Siren Song ~ Finnick Odair x oc

12...Arena Day 2

As Cove sleeps peacefully beside me, snuggled under the cozy blanket, a sense of calm fills the air around us. The sun gradually ascends in the sky, its golden beams spilling into the room and gently coaxing us into the reluctant arrival of a new day.

My vision still blurry from sleep, I feel the cool ground beneath me, sending a refreshing chill through my bones and nudging me back to reality. Outside, the world remains still and quiet, interrupted only by the occasional bird call in the distance—a soft reminder that life continues beyond our little sanctuary.

Just as the sun fully reclaims the sky, Cove's eyelids begin to flutter open as he stirs, breaking free from the depths of sleep.

"Mmm...how long did I sleep?" he murmurs, his voice thick with drowsiness.

The moment feels incredibly serene, but I can't resist responding playfully, "Five days," I reply with an exaggerated deadpan expression as I stand to stretch.

Cove's eyes go wide in disbelief; I can almost see his mind struggling to process the absurdity of my claim.

"Huh? Five days? No way! Did you really let me sleep for five days straight?" He gazes up at me, still ensnared by the remnants of dreams, confusion etched on his face.

Unable to contain my laughter, I lean down, revelling in the unexpected humour of the situation.

"Oh, that was priceless! But sadly, it was just a few hours," I manage to say between breaths, his laughter quickly joining mine, the sound warming the air around us.

"You really had me going for a second there! I should've known you were pulling my leg, though. You're too much of a smartass for your own good," he responds, still chuckling.

"I like to think it's one of my...better qualities," I reply confidently, relishing the playful exchange that feels central to our friendship.

Cove shakes his head, amusement shining in his eyes. "Oh, definitely. Your smartass attitude is one of the things I value most about you. It definitely keeps things lively."

I can't help but smile, "You're very welcome," I quip playfully, taking a moment to check that all my weapons are properly secured to my body while Cove gathers the supplies, we received the previous night, stowing them in the deep pockets of his jacket like precious treasures.

In one swift motion, I remove the rod from the door lock, pushing it open to reveal the dimly lit stairwell beyond, marking the beginning of our descent into the day's unknowns.

"So, where to next? Got any ideas?" Cove asks, curiosity evident as he follows closely behind me, the weight of our adventure hanging in the air.

I pause for a moment, surveying the horizon of possibilities before us; "I think we should stick with the fortified building; if it seems tough to get into, there might be supplies or something useful inside," I suggest, the thought bolstering my determination as we step into the daylight, the allure of the unknown urging us onward.

Descending the stairs feels like a burden lifted, a stark contrast to the exhausting climb we made earlier.

Our footsteps are light, softly echoing against the cold, hard surfaces, and I can feel the adrenaline surging through us, keeping us sharp and alert.

"Yeah, that's a solid point," Cove agrees, pausing momentarily to catch his breath. 

Nodding with affirmation, I draw my dagger, enjoying the reassuring coolness of its handle in my palm, ready and alert for whatever challenges may lie ahead in this unpredictable world.

"We need to make our way across the entire length of the arena, which will certainly take some time, particularly if we opt for the safer path that runs along the woods, keeping us hidden from unwanted eyes," I explain, the seriousness of our predicament weighing heavily on both of us.