THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

32 ~ the 74th hunger games

One month later, Carolina held onto Charlie's hand as tight as she could as they walked to the Justice Building. Dread still simmered in the pit of her stomach from her conversation with Snow.

She hadn't told anyone about the president's visit. Reef was the only other person to know about its occurrence, and that was only because the man happened to be walking down the street as Snow made his departure.

Carolina tried to tell Finnick about what happened. But every time she started to open up to him, she thought about how many hidden recording devices were around them. What if involving Finnick put a target on his back? She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she was the reason he was put in harm's way.

So, Carolina did what she did best. She bottled up everything that was wrong in her life, convincing herself that it was for the better.

Charlie noticed that Carolina's anxiety skyrocketed that Friday afternoon. He saw it in the way she was silent the entire dinner that night, in the way she checked his bedroom in the late hours of the night, and right at that moment, in the way she was gripping his hand tightly as if her life depended on it.

He wished later on that he had asked her what was wrong.

As the pair of siblings moved closer and closer to the Justice Building, Carolina's grip on Charlie's hand only got tighter.

Pearl was standing on the other side of Carolina with her little sister, Shella, right beside her. It was Shella's first year in the reaping as well, and Carolina's best friend was talking about what they were going to have to do when they reached the town square.

"They are going to take your blood," Pearl said. Shella flinched from beside her sister, causing Pearl to gently run a hand down the girl's hair. "It will only be a prick. It doesn't hurt, and it will be over before you know it. I promise."

Charlie knew he was supposed to be listening to Pearl, but his eyes were focused on Carolina's hand. She was running her thumb up and down the back of his hand. He recognized the movement. Not from Carolina but from their mother. She used to do that when she was worried.

When they arrived at the Justice Building, Carolina stopped herself and her brother, allowing Pearl and Shella to go ahead on her own. When they were lost in the crowd, Carolina turned to her brother.

"Your name is only in there once," Carolina forced a smile and put a hand on his cheek. "The odds are in your favor."

Charlie nodded. "When will you be back?"

"I— I don't know, Charlie," Carolina's face flickered with worry once again, but she quickly masked it. "Mags is staying in Four during these games, and she agreed to watch you for the next couple of weeks."

Charlie hugged his sister, and Carolina held onto him tightly, as if it would be the last hug they would ever share. 

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, buddy," Carolina pulled away. "Everything is going to be alright, okay? I love you."

"I love you too, Lina."

Carolina watched Charlie get in line with all of the other possible tributes. She let out a deep breath and walked towards the stage.

Something was going to happen in the Capitol. Carolina knew that she would be engaged within the week, but she didn't know what else would happen. All she knew was that whenever it came to President Snow, there was always a catch.

Carolina had a feeling she was going to be staying in the Capitol much longer than she wanted to.

When she got to the stage, Carolina met eyes with Reef. He nodded to her, and she walked to the empty chair beside him.