Her Victory, Their Life| F. Odair

25. Escape

It was absolute hell. The video showed over and over and over and over and over again. It was endless. The venom kept her awake but barely conscious. Everytime the video ended, she was forced to repeat her phrase.

"That's enough for tonight. Tomorrow will be– something else."

The peacekeepers filtered their way out and Emory was left completely in the dark. The peacekeepers had been using lamps and emergency lights. They had very little technology up and running.

Her T.V. was suddenly turned on again. Instead of her games, this time it was her husband, "This is Finnick Odair. Winner of the 65th Hunger Games. And I'm coming to you from District 13, alive and well. We've survived an assault from the Capitol. But I'm not here to give you recent news. Instead, I'm giving you something much more valuable. The truth. Not the myths about a life of luxury. Not the lie about glory for your homeland. You can survive the arena. The moment you leave, you're a slave."

At the same time a ship flew into the Capitol, filled with people from District 13, ready to rescue Johanna and Peeta.

Emory started to cry as she heard the next part, "President Snow used to sell me. Or my body, at least. I wasn't the only one. If a Victor is considered desirable, the President gives them as a reward or allows people to buy them. If you refuse, he kills someone you love. Some of these people included Cashmere from District 1, they had plans for Enobaria before her teeth from District 2, Emporia from District 5, Johana Mason, who refused and they murdered her whole family from District 7. The only way the star crossed lovers got out of it was because of their love for each other. They were more obsessed with that than how attractive they were."

Everyone in District 13 let out a breath of air as the ship got through the Capitol's defensive perimeter.

"To make themselves feel better, my patrons would make presents of money or jewelry. But my partner, who I was often bought with, and I found a much more valuable form of payment. Secrets."

The ship had made it inside of the capital and was coming upon the tribute center. "See, I know all the depravity, the deceit and the cruelty of the Capitol's pampered elite. But the biggest secrets are about our good President, Coriolanus Snow."

Emory closed her eyes, she knew this one by heart, how could she ever forget it.

"Such a young man when he rose to power. Such a clever one to keep it. How, you may ask, did he do it?" There was breaking going on. Emory heard it. It was quiet, but she heard it. "One word. Poison. He stopped every mutiny before it even started. There are so many mysterious deaths to adversaries. Even to allies who were threats. Snow would drink from the same cup, to deflect suspicion. But antidotes don't always work, which is why he wears roses that reek of perfume. Help cover the scent of blood from sores in his mouth that will never heal." Emory started crying again.

"Finnick, I love you, I want to hold you and kiss you– but I'll never be able to," she cried, but he couldn't hear her and just kept talking.

"But he can't hide the scent of who he really is. He kills without mercy. He rules with deception and fear. His weapon of choice is the only thing suited to such a man. Poison. The perfect weapon for a snake."

The screen went dark again. "NO! NO! NO!" Emory screamed with her horace voice. "NO! BRING HIM BACK! BRING HIM BACK! FINNICK! FINNICK! PLEASE! I'LL DO ANYTHING! JUST BRING HIM BACK!" She kept screaming as the video started fizzing out between Snow and Katniss.

The lights came back on around her. The team extracted Peeta and Johanna and were preparing to leave when they heard screaming. Evan stopped and turn towards it. "Cornly, let's go! CORNLY, I said let's go!" Boggs ordered him. They got what they came for.

"Sorry, captain," he said, unapologetically. He ran down the hall to the source of the noise and came to a door. He tried to open it but it wouldn't budge. He threw his whole body weight against it, but it still wouldn't move.

Gale rounded the corner and joined him. They did it twice at the same time before the busted into the room. Inside was Emory, thrashing against her restraints. Evan rushed to her, "hey, hey, shush, shush," he tried to get her to stop.

Gale looked around and picked up a needle. He didn't know what it was, but he pressed it into her neck and she calmed down. They unstrapped her and Evan hoisted her over his shoulder and ran out of the room.