STILETTO┃Finnick Odair

Chapter 4

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:

I step onto the train and feel the weight of the situation settle on my shoulders. Lyme, a mentor from my last games, gives me a small nod of encouragement as I pass her. I take my seat on the table with the other mentors who were already engaged in conversation.

Madis, our escort, was chatting away excitedly about the upcoming Games, her hands flailing around as she described the extravagant costumes and events that would take place in the Capitol. I tried to tune her out, focusing instead on the mentors around me.

One of them, a gruff man with a thick beard, was talking about a strategy he used with his last tribute. I listen intently, taking mental notes for when I would inevitably have to face the arena once again.

Ryder, the other tribute from our district, is seated across from me and I can feel his eyes on me even when I wasn't looking at him directly. I can't help but feel annoyed at his stare, but I keep to myself, not wanting to encourage him in any way.

"Oh, Calissa, I'm so excited for you. You're going to be a star in the Capitol!" Madis exclaims, clapping her hands together.

I subtly roll my eyes. "Yeah, because the Hunger Games is just a walk in the park" I say dryly.

Ryder leans in, a sly smile on his face. "Oh come on, Calissa. You don't have to act so tough all the time. We both know you're secretly excited to be here," he says, his voice dripping with confidence.

I turn to him, with a cold expression on my face as I look him up and down.

Lyme nods in agreement. "Calissa's right. This is not a game. It's a matter of survival," she says, her voice grave.

The train lurches forward and begins to pick up speed, carrying us towards the Capitol and the horrors that await us.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:

I step into the grand foyer of the Capitol apartment, greeted once again by the same elaborate decor and extravagant furniture from my first games. The scent of flowers fills the air, mingling with an aroma of a meal being prepared in the kitchen. Memories come flooding back, good and bad. But this time, it feels different. The stakes are higher. This time, it's the Quarter Quell.

I make my way to the bedroom and prepare to take a bath. The tub is huge with golden faucets and intricate engraving on the side. As I sink into the warm water, I can feel the tension from the reaping slowly seeping away. After my bath I get dressed and head to the dining room. The District 2 mentors are already there, along with Lyme, Madis, and Ryder. Madis is excitedly chatting away, her blue hair bobbing as she talks.

I take my seat at the table and begin to eat the delicious food that's been laid out for us. When I arrive the conversation immediately turned to strategy. Lyme, being the experienced mentor, took the lead, outlining potential plans.

""We should just charge in there and take everyone out," Ryder says, taking a large gulp of wine.

Lyme shot him a withering look "That's a foolish plan, Ryder. We need to be strategic if you want to win this"

Calming myself, I interjected. "I agree with Lyme. We can't just charge in blindly. We need to assess the situation and come up with a plan."

Ryder rolled his eyes. "You two are so boring. Where's the fun in that?"

Lyme leaned forward, his intense gaze fixed on all of us. "We need to remember that this isn't just any Hunger Games. It's the Quarter Quell. They're going to throw things at us that we've never seen before. We need to be prepared for anything."