That Fine Line

Chapter 8 - The Irony

So, essentially, what he was trying to tell me was that he signed me up, without my knowing or permission, to help revolt against the Capitol. I almost laughed at the irony of the situation. Years ago, my family had been sent to the Districts because my father had been arrested and punished for conspiring against our government. And here I was today, a mutineer. What's even funnier was that Finnick had been the informant of my father's whereabouts and plans, and he was also now part of the rebellion. 

Then, what had he reported my father for? Why had he exposed him in the first place, when he didn't even have a strong sense of patriotism to begin with? Had my father died for no reason? Did I have to move to the slums for nothing?

"You're unbelievable." I didn't know what else to say. He took it as skepticism of the absurd explanation he had just provided.

"Oh yeah? Wait here." He ran to his bedroom and returned swiftly with a golden bracelet that matched the design of my hair clip.

"Every tribute who is a part of the escape plan will have a trinket of this design so that we know who is on our side. The Gamemakers allow tributes to carry harmless accessories with them into the arena, so we'll make use of it."

I shook my head in disbelief. "So why volunteer me? Why make me a part of this plan?" A plan that's destined to fail?

Finnick's gaze turned serious. "Because I trust you."

"Right," I answered doubtfully.

"Anyone who would volunteer to save another helpless victor has a good enough moral sense to do the right thing--to help overthrow the Capitol and end these despicable games once and for all."

He paused. "And I want you to live, Y/N. I want you to survive and escape this with us. With me."

I froze. What could he possibly mean by that? Why did he care about my life? I'd done nothing to this man but treat him as badly as I could. 

Maybe he's just using me. But the level of earnestness in his voice made it difficult for me to convince myself that he was lying. He was probably just using his charm. Or maybe I was subconsciously trying to make myself believe him. I couldn't tell.

"So?" I was pulled out of my internal debate. "Are you in?"

Regardless of what his reasons were, the most important part was securing my alliance with him to exact my revenge. I gave a small reluctant sigh and nodded, "I'm in."