Blinding

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The Gamekeepers watched closely, soaking in the chaos with slightly interested stares. Diana watched them. A man with platinum blonde hair that reminded her of Halley caught her eye and he grinned, sharp silver teeth glinting in the light. Diana turned away, watching two Peacekeepers escort Stark out of the training room.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Seamus asked, sitting next to her on the floor.

Diana could only nod. She flinched when she moved the ice pack she had to her throat the tiniest bit. Even though Stark hadn't grabbed her for long, it had been enough to bruise her airway. Every time she swallowed, it felt like there was a constriction blocking her spit.

A Peacekeeper kneeled down next to her, his synthetic teal eyes void of any emotion. "Do you need to go back to your quarters?"

"No," Diana croaked out, shaking her head. She needed to train as much as she could.

He held out his hand, and she gave him the ice pack. Without another moment of hesitation, Diana stood, Seamus following closely, and made her way to the Gauntlet. It was a huge obstacle course. She had seen a few tributes try it, and even fewer finish.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Seamus asked, his voice low.

Diana glanced around and found most of the tributes staring—or at least glancing at them every so often. Those in groups spoke in low voices, no doubt wondering what had made Stark fly into the wall.

She wondered too.

"Yep," she replied, as nonchalantly as she could.

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Diana and Seamus left right as soon as the training ended for the day, successfully avoiding standing with anyone in their elevator. Diana could not finish the Gauntlet but had gotten close. And she had gotten a little better at throwing knives. Seamus had taken a liking to the knives as well, which was just fine with Diana. She would just need to grab a pack of knives at the Cornucopia and then they'd be good—hopefully.

As they stepped off the elevator, Haymitch leaned against the wall, flask in hand, staring pointedly at Diana. "We need to talk," he said.

Diana wanted to ask why he emphasized 'talk' but decided not to. Seamus smiled up at her, gave her a pat on the back, and walked into the dining room—which had a delectable smell emitting from it.

"Take a walk with me." Haymitch guided her to the staircase that led to the roof.

"Why up there?" she asked, her stomach clenching in nervousness.

"Just come on."

Once they were on the roof, Diana was blinded by the setting sun. Haymitch grabbed her shoulders and spun her toward him. "What the hell happened downstairs?"

Diana flinched at the smell of strong liquor on his breath. The fear in his gray eyes made her start to think the situation with Stark was bigger than she thought—not that she thought it had been small... but it just added more suspicion on her. Coming out of nowhere, magicking the Reaping, completely changing hers and Seamus's costume; now this. "I don't know. Why?"

"The hell you don't," he seethed. "Do you understand the questions going on about you, Diana? I've gotten word the President Snow himself is getting suspicious about you."

Her knees collapsed and the only reason why she didn't fall on the rough floor was because of her mentor's quick reflexes. She didn't think through anything; she was so stupid. Why would she ever think leaving the safety of her home to play in a death match between children? I don't actually want to die, she thought, I just wanted something different.

Then it hit her. The idea, so plain and obvious.

Diana was a witch.

She could take down the Capitol from the inside out. And if she was as powerful as earlier showed, it wouldn't be difficult.

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A/N: Hey, everyone, I'm so sorry this is such a short chapter. Thank y'all for sticking with me. School has been... a lot. The next chapter may take a bit longer, but it will be a lot longer (at least 1,500 words) and will be a lot better :)

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⏰ Last updated: Feb 27, 2023 ⏰

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