CROSSFIRE [f. odiar]

chapter two

Ariadne woke up the next morning to her dark Capitol room, eagerly awaiting her train departure time to get back to her sister. Stretching and washing her face, she raced through her morning routine in the silence of her room. Wearing mainly black clothes had become a staple in her closet ever since the Games, bright greens and blues reminded her of the Maze walls and red would forever resemble the blood that would never stop flowing. Sticking to black was void of emotions, almost safe. Nothing would ever be truly safe, not as long as Snow lives and the Capitol thrives on.

When she reached the dining table the platters were half empty, telling her that everyone else had already eaten and were starting to pack. She walked over to her place at the table, and was met with a note signed with her name on the back in a quick, messy writing placed on top of her plate.

Dear Airiadne, or is it Ariadknee? Never mind.

Last night was blurry, but I remember you helping me out. Thanks for getting me to my room in one piece with good intentions, even though I ended up getting to my train late anyways.

Don't be a stranger,

H.

She smiled as she read over the quickly scrawled writing, Haymitch's brutal honesty was just as apparent in his writing as it was in person. As much as she disliked majority of the victors, there were a few that surprised her with their friendliness. In another life, as different people, living in a different place, they probably would've been friends.

A few hours later, with a full stomach and an unbearable urge in her heart to see her sister again, Ariadne was on her train pulling into District 8. Home sweet home, she thought as she gathered her bags.

Scanning the crowds Ariadne broke out into a smile as her eyes landed on the chocolate-brown braids. She crouched down as Rosaline came barreling towards her, almost falling backwards with the impact of the hug. Breathing in her sisters rich smell of home, she embraced her tightly in her arms. Finally seeing her after countless phone calls and letters, knowing that she was okay, was like a blanket of relief being draped over her.

"I missed you, Ads." Rosaline whispered, pulling back from the hug to inspect her sisters face. "How are you? Did you have fun? Is that glitter on her eyes? Did they put sparkles... on your face?"

Ariadne laughed at her sisters scrunched up eyebrows, still innocent to all of the Capitols beauty torture, and pulled her into her arms again. "I missed you too." She said into her hair. She probably could've stayed like that forever; with her sister safely in her arms without any thought of the world around them, but the cold weather was giving both the girls intense shivers and her light sweater wasn't exactly helping.

Lacing her fingers in between Rosie's small ones, the two walked hand in hand to Victors Village. Ariadne tried to pay them no mind, but she couldn't help but look into the storefront windows to see eyes staring at her. Whether it be homeless teenagers or malnourished little kids, it seemed like there was always someone in danger of losing their life in 8. Not nearly as badly as in 11 or 12, but still no where near the quality of life in the Capitol.

Ariadne had grown up in these streets, playing in the tall grass fields with friends until it was time for school. She could remember her parents cooking meals every Sunday for as many people as possible, sending the girls to hand out bowls of steaming soup to those on the streets. Everyone in the town knew of them and their kindness, leaving their legacy known even after they both die.