inexorable [finnick odair]

iii. snow settling

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Home, it was all Sable could think about as she lay in bed that night. In less than twelve hours, she'd be on a train across Panem back to District 10. She'd see Colt, and she'd see Leo, and they could move into her new home in the Victors Village. They'd pretty much have the area to themselves if they wanted - since the two morphlings never left their houses and Kieran was dead.

Sable's mind was racing with the endless possibilities of what she could do once she was back home. District 10 had always been a dull place, but now, with the extra money and status of being a victor, Sable could finally make something that mattered. She could start a new life with the two people she loved more than anything in this world, and help out her community. She could use her winnings for good, making sure no-one had to go hungry again. Unlike Kieran.

The thought of Kieran's death washed over her, brining back memories of the Hunger Games. Sable wasn't sure she would ever forget the feeling of blood on her hands as she killed to survive. Ivory had warned her that she'd likely experience nightmares once she was back home, the weight of the things she had to do yet to settle in. Even now, the flashbacks would sometimes come back to her, reminding her that she wasn't as innocent in all of this.

As she closed her eyes, Sable could feel her heart racing with excitement and anticipation. The sound of the train whistle in the distance made her heart skip a beat. She'd be on that train soon, away from the Capitol and towards home.

Suddenly, a loud knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She was taken aback by the suddenness of it - and the urgency of how the knock hammered against the door, and slowly got out of bed to answer it. Sable cautiously opened the door to find Ivory standing there, a stressed look in her eyes as she looked at her victor. Her long hair wasn't in a fancy up-do, and she had no makeup on her face. Sable almost didn't recognise the woman... she looked normal for once.

"President Snow wants to meet with you immediately," she said. "You need to get dressed, and come with me now." 

Well, shit.

____

Sable's heart raced as she followed Ivory into grand building in the peak of night. Something about this didn't feel right... didn't feel normal. President Snow had already seen her that evening, when he had crowned her victor after her interview with Caesar. Anything he needed to say to her then, could have been said earlier.

The thought of what might await her in his office made her stomach churn with nerves as they reached the elevator and descended several floors upwards in silence. Sable was highly aware of how anxious Ivory seemed, her eyes darting around frantically and her fingers fiddling with each other nervously. In all of her time in the Capitol, Sable had never seen Ivory act like this. Something wasn't right.