill it and she did just that.

"I did." He answered when his teacup had been replenished with more of the same tea. "But only because she had to go and try to attack me at the Training Evaluations!" He finished with a bitter laugh of disbelief.

"She attacked you or the roasted hog you were too busy fawning over."

"You!"

"Answer my question."

"Twelve never showed promise—it wasn't my fault that I took my eyes off her."

"So you decided to purposely have her scored higher than she deserved because of a really petty reason."

Taken aback, he tried to argue. "Wait. No. You're making it sound like I–I rigged the scoring for her."

"Did you?"

"No." Crane gasped out. "I…I didn't. I swear it wasn't intentional. I thought putting a target on her back would kill her off faster…like what President Snow wanted. How was I supposed to know that would help her?!"

"Are you stupid?" She almost asked but instead she clamped her mouth shut and tried to come with a better way of asking if he was actually stupid.

Honestly, she didn't ever care but it was nice to see someone like him squirm beneath her gaze like a dying worm who'd been salted.

Lightly, she tapped her empty teacup and asked. "You have studied the previous games at University before?"

"Of course. I even wrote a thesis on it."

"That's not what I asked." Crane deflated. "I'm trying to help you here and you're not making it easy for me, Seneca." Calling his name seemed to calm him down ever so slightly.

His reddened eyes met hers as he nodded. "I'm sorry." He murmured and sniffed snot that almost dripped down his hollowed face.

Sera continued. "You pointed out that I'm a victor but even I—no, everyone who's seen the games, let alone taken part in them knows that the score for Training Evaluation is a huge part of how…sponsors determine which tribute to sponsor."

He cursed under his breath. "I messed up."

"To say the least." Sera commented. "What you did is that you blatantly rigged the game."

"But I didn't!" He cried out, pleading to her. "I was just trying to get her off the game as early as I could. How was I supposed to know she'd stand out?"

"You scored her an 11, the highest anyone in the history of the games has gotten. Even victors like Augustus, Enobaria, Brutus and Gloss have never scored an 11." She doctored a sympathetic look on her face. "But that wasn't all." She sighed and said. "The nightlock."

He swallowed with fear. "P-please. I didn't know that she would know that those berries were poisoned."

"I've been told they are typically found in District 11? You know her ally was from Eleven, right?"

"Again, that wasn't my fault."

"She had a good memory."

"Not my fault!"

"In the past, whenever a tribute used any in-arena poisons and mutts to try and outsmart the Gamemakers, you know what the heads did?"

"They removed them."

Except for her case, Plutarch clearly was onto her but he left her alone. She, unlike Haymitch, did a better job of hiding her trickery. That was allowed because she lied and put on a good show. Haymitch had mocked the Capitol before the games and did the same when he'd won. He was punished and she was recruited by the President.

"They had those removed because nobody wanted another Haymitch Abernathy." He flinched. "You were so hellbent on being so different from Plutarch Heavensbee and your other predecessors that you broke an important rule of the game set by the President himself."

"I was just trying—"

"I don't know what you were trying to do but President Snow never wanted another Haymitch Abernathy and you gave Panem two."

"But the ratings…"

"Congratulations." She smiled and he smiled back but it quickly faded when he remembered that she was filling in for President Snow, his shadow in his absence. "You've managed to get the highest ratings for a modern Hunger Games. You should be proud of yourself. Unfortunately, you've got yourself into a sticky situation that I don't think anyone can help you out of."

Crane licked his cracked and bleeding lips, sniffed his snot filled nose and looked at her with teary eyes. "Can't you put in a good word for me, Seraphine?"

"You did rig the training score—blatantly too."

"I increased the ratings!"

"And my work." Sera commented under her breath. "The ratings were great and I'm happy for you."

"Then what's the problem? I let two people win? I caved into their threats?" He reached for the teacup again and downed the lukewarm drink. "I had no choice! No one would watch a game without a victor!"

His hand lost strength, the cup fell from his hand and landed in front of him with a quiet clatter on the saucer. He tried to reach for it and pick it up but his hands refused to move.

Sera smiled. She leaned closer and impassively picked up the cup, placing it upright on the saucer. She placed a single slice of a blue iced cake with small berries sprinkled artfully on top and sat back.

"Thank you." He said without looking at her. "I don't know what happened."

"Don't worry about it."

"You…" He paused as a slow realization hit him. His gaze turned hazy. His heart dropping low and his throat tightening dangerously like it was being wrung by an invisible force. "You haven't been drinking…"

Her smile deepened. "I had a cup with Miss Snow before you came in." She lied with ease.

"You didn't."

"How would you know that?"

"I–" He wouldn't. He didn't have proof and Sera wouldn't lie. "I'm sorry…" He laughed nervously. "I've been on the edge since the games ended."

"I can tell but it'll all be over soon and the victors will be crowned."

In a haze, Crane bobbed his head or tried to. His movements looked broken and fragmented. He had no idea how awkward he looked. "I have to be there tonight for it." He murmured.

"Are you sure about that?"

His limbs felt heavier like someone had tied them to rocks and had thrown him overboard. He was sinking into his plush velvet seat. His chest felt tight and throat even tighter.

"I'm sorry. I…don't feel so…"

Wide fearful eyes met a bored pair as a hollow smile was all he could focus on. He couldn't even feel anything. Not even the soft caress of Sera's hand over his as she murmured empty words of comfort.

He tried to get another word out but his throat had locked into place. His vocal cords paralyzed along with every single limb and muscle. His eyes were the only thing he could move.

Sera began with faux sympathy. "You made a great game this year but unfortunately, you were a little too…bold."

Maybe she was being more cruel than usual and in the back of her mind, she knew she would've been slightly kinder if Snow's granddaughter hadn't spoiled her mood.

His muffled and silent screams could've been heard if he could move his jaws but they were locked in place.

"At least you enjoyed the nightlock tea and cake." She went on, rising from her seat. "The tea leaves were picked by the President himself."

His pupils widened in horror and another attempt at a scream was made but he couldn't move.

"Leaves of nightlock are just as poisonous as the berries. Not many know about it but it can paralyze a man within minutes before a slow death."

Another muffled scream. His face frozen in horror and agony.

"I really didn't want to do this." She said with a heavy tone. "But I'll make sure your name's remembered."

"I…d. …e.e..everything… …asked…me…to..oo." His jaws clamped shut when his last words were said.

"I know." Was all Sera said as she took a step back from him, taking back the handkerchief she'd left for him.

Bulging eyes with red veins stared up at her as blood began to drip from the corners of his mouth. He tried to open his mouth, but he couldn't. His mouth was clamped shut by the nightlock poison.

Blood kept gushing out of his throat. With no way out, he was drowning in his own blood and agonizingly thrashing in his seat.

Stumbling back, she covered her mouth in horror. She wiped away a few stray tears escaping from her eyes as the doors unlocked and opened. Two Peacekeepers stared at her before they nodded in unison and went to dispose of the almost corpse of Seneca Crane.

They'd no doubt drag him back to his house and stage a scene to look like the tortured Head Gamemaker had taken his own life. Remnants of his last supper were cleared quickly, removed to be added into his own house. Only the cutlery she touched was thrown into the now alive fireplace.

Lifelessly still and drowning in his own blood, Seneca Crane stared at Sera for the longest time as he dragged away. His eyes still wildly moved around seamlessly as he was trapped in his own body, dying a slow agonizing death.

Plant Dictionary:

Petunia - Anger or Resentment

Rhododendron - Danger and Beware

Agrimony - Thankfulness

White Chrysanthemum - Truth, Death and Mourning