Peaceful Forever [Book 1]

Chapter 13

-Finnick's POV-

I can't believe she won. I am absolutely terrified for her. The doctors woke Mags up last night and I was able to tell her what happened. I don't know how much she understood but at least she's awake now. I know Amily would prefer it if Mags met her at the Tribute Hospital instead of me but Mags isn't in any state to go collect our victor. She has a long recovery ahead of her.

Johanna has agreed to come with me to collect Amily. Cashmere offered to go but I was worried that Amily would freak out because of how similar her and Sapphire looked. Cashmere understood and told me to call her if I needed anything as she was headed back to District 1.

Johanna and I arrived at the tribute ward of the capital hospital 3 days after the games ended. I wanted to come sooner but the doctors said Amily wasn't ready for release and wouldn't allow me to see her until she was ready to be discharged. As Johanna and I neared her room, we were stopped by a worried doctor.

"Hello Mr. Odair, Ms. Mason, I am doctor Jasmine Holms," stated the doctor. "I understand you are here to collect your victor Amily."

"Yes," I reply. "I know it's not traditional to have another district's mentor come to a collection but due to Amily's fear of men that has been prevalent since before her games, and the fact that Ms. Flanigan is unable to join me, I believe it will be best for her if a woman is there to greet her when she is collected."

"Understood Mr. Odair," replied Dr. Holms. "How about we let Ms. Mason go in to see her while I brief you on her condition."

I agree and give Johanna a nod before she follows a nurse into the room where Amily is resting.

"Your victor has one of the worst post-games mental states I've ever seen," stated Dr. Holms. I have to swallow my anxiety as I need to be strong for Amily right now. "You mentioned a moment ago that she had issues with men before her games. Could you elaborate on that and maybe any other mental symptoms she may have had before the arena?"

"Um well I don't know her too well as she was trained mostly by Mags but I know she's scared of men due to some bullying she endured when she was younger by guys at school," I stated while Dr. Holms began taking notes. "I know she has had bad dissociative episodes for years. She didn't have an easy childhood and her brain likes to shut off when she's stressed. I've never seen her dissociate as bad as she was in the arena though. It honestly might be best if you get her father, the mayor of District 4, on the phone since he knows her best."

"Thank you Mr. Odair," Dr. Holms stated. "I'll go give him a call right now."

Just as Dr. Holms leaves to make the call Johanna re-emerges from Amily's room looking super pale.

"It's bad Finnick," she sighed. "She's not gonna last long."

I try my best to hold myself together as Johanna embraces me in a hug. The nurse returns and lets me know I can enter the room with Johanna.

When I enter the room I am alarmed by Amily's appearance. It's clear they had a feeding tube in her for the last few days as she still refuses to eat and she looks like a hollow shell of a human.

"Hi Amily," I say calmly, keeping my distance from her. She continues to stare straight ahead, her face emotionless. I don't even think she can hear me.

"You're coming home with me and Mags tomorrow," I continue. The doctors ensured me that Mags could be transported back to 4 tomorrow via the train as long as a doctor accompanied her and stayed with her for a week in her home. Also, Snow canceled her post-games interview. Apparently they're trying to sweep these games under the rug due to the disgrace of what happened and the somewhat boring ending.

Amily doesn't even blink. I step closer and go to touch her hand. I know it's a bad idea but I need her to wake up from her trance.

"Amily," I sigh as I touch her hand. She suddenly starts shaking uncontrollably. Nurses rush in and frantically push me and Johanna out of the room. I hear them yell, "She's having an episode!"
"Sedate her now!"

Tears roll down my cheeks but I quickly wipe them away. Now is not the time for a mental breakdown. Dr. Holms approaches us with a sympathetic look.

"I just got off the phone with Mayor Cresta," she states. "He has authorized her admittance to the capital's inpatient treatment program so we can help her mental state. Apparently she has a long history of self-destructive behavior and we are worried about her safety if she returns home."

I swallow the lump in my throat as I ask, "How long will she be staying here?"

"The minimum program time is 3 weeks but how long she stays depends on her progress. Our goal as of now is 12 weeks maximum. I've talked with Dr. Chive who is overseeing Ms. Flanigan's treatment. He said that she requested to stay in the capital for treatment as long as Amily is here. We think that she may be able to get Amily to spend more time in the present. We won't tell her about Ms. Flanigan's stroke until she's mentally stable enough to hear it."

This is honestly a lot to take in.

Dr. Holms continued, "You are more than welcome to stay in the capital as well or you may return home to District 4."

"I'll stay here for now," I reply. I couldn't possibly go home without Mags.

"Ok, I'll work out accommodations for you and have someone contact you by the end of the day," she states as she turns back to her clipboard. I thank her and leave with Johanna.

Johanna has to go home to 7 the next morning but I promise to call her and keep her updated. After lunch, I find myself in President Snow's office to discuss Amily's situation.

"Now I'm sure you understand, Mr. Odair, why I am not too thrilled with the outcome of this year's games," Snow stated.

"Um yes sir I can imagine this has been a stressful period for you as well," I respond as politely as I can.

"I have taken the burden of eliminating the game maker responsible for airing the disgraceful acts of these games committed by the District 2 boy," Snow continued. "I've also instructed my men to destroy all copies of the games that include those scenes and replace them with the edited copies that skip over the incident."

"Thank you sir," I respond.

"Now unfortunately it did air live so the whole of Panem has seen what happened, but I am hopeful that they will forget. I have instructed my new head game maker to make next year's games thrilling so as to keep people's minds off the disgrace of this year's," Snow stated. I swallow nervously.

"Now as to the topic of your Victor," Snow said. You were nervous as to what he had planned with her. "It is my intention to ensure that she gets the best care the capital has to offer in order for her to return to a more useful state."

"Respectfully sir," I state, "Are you planning on selling her?"

Snow smiled, "As of now my boy that is undecided."

I nod as Peacekeepers step forward to escort me out. You were in for a long ride.

-
AN: Amily's post-games journey is just beginning! Comment what you think about the story so far.