The Daughter of the Sea

▬▬ 𝟎𝟗 ∙ 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝝩𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝝗𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽

˚✩ ⋆｡ ✩┊ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 ┊✦ ˚ · .

▬▬ 09 ∙ 𝙻𝚎𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝙱𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

No matter how much I try that night, I can't seem to fall asleep, restlessly fidgeting with the velvety blanket. Since almost anything I could do except stay in bed would be better, I went up to the roof for the last time. The dark midnight sky was lit by the Capitol's lights from the party they were no doubt having, but a few scintillating stars escaped the brightness. They twinkled like magnificent diamonds produced by District 1's factories, almost arranged in a way like the Capitol put it there on purpose, like it had a specific use.

"Pretty, aren't they?" I whipped my head around, tearing my eyes from the startlingly beautiful stars. It was Danny.

"How'd you find me?"

"Saw you come up." I thought it was suspicious for him to be watching me but didn't ask anymore. "I have a question for you," he said seriously. I prompted him to continue speaking. "If given the chance to, would you ever join the Careers?" No, I think, but I don't say it.

"I guess it depends if I'm desperate for resources or weapons. Maybe?" I say.

"Okay, okay. Interesting."

"Why are you asking me this, are you joining the Careers and spying on me for them?" I asked in suspicion.

"No, I was just wondering."

"Good, because Mila and I are your allies." I narrowed my eyes at him accusingly. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Yes - I mean no - I meant yes. Yes, that you and what's her name... Mila, are my allies. And there's nothing I'm not telling you, and I'm ranting now, aren't I? Is this conversation confusing?"

"It's very confusing," I interrupted.

"Yeah, confusing as heck. Now I have to go tell... someone... something." He ran off before I could question what he meant. Strange.

✯✯✯

"Very very very big day today!" Moxie announced loudly, pushing open my door and invading my privacy, emphasizing the last 'very'.

"Don't you knock?" I asked. "For all you know, I could have been putting my clothes on!" This was true. I had just finished changing out of the clothes I had been wearing last night before she barged in without warning.

"It's the day of the Games!" she continued like I hadn't said a thing.

"I'm aware." Quite aware that I might die today.

"Alright then, your stylist will be coming over soon. Don't be late!" I gave her a quick nod.

It wasn't long before Aqua arrived as I exited the shower with my outfit. "Hi," I said quietly, walking over. It felt like my mouth had stopped working, my brain stuck on one thought: it's the day of the Games.

"Cordelia! It's time to get ready."

"It's the day," I said weakly.

"It is." We sat in silence, me on my bed and Aqua in the ornate wooden chair that accompanied my bedside table, uncomfortably, neither of us wanting to get prepared. I try to breathe.