THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

33 ~ the bargaining

Charlie didn't say anything to anyone else for the rest of their journey. Reef tried to speak to Charlie one-on-one as his mentor, but despite knowing the older man for years, Charlie refused to say a word until Carolina was in the room. And when she was in the room, he would only say something after looking to Carolina for confirmation.

"Can I ask you a couple of questions, Charlie?"

Carolina nodded at Charlie for the fifth time, and the boy turned back to Reef.

"Okay," Charlie said quietly.

Reef sighed at the action. "Okay then, what are your strengths?"

Charlie turned to Carolina again and waited for her nod. 

"My–my mom taught us about edible plants, and my dad taught me how to tie different knots."

"Any weapons?" Reef asked. "What have you worked on in the academy?"

Again, the boy looked at his sister.

"I'm okay with a spear," Charlie shrugged. "I'm not really good at anything yet."

Reef nodded. "That's something. Most of the other tributes will touch a weapon for the first time during training."

A sharp knock on the door startled Charlie. Lotus opened the door after a moment with a bright smile on her face.

"We are going to be arriving in the Capitol in an hour," the escort said. "Charlie, you should get changed before then."

Lotus walked into the room and straight to Charlie, grabbing his elbow to lift him out of his seat. Charlie's eyes widened at the contact, and he ripped his arm out of her grip.

"Don't touch me," Charlie said, before adding a quiet, "Please."

Carolina stood up at the interaction. "How about I help you pick out an outfit?"

Charlie nodded at her words and followed Lotus out of the room. Carolina moved to follow but Reef stopped her before she could completely leave the room.

"Lina," The man said softly. "He's a bright kid."

"I know," Carolina nodded. "He could do this."

Reef opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, trying to figure out what to say. "Lina, he's just so young. He hasn't learned much yet."

"Stop."

"I just want you to know that I am going to do everything I can so that boy can live," Reef said, "but my help is not going to make much of a difference."

"Sponsors could make all the difference," Carolina shook her head. "I'll talk to Cyrus when we get to the Capitol."

"Sponsors aren't going to be as easy to get this year."

"Why not?" Carolina scoffed. "I have most of the Capitol wrapped around my finger. If I asked them to sponsor Charlie, they would."

"Yeah, but there was a volunteer this year," Reef said. "I'm guessing she's caught everyone's eye."

"A volunteer?" Carolina asked, scrunching her face. "There are volunteers from One and Two every year. What makes this girl so special?"

"She's not a career," Reef said slowly. "She's from Twelve."

"A volunteer from Twelve?" Carolina repeated. She bit her lip, and her eyes flickered between Reef and the door. "That could mean anything. It doesn't necessarily mean that she's good."

"You're right," Reef nodded slowly, "but she's still going to be the center of attention. Lina, I think–"

"I have to go."