A Rebellious Spirit | Book III

Chapter Ten | "You know how they think."

District Four's Reapings for in the morning, as always. But not early enough that Quinn couldn't find her way out to the lake where Coleman, Isabella, and herself usually met to talk or get ready to hunt. Quinn had made her way there a little over an hour before she had to be at the Reaping. She took in the vague smell of the ocean that surrounded the area from the ocean. The smell of everything around her-- usually she didn't notice it. But this would be the last time she ever smelt it, the last time she would probably ever sit there.

"Quinn!" she turned sharply just as Isabella collided with her. Her arms clung around her neck in a tight hug. "Quinn, if you get chosen, you have to win." she said, her head still rested on her shoulder.

And leave Finnick?

"I'll try to..." Quinn replied as she slowly wrapped her arms around Isabella. "But I might not even get chosen."

Isabella pulled away for a moment, her eyes looked at Quinn sympathetically. They seemed to agree with what Quinn knew-- there was no way Quinn would be coming back to District Four alive. Isabella let go of Quinn and seated herself next to her as Coleman stepped in front of them.

"You will try, won't you?" he asked, "No matter who else is in there?"

"If I can."

"If?" Isabella echoed.

Quinn sighed, "If I end up in there, there's going to be Victors who have done more, who have more experience in thinking their way through things." she explained looking down at her.

"Quinn," Coleman stated, pausing for a moment. "You survived your games, and the arena was just a big puzzle that the gamemakers made up. You made it from Four to Thirteen." he said, he sounded a bit shocked at her lack of confidence. "You don't give yourself enough credit."

"Besides, you know how they work-- the gamemakers." Isabella added.

"That doesn't mean I wouldn't have too great of an alliance." she reminded them, "They all know each other."

After awhile of small talk Quinn finally pushed herself up to leave. Quinn still had to go change and get ready for the reaping.

"If you are reaped," Isabella said, her eyes avoiding eye contact. "I'll come to say goodbye then. Okay?"

Quinn sighed with a small smile, and then nodded a bit. "Sounds good," she sighed. "No point in saying goodbye if I might not even get reaped." she stated and then gave Isabella a small hug before Isabella began to walk away. Quinn decided not to remind her of the vote in the Capitol that would take place during the tribute parade. But she didn't even have to remind Coleman, before she could really look at him-- his arms pulled her into a hug.

"If you end up in there...just don't like Snow just get rid of you." he said as he hugged her. "Give everyone something to remember."

"Haven't I already done that?" she replied, smirking a bit. "Snow can't get rid of me."

He smirked a bit as the two of them let go of each other.

"He'll have to try harder than just using a few little firebombs. "