The Victor

3

We pull into the Capitol, crowds screaming my name. I smile and wave, my heart not into it. It's a whirlwind of color, smells, and when I step into my interview, Caesar leads me through it flawlessly. The audience bursts into tears when Caesar asks me about the sand dollar. I answer calmly, surprised that I'm not more nervous than I am. Then President Snow walks onstage to cheers and approaches me with congratulations. His eyes are like ice, and when I catch the whiff of blood and roses I stiffen. He embraces me with a kiss on the cheek, and I try not to cringe away at the touch of his puffy lips on my skin. I meet his eyes coolly and I see genuine hate there. Not the burning passion of regular dislike, but true cold fury at my defiance.The after-party is held in President Snow's mansion, easily as big as all of Victor's Village and probably larger. Just walking into the banquet hall makes me gape in awe. Bright Capitolians waltz around, giggling, gossiping, and eating. Musicians play for us from floating clouds. There's a dance floor in the midst of it all. People linger by fountains, ponds, and plush couches. Waiters circle everywhere.The air is filled with the scent of delicacies I can hardly describe. The innumerable amount of food is overwhelming. I want to try a little of everything, but it's impossible. There must be a dozen tables for every course imaginable.But it's also a lot to take in. I reach for my ring before remembering it isn't there. I look around the room, almost lost in the commotion of it all. How do the people who live here stand it?Haymitch takes my arm and steers me over to a table. "Only eat a bite of each. Trust me." He says. I stare at the twenty or thirty seafood dishes in front of me. I stare at the tentacles of one and pick it up.Here's to you, Magnus. I think, and I bite down.I keep working my way around the tables, filling up fast on the decadence of the Capitol. People approach me, usually with Haymitch. A short conversation conspires, a picture is taken, and I move on.Effie drops in on me from time to time, introducing me to the other escorts. I stay away from the waiters carrying alcohol around on little platters, though Haymitch drinks my share for me. As I wander around the room, I become aware of Capitol citizens disappearing into the bathrooms at an alarming rate, each carrying a tiny flute of clear liquid."Piper Lockly." A voice says, and I turn, certain it's another fan. A well-groomed man watches me calmly, nearly underdressed for a Capitolian. I instantly recoiled from the possessive look in his eyes."Hello." I say with a smile."Seneca Crane." He stretches forward a hand. "Gamemaker. It's an honor to meet you. You made our Games so interesting, even for someone who knows all the twists and turns."My stomach wrenches. "I suppose that's all part of the fun." I say."Yes, it truly is the tributes that make the Games memorable. Although I must say, you made an impact on us all."I'm uncomfortable, and I glance for Haymitch. Instead, I meet President Snow's eyes. He nods to me, as if to say this is only the beginning."It was lovely to meet you." I say hurriedly, and I turn to leave."You seem tired. We could take a walk outside. I live close by." Seneca Crane says, and bile rises in my throat."Mr. Crane." A different seductive voice says, and I look in surprise as Finnick Odair positively glides up beside the man."Mr. Odair." Seneca Crane looks displeased, but I've never been so relieved to see someone in my entire life."I heard you were promoted to Head Gamemaker. Congratulations.""Yes, it is an honor.""Well, if you'll excuse us, I must ask Miss Lockly's hand in the next dance." Finnick smiles at me. "If you want.""Yes, thank you." I say as graciously as I can and I take his offered hand. The steadiness helps comfort my shaking legs."Thank you." I repeat quietly as I put an arm around his neck, glancing back at the Head Gamemaker."He's gone." Finnick says in my ear and I try to quiet my rolling stomach.The music's slow enough that we can just revolve on the spot without trouble. My heartbeat slows down and I grip Finnick's hand less tightly."President Snow, he threatened the people I love if I didn't do what he wanted." I breathe out."And what did you say?""No."Finnick looks down at me and I make the mistake of meeting his eyes. They're as brilliantly sea green as always, nearly entrancing."I suppose we can't all be as fortunate to have no one we love." He says. For a moment, my secret about Peeta nearly slips out, but I catch it."And who do you love, Finnick Odair?"He grins. "Well, that's for me to know and you to find out." Maybe he sees it my secret in my eyes, because he pulls me from the dance floor to a deserted alcove."So, Piper, or should I call you phoenix now?"I force a smile. "Don't you know? I'm not the phoenix here. Just a canary. A pet.""Oh, you could never be a pet, Piper. But tell me about yourself. It looks like we'll be spending some time together." He grins captivatingly. He is easily the most handsome person I've ever seen."Well, I'm just a poor orphan from District 12 with no one who loved me until Haymitch took me in, and I'm eternally grateful. I love photography and the Capitol and my favorite color is the color red."Finnick looks at me, and I shrug. "That's what they think, so it must be the truth. The camera never lies."He looks in my eyes and I realize I'm staring just a moment too late when he smiles. "Am I distracting you?""It takes a lot more than a pretty face to distract me." I reply with a grin, looking out over the dancers. This is easier, this casual banter."Are you sure?" He says as overly seductively he can, and I start giggling at the ridiculous pose he's assumed on the couch."Cheater." I say, but I'm laughing too hard to truly care. He grins and sits back down normally."Piper!" A ringing voice calls out, and I turn to see Effie waving me over. It must be time to go.I stand to leave, but Finnick catches my hand."Don't leave, Pipes, we were having such a good time." He says."Pipes?""I'm trying it out." He answers with a grin. "Like I said, we'll be seeing a lot of each other.""Piper!" Effie repeats, and I draw my hand away."Try not to miss me too much." Finnick says with a flirty lean back. "I'll miss you too, I promise."I look at Effie before turning back to Finnick. "You know you don't have to act like that around me. I don't need the charming, seductive act just to know who you are. I'm not them." I look out at the bright crowd surrounding us. His eyes soften a little."No, you're not, are you, Pipes?" He says softly. "I'll see you soon.""I'm sure." I smile and turn to a very impatient Effie."Piper!" He calls, and I turn."If you need someone, to talk to, anything, give me a call." Finnick reaches out with a napkin, a phone number scrawled onto it. I take it quickly."There are times when I need someone to talk to too." He says quietly, closing my hand around it.I nod to him with a soft smile before walking away, my heels clicking on the ground. I meet Effie, who looks anxious."Piper, I expected better from you! We might be late! I understand that Finnick is a very interesting individual, but you've completely set off our entire schedule!""I'm sorry, Effie, it won't happen again." I say, and I glance back at Finnick one last time. He's looking at me go with a smile. As I watch, a woman approaches him with a giggle and a coy smile. His green eyes shut off as he welcomes her to his side. My stomach rolls over like I ate something poisoned.Effie rushes us into the car, all the way to the train station, onto our train. Then we're heading out of the Capitol at last, and I can bury myself under all my blankets and pillows, muffling the noise, mulling over my conversation with Finnick over and over. The napkin is clutched in my vice grip. I fall asleep wondering if I'll ever pluck up the courage to use it.My dreams are worse that night, full of Seneca Crane's vice grip on my wrists. I writhe away from him but I can't break free. His steel grip turns into handcuffs and chains, pinning me to the floor. President Snow holds the barrel of a gun to Peeta's head. Tears stream down his face. I try to scream but my nose and mouth are full of blood. I'm suddenly drowning in water, the smell of roses filling every pore, and President Snow smiles at me. Peeta's eyes widen in fear as I struggle for breath.I jerk awake, panting heavily, my hands running over my body to see if it's soaked. The scent of roses lingers in the damp sweat covering my body. I swing my legs out of bed, my terrified mind carrying my naked body to the shower. Only as I am stepping under the scalding water do I remember the napkin still clutched in my fingers. I place in on the counter before immersing my body in heat.After I've washed off any trace of my nightmares, I step out. It's early in the morning and no one's awake. I can't go back to sleep, and just like I've been living my life for six months, I don't know what to do.