If we burn } Finnick Odair

Chapter 27 ~When riches fall~

Execution day is today. Finnick and I eating breakfast just the two of us in our room when we hear a knock at our door. "It's unlocked." I call after swallowing a bite of cereal. After all of the porridge we will seriously eat anything now.

Jezebel walks in. "Coin wishes to see the both of you." "Now?" "No just like you know maybe a few hours from now? Days? I don't know... Yes now up up!" We both groan like we're teenagers getting dragged out of bed again. "How old are the two of you?" "Too old to be getting dragged out of bed at such an ungodly hour." "It's eleven o clock." "We just got back from a war!" Finnick and I look at each other and burst out laughing. "What are we going to do with you two?"

We smile. "Alright Jez we'll be there in a second. Where does she need us?" "Meeting room." "Huh okay.." "After Rowan's going to get the both of you ready for the execution." "Got it." We get ourselves ready enough. Comfortable but decent clothes and head to the meeting room. "We're not late are we?" Finnick asks in a jokingly tone. "Yes, and no. you still beat the mockingjay here." Haymitch remarks. We shrug. "A wins a win." Finnick and I walk over to Johanna. Her hairs been growing back so much since the capital.

Katniss walks in. We haven't seen her since Prim died. She looks so different yet the same. "What's this?" She asks. "The remaining victors. Wont you join us?" Do any of us even know what this is about I wonder. We all take a seat. "I have invited you all here for several reasons, but first I have an announcement. I have taken the burden and the honor of declaring myself Interim President of Panem." We hear Haymitch scoff. All turning to look at him. "Interim? Exactly how long is that interim?" "We have no way of knowing for certain. But it's clear the people are far too emotional right now to make a rational decision. We'll plan an election when the time is right." A time pause. I suppose to let everything settle in before she speaks again. "But I have called you here for a far more important vote. A symbolic vote."

I take a look around at everyone in the room. There's an eight victors. That's an even amount. There would be no tie breaker if there were to be a tie.

"This afternoon we will execute Snow. Hundreds of his accomplices also await their deaths. Capital officials, Peacekeepers, Torturers, Gamemakers. But the danger is, once we begin, the rebels will not stop calling for retribution. Thirst for blood is a difficult urge to satisfy. So I offer an alternative plan. Majority of four may approve it. No one may abstain." Now it makes sense. They just need four yeses to whatever their plan is. "the proposal is this. In lieu of these barbaric executions, we hold a symbolic Hunger Games."

My heart drops to my stomach. Reading the room we're all in shock. Haymitch's jaw on the floor, Finnick's body stiffened, Peeta's eyes widened.

Johanna begins to laugh. "You wanna have another Hunger Games with the Capital's children?" "You're joking." "Not in the slightest." Haymitch scoffs yet again. "Is this Plutarch's idea?" "It was mine. It balances the need for revenge with the least loss of human life. You may cast your votes." I know she's not putting us back in but why do I feel a sense of betrayal? It all starts coming together. What Snow said to Finnick and I. Remember who the real enemy is. and as look as the riches and filth remain in the high power your lives wont be much different as they were before. Riches. Riches Money. Money Coin. As long as Coin remains in power our lives wont be much different.

"No." Peeta says immediately without giving anyone else a chance to even think. "No obviously not this is crazy."  Johanna starts talking now. "I think it's more than fair. Snow's got a granddaughter. I say yes."

I know Johanna's angry. She hate's Snow. She hates the capital, but that little girl in no way should be responsible for her grandfathers actions. Like the rest of the capital citizens she had no knowledge of any of the absurd things her grandfather did other than keep the Hunger Games going on for so long. Buy much like the careers these people of the capital didn't realize it wasn't just a game.

"So do I. Let them have a taste of it." Enobaria adds. Who even invited her to this meeting she was on Snow's side for the most part was she not? She wasn't getting tortured or fighting in a war. She doesn't even have a scratch on her face. I sigh to myself immediately feeling bad for my own thoughts. Enobaria is like the rest of us. She got her own form of torture. "You guys this way of thinking is what started these uprisings." Peeta begins again. "I'm with Peeta I vote no." Finnick says.

My thoughts go back to Daisy. That little capital girl Finnick and I saved. She didn't even know as much as to who we are. Putting her and all of these other children in the hunger games to live how we lived. I may be bitter towards Snow but I wish this on nobody.

"I vote no. Sending those innocent children into the games won't heal our scars. There's some things better than revenge."  I say. "No, we need to stop viewing each other as enemies." Beetee adds. Four for no two for yes.

"It's down to Katniss and Haymitch." Surely they wont say yes. They're not out for revenge they just want it all to be over. "I get to kill Snow." She says. "I expected no less of you." She hesitates. She knows saying no would anger Coin she wants to make sure she still gets her rights as mockingjay. I almost smile until she says "then I vote yes. For Prim." For Prim? The capital didn't kill her does she not know that? Prim wouldn't want that either. "I'm with the mockingjay." "That carries the vote excellent. We'll announce the games tonight after the execution."

We walk out and back to our rooms. "Why would Katniss vote yes for Prim? That makes absolutely no logical sense. The capital didn't kill her district 13 did. Haymitch's makes sense to agree with her but that's so stupid." Finnick rants. "Finn, I think she has a plan. She must've talked to Snow too." "You caught onto what he was saying as well?" "As long as Coin remains in high power our lives wont be much different. Remember who the real enemy is." We both say in unison. "I hate to admit that he was right. But I think Katniss caught onto it too whatever he said to her." "So what are you saying?" Finnick asks. It dawns on me that there might be a chance we could be heard. Probably not but I still pick up a coin from off the desk and drop it on the ground. As soon as Coin falls to the ground we hear a knock on the door.

Jezebel and Rowan come in. Jezebel takes Finnick into the room across from ours to get ready with his stylist.

"Alright super star are you ready? Last time being styled for a camera?" "You're going to make me emotional Rowan." We both laugh knowing I'm honestly relieved. I'll miss Rowan but it's not like we'll never see him again. He dresses me in a long grey sweater, black leather pants, regular black boots. My hair is just pulled into a low messy pony as it rests on my shoulder. Then he does my makeup. Mainly natural with a small bit of liner but not too much. I hug him. "Thank you for always being there." I say. "I always have and always will be. Even if I don't have to style you for interviews anymore."

I walk out to see Finnick and Jezebel. I can't help but feel disappointed that I don't see Mags too. I keep my composure and go up to Finnick as he kisses the top of my head. "Alright my stars. Are you ready for this?" We look at one another then back to them. "Ready."

We meet Haymitch, Peeta, Johanna, Beetee, and Enobaria to walk out. Finnick and I stand by one another of course. Snow smiles at us. We keep a strong stare not smiling back. We hear the drums as Katniss is walking out. I think I have goosebumps. There's so much that's about to happen that only four of us even have the slightest idea about. This isn't Snow's execution. This is Coins. Coin stands tall presenting the execution to all of Panem.

"Welcome to the new Panem." Gosh just the sound of her voice makes my skin crawl nearly as much as it does when I hear Snow's. "Today on the avenue of the Tributes, all of Panem, a free Panem, will watch more than a mere spectacle. We are gathered to witness an historic moment of justice. Today, the greatest friend to the revolution will fire the shot to end all wars. May her arrow signify the end of tyranny, and the beginning of a new era. Mockingjay, may your aim be as true as your heart is pure. The wind blows the flyaways of the loose pony back. Katniss drawls back her arrow. I don't blink too scared to miss anything. The coin falls. Coin's body hits the ground just like the coin on the desk did earlier. Katniss's arrow went straight through her heart.

The crowd yells. I watch Snow as he laugh at the chaos. Blood all over his mouth from the sores from his poison. He starts coughing choking on his own blood. Then I'm pulled away.

A/N And that's that. That's the big execution. I couldn't help but think of Annie when writing the vote scene when she says "I vote no with Peeta and would Finnick if he were here" and I was like HA you were right he is here and he said no. But thank you all so much for reading I hope you all enjoy thi