𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 | Finnick Odair

𝐱𝐱𝐯. your picket fence is sharp as knives

Polonius Gallowstone, the Head Game Maker in charge of the 70th Hunger Games, watched the day's events unfold from his control room high above the arena. This year they had expanded their complex system of cameras and microphones with new capital technology so that they could monitor the tribute's every move, capturing every moment of the brutal competition and broadcasting it in real-time.

At his disposal, a team of game makers observed the arena, then made adjustments to ramp up the brewing tension, changing the weather, altering the terrain, and releasing deadly mutts to keep the tributes on their toes. They were always hunting for ways to make the games more exciting and unpredictable, to keep the audience in the Capitol entertained. If the games weren't up to the high standards of President Snow that would be the end of his career so Polonius wanted to ensure he made his mark in the right way.

After all, the Game Makers were an enigmatic and influential group, answering only to the Capitol and the President himself. They were responsible for creating the arenas and designing the challenges that the tributes would face. The deciding factor of life and death over the tributes, and Polonius relished the control he had over the games.

His job was a necessary evil in the world of the Hunger Games. Without him, the games could not exist. The tributes were merely pawns in his plan to cement himself as one of the greats, and Polonius Gallowstone would stop at nothing to ensure that his games were a success.

The 70th Hunger Games arena was unlike any other. The Game Makers had a new surprise in store for the tributes: a massive dam located on the mountains surrounding the arena, holding back a vast lake. None of the tributes had given much notice to the deadly trap apart from the district four pair who had yet to share the knowledge with anyone else. They were smart, why give someone else an advantage when they would benefit most from it breaking?

He doubted that some of the tributes could even swim. Most would drown immediately and even those skilled enough to make it past the first wave would struggle to stay above the water and not be pulled under by strong currents. The key to surviving was to either have enough stamina and strength to stay afloat or to make it to higher ground where the water couldn't touch you to fight it out with the rest of the survivors.

He was simply waiting on the call from Snow to let the flood loose, once the dam broke the mutts would let loose and the real games would begin. The tributes would be caught off guard and swept away in the raging waters. Forcing everyone to gather in much closer proximity at higher ground and stay alive.

Breaking the dam would add a new level of danger and excitement to the games. The audience in the Capitol was sure to be thrilled to see the tributes battling not only each other but also the flood. He was due on Claudius Templesmith's daytime talk show in an hour to drop some hints of what was to come.

He was going to create a true victor, another capital sweetheart. The last tribute standing would have to be a true survivor, able to navigate the treacherous floodwaters and outwit their opponents. If everything went his way the 70th Hunger Games would go down in history as one of the most brutal and unforgettable games ever.

Straightening his tie he headed down to one of the lower floors housing the main monitors and arena layout.

"If we haven't had any more deaths by sunset tonight send in the Shoebill Mutts," he commented offhandedly to one of his subordinates. When he received a nod of understanding he made his way over to one of the main cameras to watch as the career pack scoured the forest for unsuspecting victims.

The Career pack seemed to be unravelling as days went by without any kills to settle them. He watched them argue on screen. The District two tributes had been left behind to guard their makeshift cornucopia camp whilst the district one and four duos hunted.

Both the girls seemed to be in some kind of silent face-off over what direction to go in next. Seraphina, the district one girl, had adopted a protective stance and was trying to surreptitiously reach for her sword. However the minute her hand touched the hilt Genevieve was on top of her. She had pinned her to the ground and was holding a katana at her throat.

The District one boy seemed to freeze making no effort to help his district partner. Polonius watched on intrigued. Caspian was staring with rapt interest at the district one boy, seemingly waiting for him to come to his senses and attack.

They were a good district pair, entertaining and more importantly smart, they knew when to attack and when to bide their time. Coppergrove was goading the girl now, pressing the blade hard enough to leave a superficial wound but not enough to do any damage.

The game maker's room had fallen silent as everyone watched to see how it would play out. They could delay the mutts if this was enough of a show to keep their audiences appeased.

The district one girl was scrambling to grab something to defend herself with. Unfortunately for her, there weren't very many rocks that far out from the mountains. Polonius laughed as she struggled to calm down her so-called ally. This would be a humiliating way to go for a career who had what it took to make it all the while and she had been so cocky during her interview as well.

Genevieve seemed to grow more annoyed as the girl tried to reason with her and rolled her eyes when the other tribute began listing off reasons she should be kept around.

Caspian spun his spear around threateningly, almost daring the other boy to make a move and risk his neck in the process of trying to help his district partner.

When the district one tribute spluttered out even more meaningless excuses Genevieve began to taunt her by mocking her arguments in a sickly sweet voice as she tightened her grip on the other girl. It seemed to be obvious to everyone but the victim that she wasn't being serious. Her district partner was shaking, eyes darting towards the trees looking to make a quick getaway for when the inevitable unfolded in front of him.

"You're going to have some serious bruises for a while." Genevieve mused, looking down at the pale expanse of skin she was using to pin Seraphina down. "Shame you won't be around to see them." Before she could even cough out another reply Genevieve had brought her hands up to her neck and snapped it. The sound echoed off the surrounding trees and seemed to awaken Rex from his comatose state as he promptly ran as fast as he could away from them. Caspian made no move to chase him, instead he just chucked his spear and watched it lodge itself into the boy's back, making him keel over and cough up some blood before he collapsed on the floor. Dead.

Polonius whistled in delight at the show, turning back to his desk as Caspian retrieved his weapon and two cannons fired.