The Winner Takes it All

Goodbyes

The Peacekeepers ushered me inside, their firm grip a stark reminder of my grim reality. They led me to the goodbye room; not long after, Finnick, Annie, and Mags entered the room, all with solemn expressions. The air felt thick with unspoken fears and muted sorrow.

With her eyes brimming with concern, Annie was the first to break the silence as she clung to Finnick for support and asked in a shaky voice, "Marin, how are you holding up?"

I could barely meet her gaze; my eyes clouded with fear and a strange sense of relief. "Honestly...I'm terrified," I admitted, my voice a mere whisper. "But at least Max is safe. He's too young...he wouldn't stand a chance." The thought of sparing Max from the arena brought a small comfort, a faint solace in the darkness looming ahead.

"I knew that Zale would volunteer; he had been letting everyone know for a while now," Finnick said before changing the topic from Max to us. "With both of you in the arena, District 4 is sure to win, and you've got to do whatever it takes to be the victor."

I avoided his gaze as I turned to look away from them, "You're aware that Districts 1 and 2 are sure to put a target on my head just for being related to you. I'm screwed." I halfheartedly joked.

"Don't say that, Marin. You can't give up." Finnick began as he wrapped me in a tight embrace. "I can't lose you too. Promise me that you'll try and try hard."

"I promise." I nodded; I knew that I had to try. "I'm not going down without a fight."

"That's all I could ask for." Finnick smiles warmly as we separate.

"Time is up. You three have to go now." Informed a nearby Peacekeeper.

"I guess this is it," Finnick says sadly.

"I guess it is," I whisper, avoiding eye contact.

"I don't want to say goodbye..." Annie mourns, once again crying in Finnick's embrace.

Mags mumbles something I couldn't quite make out as she pulls me into a motherly hug.

"Before you go, I wanted to give you this," Finnick says as he pulls a seashell necklace out of his pocket. "You're allowed a token-"

"Finn, I can't take this." I interrupt, and despite my protest, he puts it on me.

"You can and will; we'll root for you, kiddo." Finnick says with a smile, "Show them what you've made of."

As they were escorted out, I sat down, waiting for the time to come for Zale and me to board the train and head to the Capitol. I can't believe I'm doing this and might never see them again.

"All right, I'm going," I remark as one grabs my arm. I quickly pulled my arm away and started walking out the door with the Peacekeepers flanking our potential escapes, not that I would've tried since I didn't want to make this even worse for myself.

Once we arrive at the train, one of the peacekeepers takes us to our rooms and lets us settle in. As the train departed, Tinsel informed us that she'd like us to join her and our mentor, Sereia, at the table for food.

Sereia was renowned in District 4 for her elegance and beauty; unfortunately, President Snow and the rest of the Capitol had noticed it, too. Despite Finnick trying to hide it from me, I knew what the Capitol did to "desirable" victors. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her watching the other Reapings, and I had begun to watch as well.

District 1's tributes and the male from District 2 were pretty predictable. The girl from 2, although small and young, had a dangerous look in her eyes. I'm going to have to watch out for her. Other notable faces that caught my attention were the fox-faced girl from 5 and both from 11. The girl made me remember Max, and I was saddened to know she had to participate.

On the other hand, the boy was just as large and intimidating as the boy from 2. Then, something I wasn't expecting happened: District 12 had a girl volunteer for her sister. I expected that to happen in the Districts 1, 2, and 4, but never from 12. Volunteering was practically nonexistent in the outer Districts.

"It's unbelievable," Sereia murmured, her voice soft yet steady. "It's a risky yet brave act." Her fingers idly played with her dark hair as she spoke.

"How so?" Zale asks suspiciously, helping himself to the lavish and rather elaborate table of food set out on the table for us.

Sereia's eyes remained on the screen. "She looks like a fighter and a competent one at that. Underestimating an underdog is a fatal error. Many here fight out of obligation or for glory," she said, her gaze drifting towards me, then shifting to Zale. "But she's fighting for something more powerful – love and family. That's good motivation in the arena."

Tinsel cleared her throat, interrupting the conversation with a wave. "Well, that's a charming sentiment, but let's be realistic. District 12 hasn't produced a winner in decades. Haymitch's failure is well-documented, and the annual bloodbath only cements that reputation," she said dismissively. Leaning forward, she flashed a saccharine smile at Sereia. "Didn't both tributes from 12 meet their end rather early in your Games, Sereia?"

Sereia met Tinsel's gaze unflinchingly. "What happened in the past doesn't dictate what's currently happening in the present," she countered sharply. "Yes, District 12 has faced a long losing streak, but underestimating anyone in the Games is a rookie mistake. Each year brings new players and new dynamics. Who's to say this year won't be different?"

Tinsel's smile tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly at Sereia's retort. "How delightfully optimistic of you," she replied, her tone laced with thinly veiled sarcasm. "But let's not indulge in fanciful thinking. District 12's tributes are hardly a concern. Our focus should be on preparing ourselves, ensuring they don't follow Haymitch's lackluster footsteps."

Sereia scoffed, turning away from Tinsel, signifying the end of their discussion and proceeding to face Zale and me and spending the next portion of the train ride filling us in on what to expect and talking strategy.