𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 ༄ 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗄 𝗈𝖽𝖺𝗂𝗋

chapter twenty

- WHEN A PLAN FALLS APART -

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     THERE WAS A point in time where Finnick would find Nadia's pessimism odd. Just a few hours ago, his hopes were higher than the sky itself. Maybe she was right to be so pessimistic.

     Waking up after the arena fell apart, he figured would be an almost joyous moment. He could picture it the day Plutarch gave him the letter that explained his plan. This was much different.

     His mouth was covered with an oxygen mask, his head ached since he was blown back by the lightning strike and his forearm stung from where he cut out his tracker. But he didn't really care about these little inconveniences as long as Nadia was here too.

     He had looked for her in the small space where he was treated, Katniss and Beetee still unconscious on mats beside him. But no sign of Nadia, Johanna, Apollo or Peeta. It made his anxiousness outweigh the hopefulness.

     Every moment passed and dwindling hope would follow, Finnick stood now before three men in the threshold between where Katniss and Beetee were still unconscious, to the room holding Apollo, —which gave him only slight relief— Haymitch and Plutarch.

     None of them said a word and that was the worst possible thing he could be welcomed with. He knew something was wrong or something happened to her by the solemn silence and look in their eyes.

     "Where is she?" Finnick broke that silence, his voice quiet as he felt tears prick at his eyes.

     Again, there was no reply. He looked at each of them, but no one met his eager gaze. When his eyes landed on Apollo and the way he too was struggling to remain neutral, he somehow knew.

     "They have her... don't they?" He muttered, staring at Apollo for an answer.

     He looked ashamed, like he somehow could've prevented it. But he'd gotten knocked back and knocked out too. There was nothing he could've done. Yet, he still felt guilty.

     "Yes." Apollo replied after a long pause.

     "The Capitol picked her up, along with Johanna and Peeta." Haymitch cut in as Finnick nodded, wiping his eyes and walking to the other side of the room.

     "We tried, but once they lost power to the arena, aircrafts were there in minutes." Plutarch explained and Finnick only shrugged, regretting he even asked where she was in the first place.

     If he didn't know, he could live in ignorance and this strong, horrible ache wouldn't be overtaking his chest making it hard to breathe.

     "I'm sorry." Plutarch offered his sympathy, but Finnick waved him off as he bit down on his lip and took a seat near Apollo where he stood.

     The three around the table shared a look as Finnick just sat there, staring at his hands as his tears hit the floor.

     He couldn't decide if the pain in his chest was from knowing she wasn't safe, or from guilt. Probably a strong mix of both.

     He promised her they'd be okay. He promised her he'd look for her. He could hardly stand to think about what The Capitol would do to her for information. They could kill her. And he wouldn't even get to say goodbye.

     "She's gonna lose it when she finds out about the boy." Finnick tuned back into their conversation as Haymitch spoke.

     "She'll still cooperate though?" Plutarch looked at Haymitch with raised brows as Finnick lifted his head to listen more intently, trying to ignore the ache.