𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫, Finnick Odair

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒑

When Ash and Venus finally woke, all the tears on Aphrodite's face had dried, leaving her skin red and splotchy. She rose to her feet, brushing dirt off her clothes with stiff hands.

"We need to get moving," Aphrodite said, her voice firm, though it trembled ever so slightly at the end.

Ash and Venus exchanged a look of confusion before turning their gazes back to her.

"Aphrodite, we're fine here," Venus said, standing as well, her voice tinged with concern. "Why do you want to leave?"

Aphrodite paused, her movements halting as she looked at both of them. "I made a plan in training with the girl from District 11. She was supposed to lead the Careers into a trap today, and we'd be there to ambush them."

Venus' lips curled into a cunning smile. "Okay, Aphrodite. I'll agree, that sounds like a good plan." Her eyes gleamed with interest, calculating as always.

But Ash's reaction was the exact opposite. His face twisted in anger, his voice cold as he stepped forward. "What, and you didn't think to tell us before?" His jaw clenched, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

Aphrodite shifted her weight, guilt gnawing at her. "I didn't... I wasn't sure if it would work. I didn't want to get your hopes up."

Ash shook his head, glaring at her. "You don't get to make decisions like that without telling us. We're supposed to be in this together."

Aphrodite met his gaze, holding back the wave of emotions threatening to crash over her. She couldn't break—not now. Not when they needed to stay united. But beneath the moment's tension, she could feel the cracks forming.

The trio finally got moving through the forest, the tension hanging thick in the air. Aphrodite led the way, her steps silent and purposeful. Behind her, Ash's mood remained stormy, and Venus followed with her usual sharp eyes, scanning the surroundings as if always preparing for whatever might come next.

The forest was dark, even in the daylight hours, with thick canopies of trees blocking out most of the sunlight. Shadows stretched across the forest floor, and the sound of their footsteps felt unnervingly loud in the silence. The air was damp, the smell of wet earth clinging to everything.

"Are you sure she'll be there?" Venus asked, her voice quiet but pressing.

Aphrodite didn't respond at first, focused on pushing forward. She hoped her plan with the District 11 girl hadn't fallen through. "If she's still alive, she'll be there," Aphrodite finally muttered, more to herself than the others.

Ash remained silent, but Aphrodite could feel his eyes on her, full of doubt and frustration. She knew he wasn't happy with the secrets she'd been keeping. She could feel the pressure mounting, but now wasn't the time to explain or justify. They had to stay focused.

The towering trees began to thin as they neared the open ground where the Cornucopia stood. Aphrodite slowed, raising a hand to signal the others to stop. They crouched low behind a cluster of thick undergrowth, close enough now to hear any movement but far enough to remain hidden.

"There," Aphrodite whispered, pointing towards the clearing. The Cornucopia loomed ahead, glinting faintly in the muted light. In the distance, they could just make out the shadows of tributes moving around the Cornucopia.

Venus narrowed her eyes. "Looks like the Careers," she whispered.

Aphrodite's heart pounded. This is it, she thought. This is where the plan comes together. She scanned the edges of the clearing, looking for any sign of the District 11 girl, hoping she hadn't been killed before reaching her position.