𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ 𝐧𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 - 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐮

⇛ 𝐂𝐇. 𝟓𝟑

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟑

the box was lifted up into the opening of an aircraft and mark opened the door for everyone to leave. haechan held jihyun's hand, pulling her out because she was still weak in the knees and he knew she'd collapse any second.

the door ahead of them opened automatically and on the other side was a room with a large table and everyone's mentors and jungwoo around it. hana was there too and the second jihyun saw her, she ran into her arms. hana brushed her hand through her hair, holding back her tears to comfort the younger girl. but she couldn't hold it back any longer and then the two fell to their knees in each others arms, hana crying harder than ever before.

around them, the others were talking to their mentors who were explaining everything to them. jihyun knew she had to get up and listen. she needed to know what would happen from now on, but doyoung was gone and she needed to be with hana. did anything else even matter anymore?

she felt a hand on her back and loosened her hold on hana to look over her shoulder. it was jungwoo and she felt her eyes get teary when she saw him. but she didn't cry. she couldn't.

"jungwoo."

he wrapped his arms around the two and placed his lips to jihyun's temple, leaving a kiss and whispering words of comfort that only passed through her ears.

"we're going to district thirteen."

jihyun heard that though. apologising, she let go of hana and walked over to the table with shaking legs.

"what do you mean?" she asked, her voice hoarse. the others turned to look at her, some with pity. she hated that. she hated when people pitied her.

"district thirteen still exists. they're hidden underground." taeyong said.

"underground?"

"they were ready for snow to attack them. and now they're letting all the surviving people of the other district into their homes. so that's where we're headed now."

"surviving people? are you telling me snow attacked the districts?" jihyun asked in anger. "what about district five? my family..."

"we did our best to get your families to safety. they're waiting for you at district thirteen." johnny reassured everyone.

"so what happened? what was the plan, the one that got my cousin killed?"

"doyoung was never meant to die." a familiar voice said from behind.

"ten?" jihyun asked as he walked past her and over to the table. "just how many people were in on this?"

"all of us and a few others in the capitol, working from the inside. we couldn't let too many people know though. we didn't know who to trust but ten has always been on our side. the plan began the moment the quarter quell was announced. ten was suitable for the gamemaker job so we pushed him to take it, knowing the escape plan would work." taeil explained.

"right, it worked, but not entirely because you didn't inform me of this and now doyoung is dead." jihyun glared at the mentors and ten.

"snow has eyes and ears everywhere. we couldn't risk telling any of you but you were smart enough to understand what we were doing. plus, aya was in on it from inside the arena to watch over you all and guide you." ten said.