𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 → 𝗁𝗎𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋 𝗀𝖺𝗆𝖾𝗌 ¹

𝑶𝟖. 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍'𝗌 𝖺 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗆𝗂𝗌𝖾

     next day, i open my eyes again at dawn. my body is used to wake up early in the morning, and i can't sleep until late. but this time, i decide to hang out in bed, a thing i never do when i'm home.

     thinking about home makes my stomach tighten, because i know i won't go back.

     when willow will return from the games, alone, she'll have a brand new house in the victors' village, and more money than she'll need. she'll be able to live, safe and sound, without having to worry about money ever again. blight and phox will live next door, at the village, maybe they will take care of her if i ask them to. the three of them will be mentors next year and for the rest of their lives ; they will not be able to ignore my wish.

     imagining willow's future life makes me want to cry. i will save her, but she will never be at peace. she will have to support, take car and watch, in the front row, two kids from our district go to die, every single year, with so little hope to see at least one of them come back. she will have to face cameras again and again, and to thank the capitol for their generosity.

     but at least, she will be alive.

     i turn around in my silky sheets, trying as best as i can to chase away these dark thoughts.

     last night, willow chose to sleep alone in her room ; the congratulations, the compliments and the evening's good mood chased away her nightmares, at least for one night.

     fausta knocks at my door to wake me up and ask me to go to breakfast. it's sunday and we don't have to train, but tomorrow night, we will have to face the interviews. we need to prepare, but we also need to come up with a solid and viable strategy for the arena.

     i still have work to do, as does the whole team.

     i take a quick shower before joining everyone for breakfast. bight is sitting at the table with fausta, phox is not here and willow hasn't arrived yet. i help myself with a lot of food when she finally deigns to show her nose, half awake, and she joins me with her breakfast.

     blight doesn't wait for us to finish eating :

     alright, kids. today we'll do the prep for your interviews. once again, a lot to do in not so much time. but if you work hard, we can make it. willow, you go with fausta this morning and tristan, you go with me. this afternoon, we switch.

     i don't bother to ask why they split us. to be honest, i was waiting to be alone with one of our mentors so i could finally state my true motives and my purpose. i need guidance, and i don't want willow around for that.