Her Victory, Their Life| F. Odair

8. Victory is Sweet

Emory was sent back to her apartment in the tribune center. She was welcomed back with a party. "That was wonderful!" Falle screamed as soon as she entered. She hugged the young girl. Porter congratulated her with a hug.

Evan laughed as he hugged her as well, "that was some fighting. I've never seen that with someone so young. You played us well."

It was a party and a lot of the mentors were there. Finnick came up to her, "I knew you would win."

She looked at him, "you had faith."

"I saw behind your little facade. You were never weak, you knew what you were doing," he smirked at her. "Now, we need to talk about being a victor."

Emory's smile dropped and she nodded for him to go ahead. "You'll have nightmares, almost every night. In a few months, there will be your victory tour. Then, you might have President Snow approach you. You'll be about 14, closer to 15. He'll give you an opportunity, you have to take it. When you do, come see me at four. Now that you're a victor you can go to any District basically whenever. You'll be a mentor next year so we'll be seeing each other a lot more."

Emory smiled at him, "Hopefully that part will be enjoyable."

Finnick smiled back at her, "I'm sure it will be."

~

It was a day after she had gotten back and Demetri had dressed her up in a navy blue dress with dark blue heels, gold lightning bolt earrings, and gold bangles.

She was going for the victor interview. She had more makeup than she did for her original interview. She looked more grown up, they weren't looking to play off her innocence anymore.

She was a killer and she had to accept that. "Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, you watched her go from a little girl to a vicious victor. Please welcome the victor of the 66th Annual Hunger Games, Emporia Falkum." Emory walked out, waving to the crowd as she sat down with a huge smile on her face.

She shook her head, "Caesar, how many times do I have to say it, it's Emory."

Caesar laughed, "of course." Everyone in the crowd laughed as well. "Now, tell me, how did you fool everyone with that little stunt."

Emory shrugged a little with a proud smile, "it wasn't hard. Everyone saw what they wanted to see. A little girl who was good at blending in. I made everyone think that was all I was, average."

The crowd whistled, "well, we now know you are anything but," Caesar chuckled. "I mean, most didn't even see you. They were dead before they even knew who did it." Emory and the crowd laughed. "How did you feel when you won? That was some brutal fight with Coran, the boy from your own District."

Emory's smile faltered and she gave a deep sigh, "it felt good to win, but knowing him and his family. I– it wasn't something I did lightly, it was just something I had to do. I had to get home. That was the only thing I was ever thinking, get home, get to my family. I have so much more time. I have my whole life to live. This couldn't be it."

Caesar gave her a sympathetic look as he grabbed her hand, and they got up from the seat. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the new youngest winner, the Ghost, from District 5, this year's victor of the 66TH ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES!"

She was brought before President Snow where the Tribute parade took place. He grabbed the crown and placed it on her head. "Congratulations, it's not every day you break a record."

She smiled at him kindly and bowed her head a little, "Thank you, sir." He grazed her back as he brought her before the Capitol. She smiled at them proudly and waved as they cheered her name.