❝FIRE ON FIRE WOULD NORMALLY
KILL US, BUT THIS MUCH DESIRE,
TOGETHER WE'RE WINNERS❞
in which a girl from district 4
meets a boy from district 2
during the 74th annual
hunger games.
[the hunge...
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THE NEXT DAY, Lilia Conway sat among the remaining victors of the Hunger Games in the Capitol conference room. The familiar faces around her - Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, Annie, Cato, Beetee, and Johanna - looked just as beaten as she felt. At the head of the table, seated in President Snow's chair, Alma Coin looked at the group and began.
"I have invited you all here for several reasons, but first, I have an announcement. I have taken the burden and the honor of declaring myself interim president of Panem."
"Interim?" Haymitch raised an eyebrow. "Exactly how long is that interim?"
"We have no way of knowing for certain," Coin replied, her tone flat. "But it's clear that people are far too emotional right now to make a rational decision. We'll plan an election when the time is right..."
"Sure you will," Haymitch muttered.
Ignoring his comment, Coin continued, "But I have called you here for a far more important vote. A symbolic vote. This afternoon, we will execute Snow. Hundreds of his accomplices also await their deaths. Capitol officials, peacekeepers, torturers, Gamemakers..."
Lilia exchanged a glance with Cato.
"But the danger is, once we begin, the rebels will not stop calling for retribution. Thirst for blood is a difficult urge to satisfy. So I offer an alternative plan. A majority of four may approve it. No one may abstain."
Lilia listened intently as Coin continued, "The proposal is this: In lieu of these barbaric executions, we hold a symbolic Hunger Games."
The room went quiet.
"You want to have another Hunger Games with the Capitol's children?" Johanna called out with a dry laugh. "You're joking?"
"Not in the slightest," Coin said, her expression firm.
"Is this Plutarch's idea?" Haymich asked.
"It was mine," she replied. "It balances the need for revenge with the least loss of human life. You may cast your votes."
"No. No, obviously not," Peeta Mellark blurted out, shaking his head. "This is crazy."
"I think it's more than fair," Johanna interjected. "Snow's got a granddaughter. I say yes."
"This way of thinking is what started these uprisings," Peeta argued, desperation filling in his voice.
"I vote no, with Peeta," Annie quietly chimed in. "So would Finnick, if he were here."
"Well, he's not," Johanna shot back. "Because Snow killed him."
"No," Beetee spoke up. "We need to stop viewing each other as enemies."
