The Spark Of War ➳ Finnick Odair ²

4 | Back to the Capitol

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Chapter Four
BACK TO THE CAPITOL
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I remain at the window long after the woods have swallowed up the last glimpse of my home. This time I don't have even the slightest hope of returning. Before my first Games, I promised my mother I would do everything I could to win, and now I've sworn to myself to do all all I can to keep Katniss and Peeta alive, they are the hope we need. I will never reverse this journey again.

I'd actually figured out what I wanted my last words to my loved one to be. How best to close and lock the doors and leave them sad but safely behind. And now the Captiol has stolen that as well.

I go straight to my room. I sit in the bed. Too heartsick to cry, I want to curl up on the bed and sleep until we arrive in the Capitol tomorrow morning. But I have a mission. No, it's more than a mission. It's my dying wish. Keep Katniss and Peeta alive. It had originally been Haymitch's idea who had talked to the new Head Gamemaker, who is apparently on our side. Finnick had informed me of the plan the day before the reaping. And as unlikely as it seems that I can achieve it in the face of the Capitol's anger, it is important that I be at the top of my game. This won't happen if I'm mourning for everyone I love. Let them go, I tell myself. But the image of Finnick appears in my mind, and I know that there is no way I can let him go.

By the time Mica knocks on my door to call me to dinner, I'm empty. But the lightness isn't entirely unwelcome.

The meal's subdued. So subdued, in fact, that there are long periods of silence relieved only by the removal of old dishes and presentation of new ones. A cold soup of pureed vegetables. Fish cakes with creamy lime paste. Those little birds filled with orange sauce, with wild rice and watercress. Chocolate custard dotted with cherries.

Nolan and Mica make occasional attempts at conversation that quickly die out.

"I love your new hair, Mica," Nolan says.

"Thank you. I had it especially done to match Ember's dress from her first Games,''says Mica. Seeing as everyone was done eating Mica looked between Me, Nolan, and Willow. "Shall we watch the recap of the reapings?" She says, dapping at the corners of her mouth with a white linen napkin. We are all in place as the anthem begins to play and the annual recap of the reaping ceremonies in the twelve districts begins.

In the history of the Games, there have been seventy five victors. Fifty-nine are still alive. I recognize many of their faces, either from seeing them as tributes or mentors at previous Games. Some are so old or wasted by illness, drugs, or drink that I can't place them. As one would expect, the pool of Career tributes from District 1, 2, and 4 are the largest. But every district has managed to scrape up at least one female and one male victor.