Secrets of the Sea | Finnick Odair

- chapter 34 -

CORDELIA

Upon opening her eyes all Cordelia could see was white. No. The games were over, she'd won... right?

A cold breeze caused a chill to run up her spine and Cordelia couldn't do much to stop the sob as it spilled out.

Had she really dreamt it all? Some exhausted delusion, giving her the outcome she wanted most- to go home and see her family, blood-related or otherwise again. She moved to sit up but found she couldn't get very far on her own. Looking down she saw a light nightgown covering her skin, the material was soft and thin doing absolutely nothing to stop the continuing cold air. Wiping her tears away Cordelia was left confused, and slightly woozy.

"Ah, Miss Reeve! You're finally awake."

Quickly turning to see this new person who had invaded her space Cordelia saw someone dressed completely in white. They took a step towards her and Cordelia pushed and kicked back on the bed she was lying on to get as far away as possible. Pain shot up her side and she winced but stayed as far as she could force herself.

"Miss Reeve I must finish the treatment, if you would allow me to do so-"

"No." Cordelia cut the person off.

"I really have to insist, President Snow has asked that I-"

"Where's Finnick?" It was now she pieced together where she was, in the hovercraft that transported the tributes to and from the arena. He was her mentor, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to assume he'd have been brought along to collect her. The person only sighed, they must've realised at this point she was just going to remain defensive.

"Mr Odair is not here."

"Where is he?"

"Back at the Capitol-"

"Why? Why isn't he here?" The tears were threatening to return.

"When the tributes reach the final two the hovercraft is deployed without knowing who might return, bringing both remaining tribute's mentors is an unnecessary hassle. Miss please," their tone was bordering on begging, "I must insist you let me finish."

Whatever fight she thought she'd had in her died at that moment. She was stuck in the hovercraft until it returned to the Capitol. Finnick wasn't here and despite not asking about her Cordelia knew that included Mags too. It was stupid really, if her mentors were watching the games, they wouldn't have been willing to look away in case their tribute died. They couldn't leave themselves with that chance. Relenting she let what she assumed was the doctor finish whatever they had supposedly started.

Her temperature was checked, pulse was monitored. And when the doctor motioned towards her side Cordelia put up no fight, lifting the fabric herself. She'd been practically naked and broadcasted to the entirety of Panem only days before. Getting her stab wound checked was the last thing she cared about. Back in the arena, she hadn't had the time to examine just how bad it was. Now she had a moment to see it she felt sick, angry red skin surrounding a glistening bloodied mess of the hole in her side. Bandages had been set aside to use in rewrapping it, a pile of dirty, blood-soaked bandages lay in a smaller pile further back. Distracted she didn't notice when the doctor moved to put a gelatinous mixture, she only felt the instant cold and hissed at the feeling. As soon as it sat for a moment the mixture soaked into her skin, soothing the aching but leaving her with an uncomfortable chill.

She'd rather have the pain.

"Unfortunately there isn't much else we can do for that right now." They moved to discard the gloves covering their hands. "More assistance will be given upon your return to the Capitol. However, we will have to make do with cleaning you up. There is simply no way you can make your victorious return looking like that." Cordelia wanted to be offended, she really did- but the dirt caking her skin and hair was just another reminder of where she'd come from of what she'd just done. Aside from the dirt, there was a large staining of blood on parts of her skin, something she'd glanced over when she'd first woken up, or maybe it was because she still didn't feel entirely here.