Scarred | The Hunger Games

19.

"So, Acacia tell me. How do you plan on surviving?" Caesar asks, the sound of the interview droning out in the background. I had told Acacia to play into the role of an innocent kid, which wasn't too hard because she was one. Before I know it, Acacia runs backstage, launching herself into my arms. 

"Shh, it's ok it's done, it's over." I whisper, holding onto her as tightly as I can. She sobs into my chest, arms tightening around my waist. 

"Y'know, my brother was in the games before. Two years ago with Novalie." Otto mentions, just as I told him to. It peaks the interest of the audience and Caesar. 

Caesar leans in, on the edge of his seat, "Is that so? And how does it feel, going into the games like how your brother did?"

Orion puts on the most sarcastic smile I had ever seen, and yet it did not phase the audience, Capitolites not being able to distinguish a real smile from a fake one. "I feel like I am here to take back the dignity of my brother, to make my family proud."

"And what about working with Novalie, our very own Shark Biter? How does that feel?" Caesar questions, glancing between the audience and Orion.

He shakes his head. "I actually admire her a lot. She's doing everything to help me get home, something she couldn't do for Otto." His statement makes me tear up, the words being said making everything so much more real. I couldn't get Otto home.

His interview finishes up soon, and once he gets backstage, he also begins crying. "Why did you make me talk about him?" He blames.

I rub his back, "I know, I'm sorry. We had to get you to stand out, I'm sorry." His soft crying becomes soft hiccups, and I know he's trying to control his tears. 

Katniss' interview comes up as I continue to comfort my two kids. She's dressed beautifully- too beautifully. I could practically see the hungry gazes of the capitolites, ready to consume her if she were to ever leave the games as victor.

I hadn't had appointments since Otti died. Snow had no more leverage over me. He couldn't threaten me with Mason, I no longer had an attachment to her. He couldn't threaten me with Finnick, he was too popular within the Capitol. Sure he could threaten me with Cecelia or Haymitch, but the former had family, and the latter's death would be noticed since he was the only Twelve winner. 

He had nothing on me. And as free as I wanted to feel, I had felt the most control I ever had since before my reaping. 

Peeta goes up for his interview, and I have no idea if Haymitch used my idea pitch, but it seemed Peeta did it anyways. He played into the star-crossed lovers idea, and the Capitol ate it up.

I heard some commotion in Twelve's dressing room, but I left it to Haybitch, he had everything under control. 

***

"Stay away from the Cornucopia, that is the only I ask of you. Stay away from it and I promise you will live lon-"

"But you went to the Cornucopia." Orion rebuttals. He had been a bit rebellious since I made him bring up Otto. 

"No, that was different, it was under water, and that was our only chance to survive." The two were just about to head into the hovercraft, taking them to the arena. 

Orion looked very sceptical, "But the weapons and food- I, I think it would be worth it-"

"No. It's not, I- I couldn't get Otto home, but I am damn making sure his brother-"

"I have an alliance!" Orion suddenly says. It looks like this was news to Acacia, who has a look of almost betrayal on her face. "It's with Six, we agreed to get a bag each form the Cornucopia."

I shook my head, ready to argue with him, but that was when the peacekeepers called for them. The begin to drag away my kids, not letting me make any final statements. I try though, yelling, "Acacia! Stay away from the Cornucopia and find shelter!"

They were dragged away to the hovercraft, and I went to find Haymitch. We stand in silence, watching as the kids rise up on their pedestals, to see a forest arena. Definitely a lot more tame compared to the Crane's last few arenas. 

"Dammit I told her to run away from the bloodbath." Haymitch muttered under his breath, the light stench of alcohol coming from him. He pours himself another glass with pursed lips as he watched Katniss run towards the Cornucopia. "I'm going to need more drinks."

I'm horribly stressed, watching Orion run into the bloodbath. Acacia runs away from it, and Cecelia is watching over her for now so I am focused on Orion. Just as I think Orion might actually make it out, he doesn't. "Fuck me." I mumble. His alliance wasn't worth it in the end. Both the kids from Six and himself got killed. 

Before I could supress the tears, they had already gathered, slowly leaking out of my eyes. I tried not to make that annoying hiccup sound through my tears, but Haymitch looked over at me in concern anyways. 

"I'm fine- give me this." I snatch the drink out of his hand, downing it before looking for his kids. Katniss seems to be doing good, getting in a tree, and Peeta is with the Careers, something I didn't expect. 

It had been a few hours with little movement, which only meant that there would be a death soon. I walked up to Cecelia, checking on little Acacia. "Is she alive?" I sniffle, the loss of Orion still raw in my mind. 

She bits her lip, "Maybe not for long." 

The Careers. The fire. The young girl had made a fire, trying to keep warm in the night, but the Careers were hunting tributes.

"No." I buried my face in Cecelia's shoulder, flinching at her screaming and then releasing a sob at the cannon. I knew she wouldn't make it, she was 12, but something in me wished she would. 

I lost them all.