𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 | Finnick Odair

𝐱𝐱𝐢𝐢𝐢. home is where the heart is

As Genevieve and Caspian made their way back to camp, they talked about how much they missed district four. It was a safe subject that provided genuine comfort to both of them.

Genevieve missed her family, her bed, and the familiar streets she used to run on around the Academy. Caspian on the other hand missed the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

When they arrived back at the cornucopia they set about making a fire. Genevieve gathered twigs and sticks while Caspian worked on getting a spark going. It took a little bit of effort, but soon a flame was flickering in the darkness. The other district partners had yet to return and Genevieve was grateful because their absence helped her to feel more at ease.

They sat around the fire, warming their hands and talking about their homes. Genevieve told Caspian about her parents and Annie, and how she missed them terribly. Caspian talked about his brothers and the fishing trips they used to take together. It was strange to open up so much with her rival but she didn't regret it.

As they talked, the fire crackled and the stars shone brightly overhead. They both felt a little bit homesick, but they also felt a sense of friendship and understanding with each other.

This place is so strange," Genevieve said, staring into the flames. "It's so much like district four and yet it feels so wrong."

"I know what you mean," Caspian replied. "But I think it gives us an advantage. It's almost like home terrain"

They sat there for a while longer, talking and laughing, the fire keeping them warm and the stars providing a backdrop for their conversation. And even though they were far from home, they both felt a little bit better, knowing that they had each other to share their homesickness with.

Their happiness was soon cut short as the others returned in droves. Seraphina was sporting a large gash on her forearm that she didn't bother to explain simply retreating to her tent in a huff. There had been no other kills that day anyway apart from the drowning of an unexplained victim.

Pertan however had returned to the camp with a rabbit he had caught during his hunt. Genevieve was thrilled at the prospect of using the rabbit to make a delicious meal. It seemed like ages since they'd eaten anything other than capital nutrition and ration packs.

She carefully skinned the beast with help from Marla and inspected the flesh for any signs of abnormalities. The last thing she wanted to do was die from eating poisoned meat.

She set to work roasting the rabbit over an open fire, turning it carefully so that it cooked evenly on all sides. As the rabbit cooked, its succulent juices dripped into the fire, filling the air with the mouth-watering aroma of roasting meat.

She wondered if any of the other tributes were starving yet. There had been very little sign of any edible vegetation and so hunting animals seemed to be the only way to survive.

Once the rabbit was cooked to perfection, Genevieve carefully removed its skin and set it aside. She then carved the meat into thin slices and served it to the rest of the tributes, save Seraphina who was still sulking inside her tent.

After her meal, Genevieve crawled into her tent to get some much-needed sleep. She tossed and turned in her sleeping bag, trying to get comfortable. When that didn't work she tried counting fish, but that didn't help either.

Feeling frustrated, she got up and unzipped the flap to her tent, hoping the cool breeze would help her relax. She stared out into the night, watching the stars twinkle in the sky. As she watched, she noticed the sound of the crickets chirping and the gentle rustle of the leaves in the wind.

She took a deep breath and let the peace of the night wash over her. She felt her body start to relax and she slowly crawled back into her sleeping bag. As she lay down, she closed her eyes, hoping that this time she would fall asleep.

But as she drifted off, her mind started to play tricks on her. Genevieve found herself in a dark and stormy sea, waves crashing around her. She was swimming, trying to stay afloat, but the water was too rough. She could feel herself sinking and her lungs were starting to burn for air. She tried to scream for help, but no sound came out.

She woke up with a start, her heart racing and her sheets drenched in sweat. Genevieve sat up, still feeling the weight of the water on her chest. She realised it was just a nightmare and tried to shake off the feeling of dread.

Getting out of bed, she stuck her head out of the tent flap and took a deep breath of the fresh air. She could see the first light of the dawn breaking through the sky. She knew that she needed to try to fall asleep again, but this time, she would not let her mind wander. She went back to her bed and closed her eyes, determined to banish the silly dream and finally get some rest.

As the night drew on she clutched onto her necklace for comfort, desperate for some semblance of normalcy. So far this Hunger Games wasn't shaping up as anything out of the ordinary. She needed to make a name for herself or risk being forgotten.