FRAGILE GIRL || THE HUNGER GAMES ¹

3.

"LET'S GO HOME, ATHENA..."

---¤☆¤---

ONE MONTH LATER.

Resting her head against the decaying window, she traces the raindrops with her finger, some dust collecting from the movement. It was a stormy day in District Ten. The rain had been pounding nonstop. Just another heavy beating over and over and over. No breaks. No lightening up. Just constant rain. It hadn't rained this badly in what felt like forever.

Pulling away from the window, the faint sounds of giggles mix with the pitter patter of raindrops makes her eyes droop. It was calm. Soothing. Safe even. She could almost fall asleep. She hadn't felt like that in forever. Sinking into her chair, a loud shrill beep fills the quiet air, her eyes snapping open at the sound. The peaceful moment ruined in a matter of seconds.

"ATTENTION ALL DISTRICT TEN CITIZENS, THE REAPING WITH BEGIN IN AN HOUR. PLEASE REPORT TO THE COURTYARD."

Shifting her attention from the rain drops to the loud giggles, she watches as some kids splash in puddles, the tiniest of smiles forming on her lips at the sight of their excitement. They were so pure. So innocent of what the world was like around them. So blissfully unaware of it all. She remembered a time where she was like that. Feels like a lifetime ago.

Lowering her eyes slightly, her smile falls as she realizes how old she sounded. God, she was only fourteen, and yet. She felt and sounded so much older. Guess, the games just do that to you. Strip you of all youth, leaving you a shell of what you once were. Yeah, that's how it is. You walk in as a child, leave as a traumatized adult.

"It's Reaping Day." He sighs.

"I know." She whispers, not moving her eyes from the window.

"You'll have to go back to the Capitol. I'll be by your side to help. But when we go out you'll have to play the part of a happy Victor. You'll have to be the 'Marvelous' Athena Grey that they love." He reminds.

"I know." She whispers, not having the strength to speak up.

Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, she flinches at the sudden touch, her body now in fight of flight mode. She wasn't safe. She needed to get out. Turning to him in a panic, her hand subconsciously reaches out for the nonexist knife on her belt. Her fingers brushing against the rough leather, waiting for the feel of cool metal that will never be there.

"The only reason you are going back is because you're going to be a Mentor, remember that. That should be your main focus. Your job will be to guide these new kids. Try to help them however you can." He continues.

"I⎯Does it..Does any of this get easier?" She asks, lifting her eyes.

Looking him dead in the eye, he lowers his eyes so that he doesn't look at her, his eyes drawn down to his hands. He's silent for a good second. A pit of worry brewing in her gut at the silence. Does it not? Is that what he was telling her? Licking his lips, he lifts his eyes to meet her's, a grave look on his face as he opens his mouth to speak.

"Word of advice, kid. Don't get attached to them." He whispers, a sad look on his face. "Trust me. It makes it hurt more when they don't make it."

"But I made it?" She argues quietly.

"We got lucky. But, we have enemies now. Kids⎯District's⎯People in the Capitol who are pissed about the outcome of last year's Games. Our kids this year will suffer because of it." He explains, his voice slightly harsh.

Her face falls at the tone of his voice. Lowering her eyes sadly, guilt brews in her stomach as she takes in the seriousness of his words. She was one of the lucky ones. Three Victor's. Out of all 67 Games, they only had three people win. She was the first person to win since the 59th Hunger Games.

Someone out there wouldn't be happy about her winning. The Career's⎯they wouldn't be happy. Both she and Finnick ruined their winning streak. Klaus, he was right. They would be out for revenge. For blood. And the kids picked for the Reaping would feel their wraith.

"ATTENTION ALL DISTRICT TEN CITIZENS, THE REAPING WITH BEGIN IN AN HOUR. PLEASE REPORT TO THE COURTYARD."

"Come on, Athena. We have a lot to do." He nudges her shoulder.

---¤𖠁¤---

Chewing on my bottom lip, I bury myself deeper into the soft fabric of my coat, trying to stay warm in the cold. The rain hadn't relented, it continued to pour throughout the ceremony. Leaving everyone to scramb to get out of the rain the best that they could. I was one of the few lucky ones given an umbrella and warm coat. The other's weren't so lucky.

Shifting under my umbrella uncomfortably, I steal a glance at the soaked kids being picked for this year's Games. Head to toe, they were drenched with water. Their teeth chattering together as they shiver from the cold. I had seen them around, maybe once or twice, when I had to go into town. But now I know their names, for a totally different reason.

"Here are the tributes of the 67th Hunger Games, Mercy Owen and Jacob Hardy of District 10! Let's hope we have the same luck we had last year! Now may the odds be ever in your favor." Celia announces, clapping.

Inspecting a shivering Mercy, I knew that she was a year older than me, but she didn't look at it. She had long blonde hair and dark brown eyes. She was taller than me, with thick muscular arms that looked like they could crush a lamb's skull. If you didn't know her age, you would have thought that she was eighteen.

Turning my eyes to Jacob, he was seventeen, choppy brown hair with dark gray eyes that reminded me of my Mom's. He towered over me, with scraggly long limbs that looked like they could be dragged behind him if he didn't stand up straight. They were intimidating. Really intimidating.

"This way, Miss Grey." Someone whispers.

Nodding my head mindlessly, I pull my eyes away from Jacob, turning to the swarm of PeaceKeeper's sent to escort us to the train station. They sent an army to take the five of us. It was ridiculous. Rolling my eyes as they usher the kids to the Justice Building, a gust of cold wind hits me, my teeth chatting as the cold grows more and more. It was horrible. All of this.

"Come now, Athena! Let's go see the train! We have much to discuss!" Celia chirps, "For example, the last rumor is that Finnick Odair is having an affair with this.."

Drowning out her rambles, I could feel a pair of eyes drilling into me, like they were trying to see if their stare could burn holes in the back of my head. Turning to the crowd, I try to find where the eyes were coming from, hoping that it was just paranoia.

Slowly scanning the crowd, there standing in the pouring rain, was her. Her curls soaked. The bags under her eyes clear even from here. A look of anger painted across her face. The same look of anger I got when I returned. It was Are⎯his⎯it was his Mom.

"Don't look at her. Just keep walking, Athena." Klaus whispers, tugging me along.

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And I am done with the chapter! Stay safe out there guys!

I hope you all are doing okay emotionally and physically! I love you all!

I hope that you are enjoying the book so far! A quick reminder to comment below about the story of what you think so far!

P.S. I am staring college soon, so updates may become little to none! I WILL return/keep you updated, I just want to focus on my studies right now.